As I write these blogs I often turn to commentaries and other writings encountered as I research the topic for the week. I will always share with you the source and author at all times. The lesson I hope you pick up on here is that we live in a world of information no father away than a keyboard a computer and internet supplier. I hope you will be encouraged to do as the scripture says “seek and ye shall find” adding to that prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit to build your faith and service to God.

Back in the day many young boys dreamed of riding the plains doing good and rescuing the young girls from evil. Mounting the trusty broom and riding the backyard range in search of stray cattle or damsels in distress and even hoping to come across a bad guy or two. Sporting a set of Gene Autry pistols and a new hat and cowboy boots from Sears or the local Western Auto store, we were the picture of young justice and any number of Saturday cowboy shows on the old black and white TV. Sneaking a bit of small rope from dad’s work bench for a lasso, even the dog and cat feared our pass through the backyard range. They were examples of what we admired or wanted to be in our adolescent dreams and wishes. Today we look at a different time and a different type of hero, the ones back in the day that set an example of faith and called to mind in the 11th chapter of Hebrews through the writings of Paul.

**Great Examples of Faith

Paul writes that the bones of faith are based on substance and evidence. Whether they were eternal or invisible they were true because they were from God. God’s creation of the world from nothing is understood by faith in the word of Almighty God, who, by definition, could do what He chose to do. Paul then states that those such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, are all taken as evidences of God’s blessing on even weak people who put their trust in Him. Faith is always rewarded when it is put in God. The Old Testament saints were simple people who lived what they believed to be true. Simple faith makes an uncomplicated confession of trust in, and following of the Lord. Their eyes where on heaven. God is not ashamed of them and has prepared heaven for them!

Paul uses as an example of faith the Israel’s Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is further demonstrated by Israel’s first human savior, Joseph. Moses is the next. He had to make many choices using only his uncompromising faith in God, as he lead the children of Israel out of Egypt through the Red Sea, also keeping the Passover by faith. Many other believers are commended for their faith although the testimony of these faithful followers was good, the fact is clear that the promise that was to be given in the New Testament gospels was not known to them at that time. Many others suffered greatly but remained steadfast in the faith. They are to be commended for their faith which enabled them to stay faithful to God in the face of such cruel opposition and persecution. Under God, these people—and others who followed in their footsteps—should be our real heroes, not today’s passing celebrities of stage, screen, music, sport and politics. Verses 39-40 provides us with as the author wrote the unbeatable climax. Although the testimony of these faithful followers was good, we are privileged to have received ‘something better’, namely the clear gospel promise that was unavailable to them in such clarity. For this reason, one day we will be perfected with these people whose faith was in God.

I have relied heavily on the Bible Panorama in the above two paragraphs. I acknowledge that to give proper credit and to also make a point. As I wrote earlier the commentaries and bible study resources are in abundance in the world wide web. We can as laymen share with each other and lead others to this rich resource, allowing us to grow in faith and service to our Lord. As we read in Romans 10: 14-15

14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

 I pray that we might be those feet and bring the good news!

Thanks for joining me “In The Pew”. Hope you come back next week. jkc

 

Resources:  **Bible Panorama / NLT Hebrews 11

 

 

John 20

8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— 9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went home.

I have always thought that for our Lord to be resurrected and escape the tomb it would not depend on the stone being rolled away. Just as Thomas had to see the hands and side of Jesus to believe, the visual conformation of the empty tomb was necessary. They were then as we are now “…oh Ye of little faith”. Without the Resurrection and the empty tomb there would be no story here except that of a great prophet, a story teller and man who became a problem for those of power, the Roman Government and the leaders of the Jewish faith. The rest of this story is the beautiful truth about the significance of that empty tomb. The tomb was empty but in the mist of nothing was a promise kept and to this day we struggle to understand it.

