10 Gifts of Rest and Renewal

Fountains, living water, captured
my imagination and lens this summer.

Renewal has been a planned part of the summer Study and Renewal leave.  My training, my job and my culture teach me to seek and report tasks, but they seldom encourage rest and renewal.  Thank you for being a part of God's design for rest.  

Below are 10 Gifts of Rest and Renewal.  They are refreshing and wonderful.  Just recall a time you've had time with a friend for a long lunch, or a weekend with no scheduled tasks...nice, eh?  Here are 10 of the gifts that have renewed my spirit:

1. No Evening Meetings, allowing time for family and offering a restful stopping place at the end of each day;
2. Walking an average of 5 1/2 miles each day has entertained life-giving prayer, transportation, engagement with the world around me, and improvements to health;
3. Traveling in my truck, navigating the countryside.  I enjoy the adventure of new places and conversations with new-found friends;
4. Woodworking offering creativity and clear accomplishment.  (I love working with people, and it's hard to know how much is accomplished on any given day.)  I finished my Ukulele, built a Cajon (wooden drum), and crafted several walking sticks;
5. Family Time with Penny, the kids, grandkids, my sisters and their families...it's just great to have some additional weekends when they're free, and a slower pace permitted quality time for family;
6. Worship at Many Tables means that I've experienced the ministry of others and enjoyed the variety in the Body of Christ.  I've worshipped on the boardwalk by the ocean and with a homeless congregation,  in satellite congregations and in historic downtown churches.  Each place and people sharing gifts, experiences and insights;
7. Learning growing from my natural curiosity, partnered with time to explore everything from places to people, books to museums--every experience a building block;
8. Pacing that is life-giving.  In our American/Western Culture I/we frequently live as if there were not enough time in the day.  The truth is that God has made plenty of time for that which is important and necessary.  This summer I'm remembering the core of those essentials;
9. Encouraging Conversations with friends, colleagues, and all those who surround me too often gets hurried in the busy-ness of life.  This summer offered reminders and invitations that it is OK to be right here, right now;
10. Emptiness draws attention that which makes me richly filled.  There have been moments of personal emptiness beckoning me toward new spiritual and emotional resources.  There have been times of emptiness felt in lost routines, causing me to appreciate deeply the loving congregation that has walked with me through a dozen years and a summer of study and renewal.  What a gift...thank you!

There are more gifts to be appreciated and in this celebration I  rejoice that the familiar rhythms of pastoral life return later this week.  I look forward to reconnecting with the people of Palmyra First UMC-- I've missed you all.

I anticipate renewing familiar tasks with fresh eyes, seeing in the conversations of old and new, glimpses of transformed life promising hope-filled ministry ahead.  I'm excited about this next season of conversation, life and being followers of Jesus together. 

10,000 Joys in Jesus Who Gives Life

Pastor Dave

A List of earlier Study Renewal Blogs Here

Video Update on Study -- Making Disciples & Making a Difference

I'm back from Pittsburgh and Ohio areas and here's the video update.

I've noticed a few things about churches that are Making Disciples and Making a Difference:

1. They focus on the mission.  They are unique and can name that uniqueness, which connects with a passionate mission.
2. They are listening for God.  Everyday, every meeting, every gathering, every worship... all the time they are listening for God.  They are asking if what they heard is a holy nudge, God's call.  They discern  (figure out) that together as a community (large groups or small groups) and then act on it.
3. They are agile.  Change can happen quickly.  When they receive a holy nudge, a call, they don't wait, they act.  At Calvin Presby, Pastor Standish put it this way,  "When someone is called, we say,  'Go for it!'  Then our committees, our structure, asks , 'In what ways can we support this call.'"  
4. They connect.  Connections go deep with both God and others.  This requires time and flexibility.  It may involve creative paths or familiar tools. 
5. Official and unofficial leadership models all of the above.
6. They live on the edge.  Each pastor and staff member told stories of exciting ministry and a roller coaster of feeling in just the right spot, then wondering how God will bring everything together (and the later can feel very uncertain).  Yet they live in the tension and go for the ride with God, running to keep up with the holy, when necessary.

It's also true that no two of these churches, so far, looked the same.   Hot Metal Bridge on the South Side of Pittburgh has meets pretty obvious needs on their doorstep.  Calvin Pres. in the small bedroom community of Zelienople PA meets many needs, they can be less visible, and equally important.

What are you noticing about how God moves and works?  Where do you see God's people both Making Disciples of Jesus and Making a Difference for God in their neighborhood and world?

