The Fall Bazaar was a great success! More pictures coming to a website near you!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Bonus Post: Fall Bazaar!
The Fall Bazaar was a great success! More pictures coming to a website near you!
Ahh, Numbers!
It's amazing to me how numbers can affect a person's life.
Whether its getting on the bathroom scale in the morning ( no - I'm not going to tell you what it said - but I did lose this week), or hearing from the doctor that your total cholesterol is only 91 ( yes - 91 - not 191), numbers have a way of effecting our life at an emotional, physically even spiritual level.
If the blood test or the scale had said something, "bad" It most likely would have put my day into a tail spin - emotional I would have been a wreck. Spiritually, I would have felt weighed down and burden by what I had heard. Physically, my head would have hurt, my body would have ached and my heart would have felt like it was breaking.
It's sort of like seeing red lights in your rear view mirror on the highway - numbers have a way of suddenly, taking on a new meaning.
The amazing thing to remember is that no matter what numbers are bothering you: your weight, your blood pressure, your finances or even the number of things ion your To Do list; we have a God who can overcome.
Ours is a God of abundance. Ours is God who seeks to give and give.
We should never underestimate what God would do for us. We should never doubt that it is in Gods ability and heart to give to us enormous blessings.
We should always remember that God can take the chaos that numbers seem to create in the midst of our life and turn them into unlooked for and unplanned blessings.
May all your numbers bring you blessings!
Pastor Vic
Whether its getting on the bathroom scale in the morning ( no - I'm not going to tell you what it said - but I did lose this week), or hearing from the doctor that your total cholesterol is only 91 ( yes - 91 - not 191), numbers have a way of effecting our life at an emotional, physically even spiritual level.
If the blood test or the scale had said something, "bad" It most likely would have put my day into a tail spin - emotional I would have been a wreck. Spiritually, I would have felt weighed down and burden by what I had heard. Physically, my head would have hurt, my body would have ached and my heart would have felt like it was breaking.
It's sort of like seeing red lights in your rear view mirror on the highway - numbers have a way of suddenly, taking on a new meaning.
The amazing thing to remember is that no matter what numbers are bothering you: your weight, your blood pressure, your finances or even the number of things ion your To Do list; we have a God who can overcome.
Ours is a God of abundance. Ours is God who seeks to give and give.
We should never underestimate what God would do for us. We should never doubt that it is in Gods ability and heart to give to us enormous blessings.
We should always remember that God can take the chaos that numbers seem to create in the midst of our life and turn them into unlooked for and unplanned blessings.
May all your numbers bring you blessings!
Pastor Vic
Monday, November 2, 2009
Where Do Go From Here?
The following come from the Re-Think Church web site - a part of our UMC denomination. So what do you think? Can we move beyond our pews? Can we truly be "unbound and outbound" in how we live for God? Will we be a part of the Spirits movement to make a difference in the world? Can we Re-Think our church and become all that God wants us to be?Blessings,
Pastor Vic
Does your welcome extend beyond the doors of your church? Does church only happen on Sundays?
We can no longer wait for the unchurched to find us. We must prepare to receive others where they are and help them feel accepted through authentic caring and kindness that anticipates their needs. Our neighborhoods are not just down the street, but around the world.
Seekers will find welcome messages on our social networks, aired on our media and carried by our missionaries. Welcoming others is just part of who we are as Christians, a gift we offer to others with no strings attached. Together we can open hearts, open minds and open doors because we are the people of The United Methodist Church.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Troubling Moment.
Today I found myself out running an errand at a local store. While there I happened to be next to a young man and his mom (?). He was about 16 or 17 and was looking through the clothes in the same area as me.
While browsing he was keeping up a constant stream of comments about life, the clothes he was being asked to look at and just about everything else under the sun. I won't repeat what he said, it really wasn't for public consumption.
What I found most interesting about this even was my own reaction. When it first occurred I was ready to chalk it up as another example of a "young punk" who was most likely going to end up on the six o'clock news with a wanted sign under his picture. I was bothered by what he was saying and how he was acting. I felt like saying somethings, but frankly was unsure of what would happen next. so I just grit my teeth and moved on.
Later in the the day as I had time to to sit with what I had experienced and what I had thought while it was occurring it gave me pause to think. Yes, what the boy had done was inappropriate, but then again so was my reaction.
I have no idea what this young mans life was like. I have no idea what burdens or troubles he may have. I have no idea what role models or mentors may be in his life. I have no idea what may have just occurred in his life to make home feel that way he did.
Yet, here I was, ready to convict him and throw away the key. I wonder is that what Jesus would have done? Would he have condemned him or offer him a hand of friendship? As a disciple of Jesus, shouldn't I be willing to reach out, no matter what the situation or how difficult it might be.