 Resurrection is the concept of a living being coming back to life after death. In a number of ancient religions, a dying-and-rising god is a deity which dies and resurrects. The death and resurrection of Jesus, an example of resurrection, is the central focus of Christianity.Resurrection – Wikipedia, the free encyclopediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ResurrectionWikipedia

Read over once more the Wikipedia statement above. I may be on the wrong train here but that’s a solid definition…..in the secular world.  First a couple of thoughts. There is only one God that has the power to restore life. Jesus is not an example of resurrection, he is the resurrection; also as it is written …”the first of a great harvest of all who have died…” (1st Corinthians 15:20) I wish to simply state the beautiful truth about the resurrection relying on what I refer to as the resurrection chapter, 1st Corinthians 15. So let’s get right to it.

As we read 1 Corinthians 15:19-20 we see Paul finds little comfort in that there is lacking a triumphant and joyful assurance that Christ “had in fact risen.” Paul does not seek to argue but rather in verses 21 through 34 sets out his reasoning that the resurrection is real and justifies all we as Christians endure. As a layman I have missed the other side of the resurrection story. The question asked in verse, 35 “But someone will ask, How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” The answer Paul gives provides the most glorious prospect which can be exhibited to dying, yet immortal man.

In verses 36 – 41 Paul addresses the nature of those bodies and in verse 39 the fact that there are different kinds of flesh. He speaks of celestial bodies and earthly bodies in verse 40 and closes out in verse 41 pointing out that there is a difference between the sun, and moon, and stars.  Paul continues in these next verses 42 – 50 and makes a direct statement for which the mind is prepared by the illustrations of the previous verses, of the important changes which the body of man must undergo, and of the nature of that body which he will have in heaven.

It will be a body that is Incorruptible, Glorious, Powerful, A spiritual body and finally, it is like the body of the second man, the Lord from heaven. Yes, amen, is that not worth dying for! Oh the power of the written word, Paul’s explanation of the greatest promise ever made.

How extraordinary is this? Well for those of us in the pew that grew up hearing about the streets paved with gold, all our family and friends meeting us there and the beautiful unceasing music and praise to God, it is a picture painted in words that hold a reality we understand. Sitting in the pew requires that we listen but to hear and understand we must read, study and pray. Mark this book and chapter down and when you are faced with death remember these verses also.

1st Corinthians 15

53 For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O death, where is thy victory?

O death, where is thy sting?”

 Thanks for coming back and hope to see you in the pew next week.

jkc

Reference Material – Albert Barnes Notes – 1st Corinthians 11: 1 – 58

 

 

5/5/16

As believers, church attendance is of high importance. It is a place we can all come together to worship, be encouraged, and learn from God’s words for spiritual growth.  I know we all don’t all share the same view of church but I would like to share my thoughts with you, some of you may disagree with me and that is all right. In many ways the church today has become a numbers game, a service industry, involved in social issues and an entertainment venue with a Christian message. What about you? What troubles you and what do you believe the church’s role is in today’s world.

 Colossians 3:16 NIV

16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

 Matthew 18:20 NIV

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Do we? According to scripture it only takes two or three.

 

Leviticus 19: 1,2

19 The Lord said to Moses, 2 Say to the whole community of the Israelites: You must be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

We find here the introductory verses of the “Holy Code,” which describes the vocation of God’s people as to “be holy” because God is “holy”. What does that mean for a way of life and being in the world. Mention Leviticus and you can hear moans of despair and even occasionally an under the breath “why Leviticus?”. I am at a loss as to why the Old Testament is shoved to the side so often. The Old Testament speaks to how we came to be, the relationship God sought with his people through the Prophets and Patriarchs and God’s plan for his people.

Exodus 19: 5-6

 5 So now, if you faithfully obey me and stay true to my covenant, you will be my most precious possession out of all the peoples, since the whole earth belongs to me. 6 You will be a kingdom of priests for me and a holy nation…..

God has set the standards for the church from the very first. We have been adopted into the family of God through the birth, ministry, crucifixion, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Some time ago I was in a meeting at work and the subject was Authority, Accountability and Responsibility. For some reason and through all the years I have never forgotten that meeting.

-We were told that Authority was granted.

–Accountability on the other hand was imposed and was one of the burdens of being in a position of authority.

–Responsibility on the other hand was an inherent trait. 

