Daily Encourager – June 11, 2020

Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart. – Psalm 73:1

I truly hope you will take time to read Psalm 73 in its entirety, today.  The psalm is one that gets to the heart of one who truly desires God above the ways of the world, in my opinion.

The world is constantly finding new ways to distract us from what matters most. In these past months where the world was shut down, turned upside down, we found a ton of new distractions.  We might have found that we spent more time on social media, more time watching tv, more time eating snacks, more snacks that we like to eat.  Yes, I meant to say that both ways. 

Truth is, we found that we had more time on our hands and no place to go, I remember one day seeing something come across my screen that said: “after quarantine will you emerge a monk, a hunk, a drunk, or a chunk, the choice is yours.”

I chuckled when I saw it, but there was some serious truth behind the choice. What we choose to do, to focus on, and how we live each day, matters.

This time could have been spent doing exercise, and getting into a more healthy lifestyle. I’ll be honest, we tried this, and for a little bit of time, I was down a few pounds. Between daily walks around the neighborhood, working in the yard, I felt pretty good. But I’m still far from any “goal weight.”  Yet, there are others who may have done better treating their body as a temple (hunk).

I have heard from some friends, who have let stress get to them, and have moved in a negative direction, increasing their alcohol intake, finding new drinks to mix, or discovering that the wine opener works just as well in morning as it does in the evening. After all, even Jesus turned water into wine, when the wine ran out (drunk). And of course there are those who have lost all self-control (chunk), and have found themselves constantly in the pantry, my children among them.

This time apart could have drawn us closer to God, spending more time reading and studying, it could have been a time to do deep research, or spend in prayer drawing closer to God (monk). 

Sometimes, however it is easy for us to get distracted by the other things of this world, and even begin to wish or idolize those who seemingly have it better than we do.  The psalmist says “21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, 22 I was stupid and ignorant; I was like a brute beast toward you.”

Yet, then the psalmist is reminded that even at our worst, God still holds us fast.  So no matter how you have spent this time apart, or continue to do so, please know that God holds you fast and I pray the divine presence is ever present in your mind and heart, today and always. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – June 10, 2020

…Out of Christ fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. – John 1:16

What is grace?  Is it the belief that we have the free and unmerited favor of God?  Is it the manifestation of salvation in the sinner’s life?  Is grace the blessing we receive, whether expected or not?  Yes, grace is all of these things.  Grace is the very essence of knowing the honor and glory of God, having been in the presence of God, even unaware, and knowing that it is all going to be okay.

In his memoir book, All is Grace, Bennan Manning says this:

“My message, unchanged for more than fifty years, is this: God loves 
you unconditionally, as you are and not as you should be, because 
nobody is as they should be. It is the message of grace…A grace 
that pays the eager beaver who works all day long the same wages 
as the grinning drunk who shows up at ten till five…A grace that 
hikes up the robe and runs breakneck toward the prodigal reeking 
of sin and wraps him up and decides to throw a party no ifs, ands, 
or buts…This grace is indiscriminate compassion. It works without 
asking anything of us…Grace is sufficient even though we huff and 
puff with all our might to try to find something or someone it cannot 
cover. Grace is enough…Jesus is enough.”

All is grace, Manning would say, it’s there is every breath in the lungs of every person who needs it, and the truth is we all need it.  Nothing is too big for grace, nor is anything too small for grace.  Grace can be found each and every day as we look into the eyes of someone who needs to know they are loved by God, or in the voice telling us we are loved.  From birth till final breath, and everything we may do in between this is what we need most in this life; grace and the understanding that it is already given freely and openly. 

Just as God has given grace unto us, we are also called to share it in the same way with others.  Truth is, however, grace is something much easier received than given.  We all have moments that we are not proud, and grace is what gets us through.  In the climate in which we live, it seems as though grace is far from us, but assure you it is not. Grace is as close as offering an apology, understanding someone’s anger, caring about someone’s well-being no matter the situation.  Grace is the ability to offer forgiveness for words that may have been misspoken or misunderstood. Grace if found in the patients we have with leaders who are navigating unchartered waters to reopen church, businesses, society. Grace is understanding that God has loved us as flawed as we all are, and asked us to see not the flaw, but the creator in each face, for we are all made in his image of love.

May the grace of God give you peace today, and always.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – June 9, 2020

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. – Psalm 62:8

When life is good, and all is well, it is easy to trust in God.  Especially for people of faith, to know that God has us in his arms, is taking care of us, and to know God’s blessings. It’s easy to trust in God when all is well. However, there are plenty of times in life when everything is not all well.  When we are shaken, or full of worry and even doubt.

How do we maintain trust in such times?

For me, there is a line in an old hymn that kind of hope, it’s the second verse of the hymn Come, Thou fount of Every Blessing.  The line says: “Here I raise my Ebeneezer / Hither by thy help I’ve come. And I hope by thy good pleasure / Safely to arrive at home.”

It may seem odd to think about that line giving hope, but there is a story. In the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 7 we learn what the name Ebeneezer means – “thus far the Lord has helped us.” Within this story we learn that even in times that aren’t seemingly so great, when we look back, see, and remember all the times that God has been with us, then we can be assured that if God has been with us through all that, then God is with us now, and will be with us through future trials.

Time and again, we can look back and see the ebeneezers that have been erected of which we knew God was with us, and with God’s people, why should God abandon us now, especially since we know that God will never leave nor forsake us.  It’s a reminder that even when we are shaken, when life gets troubling, or troublesome; even when we don’t think we can go on.  God is there, as God has always been, holding us, encouraging us, uplifting us, and carrying us through the trails of life on our journey home.