4 Things to Do On A Very Bad Day

     We all hit tough times when we wonder how we'll make it through.  I do.  You do.  The Church does.  It's a time prone to feeling alone & afraid, because we don't always see as clearly at times like these.  It's hard to notice the hope & perspective others see.  And our anxiety loosens our grip on God's saving presence, that can bring us through even the biggest challenge.

     Knowing this reality in our changing world, your Church Council recently spent an afternoon studying the book, "Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore."  (by Thom & Joani Schultz, group.com/4-acts-of-love)  The book looks at changes in our world and 4 basic acts of love that bring faith to the changes. These 4 actions can make a huge difference in challenging times and in good times:

1. Radical Hospitality - You're welcome just as you are.

2. Fearless Conversation - Your thoughts are welcome; your doubts are welcome, let's talk.

3. Genuine Humility - We're all in this together.

4. Divine Anticipation - God is here, ready to connect with you in a fresh way.

     How might you share the life-changing presence of Jesus through these 4 actions?  How might you encourage others to experience & use these?

     When we hit tough times it is the basics of Jesus' love & call that make all the difference.  And when you see God show up in through these basics, shout it from the rooftop, or at least tell a friend. (post it here!)

10,000 Joys Following Jesus,  Dave       

                       www.daveharrislivelove.com

Questions?

   

    If what I'm doing isn't getting the results I want, then what might I do differently?

         If I want more peace...

         If I want a more relaxed pace to life...

         If I want a deeper faith...

         If I want more people in church ...

         If I want a more fulfilling job...

         If...

          Add your own observations that lead to the question:  What might God be inviting me to do differently?

     Here at Palmyra First UMC

·         We wanted to touch more families, so we help all ages spend time together and intentionally learn together with Intergenerational Education this year.

·         We wanted to invite more people to depth of faith and friendship, so we're working to  expand the best biblical and practical tool  we know for doing that--Koinonia Groups (small groups).

·         We keep bumping into Christmas Eve schedule challenges, so our Worship planning team is planning a new way approach to help everyone.

Where would you like to invite God to work in fresh ways?

10,000 Joys Growing in God's Grace, Dave

P.S.  Here are 4 questions I came across & keep around to help...

1. What opportunities do I have today and what am I doing with them?
2. Is what I'm doing strengthening my ________? (life, mission, family, friends, work, church, health...)
3. How am I building up others with love today?
4. What gift am I discovering today... using... celebrating?

What Would You Do If You Couldn't Fail?

     What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?  How would that choice or action share Jesus’ Love with others?

     I recently began asking that question of many things.  I know some of my habits and patterns as a pastor were formed when Sundays didn't have community sports, when most stores were closed on Sunday, and when photocopy machines weren't in the church office.   I now photocopy, text, preach-from-a-tablet, use a Smartphone and find good things in all these changes.  Yet, all my ways of living the love of Jesus don’t reflect the changes in the world around.  So I've been asking, “What needs to be updated to fit in God’s world?”  God says, “See, I’m doing a new thing!” (Is.43:19)

     When I started as a pastor 30 years ago I could visit a whole list of shut-ins in an afternoon because they were always home and lived in the community near the church.  Now they are spread out and their retirement communities have worship, buses to the doctor & store, activities and assistive tools allowing family to include them in offsite activities.  All great things, and now finding one or two shut-ins available in an afternoon can be a challenge.  So when I asked, “How can the church show care to these folks?” we, a community of caring, began using a team of people and one-on-one communion “friendship” visits. I focused on special needs, hospitals, requests and crises, all of which are often our shut-ins.  It’s not perfect yet, but it’s an adaptation in progress.  Jesus says that all of us are to be a part of, “Love one another.” (John 13:34)

     Another question I've had to ask myself is, “What am I unwilling to change in order to share Jesus’ love?”  I want to say “nothing,” but my actions may say differently.  I want to learn how to put everything in God’s hands.  Faith wisdom says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5)

     Our church has a recent meeting about building modifications including a strong vote pursuing a redesigned, welcoming entrance, a change, so that we can get a barrier or two out of the way of sharing Jesus’ love.  That is a celebration!  What else do we hold onto?  What other ways of being the church and doing ministry do we need to ask these questions of?

