UM101 Week 3--Methodist Four-Fold Message and Sacraments

In the month of January 2013, I'm leading a class on United Methodism 101.  Thank you to the Fairhope UMC Foundations Sunday School Class for hosting me.   

The majority of this week's discussion focused on the four-fold message of Methodist Theology and the Sacraments.  That four-fold message is:

1. Everyone needs to be saved (original sin)
2. Everyone can be saved (universal grace)
3. Everyone can know they are saved (assurance)
4. Everyone can be saved to the uttermost (Christian perfection)

We also discussed baptism and Holy Communion.  We gave special attention to the theological premise for baptism and that it is available to all: regardless of age or any other reason.  I have written more about this issue.  You can read my "A Methodist Looks at Baptism" post on this blog. It is just before this one.

You can find the full Prezi presentation from this week's lesson here.

Again, I look forward to your questions and comments.

Piercing the Darkness

The light shines in the darkness, 

and the darkness has not overcome it.

With many of you I continue to shed tears of disbelief, of grief, of dismay for our sisters and brothers in Newtown, Connecticut.  How do we even begin to extend compassion to those whom we may never meet, and on whom we would never imagine such a profound grief?  What words do we offer to our friends, our families, our children who try to fathom the events at Sandy Hook Elementary School?

Let us begin by admitting that the irrational acts of fallen and broken people cannot be rationally explained.

Sin, by its very nature and practice, is self-destructive and destructive to all those around.  It defies all logical explanation.  But that provides little solace to the parents of 20 children who lost their lives on what was to be an otherwise “normal” morning, 10 days before Christmas.  Nor does it comfort those families of the adults who loved those children and died while doing all they could to protect them.

So where do we begin to engage in such a dialogue?  2,000 years ago, something similar happened.  Matthew 2 records the slaughter of the innocents:  All the boys under 2 years of age in and around Bethlehem were killed by Herod’s soldiers.  The Magi told Herod that they heard the King of the Jews had been born.  This paranoid, demented leader wanted to take no chances in losing power and had all the Hebrew male children killed.   Blood filled the streets of Bethlehem and the surrounding villages.  The cries of the mother’s weeping must have been haunting.  Matthew recalls the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice was heard in Ramah,
    weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
    she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

The prophet was recalling a time when the children of Israel were taken away by their Babylonian captors.  Mothers had lost their children at the hands of the cruel and inhumane.

Our sisters and brothers are weeping again at the hands of the irrational and inhumane.

But what are we going to do about it?  That’s a question many seem to now ask.  Let us not rush off to beat the drum of certain piece of legislation, regulation, or policy that will, seemingly, make things right overnight.  The answer is not that simple nor made of human hands.   The heart of the matter is a matter of the human heart.  The lasting change that must come will be a matter not just of the outside.  Outside changes will not change the inside.  Only a change on the inside will bring a change on both the inside AND the outside.  The answer begins when the Church rises up to do her part. 

We must take the time to mourn with the families of the children and adults in this most grievous of times.  Losing someone in such a manner in terrible enough.  But no parent should have to bury a child.  So grieve with these families.  And grieve deeply.  But grieve as a people with hope.

Such hope is the message of the coming of God in the person Jesus Christ, a baby born in a manger.  The story does not end in darkness.  The Light was born into the darkness and the darkness has not, and cannot, overcome it.  It is the message of Christmas.  It is the Gospel message.  And it is a message worth telling.  

In a small community in Connecticut now sits 20 little bedrooms filled with the toys of innocence: dolls, trucks, crayons, and the like.  Now robbed of their innocence, the bedrooms sit empty and parents long for one more chance to hold the little ones to them, just one more time.  How will things ever be right again?  The families of the teachers, administrators and others who gave their lives struggle with the pangs of loss.  An entire school and community huddles together looking for solace.

Where can anyone find peace in such a world?  When the Bible speaks of Peace, it does so not in the sense of a mere cessation of hostilities.  It means instead that, despite the circumstances, there a sense of God’s presence, of His comfort, of His assurance.

Many of us have seen the pictures from Connecticut of men, women, and children holding candles in vigil.  The soft glow the flame shining a piercing light into an otherwise dark night.  How appropriate.  A deep darkness fell over Newtown, and the entire country.  But the darkness never prevails against the light.  The Light always overcomes.  The people of the Church, Christians everywhere, are again called to shine a light of hope into the darkness.

So what do we do now?  Hug those near to you a little tighter.  Give our teachers and school officials and extra measure of support.  Show your appreciation to our first responders.  And rise up and be the Church.  Please join me as we pray earnestly for those affected.  For the people of Newtown.  For teachers everywhere who look at a classroom of beautiful faces everyday.  For the leaders of our schools and our communities.  Pray for a new movement in the Church, a movement of Christians who will rise up and be the light, the peace to a dark and distraught World.  A world that longs and cries for what, it knows not.  And only Christ is the answer.  May He be your Peace now and forever more.  May He pierce our darkness anew this Christmas time.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  --Jesus.  John 16:33

Ecuador Medical Mission Team--April 20

Ecuador Medical Mission Team

April 20

The Least of These

Have you thought about the "least" these people in our world? Jesus certainly does. He proved that in His life and work in ministry on Earth. He was about God's business in serving and ministering to the people that seemed seemed to have forgotten. Among these were the sick, the poor, the lame, the blind.

