Flow Again...

I love canoeing. I don't do it quite as much as I used to because I have lost two very dear friends on the water in the last couple years, but I still love floating on a river. It's quiet, and I like quiet. It's calm, and sometimes I like calm. But every now and then, the river I'm floating gets a little wild, lots of water moving through it, and there are places where that water is concentrated in a smaller area. What happens when that happens? The water gets faster. But then as the summer goes on, the river begins to dry up a little, and a float then will mean you have to get out and drag the canoe across places you used to be able to float across. In places, it's almost like there's no river at all, but just wait, the rains will come, and it will start flowing again.

Finally, there is a little good news out of the Old Testement this morning. Amos is giving Israel what for, and evidently God has told him to. Chapters 7 and 8 in the book of Amos are absolutely horrible. Amos is being told what all is going to happen to Israel, and I can't imagine what he must have been feeling, knowing that he was supposed to go back and tell them all of that.

But then, in chapter 9, the mood shifts a little. Actually, the mood shifts a lot. God says, "The days are coming when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills."

Now Amos is surely not writing about rivers actually running full of wine, although a glass every now and then might be good for the stomach, but of rivers of new life being sent into a very dry land. That sounds pretty cool to me.

This new adventure that we're on is a lot like those rivers. They're not flowing with wine dripping from the mountains, but with new beginnings, second chances, hope where there wasn't any, help when it's needed, love where all you might have known is hate, acceptance no matter who you are, peace in your soul where all you might have known is chaos, rest when you're tired, encouragment when you're down, and cool, clean water washing the old away.

So, if you're ready for your rivers to start flowing again, come with us. If you're tired of dry and thirsty, come with us. I know where there are rivers beginning to flow again, alabaster jars that are being broken, and a brand new beginning for anyone who may be looking.

Peace,
Jamie

Walk With Me...

I just wasn't feeling the Life Journal texts this morning, so I thought I would try to do something different. I'm going to

try to do a photo blog. I've never done one before, so we'll see

how it goes. This may take longer than usual as I learn to move

the pictures around and get them where I want them.

One of my holy places is the hiking trail. I love to hike. Actually,

I just love being outside and hiking is one thing that I can do

outside, it's cheap, and actually, does this nearly 40 year old body

some good. Also, I'm blessed to live as close to Land Between the Lakes as I do. Less than an hour's drive and I can be on just about any hiking trail I want.

So, yesterday I decided I needed some trail time.

I worked for a couple hours yesterday morning,
then loaded up and headed east. I thought that

I would hike the Honker Bay Trail at LBL. It's long enough to make it worth the drive, 5.5 miles,

but not so long that I'm sore when I get done.

As I began the hike, the woods was totally different than the last time I hiked it. Summer is in full swing, and visibility was greatly reduced. But it was still beautiful. Summer is a great time to be in the woods because it reminds me of how cool Godstuff really is. I mean, where else can you see a PawPaw tree hanging full of fruit?

About 1.5 miles in, the woods got dusky dark. A cloud began to blow in, the air started to cool, thunder could be heard in the distance, and then the bottom dropped out. There was no choice but to keep walking and get soaked, so I did. It kind of made me feel like a kid again, so I didn't mind being wet, and it actually helped keep me cool after the storm passed and the sun came back out.

While I was walking, and drying out, it hit me just how much

a hiking trail is like this life journey we're on. Sometimes we

may be going along and it feels as if the walls are closing in all

around us. The trail may be straight, but sure isn't wide.

Weeds and tree limbs scrape against you on both sides, Stinging

Nettles cover you legs and arms, and it's just plain miserable. But

then...just up the trail, there is a sign that tells you you're on theright track...just keep going. So we do.

I had gone about 4 miles into the hike, and this ol' boy was starting to feel it a little. I knew that I still had one long climb ahead, but then it was pretty down hill from there. I stopped on the edge a TVA cut along the power lines to muster the will to climb the hill that was coming up when God spoke. It wasn't an audible voice, not a loud voice, not even a whisper. It was a moment. As I stood there, a butterfly (forgive my ignorance as to the species) landed on a patch of wildflowers and seemed to just be posing for me for a second. It reminded me that, even facing an uphill climb, God has this annoying tendency to show up and let you know you're not alone.

