It seems like I have had a lot of good reasons to complain about the weather lately, how about you? Then I wonder why I complain. My complaining won’t change a single thing. I can’t change the temperature one degree with all my complaints. Maybe my complaining says more about me than it does about the weather. I have lived in this wonderful state of Michigan for 40 of my 50+ years. It seems like I would have learned by now that Michigan weather is always going to bring complaints.
This Spring has been so weird that it kind of proves my point. What will be my response if it snows in May? Some of you are saying heaven help us. But what if it does? My coat stays on a little longer, my windows stayed closed another week. So what!
With so much suffering in the world I must ask myself whether my complaints about the weather are a fitting use of my time and energy.
Maybe this week I will complain about the lack of righteousness in the world and then seek to change it. Maybe this week I’ll complain about how unloving people are and then try to change it. Maybe this week I’ll complain about the lack of food for poor children and then try to change it. Maybe this week I will find those areas of life where I can really make a difference and then spend my energy there. Just maybe, I might stop complaining about the weather, after all, pretty soon I’ll be mad about how hot it is.
Content with the weather for now,
Rev. George Lewis
“Just a few weeks ago”
Just a few weeks ago on Easter I mentioned the concept of celebration. I mentioned that too often as a church we are a little too serious. Laughter and lightheartedness can be very refreshing to the soul. This Sunday night at the Y2Y variety show I am expecting some lightneartedness and maybe even some silliness. I am honored to be the emcee for the night and I hope I can keep a straight face through most of it.
The great part is that the dinner is sold out. Thanks to all of you who have given. The other good part is that we are overflowing with silent auction items so be ready to spend. There is still time to get to the event. Show and dessert tickets are still available. Invite a friend and show them what good Christian humor and entertainment is all about. We will also see some amazing talent. I can’t wait.
Let’s celebrate together. Applause, laughter and relaxation will be the tone of the evening. May it never be said of us here at First Church that we were way too serious for someones comfort level.
Blessings,
Rev. Lewis
“Holy Week”
We are in the midst of the most important week in all Christianity. It is called Holy Week. It begins on Palm Sunday as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This entry into Jerusalem can be called the beginning of the end. It marked forever the place Jesus would have in history and especially salvation history. The Lamb of God was to be sacrificed once and for all.
On Thursday of Holy week we celebrate what is called Maundy Thursday. The word Maundy comes from the Latin word for mandate. It was in the upper room that Thursday evening that Jesus gave to His disciples a new commendment, a new mandate. It was,”love one another as I have loved you.” Most churches celebrate this day with an evening service and communion as we will be doing.
Good Friday is the commemoration of the trial, scourging, crucifixion and death of Jesus. Churches usually hold this day in honor by gathering around the noon hours for a solemn service of repentance. This is usually one of the times each year where community churches gather because this is held in common among all believers. Jesus died for our sins.
Easter Sunday is of course the culmination of the week and our faith. We celebrate that Jesus Christ rose from the grave. The tomb could not hold Him. The day is often symbolized by flowers but especially lillies. Thes white flowers will adorn our altar as well. They are often donated in memory of a deceased loved one and remind us that they are now experienceing everlasting life.
It would be nice to celebrate Easter every Sunday. The joy and the uplifting of our faith. My prayer is that I can keep some of this Holy Week enthusiasm all year long. Would you like to join me?
“Well it’s here”
Well it’s here! Kind of. Of course I’m referring to Spring even though I know full well that Winter has not resigned yet. There were a few things this morning at church that I haven’t seen in a long time. First of all was the presence of countless worms stretched out on the parking lot. These poor creatures must have been awakened by the warmth and pouring rain. An even more startling appearance were the robins. They were cleaning up on the worm buffet provided on our parking lot. It was heart warming just to see a few of these warm weather friends. And then the last but maybe the biggest surprise, the ducks. Mr. and Mrs. Duck came strolling across the parking lot and right by my office window.
These and many other signs of Spring make me believe Winter’s grasp is loosening and we can be thankful for an easy winter.
One more sign: The golf courses are filling up. I can’t wait to join them.