We all wish life could be joyful at all times, but Scripture teaches us to even sing praise in the midst of sorrow for God is still with us, whipping tears, mending hearts, and helping us onward and upward towards the divine kingdom.

May we all be uplifted, and remember God is with us today and always. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – June 8, 2020

It is better to go to the house of mourning
    than to go to the house of feasting;
for this is the end of everyone,
    and the living will lay it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
    for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning;
    but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
- Ecclesiastes 7:2-4

We’ve missed out on quite a bit these last few months.  I have especially held sorrow for those whose weddings have been postponed, whose graduation ceremony was postponed or not what they envisioned, and many more. There are so many events that should have happened, but have either been changed or cancelled.

One event on my mind today, is our Annual Conference as the people of Holston in the United Methodist Church. Some might say that Annual Conference hasn’t been as great over the last several years because of all the arguing over decisions that are being made at the general conference level concerning human sexuality, and even the potential splitting of the United Methodist Church as we know it.  However, Annual Conference is also the place we celebrate the many wonderful things that are happening in the church.  It is a chance for clergy and laity to see one another in one place, who typically live at great distance from one another.

Annual Conference is when we celebrate those whose ministry has come to a close with retirement, and ignite into ministry those who have been called and are about to be commissioned and ordained. These events will still happen, but like other events this year it won’t be the same. 

This week would have been that time of gathering, and celebrating, as well as debating, and working towards resolutions.  My heart is a little sad to miss this time, however, as I really pay attention to the teacher in Ecclesiastes, the sadness of the heart is where it is made glad and wise.  In our current sadness, I realize that we in the church aren’t arguing over the same issues as we have in the past few years. Instead we are working together to see that the church continues in a time of coronavirus, as well as sharing resources to make sure we stay connected with the most vulnerable.  I also see the church coming together to take a stronger stand against systematic racism, and in our mourning, and in our sadness, we have been moved to a greater action of love and brother/sisterhood.

Yes, we can be saddened by many things, we can be mournful, but we must remember that the Lord turns our mourning into dancing, and calls our hearts to look up.  For things are getting better, will get better, and God is leading us to rejoice again.  And maybe in our rejoicing we can forget about those things that have previously divided us, and work to make a better world, by focusing on the things that unite us instead.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – June 7, 2020

To join us in worship today: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons
Or join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmarkknox/

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. – Psalm 51:17

This is one of my favorite psalms, as the psalmist teaches us to pray for mercy, for pardon, and especially to be clean in the sight of the Lord.  It makes us reflect on what it is that the Lord wants or requires of us, as we seek to please God, and live according to the law of love. This call to accept God’s love and live into it, is to understand our worth as well as the worth of every others person God has called by the Holy Spirit.

I’m reminded of this story: There was a young girl named Sasha who asked that one wish. She wasn’t very popular, was quite shy, and didn’t have a personality that was able to make friends.  Often she was laughed at or made fun of, simply because she didn’t interact with people.  She was an only child to a single parent, and thus spent most of her time alone.  Sasha was asked her one wish, and this is what it was.

“I wish to be worthy of love,” she said.

When her wish was spoken aloud was instantly given her, but nothing about her changed.  Sasha looked in the mirror, she tried to have new thoughts, she searched deep in her heart, and repeated again and again, nothing has changed.

And that was the point.  Nothing had to change for Sasha to be worthy of love, because everybody is worthy of love.

We need to be reminded as the church that as we are made clean we are called, then, to be one, as there is one God and Father of all, whose saving activity fills the cosmos, who is over all and through all and in all. The very act of being united in such a way is Trinitarian.  The unity of the church is rooted in the eternal uniting of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirt.  We cannot, do not, and did not create this unity, this unity simply existed, but we are called to nurture and care for it in the way that nurture and care for one another, with humility, gentleness, patience and love for one another. 

We live out of the divine gift of love, the gift of God’s worthiness as we share it and bear it with one another.  It is so wonderful a gift of God; we are all created differently and distinctly, even identical twins have their own unique fingerprint, and as some could tell you, their own individual personalities.  We are all created differently, yet we are all called to be together to be in unity with one another as with Christ.  God gave us the fundamental unity of the church, but God also gave the church a rich diversity in each of its members.  Every person in the church is worthy of the grace of God, just as every person who has life is worthy of the grace of God.  And to each the Holy Spirit calls, equips, and gives people to the church.

The goal behind the unity of the church is not a uniformity, where everyone is exactly the same.  Instead, a unity which reflects, and serves God’s reconciling grace for the entirety of creation in Christ.  If we never encountered people whose opinions, whose lifestyles, whose stories of how God has impacted their life, that are different from our own, then how would we ever be able to reach people who are different from ourselves?

We need to have such encounters and learn to love people who differ from us both within and within the greater community. God’s kingdom is diverse, and it’s rich diversity needs representation in our lives as we seek to build God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – June 6, 2020

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. 8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands
– Psalm 138:7-8

As I looked at the scriptures for the daily encourager, I came across the evening psalm, and those opening words of the verses I shared, simply glared at me. “Though I walk in the midst of trouble…” It seems as though we have been living our lives walking in the midst of trouble.  We think things are starting to look up, and the world might get better; then something else comes along and we drop our heads once more.

Unfortunately, it seems as though it is the same trouble that has been plaguing us for decades. We could insert comments here about racism, corrupt politics, bad political decisions, economic unrest, civil unrest, or the current global pandemic. Truth is there are many kinds of trouble that we face, and these troubles have faced many in our world for as long as we might try to remember. I spoke yesterday of having humility and understanding as we navigate through trying times, and as we try to interact with others whose view and perception differs from our own.