Even the rocks were speaking yesterday. Near the end of the trail, as I came back around the nature station, this one spoke. What it said to me, and hopefully to you, is "Jamie, you see this rock. You are like this rock in one respect. This rock would be a solid foundation for any building, and I am making you, and those like you, the foundation for something much bigger than you can imagine." It was at that moment, that I found out FaithRiver had hit 100 fans on Facebook.

So, my new friends, walk with me. I'm not exactly sure where this trail is going to lead, but neither am I afraid to put on my boots and take off. I know there will be some difficulties along the way. I know the trail will not always be smooth, nor flat. I know there will be times when we might want to just go back to the car and forget the whole thing, but somewhere along this trail are fellow hikers who have lost their map and don't know which way to go. We have been called to lead the way out.

Hiking, as a metaphor, is a wonderful way to look at life. There are twists and turns in the trails, hills that have to be climbed, things on either side of the trail threatening to get us off course, but every now and then, whether in the shade of the woods or the sun of the meadow, God reminds us that we are walking alone.

Peace,
Jamie

Job Description...

(photo from www.okulweb.meb.gov.tr)

This morning, Paul is finishing up his final instructions to Timothy. If Timothy was anything like most of us, he was only half listening as someone else told him what to do so it's a good thing Paul made him a list. I don't know about you, but I'm not huge on being told what to do. Maybe there are some authority issues after all. But that's ok, I do what I have to do to stay out of trouble...most of the time.

Here's what Paul said to Timothy: "I give you this charge; Preach the Word; Be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction...keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." Come on Paul, that sounds really boring.

But here's the cool thing, Paul told Timothy "what" he needed to do, but he didn't tell him "how" to do it! I notice stuff like that. Maybe the rebel in me just looks for those little loopholes, I don't know, but I sure do love it when I find one. The "what" that I've been told to do, as a United Methodist pastor, is to go out and make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. But nobody told me "how"! That is so cool. (that's me rubbing my hands together and grinning)

I don't have a problem being told what to do, I really don't, so long as I'm not also told how to do it. I think it's that whole right brain/left brain thing going again. I like to have a little creative license for the things I've been asked to do, and obviously, Paul gave Timothy that same freedom.

St. Francis once said, "Preach the gospel at all times, use words if necessary." That may be a paraphrase, but you get the gist of what he was saying. If I, like Timothy, have been charged with preaching the Word, correcting, rebuking, and encouraging...and if I, like Timothy, have to keep me head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and discharge all the duties of my ministry...I'm going to give it everything I have. But...I'm probably going to have fun doing it.

I take St. Francis' words pretty seriously. I love preaching. I love researching and writing. I love making my folks go, "Hmmm. Never thought about it like that before." But I don't have to write a message to preach the Word....and I certainly don't have to write a message to do the work of an evangelist.

So, now that FaithRiver has been birthed in cyberspace, begin looking for the Word being preached, only it won't always be me doing it. I posted a link last night, and Bon Jovi didn't even know that they were leading us in a prayer to the Holy Spirit. I hope they didn't mind. Evengelism, that dreaded "E" word, is going to take on a new skin now. And I will be looking for new, edgy ways to discharge the duties of my ministry.

And they said church is boring. By dang, I'll show them. That's part of my new job description.

Peace,

Jamie

Flying Low...

(photo from www. msnbc.msn.com)

I was buzzed by an airplane this morning. Seriously. I was driving down Middle Road, on my way back to Hickman, and an airplane flew not 50 feet above me, right over my sunroof (which was open by the way). I was a little surprised to say the least. I had been watching another plane, both were cropdusters, and this one snuck up on me from out of nowhere. One minute I'm driving down the road, John Boy and Billy on the radio, and the next I'm looking at the bottom side of an airplane...not something that happens everyday.

He was just doing his job, I know. I'm not sure what he was spraying for, but I am sure that I just happened to be at the right place at the wrong time and just happened to be on the road at the exact spot he needed to cross so that he could make his next round...at least I hope that's what it was because I really don't think he was aiming for me. I got a little start and I'm sure he got a little giggle. For him, it was just another day on the job. For me, not so much.