Lord, forgive. Help me to be faithful even when it is difficult. Help me to see past the outside and look inward. Help me to look at others with the same eyes of love that I believe you look at me.
While browsing he was keeping up a constant stream of comments about life, the clothes he was being asked to look at and just about everything else under the sun. I won't repeat what he said, it really wasn't for public consumption.
What I found most interesting about this even was my own reaction. When it first occurred I was ready to chalk it up as another example of a "young punk" who was most likely going to end up on the six o'clock news with a wanted sign under his picture. I was bothered by what he was saying and how he was acting. I felt like saying somethings, but frankly was unsure of what would happen next. so I just grit my teeth and moved on.
Later in the the day as I had time to to sit with what I had experienced and what I had thought while it was occurring it gave me pause to think. Yes, what the boy had done was inappropriate, but then again so was my reaction.
I have no idea what this young mans life was like. I have no idea what burdens or troubles he may have. I have no idea what role models or mentors may be in his life. I have no idea what may have just occurred in his life to make home feel that way he did.
Yet, here I was, ready to convict him and throw away the key. I wonder is that what Jesus would have done? Would he have condemned him or offer him a hand of friendship? As a disciple of Jesus, shouldn't I be willing to reach out, no matter what the situation or how difficult it might be.
Lord, forgive. Help me to be faithful even when it is difficult. Help me to see past the outside and look inward. Help me to look at others with the same eyes of love that I believe you look at me.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Life List - The 43 Things I Want To Do.
Recently, I have found myself spending thinking about what I want to do with my life. I know, I know at 47, married, with a wife and two kids you would think I would have some clue. After all I have been serving full-time as a Pastor since 1987 so a career change and a move to Thailand seems just a little bit out of the question.
I guess it really comes down to the changes that I have personally been going thorough lately, as I change physically, it affects me spiritually and emotionally as well. Working on my health issues has caused me to stop and think about the choices that I have to make in order to be healthy. This has led me to examine not only my current state of being, but what I hope to accomplish in the years to come.
It got me thinking about a movie that Kim and I watched awhile back, "The Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. In it both men are faced with severe illness. This leads Freeman a wealthy self mad man to create a list of things he wants to do before he "kicks the bucket". What follows is a three month adventure and the men seek to do all of the things that have been put on Freeman's list before he dies.
Now before anybody starts a rumor - let me be clear - I am not suggesting that my time is short or that I am creating a "a bucket List" in preparation of that event.
What I am talking about today is something slightly different - a "Life List". A list of things that I am currently working on and seek to accomplish in my life. Some might be as specific as, " read War and Peace or as broad as Make a Difference in the World.
I came across a fascinating book and related web site,Dream It. List It. Do It!: How to Live a Bigger & Bolder Life, from the Life List Experts at 43Things.com
The book puts forth the idea of creating a Life List that answers the question: "What is it that you'd like to do but haven't taken the time or had the motivation to do? We believe that the very act of writing ideas down helps you answer the question, "What do I really want to do with my life?" and puts you on the path towards accomplishing it."
The book and the web site offer suggestions as well as motivation to create your list and then seek to accomplish them. The web site in particular is helpful in that it provides you a chance to create your own personal list as a way of being motivated and accountable to others. You can check it out at: www.43things.com/. You can check out the list I have start by searching for rovervicb.
Also on the web site is an interesting little personality quiz.Here is what I came up as: You are an Extroverted Spiritual Self-Knower 1.43% of the 223276 people who have taken this quiz are like you. Not sure exactly yet what it means for me, but at least it seems to say I am unique - grin.
One word of caution - this is a web site that is public and open to the world. Therefore you may encounter people with thoughts and ideas that are different and from an entirely different perspective. Just keep that in mind if you go looking around, some things might not be G rated or mother approved.
I guess it really comes down to the changes that I have personally been going thorough lately, as I change physically, it affects me spiritually and emotionally as well. Working on my health issues has caused me to stop and think about the choices that I have to make in order to be healthy. This has led me to examine not only my current state of being, but what I hope to accomplish in the years to come.
It got me thinking about a movie that Kim and I watched awhile back, "The Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. In it both men are faced with severe illness. This leads Freeman a wealthy self mad man to create a list of things he wants to do before he "kicks the bucket". What follows is a three month adventure and the men seek to do all of the things that have been put on Freeman's list before he dies.
Now before anybody starts a rumor - let me be clear - I am not suggesting that my time is short or that I am creating a "a bucket List" in preparation of that event.
