Saturday, October 30, 2010

Will He or Won't He?

Brett Favre has the NFL just where he wants it- focusing on him. Favre, of the Minnesota Vikings and holder of the longest streak of continuous starts has a bad ankle, a sore throwing elbow, and has been playing badly. But there is no talk of what the Vikes need to do to have their best chance of winning this game because it is all about Brett and his streak. His coach, Brad Childers isn't really a great coach. He's probably not even a very good NFL coach but he is still the coach. However, he must wait, along with the rest of Favre's teammates, and the breathless sportswriters and fans to see an hour before the game if Brett and Brett alone feels like playing. Childers doesn't dare scratch Favre from the lineup because he (Childers) would be the story of the game instead of his team. So, skilled teammates, coaches, trainers, and even owners are pushed into the role of supporting cast members for Brett the Invincible. I'm sick of it. I've been sick of it since the second fake retirement years ago. I never like it when one person elevates the pursuit of his personal satisfaction above his entire team's success. Put Brett Favre out on the field without the other players and see how he does. Then no one would have to ask his friend, "Which one is Brett Favre?" He could have the spotlight all to himself. And in one play he would be finished.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Reaping the Benefits

It's now official. I have been extended the great honor of serving Living Water Church in Guthrie, Oklahoma as their pastor. I am really excited to begin this new opportunity. I have been here at the church today preparing for Sunday. As I have walked the hallways and corridors of the church building I am continually awestruck that God and the good people at Living Water would entrust me with the responsibility of serving them here.

At lunch a while ago, I was reading my YouVersion bible on my iPhone because I forgot to bring the book I am reading. I was reading in John 4 about Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman. After that interchange, the disciples came back and were wondering what was was going on. A verse jumped off the screen of my phone. Verse 38 says, "I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

I realize that this verse is for me today. Many years ago people plowed the hard ground and sowed what seed they had available to start this church from scratch. Faithful people for many years have worked and given faithfully of their talents and resources. People are currently working joyfully in many different areas of ministry even though they have gone through a tumultous season. So much has already been done.There is so much already happening.  And there is so much yet to happen because God has been faithful through the decades. I will willingly give of everything God has given to me to use, and count myself privileged to be a contributor to the Living Water story.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Decision Time

I haven't posted much in the past couple of weeks. It's not because I haven't had the time and it's not because my mind isn't working. It's because I have been consumed with something that will come to a climax this weekend. I have been asked to be the pastoral candidate for a church this weekend. This invitation could turn out to be the assignment that God has been preparing me for over the past several years.

This Saturday evening I will have the opportunity to meet with the church congregation at large in an informal setting so we can get a sense of one another. They will have the opportunity to ask whatever is on their minds as we begin the important process of determining if this is the direction God is leading all of us. I will preach in the the Sunday morning service and in the Sunday evening service I will share from my heart my vision for pastoral ministry. A vote will follow. If the congregation votes to ask me to become their pastor, and Carole and I accept the invitation, We all begin to write a new chapter in the church's history. Pretty much the usual way things are done in this type of situation.

I have been involved in this sort of thing before, but never as the candidate. I have been the member who is required to discern in a very few hours something with long-lasting consequences. I have been the leader of a pastor search committee who spent countless hours praying, talking, and researching while waiting to hear from God. I have experienced the uneasiness of knowing in my heart that I have heard from God but knowing that the final decision wasn't mine, but was entrusted to the votes of people who would just have a brief opportunity to discern what I had found over the many visits. And I have been a staff pastor who was hired by the person who is no longer in place. I have known the uncertainty of wondering what the new leadership structure would look like and if I would be invited to be a part of it.

Pastoral transition is difficult on everyone even in the best of cases. The stress that results from the realization of the importance of the decision can cause us to question the motives of others. All of us need to pray for more grace as we approach the coming climax on Sunday night. For me, the situation is simple. Is this where God is calling me, or is there another place He wishes to use me? For the local church, the situation is a little more complex. Pray with me that this local church can come together in unity and trust in God and in one another. I am confident that they will. Then, whatever the outcome Sunday night, the Kingdom of God can go forward.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Banquet Season

Well, banquet season is in full swing. Tonight Carole and I are attending the Light For The Lost Banquet and next Tuesday evening is the Reach the World banquet and auction. I have invitations to four more banquets which I haven't responded to yet. They are all for worthy organizations that I support. I will try to attend as many as possible, because I know that they involve a tremendous amount of work to put together and it is disheartening to have empty tables. They do seem to be effective awareness and fund raisers, but I can't help but wonder why we as supporters require these big events.

