Take a Hike!

Do you remember the "Be Like Mike" Gatorade commercials in the 1990's; touting that drinking Gatorade would help you be "like Mike"? In last Sunday's Message, we talked about a Bible character that we might want to be like. His name is Nahshon. And while there is no catchy jingle to encourage us to be like Nahshon, by his stepping out in faith, he changed the future of a nation! The funny thing is, when we learn about the "fathers and mothers" of our faith, Nahshon isn't mentioned. In fact, he is not a standout guy in the Hebrew scriptures. But, his was a name that was on the Israelites' tongues when they discussed the parting of the Red Sea, their salvation as Pharoah's army tried to chase them down and their victory on the path toward the Promised Land. According to Rabbinic tradition and the midrash, Nashon was the one, once Moses raised his staff and the Red Sea waters began to vigorously stir, that stepped out into the water, ankle-deep, then knees, waist, shoulders and neck. To the point of near drowning Nahshon believed God would make a way through the sea. And God did, in response to Nahshon's faith. Whether it's on a harrowing cliff or on the sands of the sea or just having enough faith to walk through the church doors on Sunday. Let's step our in faith. Let's be like Nahshon. And God will do the rest. See you in church this coming Sunday, August 4th when we continue our "Summer Vacation" series with "Surfing USA." Mike Garrett will be our guest and we have a wonderful Luau after service catered by Nalu's.

Love Kindness

Recently, I've been preaching on Being and Doing as God calls us. Somehow, I keep running across commentary in the news, in Bible study and from my church folks, about kindness. One such article, quotes the brave a bodacious performer of the 51st Super Bowl Half Time show, Lady Gaga. (Wasn't she awesome?!) She's quoted in a Parade article on Jan. 1st entitled, "Resolution Kindness," saying "Kindness is showing love to someone else. I believe that kindness is the cure to violence and hatred around the world." I believe that too, Lady Gaga! Way to go...to use your fame and visibility and influence to remind us, in these tempestuous times to be kind. When conflict rages and emotions are high and opinions seem as far from one another as the east is from the west. Kindness is needed more than ever. Psychologist Harriet Lerner, Author of "Why Don't you Apologize?," says There is less kindness in public life (today), which trickles down and invites people to be less kind in our personal lives. But kindness is not an "extra." It's at the heart of intimacy, connection and self-respect and respect for others." In our increasingly lonely society these days. We could use more connection. We could use more intimacy. In an age where much of our time and our children's time is spent absorbed by a media screen; handheld or otherwise. We need to discipline ourselves and teach our children what it takes to connect and care for other humans; all of equal and great value. Perhaps we need the words of the prophet Micah today more than ever: "He has told you, people, what is good; And what the LORD requires of you; to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Love Kindness. Let's try.

Everybody in the Boat

Striking out alone is reinforced in our society. From ipods, ipads and iphones...all of which being with "I," to how we've been taught to live. Driving alone to work, eating lunch alone at our desks, individually staring at computerized screens, of one type or another, where ever we are. All of this creates quite a singular focus, making us one of the most efficient societies ever imagined; yet one in which our populace is most isolated. We may be one of the most efficient societies but we are also the most lonely. Jesus called for a society that did things differently. And its difference was subtle. In Matthew 14:22-33, we see just one more example. He called the disciples to get in the boat. He didn't call one disciple to get in the boat. He called them as a group. We have all heard there is power in numbers. If there is, why do we choose being alone over togetherness? What was Jesus getting at by calling a group of disciples? [Come hear more in Pastor Lynn's sermon, "Everybody in the Boat," September 1, 2013, 10:00am Yorba Linda United Methodist Church, ylumc.org

Everybody in the Boat

Striking out alone is reinforced in our society. From ipods, ipads and iphones...all of which being with "I," to how we've been taught to live. Driving alone to work, eating lunch alone at our desks, individually staring at computerized screens, of one type or another, where ever we are. All of this creates quite a singular focus, making us one of the most efficient societies ever imagined; yet one in which our populace is most isolated. We may be one of the most efficient societies but we are also the most lonely. Jesus called for a society that did things differently. And its difference was subtle. In Matthew 14:22-33, we see just one more example. He called the disciples to get in the boat. He didn't call one disciple to get in the boat. He called them as a group. We have all heard there is power in numbers. If there is, why do we choose being alone over togetherness? What was Jesus getting at by calling a group of disciples? [Come hear more in Pastor Lynn's sermon, "Everybody in the Boat," September 1, 2013, 10:00am Yorba Linda United Methodist Church, ylumc.org

To Rest or Not to Rest?