If we stretch this a bit for use as an example we might say, that God has granted us through the commandment to go forth with the word, a reasonable sense of Authority, for which we will be held Accountable. Then there is this thing of Responsibility .  Most of us accept the Responsibility of living a Christian life as best we can.  The Responsibility of family, community and job is something we all take seriously. But wait a minute…..

“What does the Lord require?”

 

Micah 6: 6-8

6  With what should I approach the Lord   and bow down before God on high? Should I come before him with entirely burned offerings, with year-old calves?

7  Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with many torrents of oil? Should I give my oldest child for my crime; the fruit of my body for the sin of my spirit?

Perhaps in that day and time this would have been a perfectly reasonable question! Now for those who think the Old Testament is outdated or old hat so to speak, hear the words of Micah in verse 8.

 8  He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.

I believe that these words written over 2000 years ago can be applied to the world we live in today.  Let’s take a moment here……

WHAT WAS THE EARLY CHURCH L I K E?

The three distinguishing marks of the early church were: separation from the world, unconditional love, and childlike obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

S E P A R A T I O N   F R O M   T H E   W O R L D

“No one can serve two masters,” declared Jesus to his disciples (Matt. 6:24). However, Christians have spent the greater portion of the past two millenniums apparently trying to prove Jesus wrong. We have told ourselves that we can indeed have both-the things of God and the things of this world. Many of us live our lives no differently than do conservative non-Christians, except for the fact that we attend church regularly each week. We watch the same entertainment. We share the same concerns about the problems of this world. And we are frequently just as involved in the world’s commercial and materialistic pursuits. Often, our being “not of this world” exists in theory more than in practice. But the church was not originally like that. The first Christians lived under a completely different set of principles and values than the rest of mankind. They rejected the world’s entertainment, honors, and riches. They were already citizens of another kingdom, and they listened to the voice of a different Master. This was as true of the second century church as it was of the first.

WHAT WERE THE EARLY CHRISTIAN PEOPLE LIKE?

The Letter to Diognetus, the work of an unknown author, written in about 130, describes Christians to the Romans as follows:

“They dwell in their own countries simply as sojourners…. They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven.  They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time, they surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men but are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned. They are put to death, but [will be] restored to life. They are poor, yet they make many rich. They possess few things; yet, they abound in all. They are dishonored, but in their very dishonor are glorified…. And those who hate them are unable to give any reason for their hatred.” The Letter to Diognetus can be found in the Ante-Nicene Fathers.

And what about:

A   L O V E   W I T H O U T   C O N D I T I O N

At no other time in the history of Christianity did love so characterize the entire church as it did in the first three centuries. And Roman society took note. Tertullian reported that the Romans would exclaim, See how they love one another! Justin Martyr sketched Christian love this way:  We who used to value the acquisition of wealth and possessions more than anything else now bring what we have into a common fund and share it with anyone who needs it. We used to hate and destroy one another and refused to associate with people of another race or country. Now, because of Christ, we live together with such people and pray for our enemies.

http://www.earlychurch.com/unconditional-love.php 

Church is much different today. These times we live in now place a heavy burden on the church to be everything to everybody and bear the brunt of societies failures while trying to adapt to the demands of the day. We are constantly being told that we must change and in some instances those things that have in the past been been a part of Christian teachings are now considered to hamper membership and often are blamed for declining membership. There is always something to blame, the music, the preaching, lack of programing that meets the needs of families or seniors, not enough money and the building is old and to small. What church is about becomes a confusing mix of well-meant suggestions and can even result in what I like to call the program of the month. For many of us we wonder where all this uncertainty leaves us. Here is the good news! Why church? Because church is simple. This thing called religion has made it difficult.

Matthew 5: 13-16

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s good for nothing except to be thrown away and trampled under people’s feet. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven. 

God is not ready for you to be thrown away and trampled under the rush to supposed better things. He wants your light to shine. Do you? Are you willing to shine? It’s not hard to do. It is good to be simple people who through their daily lives bring God’s love to his people in simple everyday life.

 Matthew 28: 16-20  Commissioning of the disciples

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

Disciple- a personal follower of Jesus during his life……  one of a group of 12 men who were sent out to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ…… someone who accepts and helps to spread the teachings of Christ

But wait, let’s make it even simpler….YOU, have you not accepted the teachings of Jesus Christ? You see God is not done with you, you have responsibilities.

