Ministry in Motion

#MetroLifeChurch #minmchurch I checked my flight bag with the curbside porter, tipped him five bucks to take my bag early. Now I'm sitting in Terminal C, Gate 29, waiting for a flight home - delayed, again. I'm noticing lots of people carrying backpacks, even folks who don't look like hikers have one slung over their shoulders. I wonder what's in their pack? How much stuff can you stuff in a knapsack for a week or even a weekend? There's something to be said for traveling light:  "Take nothing for your journey,” [Jesus] instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes..."   Luke 9:3 I'm thinking this is impossible? Christ sends his apostles out on a missionary journey without even the most basic elements of a traveler—no money, no luggage, no change of clothes, and no extra stuff. They are to depend upon those they serve and upon God to provide. I wonder how you and I

"We do not exist for ourselves", wrote Thomas Merton. At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we’ve accrued, or much of anything else. We’ll be judged by: I was hungry and you gave me something to eat , Hungry not only for bread — but hungry for an embrace and for love; I was naked and you clothed me , Naked not only for garments — but naked for dignity, respect and acceptance; I was homeless and you took me in , Homeless not only for four walls with a roof — but homeless because of rejection and being dismissed . <@> There's a void that exists in many of us. It nags at us. It’s to be purposeful - to make a difference. I’m thoroughly convinced, true happiness and genuine significance doesn’t come from finding yourself, but in losing yourself - by investing in someone else. I like what A W Tozer wrote: "The purpose of good works isn't to change us or save us; rather,

​ I can't paint. I don't sing well.  My music - I play only the "air drums"  But empathy is my art.  I will hug you and cry with you.  We will embrace the times together...PKES #MetroLifeChurch #minmchurch

For many, this will be a weekend marked with contemplative remembrances, nationalistic church services, Pro-American assemblies and an abundance of patriotism. But sometime on this 9/11 Sunday, consider this quote from Eugene Peterson “Killing the opposition is the beast's way of solving its problems. It is not ours. Ours is endurance and faith [mercy and love]” Pray with me: May God give us His grace, that grants us first the power and the ability to receive His love, then the power to use it and give it away. Amen. #MetroLifeChurch #minmchurch Art by: Kimon Berlin, user: Gribeco - Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0

While tons of folks are moving between the real world and the virtual trying to catch different species of  #Pokémon go American voters are scouring the landscape trying to catch a species of politician who will best represent them in November. I wonder if American politics has fallen off the rails. Angry minds seem to dominate both sides of the aisle; the rhetoric is deafening and almost inescapable. But just maybe the political season has already shown us that American democracy is, in some ways, in better working order than expected. The discourse, when civil, has been intriguing. <@> As a pastor I walk a very thin line each election cycle. I know for the most part that ½ of the congregation will be happy with the elections results, saying God answered their prayers, while the other half, will be touting their political comeback. The Right wing and Left wing. Both are wings on the same political bird - a fractured species that is not the peaceful dove of the Holy Spirit.