Tag: religion

Prayers Purpose: What Prayer Actually Changes

As much as I would like to think that I pray as I should, I know it is not the case.

Over the course of my life I have heard people say, “Prayer changes things.” I have to agree. I believe that. The question that has often lingered in my mind though is this: What exactly is being changed? It is very easy to say that prayer changes things, but when you do not know what is being changed how can we benefit.

Because of my pastor’s emphasis on prayer in his current sermon series, I have found myself thinking on this subject regularly. As much as I would like to think that I pray as I should, I know it is not the case. As Pastor David was preaching this past week I wrote down this simple phrase.

Prayer is about Preparation

As I have thought about this over the last several days I have found that prayer does change things. What I have failed to realize is the changes serve a greater purpose than I have ever understood. There are at least three individuals or groups that are changed as we pray. I would like to look at each one of these in order.

1. The Person Praying Needs to be Prepared

Prayer prepares me for what God will do. Whenever I fail to pray through an issue with God I am missing out on what I will need to receive and use what God sends to me when he answers. If there is any one person that needs to change as a result of prayer it is me. One of the most confounding realities that James writes about is the fact that prayers go unanswered, not because God does not what to answer them, but because we are asking for things that do no conform to the plans and purposes of God. When we pray amiss, what we are doing is asking God to accept our petitions as his own. We want God to approve of what we have been doing, instead of asking God to allow us into what he is doing. Continue reading “Prayers Purpose: What Prayer Actually Changes”

The Two Questions That Will Destroy Your Faith

We Become What We Believe In

I was meeting with a friend this morning. As we ate breakfast we were talking about how we become who God wants us to be. We had been reading through Colossians and we came to the end of chapter three. That is where Paul says this.

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17, ESV)

In verses 12-13 we find the attributes of who we are supposed to be. We cannot just do these things. Something has to change inside of us so that we can become people who live like this. But in the next four verses we find that there are at least four things that can do, that God will use to transform us so we more closely reflect Christ. We have to “put on love,” “be thankful,” “let the word of Christ dwell in [me] richly,” “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” If we do these things, God promises that we will see a change within us. Continue reading “The Two Questions That Will Destroy Your Faith”

Reflections on a Motion Picture | “Out Of Bed You Daisy Head”

The movie Sister Act is a great movie. I know there maybe some who would not agree. And that would be alright. I have watched the movie many times over the last few years. There are a couple of scenes in particular that really speak to me as it relates to faith and the living out of faith. Continue reading “Reflections on a Motion Picture | “Out Of Bed You Daisy Head””

UPDATED: How Long Is Long Enough?

This post was updated on June 13

Pray Hard

This past week my pastor continued teaching on prayer in the The Circle Maker Series. The subject of this weeks message was “Praying Hard.” The story that he used was that of the persistent widow in Luke 18. The story tells how a widow seeking justice pestered a judge until he caved into the requests of the woman, just to get her off his back. It is an interesting story because she did not wait until her appointed court day. She continued to seek after the judge. The twist in the story is that this is not seen as inappropriate. Jesus seems to imply that God desires this kind of tenacity and stubbornness. Continue reading “UPDATED: How Long Is Long Enough?”

The Bishop and His Beautiful People | “Your Call Is Still Calling”

There is nothing more important to the work of the church than to be totally and unashamedly committed to Jesus. Any failure to love God and to love those whom God loves misses the message of Jesus.

The South Georgia Annual Conference met from June 3 – 5, in Macon, Georgia. This meeting takes place once a year and is the time for the conference to handle the business of the church. I was not able to attend, but did watch on the live stream online. One of the wonderful benefits of technology. As the conference drew to a close Bishop King shared some important thoughts with the clergy and lay members of the conference. I would like to share with you these thoughts and some of my own reflections.

Our bishop regularly greets the members of the conference by saying, “Hello beautiful people.” And he does so with such a warm smile it is hard not to smile back, knowing that this is a sincere greeting from him. I hope I never take it for granted. I am always left with the impression that the bishop really means it and he wants us to believe it for ourselves. We are a beautiful people. Not because of anything intrinsic within us, but because of who we have become and are becoming in Jesus.