This week we've seen our team serve some of these same people here in Ecuador. They have looked past their impressions or even preconceived ideas. Instead they have looked for Jesus in each face they've seen.

Today our work in Quito drew to a close. We were blessed to serve hundreds this week with medical care, dental care, and provided glasses. These children, youth, and adults were able to get the referrals they needed and all medicines and vitamins for each.

We won't have the opportunity to serve in this exact same way again. But this experience encourages us to look for the least, the last, and the lost that are within arms' reach in our own contexts back home. Those that we seem to pass each day on the way to work. The ones we forget about that live near us. The ones that Jesus would spend time with--the least of these.

How about you? Who are the least of these in your own context? Are you ready to serve as Jesus did? Are you ready to use the gifts and graces that He has given you to serve? It doesn't have to be across the world. Maybe it is to be across the street. Maybe it is across the hall. Wherever it is, ask God to show you who you can serve and how. He'll show you. He wants to show compassion and love to His children. And He wants to use YOU to do so.

 

We have been very blessed to work with SIFAT (Servants In Faith and Technology). To learn more about their work and how you can also be involved visit www.sifat.org.

In Ecuador we've worked at sites where Compassion International is making a difference in the lives of children as they release them from poverty in Jesus' name. Visit www.compassion.com

In early blogs, we mentioned the work of Dr. and Mrs. Paul and Flor Fellers and Bayside Medical Mission. Visit them at www.baysidemedicalmissions.com

To learn more about the ministries of Fairhope United Methodist Church, visit www.fairhopeumc.org 

May we all take seriously the word of Christ in His call to serve and to bring life, life more abundantly (see John 10:10).

Matthew 25:31-46

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.


34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

 

 

Ecuador Medical Team 2012--April 19

April 19

Quito

Medicine can do so much. There's only so much that medicine can do.

I couldn't be more proud of this team. They have done a remarkable job in service to God's people so far this week. They have done an excellent job with every aspect of the experience: the travel, the food, the time with one another, and most of all time in the clinic. They have shown amazing love to these beautiful people in Ecuador.

We have seen people for well check ups. We have also seen them for life-changing illnesses. We have been able to share medical care and offer them the medicines and procedures they need, anti-parasite medications and vitamins for all. We can definitely say that we have made an impact on the people of Ecuador. There is much that medicine can do.

Today, we were also reminded that there is only so much that medicine can do. A poignant lesson came when we saw a middle-aged woman who complained of insomnia. As we asked more questions we realized that she has suffered a great deal. She lost her father and fifteen-year-old daughter in tragic incidents. She was unable to find work. The weight of the world was upon her. He problems were not physical, but spiritual. Our doctor offered some of the most profound healing I have heard in a while. "I've studied medicine a great deal. I also know that there is much that I don't know. In your case, my medicines won't help. This healing can only come from Jesus Christ.". We called the leaders of the church to come pray with her. We offered her encouragement and a community of love and support that she so desperately needed. It was the right medicine and a much needed time.

There is much that medicine can do. But there's only so much medicine can do. My prayer is that we will continue to offer both types of healing wherever we may go and to whomever God may bring our way.

 

Ecuador Medical Team 2012- April 18

April 18

Quito

What's the difference?

When you see someone, what do you see? Do you see the things you have in common? Or the differences? Here in Ecuador it is often easy for us to see those differences. The differences in skin color, hair, language, customs, foods, etc. Differences abound.

But the members of the team are challenging themselves to see the similarities. The similarities in our families, our friends, our children, our parents, OURSELVES. It isn't difficult to see the similarities when we open our eyes. I think about the parent who rode 4 hours by bus, one way, with her pre-schooler today. He has a rather serious orthopedic condition. She wanted to see our Dr. Fellers because she wanted to continue a relationship they'd built. Quite simply she wants the best for her child. That's a similarity many of us could see.

I also think of the way that we share a common grief when children suffer. We have seen children suffer at no fault of their own. This continues to break the teams's collective heart. And it spurs the team on to our work. Certainly we share this similarity in our own relationships.

Above all, we have our common love of God and His love for us. Though we may worship in different churches, different denominations, different languages--we share this common love of the One God and His love for us. This unites us beyond any external differences and breaks down barriers. Only God can break these walls with this much love. It is a joy to witness and to partake.

How about you? What did you see today? Differences? Similarities? May God open all of our eyes to the common love He has for us. Look around you today in your own context and the people you'll see. You'll be amazed at the similarities that God will show you.

