Pastor’s Corner

A Prayer a Day: Good afternoon, Lord. Today we taped the service for Pentecost Sunday, which is May 31st this year. It is a high point of my year to preach on Pentecost. I love the banners, the altar covers, and all the red candles burning. I love the story of the disciples waiting together, anticipating the Holy Spirit’s arrival and anointing. I love the story of Peter getting up to preach and his converting 3000 people to Jesus. Holy God, I love that you are still sending the Holy Spirit to fill us with hope, kindness, forgiveness, empathy, joy, and love. I love that with the Holy Spirit’s presence and empowerment, that all the negative and ugly stuff inside of us is burned away. Lord, help us to seek your wisdom, your guidance, your joy, and your power to build the kingdom you want in this world. Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Come Holy Spirit and make us joyful: amen.

A Prayer a Day: Good day, Lord. Today was productive, but also very busy. I think busyness is easier for me, to deal with than having too much time on my hands.The whole subject of how we use the time we have was brought home to me today, when I saw on my email, that one of your saints was found dead yesterday. Last Friday, I celebrated the life of a 94 year old man, who had served in WW11 and was at Normandy for D-Day. What stories he could have told, although, his grandson said he never wanted to talk about that. Next Monday, I will officiate at a celebration of life, service for a sweet and kind lady, also up in years. In the news we are hearing daily of the rising Coronavirus death count, which is nearing 100,000. So, Holy God, it’s a good time to give some serious thought, to how we are living our lives. Not to be a downer, but the truth is, none of us will be leaving this world alive. Each of us will eventually stand before the judgment seat and give an account of how we spent our time. I ask myself what is most important to me in life? Good health is close to the top of my list, because without good health, it’s hard to enjoy other blessings. Relationships of love and mutual respect are very important, to most of us: having wonderful blessings and no one to share them with is a bummer.But, every other blessing of life pales in comparison to knowing we belong to you, God. You give us our every blessing, and your love and protection means everything. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, you, God are speaking to us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When we put you in first place in our lives, we know that every other thing necessary for a purposeful and joyful life is provided to us by you, Lord. Thank you, Holy God, for your grace, which is always sufficient for us, despite our problems and challenges. Come Holy Spirit and make us sufficient in you: amen.

A Prayer a Day: Good morning, Lord. Today, I want to talk to you, Heavenly Father, about the ascension of your son, Jesus, into heaven.  This year the actual date of the anniversary of the ascension of Jesus was Thursday, May 21, exactly 40 days after Easter, with Easter being day one. Yesterday was Ascension Sunday, not as well known as Christmas, Easter, or Pentecost, but very important. We affirm our belief in the ascension of Jesus, every time we say the Apostle’s Creed, which reads, “He (Jesus) ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.” Lord, we thank you  for the Biblical account of Jesus’ ascension in Luke and the Book of Acts. The accounts remind us, that Jesus returned to you and his rightful place in heaven, after he completed his work on earth. We know from John 3:16, Jesus came to save all the people of the world from the power of sin and death. We thank you, Holy God, that our Savior and the Messiah, Jesus, is right there beside you interceeding on our behalf. Romans 8:34, reads, “It is Christ Jesus that died, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of you, God, who makes intercession for us.” So, Lord, we thank you for your plan of salvation and that Jesus, having completed his earthly mission has returned to heaven. Help us, Holy God, to remember what  a friend we have in Jesus, still loving us today and always. Come Holy Spirit and make us more fully aware: amen.

A Prayer a Day: Good morning, Lord; this is the Sunday of the Memorial Day weekend. If we could be together in our sanctuary today, we would be remembering the true meaning of Memorial Day. We would be thanking you, Lord, for the courage, faithfulness, patriotism, and ultimate sacrifice of their lives, that was made by the men and women, who died while serving in the U.S. military. We call it Memorial Day, because like every memorial, it does not focus on death, but focuses on the kind of life, that is worth celebrating. We celebrate the goodness of those, who had a Christ-like sacrificial spirit. The scripture that captures Memorial Day, for me, is John 15:13, which reads, “Greater love has no one than this, that one give up one’s life for one’s friends.” So, Holy God,  help us to honor all those, who gave up their lives for us in the service of the United States of America.This year during this Coronavirus Pandemic,  there will be no parades to celebrate Memorial Day. Heavenly Father,  let this year’s Memorial Day remembrance be a solemn tribute to the fallen. Lord, help us to have the spirit of those, who served and sacrificed for all. Come Holy Spirit and make us more sacrificial: amen.

