Consistency

Life has been anything other than consistent this summer. I had two great vacations: one to Colorado with friends and another to Texas with family. VBS was great but it sucked the life out of me. I've had a couple weeks to commit to the office but they were full of planning activities. Then we had a week of great loss where two wonderful people were laid to rest who passed away in the same day. In all of the previous activities, a lot of regular visits to our elderly, sick and worship guests were minimized which is my focus this week. However, last week I decided that some things needed to be consistent again. So, little by little I'm gaining some ground with working out (biking, walking, weights), scripture reading, meditation/prayer, family time, reading and getting outside (even though it's bloody hot!). Remarkably enough, I'm starting to feel better. When we increase stress in our lives and decrease stress reducing activities we begin to feel bad. I had developed headaches and a lot of shoulder/neck pain along with needing more sleep. These are symptoms that something is wrong. So, I'm not surprised that when I've worked out the last five days and spent some time meditating and doing things that I enjoy that I feel better.
Now to personalize this. How do you feel? Have you missed consistency in areas of your life that help you feel better? Maybe it's time to work on some consistency with me:) Pick something small this week and experience a win for consistency next week! And let's pray for each other too:)

Spring, Easter Craziness

Praise the Lord, Spring is in the air! Yesterday I got bit by a mosquito, turned on the ac in the car and opened up the windows in the house. Today I wore sandals to work and saw turkeys frolicking in a field on my way to church. What a perfect week for Easter! I know that within me I have felt like something dead is coming alive. I have wanted to be outside so badly but it's been almost painful to try anything. But that has all changed- it was in the 80's yesterday! Alexis and I have been to the park two days in a row it's been so nice. Very soon I'll be mushroom hunting, fishing for crappie and hunting spring turkeys. If you want to spend some time with me just pick one and let's go do it:) Yeahhhh, Spring!

Book Review- Three Cups of Tea

So it has been a pathetically long time since I've read a novel. For the last eight years I've read an immense amount of books- primarily for seminary or ministry. Someone recommended the book "Three Cups of Tea" to me so I took her advice and read it. It's a fantastic book about a man with a great deal of passion and drive (true story). He demonstrates a rare ability- caring nothing for the superfluous things of life, but focusing solely on making lives better for others. He sacrifices personal comfort and personal gain in order to provide education to children (especially girls) who would not normally receive it in the Middle East. There is also an interesting under current in the book concerning the Muslim faith. It gives a refreshing view of the Muslim faith as a people that desire peace and love, which is a view we rarely see here in the US. However, there is at times conflict with the more radical sect of Muslims who promote violence and control. What was especially attractive to me about the book was the "outdoor" emphasis added since the individual was a mountain man! Overall, it is a very good book that I would recommend. It is inspirational and presents a challenge to those of us who are quite content living out Comfy Christianity.

Coyotes at the Parsonage and a follow up note about the 12 Hours of Prayer

I'm just amazed how we continue to see new animals in our backyard all the time. This morning we had a couple of coyotes walk up pretty close to the parsonage. Yesterday two different groups of dogs came through the yard as well. The first group was mutts and the second group was very nice looking hunting dogs that must have wondered off.
I also wanted to thank everyone who was able to attend the 12 Hours Of Prayer for the Normans on Saturday. I took the poster board sheets to them that many of you signed after church on Sunday. They really appreciated your prayers and the signed sheets- they are going to tape them up on the wall! The Day of Prayer was an amazing opportunity and we were blessed to have many folks all throughout our community participate. Thank you again!

Backyard Bobcat!

It was just about sundown on one of those really foggy days this week when I saw a kitty prowling in the backyard. Only this kitty was a little bigger than most and moved a little differently. He had a short tail and a white chest and could jump very high. What do you think- bobcat or kitty?

Genesis 15:17> A New View!

So I downloaded an app on my iphone that allow me to do a daily reading plan. Since I'm only a couple weeks into it I'm in Genesis. While reading Genesis 15:17 a couple of days ago I had an "aha" moment. Scripture is cool like that, it will never cease to surprise you if you commit to being a life long student of it.