In Genesis 2, God rested. And by all rights, He should have. It must have been tiring calming the chaos with light and birds and plants and people. It must have been peaceful then. Things were as they should be. Doing what they were created for. Something I just newly noticed the other day; man rested too. It came as quite a shock to me, actually. But the first act of humanity was to rest! God created us first to rest...in Him. This is a struggle for me. O, how I struggle to start my day with resting in God! I do pretty well for a while and then, I gradually let life's "important" things take precedence; promising I'll rest in God later, that day. Ya know, when I'm not so busy doing God's work. Ha! O God, separating from you was humanity's first sin. And it's still so easy to let distance from you slip in. What is your experience with the struggle for rest?

Surrender

The other night, I was at an evening worship service. For a period of time we were set free to walk amongst many prayer stations. Each had a scripture or inspirational thought; all having to do with Life and Resurrection and Hope. One talked about our "gifts." At that station, was an invitation to write your gift on a strip of paper to create a linking chain. Linking all of the gifts of all the people, friends and strangers alike, into one. Others stood and wrote. I had to sit...to meditate...to discover what gift God might have me write. "Surrender," came to my mind. Surrender? I had never thought of that as a gift, let alone one of my gifts. But I wrote it and made it part of the chain. As I drove home, alone, I wondered about surrender. And I realized that I needed to surrender. A friend of mine and I were in a disagreement. I had pleaded in person, I had called and texted...and nothing would help the situation. So, now, I was resolute. I had given my all. I had done my best. Now, it was she who would have to make the next move. Although, deep in my gut, I didn't feel right about that expectation. Surrender. What would it mean in this circumstance? Now that God was haunting me with the word...and its application, I had to consider it. Surrender would mean giving up my pride, surrendering my will; which wanted to run smugly away to the safest corner. Surrender would mean risk. And so, I had to give her a call. Surrender is still haunting me, almost a week later. Each time something challenging comes across my path. And my will asserts itself, "surrender" tromps through my mind, messing with all my willful plans. And I wonder, how, next am I called to surrender?

Curve Ahead

Luke 15 brings us the familiar story of the Prodigal Son. The storyline has become almost mundane: boys rebels, boy regrets, father forgives. In its familiarity it is easy to pass over its power...and how it relates to each of our daily lives. Some of life's most profound realities are confronted in The Prodigal Son.

I'm reminded of the movie The Princess Bride. During a sword fight, Inigo and Westley are equally matched. Westley asked Inigo, "Why are you smiling?" Inigo responds, as he flips his sword from his left to his right hand, "I know something you do not know, I am not left handed!" As he begins to dominate in the fight, Inigo inquires about Westley's smile, to which Westley replies, also flipping his sword from left to right, "I too am not left handed!"

Life throws curves at us. All the time. How will we handle them when they come? What does our faith have to do with our response? And where is God in the mix?

[related to Pastor Lynn's sermon, "Curve Ahead," coming March 14, 2010, 10:00am @ Good Shepherd UMC, cometoworship.net]

Step 5 - Confession

Step 5 - We admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

James 5:16 "Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so you may be healed. The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective."

I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

When I was about six years old, a neighbor boy and I were ringbearer and flower girl in a wedding. As the reception went on, we were bored and seeing the grand spiral staircase...decided to slide down it. We were having a wonderful time when one of the staff shooed us away and we went running, sweaty and out of breath to our parent's table. Apparently, someone had told on us and my mom asked, "Have you two been sliding down the staircase?" "No, mommy!" I said, not realizing that my dress was torn, hair disheveled and streams of dirt from the stair rail covered my dress!

It is hard to confess our wrong doings...even when we are caught red handed! Perhaps it is the power of our pride that prevents us. Or fear. The Bible says, "perfect love casts out all fear." What would it be like to live fear-free lives? What would it be like if we could really experience perfect love?

The verses from James and 1 John take on new meaning in the context of perfect love. The goal of God's perfect love is not to punish or condemn us but rather to restore, cleanse and heal.

How does the idea of perfect love impact your ability to confess?

[preview of "Step 5: Confession" sermon by Rev. Lynn Munson, Sunday Oct. 4, 2009, Good Shepherd UMC, www.cometoworship.net]