I lift Up My Eyes To the Hills!

Two of Mountains on our Retreat

The Cross of Forgiveness and Healing

The Lion of Judah Lives and Roars!

God is a Warrior and our Father! I know that for some folks that sentence is Politically Incorrect, but this weekend my son William and I went to a Warrior Battle Camp, based on John Eldridge's book "Wild at Heart!"

We experienced the power of the living God in some new and very real ways. It was amazing, to see God heal deep heart wounds for many of the men present. It was wonderful to be in such a beautiful place and just get to worship and focus on hearing God and being real with Him and one another.

Years ago, I remember a song by the blind artist, Ken Medema, called "Don't Play the Game!"
It talked about pretending to be a christian in our everyday life and how heavy a toll it takes on our hearts, and spirits to try to fake the faith. The song ends by challenging us as disciples to "get down off the stage and become who we say we are" in Christ! This weekend was all about becoming real men who live the real lives of faith that God created for us! It was about identiying with the Holy Spirit's help, the many mask we all wear and taking them off and risking being real with God, ourselves and each other.

And last but not least it was about remembering that God in most of the bible is infact a mighty warrror as well as the giver of grace and love. C. S. Lewis reminded us that each of us is born into the midst of a cosmic battle, often even behind enemy lines. We are called to fight against the prince of darkeness, the father of lies, the one who likes to pretend he is a lion and as Peter puts it prowls around seeking whom he may devour.

If that call to battle which means the very salvation of a hurting and broken world does not move you or excite you. Perhaps you may need to have a few moments of silent discussion with the King of Kings and the powerful Lion of Judah. Maybe you are called to fight for a higher calling than just playing out the drama of religion, or going through the motions of just survivimg in our everyday lives.

In closing let me share with you a passage from Proverbs that was a part of our retreat. The wisdom writer says, "A man's heart is like deep waters!" If you are tired ot living in the safe, calm, nice shallows, let me invite you to venture out into the deep, deep mysterious uncharted waters of adventure that God has for you as a person of faith.

I am a son of the Lion of Judah- a warrior of the King!
Richard

Image of God

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

My son William and I are getting ready to go on a 3 day Father Son Retreat called "Battle Camp." It is a battle for the heart of men that the camp title speaks of. I have been rereading for the 4 time John Eldridge's book "Wild at Heart."

In it he talks about that fact the man is wild side of God's image, and woman is the lover, and nurturer side of God. He says both men and women what to be a part of a adventure with one another and with God. Together in relationship with God they find out what Jesus meant by living life "Abundantly."

John claims, and I think rightly so, that we in the church have made men to nice. That we have tamed them. It use the story of going to the zoo near where he lives and seeing the 500 male lion who sets in a cage, and has forgot who and what he is. This mighty beast won't even look John or anyone else who comes by his cage int he eye. He has become frighten and above all bored. He doesn't hunt, food is slipped to him through a metal door in his cage. He simply lays and around and does nothing all day. He has lost his identity.

That is a great deal like many men today. John asks in the book, if you and I went to any Christian church for worship and looked at the men there and asked the question, "What is a Christian man?'' We would have to say he is above all bored and dutiful. And definitely separated from his heart, his inner being!

I am looking forward to this adventure with my son, who I love and dream that he will love God and be a part of the greatest adventure ever, called faith!

In Jesus,
Richard

The Day After!

Today is the day after Easter. It is a day in which preachers, slow down and catch their breath. It is a day to stop and listen to the whispering of the Holy Spirit. It is a time to remember all the drama, and love of this past Holy Week and the power of resurrection made new in all our lives, as Christ's disciples.

It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of Lent and Easter and not let the meaning of the empty tomb, flow into our hearts. Today I will take a number of deep deep breaths and let the Holy Spirit flow in me so that easter will be a part of my life everyday.

Peace Everybody!
Richard

A New Reality Check!

"Mary found the tomb empty!" With those words everything changed. What is real and what is not, was altered forever. Because Jesus is alive nothing will ever be the same again! Death that seems like the end of all things, isn't! It is really a beginning of life forever with our Lord!

