Last week we started this series of messages entitled “Called.” As we journey through the Lenten season, we will learn how and why God gives us a calling for our lives. In our United Methodist tradition, we believe in the Ministry of all Christians. We understand all believers are called through their baptism to the ministry of servanthood in the world to the glory of God and for human fulfillment (BOD, Par. 126). All of us, not just clergy, are called to serve God in the world. The question is, how do we know what we are supposed to do? How do we discern our calling? God may use our gifts at our jobs to do good in the world … Read More
Called: Abraham’s Story
Have you ever wondered or prayed about your calling in life? I am not talking about a specific career or a job, but something even more meaningful that is far more important than accomplishing personal goals. We think about our calling when searching for meaning and purpose because we care about how we contribute to making the world better and what we will leave behind us for our children and their children. In this sense, our calling is not about doing something to get what we want but finding ourselves becoming something that leaves a legacy long after we are gone. So, what are you leaving behind? Have you found your calling? Do you care about it? If think you … Read More
Many Prayers, One Spirit
What are the benefits of prayer? In last week’s sermon, I mentioned some of those benefits, saying that prayer is not only about getting what we ask but what happens to us and through us when we pray. I said prayer brings us closer to God, helps us experience God’s presence, and affirms our faith by nurturing our minds, hearts, and spirits. But besides prayer nurturing us individually, prayer also builds community. You may already have heard of what many describe as a “revival” or “awakening” at Asbury University in Kentucky. It has been on the news. (I know that place well and have friends from my doctorate studies there.) What has been reported is that on February 8th, after … Read More
Trusting Unanswered Prayers
Most people struggle with unanswered prayers. In fact, unanswered prayers are so common that many get discouraged, thinking, “What is the use of it?” and get tempted to quit it. How can they not quit if what they have been taught about prayer is that if you say the right words and use the correct formula, you will get what you want? This is an issue that has serious implications for our lives. And it becomes even more troublesome when we hear stories of how God answered prayer for others, but not for us. Then, we may begin to question why God does not answer “my” prayers and wonder if there is something wrong with us, thinking, “What am I … Read More
The Good Life is a Yoke.
How are your New Year’s Resolutions going? Do you have any left? I can tell you that between the Girl Scout cookies and the snowmageddon, my “diet” is completely busted. I know our intentions are good. We make resolutions to improve our lives in different ways. But it is challenging to keep our commitments with so many competing distractions. Why do we keep making resolutions year after year? Because we want a good life and hope that it will be different this time. That is a noble attitude that we must keep. But what if I tell you that there is another kind of good life that is more important than how much we weigh or how we look? This … Read More
