Because of the Brightness of the Light

I have started to read the book of Acts again for my morning devotional time.  I always love to read through this book to see how God actively sought out the people to establish his Holy Church.  From the Spirit's descent at Pentecost through the rest of the book, amazing transformation takes place in the lives of those early believers.

But the story is not all excitement and smooth sailing.  From the birth of the Church, the early leaders faced opposition on many sides.  The Jewish leadership hated what the Jesus movement was teaching the Hebrew people.  The Romans really didn't like all of the unrest that the early followers were causing among those living in Jerusalem.  But despite all of the opposition, the men and women of faith continued to preach, teach, and proclaim the risen savior for the benefit of the world.

One of the most amazing transformations comes in the epiphany of the Lord to Saul.  His story of conversion is incredible.  Many times we criticize Saul for his role in Stephen's stoning and yet he was sincere in his devotion to his teachings.  He must have genuinely thought he was serving his God by protecting his understanding of who God is from heresy.  However, his encounter with Jesus Christ changed that.  Through his physical blindness, his spiritual eyes were opened and he truly was able to see who God is for the first time.  I'm sure he struggled with his role in the persecution of the early church for the rest of his life.  But I'm just as sure that he was a true Christian after his encounter on the Damascus Road.

Paul preaching in Athens - Painting by RAFFAELLO - 1515

Because of his own ignorance and awakening of who God is, he was able to become the great Apostle to the Gentiles.  In chapter 17, we are told of Paul's preaching to the Athenians in front of the Areopagus.  What I love about this story is that Paul meets the people of Athens where they are.  He acknowledges their devotion and uses that as a foundation on which to build his message about the gospel.  He used what they knew to teach them about the truth of God.  After he finished his sermon, the writer of Acts tells us, "When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed; but others said, 'We will hear you again about this.'  At that point Paul left them.  But some of them joined him and became believers, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, and others with them." (17:32-34).

One of the hymns of the church is "Just as I Am, Without One Plea."  Don't get me wrong; I believe this song has its place within the hymnal.  However, I'm afraid that we American Christians have taken this song too far in our belief system.  We think that God has taken us where we are and things are hunky dory.  But that is diluting the blood of Jesus Christ.  He died for more than that.  He died to bring us back to the fullness of what it means to be made in the image of God.  He died so that we might live life now.  He died and was raised so that we too might have a new life here and now.  God is in the business of transforming us from Saul to Paul.  He is in the business of moving us from a limited understanding like the Athenians to a deeper understanding like Dionysius and Damaris.

A follow up song to "Just as I Am" is "Change My Heart Oh God."  Once we are restored to our relationship with God, then our faith journey continues.  We should expect to grow in grace, mercy, justice, and righteousness.  We should be willing to work out our salvation and give the Holy Spirit something to work with in our lives.  We should pursue God as he continues to pursue us.  We cannot change ourselves, but we must be willing to submit to our own change.  We must continue to meet God and let God have his Holy way with us.  May each one of us continue to grow in God's grace and be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.  Until next time...




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Well Shut My Mouth

Last week I posted my set of rules to live by as a pastor.  If you remember, I have two rules about communication.  Rule #26 and Rule #27 both help to remind me about the importance of communicating with others.  I broke Rule #27 the other day.

The problem all started when Haskell UMC booked two Friday night events back-to-back.  This Friday is homecoming and our church is sponsoring the 5th Quarter after the ballgame.  Since it is the first event, the 5th Quarter has been on my mind the last few weeks.  The other big event that our church is sponsoring is the pre-game meal on October 7th.  This is a great fundraiser for our church and it takes a lot of preparation and a lot of help from several different people.  The other day after church one of my wonderful parishioners came up to me and said that she and her good friend have helped with the meal and they have a file folder with all of the information in it.  She said "pre-game meal" but I heard "5th Quarter."  So here is the conversation that took place between us.

Parishioner: "Pastor, I have all of the information we need to get everything done for our meal."
Me:  "Well, I talked with some of the parents and they don't want to serve a meal this year."
Parishioner: "Why not?"
Me:  "They said there was a lot of left overs last year and that we should just serve chips and dip and cookies this year."
Parishioner: "We didn't have a lot of left overs last year.  In fact, we ran out of food and we need to make extra this year.  Besides I'm not sure people will pay $7.00 a ticket for chips and dip."
Me: We charge people to come?"
Parishioner: "We have to charge people, this is a fundraiser for our church."
Me: "I thought it was just a ministry that we did for the community."
(Awkward Silence)
Parishioner: "What are you talking about?"
Me: "The 5th Quarter.  What are you talking about?"
Parishioner: "The pre-game meal."