Bishop King then said to those in attendance and those of us viewing online, “Your call is still calling.” Continue reading “The Bishop and His Beautiful People | “Your Call Is Still Calling””

The Roman Catholic Church, Postmodernity, and Human Sexuality: The Power of 1,700 Years of History

Pope Benedictus XVI
From Wikipedia: Pope Benedictus XVI

I came across an interesting article this week looking at the Catholic Church’s response to the book of “Sister Margaret Farley, a member of the Sisters of Mercy religious order and emeritus professor of Christian ethics at Yale Divinity School.”* There were several points that I found interesting in the article. I will take them one at a time.

Before I do, I do want to say a couple of things. First, I am not Catholic, an ex-Catholic and I do not have an axe to grind with the Catholic church. Second, there are many things that I appreciate about the Catholic church. (Two of my favorite movies have heavy Catholic themes: Joshua and The Shoes of the Fisherman. Check them out they are very good.) Third, while there are many within the Protestant traditions who do not believe that the Catholic church is true to Christ’s desires, thinking like this is such an overreaction that I do not even have time to write about it here. Fourth, any failure to see that in spite of its flaws (as we all have in our churches) the Roman Catholic church protected the Gospel of Jesus Christ from A.D. 300, when Constantine Created the Holy Roman Empire to A.D. 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Thesis sparking the Protestant Reformation. Continue reading “The Roman Catholic Church, Postmodernity, and Human Sexuality: The Power of 1,700 Years of History”

A Youth Pastor Attends District Conference

On Sunday, May 20, the Americus District of the South Georgia Annual Conference met to participate in holy conferencing. About 250 members of the district gathered at Cordele First United Methodist Church to share in a time of worship, business, and celebration of vital and vibrant ministries in the district. The District Superintendent, Dr. Wayne Moseley, shared with us an insight into the power and beauty of the yearly District conference. Moseley shared that the bishop described the district meeting is to the life of the district and the annual conference is the life of all the churches in south Georgia.

Dr. Wayne Moseley
Americus District Superintendent

It is a time to celebrate and to acknowledge all that was done, both by the hand of God and by the diligent service of faithful Methodists.

Americus District Meets

As the meeting began, Dr. Moseley extolled those in attendance about the power and purpose of the connection. This was a wonderful reminder of how and why we are connected. As individual churches, there is so much that can be achieved and accomplished. What we as Methodists must remember is that together we can go even further than we ever dreamed possible. The district was encouraged to continue to make every effort to grow in connectional activities, not only strengthening the regional and global church but also strengthening the ties of the local church to the global ministry.

Awards to District Churches

After the opening congregational hymn and exhortation by Dr. Moseley, the conference entered into the business meeting time. Reports on several areas were presented. Three-star pastors were recognized, with recognition being given for “Highest Net Gain in Membership,” “Largest Number of Professions of Faith,” and “Best Ratio of Professions of Faith” for 2011.

Some other acknowledgements were the Carruth Missions Awards, Evangelistically Fruitful Congregations, Fully Connectional Churches, and Four- and Five-Star Pastors.

District Officers were also elected following the recognition of the work of and in the district churches.

Dr. Moseley provided a reflection on the events of general conference discussing what had been done (or attempted), particularly on the issue of restructuring. Those in attendance were also given a preview of some interesting and significant issues that will be upcoming during South Georgia Annual Conference Meeting on June 3-5 in Macon, Georgia.

The highlight of the business meeting were the reports from several missions organizations within the district and of the annual conference that are impacted by the support and efforts of district

Congregational Hymn

churches. Reports were given from the Georgia Southwestern Wesley Foundation, Magnolia Manor, The Methodist Home in Americus, Disaster Response, Hispanic Ministries, Dooly Campground’s Children & Youth Camp, United Methodist Men and United Methodist Women.

Bishop Exhorts the District: “GO, GROW, LOVE”

The meeting closed with Bishop James King preaching. This was a wonderful time. Bishop King reminded us that the key to success in anything, but particularly in the primary mission of the church requires focus. The church’s mission is to make disciples for the transformation of the world. This can only be done if we remain focused to building and strengthening the foundation of discipleship.

The foundation of discipleship is love. We were reminded of this important fact several times. There are hurting people all around us that have never felt love, let alone the love of God. We must remember, Bishop King reminded us, that Jesus said that the world will know we are his disciples by our love for one another.