 Galatians 6: 2

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

You have been adopted into the Family of God, YOU are part of the body of Christ and one of your responsibilities is to bear one another’s burdens. A few simple things as found in scripture, things that make church easy.

 

Ephesians 4: 1

To the church at Ephesus Paul writes, “I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling.”

We fail as a church to be worthy and broaden the path we walk when we value the ways of this world more than those things we as followers of Christ have been taught.

Mark 12: 30,31

30 “and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31 The second is this, you will love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” 

Here Jesus summarizes the heart of the Law, love of God and love of neighbor. To teach and to live these commandments as a way of life – could that be at the heart of the church’s mission. It should be.

Join me next week here in the pew as we look at the rest of the story concerning the resurrection.  jkc

We are all looking for “The Good Way”, we all want to feel good about ourselves, our families, jobs and in general about life itself. For Christians this can be a problem. Why a problem? I think the answer to that question can be found in Jeremiah 6: 16-19.

16 This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’

I have rewritten this blog several times, really I have. This same gender issue and related issues that come with it has in my opinion become so divisive that many like myself look elsewhere as we allow our emotions to interfere with our ability to worship, study, fellowship and most of all find peace in our faith. It has driven me from my pew and soon will split the Methodist Church. Re-read what I have just written. The fault lies not with the church but with me. I have lost my focus and taken my eyes off the cross so to speak. God’s will cannot to be found in committees, position papers or endless debates or voting until the outcome turns out your way. It most certainly is not contained in endless commentaries or intellectual interpretation of the gospel to fit the changing moral climate of the world today. I have written other blogs that state why I believe this gender thing is a social issue and not a church thing. No need to rehash them here. You may go back and read them if you like.

I will be making an effort to do just what the scripture says, seeking the “Good Way” through study and prayer. God’s written word, his instructions if you will, passed down by the patriarchs and passed to the apostles to whom God made his will known. When we read the next three verses it is plain that there will be judgement and all of us will be held accountable.

17 I posted watchmen over you who said, ‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’ But you replied, ‘No! We won’t pay attention!’18 “Therefore, listen to this, all you nations. Take note of my people’s situation.19 Listen, all the earth! I will bring disaster on my people. It is the fruit of their own schemes, because they refuse to listen to me. They have rejected my word.

My word counter tells me I have written 417 words at this point. I read a comment by a Methodist Pastor today that says it all in very few words. We are told that General Conference was a success and nothing was changed. Well that is not true. WE have a “Book of Discipline” which has now in this pastor words become a “Book of Suggestions”. jkc

After the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., the Romans turned their attention to stamping out the last of the rebels holding out at the fortresses of Herodium and Machaerus as well as in the “Forest of Jardes” (which has not yet been identified). The last remaining site occupied by the Jewish rebels was at Herod’s desert fortress-palace on the cliff-top of Masada. Led by Roman general Flavius Silva, the Legio X Fretensis—a veteran military unit—began the siege operation against the rebels in 72 or 73 C.E.

The spiritual heart of the Jewish nation was being destroyed and many of their leaders were dead. Those Jews left in positions of authority or leadership were either appointed by the Romans or influenced by the need to comply in order to survive. Only  five survived and they were women and children. The Jews at Masada had chosen to kill themselves rather than surrender to Roman Rule. You can read more about this at www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/masada.html.

Those outside the Christian community seldom mention the persecution of Christians throughout the world. The sad fact is that this is not all that new but seems to have become more prevalent in recent years and of course the rapid sharing of information in this world of global communication has increased the level of awareness within the faith. We Christians here in the USA enjoy a religious freedom that we have become comfortable with and take for granted. We are like those frogs dumped into a pot of  water, which is then slowly brought up to a boil, by the time they realize they are in trouble it is to late. The Jewish nation was no match for the military might of the Roman Empire but I would suggest a much more serious problem that I am sure led to their demise. They had turned from God and sin and disobedience to Gods commands had become commonplace among the Jewish Leaders and the people. They had preverted God’s will and no longer sought to live a holy life, setting aside that which was written for those things and practices they coveted.