Kindness, humility, and love, I truly believe are key when we walk through the midst of trouble.  It is easy for us to allow our tempers to go unchecked, easy for us to allow emotions to create a quick, but perhaps not well thought response.  I also believe that it is God’s Holy Spirit that can bring a sense of calm to what could become a relationship breaking moment.  For we seek not to break relationships with God nor neighbor, but to mend and strengthen them.

As I read the psalm, I see the praise of God for a divine answer to prayer that brought strength to the soul of writer. In this praise the psalmist understand that God is the one who is worthy of the praise of all kings and kingdoms, and even as we enter the closing verse shared above, what we know is that when troubles do arise (and they will) it is God’s Spirit that preserves us.  I want to make note of one thing, here. The words of the psalm say, “against the wrath of my enemies.” When we think of anger against us, and even enemies, who do we envision? For many of us it probably isn’t other nations, or groups of people who are different from us. It is perhaps someone who we have had a strong relationship, but something went wrong, and that relationship was broken. With this in mind, we should be reminded that the steadfast love of the Lord, working in us, is to mend such relationships, to bring peace among all peoples. Isn’t that the purpose of the Lord for the church, for us?

God, through Jesus Christ called on all who would be save to do the work of sharing the gospel, of proclaiming peace, of mending relationships, and creating new ones.  In short, we say, make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The world may seem big, and may seem to have too many troubles to fix.  However, in the relationships of our lifetime, we can be those who seek peaceful resolution, knowing that we may not all think alike, but it does not prevent us from loving alike.

May the love of Christ uplift and bind us to God and to one another, now and always. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager - June 5, 2020

Daily Encourager - June 5, 2020

The Heart of Humility

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but to also to the interests of others. Have, in you, the same mindset as Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 2:3-5

In a world of disharmony, discontent, and disagreement, how do you get people to work together? 

Yes, I know that is a loaded question. It is painful sometimes to see the state of the world.  We live in what is perhaps the most technologically advanced civilization that has ever existed.  We have the ability to communicate in every language, and across oceans simply with a cell phone.  We can interact with almost every nation and culture, and have learned much from one another, but we still don’t have harmony. 

These are broad statements and I’m sure there are places where harmony and unity may happen.  However, even if there are groups that works together in harmony they are often at odds with another group. The root of disharmony, in my opinion, is found in our inability to first see where we do agree.

The psalmist writes: How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1).

How the unity of the psalmist relates to what Paul writes in Philippians about humility leads us the understand the “when.”   People live together in unity when they are not looking to their own interests, but to the interests of others.  In other words, when there is humility, there is the beginning of harmony.

Humility is, I believe, a key to truly listening and working together to find common ground, to build a better world and to see the Kingdom of God.  After all, Paul does follow up the call to humility with a call to have the same mindset as Christ. 

The call to humility, however, is not a call to let others have their way. When both or all parties enter a conversation humbly they are seeking to understand the perspective of the other, they want and seek to find places to agree, they truly listen and help to uplift one another in the midst of the conversation so that harmony can be reached. 

Many are hurting and fearful in our world about many different topics, and especially those topics that affect them, personally.  Yet, as the church, we have a task ever before us, and that is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  I don’t believe we can allow things that are happening beyond us to affect that mission.  I believe we need to focus on what it is we can do, and in the humility of service to those here in our little corner of Knoxville, we are called to shine with the light and love of Christ. 

So, yes, pray that humility can happen there; but let us also not neglect to have the humility of Christ as we continue to offer our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, at St. Mark United Methodist Church, and to our neighbors who still need us to share with them the love of Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Sam

Daily Encourager – June 4, 2020

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ 4 For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” – Luke 18:1-8

Above we read a lesser known of the parables from the gospel of Luke, but with all that has been happening in our nation, and around the world we should pay close attention to its meaning.

I don’t know about you, but over the last 2 months or so, I have begun to read and hear things through a different lens. It is not that the way of interpreting the text are any different, but the reality in which we live is shifting, and with those shifts come new understanding to old and even familiar texts. When we fully immerse ourselves with the teaching of Jesus, understanding the political climate in which he lived as a Jewish man whose territory was under Roman authority, we begin to see the teachings a little differently.

Just yesterday, I was driving to take our mission buckets to Fairview United Methodist Church so they can make their way to Zimbabwe. As I was driving with the radio on, a very familiar song came on the radio, but it sounded very different this time.  The song known as “For What it’s Worth” written in 1966 by Stephen Stills and originally performed by Buffalo Springfield.  But as I listened to that song in the light of the protests going on around our nation, and the images of the National Guard being deployed in some areas, all of a sudden this song had a different feel.  This song that predates me, was written in a time when such unrest and action was happening in our nation once before. This song used to be a part of history, but now it seems very current.

In the same way, as I read Jesus parable form Luke 18, we see that a widow who is seeking justice, continuously goes to an unjust, ungodly Judge.  According to Jesus this earthly judge couldn’t care less about anyone. Yet, because of the widow’s persistence, because of the widow’s picketing, protesting, persistence in begging for justice; the parable says she is granted the justice she seeks.  In the same way, Jesus says, God grants justice to those who cry out in prayer.

