Tyler Street Pulpit- Sunday, December 28, 2008

The following sermon was preached by Rev. John Wilks in our 10:50 am service. Jon Farrer read the Scripture.



To God be the glory!

Tyler Street Pulpit- Christmas Eve

Here is Rev. Chris Allen's Christmas Eve message. To God be the glory!

Links Worth Clicking On: A New Years Prayer for Our Nation

Dr. Ben Witherington III of Asbury Theological seminary has posted a deeply moving and thought provoking prayer for the new year on his blog. I encourage you to go read it and pray your way through it. 

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

Merry Christmas!

Tyler Street Pulpi- Sunday, December 21, 2008

The following sermon about sin, temptation, and watchfulness was preached by Rev. Chris Allen at our 8:30 am service. This was the second Sunday of advent. Jon Farrer read the Scripture.



Come quickly Lord Jesus!


(If you are using Internet Explorer and have trouble listening to the audioo.com feed, try viewing this blog in Firefox. To hear more sermons, click here.)

Music Friday- Saxophone Edition

For no particular reason (other than I love saxophones,) here are some clips of fine musicians playing the most versatile woodwind instrument going in some very diverse ways (and no Kenny G in sight!) 

Sacred Saxophones

Johan Saxophone Bach

Woodstock Woodwinds

A Bass Sax quartet (which is kind of silly- yet strangely cool)

And finally- saxes for when an angry British mob is chasing you.

Tyler Street Pulpit- December 14, 2008

The following sermon about sin, temptation, and watchfulness was preached by Rev. Chris Allen at our 8:30 am service. This was the second Sunday of advent. Jon Farrer read the Scripture.



Come quickly Lord Jesus!


(If you are using Internet Explorer and have trouble listening to the audioo.com feed, try viewing this blog in Firefox. To hear more sermons, click here.)

A Warning from 2 Peter

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.

Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

2 Peter 2:1-16, ESV

I came across a shorter version of this passage while reading through the daily lectionary and the power of this passage made me stop dead in my tracks.

Peter's words here are very strong and steeped in an understanding of the Old Testament which few of us keep these days- an understanding that the same God who sent Jesus out of compassion also performed acts of judgement in days gone by. The Christian Bible is not a story of two gods (one cruel and vengeful the other loving and forgiving) as some like to proclaim. There is One God who is full of both love and righteousness. This God is equally capable of wrath or mercy- and this God retains the right to pour out either without checking for our permission or approval before hand.

When we speak of grace in the Church, we are claiming that God treats us better than we deserve. Peter is reminding us that God does not have to continually share grace with those who have lost a zeal for holiness. Grace is a gift, not a right. And the gift-giver expects those who claim to teach grace to also teach righteousness.

You see, the sexual indulgence, avarice, and power-seeking which Peter is condemning is not that of the world. He is talking about false prophets- about religious leaders, pastors, deacons, bishops, teachers, apostles, brothers and sisters who claim to act on God's behalf while enticing people to seek wealth or physical pleasure.

He is talking about the in-house corruption within the people of God.

As Christians, our greatest temptations to sin may not be offered up by glossy magazine covers or naughty websites or worldly schemes.

Sadly, our greatest temptations may come from sermons and Bible studies which aim to seduce us onto an easy and self-indulgent path: a pathway which will lead to the wrath of the living God who will not sit idly by while His gift of grace and mercy is cheapened into a license for lawlessness.

The Good News in all this?

This very God who will judge those who corrupt the faith will also deliver those who stand firm.

In this Advent season, as we await the return of Christ, let us soberly reflect on how we treat the Gospel. Do we see it as a witness to the mercy and grace of a God who could rightly condemn us, but chooses to forgive those who repent and believe in the Son?

Or do we twist it into an indulgent tale of a God who will look the other way even if we keep breaking every rule in the Book and teach others to do the same?

Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, have mercy on me, a sinner! And come quickly to deliver us all from this fallen world!

Music Friday- Salvation Army edition

Its that time of year- the Salvation Army has their red kettles out there inviting all of us to remember our call- to give 'heart to God and hand to man."

When you see the red kettle, please give.  When you do, you'll be helping a sister denomination give a merry Christmas to those who need it the most. (And yes you read that right- the Salvation Army is a church with Methodists roots.) 

And here is guitar legend Phil Keaggy to inspire you. 

Tyler Street Pulpit- December 7, 2008

The following sermon about sin, temptation, and watchfulness was preached by Rev. Chris Allen at our 8:30 am service. This was the second Sunday of advent. Jon Farrer read the Scripture.