Masada was the last stand so to speak of Jews who would not yield to Roman Law and subjugation which leads me to an explanation of this blog title. We Christians are facing our “Masada” and like those frogs we contently lie in the water unaware that it will soon contribute to a crisis of faith. The issues facing Christianity today do not belong to just one denomination, for we all are part of the family of God, and we all are guilty. The issues are many but have one common thread. It is the willingness to interpret the word of God to meet the ever-changing morals of today’s society. Think about this. The only difference between a Christian and a non-believer is we go to church and they don’t. We go to many of the same places, watch the same movies, like to accumulate stuff and in most ways there is very little difference between us. We have been called out, we are to live Holy lives, we are to be different. I encourage each of you who read this to take the time to read and study God’s word and Law. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit through prayer and study and the only thing I will say in the way of instruction is simply this. When you study, study and read both Old and New Testament. We must stop yielding to the Ceaser’s of this day in order to increase membership, marginalizing our Christian values because they make others uncomfortable and allowing ourselves to feel uncomfortable because our faith calls us to be different. jkc

 

That should rise some eyebrows but before you read too much into that, let’s define who “them is”. We could say “them” is the failure of leadership to adequately defend and enforce the discipline. We could say that “them” is all those that for years have kicked the can down the road. We could say “them” are all those who over the years relied on slogans and special programs and valued inclusiveness and social issues over preaching and teaching God’s word. We could say that “them” are those with an agenda that conflicts with the teachings of the church.

We could say that “them” are those whose relentless pursuit to achieve their goal of acceptance at any cost with no regard or respect for others rights or beliefs are the cause of this mess we are in. Well I am not going to drag this out. “THEM” is best described, and I take a line from the old comic strip Pogo…. “we have found the enemy and them is us.” Them is us, you and I sitting in the pew week after week and letting this go this far. The issue here is about the word, about that which is God’s command to live a Holy Life because he, Our God is Holy and he desires we be Holy.

I wrote a blog in December of 2015, “A Journey To Stay In The Pew” .
My journey took me to different pews where I experienced different doctrines and denominational practices. I have moved on now and sit in a different pew. It has not been easy to leave my church family of over thirty years but in the process I have learned a valuable lesson. We are all God’s children, adopted into the family of God through the ministry, crucifixion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who believe and try to live a holy life sit in many different pews. I thought of all kinds of scripture to make my point, but the simple fact is this. “I believe the Bible to be given by divine inspiration, inherently revealing the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation.”

Thus changing the meaning or intent of God’s word through debate or any means to meet changing moral standards is not what I believe God would have me do. The words in quotes above are not mine, figure out where they came from and you will know what pew I am sitting in.
jk

I have just finished reading an article that was written based on content from a manifesto written by Dr. Dorothee Benz an LGBTQI activist from New York and is a founding member of MIND (Methodists in New Directions) and serves as its national representative. To say that I was taken aback by the tone of her writings would be a massive understatement. I know that sitting in the pew we are not always aware of these types of things going on in the church, after all why upset the troops so to speak. But the bitterness and the unsubstantiated thoughts, actions and statements attributed to our church which I have inserted here:

– “An anti-queer majority at General Conference, a combination of U.S. and international conservatives, led and whipped into a hateful frenzy by southern white Americans, has refused to consider our humanity,” contends Benz in her 2,000-word manifesto. “We are told we are prostitutes, pedophiles, murderers.”

-……, but at General Conference a tyranny of the majority is hellbent on denying our humanity,” Benz writes.

To my knowledge I have never heard of such actions from the church.

Along with the following begs to ask the question how is there no violence in the following statements.

-We must find a way to make it impossible for delegates to continue to step over our bodies, ignore our hymns, and stick to their schedules. It will take my body and yours – all of ours – to do this,” proclaims Dr. Dorothee Benz, an LGBTQI activist from New York, in an April 13 statement.

– According to the Love Prevails website: “The training will offer attendees direct action skills in a nonviolence framework while being clear about divesting from white supremacist interpretations of nonviolence.” (note what does this mean? Is it a vailed threat?)