Happily, it ended up being no big deal and we had a good laugh about it.  But, this conversation reinforced the need to communicate with people.  Just because we were talking does not mean that we were communicating.  Many times, that is what ends up happening.  We do more talking than we do listening and then nothing gets done because no one knows what is going on.

Even though this time it turned out well, it does not mean that it always does.  Sometimes we get so busy talking and don't listen that the situation escalates until people get mad at one another and feelings get hurt.  Many times, relationships are hurt and friendships ruined because of poor communication.  What's worse is when someone intentionally causes a rift.  Scripture is full of warnings and truths that come about due to us talking too much and not listening enough.  Here are a few to consider:

"The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly."-Proverbs 15:2
"The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil."-Proverbs 15:28
"The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse."-Proverbs 10:32
"The mouths of fools are their ruin, and their lips a snare to themselves."-Proverbs 18:7

Our words are very important.  They can build others up and they can tear others down.  Our words can proclaim the gospel message of Jesus Christ or they can advance the enemy of God's Holy Kingdom.  James warns us that we should tame our tongue; he also admits that it is very difficult to do.  "With it (our tongue) we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so."--James 3:9-10.  But just because something is difficult that does not mean that we must stop trying.  We have to continue to depend on the Holy Spirit to purify us in all areas.  We must continue to push forward in our faith journey and allow ourselves to be transformed more fully into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

Communicating and speaking wholesome words are so important in our everyday life.  As Christians, our words and our discussions should be focused on listening more than we speak, weighing our words carefully before we speak, and then only speaking after we know what we are talking about.  I know I've been guilty of poor communication and talking too rashly.  However, by the grace of God I am getting better.  Until next time...

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Wilhite's Rules

Fall has officially arrived; the new television season has begun.  A couple of years ago, I started watching some of the crime shows on TV.  NCIS, CSI, The Mentalist, and Criminal Minds.  All of these shows have the same basic plot format.  A crime occurs (usually a murder), a group of people come together as a team to gather evidence, work on DNA found, and catch the bad guy.  I'm not sure what it is about these shows that is appealing, but I can't help myself.  I really enjoy seeing the teamwork, the camaraderie, and how the people go about solving the case.  I have told Myranda that one of these days an acronym (FBI, NCIS, CSI, or CBI) is going to call me in to help them.  After all, I am already an acronym (PEUMC)!  But she's not convinced.


One of the characters in the show NCIS is named Jethro Gibbs.  Throughout the series various characters reference a set of "rules" that Gibbs has.  So far, not all of Gibbs Rules have been revealed but the show's producers have promised that more will come to light in the upcoming season.  These rules have inspired me to think about my own set of rules that I should follow as a pastor and as a Christian.  So I have created a set that seem like they work for me.  Over time, the rules can be amended and more rules can be added.  At times, the rules have to be bent when a situation arises.  But overall, the rules really help to keep my life and vocation focused.  


When making my rules, I kept in mind Matthew 10:16 when Jesus says, "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."  I think you will see both sides of the coin reflected in these rules.  Many people think that Christianity is a faith where we have to lay our courage and boldness down and allow other people to walk all over us.  That is simply not so.  In our faith, we are called to speak boldly and truthfully.  We are also called to radical love and hospitality.  In our worldly culture these are backwards.  According to the world you speak kindly and smoothly while acting selfishly.  


The other thing that I kept in mind while creating my set of rules was my deep desire to know God.  In my own experience, the closer I get to God, the more I desire him.  I can't explain why or how, but as my spiritual life continues to develop, the more of God's Spirit I crave.  The more I want to reflect God to a broken world and the more I want to genuinely show people who he is and how they can grow in their relationship too.  


I invite you to read through Wilhite's Rules.  You will notice that I borrowed a few of the rules from others.  Where I did, I have noted it.  I encourage you to draw up a list of rules for yourself.  See what you come up with.  Feel free to comment here about my rules or tell me some of yours.  Until next time... 


Wilhite's Rules

Rule #1: Always start the day with prayer.

