The Journey

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Honestly, most of us like life to be comfortable, easy, and stress free.  But, reality says that life is anything but.  However, in our experience as a follower of Christ, we attempt to make things appear as if we are on top of the world.  When ask, we say "Everything's great; God is blessing."  But, reality is that often times, we find ourselves in the deep valleys of discouragement and frustration.

I think of the women that got up early on a Sunday morning.  They got the jars of spice, and then walked to the tomb--the tomb where Jesus was places a couple of days before.  Their mind was on doing what was expected--to put the spice on a dead body to offset the stench of decay.  It was the thing to do. 

So often, that is what we do.  The spice represents the ritual, the expectations, and traditions--things we do because that what we think everyone wants us to do.  But, something happened early that morning.  Something amazing.  Something that would change and transform expectations.  Jesus Christ arose from the dead.  The spice was no longer needed.  Rituals and traditions were laid down, put aside--and a new priority emerged. 

The women left the tomb--no, they ran to tell others that Jesus was alive!  And, that is our calling as well.  Traditions and rituals are nice, but the simplicity of our faith--a faith that believes in the power of the Resurrection keeps our focus on nothing else but Christ.  As the Apostle Paul declared: "I want to know Christ and the Power of His Resurrection!" 

So lets go beyond the sugar and spice and everything nice kind of religion, and take up the power of relationship with Christ. 

Family and Easter

For the Walker family, Easter is a special time to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and to enjoy a festive atmosphere at the home.  A few days ago we went to Topeka to shop for Easter dresses.  I was amazed at the price.  Angela and I decided to go to Wal-mart to get clothes for Ethan and Matthew (it was still expensive).

On Wednesday, Angela's mom and dad came up from Wichita to be with us for Easter.  Today, Angela's sister and her husband will join us.  On Sunday, after morning worship, we will gather around the dinner table and have a traditional meal of baked ham, yams, corn, green beans, rolls, and a salad.  I can't wait!

Home Alone

Well, it has finally happened.  Angela will be going to Wichita to speak at a ministry convention.  So, I will be home alone--with all four kids.  I must admit I am a bit nervous.  There will be spills to clean up, kids to wash up, stuff to pick up, and--well you know.  My goal is to have the house cleaner than my wife left it, and the kids uninjured during Angela's absence.  In other words, I want my wife to be proud that I can do a small part of what she does everyday.  Who knows, I might get a sermon illustration out of this experience.

Update

This week was filled with meetings (some of them long), decisions, and vision development.  As the lead pastor of a mid-sized church, there is stuff that you have to deal with, people to talk to, paperwork to review, schedules to examine, and decisions to make.  The stuff can pile up and on.  But, that's life.  Most people have a lot of stuff to do, things to get accomplished.  Whether at work, or school, at the house, or in church, there's much to get done.

At Manhattan First Assembly I am working on selecting a person to be our part-time custodian.  I am working on reviewing all our ministries and programs.  I am working on my sermon (by the way, I am very excited about that).  I am working on clearing my desk of all the stuff.

But, most importantly, I am taking time to think about where God is leading our church--what vision He is birthing in me to share with you.  Let me give you some thoughts.  I believe that God wants us to be a church that helps people grow in their relationship with God and with fellow Christians.  I believe that God wants us to be effective and efficient in reaching our community with the Gospel.  I believe that God wants us to not be overwhelmed with all the stuff--the stuff that can make a church complicated and confusing.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I am not about to change everything.  I am at the place of dreaming--of discovering what the needs are in the church and what God desires in meeting those needs.  Maybe you have some thoughts as well.  I look forward to seeing what you see, listening to your dreams and thoughts that will continue to make Manhattan First Assembly of God a thriving community of believers.

What do you think?

Friend or Enemy

I want to be a friend of God - to do what pleases Him.  In one of the ways that pleases God is to be a faithful pastor.  Faithfulness means that I discipline myself to study God's Word, that I commit myself to leading ministries and programs toward excellence, and that I communicate well my expectations to leaders and others.

Here is the challenge.  I can be so focused on "doing" ministry well, that I can miss what really matters.  And what really matters?  It is helping people become devoted followers of Christ.  It is taking the time to listen, to encourage, to help.  Here is my point: The Pharisees in the New Testament thought they were friends of God by doing the law, that they neglected to understand the Spirit behind the law.  They were more interested in doing than being.  In the end, they became enemies of God--instrumental in killing the One whom they were looking for--the Messiah--Jesus. 

I have experienced people that were so caught up in doing ministry, in managing a ministry program, that they neglected the people that they were called to serve.

What do you think?

Remember

There are certain events in recent human history that are etched in our minds.  For the older generations it may be the Bombing of Pearl Harbor or the Assassination of President John Kennedy.  The younger generations may focus on September 11, 2001 as the day that is burned in their memories. 

My late grandfather, Micheal Kuchman was in the Army Air Corps and witnessed first hand the Japanese Surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.  Although he didn't talk much about the event--I think because he lost so many of his close friends there and throughout the duration of the war--he did, however, remember.  My last conversation with him, just about a month before he died unexpectedly, we walked together down the hall of their home in Las Vegas.  He pointed to every picture in the hallway, pictures of him and his buddies during the war.  For the first and last time, he spoke to me about their stories, about the war, about his memories.  It was a powerful moment between grandpa and grandson.

It is important to remember and to share.  Someone said "Lest we forget."  For the follower of Christ we cannot afford to forget--to forget what Christ did for us--for His death for our sins.  Tomorrow morning, my message to our church is simple but profound: Forget at your peril.  When we forget what Christ did we are prone to abandon His truth--we are prone to forget that He is the one who loved us and gave His live for us so that we may have everlasting live.

When we forget, we focus on ourselves, not Christ or His purpose and plan for our life.  When we forget, we are tempted to not forgive and love others.  When we forget, we are in danger and denying, abandoning, and betraying Christ.

What do you think?