“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” Thus spoke Abraham Lincoln at his Second Inaugural Address one month after the Civil War ended, five days before he was assassinated.

In dismay and disgust I watched the January 6 storming of the Capitol, and I waited to hear a stateswoman or statesmen echo those words. Surely a wakeup call was placed to politicians on both sides of the aisle, but sadly, I only heard more vitriol. Officials in Washington seem much more concerned with their self-interest, their constituencies, and their base (left or right) than the common good.

At the close of the impeachment trial, I again longed to hear these words. Regretfully, I am kept waiting. After years of escalating rhetoric, politicians posture and spout their (self) righteousness and vilify the opposition. While major problems beg for solutions, the best we get from the capital is junior high drama.

Can’t we all just get along? Can we meet in the middle? While we have political opinions, the vast majority of us just want life to work. Cynically we observe that government can oppress and make bad situations worse, but in our hopeful moments, we think it really could make things work better and bring liberty and justice for all.

Whoever that statesperson is, here is a good starting point. “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right.”

I like all four seasons of the year. That’s why I live in Ohio. Each has beauty, character and unique activities. If there is one time of the year I dislike, it is Sprinter–the season between Winter and Spring. After the last snow melts, there is always a brown, chilly, dreary, wet season until the flowers bloom, the trees bud, and the earth begins it’s annual rebirth.

I like being a pastor. I am privileged to walk with Christian people in their joys and disappointments. I like to preach and teach. There are so many aspects of this calling that fascinate and fulfill me. That’s why I have been a pastor for all these years.

There is something I dislike–preaching about sin. I prefer to expound on love, grace, hope, salvation, and God’s holiness. We are currently engaged in a church-wide study of the seven deadly sins, and I am prepping a message on this Sunday’s sin du jour.

I like being a Christian. My sins are forgiven. Jesus is my friend who is closer than a brother. I have a high calling and a purpose. My heavenly reward is magnificent.

There’s something I dislike. From time to time, the Holy Spirit convicts me of sin. He calls me out for something in my life which displeases God and demands that I rid it from my life.

As I reflect, I realize that this yucky time of the year pretty well coincides with Lent. When Ash Wednesday rolls around, I think it’s about time that winter end. Yet, for a while longer it hangs around and produces cold, damp, dreary, windy days. About the time Easter comes, we see spring flowers begin to bloom as the earth enters full reawaken mode.

Lent is a good time for the yucky part of Christian living. What does God want me to give up–not for forty days but for the rest of my days? To what new spiritual discipline or ministry is God calling me?

It is important to know what the Bible teaches about sin, so I have an accurate measure of what God expects. If my only measures are my opinions and preference, I will probably be lost to wallow in practices God abhors. As much as I dislike Holy Spirit conviction, I need him to do that in my life. I also need him to lead me to higher ground through sanctifying grace.

I probably still won’t like Sprinter, but I can find joy and meaning in each day, and I might even appreciate the importance of this season in the God ordained annual climate cycle.

I invite you to join me in observing a holy Lent. What is God teaching you, what is God teaching me during this season? God, give us discernment and obedience.

“Seven Superiors” – The Book of Hebrews

1. The SON Jesus is superior to prophets and Moses – Chapters 1-3

2. The Christian’s REST is superior to sinner’s disquiet – Chapter 4

3. The HIGH PRIEST Jesus is superior to Mosaic priests – Chapters 5-7

4. The new COVENANT is superior to the old – Chapters 8:1-9:10

5. Calvary’s OFFERING is superior to ritualistic sacrifices – Chapters 9:11-10:39

6. God given FAITH is superior to human sight – Chapter 11

7. The heavenly RACE is superior to earthly contests – Chapters 12-13

L. Chester Lewis, my grandpa, was a Methodist Pastor, missionary, and Bible scholar with a bit of an artistic flair. After each book in his Bible, he drew pictograms with his summary. This pictogram from the Book of Hebrews is from his devotional “Reading through the Bible in a year.”

In the late ‘60s, he published a four volume of “Bible readings designed to aid us in reading all the New Testament and the major parts of the Old Testament through in exactly a year.” It is mostly a compilation of sermon outlines condensed to half-page summaries. He produced it on his mimeograph in his retirement home (which accounts for the print quality of this pictogram.) He distributed it to friends he had met across his ministry for free. This was the capstone of his life’s work, as he was called home to heaven in 1971.

