Contracts and Covenants

So, how are you doing with the Ten Commandments? Some of these are easy to follow: do not murder, do not steal...but how about using the Lord's name in vain? Uh oh...someone cut me off in traffic yesterday and, well, maybe these aren't so easy to follow after all...working on the Sabbath and and coveting our neighbor's car or high-tech gadget seems like a way of life these days. The truth of the matter, is that we have failed to keep these commandments. We are human, and we fail. If these commandments are part of the contract that we must keep in order for God to remain or God, well, God would have moved on centuries ago to seek out a new species to be God over!

Contracts, in a legal sense, are formal agreements based on mutual benefit. They are awesome for employee situations or business transactions. You put out what you put in and everyone wins.

Thank you God for not giving us a contract to sign and date and, inevitably, break. What God has with us is a covenant to be our God. To love us and forgive us. To lead us and walk with us through life. God gives us a promise. We have been reminded of that here at GMUMC and if you have been reading this blog, through the reminder of the rainbow after the great flood. In the covenant that God gave to Noah, God says "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you...that never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." God promised all humanity and all the earth to protect and not destroy it. Like in a marriage, a covenant is a soul-binding promise from one party to the other. 

God still expects us to seek to live in joyful obedience to God. This isn't necessarily a "free ride." As evidence of living into the love and grace of God, the obedience to these commandments, summed up by Jesus to love God and love neighbor as yourself, should be lived out. If you know God loves you but are still driven to murder or steal, for example, that is a sign that you are not living into the fullness of God's love for you. When you are, I do not think that you could be driven to take a life or steal from someone. 

And when we fail, God is still our God. God still loves us, protects us from sin, and desires us to be in relationship with God. 

So if you feel like you're a good person and don't ever break any of the commandments, think again. Realizing that you fail can remind you just how much God loves you and forgives you. This can deepen your relationship with God. If you feel like you are nothing and have nothing to offer, think again. God created you and made you a child of God. God has given you the chance to live in joyful obedience with God. And when you follow a commandment, God is pleased with you, for this is a sign of your love of God and desire to live in covenant relationship with God. 

Prayer*

Change my heart, O God, make it ever true. 

Change my heart, O God, may I be like you. 

You are the Potter, I am the clay; 

mold me and make me, this is what I pray. 

Change my heart, O God, make it ever true. 

Change my heart, O God, may I be like You.

*Change My Heart, O God, The Faith We Sing, 2152 

In Christ, 

Jack

Covenant: Promises We Can't Keep

Christians around the world the world are embarking on week 2 of Lent, and here at GMUMC we are journeying through the season together as we explore God's promises to us. The "parable" (so to say) of the Monks and the Stone Soup come to mind. I invite you to read and reflect on it....

 Stone Soup by Jon J. Muth



Three Monks traveled along a mountain road. They talked about cat whiskers, the color of
the sun, and whatever else came to mind. “What makes one happy?” asked the youngest monk.
The old and the wisest monk said, “Let's find out.”

The monks found themselves gazing down at the rooftops of a village below. The monks
knew the village had been through many hard times and villagers had even become suspicious of
their neighbors. The villagers worked hard, but only for themselves. They had little to do with one another.

When the monks came down, the villagers disappeared into their houses and no one
came to the gate to greet them. Even the windows were closed tight. The monks knocked on the
doors but there was no answer. “These people do not know happiness,” they all agreed. “But today we will show them how to make stone soup.”

They gathered twigs and made a fire. They placed a small tin pot on top and filled it with
water. A brave little girl who had been watching came to them. “What are you doing?” she asked.
“We are making stone soup and we need three round, smooth stones,” said a monk. The
little girl helped the monks find three perfectly round stones. “These stones will make excellent soup,” said the oldest monk. “But this very small pot won't make much.” The little girl ran home to get her mother's big pot. “The three strangers are making soup
from stones,” she said.