It reminded me of something though. Nearly everything we do in our day to day affects someone else in some way. He was just spraying crops, but it affected me, by dang. Now, I don't know if there's anything in scripture about that, probably is, but I do know it's a reality. The things I do and the things I say in what, for me, is just the mundane, can have far reaching effects on those around me. One example...a loose tongue. I do know there's something in scripture about that. Several somethings, actually.

James mentions it in the third chapter of the book bearing his name, and Paul mentions it in the 2nd chapter of his 2nd letter to his son in the faith, Timothy. Here's what he says:

"Avoid Godless chatter, because those who engage in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene..." and then he even begins naming names.

I've never really had much patience for a gossip, but in my field, I'm one of the first ones folks gossip to...or about. For someone to come to me with the latest gossip is a terrible waste of my time and their breath. I just don't care for it. But, what gets me even more is when those words are turned on me. You may have guessed it already, but it has happened twice in as many weeks.

Now, I'm a big boy and can handle it. But what a waste of time it is to have to go and undo rumors that have been started, and once they're started, you can't stop them. What have I learned through all of this? To make sure that what I spend my time doing in my day to day is at least halfway worthwhile, to keep my nose clean so that there is nothing to the rumors, and to do my best to "instruct gently" as Paul puts it, those who have nothing better to do.

So, if you like to gossip...STOP! It's no good. As Chuck Swindol liked to put it, "It's from the pits of hell and smells like smoke." It may not seem a big deal to you, but I promise it is not just a harmless activity. In our ordinary day to day, and especially in our ordinary everyday as the Church, we have to remember that what we spend our days doing could have an effect on those we are trying to reach.

Whether you fly a plane low to the ground for a living and just happen to scare the bejesus out of some guy driving down the road, whether you punch a clock, or whatever it is that you do day in and day out, somewhere, somehow, you are having an effect on someone. Let's do all we can to make that a positive experience for all involved. Ok, I'm done now.

Peace
J

Who Knows?...

Ok, I'm writing very quick this morning. My computer has caught up with 21st century technology but now I have less than 20 minutes left on my battery. Note to self: Get internet hooked up at the house.

This morning, I didn't read the Life Journal texts as closely as I usually do, because of time, but I found myself reading Joel this morning. I think, at best, I have skimmed Joel when I've read it before but something jumped out at me as I read. In the 2nd chapter, Joel is giving Israel "what for" because they have evidently, how shall I say, strayed from God's purpose for them as a nation.

He says, "Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love...who knows? He may turn and have pity..."

That's an abbreviated form of what Joel said, but the gist of it is this, "Straighten up...quit doing what you're doing, and get back to God...who knows? God may just not be as angry as you think God is."

This is something I have had to do over and over again for years. Not that I set out to intentionally do stupid stuff, it just happens. Evidently, I'm really good at the doing of the stupid stuff, and who knows why I do it? Sometimes that stupid stuff drives a perceived wedge between God and I. The only problem with that is...the perception is all on my part.

Joel knew that more than likely, once Israel turned back to God the relationship would be restored. The same is true for us. So, if you're doing stupid stuff, like I have most of my life, don't do it anymore. Don't beat yourself up over the fact that it happened, just don't do it anymore. Take that first step back to the God that loves you and is waiting with open arms, and... who knows?

Peace,
J

Standing Guard...

(photo from www.web.mit.edu)

Today is a milestone for me. This is my 100th blog. For over 4 months now, with the exception of Sundays and a few days without internet service, I have spent my mornings reading, writing, and waxing theological. It has been one heck of a ride. I've learned things about the scriptures and I've even learned a few things about myself. I hope that I can keep this up for years, but I will only keep writing daily if I can keep it fresh. So, 99 attempts in, I try for one more today.

Paul hit me this morning. I have to write fairly quick this morning because I'm running out of battery on my laptop, but Paul said something this morning that struck a chord with me. The 6th chapter of 1 Timothy is where I'm at. In what appears to be his closing comments to his young charge, he says this, "Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care..." That almost brought a lump to my throat.

I've been a shepherd for 11 years now. In those 11 years, I have been shepherd to hundreds of people, and even as I sit and write this morning, I remember all of them. Names may elude me every now and then, but I remember them. I take my role as shepherd very seriously, as no doubt Paul and, later, Timothy did, so I take it personally when one of my flock is troubled, and want to do all I can to help. I guess that's just the protector in me.

