Stupid and Foolish Discussions

2 Timothy 2:23

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

We should all memorize this passage – it would help us in many situations. In my years of life I have been involved in disagreements and discussions that didn’t amount to anything – yet they caused so much anguish and pain. I have counseled couples who couldn’t remember why they were arguing – after a long drawn out fight. I have seen churches broken by needless quarrels – disagreements – and drama. Denominations have been created by non-essential differences in theology. From the birth of the church – the warning has been given to avoid needless – foolish – and stupid arguments or discussions.

We are in a season of political unrest – the last decade or more – and we are still in it. Have you had arguments with your family or friends over politics? I mean – we can certainly have different ideas and thoughts without them becoming arguments and name calling – can’t we? But many families have been divided over these differences.

The United Methodist Church is in a season – for 4 plus decades – where our differences in our theological understandings on some essential doctrines – has caused a great divide. Have you lost friends because of these differences? Have we lost fellowship with folks because of it? Certainly we can have differing views – even on essential theological things – without becoming angry or ugly – and losing our cool. We may not be able to continue in the same church or denomination – but we should be able to get along.

I think we have lost the art of disagreeing without being disagreeable. It seems – in some areas of our world today – you either agree with me or you are wrong and even evil.

2021 – A Year of Change!

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

As we enter the last week or 2020 – 2021 could be a major year of change for many of us. The United Methodist Church seems on the brink of a split – officially or otherwise. This change may impact many of us. If it is an official split or some other split – conferences – churches – and members will need to decide where they will worship moving forward. This could be as early as August or September of 2021 or at the start of the following year January 1 2022. The 2021 General Conference is set to meet in August of 2021 and a split could happen at that General Conference or shortly thereafter – or as soon as any changes take place. There are already very liberal and very conservative churches leaving the denomination – tired of waiting.

January of 2021 will see the next President take office. The balance of Congress has changed some and could change more in early January with the runoff election in Georgia. Will one party or the other hold the President’s office and both houses of the Congress or will there be divided leadership? How will the economy react to these changes? How has or will the election impact you and your family?

2021 will see me and a number of my friends retire – in ministry and in other fields of work. Each of us – if we live long enough will see a new birthday in 2021 – for me it will be my 66^th birthday in March. After 45 years in ministry – I am uneasy looking into retirement. How will this change impact me and my family – and my friends and their families?

Calling All Prayer Warriors

Ephesians 6:18–20

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Calling all Prayer Warriors!

This morning I feel compelled (obligated, duty-bound) to call on all who will to pray for the church and for your pastors and leaders. According to Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9 – ⁸ Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith,

The devil is out there and wants nothing more than to devour the Church! Part of standing firm is to stay in prayer together. Pray that the devil not be given even a foothold in our lives and in the church. As Scripture says; Ephesians 4:25-28 – ²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

New Beginnings

First Church,

As we enter 2020 – I wanted to let you know how honored I feel to serve our Lord with you. We have made some treasured memories together over the last 6.5 years. I look forward to the time God gives us to continue to serve Him together. Whatever happens to our denomination – we can remain faithful to our Lord.

2020 will see many changes. We have a significant General Conference in the United Methodist Church in May with many proposals about our future as a church. We have a Presidential election in November as well – with many possible changes to our country’s leadership. If the Lord allows – we will see these – along with another birthday and special holidays.

A New Year – and even a new decade – are times God offers us as New Beginnings. Some will want to change some things in their lives. Some will get married. Some will have children. Some will get new jobs. Some will purchase a new home. Some may move away. Others may move into the area and join us at First Church. Some may try to change their physical or emotional or spiritual health. What new beginning are you looking forward to in 2020?

The Heart of God – Kindness and Goodness

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Our Tuesday morning and evening Bible studies are just amazing. If you are available at 10:30 am or 7:00 pm and in the Laurel area – please stop by. In these Bible studies – we’re into the Book of Acts – sometimes called the Acts of the Apostles. We have been reading about the power of God – God the Holy Spirit – as the early church was being birthed.

As we have gone thru this study – some questions have been raised that made me think about preaching on the Holy Spirit. So – beginning in November – we will preach a series on the Holy Spirit. Stay tuned!

Today’s passage is about the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. What do you think of when you hear the words kindness and goodness? A few verses before the fruit of the Spirit is listed in Galatians 5 – we read the following words. Galatians 5:6 – For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

When I think of kindness and goodness – I think of the heart of Christ. It is often contrary to my heart. I am not – by nature – a mercy person. I can express mercy – but only because of the grace of God – it isn’t from my natural fabric. The heart of God – the heart of Christ is seen best – for me – in the following passage.