A Morning View

Good morning friends! It is easy to get caught up in the ugliness of the world. It is easy to dwell on the negativity naturally swirling all around us. I sometimes find it inviting to spiral downward emotionally and live in a woe is me attitude of the heart.  I hear the Spirit say, "Change your heart. Try to remember I created you and it was good. You are a child of the living God and no matter what you face, the God of Creation loves you and will sustain you in all places at all times, even to this earthly death. Focus on the love of your life and I will focus on your life! Do not be afraid, I am with you!"  God I give you praise no matter what we face together!  “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness;     come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God.     It is he who made us, and we are his;     we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgivin...

Merriam-Webster defines Christian as "one who professes beliefs in the teachings of Jesus Christ." As an adjective one definitions states Christian is "treating other people in a kind or generous way."        Social media makes it very easy for us to spew anything we think of feel for everyone to know without consideration for the person. My soul is very disturbed when one who proclaims to be Christian does not, or at least it seems by what they write like they do practice what they believe. Sure there is love and agreement with those that are alike believers. But when they encounter the Samaritan, they walk by just like the others. As long as they agree with their religious stance, belief, politics and theology they are alright. As long as they do not challenge their beliefs, they are tolerable, but if there is an opposite take or belief, they are labeled and cast aside. It almost seems to me that there are those who proclaim Christ, and I wonder at some level if ...

Tired of the news? Tired of social media? Tired of people? Tired of people disrespecting other people? Tired and weary of the situation we are facing? Tired, fearful and wondering what is true and what is not? Are you tired of praying? Tired of reading the scripture and other devotions with it? Tired of people posting happy or encouraging memes on social media? Tired of believing in God, just wanting something to go your way? Tired of hope? Are you tired of being tired? What are we to do? How about we consider Jesus Christ and be tired of the enemy messing with us! “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured...

Yesterday I decided to make oatmeal raisin cookies.With a tad bit of humor involved, I always justify them as heart healthy cookies. After all, oatmeal is good to bring down cholesterol, lower cholesterol is good for the heart, so therefore oatmeal raisin cookies are healthy!                                                    There are many ways we can justify our own sin. Please do not think about everyone else right now and what you perceive their sin to be, think about yourself. Are you living a life deep in relationship with God, striving for perfection on this earth? John Wesley spoke of going on to perfection in this life. I struggled each time I heard this statement. I will never become perfect in my own efforts. What I believe Wesley was really encouraging us to do was to become mature in our relationship with God. We are to love God, love our neighb...

I remember Danny, who was a camper at the summer camp where I grew up learning about Jesus and God's great love and forgiveness for us. Every week of every year at camp Danny would come forward when there was an opportunity surrender our lives in salvation to Jesus Christ. Ashamedly, the staff members would shy away from Danny because it was the same story every time. "He wasn't good enough and he just wanted to make sure he was going to heaven. He just wanted to get it right." We would explain that sharing an authentic yes to Jesus one time was enough and that living a Christian life was a journey, not a destination! But each time Danny was up front proclaiming his need for a Savior. I must first confess my failure as a young Christian person serving at camp. I failed Danny. The attitude of "oh no here we go again," was so wrong. So God, and Danny please forgive me. Today I wonder if Danny had it more right than the modern Christian? Danny had a yearning ...

This morning I have been thinking about what I read, what I hear on the news and how people are reacting in the midst of our difficult time. As I was pondering the Morning View I was reminded of a song I learned as a child. I am sharing some of the verses this morning for us to carry in our heads, our hearts and our actions to live by! Today, simple is good! O Be Careful Little Eyes O be careful little eyes what you see O be careful little eyes what you see For the Father up above Is looking down in love So, be careful little eyes what you see O be careful little ears what you hear O be careful little ears what you hear For the Father up above Is looking down in love So, be careful little ears what you hear O be careful little tongue what you say O be careful little tongue what you say For the Father up above Is looking down in love So, be careful little tongue what you say O be careful little hands what you do O be careful little hands what yo...