What I am talking about today is something slightly different - a "Life List". A list of things that I am currently working on and seek to accomplish in my life. Some might be as specific as, " read War and Peace or as broad as Make a Difference in the World.
I came across a fascinating book and related web site,Dream It. List It. Do It!: How to Live a Bigger & Bolder Life, from the Life List Experts at 43Things.com
The book puts forth the idea of creating a Life List that answers the question: "What is it that you'd like to do but haven't taken the time or had the motivation to do? We believe that the very act of writing ideas down helps you answer the question, "What do I really want to do with my life?" and puts you on the path towards accomplishing it."
The book and the web site offer suggestions as well as motivation to create your list and then seek to accomplish them. The web site in particular is helpful in that it provides you a chance to create your own personal list as a way of being motivated and accountable to others. You can check it out at: www.43things.com/. You can check out the list I have start by searching for rovervicb.
Also on the web site is an interesting little personality quiz.Here is what I came up as: You are an Extroverted Spiritual Self-Knower 1.43% of the 223276 people who have taken this quiz are like you. Not sure exactly yet what it means for me, but at least it seems to say I am unique - grin.
One word of caution - this is a web site that is public and open to the world. Therefore you may encounter people with thoughts and ideas that are different and from an entirely different perspective. Just keep that in mind if you go looking around, some things might not be G rated or mother approved.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Here We Go Again!
Recently, I came across a blog post over at http://www.desiringgod.org/ by Abraham Piper. It was entitled, "6 Reasons Pastors Should Blog". The following is an excerpt from the article. Read on, afterward I'll give you my thoughts.
1. To write -
Through writing, you delve into new ideas and new insights. If you strive to write well, you will at the same time be striving to think well.
2. To teach.
Here is where a pastor has an outlet for whatever he didn’t get to say on Sunday.And more than just a catch-all for sermon spill-over, a blog is a perfect place for those 30-second nuggets of truth that come in your devotions or while you’re reading the newspaper.
3. To recommend.
With a blog, you can recommend something to hundreds of people instead of just a few. Recommendation, however, is more than pointing people to helpful things. It’s a tone of voice, an overall aura that good blogs cultivate. If you use your blog to encourage people through suggesting and commending everything from local restaurants to Jesus Christ, it will complement the biblical authority that you rightly assume when you stand behind the pulpit.
4. To interact.
There are a lot of ways for a pastor to keep his finger on the pulse of his people. A blog is by no means necessary in this regard. However, it does add a helpful new way to stay abreast of people’s opinions and questions.
5. To develop an eye for what is meaningful.
For good or ill, most committed bloggers live with the constant question in their mind: Is this bloggable? It nurtures a habit of looking for insight and wisdom and value in every situation, no matter how mundane.If you live life looking for what is worthwhile in every little thing, you will see more of what God has to teach you. And the more he teaches you, the more you can teach others.
6. To be known.
This is where I see the greatest advantage for blogging pastors.
Your people hear you teach a lot; it’s probably the main way that most of them know you. This is good—it’s your job. But it’s not all you are.Ideas are a crucial part of your identity, but still just a part.You’re a husband and a father. You’re some people’s friend and other people’s enemy. Maybe you love the Nittany Lions. Maybe you hate fruity salad. Maybe you struggle to pray. Maybe listening to the kids’ choir last weekend was—to your surprise—the most moving worship experience you’ve ever had.These are the things that make you the man that leads your church.
Sometimes your people need to look in—not all the way in, and not into every room—but your people need some access to you as a person. A blog is one way to help them. You can’t be everybody’s friend, and keeping a blog is not a way of pretending that you can.
It’s simply a way for your people to know you as a human being, even if you can’t know them back. This is valuable, not because you’re so extraordinary, but because leadership is more than the words you say. If you practice the kind of holiness that your people expect of you, then your life itself opened before them is good leadership—even when you fail.
My Thoughts:
After reading this article I truly felt convicted. I had started my Pastors Corner Blog with lots of good intentions, but life always seemed to get in the way of me sharing something. It became in some ways almost "busy work". It seemed as if it was more difficult to do than preparing for Sunday worship.
This article and the reasons contained in it got me to thinking about trying again and shifting the focus from making sure I had the latest and greatest idea or thought for the world to see and just use it a opportunity for share myself. So comment, ask questions, offer a suggestion, maybe even be a "guest author".
I hope to use the reasons listed the the article to guide what I write. Hopefully, with God's guidance it will be a blessing to me and to you. So come along on the journey with me as we see where this blog takes us together.
Blessings
Pastor Vic
1. To write -
Through writing, you delve into new ideas and new insights. If you strive to write well, you will at the same time be striving to think well.