But the brutal truth is, as much as I might want to guard those entrusted to my care, I can't fix all of their problems, and that bothers me. There is something in most people that wants to fix the hurts of others, I truly believe that, but it's just not always possible. So what do we do then? Just sit back and watch them suffer? Watch them struggle? I just don't know if I can do that.

I've been told over the years that part of my calling is learning when it's time to refer. It's tough for me to do that, but I have learned that part of my role in guarding those entrusted to my care is spending time in God's presence interceding for them, so I refer them to the Great Shepherd.

That doesn't mean I have been released from guard duty, but that I have recognized my need for help as I help them. The cool thing is, you don't have to shepherd hundreds to be able to do that. I know that Paul was talking to Timothy, and that we weren't even supposed to read that letter, but we have and now the words spoken to one centuries ago ring true for us as well.

So, if you shepherd a flock or a family, or both, take seriously your role to guard those entrusted to your care. Sometimes that means putting self aside. Sometimes it means letting them see your strengths. Sometimes it means letting them see your weaknesses. But all the time it means letting them see the Great Shepherd shepherding you as you guard them.

Peace

J

Can't We All Just Get Along...

(photo from www.chantelt.wordpress.com)

This blogging endeavor that I have signed up for has opened my eyes to a lot of things in scriptures that I guess I really never paid much attention to before. I have probably spent more time reading and studying the Old Testament since February than I have in a long, long time. In seminary, I took a few Old Testament classes but even then I don't think I really grasped what was written on a lot of those pages.

The Old Testament should be renamed "A collection of stories about this group killing that group in the name of religion." I did not realize how much bloodshed was contained in that group of writings, but it seems like nearly every time I read an Old Testament passage for the Life Journal readings, somebody is killing somebody else in the name of religion. I think I've had about all of that I can take.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are great stories scattered in and among the slayings; stories of great courage and unbelievable faith, stories about the undeniable presence of God among God's people, stories about deliverance from insurmountable odds, but it never fails that before long... off with somebody's head. The sad truth is that, to a degree, those kinds of things still happen today.

I have said before, and I'll say it again, I am currently serving the perfect appointment in the United Methodist church. I don't have the arguing and bickering I've had in other churches. I don't have a great number of folks who have to have their way. I don't have the egos to deal with that I've had in the past. It's great. But I know other pastors, serving other churches, who may feel like they are stuck in the pages of the Old Testament, and one, or some, of their parishioners always seem to be after one, or some, of the others.

I think it's time. I think it's time we realized that if we are going to be the church, we have to be the church. Now I'm not so naive as to think that everyone will get along all of the time. The reality is that we live in a fallen world and, in the words of Mermaid Man from Spongebob, "There's evil afoot." But I do think that as the church, we are called to rise above that evil, recognize that we are family, and by dang, act like it.

According to the words of the Old Testament, at least a big part of the time, those who did the slaying in the name of religion did so at God's command. Maybe that's why so many people struggle with the Old Testament. To throw out a $30,000 seminary word, it brings up questions of "theodicy"...the justice of God. How can God claim to be a God of love when God seems to be the author of so much destruction? I respect that question because it's one I have struggled with myself.

But...enter the cross. How is it that the God who appears to be the author of widespread destruction and bloodshed in one set of writings, can be the same God who accepted Christ's gift of atonement on our behalf so that we do not have to face destruction ourselves, if we so choose? And how is it that folks who claim to be sons and daughters of that same God, can't put our own wants and desires aside so that God's kingdom can be brought here on earth? I think it boils down to genuine, unconditional love...its presence in some hearts...and its absence in others.

Forgive me for getting a little preachy this morning. And before anyone asks, no, there has not been anything happen recently that has brought this to the surface. I just realized as I was reading this morning that a whole lot of folks, in a whole lot of places, just couldn't get along.

So, if you are one of those in your church who has to have your way, or can't hear the needs and dreams of others because it might interfere with what you want...STOP IT! If you are one of the ones who feel as if you are constantly under persecution by someone else in your church family, remember, God has your back. It would be a wonderful world if even just the folks who march under Christ's flag could find some way to work together in all things for the good of the One who leads us. Call me naively optimistic if you want, but I think it could actually work.

Ok, I'm done now.

Peace,

J