As I sit and take in all of the happenings in the world around me I wonder. We trust in a lot of things. We trust in the God given wisdom and knowledge of medicine and those working in the field. We trust in the experts to develop curriculum and direction for our children to learn. We have trust in chosen political leaders with whom we connect to lead us. We trust the authorities and experts placed before us in our careers. We trust in our friends and family. We trust in the church leaders, Sunday School teachers, paid and volunteer ministry leaders. We put our trust in the clergy we believe God has put in our lives. We trust in so much, yet we have reason not to trust. Often we are mislead or taken advantage of by those we trust. Because we are human we find that even in the best of intentions people let us down. The reason this happens is because everyone mentioned above, as well as many unmentioned others we trust in are human and imperfect. Our families, the ones who are supposed ...

Today is the first round of the NFL Draft. Most Browns fans call this he SuperBowl! But today the other Ohio team has the number one pick and has high hopes to make the right choice to set them up for the future! This is the time of the NFL year that every team is looking for the players who will help them win now and more importantly, help them win in the future. The teams evaluate talent and potential to see how they will help the team win. There is a risk because of the many factors the drafted player brings into the party. There is always a risk no matter the potential of the reward. But as I listen to the "experts" discuss the players and their future there are players who are no brainer choices and many others with question marks! The value of the picks made in the draft tonight will now immediately be seen until some time down the road when we look back to what they have done in the NFL. The quarterback who has been labeled the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) was not...

Find ways to connect to the people you love. Find ways to connect to the people you cannot stand. The Other! Find ways to connect to your neighbor. Find ways to connect to your co-workers. Find ways to connect to those no one connects to. Find ways in the current environment to connect to the world. Find ways to connect to those you'd rather not connect with. Friends, we need one another. People are hurting, people are afraid, people are lonely, people are having to release others from their jobs. People are dealing with the emotional stress of being alone. People are living sheltered not fully understanding what is happening in the outside world. People are losing people to death without opportunity to properly grieve. People are dying inside and may not even know it. So ask God to show up for them. Then after crying out to God to show up, take on the character of God through the Son, Jesus Christ, using the presence of the Holy Spirit within you and SHOW up! This is the o...

In the beginning creation was pure and complete. Everything was provided, everything was perfect and everything was good. There was perfect relationship between God and Creation. Humanity was created and in the relationship we strive for today!  In the garden there became a need to know. There was a forbidden tree, humanity and a temptation to step outside of God's perfect relationship so that all knowledge would be known. The position of humans could become equal with the position of God. By disobeying God humanity could now make their own way in their knowledge and seek greatness becoming more than our creation intended for us to become.  “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”   - Genesis 3:4-5 Disobedience in the Garden has created the world we live in today. Sin created separation. Sin took away the perfectness of what Creat...

Do I read the Bible to support what I believe, or do I read the Bible to question what I believe? Do I go to church to find common comfortable associations, or do I go to church to be challenged and embrace the differences in others? Am I rigid in what I am comfortable with, or am I willing to risk being uncomfortable and stretched? Is my faith understanding all about me, or does my faith deeply include others? Am I afraid that if I find something might be wrong that my spirituality will fall apart? How can two people have the same Savior and two completely different ways of approaching the Savior? These are questions which often roll through my mind! Be assured, I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord. I believe Jesus lived, Jesus loved, Jesus taught, healed and was crucified. I believe in the miracle of resurrection from the grave and I believe Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is coming again to redeem the world. But my mind journeys with many questions and few answers! That...