The monks poked the coals. As smoke drifted up, the neighbors peered out from their
windows. They found the monks, the fire, and the large pot in the middle of the village very
curious, indeed!

One by one, the villagers came out to see just what this stone soup was. “Of course, old-style stone soup should be well seasoned with salt and pepper,” said the young monk. “But we have none.” “I have some salt and pepper!” said a villager and disappeared and came back with spices. The old monk took a taste. “The last time we had soup stones of this size and color,
carrots made the broth very sweet.” “Carrots?” said a woman from the back. “I may have a few carrots!” And she returned with as many carrots as she could carry and dropped them into the pot.
“Do you think it would be better with onions?” asked the other monk. “Oh, yes, maybe an onion would taste good,” said a farmer. He left and returned in a
moment with five big onions. He dropped them into the bubbling soup. Something magical began to happen among the villagers. As each person opened his or her heart to give, the next person gave even more. The monks simply stirred and the pot bubbled. At last, the soup was ready. The villagers gathered together. Everyone sat down to eat. They had not been together for a feast like this for as long as anyone could remember.

After the banquet, they told stories, sang songs, and celebrated long into the night. Then they unlocked their
doors and took the monks into their homes and gave them very comfortable places to sleep. In the
gentle spring morning that came the next day, everyone gathered together to say farewell. “Thank you for having us as your guests,” said the monks. “You have been most generous.” “Thank you,” said the villagers. “With the gifts you have given, we will always have plenty.
You have shown us that sharing makes us all richer.” “And to think,” said the monks, “to be happy is as simple as making stone soup.”


Genesis 17: 1-7 and 15-16 is a story about God filling the empty hearts and souls of Abram and Sarai with a promise. The promise is so important that God marks it by changing their names to Abraham and Sarah! I invite you to read the passage in your own Bible, or here .

Abram and Sarai felt that they were empty pots, too. God filled them with a promise that God fulfilled. This promise had little to do with them, and everything to do about God. All they had was their faith, which for me symbolizes the stone that the monks began with. I learn in this passage that it is in God's nature to bless.

No matter how small you feel, how little you think you can offer God, or even your community, it is in God's nature to bless you. Somehow, someway, God is still in the picture. Even in our world today, where God seems absent at times, God is still here. God will still keep the promises of protection (Genesis 9:8-17); to be our God.

*Prayer:

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

*Great is Thy Faithfulness, United Methodist Hymnal, 140.

In Christ, 

Jack

Lenten series: Covenant

As we enter the season of Lent, we come again into a time where Christians emphasize their prayer life, fasting, and service. Christians remember the life of Jesus and his ministry of preaching, teaching, healing, and ultimately dying on the cross to save us from our sins and isolation from God. With that said, it is one of the most meaningful seasons of the year for those who follow Jesus.

The season of Lent begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday (there will be a service here at GMUMC at 7:00). The season of Lent begins with the imposition of ashes on the forehead, and the words: from dust you came, and to dust you will return. We are reminded of our mortality and deepest need for Christ to enter into our hearts, souls, and our world. We come from dirt. We are dirt, and we need to be cleaned by loving mercy of God.

As a child, I loved to play in the dirt. But that kind of goes away as an adult, doesn't it? I no longer enjoy being dirty. I desire to be clean. I want my house clean, the church clean, and the world to be clean. And maybe this doesn't mean that dirt goes away--any productive and fruitful garden needs good dirt. Perhaps Jesus makes the dirt in our life productive. Jesus heals us, and makes us clean (Psalm 51).

As we enter into the season, I want to offer you a great resource for your prayer life. It was produced by my friend and colleague Dan Wunderlich. The 2018 Lent Prayer Calendar (click to download and print) offers a prayer guide for each day during Lent.

Whether you use this, or perhaps sign up for devotionals to be sent to your inbox each day at  #pictureLent (highly recommend, click to sign up), or find other ways to engage with God through prayer, fasting (or adding a spritual practice), and service, I invite you to seek Christ through this period of 40 days.