My mother told me that my preaching style mimics his. She thought that was uncanny. I think it’s amazing because my memories of him preaching were scant and faded when I became a preacher myself. He had a propensity for underlining books as he studied; I inherited that (which accounts for the yellow highlights in the pictogram.) I am grateful for this godly heritage.

I am also grateful for this concise summary of the book of Hebrews which is unique in my studies.

“A sure and steadfast anchor for the soul.” – Hebrews 6:19

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for.” – Hebrews 11:1

“Let us lay aside every weight and run with perseverance the race.” – Hebrews 12:1

Is crisis too strong a word? The 4/10 of an inch of water dumped out of the rain gauge this morning really was not very much. . .except that was added to 4/10 yesterday and 4/10 the day before and 4/10 the day before that seemingly every day back to the middle of April. For farmers, the crisis is unprecedented. Some years planting is finished early, other years later, but there has never had a year when nothing or next to nothing was planted. Construction workers hampered by the weather are frustrated as are others in our area whose livelihood depends on sunshine and dry weather.

It may be little consolation, but the Bible has a story where it rained longer and harder–forty days and forty nights–until the whole earth was covered (Genesis 7:17-20). Noah and the other seven survivors of humanity lived in a floating barn. They worked hard, and the gloomy weather was uninterrupted by sunshine. In the Spartan, cramped quarters, they were getting on each others nerves.  Even after it stopped raining, they were still floating on an endless ocean. When they finally ran aground on Mount Ararat, they had to stay on board because they were surrounded by muck (8.4). Would they ever get off the ship?  It had been more than a stinking year.

After waiting, Noah sent out a raven, which turned out to be a poor choice. It feasted on plentiful rotting remains and never returned (8.7). After another week, Noah sent out a dove. Finding nothing to eat, the dove came back (8.8-9). A week later, the dove was re-released and brought back a fresh olive branch and a sprig of hope since things were beginning to sprout (8.10-11). After seven more days, the dove was sent out. It found a place to nest and fresh food to eat, so it never returned (8.12).

Around here, it has rained for a long time. We keep hoping for a dry spell so planting and other work can get done, but after a couple of dry days, the rain and puddles return.

We keep sending out doves, but they keep coming back. What do you do when the doves keep coming back?

We pray for dry weather, but it seems like our prayers have not worked.

Paul had what he called “a thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). The issue that harassed Paul is unknown. He prayed three times that the Lord would remove it, but that affliction was never taken away. (12:8) Paul’s response is a beautiful affirmation of faith. God tells him, “My grace is sufficient for you” (12:9)

The dove keeps coming back, and we pray for dry weather. We do not think our prayers work, but God answers, “My grace is sufficient for you”.

Is it? Have you gotten to the place where no matter the physical rainstorm nor the metaphorical lifestorm that God’s grace is sufficient to sustain your faith and give you an adequate measure of peace? If not, keep praying. Pray until you pray through and find “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

After de-arking, the first things Noah and his family did were worship and offer sacrifices to the Lord. (Genesis 8:20) The Lord responded with his never-flood-the-earth-again covenant and the first-ever rainbow. (9.13) Noah and his wife, his three sons and their wives, oohed and aahed. The beautiful sight filled them with hope, and ever since, the rainbow is a traditional Judeo-Christian symbol of hope.

Several days ago, I saw a rainbow. My heart was inspired, as I enjoyed God’s gift of beauty. (That is my typical response every time I see a rainbow.)

What do you do when the dove keeps coming back?

I do not want to be simplistic in the midst of crisis. The continual rain and prospects of red numbers on your balance sheet try to push you toward fear, but whether that storm is a physical rainstorm or a metaphorical lifestorm: Pray, depend upon the Lord’s sufficient grace, a keep hope alive!

How big is creation? How big is the universe? How big is everything? I don’t often think about it, but when I do, it blows my mind.

The farthest star from Earth, with the highly imaginative name “SDSS J122952.66+112227.8″, is 55 million light years from earth. Since a light year equals 5.88 trillion miles, this star would be 323.4 million trillion miles away. If you got in the minivan and began to drive there, and if your children would ask, “Are we there, yet?” once every five miles, you would be certifiably insane before you got to Jupiter, so it doesn’t matter that they would repeat that question almost 65 million trillion times on the entire journey.

If the most distant star is 323.4 million trillion miles in one direction, there must be one in the opposite direction nearly the same distance away. Based on those calculations, the universe would be 636.8 million trillion miles across. In other words, I can’t wrap my mind around how big creation is.