This morning as we celebrated the power of resurrection among us, I told a story about a farmer from Arkansas, who went to Mexico on vacation and went fishing. It was his first time to go fishing on the ocean. The fishing was lousy, but he was amazed by the sunrises and sunset on the horizon of the Gulf. The bring reds, oranges, yellows and all the rest blended to make a magnificent masterpiece that had to be seen by his friend back in the mountains of Arkansas. But to his dismay, when he arrived back in his home state and had the photos of the trip developed he could not tell the sunsets from the sunrises. In fact they looked exactly the same.

So it is with the new reality of resurrection, death which seems like a sunset and an end, is really a sunrise, or a new beginning! The stone being rolled away and Jesus being alive have turned the world and reality upside down and inside out! Isn't that just great! Hope can be found only in Jesus Christ our risen Lord!

So what reality is guiding our daily lives?

He is Risen!

Rev. Richard

Waiting for an Empty Tomb!

"Resurrection means the worst thing is never the last thing!" Fredrick Buechner.

Today we do one of the hardest things in all the world, we wait! If you have ever sat while someone you love has had surgery, you know what waiting is like. If you have been a kid, and seen the packages under the tree with your name on them, but Christmas morning seem to never come, you know what waiting is like. If you have sat beside the bed of a woman in labor, wondering when this new little life will make an appearance, you know what waiting is like.

Black Saturday, is a day of waiting! Waiting to see if Easter, and the empty tomb will finally arrive. And when it does, the worst thing is never the last thing any more! Because of that empty grave, the world knows real hope!

Happy waiting!!
Richard

Maunday = Command

A new commandment I give you to love one another as I have loved you! Jesus has given us a way of living, that is radically different from the world's normal way of looking at things. We as asked to love anyone and everyone, no matter what! There are no loop holes in Jesus new rule for living! There are not exceptions! We are to love with a sacrificial love that is willing to always give of ourselves to others!
I don't know about you, but for me that seem impossible without the help and power of the Holy Spirit. I can never fulfill this command without God's help and guidance.
Peace,
Richard

Knowing Our Part!

Today I was rereading the book "The Sacred Romance," by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge. It is a book about the love affair between God and his creation. It is about that something more that is missing in our lives, that we all long for. Curtis quotes A. W. Tozer to open the book, "Thirsty hearts are those whose longings have been weakened by the touch of God within them." Is there a thirsty deep in your heart for something more? Is there a longing within you that will not seem to go away? We were meant to be in love with God and be loved by God! Nothing else will ever measure up! Oswald Chambers put it this way, "It is by the heart that God is perceived (known) and not by reason...so that is what faith is: God perceived by the heart." God says it this way in Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." To lose our heart is to lose everything. To give our hearts over to the Lover of our souls is our lifes goal. St. John of the Cross wrote centuries ago these words, "O Living Flame of Love, Full of grace and glory, How tenderly Thou fillest me with Thy Love." The heart cry of ever man, woman and child that has ever lived or ever will live is to take part in this most sacred romance with our living Lord! Grace & Peace, Rev. Richard

In The Cross!!!

The old hymn says, "In the Cross, In the Cross, be my glory ever!" The Cross is the center of almost every Christian worship space. Why? Because it is the heart of all we believe and do as person of faith.

I heard a friend of mine preach on the cross at a Holy Week midday service this week. He said many person today have come to see the cross as just another bit of "bling!" For others he said it is simply a way of ordering society to keep everyone in there places. For still others it is a way of moral living.

But what is it to us? Maybe 1 Corinthians 1:18 says it best, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." It is the power of God to reconcile us to Himself and to one another. It is the power of God to make us whole and to release us from the death grip of sin. It is the power of God to dispel fear and to give hope. It is the power of God to pour meaning and purpose into our lives. It is the power to give victory over death itself!

The cross is the center of our lives as followers of Jesus Christ! It is that in which we glory as the old hymn says so well!

So what is the cross for you?

In the Cross,

Rev. Richard

Palm Reading!