In the beginning, God Love Creation It was good Sin = Separation Not so good Rules, laws, sacrifice, washings, rituals Love Sin = still separation Christmas = Baby Jesus Emmanuel Disciples Born Agan Passover Feast Love Good Friday = Death Waiting........ Easter Sunday = Resurrection Love Grace Acceptance Forgiveness Love Change New Life Live Struggle Love GRACE! Forgiveness Journey Earthly Death Eternity forever Love In the end, God “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.     And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy     and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8 Peace, PB

I like regular stout black coffee. Today I decided to make a half pot of Hazelnut coffee because my wife enjoys a flavored coffee. I am able to use the Keurig for my coffee so that she can enjoy something different. It is nice to treat her special and try to make her something that makes her smile. So I make sure the water level is at 8 cups, I get the filter into the holder measuring out the right amount of coffee grounds for the special pot of coffee and then I start the brewing process. Something was not right. The water in the coffee pot was clear. I looked to the left of the pot and the filter holder with the coffee grounds was still sitting on the counter while the clear water was running into the coffee pot. I caught my mistake and quickly corrected my forgotten moment. As soon as it was corrected, the process was back in order and functioning as it was intended to be. It made me wonder that sometimes my walk with God can be pretty weak with no flavor pouring into my pot. I so...

So today I awoke thinking it was Thursday. Then I realized it was Friday. Somehow I lost a day. I guess it is easy to do without the normal sense of structure in my life. Are your days meshing together? Do you feel like you are missing something? No matter what happens in my own little world or sense of space, there is one constant, God is still God. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Jesus came as Emmanuel, God with us. When Jesus was resurrected, the Holy Spirit came to be with us! Storms of life happen. There are days where everything meshes together. But God was, is and ever will be. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”   - Revelation 1:8 Peace, PB

It happened again. I was doing alright watching the Survivor episode last night where they bring loved ones on the show. As I have mentioned earlier, I do get emotional over what I sometime see as silly things. Little House on the Prairie, human interest stories and emotional moments where people connect deeply. I was fine as spouses, children and the contestants connected for a few moments to hug, kiss and celebrate. Then it happened, one of the contestants sister came running around the corner. BOOM! It hit. If only my sister Barb would run around the corner to see me. December 28, 2017 she went home to eternal life with Jesus. Times like this I miss her so much. It has been awhile since I had a good cry like that! I often take life for granted in the everyday routine of what I do and who is around. It seems like friends and loved ones will be there forever. Then, suddenly, they are not. I wonder why I often take my relationship with Jesus Christ for granted? So often it becomes ea...

The church was pretty empty yesterday The funeral home had few The mall looked deserted People wore masks There were some smiles, but people were distant With Kroger Rewards, gas was 29.9 cents I miss my people....... But Jesus is still resurrected Jesus is the same Yesterday Today Tomorrow Do you really, I mean, really believe? “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  - Hebrews 13:1-3, 8 Peace, PB

I remember my first dog Princess. She was my best friend growing up and everywhere I went on our 20 acres, she was with me. We would play, we would run, we would rest and she was with me. If dad and I were doing something, she was there. Sometimes when we were playing football with some friends, she was under my feet playing right along. I remember a warm sunny day when I was just tired and wanted to lay down on the top of the hill and close my eyes, she was right there with me. I was on my back with my eyes closed. The sun was beaming down on me, warming my face and I was ready to sleep. Right next to me was Princess. She was with me. She was my friend, my companion and my protector. When it was difficult inside the house, I would go be with her outside the house and everything was better. Princess was such a good dog. She brought me comfort and peace. You know, God is with us wherever we go. Everything I described about my Princess is how God desires to be with me through the prese...

God - Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer Jesus - Emmanuel, Rabbi, Lamb of God, Risen Savior Holy Spirit - Comforter, Helper, Revelation, Wisdom, Power Humanity - Disciple, Temple, Conduit, Friend of God Words describe  Talk about Jesus Actions speak louder than words Live like Jesus Love like Jesus Be with Jesus “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”                                                           - 1 John 2:3-6 Peace, PB

The tomb was empty. Nobody was there. Someone came and stole his body in the middle of the night. Who could have done this and why would they take him away? Haven't they hurt us all enough? Is this some kind of joke and are they just throwing salt into our wounds? Can't they just leave us alone??? I might have reacted this way if I had been there. Often I look back to their unbelief and I think how foolish are they? They lived with Jesus, walked with Jesus, knew Jesus deeper than any other human on this earth. They were his closest friend and committed followers! But they still just didn't get it. Oh, I might say I would have! But I have the gift of looking back, seeing and experiencing Jesus in my life. Having a best friend relationship with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit and there are many times I forget that Easter is everyday, not just one day to celebrate the Risen Savior! So as we celebrate the greatest gift to humankind today and we should celebrate pa...

