Happy Birthday Kristin!
It is such a blessing to have 5 very different person as the children in our family. Each one is unique! Each has different gifts and talents to share with the world. Each has different opinions, and hopes and dreams. They are all so "fearfully and wonderful made," by God.
Today is Kristin Elizabeth Young's birthday. She is 20 years old today. That makes me feel older somehow. She has gone from a blond headed little nymph to a vivacious young woman right before my eyes. It doesn't see like 20 years have passed, only a few moments on this road of life and faith. And yet here it is 20 years, of life and love with our Krissy.
Today is a day to celebrate those 20 years and to continue to pray and dream for all that God has for her in the future. The Psalmist talks about the man being truly blessed whose quiver is full of children who love the Lord! I praise my Lord today for each of the arrows in my quiver. And I pray that each of them will fly straight and true to the target of service and love for Jesus to which each is called.



In Jesus,
Richard

Weddings and New Beginnings!

Well it happened. My little girl is now married. The wedding of the century is now over. My first response to this huge event in my life, is relief! I am so glad my daughter is happy, and all the bills are paid, and everything went well, and yes God was glorified.
I also cried a few tears and laughed with great joy at this watershed moment in our family's life. I was amazed at what it felt like, as one of my clergy friends put to be on the other side of ministry. My friend how is my daughter and son-in-laws pastor was so wonderful to me and all my family. He helped me to grief and rejoice all at the same time.
As my daughter told during our father daughter dance at the reception, I may not have quite the same relationship with her that I always have, but I will always be her Daddy. I am so blessed to have seen Christ live in and mold and shape the wonderful young woman and wife that was married a few short days ago. I am also so excited to have another son who is so talented and loves Jesus with all His heart and loves my little girl just as much.
My life is even richer and fuller of God's grace and blessings than ever before. I pray the our Lord will lead and guide Dorothy and Brian in their new life together, and that He will pour out His spirit on them so all my see Christ in them!
In Jesus,
Rev. Richard

Times are Changing

This week I was asked by one of our UMW circles to teach a lesson based on an cover article in the April Newsweek magazine, entitled "The End of Christian America."
This author used new data from a study of American public and faith. Things like an increase of people who claim no religious affiliation has almost doubled since 1990 from 8% to 15% of the public. Even more concerning was a shift from the latest numbers of person who have no religious affiliation from the Northeaster US to the Northwest part of the US. As one theologian put it, "the historic foundation of American's religious culture has cracked." In fact in the state of Vermont 34% of the states residents claim to have not religious ties.
In addition this study notes a rise since 1990 of atheists and agnostics from 1 million to 3.6 million in the US. That is double the number of Episcopalians in the United States. The study also pointed out that 68% of Americans believe Christianity is losing influence in our culture. Also the poll shows us that 48% think religion can answer all or most of today's problems.
Along with this information I also shared with them the current Christian demographics that tell us clearly that we are now the minority in the world wide church and that Christians in places like Africa and Asia are the growing majority.
All this brought about a lot of discussion from the group. We all came to realize that we are living in a new day. We are not a part of our grandparent's church or culture. We all decided that we must reach outside our walls to reach the Unreached for Jesus.
It is time for us to pray and seek God's direction for ministry in a new world.
What will that look like at FUMC Del Rio?
How is God calling us to step out in new ways to be the Body of Christ?

Peace,
Richard

Holy Week

I have been reading a new book by John Eldredge entitled, "Walking with God." I decided to read this book during Lent this year as a part of my discipline for God.

One of the things he talks about in book is looking at others lives and thinking that they seem to have it together so, "What are they doing that I'm not doing?"

He says we tend to make a list to answer that Question. You know the list -
1. They read more than me - so I need to read more.
2. They pray more than me - so I need to pray more.
3. They study the bible more than me - so I need to join another bible study.
4. They are smarter than me - so I need to learn more.
5. They volunteer more than me - so I need to find more to do for God.

You get the picture! If we just do more and work harder then we will grow as disciples! WRONG!!! All those things are great,
but they don't always bring intimacy with God.

The good news is we can't figure out life like that! Life would get very hard if that was the answer. Deep down often we believe a lie, I can make it on my own, If I only try harder. Where is God in that picture?

Eldredge, says, "No matter what our situation in life, our deepest need is to learn to walk with God." Like Adam and Eve, we long to walk and talk with our Lord in deep personal relationship. We look forward to sharing our hearts with God as our savior and friend, not as idea or a religious belief system.

Fredrick Buecher is quoted in this same book. He is one of my favorite writers. "If God speaks to us other than such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think he speaks to us largely through what happens to us, so what I have done it to listen back over what has happened to me as I listen for the sound of his voice, for His word to us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling."

Have a great Holy Week and listen as you walk with God!
Rev. Richard