To Fast, or Not To Fast…

In early Christianity, the Church would prepare for Christmas the same way it prepared for Easter, through fasting.  Lent is the season before Easter which calls for a fast as a way of discipleship.  We fast during Lent as Christ did during His time in temptation.  Of course the temptation never left Jesus, for He was tempted until He completed His mission on the cross.  Advent is the season before Christmas and it calls for a fast as a way of preparation.  Four weeks of fasting to help prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ.  So the question that we need to ask ourselves is, do we fast or not?

How Do We Respond…

Why do we give gifts this time of year?  It probably is a tradition which includes the Magi giving Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh.  This is not a bad tradition, in fact I very much like the tradition of giving gifts.  However, lately I have been struggling with the quid-pro-quo manners of Christmas.  Am I giving to people to receive?  After receiving a gift is it proper to give one back?  These questions can also reflect our attitude toward God as well.  Why do I worship?  Why do I tithe?  Why do I do good deeds?  Is it because God has already done something for me?  Is it so I can receive something from God?  Have you had this dilemma in your life?

Charles Wesley: Hymns & Sacred Poems, 1749, II

For me Charles Wesley is my favorite poet. A lot of people have not read his hymns or poetry. Charles Wesley was the younger brother of John Wesley and they both founded the Methodist Movement within the Church of England in the 18th Century. My Wesleyan professor in seminary, Dr. Hal Knight, once commented that if you wanted encouragement for your faith you should talk to John Wesley, however if you needed pastoral care, someone to grieve with, someone to console you, go to Charles Wesley. Both Wesley brothers were essential for the Methodist Movement to grow as it did and does today. For that reason I will share some of his writings from time to time. Whenever I have been truly inspired. I hope you all like it and may it help you mature in your faith through the Holy Spirit. ENJOY…

The Lengths of Love…

So this week as I was reading various topics about God’s love I came across this story from our Desert Fathers,

There was a brother who served one of the hermits. The old man’s body happened to be badly hurt, and evil-smelling pus flowed out of the wound. The serving brother thought to himself, ‘I’m getting out of hear; I can’t bear the smell of gangrene.’ To control the thought, he took a bowl, washed the wound, and kept the water which he used and whenever he was thirsty, he drank from it. But his thoughts began to trouble him again saying to him, ‘If you will not go away, at least do not drink the pus.’ The brother struggled with endurance, and went on drinking the water. God saw his charity [LOVE] as he ministered to the old man; and God turned the contaminated liquid into the purest water, and by unseen means healed the old hermit.
The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks

Butler, Therapist, Pastor, Friend???

As a pastor I come across and hear about a lot of problems in people’s lives and in the world. As a pastor I not only have to preach about God’s love, but also be the example of that love toward everyone. Of course that is nothing to complain about, in fact I love doing that. I could not see myself doing anything else. However, being a pastor is also one of the most misunderstood and abused roles in the world. In fact if I was to be truly transparent it is also one of the most lonely. Nothing brings me more joy than to be a pastor AND nothing creates in me a sense of worthlessness than being a pastor.

Bodily Resurrection???

Our time of mourning and repentance is over. Starting April 1, we enter the Easter Season. During Lent we spent 40 days focusing on what hinders us from Jesus. We fasted, prayed, gave up, repented, and cried out to the Lord. We asked God to create in us a new heart and spirit. One that is not fashioned out of stone, but out of His own. Now we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We turn our eyes not toward the cross, but toward an empty tomb. Jesus has conquered the grave! He has turned our mourning into joy!

Repentance???

Last Wednesday most people were celebrating Valentine’s Day with that special someone. However, this was not the only celebration taking place this year on that day. February 14 was also the beginning of the Church season of Lent. It is marked with the service of Ash Wednesday. Lent is the 40 days before Easter (not counting Sunday’s) where we recognize the significance of the Cross and the death of Jesus Christ in our lives. Usually during this season Christians all over the world fast, pray, read scripture, and repent. It is also a season of reconciliation as we invite people who have fallen away from the Church to return and be reconciled. I always find it interesting that more Christians do not celebrate this season.