Proverbs 17:3 “
Proverbs 17:3 says, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.” This scripture really hit me this week because I started meeting with my physical therapist to regain strength in my left arm after my shoulder surgery. I have been doing some easy exercises at home that were given to me by the doctor but I kept worrying I was doing them wrong or I would reinjure myself. Therefore I was really looking forward to the professional therapist taking over. I was ready. There were times in my session when the therapist just asked me to relax my arm. He grabbed it securely and moved it in various directions. Some have asked me if it hurt and I said yes but it was a healing hurt. I trusted that the professional knew what he was doing and would have my best interest at heart.
It was then that I realized that it is like that with the Lord also. Somehow I have to stop running my own direction and just relax in His mighty arms. There must be a confident assurance that God’s way is best even if it hurts. This is a most difficult lesson to learn. We can’t imagine a loving God allowing hurt into our lives and yet it happens.
In order for my arm to fully heal I must allow hurt and pain into my life, if not I will be destined to a small series of comfortable motions. I realize if I want to golf or play tennis or softball or lift my grandchildren again then I must now welcome pain into my life. If I can trust a stranger with my arm why is it so hard to trust the Living Lord with my life. God knows what is best. I wil trust the Refiner’s fire and let God make me pure.
Two trips this week”
I took two trips this week. One to my tax accountant and one to my dentist. Are these the definition of necessary evil? I know both must be allowed to work on my behalf but both I would rather avoid. I then began to wonder if people sometimes feel that way about faith issues. We know we must approach God with our current sin and yet we would rather not. We know we must talk to someone about our need for spiritual help and yet we would rather not.
I know that February through April 15th is tax season and I know every 6 months I visit the dentist. Now that we are in the season of Lent is that a special time for us? It most certainly is for several reasons. It is a season to focus on the difficult serious work of our souls. A time to repentance, reflection and renewal. Maybe I need to look closely at my faith accounts, or maybe I just need a good old fashioned cleaning, where every corner is examined closely.
Remember Lent isn’t a necessary evil it is definitely a necessary good. As we begin this season lets grow closer together to our God who loves us and provides for us.
“An old saying that goes like this”
There is an old saying that goes like this. Change is the only real constant in life. It seems to me that I have learned an aweful lot about change lately. Since I injured my shoulder before Christmas I had to change the way I went about doing things. I was just getting used to that when I had my surgery and again everything changed. I am now relearning how to do things. One of the most painful changes came when the doctor came into my room the day after surgery and changed the bandage. Ouch. He pulled and pulled. I wanted to say stop but I knew that the change was essential. After that each day the bandage had to be changed. I’m not a real big fan of having tape ripped off of my skin. But again the change, even though it hurt, was necessary.
During our time together here in ministry we will experience change. We have always heard the last words of a dying church,”But we’ve never done it like that before.” Sometimes I must admit it can be scary to enter new ground. It means that maybe we fail or maybe we struggle. It’s the unknown that can get to us sometimes.
How we handle change is a maturity issue. The little boy in me didn’t want the doctor to come in and rip that big bandage off but the bit of wisdom I have said it must be done for me to heal.
Our church is experiencing change in many ways. Technology and facility updates are just a few. It is a blessing to see now after one full year of service times change that we have grown from it. I know as pastor it was a refreshing change. Let me know of some of the changes you have experienced lately here at church and your own personal lives.
We serve a God who is in the business of changing lives. Let us submit to God’s great change in us.
“For what it’s worth”
For what it’s worth. My blog from a fog. Pain meds are helpful but they sure can mess with your head. I didn’t remember the parsonage spinning so much before. I must say doctors and nurses are awesome. I had remarkable care throughout my ordeal. I must also say that Christine is awesome. She has and is taking very good care of me. In my past writings I have shared what I am thankful for. Here are a few small ones that I must mention. Graham crackers taste delicious at 1 a.m. Red jello is my favorite. Lemon lime and ginger ale soda were invented for times like this. Fresh air was amazingly healing to me, just cold fresh air.
There are always things to be thankful for.