We all know the power of prayer. We have prayed over the sick, the grieving, for healing of body, mind, soul, relationships for many.  We pray to give thanks for God for the many blessings we know he has given us both of which we are aware, and even unaware.  We pray for forgiveness, often, cause we need it. Yet, right now, we need to truly petition God in prayer to bring a peaceful resolve in our nation. We need to pray that our leaders would have good sense, and ears to hear.  We need to pray that voices can be heard, peacefully, and that justice will prevail.  Many in our world are hurting, we are living in fear of a virus, or political unrest, or economic unrest, or unremitting racism. We need to persistently, and continuously call out to God for justice, for grace, for love to be our guide, that we might learn what it is to truly care for sisters and brothers as we do ourselves.  I hope you will spend time today praying that God would bring justice.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – June 3, 2020

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ – Luke 15:3-6

This is one of the better known parables of Jesus. We have heard time-and-again how Jesus is the good shepherd who will leave the 99 to find the one who is lost.  We know that Jesus wants all lost in totality.  We have heard it said that Jesus love, mercy, and grace, is out there to bring home every lost sheep, every lost soul, and that the kingdom is not complete until all have been gathered into the fold of our Saviors arms.

We know this Scripture, we have heard many lessons on it, and yet we find ourselves always learning something new. 

Most of the time we focus on the one. The one who is lost, the one who has strayed, the one who is not with the rest.  The crowd wants to see the one returned.  And when you know that you are that one that Jesus sought, you know how important is that the shepherd cared for you.  Lately, however, our world has been too busy focusing on the ninety-nine. 

You see the ninety-nine are safe. The ninety-nine are doing what they are supposed to be doing. They are keeping out of trouble, keeping themselves and their families safe. The ninety-nine are just going about their business as best they can.  Yet, it is the ninety-nine who are also complaining about the focus on the one. And we go, what?  Or at least I do.

The ministry of Jesus is focused on growing and building a community that is seeking to live in peace with God and with one another.  If you are already a part of such community, praise be to God! Now, help do the work of finding the one.

There are many lost ones in our society today, who need someone to show them genuine love and care. There are many who have been outcast, even by the church, even by Christians, and they need to know that their experience doesn’t represent the Christ we serve.  We serve a Lord who seeks all, who cares for all, whose life was given for all.  I hope and pray we, as a society, can learn that caring for others is our call, that loving others as we would love ourselves, is our banner.  We are the people who represent the almighty God, who gave us the Holy Spirit that we would do the work of unity.  Church it is time to unify for the lost and multiplying, and we’ve got work to do.

I hope you will join me in praying for our nation, for cities that are not at rest, and the communities who need to find again the work of peace. 

Almighty God, may your spirit guide voices of peace to speak up. Let us seek to hear our sisters and brothers who are angry. Let us have hearts and minds to understand their concerns, let us seek to shine the light of Jesus into the darkness, and help us, Lord help us to be a people that reflect a better way of living, in the grace and mercy you have shown us in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Grace & Peace to you,
Sam

Daily Encourager – June 2, 2020

7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” – Luke 17:7-10

When we think about worship, most often what we imagine is a place where we have gathered together, heard the word proclaimed, sung songs, and shared in times of prayer.  A few more dedicated would also consider the any time spent reading/studying the bible to be worship as well. And I like to believe that some even would consider singing along to that praise CD in the car worship, which I agree.  Truth is worship takes all kinds of different forms.  However, the form of worship that Jesus speaks of most, in my opinion, is the worship that comes in the form of service.

In fact, one of the Hebrew words that is often translated worship, can also mean serve, work, labor, toil.  Jesus was want we know call a servant leader.  He was a leader, one of the greatest leaders we know, but not in the sense of worldly leadership.  Jesus was a servant, yet he was followed by many, and many more wanted to work for him.  Jesus is our Lord, and those who follow him today, are striving to learn from the humility of love, service and care Jesus has implanted in us by his grace.

In Luke 17, Jesus is talking to his disciples about stumbling. Within the context of a few verse he teaches them about sin, forgiveness in faith, and about the duty everyone has to both forgive and to serve.  At the end of this little lesson he tells them the above parable.

Now, the disciples, from what we know, were not men who would have been prestigious enough to have servants, aside from possible Levi (the tax collector). Most of the time, we associate Jesus followers with the poor and the outcast.  However, many of Jesus followers could have been servants.  They would have understood Jesus reference from having to work under such conditions.  Yet, what Jesus teaches is something that we perhaps should really pay attention to in our current generation.  Jesus tells these disciples that a servant is someone who does for others; not for thanks, not for reward, not for recognition, but because she/he is a servant. A servant simply does what is asked, what is expected, what is pleasing to the one they serve.

Many of us may not think of that as sounding appealing, or we may think it beneath us, because we all like to be recognized, we all like to hear the “thank you,” we want someone to appreciate what we have done.  Yet, the humility that comes from true servanthood understands that we are recognized, if not by human eyes and hearts, but by God, who will one day say to us, “well done good and faithful servant, come in and rest.” When we get to that point in our faith, what we find is the more we can do for others, the closer to God we feel, we find that worship is more about serving out of love for God and neighbor, that it ever was about gathering and singing.

I know we look forwards to the gathering and singing part, and we will work towards that, but in the meantime, perhaps as we are able, we think of those whom God places in front of us to serve, so that we might worship Him in our service to others.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – June 1, 2020

33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. – Matthew 12:33

This week just marked one year since we moved into our new house here in Knoxville, as I prepared for my appointment at St. Mark. The neighborhood in which we live had many new homes being built, and that have been completed in the year since we moved in.  Over that year, we have had the opportunity to meet neighbors, and get to know some very well.  During these last few months while we have spent more time at home than anticipated, and with the nice weather and being able to work in yard, we’ve gotten to talk (with proper distance) with our neighbors much more than before.