Come quickly Lord Jesus!


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Music Fridays- 2nd Sunday of Advent edition.

The theme of the 2nd Sunday in advent is peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus said, "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." He calls us not only to wish and even pray for peace. He expects us to take steps to make peace possible.

Listen to this song, "Lord,make me an instrument of thy peace," which is based on a prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.

Tyler Street Pulpit- First Sunday of Advent.

From Sunday, November 30. Rev. Chris Allen preached and Jon Farrer read the Scriptures.



Come quickly Lord Jesus!


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Tyler Street Pulpit- Catching up pt 2

From Sunday, November 23. Rev. Chris Allen preached and Rev. John Wilks read the Scripture.



To God be the Glory!

Tyler Street Pulpit- Catching up pt. 1

From Sunday, November 16. Our District Superintendent Rev. Milton Guttierrez preached and Jon Farrer read the Scripture.



To God be the glory!

New sermons on their way- tech issues to be solved.

My apologies for the lack of sermons. We've having issues with our audio hosting service. As soon as I can get the problem resolved, I will be posting the sermons from the past two Sundays.

For those in need of some preaching, here is a provocative clip from mega-church pastor and author Erwin McManus explaining why he thinks a loving God would create a place like Hell. I think his ideas resonates with the Wesleyan/Arminian theological assumption that God gives human beings a choice. Enjoy! (And feel free to posts questions or reactions in the comments section!)

Lectionary Blogging- Preparing for Sunday, November 23, 2008: Christ the King Sunday

The end of the year is upon us.

No, I haven't lost my mind. I know that December 31 is a ways away.

But in the Christian calendar, this Sunday is the last Sunday of the year. The following Sunday will begin the Advent cycle, which, liturgically speaking, begins a brand new year of worship.

Like most Protestant congregations, we here at Tyler Street don't do much if anything with Christ the King Sunday. It is, after all, a very new holy day instituted by the Roman Catholic Church in the 1920s. Even the Anglican and Eastern Orthodox traditions have been slow to adopt this relatively new celebration, let alone Methodists and Baptists and other groups.

But just for something different, I thought I'd blog about it.

You see, by beginning our worship year on Advent, we begin by waiting upon the birth of Christ. We focus on the human need for redemption and all the hope and glory which Christmas represents. From Advent and Christmas, we take a pit stop with the Wise Men at Epiphany, visit the Mount of Transfiguration, spend weeks of introspection through Lent, experience the drama and passion of Holy Week, triumphantly celebrate Easter, and seek church renewal at Pentecost. From summer on, we live in "ordinary time," a long season in which we try our level best to live out those high Christians virtues and hopes in the midst of every day life.

And then, before we begin the whole cycle again, we stop to contemplate not the coming of the baby Jesus, but the eventual return of Christ the Risen Lord and King.

This is a time to ponder things to come. Now is a chance to dream of the new heavens and the new earth.

It is also time to really ask ourselves: if He came today, how ready would we really be?

Below I have posted this week's Gospel story. (As I write, I don't know if Chris is preaching on this passage or if he is preaching something else.) As you read, I challenge you to really contemplate Jesus' words. Consider what it means to see Jesus in the least, the lonely, and the lost.

Matthew 25:31-46 (English Standard Version)

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

May our King come swiftly. And may we be ready!

Music Fridays- Miles Davis "So What?"

No real message for this one. Just something mellow for a cool and foggy Friday morning.




For those looking for something more theologically meaty, I'm working on a post for later today or early Monday. Stay tuned.

You could also check out this post about Biblical archeology Asbury Seminary professor and noted New Testament scholar Dr. Ben Witherington's excellent blog.

Faith Building: Martin Luther's Small Catechism, pt. 1

This is the first in a new series on the Tyler Street Blog aimed at growing our basic understanding of the faith. We'll be looking at essential Christian beliefs as explained by great Christian thinkers through the ages.

To begin, I thought we could look at the Apostle's Creed as explained in Martin Luther's Small Catechism With Explination, a book used to instruct Lutheran children (and adult converts) in the basics of the faith. The text quoted below is from Augustana Press' 1957 edition. It is designed to be taught in the home. Perhaps your family might talk about it at the dinner table tonight.

The Creed

In the plan form by which it is to be taught by the head of the family.

The First Article
Of Creation

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth.

What is meant by this article?

I believe that God has created me and all that exists; that He has given and still preserves to me my body and soul, with all my limbs and senses, my reason and all my faculties of my mind, together with my raiment, food, home, and family, and with all my property; that He daily provides me abundantly with all the necessaries of life; protects me from all danger, and preserves me and guards me against all evil; all of which He does out of pure, paternal, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I am in duty bound to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

The Second Article
Of Redemption

I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

What is meant by this article?