Here at GMUMC,  we will be focusing on the word "covenant" during Lent. We will explore the promises that God has made to us, what it means to live in a covenant relationship with God, and that ultimately God's love for us is unbreakable/unconditional. This Sunday, we will focus on Genesis 9: 8-17. Go ahead and read it now so that God may begin moving in your heart as you prepare for our time together on Sunday! Ask yourself: How does God's covenant with Noah shape your view of creation? What does this covenant mean for you today?




Happy Lent, folks!

Lent Prayer Calendar 2018

Weekly Theme: Internal

□ Wednesday, February 14 (Ash Wednesday, Lent Day 1) – My sin
Reflect on areas where your thoughts and actions have separated you from God, others, and yourself. Ask God to make you aware of unrealized sin, and accept God’s forgiveness.

□ Thursday, February 15 (Lent Day 2) – My limitations
Reflect on areas where you don’t feel 100% or where you have experienced failure. Turn your limitations over to God who is our strength.

□ Friday, February 16 (Lent Day 3) – My doubts
Admit to God those areas where you struggle with questions and doubt. Don’t worry—God already knows, and God can handle it. Ask God to bring you perspective and peace.

□ Saturday, February 17 (Lent Day 4) – My resources
Give thanks to God for the resources you do have, ask God for provision where you experience lack, and ask God to show you the difference between wants and needs.

□ Sunday, February 18 (Little Easter 1) – My relationship with God
Thank God for initiating a relationship with you, and ask God to continue to shape you into the person God is calling you to be. Ask God to show you areas where you can better connect. 

Weekly Theme: External

□ Monday, February 19 (Lent Day 5) – Friends and family
Give thanks for the people who fill and color your life and bring you joy. Give thanks for the support they give you, and ask God how you can support them in return.

□ Tuesday, February 20 (Lent Day 6) – Enemies
One of the most difficult commands Christ gave us was to pray for our enemies. In the spirit of peace and forgiveness, pray for those individuals, organizations, and even nations that you view as adversaries.

□ Wednesday, February 21 (Lent Day 7) – Those who serve
Say a prayer of thanks for teachers, doctors and nurses, government employees, non-profit organizations, law enforcement officers, first responders, and all those who serve. Ask God to keep them safe, and pray for their relationship to your community.

□ Thursday, February 22 (Lent Day 8) – Those who lead
Pray for wisdom and guidance among those who make decisions and lead in your community and around the world. Pray that they would seek to improve the lives of all people, especially the poor and powerless.

□ Friday, February 23 (Lent Day 9) – Those in need
Remember those who do not have a permanent roof over their head, those who are suffering through illness or injury, those in prison, the poor, and those shackled by systems of prejudice and injustice. Ask for God’s provision, including awareness of ways you can help.

□ Saturday, February 24 (Lent Day 10) – Other local churches
As you look forward to gathering with your church family in worship this weekend, pray for the other churches in your area that do the work of ministry. Pray especially for their work in evangelism, discipleship, and missions.

□ Sunday, February 25 (Little Easter 2) – Those who do not know Christ
Remember in prayer today those who don’t yet know Christ or who struggle with faith. Ask God how you can be the presence of Christ in their lives.

Weekly Theme: The Lord’s Prayer

□ Monday, February 26 (Lent Day 11) – Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name
Think about the holiness of God as you pray today. What does ‘holy’ mean to you? What does it mean to you that a holy God would want to hear your prayers?

□ Tuesday, February 27 (Lent Day 12) – Thy kingdom come
What would it look like in your community if God’s kingdom were fully present? What is one practical thing you can do today to help bring about God’s kingdom?

□ Wednesday, February 28 (Lent Day 13) – Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
We are saved by faith alone. Yet Scripture, including through the teachings of Jesus, tells us that obedience is a sign of our faith and salvation. Pray for the direction and confidence needed to follow God’s will in your life today.