Your foggy Pastor
Rev. Lewis
“Personal Best”
There is an interesting term used in sports like Cross Country and other timed events. I have heard some runners refrain from mentioning what place they came in but instead will say “I ran a PB.” I have come to learn the lingo a little to know that it means “Personal Best” The place they ended in compared to the field is somewhat irrelevant when a person runs their “Personal Best”
As we enter into this week on the discipline of prayer I wanted to use the same analogy. When I read of Luther spending three hours in prayer and Wesley spending two hours daily I am somewhat overwhelmed. What if instead of comparing myself to others to see what place I come in I go for a “Personal Best” That seems more like the lesson of prayer. Our heavenly coach encourages us to give this next effort in prayer more attention than the last. We could actually rise from our prayer time this week and put in our personal best. For each one of us it is different. Then we can spend the rest of our lives improving our prayer lives by striving for a personal best. Remember it means more than time. It means passion and energy.
Don’t ever forget how God is cheering us along life’s way. Providing advice and energy if we will just ask.
This week go for a PB and let me know how it went.
Our focus this week is Meditation
Our focus this week is meditation. I hope to blog some about my personal experiences with each discipline we will cover. When I left the church on Thursday night after the board meeting I was the last to leave. When I stepped outside I noticed two things. The extreme calm and the extreme cold. I decided to meditate. I looked into the clear night sky and felt an awesome wonder. The infinite size of God. As I stood breathing I felt the cold crisp air enter my lungs. Refreshing to say the least. My mind tried to capture all of the ways in which God was showing Himself to me through creation. It was a powerful moment for me. It was unfortunately short lived because I began to get really cold. I hadn’t dressed for such a long outdoor exposure. I thought about going home and dressing warmly and going back outside but the moment would be gone. I lasted as long as I could right then.
For me the calm cold days of temperatures that near the 0 mark are days of wonder. They can feel warmer than the cold drizzly days of fall. As I started my car that night I thanked God for allowing me to live in Michigan. Maybe through meditation we can hear God’s voice reminding us just how blessed we are each and every day.
Prayer: Dear Lord of the cold and winter season capture my heart with your warming love, lest I freeze in my own selfish ways.
Jesus died on the cross for me
Jesus died on the cross for me. Whenever I personally go through severe pain in my life I always think back to my Savior. Many of you know that on Dec. 17th I injured my shoulder. The complete diagnosis now is that the ligament injured is completely torn. Two others are partially torn. My repair surgery is scheduled for Feb.1.
As I go through the days in pain and waiting for surgery I think of the pain Jesus went through for me. During His last three days here on earth He suffered emotional and physical pain beyond comprehension. And He refused pain medicine. I couldn’t even begin to comprehend going through any injuries or surgeries without pain medicine.
How about you? When you are in pain what do you think of most? When you are in pain do you talk to God? Its nice to know He feels our pain and knows our suffering.
Thank you all for so much concern and support from each of you. It is such a blessing to have such a great support network to lean on. I hope to return to full strength as soon as possible.
I especially want to thank all of you who have been through something just like this. Your compassion is appreciated.
What a wonderful Christmas Weekend
What a wonderful Christmas weekend. Attendance was high for all services. The people who shared their talents made each service memorable. The atmosphere was inspiring. The presence of so many children was so special. The candles held high touches my heart every year. Truly God is smiling down upon us.
The entire Advent season has been filled with inspiration and awe. I especially want to thank the musicians among us. Thanks to the choir. They went from Cantata Sunday to Christmas Eve and then again Christmas morning. Glory to God. Special thanks to Accompaniest Ellen Paige who played for countless special singers and instrumentalists and for our congregational singing.
While we were caroling a few weeks back one of the residents said to me, “You sure like to sing.” I was a bit taken back but she was right. During Advent we get to sing all those great Christmas carols. I am not gifted with talent when it comes to music but I do have volume. It is just really hard to not sing loud when I sing for my savior.
As we enter a new year we have so much to be thankful for. God has smiled upon us. Let us return thanks and listen for God’s leading into the future.