Monday, October 11, 2010

The Evil Empire

Twice in the past 48 hours I have been dinged by new friends who have learned that I am a Yankees fan. People aren't neutral about the Yankees. You can tell someone that you are a Braves fan and they will say, "I'm a Cardinals fan." But when you tell someone that you are a Yankees fan, they will either high-five you and say Go Yanks! or they will look at  you in disgust and say, "I don't know how you can pull for the Yankees." That's pretty funny because I am not an obnoxious fan like say, Red Sox fans are. I am a generational Yankees fan. When I was a boy back in the 60's, boys from Oklahoma routinely were Yankees fans because of Mickey Mantle. Later, Bobby Murcer continued the tradition of Oklahomans who starred for the Bronx Bombers. In the 70's the Yankees were still my American League team, but the Big Red Machine of Cincinnati was my National League team because of Johnny Bench. (It didn't hurt that they had one of the most impressive lineups in major league history.) Baseball was big important stuff. Back then, World Series games were played during the day, and it wasn't uncommon for a teacher to allow a radio in the classroom so we could keep up with the progress of games. But starting with the 80's baseball just faded away. LIfe got complicated with marriage, children and career taking up my emotional energy. I stopped looking at the box scores and I went for weeks not knowing who led the various divisions. If I watched any baseball at all, it would be World Series games, but only if I was at home.

It took an empty nest, a son-in-law and a couple of friends all of whom were avid Yankees friends to reengage my interest in baseball. The past couple of seasons I have followed baseball from opening day through the Series and it has been fun. (Did I mention that the Yankees won their 27th World Series last year?) And I really like being a fan of the Evil Empire.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Go Yankees!

The Yankees have been a pleasant surprise so far in these playoffs. The last couple of weeks of the regular season they played mediocre baseball. The pitchers couldn't seem to get critical outs and the batters couldn't seem to deliver the crunch-time hits they had been hitting. The last weekend of the regular season they went from division leaders with home field advantage to the wild-card team with the most difficult path to the World Series. Honestly, I didn't think that they would make it out of the divisional playoffs, regardless of who they played. But surprise, the Yanks have awakened so far in the post season, taking the first two games at Minnesota. This series isn't over yet, but it looks a lot more promising. The bats have reappeared, and it was really good to see CC Sabbathia get run support when he didn't have his best stuff. It was even better to see Andy Pettite pitch the kind of post season effort he has become known for after some lackluster appearances following his injury time off. It would be really nice if the Yanks could sweep and get the starting rotation at full rest for the next round. We'll see what happens. It will be frustrating and fun. I'm not ready to declare them the AL champs, but they sure do look a lot better than they did.  Let's Go Yankees! (clap clap clapclapclap)

Monday, October 4, 2010

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Today I went for a walk. No need to alert the media. I walk often. But walking in the fall is the best walking of the year. I am beginning the process of regaining my endurance after a hot summer and surgery put me out of commission for a while. Today's walk at the Lake Hefner trails was so pleasant. I am not ready to circumnavigate the entire lake, yet, but I'm gaining on it.This has been a bi-polar week; a mix of good and not so good. In the past week, I have learned of illness being suffered by several friends. Some of the illnesses are nagging and painful and some of the illnesses are life-threatening. Some close to me have lost precious loved ones and are dealing with a new void in their family circle. I have also had conversations that have me giddy with excitement and anticipation about what God is doing and the crazy ways He goes about His business. I do some of my best praying while on these long walks, and today it was really good. I don't do anything demonstrative on these walks. No arm waving or any gestures that would make passers-by avoid eye contact with the crazy guy. But for most of my walk today I had a steady stream of tears. My sleeves were drenched as I tried to stay ahead of the flow so I could smile and greet others who were on the trail. As I carried heavy needs to the Lord, I was reminded that many others were also presenting these needs, so it didn't all rest on me. I'm not carrying these needs by myself. As I brought my praises to Him, I felt especially singled out for an outpouring of His love. I hated for it to end. A beautiful early fall mid-day walk. The sun was bright, and the wind was slight. I was talking with the great Creator in the midst of His creation. It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Thanks, Mom

I've been one who for years have felt that the church spends much more time and prayer trying to keep Christians out of Heaven than we do trying to get unsaved people into Heaven. After all, if we really believe that at the end of this life the believer inherits eternal life with no sickness or tears, then death is not a defeat; rather the departure of the believer is a graduation and a reward. Now I understand that we miss those who go on before because in this earthly body the relationships we have with one another as we live in community with one another are the best approximation we have at our disposal down here. So, when my mom passed away several years ago, sure I was sad, but after seeing her live her last few years with sickness and disability, I was also happy for her since I knew that she was now in the sweet presence of God, something she spent her entire life preparing for. Most of the time when I think of Mom I think of the times when she was healthy and full of fun. I don't really spend much time missing her; mostly I just think fondly of the many good memories.

But today something happened that caught me unexpectedly. Today I was visiting with some new friends and one of them had a picture of a church gathering. The picture was taken in 1954, which was two years before I was born. My mom was in the picture, but what got me was when I turned the picture over and the names of the folks in the picture were written on the back. In my mom's unmistakable handwriting she had written her name. I was surprised at the effect this had on me, but when I thought that I was holding a picture that my mom had held in her hands and written on some 56 years ago was a little overwhelming. Later, as I sat alone and reflected, I thought of the heritage that was delivered to me. The picture was of a Vacation Bible School held in Guthrie, and my older brother Greg was also in the picture. Before I was born, Mom was giving herself to ministry in the ways she could, and she always modeled that for us boys. I am over the emotion of it now, but I am still overwhelmed with the great gift I was given by parents who made their relationship to God as something that was a priority in their lives and who stressed to their children that it should be a priority in theirs.