Rule #2: Read a chapter from the Old Testament and a chapter from the New Testament every day.

Rule #3: Always Trust God.

Rule #4: Let others use their gifts.

Rule #5: Be a good steward.

Rule #6: Apologize if you hurt someone, but never apologize for your beliefs.

Rule #7: Let your sermon marinate.

Rule #8: Be thankful.

*Rule #9: Always carry a knife.

Rule #10: Respect the elders.

Rule #11: Never let office work take the place of ministry.

Rule #12: Visit the nursing home and shut-ins.

Rule #13: Help those in need, but don’t let them take advantage of you.

Rule #14: Always be ready to give your testimony.

*Rule #15: Always work as a team.

Rule #16: Never “think” of someone, pray for them.

Rule #17: Always forgive.

Rule #18: Always turn your forms in on time.

Rule #19: Always be reading something.

Rule #20: Sing at church.

Rule #21: Shop locally.

Rule #22: Don’t be a slave to your phone.

*Rule #23: Never mess with a Pastor’s coffee, if you want to live.

Rule#24: Eat peppermint during sermon preparation.

Rule #25: Always think sermonically.

Rule #26: Always communicate.

Rule #27: When you communicate, listen more than you speak.

Rule #28: Always be honest with yourself. (To thine own self be true.)

Rule #29: There are always three sides to every story; side 1, side 2, and the truth.

Rule #30: Never confuse membership with discipleship.

Rule #31: Always take time off.

Rule #32: Always tell your spouse and kids you love them.

Rule #33: Never confuse dogmata with doctrines.

Rule #34: Always depend on the Holy Spirit, for everything.

Rule # 35: Never get involved in politics, but always pray for your leaders.

*Rule #36: If you feel like you are being played, you are.

Rule #37: Never sit in the back row of the sanctuary.

Rule #38: Always appreciate tradition, but don’t worship it.

*Rule #39: There is no such thing as coincidence.

*Rule #40: If it seems like someone is out to get you, they are.

Rule #41: If someone gives you something, send a thank you note.

Rule #42: Never disrespect the Sacraments.

Rule #43: Practice the means of grace.

Rule #44: Always use proper grammar.

*Rule #45: Clean up the mess that you make.

Rule #46: Go wherever God sends you.

Rule #47: Never confuse a job with a vocation.

**Rule #48: Do no harm.

**Rule #49: Do good.

**Rule #50: Stay in love with God.

*Rule #51: Sometimes you’re wrong.

Rule #52: Never stop learning.

*These rules come from Gibb’s Rules on NCIS.

**These come from Rueben P. Job’s Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living

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"He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age..."

Tucked away in the midst of the history of Israel is a short story that highlights the struggles of a woman and her daughter-in-law.  This story falls between the time of the judges of the tribes and the formation of the monarchy. It is a wonderful story that has much to teach us in our 21st century world.  This is the story of Naomi and Ruth.

Ruth and Naomi 

I'm sure you all remember the story.  Both of Naomi's sons and her husband died while they were living in Moab.  With no one to turn to, Naomi decides to go back to her own people in Judah.  She tells her daughters-in-law to go back home to their own families.  Orpah does go back, but Ruth refuses.  She takes up residence with Naomi and becomes a part of Naomi's family.

The rest of the story is about how Ruth provides food for Naomi and herself by gleaning from the fields of their neighbors.  She meets a kinsman, Boaz, and eventually marries him, gives birth to a son, and brings joy back into Naomi's life.  It's all a good story, but there is more to it than that.  When you read closely you see an abundance of goodness taking place by those who are involved.

Ruth gleaning the fields.

First, there is an abundance of goodness that shines through Ruth.  As a foreigner to the Jewish faith, Naomi did not expect Ruth to continue to live with her.  Ruth was free to leave Naomi on her own and yet she chooses to make her life with her mother-in-law.  Not only does she make her life with Naomi, but she sees after her.  She volunteers to go out into the fields and labor in the hot sun so that they can eat.  She accepts the faith of Naomi as her own faith and begins to worship the God of the Israelites.

We also see the great abundance that comes through Boaz.  He notices Ruth and he offers her the opportunity to glean from his fields.  Not only that, but he instructs his men to leave extra grain behind so that she has plenty of grain to harvest.  Boaz insures that Ruth and Naomi have everything they need and more.