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord; who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, secured and delivered me from all sins and death, and from the power of the devil, not with silver and gold but with His holy and precious blood, and with His innocent sufferings and death; in order that I might be His own, live under Him and His Kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, and lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

The Third Article
Of Sanctification

I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; the forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

What is meant by this article?

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me by His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith; in like manner as He calls, gathers, enlightens, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the true faith; in which Christian Church He daily forgives abundantly all my sins, and the sins of all believers, and will raise me up and all the dead at the last day, and will grant everlasting life to me and all who believe in Christ. This is most certainly true.

Tyler Street Pulpit- November 9, 2008

The following sermon was delivered by Rev. Chris Allen during our 10:50 am service on November 9, 2008. Our Student Ministries Director Jon Farrer read the Scriptures. To God be the glory.



More sermons from Tyler Street United Methodist Church can be found here.

Music Fridays- Les Paul and Chet Atkins play the Blues.

The Blues is a wonderful genre because any one can play them. The sound came from the Mississippi Delta, but was quickly adopted by the whole world. Black, white, yellow, or brown, there is someone in this world who looks like you and plays the Blues. This is everyone's music.

The Blues can soothe a hurting soul or making a soaring heart laugh at itself. In other words, the blues are good for what ails you, and good when you ain't ailing at all.

So if your week has been uplifting or depressing, if your candidate won or lost, if your finances are up or down, here are two guitar masters to make you feel better. Enjoy!



See you Sunday, when we loose the Blues and sing the praises of God!

Grace and peace,
John

Tyler Street Pulpit- November 2, 2008

The following sermon was delivered by Rev. Chris Allen during our 10:50 am service on November 2, 2008. Our Student Ministries Director Jon Farrer read the Scriptures. To God be the glory.



More sermons from Tyler Street United Methodist Church can be found here.

Music Fridays- Derek Webb, "Savior On Capitol Hill"

Derek Webb is best known as a songwriter in the praise and worship band Caedmon's Call. Along with his band mates in Caedmon's Call, Webb has worked with the "Who's Who" of contemporary Christian music- including projects with Third Day and the legendary Phil Keaggy. 

In his solo work, Webb has written a series of albums in which he wrestles with issues that are, frankly, too controversial for the syrupy sweet holy huddle which passes for Christian radio these days. He tackles themes like opposing heresy, struggling with financial idolatry, and, in this short but powerful song, our tendency to trust national politics more than we trust in the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. The footage below is from a concert last december. Enjoy!

A Wesleyan Cure for Our Economic Mess?

In this week's United Methodist Reporter, J. Richard Peck has a fascinating commentary in which he quotes a letter from John Wesley addressing an economic crisis from 1772 which bears a few similarities to our current mess- namely massive national debt and an economy driven by luxury items. 

 I could not help but notice how Wesley, the co-founder of Methodism and the poster child for 18th century Evangelicalism,  writes in favor of policies bound to make modern American Evangelicals think twice. (It made me squirm a bit. I even googled searched to make sure the letter was legit and that the quotes weren't taken grossly out of context.)

Wesley states his disdain for taxes in general (and I, for one, agree.) But then he points out that taxation was needed due to massive national debt. Accordingly he called for raising the taxes on luxury items. 

In other words, Wesley wanted the rich to pay the bill while protecting the middle class and the poor. 

He even went as far as to suggest that the government should encourage and perhaps even compel people to stop buying luxury items so that the economy could be re-focused on the plight of the poor, sustainability, and debt reduction. 

I'm still digesting this, so I'm not going to venture into endorsing or denouncing Wesley's ideas or Peck's modern application thereof. But I will confess that this is making me re-think what it means to be a theologically conservative Evangelical at the voting booth in the midst of economic turmoil. 

Anyone with thoughts, questions, or ideas, please share them in the comments. 

Grace and peace,

John

Tyler Street Pulpit- Laity Sunday Edition

The following sermon was delivered by Mitch Stevens during our 10:50 am service on Oct. 26, 2008. Nathan Howard read the Scriptures. To God be the glory.

Music Fridays- The Inaugural Edition

Starting today, Fridays will be music day on the blog. There will be pop, classical, jazz, blues, country and more. Some songs will be clearly Christian. Other will come from secular voices who raise vital questions. Still other songs will be picked for their beauty. And yes- some will be selected because they address pressing concerns or hot-button issues. (I've got a good one picked out for next week which will make you think twice before casting your ballot next month.)