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1 – English Standard Version)

God is bigger than the universe, so he must be at least 636.8 million trillion miles + 1. Buzz Lightyear would tell you that God is “infinity and beyond!”

Nehemiah prays, “You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them” (9:6 – ESV). The Apostles Creed affirms, “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.”

Scientists continue to discover new things about the origin of the universe. Three centuries before Christ, the philosopher Aristotle observed that everything is caused by something else. We also observe that truth. We did not just happen; we were caused by our parents, who were caused by their parents, who were caused by their parents, and so forth. Aristotle believed that while each cause is caused by a previous cause, there must be an uncaused cause. He called it a “prime mover” or that which moved without being moved.

The thirteenth-century theologian Thomas Aquinas, told us the name of this “prime mover” is God. God has no beginning nor end. God existed before the universe. God exists beyond the universe. God created everything from nothing. My mind cannot begin to fathom that or to comprehend the awesomeness of God. Whatever all of this creation is, God designed and made it, God is bigger than it, and God is more powerful than it.

Although the universe is huge, it is also intricately designed with microscopic parts. For example, a blood cell averages 7 micrometers in diameter. Since a micrometer is one millionth of a meter or about 0.000039 inches, a blood cell would be about one quarter of a hundred thousandth of an inch in diameter. You would have to squint really hard to see it. You heart pumps about six quarts of your 724 trillion blood cells every minute, so each one circumnavigates your body about once every minute. With so many of them, you can donate a 45 billion of them every eight weeks, but don’t plan to live if you give them all away. These intricately designed, precision engineered blood cells are essential to human existence. That totally boggles my mind.

The songwriter Stuart Hamlin asks and answers:

How big is God? How big and wide His vast domain
To try and tell, these lips can only start
He’s big enough to rule His mighty universe
Yet small enough to live within my heart

God is so huge and vast and powerful that he blows my mind. God is so intricate and essential that he boggles my mind.

Our only response to all this is to fall on our knees and offer our lives to God.

With the Psalmist, we pray: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:4 – ESV)

At last night’s Good Friday service, a soloist sang, “Ten Thousand Angels”, and memories flooded back.

They bound the hands of Jesus
In the garden where He prayed
They led Him through the streets in shame
They spat upon the Saviour
So pure and free from sin
They said, “Crucify Him He’s to blame”

He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free
He could have called ten thousand angels
But He died alone for you and me

The author under represented the number of angels at Jesus’ command. Jesus said that he could have appealed to his Father who would have immediately sent him more than twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). While the size of Roman legions varied,  6,000 men is a pretty good estimate of troop strength during Jesus’ time, so Jesus could have been rescued by more than 72,000 angels. The band of soldiers who arrested Jesus would have been no match for one angel. What kind of strength and power would 72,000 of the heavenly beings wield?

Upon His precious head
They placed a crown of thorns
They laughed and said, “Behold the King”
They struck Him and they cursed Him
And mocked His holy name
All alone He suffered everything

Remembering all the words, I silently joined the soloist. Many times during Lent and Holy Week, Mom, Dad, Sherry, and I sang it as a quartet. Somehow four high-voiced people worked it out. Dad had a strong tenor voice, Mom had a beautiful soprano voice, but she sang alto and yielded the melody line to Sherry. Before Sherry, we sang it as a trio back when I thought I was a bass, so I sang that part which included a bass solo for the third verse. In my memory banks, I still hear us practicing around the piano at home and see us singing in several churches.

When they nailed Him to the cross
His mother stood nearby
He said “Woman, behold thy son”
He cried, “I thirst for water”
But they gave Him none to drink
Then the sinful work of man was done

I first heard the song at the Belle Center church, when the choir sang it. Lorenz published it in their monthly “Volunteer Choir”. Bob Duff sang the solo. When I got to High School, we were allowed to join the adult choir, and I took a place near him with the rest of the basses. I still try to imagine I have a low enough voice to sing that verse.

To the howling mob he yielded
He did not for mercy cry
The cross of shame He took alone
And when He cried, “It’s finished”
He gave Himself to die
Salvation’s wondrous plan was done

According to his testimony, when Ray Overholt wrote the song in 1958, he was playing in a country band on the night club circuit. Drinking heavily, he describes himself as a profane person. One night at a tavern in Battle Creek, Michigan, he was compelled to write even as he wondered in amazement that the Lord had given him the song. He sold the rights to Lillinas Publishing House. Sometime later, he sang the song in at a small country church. Following his solo, the preacher’s message gripped his heart, and he invited Jesus Christ into his heart. What an amazing story! The writer of “Ten Thousand Angels” was led to the Lord by his own song!