-“If we do not disrupt business as usual, then nothing will change,” Benz concludes. “The money changers, the dove sellers, the discriminatory legislation, the foundational hate language in our Book of Discipline – it will all continue.”

This is a rather awkward attempt to ask a very difficult question. Going back to the blog title I have to ask. Why hasn’t the leadership of our church addressed this issue? So far, and I could be very wrong, I have not read, seen or heard any response from the leadership. Should we not defend the concept of peaceful assembly, orderly presentation and discussion of issues as also being part of the Methodist way? Are we not by our inaction endorsing the mindset that if you don’t agree with something you disrupt, ignore, disobey and refuse to allow others to be heard?

The leadership of the church needs to step up and do what they have been elected or appointed to do. Lead God’s people in a civil discourse of ideas that will bring to all people the word of God. You the leadership is by your inaction allowing a picture of our church as one of a divided house held hostage by bitterness, hate and disrespect for our brothers and sisters in the Faith. Loss of members, closing of churches and the division of leadership as to the intent of the gospel has made its way into the pew. We are watching and we don’t like what we see. We come to church to worship our God, share the word and to leave and go out to face the world as it is strengthen by the grace, guidance and love of our savior Jesus Christ. One last thought. How can anyone who has such hate and bitterness in their heart ever expect to have God’s ear or be led by the Holy Spirit?

 

 

It has been said that change is only hard for those who resist it. I suppose that is true but what is important to me is the type of change. There are some things that should never change because they are the very foundation of what we believe are God’s will and for the purpose of this blog what I believe to be the foundation of that belief. With that in mind let’s look at Webster’s definition of faith.

Simple Definition of faith

• :strong belief or trust in someone or something
• :belief in the existence of God: strong religious feelings or beliefs
• :a system of religious beliefs

In two of the dots above we see the word religious used twice in reference to feelings, beliefs or system. While this may be a bit radical and I know many will disagree but I view religion and faith to be two separate things. I believe that religious feelings and beliefs along with established systems can and will be changed from time to time. At the same time to me God’s will and word are the foundation of the “faith” and are not meant to be changed to meet the changing mores and social agenda of the politically correct. If you detect a bit of frustration with this, you are correct. I believe the Methodist church, which by the way is not the only denomination involved in this, is debating an issue that belongs in the secular world as I consider the gender question to be of a social type of thing. For lack of a better example give unto Caesar that which is Caesars and unto God that which is his. By faith we as Christians are charged to love everyone and welcome them to the fellowship. The key here is not to pre-judge. We are not bound by earthly laws to accept those things which God has rejected or amend the “faith” to meet the changing mores of the day.

If I am confusing you I am sorry but to me the path is clear enough. Those things that prevent people from living a holy life as God commanded, are not to ever be set aside using inclusiveness, relevance to today’s world and declining membership as reason for such a change in those things that are of the very foundation of the “Faith”. As a layman in the pew I can only go on what years of scripture study, guidance of the ordained elders and the statement of those things which we as Methodists have held to be the beliefs of our faith as taught by John Wesley. Each generation brings with it their own reasoning. Sometimes that reasoning is the product of study and debate about the issues of the day. What I am saying is when scripture says “and God said, or God told….” these are not policy items or doctrine that is open for debate. When I study scripture or prepare a Sunday school lesson I will read several different commentaries by respected scholars and seek a common thread among them to help me understand and share God’s word with the class. I have not burdened you with numerous scripture quotes but seek to keep it simple. As Methodists we are debating a number of issues which will soon come to a vote. The very nature of a debate requires that someone lose, and only one opinion can stand. I firmly believe that these issues are facing us because of societal pressures and those who seek to push the idea that our statements of faith are unfair to a segment of our society. I reject that reasoning. The foundation of our faith is not open to public debate, it is God’s word and can’t be changed to meet the needs of changing morals. I would say to these people what is said before every communion table; The Lords table is ready and all are welcomed to come.

I will welcome you, respect you, love you, pray with and for you and not judge you. I would hope you would understand that I try hard to live a Holy life as God has commanded me, do not ask me to do any less.