For today, though, I submit for your listening pleasure a modern classic from Rich Mullins. Regular worshipers will recognize the bulk of the lyrics. We speak them together every week. 

Enjoy!

"I have given you authority!"

While going through morning prayer, I read the following from Luke 10:17-24:

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning."Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven." At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.

"All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him." Turning to the disciples, He said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them." (NRSV)

If I read this rightly, then Jesus is giving a bold charge to His disciples- a charge still valid for us today. He promises authority and security. In other words, he promises us that so long as we truly act on His behalf (in His name) and by the power of His Spirit, though we may face trials, we shall overcome.

And so I ask you; if you truly believed that you wouldn't fail, what would you do for the sake of God's Kingdom?

May God grant you a vision. And may He supply you the courage to try.

Grace and peace,

John

Tyler Street Pulpit- Oct. 19, 2008

The following sermon was delivered by Rev. Chris Allen during our 10:50 am service on Oct. 19, 2008. Our Student Ministries Director Jon Farrer read the Scriptures. To God be the glory.



More sermons from Tyler Street United Methodist Church can be found here.

Tyler Street Pulpit- Oct. 12, 2008

The following sermon was delivered by Dr. David Greenlee of Operation Mobilization during our 8:30 am service on Oct. 5, 2008. Our Student Ministries Director Jon Farrer read the Scriptures.

Dr. Greenlee serves as the International Research and Strategy Associate for Operation Mobilization. He and his wife Vreni have served the Lord in over 100 nations over the past 30 years.



More sermons from Tyler Street United Methodist Church can be found here. 

Responding to Bad News from Royse City

On Sunday, Rev. Chris Allen issued a call to prayer for the family of Steve Richardson and for First UMC of Royse City in the wake of Rev. Richardson's recent arrest.

As you pray, I encourage you to read this thoughtful response printed in the UM Reporter and penned by Dallas-area writer Shannon Vowell.

May God bring His healing to this painful situation.

Grace and peace,
John

Tyler Street Pulpit- Oct. 5, 2008

The following sermon was delivered by Rev. Chris Allen during our 10:50 am service on Oct. 5, 2008. Our Student Ministries Director Jon Farrer read the Scriptures. To God be the glory.

Charles Wesley meets Caedmon's Call

I've been a huge fan of the band Caedmon's Call ever since my wife Laurie introduced me to their music back before we started dating at McMurry.  Here's a YouTube clip of their song "Only Hope" which is adapted from Charles Wesley's hymn "Depth of Mercy" along with a short chorus they've added.

I've also included the lyrics to all thirteen stanzas of the original hymn. (Yes, I said thirteen. And yes- the early Methodists would have sang all 13 stanzas every time they sang the hymn!)

Enjoy! And may you know the depth of God's mercy today!

Depth of Mercy
by
Charles Wesley

Depth of mercy! Can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace,
Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls,
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

I my Master have denied,
I afresh have crucified,
And profaned His hallowed Name,
Put Him to an open shame.

I have spilt His precious blood,
Trampled on the Son of God,
Filled with pangs unspeakable,
I, who yet am not in hell!

Lo! I still walk on the ground:
Lo! an Advocate is found:
“Hasten not to cut him down,
Let this barren soul alone.”

Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood!
He disarms the wrath of God;
Now my Father’s mercies move,
Justice lingers into love.

Kindled His relentings are,
Me He now delights to spare,
Cries, “How shall I give thee up?”
Lets the lifted thunder drop.

Whence to me this waste of love?
Ask my Advocate above!
See the cause in Jesus’ face,
Now before the throne of grace.

There for me the Savior stands,
Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.
God is love! I know, I feel;
Jesus weeps and loves me still.

Jesus, answer from above,
Is not all Thy nature love?
Wilt Thou not the wrong forget,
Permit me to kiss Thy feet?

If I rightly read Thy heart,
If Thou all compassion art,
Bow Thine ear, in mercy bow,
Pardon and accept me now.

Pity from Thine eye let fall,
By a look my soul recall;
Now the stone to flesh convert,
Cast a look, and break my heart.

Now incline me to repent,
Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.

Grace and peace,

John

While sitting on the Church steps without my keys this morning...

... I had some time to read, pray, and think.

I came across this instruction from Paul:

"And finally, brethren, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with all of you."