In 15:17 God is proving to Abram that he will be a father of many nations. He also tells Abram that his descendants will be in captivity for 400 years but they will eventually escape and go to a land that will be their own. In order to prove His power, God asks Abram to cut a bunch of cattle in half and lay them "half over against each other". Later that night God has a torch and a smoking pot travel between the two lines of slaughtered animals; through the blood. Now this sounds familiar, doesn't it?! Later in Exodus, the Hebrews escape Egypt. God was present with them as a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of smoke by day. Now maybe I'm reaching but do you see the similarity: smoking pot=pillar of smoke and torch=pillar of fire?

Now the theological similarity. With Abram a covenant was made as the fire and the smoke passed through the blood. With Moses the people were saved as the fire and smoke passed through the water. God made a covenant through the blood and saved them through the water. Almost 2000 years later Jesus saved us through the shedding of his blood and gave us the waters of baptism as a sacrament of salvation- through the blood and the water (also check out 1 John 5:6-8).

So, here are the symbols through out scripture that are full of power: smoke, fire, blood and water. What kind of emotions and memories do these symbols evoke for you?

Backyard Deer Pictures!

This weekend at WUMC!

What’s Going on this Week with WUMC!

Charge Conference- Wednesday the 4^th

Be here at 6pm for the Potluck Dinner. We will have turkey along with what other delicious side dishes you bring along as well. Our District Superintendent, Susan Cox, will join us for dinner and the evening. After dinner, we will have the business section of the evening and watch a video message from our Missouri Bishop, Robert Schnase. This is an annual time of celebration and fellowship for our church- hope you can join us!

Campout at the Stricklands’ – Friday the 6^th and Saturday the 7^th

It is going to be a beautiful weekend- 70’s and sunny! Come out Friday night for a bonfire and hayride around 6pm. Feel free to stay in the Stricklands’ lodge or campout next to the pond! We will have breakfast and a time of worship and devotion Saturday morning. We will have breakfast (pancakes) between 8am-9am and worship/devotion shortly after. Feel free to go on a hike or fish in the pond the rest of the morning.

Stewardship Series- Volunteerism: An Inward Focus- Sunday the 8^th

This Sunday the teaching segment will be on Volunteerism: An Inward Focus. A Gifts/Volunteer Survey was included in the Newsletter. You may have picked yours up on Sunday, if not you should receive it in the mail this week. Please consider filling the Survey out before our service on Sunday and bringing it with you. If you would like to download it, print it off and fill out additional Surveys, you can find it on our web site, www.westonumc.com ; click on the top tool bar FORMS and click “Interest & Talent Survey” to print the form. At the close of the service this weekend you will have an opportunity to bring your surveys forward to the kneeling rail area.

A Combine and Stewardship

I just finished up my first sermon for our Stewardship Series that begins this Sunday. I worked on my sermon from home this morning so I could have a view. Sometimes having an office with no windows makes me feel a little confined. While I was working on my sermon I heard a loud humming sound. I looked out the corner of the window and I could (still can) see a large combine beginning to harvest the neighbor's corn field.
How interesting that while I am working on the Stewardship Sermon series that the corn in the backyard would be harvested. The neighbors could have left the corn there. They could have spent all that time, energy and money in planting and caring for the corn and then watch it die. But instead they are harvesting it so that they and others will experience the flavor and nourishment of tasty corn. You see what's coming next, right?
I guess God could give us all gifts, resources, relationships and abilities and never expect to harvest those things, right? Maybe God just wanted us to look cool and that was it. Or, maybe God has an expectation? Maybe God desires a harvest from his investment? Consider it- metaphorically at least. I don't want anyone running over to my house and jumping in front of the combine!

Solo Retreat to Eureka Springs

Got away for a few days last week. I try to unplug for 48 hours about once a month in order to recharge the fuel cells. I find the outdoors very serene and peaceful, no matter what time of the year. For some reason I especially love the cold as well. I packed up and headed for Eureka Springs, Arkansas last Thursday. I fly fished for trout on Beaver Creek on the other side of Beaver Dam. I did pretty well! I also read about 20% of the Psalms in preparation for the Psalms Sermon Series as well. Overall, it was a very fun, relaxing trip! If you want to see more of my pictures from the trip you can check them out at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=332468&id=527555092&l=e7770c9766.