He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free
He could have called ten thousand angels
But He died alone for you and me

On the holiest of Christian holy days, it was good to hear this song and savior the precious memories it evoked. It was good to be reminded of the vile nature of sin–of my sin, and the great lengths to which Jesus went to save me–to save us.

[Words and music: Ray Overhalt © 1959 by Lillenas Publishing Co.]

Easter is going to be a little late this year. Easter is the Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox. The latest it can occur is April 25, so this year’s April 21 is pretty late. The good news is this: Easter will come!

This has been a weird winter. The cold weather and snow came late, but when they arrived, they never wanted to leave. Several Sundays were impacted by slippery roads, and several school days were canceled. The polar vortex gripped us for a week and brought thirty-year low temperatures. Even the groundhog did not do us any favors. Although he did not see his shadow, the corner spring is just around seems further away this year. When the thermometer reached the 60’s, it was quickly followed by snow covered mornings. Will spring ever come? The good news is this: Easter will come!

For some of us, we are in a long difficult winter season. We wonder if it will ever end. The sources of our own winters differ and include, school demands and drama, chronic illnesses, family issues, work problems, or the loss of a loved one. Will the load ever lighten? Will this season ever end? The good news is this: Easter will come!

We throw up our prayers. Some are answered with a quick “Yes!” We like that, and spring comes a little early. Other prayers are lifted and are answered “No”. . .or “Not yet”. . .or “Not that, something better”. We don’t like that, and sometimes it takes a while to work through that, but spring eventually comes. Rather than physical healing, at times the answer is the ultimate healing of eternal life. The grief process takes time, but eventually spring comes. The good news is this: Easter will come!

We are Easter people! We believe that God can turn defeat into victory, doubt into faith, death into life! In the midst of difficult circumstances, Easter may be a little late this year, but be assured the good news is this: Easter will come!

Each Sunday, we join together to celebrate this truth. April 21, we will gather for the big day! “Christ is risen!” “The Lord is risen indeed!”

Easter is going to be a little late this year, but the good news is this: Easter will come!

On Ash Wednesday, Liberty Chapel worshipers were surveyed with this question: “With God’s help, what sin will you give up?” Twenty-nine percent responded with the number one answer– “anger”. Is there help for this pervasive problem?

The Bible says, “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. . . .Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. . . .Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Ephesians 4:26-31–ESV).

Anger is neither good nor bad since emotions are neutral in their moral value. The behavioral response to anger is where the moral value lies. In response to anger, behavior can be a good thing. On the court, anger might give energy to play aggressive basketball. In the community, anger can yield energy to bring positive change.

Behavioral choices can also be bad or sinful. On the basketball court, out of control rage can lead to undisciplined actions which result in stupid fouls and blown plays. In life, when a person is attacked rather than an issue or when out of control behavior disrupts a relationship, that is bad. When unintended consequences are worse than the original problem, that is sinful.

James advises, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (1:19-20–ESV).” As I read that, I could hear Dr. Phil ask, “How’s that working for you?” Rather than solving a problem, an outburst of anger usually worsens the situation.

James adds, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions (4:1-3–ESV).”

Many times, anger issues are based on stuff. Loving people and using things is a successful strategy, but it never works when you use people and love things.

The fourth century desert Father John Cassian writes that anger is a “a rancorous spirit against those who have upset us. Any kind of rage drives the Holy Spirit away from us. The remedy is to cut out wrath and anger from our lives. The only anger allowed is against our own sinfulness.”

Some anger management techniques may be helpful:

Take some time to think before you speak. Daniel Tiger says: “When you feel so mad you want to roar, take a deep breath and count to four.”

“I” messages are helpful. “I am frustrated when I am late to an appointment” is more helpful to anger management than “you make me late”.

Focus on possible solutions rather than what cause the anger. Rather than venting anger at your tardiness, it might be helpful to ask, “What can I do next time that will help us to be more punctual?”

Forgiveness is a powerful thing. Do not hold grudges. If one focuses on anger and negative feelings instead of positive things, one can become stuck in bitterness.

Know when to seek help. Anger management is a challenging skill to learn. If you have a problem that seems insoluble, seek someone who can suggest other possible solutions. If your anger drives behavior that consistently harms your relationships or produces regretful actions, find a teacher who can help you learn to manage your anger.