     This year we had a Vacation Bible School meeting and asked these same questions and changed our strategy from a 5 weeknight pattern to a one day festival event.  Why?  Because we don’t want to fail in sharing Jesus’ love.  Because people’s schedules have changed dramatically since we began a weeknight pattern.  Because we believe that we were listening to God’s voice leading in new ways.  Because the word of God says, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” (Lk.8:21)

     For me I want to care for all and sometimes hesitate to change out of fear that I’ll be uncaring.  Fear, I know, isn't God’s way of working and yet it sometimes gets in my way.  For me sometimes I want more information about things that are hard to measure, and yet I know that God works first with transformation and doesn't lead with information.  Failing to follow God out of perceived lack of information is putting information higher than faith in God.  The wisdom of scripture reminds us to put God first and says, “But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” (Mt. 6:33)

     It is simple and yet complicated.  Simple is, “Love God and love neighbor.” (Lk.10:27)  Complicated is in the how. So back to my original question, beyond the complications, “What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?  How would that choice share Jesus’ Love?

Change & Koinonia Group

    Change is a pain!  It makes me think.  It makes me work.  Yet, it makes me whole, alive, vital and a more fully functioning Disciple of Jesus.
    Connections to Koinonia Groups, small groups of disciples walking together, helps me make the journey.  Following Jesus is simple and radical.  A group of companions helps.
    Check out some of our Koinonia Group Discussions and Studies.  You can have friends online for the Jesus journey.  Email me, Pastor Dave, to join a Disciple-Making Group, or an Under 30 Change the World Group.

     Change is a given.  God is good.  I'm on the road with Jesus.

Trying Something New

I tried something new this week.

As a preacher, I'm accustomed to listening for a preaching direction in the quiet of my study. Then, the pattern continues, following God's lead, and delivering the end result as a monologue (or dialogue with a silent partner on a good week). This week there were too many ideas to fit into one message. I was sure of the theme, the possibilities, but not the focus.

It was then that it hit me (God, the Holy Spirit, a good idea, frame it as you wish), why not invite the congregation to notice what's in the scripture story and invite them to ask questions? (Instead of me imagining the questions and needs, and simply speaking to them.)

I could only think of one good reason not to do it...besides my apprehension. That's not how I was taught to prepare a sermon! But that's just what I did.

First, I wrestled with my own insecurities about doing something new. Then, I reflected on the practicalities of this unfamiliar event. Finally, I did it.

I was amazed at the holy conversation that took place right there in worship. God showed up!

I'm never surprised that God does good stuff or that God is always doing things in worship, or that God always shows up on time. I do have to fight the demons that whisper in my ear that someone will be unhappy, or that "this is crazy...this will never work."

It did work. People were engaged, inspired, and energized in fresh ways. They said so. They emailed so. They showed it with their questions, their eyes and their words.

God is always doing something new. I wonder what it will be tomorrow? I hope I notice and decide to join in. It's always good.

How about you? What have you tried new and different lately? What did God do in the middle of the adventure?

Things Change!

I received a You Tube video on the exponential pace of change in life. (see it ) It ends with the question, "So what does it all mean?"

I don't figure I have the complete answer to that question. I do know that having a mission, a focus, a purpose, in life helps put that question in perspective. That life grounding reality has never changed.

Today I was reading a story about Jesus (Mark 10:35-45) that reinforced experience--life's not easy. That said, there's a counter-balance. It's name is purpose, or focus, or a mission. That, along with some help that's bigger than we are, can carry us through.

Here's my take on this story, my paraphrase, my thoughts...

Two students of The Teacher, James and John, ask for reserved seats of prestige and recognition. Jesus, asks, "are you willing to go through the tough stuff with me?"

They both say "yes!"

The Teacher, Jesus, replies, "Good! I can't promise you the recognition, but I can promise change and tough stuff."

Ain't that the truth! We can count on challenges with everything that changes.

Change...it's always been around. Foraging to stone tools, wood to iron, knives to guns, walking to space travel, typewriters to laptops...and that doesn't begin to get into relationships (now, relationships, there's a place of some changes!)

I don't think it will stop and that's OK! Things change. God doesn't change...purpose, mission, focus will craft a way through the growing, living landscape of change. Living Love (Think Love of God, love of neighbor and love of self--Matthew 22:36-40) is a dependable way, the way of The Teacher.

I can't speak for you, but I'm curious about what's next, even as I shy from change. I'm willing to play and create in the gifts of each new day, after I focus on the mission, the path, the way. I'm confident that with my purpose, with Living Love, and with the Way of The Teacher. All shall be well. No, better than well...exciting, joyous, adventurous!