When it comes time to "redeem" the land of Naomi, Boaz approaches the one with the first right of redemption.  He follows the law and yet he makes sure that Ruth and Naomi are cared for.  When the first man in line refuses, Boaz gladly takes his place, knowing that the first child that Ruth has will be in the line of the first husband.

Ruth, Naomi, and Obed

All through the story we are reminded of grace in abundance.  We are reminded of mercy beyond measure.  If we look closely, we see that Boaz and Ruth both act in accordance with the heart of the law, not the letter of the law.  They both extend the same kind of grace, mercy, and justice that God extends to those who will accept the gift.  When you read through to the end of the story, it becomes clear why the book of Ruth is placed where it is in Scripture.  In the final verses of the book, we find a genealogy.  Verse 17 states this, "The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, 'A son has been born to Naomi.'  They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David."  The future king of Israel descended through the line of a lowly Moabite.  The king that unites the people of God and through whom the Messiah would come was born into a family that were everyday people.  They had hardship; they had sad times.  They also went beyond what the rule book said and found the face of God.  They worked out of love, kindness, and devotion instead of worrying about whether they gave enough.

If you have not read this book in awhile, I encourage you to do so.  Look at the ways that the different people      go beyond the requirements and do the things that need to be done.  We can all learn a lot from Ruth and Boaz.  We can all go beyond the normal and extend grace upon grace.  Until next time...


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For The Beauty Of The Earth

One of my parishioners sent me an interesting article this morning.  It was an article about something that the Pope stated the other day.  He was discussing art in all of its forms, painting, music, poetry, etc. and how when people are exposed to art they are also "invited by beauty to 'ascend to God.'"  I have to agree with him.  In my own life I have been exposed to various works of art.  I am always amazed at the gifts that some people are able to create with their own hands.  People are creative because God is creative.  He created the Heavens and the Earth and since we are made in his image, we also create.

But I think it goes beyond just creating something.  God speaks to us in so many amazing ways.  He loves people so much that he is trying to get our attention in what ever way that he can.  He seeks us out with his Holy Spirit and draws us to himself.  He does so out of his deep love and compassion for people.  Through all of creation we are beckoned to God and brought up to his very throne-room.

Unfortunately, not everyone is able to see him through the works of art, nature, or relationships.  Sometimes we choose to close our eyes to the great beauty surrounding us, both human-made and made by God.  When we lived in Kentucky, Myranda and I enjoyed going for drives through the Bluegrass during the spring and fall.  It was absolutely incredible to see the majesty and beauty of the world around us.  I don't know if people who were born and raised in that country ever truly appreciate it or not.

Kentucky Horse Farm outside of Danville, KY

On the other hand, being raised in West Texas, there is a unique beauty of in our country too.  Maybe it's not as evident this year as in other years, but it is there for us to see.  In the three years I lived in Kentucky I never saw a sunset that even came close to the sunsets that we have here in our part of the world.  In fact, because of the hills and trees, I'm not sure I ever saw a sunset at all.

West Texas sunset outside of Tahoka, TX

St. Paul tells us in Romans that "Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made."  Regardless of where we live, God reveals himself to us.  It is up to us to raise our eyes and look for him in all of creation.

Whether we are looking in art galleries, listening to fine pieces of music, reading heart warming poetry, or hiking through the natural world, let's look to see God's activity and his amazing calling card that he leaves for us to see him.  Until next time...


"Therefore, may our visits to places of art be not only an occasion for cultural enrichment--also this--but may they become, above all, a moment of grace that moves us to strengthen our bond and our conversation with the Lord, [that moves us] to stop and contemplate--in passing from the simple external reality to the deeper reality expressed--the ray of beauty that strikes us, that 'wounds' us in the intimate recesses of our heart and invites us to ascend to God.''--Pope Benedict XVI





+May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.

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Trust in him, and he will act.

This has been a busy week here in Haskell.  We've had meetings, three open house nights at school, church activities, and an unexpected injury around here.  I've discovered that ministry is like that.  Some weeks are quiet while others are hectic.  Most of life is like that.  We go through times of busy-ness and activity and other times of slowing down and "normal" activity.

During those normal days, it can be fairly easy to remain in the Word of God, pray, and keep focus on Christian discipleship.  But the problem with that is that our devotions can become rote; we do something because we always do it.  On the other hand, during those times of busy-ness and activity it can be hard to remain focused on our walk with the LORD.  We can get so busy that we begin to drift away from where we were.