The woman who lives next door to us, is taking up gardening, and wanted to put some raised beds at the back of her yard. It was the same time I was working on moving dirt to better level my yard. She needed part of a hill side removed, and I could use the dirt.  So I helped her by removing and leveling a place in her yard, and she helped me by providing a little more of the dirt we needed.  As a “thank you” for the work done to get her yard prepared, she gave us a potted strawberry plant (she had one too many).

We attempted to take care of the plant, watered it, and found a nice place to hang it up. We would have gotten a few strawberries off of it, if the birds hadn’t gotten to them first.  Then we forgot to do something.  Around mother’s day the temperatures one night got very cold, and we forgot to bring the plant in, or put a cover of it.  We continued to care for the plant, but unfortunately the plant had been bit by frost, and it didn’t survive. It was a good plant, the strawberries looked like they would have been wonderful, unfortunately something went wrong, the fruit, and then the plant went bad.

When Jesus speaks to the those “who have ears to hear” he tells them a quick little parable about a tree and it’s fruit. The truth is, we are most recognized by what we do, how we interact with one another, and the a attitude in which we treat others. We are recognized by our fruit.

There are times, that our fruit starts out good, just like our strawberry plant, but something happens, and perhaps we aren’t producing the same good and faithful fruit anymore.  Unlike our strawberry plant, however, the care and nurturing given to us by God, and our connection to a family of faith can get us going again, and help us to once again, produce good fruit.

I know it’s been a while since we have had the opportunity to encourage one another in person and through our Sunday School classes, and Bible studies, however, I hope and pray each day you are encouraged by God, and that you are nurturing the love of God inside of you, that you might produce good fruit now and always for the glory of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 31, 2020

To join our online worship service please go to: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons
Or Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmarkknox/

I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.14 The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. – Psalm 118:13-14

On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit fell, Peter stood, the message was proclaimed, and the beginnings of what we now know as the church began.  So many mark the day of Pentecost as the birthday of the church, though our church has changed over the millennia. Sometimes I wonder if we would be recognized by our first century counterparts who witnessed, first hand to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  I wonder if we could be seen today by those who gathered the people, proclaimed to all the nations, and spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.

We may look far different in the ways that we worship, in the importance we give to different aspects of theology and thought, however there is one thing that should make us most recognizable – our love for one another.

Sometimes we do recognize love for one another, other times we seem to fall short. When we look around and see prejudice, hate, and violence, I sometimes wonder if we are a people worth salvation.  It is in those times, and times as we may be reading about in the media now, that I feel pushed back, as the psalmist remarks.  Times like these is when the church should speak up. If we really believe in the message of the gospel to love one another, to care for one another. If we really believe that Jesus paid the price, and in the salvation meant for all, then truly it should be for all.  Justice, for all humanity, peace for all humanity, love towards all humanity.  God is our help and our strength, and we need to see such salvation come upon this nation and this world.

Today, as we celebrate the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit on Pentecost, let us pray to have a boldness of Spirit to stand for Lord’s justice and righteousness.  Let us seek to live into the peace of the Lord, and let us speak up, to share love for all, for as the song I learned as a little child says: “red, and yellow, black, and white / they are precious in His sight / Jesus loves the little children of the world.” Let us see those children, love those children, and be the children who share the message of hope and salvation for the glory of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 30, 2020

But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), 12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. – Hebrews 9:11-12

Today, on this Saturday before Pentecost, I want to share with you something that was shared a couple of months ago from David Biggerstaff.  As you will read, this was on the day Lucas came home from Emory and Henry, having, like all students, the semester cut short.  I hope you will read and think about these words, as we prepare for our celebration of God’s outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the “reset” our world needs to find a way to live into the kingdom of God now and always.

This week [April 8th] marks the start of the 4th week of being in my home office and doing Zoom and Skype meetings for work.  Don't get me wrong I am truly Blessed to still be working. BUT, I am getting stir crazy.  It was only after last Sunday's sermon that I took account for all we had and wanted to pass along this story and  some "thoughts."

A week ago Friday [April 3], Lucas and I moved him out of the dorm at Emory & Henry. We had to sign up for a two hour time slot on a google calendar so we were "social distancing."  We started our trek mid-morning and drove through Pal's Sudden Service for a bite of lunch, that we ate at the Virginia state line welcome center.  It was getting real that no one was out and we could not eat in any restaurant.  When we arrived on campus, we saw very few people and began to clean out his dorm.  It was sad to think his sophomore year was over.  After about an hour and a half we were almost done and the next student was ready to begin his move out.  We dropped off the key at the Housing Department where I saw a banner that stated "This is your home, but take EHC with you wherever you go until we come back together as a family."   Lucas got back into the truck and said "we did it" (fist pumped each other) and we set sail for home.  He then said I am now an upper classman I guess but I am said, not for me, but for all my friends that are seniors that are going on without a good graduation ceremony.  It was like the rest button was hit and they would have to start over.

When we got back into town and passed by Ebenezer UMC he stated I like that sign.  What sign I asked?  He said that small wooden sign because on the back side it states "Now you are entering the Mission Field."  That says it all dad and I like it.  (he remembered that sign when he was in boy scouts and we passed it each week on the way out of the parking lot!!!)  That sign reminds them that after services, God has hit the reset button and you are equipped to go out into His Mission field!!!  

When I was younger and got mad when playing a game I would turn over the game and just start over (reset),  when my parents gave me a video pong game and my brother would beat me, I would turn it off and hit the, Reset button.  Now that I am older and my computer doesn't do what it is supposed to, I slam the lid and hit the, Reset button.  