□ Thursday, March 1 (Lent Day 14) – Give us this day our daily bread
Offer up a prayer of gratitude, recognizing that all you have is a blessing from God. Keep in mind those in your community whose daily needs are not met—whether it is food, shelter, or medical care.

□ Friday, March 2 (Lent Day 15) – Forgives us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us
As you seek forgiveness, offer forgiveness. There may still need to be consequences and/or boundaries, but let go of the power that holding onto wrongs can have over you.

□ Saturday, March 3 (Lent Day 16) – Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
Ask God for the strength to focus on what God would have you do today. Say a special prayer for those who struggle with addiction.

□ Sunday, March 4 (Little Easter 3) – For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Why do we pray all of these things in the Lord’s Prayer? Because all power and glory belong to God—they always have and always will. Let this truth animate your worship today.

Weekly Theme: The Beatitudes

□ Monday, March 5 (Lent Day 17) – Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The Beatitudes are so impactful because they turn perspectives upside down. Jesus begins by proclaiming that those who find little hope in the kingdoms of this world will find their place in the heavenly kingdom.

□ Tuesday, March 6 (Lent Day 18) – Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Say a prayer for those in your community who are grieving the loss of loved ones. May God bring them peace.

□ Wednesday, March 7 (Lent Day 19) – Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Say a prayer of thanks for those people in your life who model humility. Consider finding some small way to let them know that you appreciate them.

□ Thursday, March 8 (Lent Day 20) – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Ask God to make you aware of voices that are calling for justice and righteousness. Pray for the openness to listen and learn from them.

□ Friday, March 9 (Lent Day 21) – Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy… Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. Ask God to show you ways that you can be an active force for mercy and peace in your community.

□ Saturday, March 10 (Lent Day 22) – Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Be honest with God about your doubts, your struggles, and the ways in which doing God’s will remains difficult. Ask God to reveal and remove the impurities that hinder your relationship.

□ Sunday, March 11 (Little Easter 4) – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on [Jesus’] account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
Ask God for the courage to live a life that reflects your faith in everything you do. Say a prayer for those around the world who face persecution, including violence and even death, for their faith.

Weekly Theme: Fruits of the Spirit

□ Monday, March 12 (Lent Day 23) – Love
Ask God to increase within you the fruit of love.

□ Tuesday, March 13 (Lent Day 24) – Joy
Ask God to increase within you the fruit of joy.

□ Wednesday, March 14 (Lent Day 25) – Peace
Ask God to increase within you the fruit of peace.

□ Thursday, March 15 (Lent Day 26) – Patience
Ask God to increase within you the fruit of patience.

□ Friday, March 16 (Lent Day 27) – Kindness, Generosity
Ask God to increase within you the fruits of kindness and generosity.

□ Saturday, March 17 (Lent Day 28) – Faithfulness, Gentleness
Ask God to increase within you the fruits of faithfulness and gentleness.

□ Sunday, March 18 (Little Easter 5) – Self-Control
Ask God to increase within you the fruit of self-control.

Weekly Theme: Spiritual Disciplines

□ Monday, March 19 (Lent Day 29) – My prayer life
Ask God to bring you assurance that your prayers are heard and valued.

□ Tuesday, March 20 (Lent Day 30) – My reading of Scripture
Ask God to bring the Word of God alive for you today.

□ Wednesday, March 21 (Lent Day 31) – My practice of celebration/gratitude
Ask God to make you someone who remembers to celebrate and give thanks often.

□ Thursday, March 22 (Lent Day 32) – My practice of giving/simplicity
Ask God to show you how you can simplify your life. Dedicate or donate any time, resources, or tangible things you no longer need or use to someone or some organization that needs it.

□ Friday, March 23 (Lent Day 33) – My practice of service/missions
Ask God to place on your heart a person or group, a problem, or an organization to whom or through which you can be the hands and feet of Christ.

□ Saturday, March 24 (Lent Day 34) – My practice of Sabbath/silence/solitude
Ask God to help you find spaces in your life where you can be still and rest in God’s presence.