What do I read in his palms? I read a broken lifeline. A lifeline
interrupted by nails, by the splintered wood of the cross. I read a life
lived in obedience to a higher call, the highest call. I read a life lived
in accordance with his life purpose.

One of histories greatest ironies is reenacted on Palm Sunday. The waving
palms of Palm Sunday lead to his palms laid flat against the cross as Jesus
is strung up alongside two convicted criminals for a long, slow, tortured
and agonizing death.

Was it worth it? I sometimes wonder. Was it worth it for Jesus to follow
his purpose, his plan, his divine calling? If his life, his death, his
rising from death mean anything at all then isn't its meaning revealed in
your life and in mine? If his life, his death and his resurrection mean
anything, isn't it given meaning in who you are and how you live your life?


So what do you see in your palms? I invite you to lift your hand and turn
it and to look at your own palms. What do you see? Do you see the lines
there? We all have them. Do you see a line drawn by a lifetime of doing
your best, of fulfilling your life purpose? Do you see a line there of
lifelong dedication to doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly
with God? Do you see a lifeline leading you into an eternal realm of
oneness with God, with yourself, and with others?

If not, then I suggest that now is a good time to begin to consider what you
do see in your life. What do you see in the palms?

(Taken From an email devotional by Rev. Fred Kane)

Palm Sunday Stuff

The People cried out, "Hosanna, Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!" 5 Days latter the same people cried out,began to talk more about the C word and less about the G word!
That is he began to talk and teach about Commitment, and less about Grace. Many of today's disciples are afraid of commitment. It sounds to restricting, and demanding and it isn't politically correct for some persons.

Jesus also taught and demonstrated that we should love all persons. I told the story today of 9 little kids at Special Olympics who were running in the 100 yard dash. All was going well, until one little boy fell down and scraped his leg and face and then began to cry. Suddenly, the other 8 handicapped children stopped running and turned around and went back to the fallen little boy.
A little downs syndrome girl bent down and and began to wipe away his tears and then the other 7 runners began to help there fallen fellow runner to his feet and then they all walked and crossed the finish line together. They didn't care about winning at all costs. They only cared about loving their fallen friend. Just like Jesus taught that we should love any and all persons in His name.

Lastly, Jesus began to teach and talk about the cross and his sacrificial death. Peter and the other disciples, didn't want to hear this stuff about death. We also don't want to receive Jesus call to talk up our own cross and follow him. He calls us to sacrifice all we have to follow him!

May be its not so hard after all to understand why the crowd changed so dramatically in just 5 day. May we this Holy Week examine our relationship to our Lord and Savior!
Peace,
Richard

A Big Week

This week begins a big week in the life of the church--Holy Week, we call it. Our annual re-entry into the story of Christ's death and resurrection. And, it all begins with a parade into Jerusalem (see above).

The stories of this week are SO rich. I treasure them. When I was in Jr. High and early High School, I discovered Jesus Christ, Superstar & Godspell; forever, now, I hear these stories sung in rock opera style. They are full of rich symbolism, dramatic and complicated characters, all of whom could be played in wonderfully diverse ways. They helped me to expereince Jesus and his life in some new ways. They literally put me in the gospel story!

This week, we have the opportunity to introduce our friends, neighbors, family members, co-workers to Jesus through the events and symbolism of this most Holy of Weeks. Why not take the time to invite someone to Palm Sunday worship, or Maunday Thursday Communion or to the awesome power of Easter and the empty tomb!

Come join us Thursday at 7:00 pm
or Friday at the same time.
or on Easter at 7:15 am Easter Sunrise Service8:30 and 10:55 Resurrection Celebrations.
Easter Egg Hunt and Children's service 9:45 am.

Hope to share the wonder and power of this Holy Week together!
Rev. Richard

It's All In Your Point of View!