All this came to full circle on Sunday when I heard you speak about the beginning of Holy Week.  God gave us His own RESET Button, His name is Jesus Christ.  In this unprecedented time we are now being "reset."  For me I am taking account of what I am Blessed with not what I do not have.  We are Blessed that we have had to slow down and "reset".  We are Blessed to have family, friends, and neighbors that are helping each other and we are actually interacting.  

What will we do when our God hits the "reset button" on our lives and give us a do over"

We are Blessed that God gave us His only Son that He can give us a "Reset Button" and we can also start over.  – David Biggerstaff

God gave us his only Son, and after Jesus arose the grave and ascended into heaven, God sent the Holy Spirit, to be our guide, our counselor, to be God’s presence with us always.  May the fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit be received this Pentecost, and may we reset our lives for the good and Glory of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Grace & Peace, Sam

Daily Encourager – May 29, 2020

Long ago you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. – Psalm 102:25

A quick glance though the history books, and we quickly realize that though we feel as though what we are going though is brand new.  Something like it has happened before, and chances are will happen again.  A little over a hundred years ago people faced an outbreak of influence, about five hundred years ago society faced the black plague, and plenty of other times has an unseen force caused society to stop, to fear, and to pray.

The psalmist wonders about the longevity of an eternal God, knowing God has put everything together. Perhaps this is why with great wisdom the writer of Ecclesiastes would say that “there is nothing new under the sun.” Even as we become more educated, and our curiosity at gazing at the stars leads us to study and acquire knowledge we still find ourselves in awe of the cosmos.  We wonder about what was before, and what will be long after.  When we stretch our imaginations in such wonder, what we find in our faith should be an infinite God, who has seen it all, and been present for it all, and experienced it all, and leads us through it all.

We can realize that in all the times in which society faced great loss in the past, that loss was to total.  I don’t say this to discredit the grief of loss, for loss of life in any regard is tragic. We grieve for those whom we lose every day, for our loss is a part of this life.  What we can focus on, however, is the hope of caring for one another who remain.  We can and should care about life.  We should care about our sisters and brothers in this humanity.

Our psalm reminds us that though it seems that God hides his face from those in distress, God is still with us.  The psalm reminds us that God is enthroned forever and endures to all generations, and God has heard his people in the past, come down from Zion and answered.  Therefore in faith we know God will answer us once again.

Our current distress, the distresses of our society are not new, yet they remain a tragedy in which we live.  However, God has made things right before, and we know God will make them right again.  My hope is that we learn to love one another as an act of praise towards God, that we care for one another as an act of worship for God.  That when God comes to answer our prayers, God finds us living and working to create a society that cares for one another, as Jesus has taught us to do so.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 28, 2020

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
2 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
3 Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.
5 Remember the wonders he has done,
    his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced

- Psalm 105:1-5

I had a pretty hard, tough day, yesterday.  Not because of any work I was doing, but because of one of the things I was working towards.  Now, I’m sure part of it was the just the ups and downs of life in the coronavirus age. Part of it could have been due to the 5 children running around the house. (We watch our nieces during days both their parents have to work.)  However, the hardest part was the work preparing for this Sunday. 

We have spent many Sunday’s apart from one another, and I and the worship team and staff have worked to continue to offer ways of leading praise to God, and keeping us connected as best as we can.  We missed some big Sunday’s as well, Palm Sunday and Easter.  Still, as I look to share the message of Pentecost, it seems especially hard. 

On Pentecost we remember that God did not abandon us after the resurrection, but sent to us a counselor, the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God that lives within.  The beginnings of Methodism are inspired by the working of the Holy Spirit.  On what we celebrate as Aldersgate Day (May 24), we recount the story of how John Wesley (Methodism’s Founder) had his “heart strangely warmed.”  In my own experiences of truly knowing the love and overwhelming joy of salvation found in Christ, I attest that the work of the Holy Spirit is truly important in the life of the Christian.  We recount in Acts 2, the day that the Holy Spirit warmed the hearts of those who had gathered from all places to Jerusalem. The passage says about 3,000 repented, were baptized and joined the believers that day.

What I find so hard about preparing for this Sunday is knowing no one will be gathered in that place where we pronounce the birth of the Christian Church. No one will be there as we remember how the Holy Spirit came like a mighty rushing wind, and touched the disciples with tongues like fire. We won’t be gathered to hear the Spirit move again, on Pentecost, and I grieve that we won’t be able to gather in that beautiful Sanctuary.

Yet, the words of the Psalm give me hope. I have hope becuase I know the Holy Spirit is still at work in our church, it's at work in you! I rejoice because I know that while the Sanctuary may be empty, again, the message will be spreading across the airways as people invite the message into their homes.  I rejoice because God is still going to do a mighty work in the lives of those who hear the message and believe. I know that we will rejoice together because we will remember what the Lord has done, and we will rejoice in what God will do, and when we do gather in person again, we will share with one another the ways in which we have continued to grow in our relationship with God. How His love has warmed our hearts yet again. For God’s acts continue to be wonderful, and our hearts will continue to seek his mercy, his grace, and his love.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 27, 2020

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. – Luke 10:21

Looking again at the sending out of the seventy-two disciples, we see that Jesus gathers them back after their time sharing the good news, offering healing, blessings, and peace wherever they went.  When they gather back together again, Jesus hears their report, and the first thing he does is offer praise to God.