A Prayer a Day: Good morning, Lord. Yesterday the subject of reopening the churches came into sharp focus, when President Trump told the governors to get the churches, synagogues, and Mosques open for worship. I had trouble sleeping last night.My concern is to honor you, God, in all things, and to be a good shepherd to Grace Church members and attendees. Lord, I remember well that James 1:5, reads, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and you, Lord, will not rebuke us? So, Holy God, I come on my knees, asking you to give us your wisdom, so that this very important decision on how and when to reopen Grace Church for public worship, will be worked through accordingly to your will. Lord, we know it is your intentional will, that Christians gather for worship, study, service, and fellowship. But, what is your circumstantial will in the face of this once a century pandemic? Heavenly Father, we want what you want in this situation and all others. This whole thing gets very messy, because offical mandates and guidelines are coming to us from three sources.The CDC, Center for Disease Control, has many pages of guidelines for churches to follow to reopen. The West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church has issued specific guidelines, and Gov. Mike Dewine and Dr. Amy Acton have also issued guidelines. Lord, we want to respect secular leaders and their guidelines. We want to respect medical experts and their guidelines. We want to respect the guidance of our church leadership, and we want to protect our people from harm. Back to James 1:5, Lord, we especially your guidance, because our earthly leaders are not in agreement about the guidelines. All three initiates
giving us guidelines in writing, agree that we should not reopen with new cases of community spread. So, Lord, using the brain you gave me, I’d say, since Clark County had 20 new cases this week, connected to the Dole plant, that opening right now is not an option. Lord, I guess you can see we desperately need your wisdom, and you have provided it right now. You have given me clarity on this issue, at least, for today. Thank you, Lord, for stimulating my ability to reason as I pray, maybe this is another good reason to pray. We love you, Lord, and we want to resume public worship, but we don’t want to hurt a single lamb in our flock. Help us, Lord, to continue to navigate these turbulent waters, with your close guidance. Come Holy Spirit and make us wise: amen.

A Prayer a Day: Good morning,God. It’s cool, gray, rainy, and not a good morning for praying on the porch. So, here in the house, a perfectly comfortable house, my first thought this morning is; I’m tired of being stuck in the house.This kind of thinking is not helpful at all. Whenever we feel sorry for ourselves, we are planning a pity party, that no one really wants to attend. Regularly people tell me, they feel depressed; being the pragmatic person I am, I share that a person cannot hold two opposing ideas, in their mind at the same time. This is always the advice I give myself too, when I feel blue. I can’t be depressed and grateful, at the same time, and neither can you: one emotion will win out. When I meet with people, who have been struggling with depression, for a while I tell them, there is a very effective way to help themselves. We can drive out any negative emotion with gratitude. When you are having negative feelings, take out a blank piece of paper and number the lines. Put a heading on the top,”Blessings from God.” Then start your list: 1.) Not stuck in the house, but blessed with a home. 2.) Not sad you can’t go to a restaurant, but grateful you have food. 3.) Not unhappy you can’t see friends and family, but grateful you have friends and family to miss, and a phone to call them. I’m sure you have the idea. Sometimes, a person will have to fill the whole page before the feeling of depression eases. Filling the whole page involves listing gratitude for eyes that see, ears that hear, legs that move. After a while, sitting with your list of blessings, you start to feel happy and joyful. In spite of all the challenges, and things about life, that distresses us, God, we know you are good, and you give us joy, if we are open to receive it. In Job 8:21, we read, “He (God) will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” Job knew a thing or two about death, sickness, financial loss, loss of reputation, and status, and yet, he claimed that you, God, supply joy. Laughter is powerful. I love a good story that makes people laugh. Often it is the ridiculousness of life events, that are the funniest. We love to laugh because it releases stress, lifts our spirits, and connects us to others. I know that you, Lord, want us to draw others to you, as Jesus did. All kinds of people flocked to Jesus, young and old, rich and poor, sick and healthy, outcasts and insiders. Jesus must have been a winsome, joyful person to draw so many to him. Jesus has given us the mandate of building your kingdom, Lord. I believe that you, Holy God, want us filled with your joy, so we can share it. Help us, discipline our thinking, so that we may share your joy with the down-trodden. Come Holy Spirit and make us joyful: amen.

A Prayer a Day: Good day, Lord. It’s obvious millions of people in our country are in great distress.I think about the 36 million, who have lost their jobs. All I can say is, “Lord, in your mercy help the hopeless.” I think about the 94,000 souls, who have been lost to death and I say, “Lord, in your mercy comfort, those who are grieving.” I think of the doctors, nurses, medical support staff, EMTs, truckers, meat packers, nursing home staff, grocery store workers, and all I can say is,”Lord, in your mercy strengthen the exhausted.” Regardless, of the problem, every heart-breaking situation prompts the same prayer: “Lord, in your mercy help the hopeless, grieving,and exhausted.” We know you are the God, who lifts us up when we are down; heals us when we are sick, comforts us in our grief, and empowers us, when we are exhausted. Regardless of the difficulty or question, you, God, are the answer to every prayer. Only you, Lord, can fix a world as broken as this one. Today, during this pandemic, there are masses of hurting people. When Jesus was walking the earth, he always offered compassion to the hurting; help us to be like Jesus. In John 16:33, we read, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” These are the words of Jesus, a gift to us in times of trouble.Jesus wants us “to be of good cheer.” Jesus wants us to reveal our faith by focusing our attention on him, as the answer, the solution,of every difficulty. Lord, we know your mercy never fails us. Come Holy Spirit and make us cheerful: amen.