The morning after. After all the high tension, all the emotion crying out to crucify him and his final breath on the cross, Jesus was quietly laid in the tomb. It was finished. Thirty three years of life, three years of evangelism and the hope of the Messiah was gone. Jesus was dead. Imagine being a disciple. A hopeful follower of this man. Belief abound that freedom was coming. He had so much love, did miracles and hope was abound. It was finished. Jesus was dead. Sitting, no, hiding where you could not be found by the authorities. His words of love and new life echoing in your head. You were so excited because you knew it was different this time. Jesus was the real deal. It was finished. Jesus was dead. Sadness, fear, depression and confusion replaced joy, hope, peace and love. It was finished. Jesus was dead. “When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women...

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”   - John 13:34-25 These two verses were after the Passover meal was shared as well as Jesus washing the disciples feet. When Jesus shared this new commandment in this moment, it was not the first time Jesus had called loving one another or loving your neighbor a new commandment. In Matthew 22 Jesus told the religious leaders the greatest commandment was to love God and the second was like it, to love your neighbor as you love yourself! So why then would Jesus specifically tell the disciples this was a new commandment? Jesus whole ministry was a ministry of love. Yes, there were challenges to grow, yes he held "sinners" accountable to their sin. Yes he fulfilled the law. His life was lived offering grace and redemption through belief and repentance. The 12 lived it, saw it, heard it and experienced th...

Yesterday we recorded at the church for Holy Week services. One of the places we recorded was on the hill near the fire ring. As we walked up the hill I was looking down to a limited view because in the past I have seen someone walking their dog in the area. While walking the dog, I am sure the dog has taken care of business on our hill. I was being so focused on the narrow view as I was looking down, that I missed the beauty of nature around me. Because I was so narrow focused on a small issue, I did not get the full experience of what God intended in the creation of this space. I really limited the beautiful view of the big picture. Once I looked up I saw the beauty of spring in nature around me.  I'm wondering how many of us focus so much on the smallness happening in our lives that we miss the bigness of God around us. Yes, with my head down I saw some. There were little purple flowers in the grass, but I was focused looking for the dog stuff. I missed the bigness of God. Do y...

During this down time I need to ask all of us a question. What do you think about most? Are you obsessed with the virus? Are you worried about your survival through all of the unknown circumstances life is throwing at you? Are you dwelling on friends and family you cannot go see? Are you researching all the government conspiracies and looking for all the evil and lies you believe are out there? What are you thinking about and how are you responding to those thoughts?  I understand it is very easy to go down a path of stinking thinking. I understand there are many distractions going on around us. I understand that life might be, can be and perhaps will be a huge struggle in the middle of this storm. But as Christians who proclaim Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, our Help and many other names, why do we centrally focus on anything other than our loving grace filled relationship with God?  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great clou...

Listening to the thunder Watching for the storm Wondering if it is coming my way Thunder is just a warning of something yet to come Will it hit or will it pass What damage will it bring Lightening is the danger of which I'm most afraid Rain slowly hits the window as the storm begins to brew It's coming, it's coming not sure of what to do I love to watch it roll in with streaks across the sky But want no part of it because if hit I could surely die Listening to the thunder Watching for the storm He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”   - Mark 4:39-40 Peace, PB

My dog Gabby is as close to me as she possibly can be as I write this today. I literally cannot move without disrupting her adoration of me. She absolutely loves me and just wants to be with me. When I go to the kitchen, she is there with me. I go to bed she is at my feet. My dog adores me and hangs with me all the time. Honestly there are times it becomes difficult to do what I need to do, such as focus and write a morning blog! But she is with me all the time! Gabby actually represents the love that God has for me. God absolutely loves me and just desires to be with me. When I get up in the morning, God is with me. When I go to bed at night, God is with me. When life is difficult, God is with me. When life is good, God is with me. God is with me wherever I go and wherever I am. God is with me and God adores me. It is often easy to journey in this life and make choices intentionally or unintentionally leaving God out or perhaps in the fringes of our lives and decisions. But God is ...