(2 Thessalonians 3:1)

As I read these words, Oak Cliff was happening around me. Joggers with iPods and expensive running shoes passed by food-service workers on their way to the bus stop. Dumpster divers hunted for their daily treasure. Cars ranging from rolling wrecks to high-end luxury machines cruised by. Every skin tone, line of work, and tax bracket co-exists here and all hold one thing in common: every one of them, just like every one of us, needs the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church can never be satisfied with the fact that our members- our brothers and sisters in the Gospel- have found faith. Compassion for others and a hunger to share God's love should drive us to pray and yes to work to spread the Good News.

It is impossible to share our testimony with too many people.

It is impossible to show too much compassion by addressing the physical and emotional needs of the people we meet everyday.

We will never run out of people to befriend, to invite to Church, to make time for, to love with the love of God in Christ.

Tyler Street UMC is alive with faith- and we should praise the Lord for it just as Paul praise the God for the faith of the Thessalonians. Yet even as we praise, let us remember that the cause of Christ is still advancing in this world and God's work is not done. Now is the time for renewed zeal for spreading the Gospel to all kinds of people. May we be faithful to the task at hand.

Grace and peace,
John

Are you an Arminian?

I came across a blog called Arminian Today which I suspect any good Methodist should find interesting.

The Methodist movement has always made room for both Wesleyan/Arminian theology and Calvanism; but these days, few Methodists give much thought to the distinctions between the two.

If you have no idea what Arminianism is, start here.

Then click here for a primer on Calvanism.

And by all means, please leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Grace and peace,
John

Worship from Taize

Through the centuries, monastic communities have been fertile ground for theologians, musicians, and those dedicated to plumbing the depths of prayer and meditation. Such communities serve as laboratories for the Christian church where methods for holy living can be tested and refined and then shared with the whole community of Christian discipleship.

There is a non-denominational monastic community in Taize, France which adapts ancient forms of Christian music and prayer for our busy, multi-cultural, post-modern life. This clip gives a small sample of the sights and sounds of Taize. As you watch, consider the breadth and scope of the Christian faith on the earth- how the love of Jesus Christ is transforming lives of people from every tongue and tribe and nation. Imagine what it will be like when we stand united as one glorious Church in the presence of Jesus Christ and sing "alleluia" with the angelic choir. And then ask yourself- how might your present spiritual habits better reflect that promise of future glory in Christ?

A Prayer from John Wesley

For those who don't know or who may have forgotten, John Wesley was the leader of the early Methodist movement, an Anglican priest, and a practical theologian. He and his brother Charles (also an Anglican priest who is most remembered for writing hymns like "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing") gave shape to the theological emphases which live on in Methodism to this day. The following is one of many prayers which John Wesley wrote for use in personal devotional time.

Grant, O Lord,
that I may look for nothing,
claim nothing,
and resent nothing;
that I may go through all the scenes of life,
not seeking my own glory,
but looking wholly unto Thee
and acting wholly for Thee.

I invite you to contemplate on Wesley's prayer and consider how God might be calling you to renewed humility so that the light of Jesus Christ might shine through you like a beacon shinning through a storm.

Grace and peace,
John

What United Methodsts Believe, part 1.

If you've spent much time at all in a United Methodist congregation, you've heard of something called the Book of Discipline. Those who have served on some of our committees or who have contemplated a call to ordained ministry know that that the Discipline is the "how to" guide which governs all the practical day-to-day, year-to-year, and quadrennium-to-quadrennium business of being the church.

But did you know that the Discipline also describes our essential beliefs as United Methodists?

Part II of 2004 edition of the Book of Discipline is entitled "Doctrinal Standards and our Theological Task" and it begins on p. 41. From time to time, this blog will explore various passages from this section of the Discipline.

For now, I thought I'd share a few statements from the opening pages which highlight the similarities we United Methodists share with other Christian groups. For those keeping score, all of the following quotes can be found in bold print on pages 43 and 44 of the Discipline. I invite you to ponder these statements; and by all means, feel free to leave your thoughts and questions in the comments section.

We hold in common with all Christians a faith in the mystery of salvation in and through Jesus Christ.

We share the Christian belief that God's redemptive love is realized in human life by the activity of the Holy Spirit, both in personal experience and in the community of believers.

We understand ourselves to be part of Christ's universal church when by adoration, proclamation, and service we become conformed to Christ.

With other Christians, we recognize that the reign of God is both a present a future reality.

We share with many Christian communions a recognition of the authority of Scripture in matters of faith, the confession that our justification as sinners is by grace through faith, and the sober realization that the church is in need of continual reformation and renewal.

I hope this is the beginning of a grand and open conversation on what it means to follow Jesus.

Grace and peace,
John