Today I went with two of my daughters to see the movie Vantage Point. It was a very high suspense flick. It all involves around a plot to kill the President of the United States at a conference in Spain.
The key to the movie is that the same 10 minutes of the events of the assassination are seen though the eyes of 6 or 7 different people. It is only as we see all those perspectives that we understand what is really happening.
Often times this same approach is needed in life. It helps to look at situations from other person vantage points. It is then that we can begin to see other possibilities and solutions. And above all as persons of faith it is crucial to ask for God's perspective. Through prayer, traditions, Holy Scriptures, and history help us to gain a Holy outlook on any and all situations.
May be then as the apostle Paul puts it, "we can have the mind of Christ."

In Christ's name,
Rev. Richard

Be Like Chuck?

Paul tells the Philippians to be like Jesus, and so we tell our parishioners
to be like Jesus too. They expect that. It's a given.

But I think deep down, there are many of us who would often rather be like
Chuck Norris. It's a guilty little desire, and it's definitely real.

Have you come across Chuck Norris jokes? Here's a sampling that the church
secretary and I have been chuckling over:

Chuck Norris doesn't sleep, he waits.

Chuck Norris can win a game of Monopoly without owning any property.

There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Chuck Norris
allows to live.

In an average living room, there are 1242 objects Chuck Norris could use to
kill you, including the room itself.

Chuck Norris can divide by zero.

Chuck Norris can delete the Recycle Bin.

Bill Gates lives in constant fear that Chuck Norris's PC will crash.

Chuck Norris can build a snowman out of rain.

Chuck Norris can play a violin with a piano.

The last digit of pi is Chuck Norris. He is the end of all things.

When an episode of Walker Texas Ranger aired in France, they surrendered to
Chuck Norris just to be on the safe side.

Chuck Norris can do a wheelie on a unicycle.

Chuck Norris makes onions cry.

Chuck Norris got his driver's license at the age of 16 seconds.

Chuck Norris is the only man ever to defeat a brick wall in a game of tennis.

When Chuck Norris jumps into a body of water, he doesn't get wet. The water
gets Chuck Norris instead.

Chuck Norris can set ants on fire with a magnifying glass. At night.

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Stir it Up!

2 Timothy 1:6 was the focus of a sermon I heard preached by Bishop Palmer from the Iowa area of the United Methodist Church, at the Bishop Convocation at Mt. Wesley this past week. Let me share a few thoughts from the bishop with you.
First, Paul says to Timothy, "Stir into flame the gift of God, which is in you."
The Bishop asked us to look honestly at our own hearts and lives and ask, "How have your flame grown cold?" "Are there some coals still glowing in your spirit?" He reminded us that the Holy Spirit can, if we let Him fan the Flame back to a blaze inside of us!
Second, Paul reminds Timothy of his roots in his faith in his mother and grandmother's relationship with God. Bishop Palmer, reminded us that our roots and our mission is God and God alone! Or as John Wesley put it, "We have nothing to do but save souls!" Are we focused on our true mission as disciples?
Third, remembering our mentors in the faith, parents, Sunday School Teachers, Pastors or Youth Leaders, Grandparents and many other helps us to know where we come from, and who we are? Paul is saying to Timothy, "You come from good stock, boy! Don't forget it!"
Fourthly, Remember to trust in the blood of Jesus and in nothing else! Not form or ritual, persons or things, but in Christ alone!
Fifth, Remember that we have power available to us at all times. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is in us!
Lastly, because God is alive in us in power, "Think Big!" "Dream Large!" As one person I know puts it, "thinking outside the box ideas need to be ones that might get you fired!" Bishop Palmer said, we need to pray for the spiritual gift of desperation! That is to be desperate to find and do the will of God in this place!
Something to think about, and pray over and see what God will stir up in us!
Yours in Jesus,
Rev. Richard

Technology Comes to FUMC Del Rio

"Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." Acts 5:20

Today to tell the full message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it takes more than a sermon on Sunday and a newsletter once a month. It take in a word, Technology. Web sight, Blogs, Video, Powerpoints all help to tell the old old story of Jesus and His love, as they hymn says.
I look forward to getting to use this blog to share ideas and thoughts with one another and to hear from you and exchange ideas. It is exciting to be able to get our hearts and minds together digitally and see how the Holy Spirit works in this wired world of ours!
In His name,

Rev. Richard
FUMC Del Rio, TX