In dealing with anger management or any sinful behavior, the battle is fought on two fronts. There is an emotional battle, and to succeed in this arena, one will need focused effort involving self-improvement and self-control. There is also a spiritual battle which calls for the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit who changes attitudes and behavior.

Edwin Hatch writes: Breathe on me breath of God Till I am wholly thine, Until this earthly part of me Glows with thy fire divine

[This article will be published in the Liberty Press this week. It was condensed from yesterday’s talk.]

Holy Christian Conferencing” is a term used in United Methodist circles. It is hoped that as Christians prayerfully come together, this means of grace will help discern the will of God through the movement on the Holy Spirit. As United Methodists met for General Conference, were hopes for holy Christian conferencing expressions of naivete or affirmations of faith? I don’t know.

What I do know is that whatever I witnessed in at St. Louis was not holy Christian conferencing. The two factions came to St. Louis with a gap between them and left separated by a chasm.

The pre-conference gap existed because the two groups read the same Bible and quoted the same Wesley sermons and made polar opposite points. Both sides claimed to be fighting against principalities and powers, but Satan never fights against Satan. “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?” (Matthew 12:26 ESV) Satan no doubt enjoyed the fight. Both sides claimed the guidance of the same Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit never leads in contradictory paths. “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV)

While human sexuality was the presenting issue, the divide in the church is much deeper than that. It includes the divine-human nature of Christ, the doctrine of salvation, the authority of Scripture, the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, and other doctrinal issues. The church is also divided by social issues which mirror the political divide between the left and the right.

In this midst of this disagreement, a hermeneutic of humility was never espoused. Hermeneutics is the method of interpretation of scriptures. Humility means that one might possibly be wrong. Instead there was name-calling, demonization of motives, charges of unethical behavior, and the use of parliamentary procedure to stall, derail, and delay.

Since the presenting issue had to do with human sexuality, the LGBTQIA+ community was deeply wounded and left with indescribable pain.

The tactics and wounds excavated the chasm between the groups.

What will the future hold? I see only three possible outcomes:

1) Our church is terribly broken and can only be miraculously healed by Jesus Christ, the head of the church. However, that being said, I do believe in a miracle-working God.

2) The leaders of the church, progressive, centrist, and traditional, can come together in holy Christian conferencing and agree to amicable separation with an equitable distribution of assets. While this idea seemed abhorrent prior to the 2016 General Conference, it has become my preferred future. “Divide to multiply” is a leadership strategy that proposes that two groups can grow faster and healthier than one. Two energized Wesleyan movements may be able to reach more people with the love of Jesus Christ and accomplish more mission projects separately than they might do combined.

3) The Smack-Down in St. Louis was just a preliminary warm up to the Blood-Sport, Death-Match in Minneapolis. While this is my least favorite option, I fear it is the most likely. The world doesn’t need to see that. No one wants to see that. I take that back, Satan and the principalities and powers are rooting for this one.

People with power and opinions that mean a lot more than mine will decide between these paths.

While they are doing that, here’s what I’m going to do: I will tell everyone I meet that Jesus loves them. I will continue to love and follow Jesus and to find ways to serve others. I get to be a pastor.

You are still called to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.

And please #Pray4UMC

“Conversations with others go much better if I keep my ears open and my mouth shut.”

I think I knew that rule. So much of what I do is led by my intuition which has been informed by many life experiences. This week, I become cognitively aware of this intuitive understanding.

With two brothers from Liberty Chapel, it was a privilege for me to attend the Special General Conference in St. Louis. In the dome, in restaurants, on the streets, I was able to converse with persons from all around the nation and globe persons of all theological viewpoints. My spiritual life is richer for this experience.

I found that conversations with others went much better if I kept my ears open and my mouth shut. If my viewpoint differed from the other, the conversation pretty much ended whenever I opened my mouth.

As I reflect on that rule, it may be a good one for my spiritual development.

As Lent begins today, I want to test one thing during these forty days. Will my conversation with God go better if I keep my ears open and my mouth shut?

Is there sin in my life that God wants to expose and remove? Is there a spiritual discipline I need to start or enhance? What transformation does the Holy Spirit want to work in my life. Can Jesus break through in silence and meditation?

Is there a ministry or mission God is calling me to? Are there God opportunities coming my way that I might recognize if I focused on God instead of me?

How will keeping my ears open and my mouth help me observe a Holy Lent?

“Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”