What a great Sunday
What a great Sunday we had last week. Every service was very well attended. The 8am service sounded great on their hymn singing. The 9am service had a very well done and moving portrayal of the Christmas story to a packed house. And then who can top a celebration for such a fine gentlemen as Edward Doane who turned 100 this week. His age sank in when they announced that he retired in 1974. (I was a pimple face sophomore learning how to drive that year.) The 10:30 crowd gave Ed a standing ovation which he deserved. In his remarks he graciously thanked everyone. Ed’s reception in the afternoon was again wonderful. To top the day off I hosted the United Methodist Men’s Christmas party at the parsonage. I could hardly believe it when 26 men arrived.
Such a wonderful Sunday it was, but how about what’s ahead? I am so excited to hear the Christmas Cantata our choir has been working so hard on all Fall. This looks to be another wonderful Sunday. Who knows, we may even have too many people show up to Christmas carol that afternoon.
It is so humbling to see how God is working in our church. We have Christmas weekend yet ahead of us. Praise the Lord!!!
“Snowman leftovers”
Over a week ago Christine and I made a very large snowman. Since that time the weather has warmed up and we have had a few days of rain. The entire area of my neighborhood that was once beautiful with fresh fallen snow is now dirty and muddy. The only snow left for miles around is the bottom of our snowman. He may last all winter.
How many things in your life have stood the test of time? Hopefully your faith is up near the top. The other great thing is the promise of scripture that says our treasures in heaven will last the test of all time. It kind of makes you wonder what your effort should be used on. Let’s put more effort into the stuff that lasts forever.
Nice to be back in Michigan
It has been so nice to be back in Michigan. One solid day of rain and then 6 inches of snow and powerful winds. I love it here. Really, I’m not being sarcastic. On Wednesday morning wherever I went it was beautiful. My neighborhood was amazing. A blanket of white over all the trees and yards. It was truly a spectacular view.
In God’s word the psalmist asks for God’s cleansing. The psalmist says,”Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” It is awesome how God can also take our somewhat dirty lives and make them whiter than snow. We could become a beautiful sight also.
I would be the first to say that sometimes I respond to life out of my own selfish nature. That kind of response is easy but seldom very pretty. Maybe as I look at the snow while it is here I can use it as a reminder of the cleansing power of God and the Holy Spirit who seeks to live through me.
I guess when it comes to seeing God’s forgiveness as fresh fallen snow I would have to sing,”Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!”
Happy Thanksgiving!
Can we ever be too thankful? Just in case you were wondering the answer is no. Especially when it comes to thanking God. One song writer once said to write of the love of God would take oceans of ink and every man a scribe by trade. Even then the oceans would go dry before we finished writing of God’s great love for us. Take time all day long to thank God. Every thing you experience today from washing your hands to hugging your family. Let every moment be a living thanksgiving. And then, try it again tomorrow.
From the parsonage family, Happy Thanksgiving.
Greetings from the Sunshine State
Yesterday and today this area has recorded record heat. About 85 today. I am about to go swimming again. Needless to say the #1 beach in America was quite crowded. We spent a little bit of time walking the powder sand of Siesta Key beach. It’s absolutely marvelous how one can see God’s impressive creative beauty in both a palm tree by white sand and also in a pine tree by white snow. Both are marvelous sights.
Wherever you are right now you can observe God’s handiwork. What is the most beautiful thing in nature that you have seen today. Be on the look out. Make sure you stop and smell the roses along the way.
First Blog
Scripture: Isaiah 43:19 ” See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
To say I am doing a new thing is an understatement. I am writing my first blog. Wow. Some of you techies may be laughing because you have lived in the blogosphere for so long. Please welcome an alien in your midst. This is new territory. I am usually in favor of trying new things but I often catch myself in some pretty deep ruts. Some of my ruts include driving from church to home the exact same way every day. Of course it’s the shortest and fastest but must I always do this? Some of my ruts include music stations I listen to but can I tune to a new one?
Yes, some of my ruts even include my faith. I tend to pray the same way at the same time or place. I even tend to repeat prayers before my meals. Now don’t get me wrong, repitition and tradition have there place. I am just wondering if I can add something new to my walk of following Jesus Christ.