A Prayer a Day: Good morning, Lord. I’m up before the birds today, which makes me think of the daying, “The early bird gets the worm.” Well, it’s still raining, as it was yesterday, great volumes of rain, overflowing the spouting, and standing in puddles, in all the low spots in the yard. I don’t see a single bird anywhere. I assume they are in their houses, nests, or hiding deep in the trees, trying to avoid the rain. There’s not too much, “Singing in the rain today” maybe the singers aren’t early risers. Some people are naturally early risers.We know the saying, “Early to bed, early to rise makes a (man or woman) healthy, wealthy, and wise.” The benefit of early rising, according to most, is starting early with a fresh mind, gives you a head start on your day. All through the Bible, when anything important was happening the passage frequently begins with, “They rose early; who rose early: Abraham, Isaac, Samuel, Joshua, Moses, Jacob, Saul, David, the women who went to Jesus’ tomb, and Jesus. Jesus is always our first consideration. In Mark 1:35, we read, “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” Lord, you want us to begin our day with thoughts of praise for the new day and words of intercession for those who are in need or suffering. Thank you, Holy God, for caring so much about us. I remember in Psalm 139:2, it states, “You (Lord) know when I sit down and when I rise up.You understand my thoughts from afar.” Lord, we are grateful that you know us from afar, and draw us closer. We are grateful, that you love us each one.Thank you for this new day, rain and all; we know each day is a gift you give to us.So, Lord, we are up in body, please lift us up in spirit, so that we may honor you. Come Holy Spirit and make us productive: amen.

A Prayer a Day: Good afternoon, God. A rainy, rainy day, it is, which invites staying inside and watching the torrents of water pour from heaven. This day- long rain reminds me of Matthew 5:45, which reads, “So that you may be children of your Father, who is in heaven. For he makes the sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust.” It’s wonderful to know, that our good or bad behavior does not change your nature, Lord. Your nature is love and grace. The sun rises and the rain waters, the earth of the good and evil, the just and unjust. No matter how much bad behavior, we see in the world, God, your character is unchanging. You, Lord, are the God of grace. mercy, forgiveness, compassion, kindness, and love. We become more like you, as we emulate your actions. You dispense sunshine and rain, based on your good intentions to provide the sun and rain needed to bring forth food to bless the righteous and unrighteous. Lord, I suppose this is the greatest difference, between you and most human beings. So often, human beings are into t justice, instead of mercy. Often, we want people to get what they deserve, so the just would get something good, and the unjust would get something bad. Lord, help us forsake the earthly way of judgment. Help us to bless everyone, as you do, with your grace and love. Help us remember each day is a new opportunity to learn and grow in your Spirit. New people are growing in your kingdom, Lord, as you rain blessings of grace upon us. Come Holy Spirit and make us grace-filled:amen.

A Prayer a Day: Good morning, Lord. I’ve been wondering how we can be welcoming and encouraging, when our smiles are masked. I saw a woman on Facebook, who had made a mask for herself, with a plastic see through part over her mouth.She must be sharing my thoughts.
Smiling at a stranger tells them, you see them and are feeling positive about them. For many years, I have thought just smiling at anyone, as an acknowledgment of our mutual humanity, is important ministry. It just really occurred to me this morning, Lord, your smile ministry is crippled by Covid-19. How can we indicate to strangers and friends alike, that we see them and are friends not foes? Lord, maybe we can still smile and say, “I’m smiling; hello.” I tried it, smiling under my mask and looking in a mirror. Even though I can’t see my mouth smiling, my eyes crinkle, and change expression. The words, “I’m smiling; hello,” would certainly communicate the most important part, which is acknowledging the existence of the other person.This morning on Facebook a deaf woman shared how much more difficult it is to function, since the masks covering the mouth rules out lip reading. She expressed how isolated she feels. Holy God, please comfort those, who are suffering with feeling of hopelessness and isolation. Help all those who are restricted in nursing homes; going into the third month with no visitors, and some cases, no eating in the diningroom, or recreational activities. Lord, please send your Holy Spirit to help and comfort all, who are struggling and feeling disconnected from life. Holy God, help us make a plan for how we will reach out with your love to those, who are alone and discouraged. Lord, maybe we could call one person today and listen to their thoughts and feelings. Maybe we could call two people tomorrow. And maybe we could add a person to call each day, until we get to next Sunday. If 100 of us did that, the end of the second week our second week total calls would be 4900 encouragment contacts. At this rate, we would make 19,600 calls in one mouth. Lord, this could be a pretty awesome ministry, without any financial cost, or even leaving the house. As I think about who to call, we don’t have to limit the calls to individuals who live alone. I’m sure about everybody would enjoy getting a call from a friend or neighbor, just saying,”Hi, I was thinking about you: how are you doing?” An additional plus,, all those people feeling isolated can also be fully involved in this new ministry. Heavenly Father, help us be comforters and encouragers, sharing your work of grace. Come Holy Spirit and make us more encouraging: amen.