Then there are those times that we do everything we know to do.  We pray every day.  We read our Bibles and keep our minds focused on the Father's ministry.  Even in the midst of those times, it can seem as though we don't hear from God.  It can seem that we are simply spinning our wheels and that we are doing this all by ourselves.  That is where I've been this week.  In the midst of all of this activity I have continued to seek the Kingdom of God.  I have remained faithful and yet God has seemed distant this week.  Maybe it's because I have been so busy that I have failed to really look to see where he is active in the midst of ministry, family, and life.  Perhaps if I were to just slow down even in the middle of the busy schedule I would see how he is actively involved in what is going on around me.

When I start feeling like this I like to look to the Psalms.  In the 37th Psalm, the psalmist writes "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.  Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.  He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday.  Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices" (3-7).

What the psalmist is saying is what we, as the people of God, should do is to continue doing what we know we are supposed to do.  The LORD is there with us...he continues to be there in our midst even when he seems far away.  He is acting for us, in us, and through us.  He is ministering all around us, even if we can't always see how his plans are coming together.  In West Texas we have a saying, "Keep on keepin' on."  That seems to be what the psalmist is telling us here.  Even if it seems as though we are doing this discipleship thing alone, God is with us.  Even if we fail to have the eyes to see and the ears to hear, the Holy Spirit is active.  He is going out and preparing the way for us so that we can join him in ministry in the name of Jesus Christ.

This song by Barlow Girl is one that helps to remind me of the truth of Psalm 37.  This kind of song might not be what some of you typically listen to, but I hope you listen anyway.  The lyrics always encourage me in my daily walk, even in the midst of silence.



Until next time...

+May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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When He Came to Himself...

This past semester I took a class on spiritual formation.  One of the assignments that we were given was to take a day for personal reflection, prayer, and meditation.  I decided to use that day of prayer to seek God's direction for me as I entered my first appointment with the Church.  During that time of reflection, the Spirit led me to the parables of Jesus Christ.  As I read through those familiar stories I began to sense that the LORD wanted me to preach through the parables the first few weeks that I was in Haskell.  I made a calendar and began to choose which parable I would preach on which Sunday.  Back in April I thought this would be a fun way of entering into the community of faith with my parishioners.

The more time I've spent in these stories told by Jesus, the more I realize that perhaps this sermon series was less for them and more for me.  I have gained so many valuable things in my own spiritual development that I have literally been driven to my knees in prayer, confession, and seeking God's mercy.  I have been reminded over and over of God's great compassion and love that he has for all people.  I have also been reminded of humanity's self-centered attitude and our amazing ability to forget all the good things that the LORD our God has done for us.

This past Sunday I preached from the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).  This parable is quite possibly the most beautiful short story I have ever read.    I'm sure you're all well aware of this story and the final outcome, so I won't rehash all of that.  But one thing that has really been impressed upon me since I proclaimed this message is how truly loving our Father is.  Because of his desire for us to have our own mind he allows us to leave down the road with our inheritance.  Yet, in his heart he continues to love us and desire for us "to come to ourselves" (or "come to our senses"--NIV).  He genuinely desires that intimate relationship with us but he will not force it upon us.

The more I've thought about this story, the more I see how loving our Father is.  In the song "Wonderful, Merciful Savior" we are reminded how far the Father has gone in reclaiming us as his own.  In verse 1, we are told of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross so that we can be reconciled to our Father.  In verse 2, we are told of the Holy Spirit and his active pursuit of us even when we leave with every intention of never returning.  He helps us come to our senses so that we can come back to the Father.  And then, of course, is the Father.  Verse 3 speaks of him.  When we return, there he is...loving us, having compassion on us, and placing a ring on our finger, a robe on our back, and sandals on our feet.  All that we can do is fall down in confession and in humiliation, and he responds in steadfast love with grace.

I have learned to love our Father more this week.  I have learned to appreciate the Son more this week.  I have also learned to lean on the Spirit more this week.  Perhaps that is a part of the Christian journey.  Loving, appreciating, and leaning on God in all three persons more and more as we walk the road of life.

I encourage you to read through the story of the prodigal son, think about your own faith journey, and then reflect on that as you listen to Selah's version of "Wonderful, Merciful Savior."  

Until next time...

+May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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