The internet is now one more way I will be communicating to any who wish to follow me as I follow Christ. Since I am trying something new maybe you would like to also. Go to a new restaurant, order something new off the menu. Shop at a new store. Make a new friend. Give God a new devotion of love and praise.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I am so glad you are in the business of making all things new. Lord, I am so glad you have given me a new heart, a clean heart, a pure heart. Thank you for Jesus Christ who loved me with a new love and brought me to you. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who keeps my relationship with you fresh and new. Amen
Good start, Rev. You’ll do well. As for radio stations, hope you have found WMUZ 103.5 FM. They play a lot of praise music, but they also have Bob Dutko in the afternoon which is a call-in, talk show. There are some other good shows too. Check out http://www.wmuz.com/
Blessings,
Bruce
I hope the FUMC Facebook will remind us when you post your next blog. Thank you. This is like a mini-sermon in the middle of the week. Take care and God bless you. Coralene
Erik is the computer geek in the family. I just hope some of it will rub off, like your positive infulence you have on the congergation, like the warm felowship is rubbing off and how I pray that I will rub off to others in some positive way. Never thought I would respond to a blog….I guess I can be taught.
I myself never thought I would blog but this is great! It is so hard to get use to this new way of communication-but with the help of my kids I can get through this.
My back yard is a place I like to meditate. I am not always alone, sometines when I’m still I see deer, wild turkey, birds of all kind. What a blessing to have some of God wild creatures so close. It takes my breath away. I know HE is near.
Loved the sermon this morning. I can’t kneel anymore because of hip and back problems–this bothers me as I like to kneel for communion and I was brought up to kneel for my nightly prayers. At the last Methodist church I attended, a lot of people raised their arms upward for prayer–at first I didn’t like it, but then I noticed I started doing it–at least putting my arms in front of me, palms upward. The last year, I find myself praying all day long–either outloud or in thought. The first words out of my mouth in the morning are, “Thank you God!” Because I am awake and alive!!! Prayers for you pastor will be continual on Wednesday–I picture God holding you in the palm of his hand. All will be well, Dear Friend—all will be well.
Good start, Rev. You’ll do well. As for radio stations, hope you have found WMUZ 103.5 FM. They play a lot of praise music, but they also have Bob Dutko in the afternoon which is a call-in, talk show. There are some other good shows too. Check out http://www.wmuz.com/
Blessings,
Bruce
Welcome to the blog-o-sphere! I’m so glad for the chance to stay in contact with Howell UMC even though I’m so far away:-)
I hope the FUMC Facebook will remind us when you post your next blog. Thank you. This is like a mini-sermon in the middle of the week. Take care and God bless you. Coralene
I think this is a fantastic idea, and I look forward to reading upcoming posts! Now to decide about what new thing to try…
Erik is the computer geek in the family. I just hope some of it will rub off, like your positive infulence you have on the congergation, like the warm felowship is rubbing off and how I pray that I will rub off to others in some positive way. Never thought I would respond to a blog….I guess I can be taught.
I myself never thought I would blog but this is great! It is so hard to get use to this new way of communication-but with the help of my kids I can get through this.
Hey George! Good to connect with you again after a few years. Blessings!
Chris
My back yard is a place I like to meditate. I am not always alone, sometines when I’m still I see deer, wild turkey, birds of all kind. What a blessing to have some of God wild creatures so close. It takes my breath away. I know HE is near.
Loved the sermon this morning. I can’t kneel anymore because of hip and back problems–this bothers me as I like to kneel for communion and I was brought up to kneel for my nightly prayers. At the last Methodist church I attended, a lot of people raised their arms upward for prayer–at first I didn’t like it, but then I noticed I started doing it–at least putting my arms in front of me, palms upward. The last year, I find myself praying all day long–either outloud or in thought. The first words out of my mouth in the morning are, “Thank you God!” Because I am awake and alive!!! Prayers for you pastor will be continual on Wednesday–I picture God holding you in the palm of his hand. All will be well, Dear Friend—all will be well.