I also seek others comments and welcome them. You may reach me at kcarp4211@gmail.com

 

As the new movie God’s Not Dead Part 2 hits the theaters the usual chorus of discord can be heard from all sides of the religious spectrum as well as that of the unbelievers. People of faith over the last few years have been introduced to a kinder gentler vocabulary which can be misleading. Two words stand out to me in this battle for the very soul of the faith, “Inclusiveness and Tolerance.” I admit I am a layman and while I hold no office or committee posts in the church, I read, study and most importantly listen to those like me sitting in the pews. I have already written about inclusiveness in an earlier blog, as to tolerance, here is my view from the pew.

I’m sure most folks understand reasonably well the meaning of this word. I choose to not quote a lot of scripture, just keep this simple and to the point. Here is Webster’s definition of the word “tolerance”.

• 2a :  sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own

b :  the act of allowing something :  toleration

I consider the very “soul” of the faith to be the word of God given to the prophets of the Old Testament, carried into the New Testament as spoken by his son Jesus Christ and the good news that the Apostles took to the world, which the believers embraced with their hearts, minds and in some instances their lives. Having said this, I believe that God has spoken to his people as to those things which by belief or practice are in conflict with his will. To be even more direct I find no justification for Christian tolerance or sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with the word and will of God. Now here is where it becomes hard to be a Christian of the “faith” and defend the faith which has in the past been known to exclude and judge others harshly. Jesus said to love your brother as yourself and in Jesus’ ministry we see him time after time include all people in his mission. Now some would say that this is the very definition of “inclusiveness” and truth is you can’t argue with that. So what is my problem? Tolerance is a different matter altogether. Yes, Jesus did love all people but he did not tolerate those things which marginalized his father’s will for his people and disrespected the sanctity of his house and personage. We only have to look at the temple full of money changers and vendors to see his intolerance to such in his father’s house.

To sum up, our church is divided in many areas of our doctrine of faith. We should love and welcome all to God’s family but never allowing those things which God found unacceptable to be tolerated to the point of inclusion in the “Faith”. One last hard thing for all of us to grasp is that we are called to, whoa…. the word is commanded to love all. Judgement belongs to God.

 

 

I have not posted in some time now and it is not due to writers block. I have a condition which is quite common in my part of the pew. The confusion of direction and doctrinal abuse has left many United Methodists seeking answers through conversations among themselves, with their Pastor, or even leaving the pew to seek answers among the larger Christian community. My journey is one born of confusion and the need to truly know God’s will for me at this point of my life. How do I reconcile doctrine or church law to God’s law and as a layman however odd it may seem to some, God’s law to me is clear concise and plain in its intent and purpose; while the direction and intent of the Methodist church seems to be directed by whichever group or agenda driven model prevails at the moment.

Having taught Sunday school for a number of years and the little experience I have gained writing blogs have led me to prayer, study and a number of biblical commentaries and study literature that has helped me in understanding God’s word. I would in no way infer that I have reached the level or understanding of the writers of these materials but the value of their work has been a blessing and source of understanding and enrichment of this journey I am now on. I have come to the conclusion that the Old and New Testaments are inseparably woven together so that the true meaning and intent of God’s law and word in totality, requires the other for one to understand the whole of the word. I love the Methodist church but find myself confused as to the efforts of some to change the intent of God’s law and word as written in the bible to fit the social needs of our world today. John Wesley said it best:

It is therefore expected of all who continue therein that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,

First: By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind . . . ;

Secondly: By . . . doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all . . . ;

Thirdly: By attending upon all the ordinances of God. (see ¶ 103)

Wesley’s illustrative cases under each of these three rules show how the Christian conscience might move from general principles to specific actions. Their explicit combination highlights the spiritual spring of moral action. (From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church – 2012. Copyright 2012 by The United Methodist Publishing House. )

I call your attention to the third rule above. This past Sunday I sat in a different pew and started this journey I have for so long sought to avoid. As I look ahead to the issues that we as a denomination will face in this new year 2016, I cannot help but wonder if we will respect all the ordinances of God as we decide the issues facing us. I covet your prayers and pray that the Holy Spirit will give me the discernment I need to stay in the pew.