Lord Jesus, Today we recognize the day you entered into the city being praised and welcomed as the Messiah. The one who came to free his people. You came by humble means. You rode in on the donkey with a colt. A peaceful mother carried you as her nursing colt was with you. You came in peace to change the world. The freedom you brought was not to make it alright to be and do whatever we wanted. To the contrary, your freedom came to change who we are and live a new life as people free from the guilt and shame of sin. You came to destroy legalistic and ritualistic church goers and turn them into passionate people of freedom in the new covenant of accountable love established by your grace afforded to us in the garden of Eden. You turned the tables over in the temple upon arrival to the city. People's hearts were seeking self needs, self pleasures, self desires and self fulfillment. God, you created us for intimate relationship with you. Our bodies have become the dwelling place and...

Do the little things bother you? Are you strong in the big events, calm, cool and calculated? But when the little stuff happens does it just throw you all out of alignment? I am very much wired that way. And often the little things just do not get my attention. For the past few weeks, when I take the dogs out for the morning routine, I have seen sticks and small branches laying in the yard under the tree. I have thought I better clean those up because the lawn mowing folks are going to be here soon and I need the yard to be cleaned up and ready to go. There is always a good excuse like, it is raining or it is too cold today. Honestly sometimes it is I just do not feel like doing it. There is always something! Then it happened, I heard the roar of the lawnmowers heading up my backyard to begin to cut the grass. It was the moment predicted, yet the moment I was not prepared for. I quickly got up, got ready and went to the backyard under the tree with the branches and in a sort amount o...

Wash your hands frequently. Cover your cough. As soon as you get home take off your clothes and wash them. Stay home if at all possible. Do not put yourself into a dangerous situation. Avoid being exposed to the virus. These are important reminders to remember and practice so that you do not get sick or worse, face death because of the corona virus plaguing our land. Likewise, clean your heart. Take on the character of the Christ which you proclaim as Lord and Savior and strive to live holy lives. Guard your heart, clean up your mind and stop living against the love and forgiveness God has shared with us! Our souls are as important as our bodies and our minds. Take care of confessing the sin struggle you face and do not do it any more. These are important reminders to remember and practice so that you do not get sick or worse, face death because of the sin virus plaguing our land. “So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming whe...

Today I will start with the scripture. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Start children off on the way they should go and even when they are old, they will not turn from it." Growing up my parents had me in church. I went to Sunday School, I attended Vacation Bible School, I was involved in choir, youth group and went multiple weeks to summer camp. We attended Sunday morning worship, Sunday night service and Wednesday night bible study. The doors were open, we walked through them. Church had a major impact in raising me up as a child. Yesterday was a day to remember my past. I had a great Facebook interaction with the man who helped me understand my need to surrender my life to Jesus Christ at the age of 8. He helped me make a profession of faith to God through Jesus Christ. As best I could at such a young age, I understood the need for the Savior in my life. Because of that conversation, I reflected on the many who invested in me. As I sat and named names in my head of all of you still...

Words we use can empower one another. Words we use van paralyze one another. Our words shared impact all who hear them.  I had a phone conversation yesterday that took a lot of concern out of my head and placed contentment in my heart. As I have posted previously in the Morning View, I have struggled working from home. Am I doing enough was the question. I am not in the office, I am not doing, what can we be doing that is enough? During the conversation I shared that I was struggling not being there. The response was beautiful. The response was like this, Pastor, you have shown great leadership by developing creative ways for everyone in the church to be contacted. There have been joy filled conversations with all the phone contacts. Email and social media are booming with care, concern and contact.  Then this statement empowered my heart, "You staying home has allowed all of the staff to do the right thing and stay out of the office if at all possible. If you were at the off...