 

 

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012--April 16

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012

April 16

Quito

Today was the team's first day of clinic. The work was exhausting and rewarding. That is often the case when you are working in the gifts that God has given you. You work hard and you are tired, that good tired. It is the good tired that comes when you finish strong in the race, work hard on a project, or pull together with your team to do what seemed impossible-until you tried. Thats's exactly what happened today, all of the above.

 

We saw about 100 patients in the Villaflora region of Quito. We saw kids, youth, and adults of all ages. They all had a chance for a visit with a physician, an eye exam, and a visit with the dentist. In addition, they all received the medications they needed, vitamins, and anti-parasite medications. We have relationships with medical personnel here in Ecuador that allows us to make all necessary referrals.

 

Despite the loud and busy atmosphere, the team worked hard and did a great job. Loud and busy, they realize, just means that there are children (of all ages) whom God loves all around us. And they are within our arms' reach to serve and love. The most important encounters we had today were the spiritual ones. People came to our team members for help in their marriages and spiritual lives. We are blessed to do so.

So the team members lay their heads down tonight with that good sort of tired feeling deep down in their bones. We do some expecting more great things tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012--April 15

Ecuador medical mission 2012

Quito

 

April 15

 

The team's first day on in Ecuador has been a cultural experience. The day began with a tour of the Mitad del Mundo monument and indigenous museum. We got to see examples of some of the native tribes of Ecuador, see some fascinating science demonstrations on the Equator, and grow together while doing it.

 

After the tour and lunch, we worshipped at Mama Yoli's in the Atacucho barrio of Quito. This is the site of our 2008 medical clinic. We worshipped at the Methodist Church Aqua de Vida. It was a lively service. We were blessed with dancing and singing by the children and folk dancing. They wanted us to see more of Ecuadorean culture and the ministry to the children and families in their community. It was a blessing. The work of Lord there is growing and it is exciting to see.

 

During the service, a member of the church brought flowers to the members of the team. The bouquet was like one that we'd find in the grocery store in the States. She pulled flowers out of the bouquet and passed them out to the team members. By the time she got to me, she had only baby's breath left. She passed that out to me like any other flower. Some people may look at baby's breath as a cheap filler. At that moment, however, it was much more. It was an offering of thanks. The church doesn't have extra money to buy us flowers. And they used every bit of the gift the best they could. I felt grateful for the offering. When she handed it to me I thought of the widow's mite from Luke 21. They smallest of offerings was given, and received, with gratitude. I wonder if I do that often enough? How often do I give of the smallest parts of me? How often do I receive the smallest parts with gratitude? It is this attitude of the heart that makes the offering not the smallest, but among the greatest.

 

Tomorrow we begin work in the clinic. May this attitude infect us all.

 

 

 

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012, Day 3

Ecuador 2012
Day 3
Portoviejo

Today is a clinic day. While the doctors and others run the clinic, I have offered to help in any way I can. I most stay in the background until I'm needed.

That allowed me to spend time with a local pastor. He serves a church here in town. It sounds like a growing, dynamic congregation. His heart is to serve his people in their discipleship and their learning to serve others in some very real and practical ways. They are working on developing their DNA in that realm. Another important part of their DNA is the multiplication of this model. They feel that to become manageable and effective, they must plant more churches in this same way. I applaud him for his vision of ministry: multiplication undergirded with service and service undergirded with multiplication. We had great discussion and the sharing of ideas about how to continue ministry, each in our own contexts, and encourage one another along the way.

Speaking of service, I stumbled upon an intereststing conversation about justice today. I was talking with a couple of 20 somethings about what it means to bring justice. Can justice be found in our world? How does justice come? For that matter, what does justice mean at all? First of all, biblical justice does not mean as we think of it terms of the court system. It is not necessarily a blinded woman balancing scales. There is a place for that. But that is not the kind of biblical justice we mean. Biblical justice seems to side with the poor, the disenfranchised, the oppressed, the outcast. Look at the people with whom Jesus spent His time. Jesus was faulted for spending his time with the lowly and the outcast. He was faulted by people who were supposed to be defending the causes of these "lowly" people. Instead these religious leaders were casting stones at the oppressed, lame, blind, and outcast. What about in the modern church? Do we side with the religious leaders of New Testament times and put our noses up and those who are "beneath" us? Or do we side with Jesus who decided to extend an open hand to all God's children? Jesus was about the work or healing relationships, setting the oppressed free, helping others see their captivity and then releasing them from it (or maybe the other way around). He took the side of the poor, the downcast and the brokenhearted. Shouldn't we do the same?

In order to truly work for justice in this world, we must practice the justice that Jesus practiced. We have to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. We must be on the side of those that society has forgotten (or wants to forget). That means that we must be willing to do so in the places at our doorstep. It means that we must be willing to go even to the furtherest reaches. It means that we must begin to model, in our own lives, the things that Jesus did.

How do we even begin such an endeavor? We cannot do it of our own works or our own merit. We must remember the greatest commandment. Jesus says that is to love God and love our neighbor. How do we serve? We fall in love. We fall in love with God. We fall in love with His people. Then we cannot help but to do the things of love.