You know, there is a lot of things we talk about, or think about, or have even shared on social media about what we are going to do when we get back together again.  It’s funny the things that some take for granted, things that just seemed natural to do, but now we miss them. During the time of our stay at home orders, one of our car registrations came due.  I was unable to renew online or by mail.  I did find out that the drive-through clerk’s office downtown was open for some hours during the day.  What I found when I got there, was that cars were lined up for that drive-through for 4 city blocks.  Yes, I waited in that long line and got my tags renewed, but I sure missed the day when I could walk up to a clerk’s desk without wait and be done with that little chore in about 5 minutes. 

Some have missed sitting at a restaurant, others have missed sporting events, some have missed being able to travel to see loved ones who live far away.  Believe it or not, some people actually miss getting up and going to work. I sure miss seeing all of you on a Sunday morning. Lots of things have been missed, but now we are starting to see them come back. As society has gotten back into a new routine of normal, and as places have begun to open as they follow the phased reopening of our communities, I notice that many are going out and getting back to the things they enjoy.  Other’s however, are being more hesitant. And I'm a glad there are those who are working the intermediate, helping those who are hesitant to get out.

Last Sunday, our family decided to get out and take a trek to the mountains, to see if we could social distance up there. Everywhere we turned we found ourselves in traffic, and every place we thought about stopping, seemed filled with people. We passed one spot, and one of the kids from the back seat said, “wow, doesn’t anyone worry about getting sick?” It was a simple question, but in that moment, I had to stop and give thanks to God for a little boy who was concerned about the well-being of others.

I was glad to see people out, and hope everyone was following guidelines and being safe, I do want to see things get better.  Doing so, also means caring for one another. Sometimes this care for others is hidden from the wise and old, but I pray that as children of God we continue to have it revealed to us, that even though some things may seem a hassle, or a bother, we continue to care for others in our actions, and interactions.  We want to see society re-open, but hopefully with a since of love and care for all.  Then, maybe we can even envision a joy-filled, Jesus type kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.

Grace & Peace
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 26, 2020

Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. – Luke 10:3

When Jesus sends out the seventy-two disciples in pairs to go and teach, preach, and heal in his name; I’m usually taken back by the authority in which the disciples operate.  The demons are cast out, the people are healed, and everywhere these disciples go, even they are amazed at the things they are able to do because of the authority Jesus has given them. The disciples are sent with the bare minimum for survival, yet they are provided for in whatever town they happen to be passing through.  Jesus has sent them out, but it seems as though the Holy Spirit, has gone ahead of them, and prepared the way.

As I read the passage again, however, the above verse stuck out a little more.  When we read it in full context, it doesn’t seem as though the disciples had any trouble, their mission was a huge success, yet in Jesus own words, they were “sent out like lambs among wolves.” 

This analogy is quite disturbing to those who are accustomed to the work of shepherding lambs. Lions, wolves, and the like were not the things any shepherd would want to face.  They would fight one off if they had to, but I can imagine it was never a desirable part of the job.  The disciples, though, are not being compared to the shepherd, but the lambs.

Lambs are mostly defenseless, especially when they are young, and especially if they have recently been sheered. Jesus looks at these who have followed him, and as a shepherd, he sees them as little lambs, precious, valuable, but potentially unable to defend themselves.  Wolves don’t travel alone, they work in packs, and typically try to separate a potential victim from the heard and from the shepherd, it’s not a single wolf one needs to watch out for, but the entire pack.

As we have been apart from one another, it feels as though we have been separated from our herd.  Some of us have felt more isolated than others, but we have missed the joy of being together.  The longer this time lasts, the more important it is for us to check in on one another, to pray for one another, and find ways to continue to stay connected.  I am always hopeful by knowing we will be back together one day, and hopefully soon, but I still don’t know when soon will be.  Today, the words of Jesus remind us, again, that we have been sent out into the world.  We may be apart from one another, but we are working to fulfill the mission Jesus has given us to love and care for one another.  To call one another, and to remember to speak peace everywhere we go, even when it is difficult.

Be safe out there, and know your shepherd is watching over you.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – Memorial Day, May 25, 2020

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. – Psalm 89:14

Many of us have known someone who has worn the uniform of a soldier.  Whether and family member or friend, serving our nation is an important calling, and many answer such call.  Today, though we pause, and remember those who answered the call, put on the uniform, but never had the opportunity to take it off, or lay down arms.  We enjoy many of our freedoms thanks to these individuals, who gave all that they had to offer for God and country, who died in harm’s way for the sake of others. Today, to take a moment to stop and give thanks for those who are fallen, yet not forgotten. May God’s peace and rewards be ever upon them.

Our psalmist reminds us that righteousness and justice are the very foundations for God’s throne.  As long as there have been people on this planet, there have been those who have sought to bring about the righteousness of God in the world, people who have fought for justice for all, people who have believed that God would lead them on a path towards finding peace.  There are many different philosophies for how we attain righteousness and justice, and the arguments between those who disagree on these philosophies isn’t very peaceful. However, I believe that there is something to be said about those who seek to bring peace through love and faithfulness.

We don’t know everything that we need to know about love, we have Paul’s 1 Corinthians 13 definition, and we have what we see in Jesus, or in God.  But depending on our perspective we can see love as something less than loving.  Sometimes love is anger.  The righteous anger of a mother whose child has disobeyed the law and faces criminal charges.  The love that is shown in turning an addict over to the authorities that they might get the help they truly need.  The love that is letting go of a loved one who can no longer make it in this world.  We think we know love, but sometimes love hurts. 