Bishop King used Peyton Manning as an illustration that resonated with this youth pastor. The bishop recalled an interview with Manning about his trade from the Indianapolis Colts to the Denver Broncos. Manning was asked what he was looking forward to as a result of the trade and Manning’s response was that he could not wait to get his routine started. Bishop King encouraged us that, as the people of God, we must make every effort to develop holy habits because these are the practices that form us. This was a wonderful reminder.

Bishop King exhorting the District to “Go, Grow, Love”

The bishop closed his teaching time with two very important realities. The first was that without love discipleship is almost impossible. Therefore, we have to “Go, Grow, Love.” We go because that is what Jesus said to do. We go because we are the ones sent to find. We go because if we do not the world will never really come to Christ on their own. But, as we go, we have to also grow. Growth in love, holy habits and discipleship are the fuel that moves the train of God’s desire to see disciples made. But, as we go, and as we grow, we must also love. Our love for one another and our love for those whom God loves as well remind us of how important our mission truly is.

The second reality was that we have to “come into agreement about making disciples,” said Bishop King. As a global connection we have to make up our minds that making disciples will be our focus. Our bishop’s heart with regard to this was evident as he closed his message.

As a youth pastor in the Americus District and as a member of the South Georgia Annual Conference I am glad to have Bishop James King providing leadership to us to go into the world and make disciples for the transformation of the world.

Thank you Bishop King and Dr. Moseley for all that you do to lead our churches toward accomplishing God’s work in South Georgia.

The Epistle of Joy and A Theology of Suffering

In the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians there is an interesting dichotomy developing. Paul gave thanks for what God was doing in his life and in the life of the believers in Philippi. He then turns his attention to what is happening to him. And what is that? He is in prison because of his preaching of the Gospel. He is doing exactly what God wants him to do and he gets thrown in jail.

There is no easy road to evangelism. It is paved with the rough stones of adversity. There is no beautiful scenery. There is only the destruction of sin and the carnage of willful disobedience. Jesus never promised that the task of communicating the message of salvation was going to be easy. Whenever we grumble that it isn’t we have not paid attention to what Jesus taught us on the matter.

There are several passages in the first chapter that truly reveal this paradox of faith. How can Paul write such encouragement when he is shackled to a wall or guard all day long? How can he rejoice because of his situation? I just doesn’t make sense. What are we missing that Paul seems to have understood?

Here are a few samples of what I mean.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel… 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

These three verses are Paul’s introduction to what he believed about his current state. He did not see being in jail and suffering as a concern. He was actually pleased at the effect that it was having on those around him. The entire guard had heard the Gospel, and many of the believers outside had been stirred to action as well. It really does challenge our modern, American sensibilities to think that going to jail for our faith is a good thing. But, Paul doesn’t stop there. He goes and says the following.

15  Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Paul knew that there are some people preaching the Gospel for the wrong reasons. They were out there for profit, for acclaim or, as Paul writes, to make it more difficult on Paul! Can you image that. You are sitting in prison and someone dislikes you so much that they are intentionally trying to make things worse. And yet, Paul looks past all of that and says that the reason is irrelevant to him because the truth is being proclaimed. Now, those preaching for the wrong reason will be held accountable, but God is so good that he will even use these wrong motives to accomplish his ultimate purpose.

But again, this is not the end of what Paul said. He continues.

19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 

Really?! It is hard for you to decide whether you want to stay on earth or go to heaven? I sometimes wonder why we don’t talk like this? And then I realize that many of us are not willing to go where Paul went. Paul knew and understood something that many in the Western church have not learned to even acknowledge. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I believe that Paul’s commitment to the proclamation and spread of the Gospel had a lot to do with it. The power of evangelism to motivate and refocus the believer is largely lost in our day.

Here is Paul’s final salvo in the chapter 1.

29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Paul really does lay out for us his theology here on the subject of suffering and the Gospel. There is a mysterious way in which our faith in Jesus will lead to some form of suffering. If we are not making any effort to spread the Gospel to those whom God sends along our journey, we will find no resistance. The intentional advancement of the Good News of Jesus is what causes friction between what we believe as followers of Jesus and what the world is leaning towards. We are not merely interested in propagating a religion. We want to produce fruit because of a relationship with Jesus the Savior.

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