□ Sunday, March 25 (Palm Sunday, Little Easter 6) – My practice of worship
Ask God to reignite your passion for worship, especially as you come to church today.

Weekly Theme: Life of Jesus

□ Monday, March 26 (Lent Day 35) – The birth/baptism of Jesus
Think about how much of a sacrifice and how great a gift it was that the infinite God chose to take on human flesh. Remember and give thanks for the gift of baptism.

□ Tuesday, March 27 (Lent Day 36) – The teachings of Jesus
Reflect on the teachings of Jesus that have had the greatest impact on your life. Notice too how Jesus often chooses to teach through stories. Ask God how you can use your story.

□ Wednesday, March 28 (Lent Day 37) – The miracles of Jesus
Remember the ways in which Christ did the work of God through miracles. Give thanks for the modern-day miracles that we take for granted all the time.

□ Thursday, March 29 (Maundy Thursday, Lent Day 38) – The institution of communion
As we mark the night of the Last Supper, remember that Jesus called them to unity. Remember also that Jesus took an ordinary meal, bread and wine, and made it extraordinary.

□ Friday, March 30 (Good Friday, Lent Day 39) – The crucifixion of Jesus
Remember the pain and suffering that Christ took upon himself, even though he did not deserve it, so that our sins could be forgiven.

□ Saturday, March 31 (Holy Saturday, Lent Day 40) – The defeat of sin and death
Remember that as the world waited in silence, Jesus continued to reveal God’s power and love for us by defeating the powers of sin and death. Ask God to defeat them in your life today.

□ Sunday, April 1 (Easter Sunday) – The resurrection
Remember the most amazing gift of all—Christ rose from the dead! In doing so, he made a way for us to be reconciled to God and to be in relationship with God for eternity.

Commit: Witness

"Witnessing" is a loaded term in Christianity. For me, in conjures up images of an over-aggressive person trying to convince me that Jesus saves and I must follow Jesus in order to receive salvation. It is not exactly appealing, even if I believe that Jesus does save. The term may also drum up images in my mind of a well-meaning Christian harassing someone, asking them "if you died tomorrow, do you know where you'd end up??"


In Luke 24:48, Jesus appears to the disciples after he has risen from the dead, and encourages them: "you are witnesses to these things," of the suffering, death, and resurrection of the savior, and the forgiveness of sins. Jesus tells them to proclaim that this has happened "to all nations."

In 2 Timothy 4, the author urges followers of Christ to "proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching."

It is pretty clear through Scripture, God wants the gospel to be shared through the voices of the followers of Jesus. I admit that I struggle with this. I believe that actions speak louder than words; that "they will know we are Christians by our love," as the song goes. Truth be told, I am probably more comfortable with the mindset that my actions are enough, that I don't need to say why I am a Christian.

Through this struggle, I want to challenge myself to match my actions with my words. In my studying so far of the Luke 24 passage, this comment caught my attention in the Interpreter's Bible:

"Still there is always some devout or earnest person to chant: 'Deeds, not words! Quit talking about, and live the right kind of life!' It is somewhat difficult to believe that the way we behave day in and day out can be so utterly startling and radiant that everybody we run into must perforce be mesmerized by it into crossing [themselves] and muttering the Creed. They must have deeds to match, but it is words that burn their way into human life and leave the only indelible marks it wears."

Anyone who has been bullied and verbally abused, or encouraged through what someone says to them, knows that words have power in our lives. The old adage I learned in school as a kid "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me" is just not true. I believe what Ghandi said was true:



Words portray what we believe and reflect the kind of person that we are. So scripture encourages followers of Christ to say what they believe! This is not only for the benefit of the people who interact with Christians, surely folks who hear the good news can be changed by them.Speaking the good news also benefits the one who utters it. Hearing the good news, and speaking the good news, that "for it is by grace that you have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ" can change someones life, even yours. Say it, hear it, live it. May your words match your actions, and your actions your words.