The calling to nurture and be a part of the faith development of our young people has been ringing in my own heart for quite some time now. Over the last several years I have seen how the church has fallen short with that calling. It's one of my life's goals to establish faithful youth ministries that help young people know what it means to love God and love people--there are, of course, many facets to that.


So, I was quite giddy really as our church began to anticipate establishing such a ministry. As of last night, we are on our way. We met with a handful of students last night for our first youth gathering. I had fun, and I think everyone else did as well. Here's a quick look at what we did.

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Stay blessed...john

Often it seems that our most important lessons come at difficult times.  Maybe it's in those times that we're finally paying attention or realize maybe we didn't have things all figured out.  Tough spots in life may be the only time we keep our mouths closed enough to listen for what we need to hear.  Whatever the case, we tend to learn those lessons that stick with us during our most trying times, or, to use biblical language, in our wilderness, or desert, experiences.



Stay blessed...john

"I'd be bored," is what Brittani blurted out about midway through this video.  "Fine," I said, "find something else to go with your lesson."  She had been preparing for a children's Sunday school class and wanted something else to go along with her First Sunday of Lent lesson.

I thought her bored comment was referring to watching the video.  It wasn't.  No, she wondered about being in the desert for 40 days.  After a while you'd want to check your phone...whoops.  Who are you going to have a conversation with?  As you get through the hunger pains you might decide you were a little bored.

Have you ever thought of being in the desert?  What kind of feelings would you have?  What would go through your mind?  We can't even make through a one hour worship service without our mind wandering.  What would 40 days in the desert do to us?

Here's a great video that portrays Jesus' 40-day desert temptation.  Watch it and see what reflections you have.

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May your next 40 days be inspirational.

Stay blessed...john

Need a smile?

Watch this next video.


You're welcome. Stay blessed...john

Apparently, pastors do more than put people to sleep.  

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Another saint's faith had been made sight.

That was the comforting thought and promise as the pastor visited with the family preparing their loved one's memorial service. These are holy moments. Often tearful and difficult, but holy. A pastor is invited into a family's mourning. That requires enough humility, responsibility and authority that you would suppose the pastor would have ensured there was a box of tissue available. Pity what we don't do sometimes.

No tissues needed, as it turned out. Swelling tears were quickly followed and replaced by laughter and a good story or two. This saint was surely to be missed. And surely there would be many friends who would want to pay their last respects. This celebration of life was just as much for them as it was for the family. Throughout life, the departed saint had demonstrated genuine friendship. Now, the family would have a chance to follow suite. Arrangements were made to invite everyone to a catered dinner at the church following the memorial service.

"We are sure there will be a lot of people," the family said.

The pastor was sure to carry that message to the church members, but these things work usually work out the same way. It's hard to guesstimate how many people will attend a service and stay for a dinner. One can, however, usually figure it's not as many people as the family thinks. Usually!

After the service began chairs had to be brought into the sanctuary. Every pew was filled. The upstairs choir loft had been filled. A crowd had gathered at the cemetery and it seemed they were all there for the dinner as well. Everyone ate well and shared time with family and friends, just like the saint would have wanted.

And some in the church learned something that day.

The church did not seem to know the saint as well as everyone else did. They were surprised at how many people attended service that day. But why?

Sure, the saint was nice and funny. Always friendly, always smiling. But still just someone we went to church with. Pity that.

Last week I aggravated an old knee injury.  I'd like to say it looks worse than it feels.  Unfortunately, however, it was looking pretty ugly and feeling the same way.

I tell you that because I was so disappointed Sunday morning.  The first part of my sermon was all about being, getting and staying UP.  God calls us UP to the mountain sides of faith.  But you and I know that we cannot stay UP because God also calls us to Get Down.

Oh, when I said that I wanted to break out in dance, very similar to this: Get Down On It

But that sore knee kept me from doing so! In fact, for the most part I stayed behind my pulpit (music stand) as I preached. Proof it can be done. Still, one day soon I will get down.

In the mean time I hope the message is clear. God wants to meet us where we are. God wants us to know the glory of God. There are no more peaceful and affirming moments than when we know we have been in God's presence. But we must realize that God doesn't call us to stay UP on the mountain. We are called to Get Down. There's a hurting world waiting for us.

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Stay blessed...john

What does a preacher have to say to make you angry?

We opened our worship service with that question this week.  I'm sure some preacher has rustled a few of your feathers once or twice.  Was it on a Sunday morning?  Was it some off-comment during a church meeting?  Did the preacher tell you what s/he really thought about (insert hot-topic issue) during a Bible study?

If you can recall the last time you wanted to throw your preacher off the nearest cliff, you fit perfectly into the story of Jesus going back home to preach.  Incidentally, I worked on this sermon the same time I was preparing for a family member's funeral back home.  Thanks, God.  That was real funny.

Jesus went home.  He ran into his peeps and went to church.  Everyone was probably proud as he got up and began to read from the scroll.  They were even more amazed with what he had to say....at first.

If only he could have kept his holy mouth closed.

But thank God he couldn't.  I supposed we can't blame the people for getting upset with him.  How would you like it if I told you all that stuff you believe about being blessed and that America is God's chosen nation wasn't everything you thought it was?  What if I start talking about how much money you give to the church and how you like to help out, that those things aren't as important as you're making them out to be--at least the way you talk about them.

That seems to be what Jesus said that triggered a murderous rage into the congregation that day.  So, you and I have to hear what Jesus is telling us today.  What he has to say may or may not be what we're ready to hear.  But God is going to tell us. And when we listen, we are closer to being who/what God has called us to be.

My sermon The Jesus We Don't Like tells you the rest.



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Stay blessed...john