Faithfulness is much the same we often think of faithfulness as being a good church goer, or keeping up with our prayer and devotional life.  These are important, but sometimes faithfulness looks like going to war to protect someone else. Sometimes faithfulness is staying with a sister or brother knowing you are in harm’s way until help comes.  Faithfulness sometimes gets messy.

If love and faithfulness are seen in the person of Jesus, then it is the nasty trial, beating, and crucifixion of Christ. Yet, in those we also see, now the righteous justice of who through such messy acts brought about the salvation of the world. When I think about all the messiness that goes into love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice, I can’t help but think that those who went to war out of duty and obligation, went also to serve out of love and justice for those whom they left behind.  Today, I am thankful for those faithful to God and country, who gave of themselves for the freedom in which we celebrate.  May God, the truly righteous one, grant them the peace they deserve.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 24, 2020

For today’s worship please go to: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons
Or you can view via Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/stmarkknox/

 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. – Psalm 67:4

This is one of those Sunday’s that come along that has more to talk about than can really be addressed, especially in a single sermon, so I hope I can hit a few high points here in our devotion.

First, it’s memorial day weekend. A time to remember and give thanks for those who fought the good fight for our freedoms, but did not survive the battle. It is the time to remember our brave men and women who truly gave all that they had to give for the freedoms we enjoy.  We are thankful for such sacrifice, and I believe such sacrifice is in line with the command for Jesus, who say: “there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for their friends” (John 15:13).

Secondly, it’s memorial day weeken, which for many marks the unofficial beginning of Summer. Memorial day marks the end of school, and the beginning of summer break. Yes, we all know that kids have been out of school for a couple of months now, but I must confess it was still hard going to school to pick up our kids belongings, and registering another for kindergarten next year.  For those older, it should have been graduation season. I am thankful for those who sent in and helped compile the information on the many graduates from St. Mark. I hope you enjoy how we have honored them in the service. We continue to celebrate their wonderful accomplishments, and pray for their next steps as they enter a new chapter of life.

Thirdly, in the church calendar it is ascension Sunday. The day we remember that Christ, 40 days after the resurrection, left the disciples and ascended into heaven.  He gave them instructions to wait on the counselor, the Holy Spirit, and to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth.  Jesus ascended into heave to sit at the right hand of the father, and we know one day he will come again to sit as judge over all the earth.

Fourthly, I want to say a quick word about reopening church. I know we’ve seen and heard reports of churches opening, or given timelines and guidelines for opening.  We’ve even heard a statement of churches opening from president Trump. In a statement from our Bishop, Dindy Taylor, that was released May 23, 2020. We are still closed.  She has a taskforce put together that includes medical professionals, pastors, and others who are looking into how we can reopen. Her statement said we should have more information coming by June 1, 2020.  For now, please continue to be patient as we await these next steps. Know that I truly miss you and congregating at church for worship. This is something I never would have expected, and I am grateful for the ways in which we have continued to remain connected even while apart.  I am hopeful that one day soon we will be able to return to in-person worship, but for now, realize that our closure continues, and this closure is out of care and protection of each one who would come and worship. 

Finally, our psalm speaks of a God who calls many nations to sing for joy, for his rule is equitable. God is fair and just says the psalmist, but more so we know that God is merciful and graceful.  This time of coronavirus doesn’t seem fair, especially as it continues to keep us apart. However, I know that God is going to lead us to a better place, we need to trust in God’s timing, believe in God’s healing of the nations, and understand that our salvation will still come.

I hope you have a wonderful, joy-filled Sunday.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – May 23, 2020

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. – Psalm 90:14

What do you do when you first wake up in the morning?

You know that used to be a different kind of question. Back when there was routine and schedule to life, the morning usually consisted of hearing the alarm, getting up, showing, getting ready, making sure kids are ready, grabbing a cup of coffee and then out the door for the busy day.  Mornings were hectically routine, or routinely hectic (probably both).

Saturdays were usually our days to take it a little slower. It is Saturday, as we get up this morning, but I sometimes lose track of that. Almost every day since March 13 has felt like a Saturday… and odd Saturday, but still… The days we live in are strange, but they have taught me a lesson about slowing down some.  It was a lesson I really needed to learn.  Now, most mornings I get up when I’m no longer tired. It’s still early, because that’s just my normal cycle, but there is no rushing around. There is time to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, to read through a devotion, to make a real breakfast.  Like many of us there are still tasks to complete, and for me, there is still work to be done, but the schedule of doing is much more relaxed. 

The psalmists writes what is called the prayer of Moses.  We don’t know for sure, but somehow Moses had shared this prayer with the people in the wilderness, and it was repeated among the people, and one day someone recorded it into the book of Psalms.  It’s a reminder that even when they did not have a home, but wandered in the wilderness, God was there, and God was their home. It was a reminder that they are made from the dust, and God shall one day return them to the dust, It was a call for forgiveness and renewal, and a reminder that each new day God’s unfailing love can be seen, that we might live that day with joy and gladness.

The idea of a renewed morning is something I’m learning each day in life, but this psalm also reminds me of a wonderful hymn, “How Can I keep from Singing.” A modern musician named Audrey Assad sings a wonderful arrangement of this piece, and if you’re interested you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li2hddmy63U

I want to bring attention, however, to part of the third stanza:

I lift my eyes, the cloud grows thin
I see the blue above it
And day by day this pathway smooths,
Since first I learned to love it,

For it is each day that we are seeing our pathway smooth, as we continue in this time of uncertainty of change, of all that we have been going through, day-by-day it gets smoother.  We do not know what the future will hold, but we do know who hold the future, and our God who holds us. May we sing and find joy with each new day.

Grace & Peace,
Sam