2. To teach.
Here is where a pastor has an outlet for whatever he didn’t get to say on Sunday.And more than just a catch-all for sermon spill-over, a blog is a perfect place for those 30-second nuggets of truth that come in your devotions or while you’re reading the newspaper.
3. To recommend.
With a blog, you can recommend something to hundreds of people instead of just a few. Recommendation, however, is more than pointing people to helpful things. It’s a tone of voice, an overall aura that good blogs cultivate. If you use your blog to encourage people through suggesting and commending everything from local restaurants to Jesus Christ, it will complement the biblical authority that you rightly assume when you stand behind the pulpit.
4. To interact.
There are a lot of ways for a pastor to keep his finger on the pulse of his people. A blog is by no means necessary in this regard. However, it does add a helpful new way to stay abreast of people’s opinions and questions.
5. To develop an eye for what is meaningful.
For good or ill, most committed bloggers live with the constant question in their mind: Is this bloggable? It nurtures a habit of looking for insight and wisdom and value in every situation, no matter how mundane.If you live life looking for what is worthwhile in every little thing, you will see more of what God has to teach you. And the more he teaches you, the more you can teach others.
6. To be known.
This is where I see the greatest advantage for blogging pastors.
Your people hear you teach a lot; it’s probably the main way that most of them know you. This is good—it’s your job. But it’s not all you are.Ideas are a crucial part of your identity, but still just a part.You’re a husband and a father. You’re some people’s friend and other people’s enemy. Maybe you love the Nittany Lions. Maybe you hate fruity salad. Maybe you struggle to pray. Maybe listening to the kids’ choir last weekend was—to your surprise—the most moving worship experience you’ve ever had.These are the things that make you the man that leads your church.
Sometimes your people need to look in—not all the way in, and not into every room—but your people need some access to you as a person. A blog is one way to help them. You can’t be everybody’s friend, and keeping a blog is not a way of pretending that you can.
It’s simply a way for your people to know you as a human being, even if you can’t know them back. This is valuable, not because you’re so extraordinary, but because leadership is more than the words you say. If you practice the kind of holiness that your people expect of you, then your life itself opened before them is good leadership—even when you fail.
My Thoughts:
After reading this article I truly felt convicted. I had started my Pastors Corner Blog with lots of good intentions, but life always seemed to get in the way of me sharing something. It became in some ways almost "busy work". It seemed as if it was more difficult to do than preparing for Sunday worship.
This article and the reasons contained in it got me to thinking about trying again and shifting the focus from making sure I had the latest and greatest idea or thought for the world to see and just use it a opportunity for share myself. So comment, ask questions, offer a suggestion, maybe even be a "guest author".
I hope to use the reasons listed the the article to guide what I write. Hopefully, with God's guidance it will be a blessing to me and to you. So come along on the journey with me as we see where this blog takes us together.
Blessings
Pastor Vic
Monday, April 6, 2009
Radical Hospitality
The Practice of Radical Hospitality
“Christian hospitality refers to the active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ.”
“It describes … a love that motivates church members to openness and adaptability, willingness to change behaviors in order to accommodate the needs and receive the talents of newcomers.” ( Pg 11)
“Radical means "drastically different from the ordinary practice, outside the normal," and so it provokes practices that exceed expectations, that go the second mile, that take welcoming the stranger to the max. “ (p.21)
As a church we pride ourselves on being friendly and welcoming, but what does that really mean in the context of the world we live in today?
Are we only welcoming to those who are like us or do we earnestly seek out the stranger who is different?
Are we willing to make the changes that might be necessary in order to truly “accommodate” the needs of others?
What would we look like if we were willing to be truly radical in our hospitality? What actions would we take?
In the end the question becomes are we truly willing to do all that we can to make disciples in the name of Christ? So tell me – what are you willing to do?
“Christian hospitality refers to the active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ.”
“It describes … a love that motivates church members to openness and adaptability, willingness to change behaviors in order to accommodate the needs and receive the talents of newcomers.” ( Pg 11)
“Radical means "drastically different from the ordinary practice, outside the normal," and so it provokes practices that exceed expectations, that go the second mile, that take welcoming the stranger to the max. “ (p.21)
As a church we pride ourselves on being friendly and welcoming, but what does that really mean in the context of the world we live in today?
Are we only welcoming to those who are like us or do we earnestly seek out the stranger who is different?
Are we willing to make the changes that might be necessary in order to truly “accommodate” the needs of others?
What would we look like if we were willing to be truly radical in our hospitality? What actions would we take?
In the end the question becomes are we truly willing to do all that we can to make disciples in the name of Christ? So tell me – what are you willing to do?
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