What's Going On?!
What’s Going On!?
SO much is happening right now in our world, and we have constant access to news. It can get overwhelming just trying to keep up. And then attempting to hold onto some form of sanity while staying informed is becoming a monumental task for many. Adding to the struggle is the task of finding a news source you can trust.
-----In our country today if I watch one news channel and my friend watches a different news channel, we can watch coverage of the same event and have strikingly different perspectives!
We should acknowledge that our golden calf of consumerism has run amuck, greed’s spur is kicking it along a dark path that has led us to more and more division in these United States.
Perhaps the most toxic trait fueling this division is FEAR. Fear hides behind many masks and yet its’ voice is far from muffled! It seems to me that fear is the culprit behind hate-speech, ignorance, arrogance, greed, vanity… The fear of loss of Power continues to compile dangerous, violent, harmful results. Fear is literally killing US.
----Ambrose Bierce and many other gifted authors have stories of characters who die of fear of the unknown invisible monster that is often of the characters’ own making.
Thankfully, we have the entire cannon of Holy Scripture to encourage us to overcome fear. From Genesis to Revelation, angels and prophets and the Prince of Peace repeat the greeting: “Do Not be afraid!”
Fundamental to our faith is the unshakable proclamation that John Wesley said on his death bed, “Best of all is, God is with us!” Personally, I’ve found inspiration from “perfect love casts out fear,” (1 John 4:18), “for God did not give us a spirit of fear (or cowardice) but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7), Isaiah 43 and 44, and too many Psalms to list. My hope is in the miraculous power of the Alpha and Omega who promises “a new heaven and a new earth…Jesus will wipe away every tear from their eyes, Death will be no more, mourning and crying and pain will be no more…” (Rev 21:1-5). We believe LOVE Wins in the end.
Can LOVE Win here and now?!...
A growing number of Christians are hearing the Holy Bible invoked in ways that do not align with their beliefs. We are hearing our beloved Bible verses perverted by those in positions of power to weaponize Christianity. This is Sinful. When anyone misuses the Word of God to promote hate, violence, divisiveness, greed, systematic sins, this is blasphemy.
As followers of the Prince of Prince, the Author of Life, the Word made flesh, we are called to illustrate Jesus’ Way of Truth and Life. In our Baptism, we commit to ‘resisting evil and injustice and spiritual forces of wickedness.’ As United Methodists we are called to ‘Do no Harm, Do Good and Stay in Love with God,’ and we are challenged by our new vision to “Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously.”
One way we have already started on this journey to overcome fear and division is by sharing a meal together. Jesus seemed to really enjoy eating with folks! He ate with any and every type of person, he told stories and taught lessons and washed feet around the dinner table. Table fellowship is vital to practicing our faith!
Every Wednesday after Bible Study (4p Bakers House) we gather around tables in the Family Life Center for Family Night. We come together around tables, pray, eat, tell stories, participate in devotionals and try to figure out this whole being human thing, this Way, Truth, Life together as the Body of Christ! You’re invited;
Family Night 5p Wednesdays, Family Life Center
And now every 4th Tuesday 5:30p at Charlie’s Old Fashion Kitchen’s back room we will gather to discuss and discern together all the struggles I’ve cataloged above. (The next What’s Happing?! Is May 26)
Plus, we have a potluck lunch coming up after church May 31. All of these times are opportunities for us to grow stronger together as a Body of Christ. They are also chances for us to struggle through life together; to cry out, to pray, to question, to share diverse worldviews, to learn from each other, and to illustrate what it means to be an inclusive, affirming, welcoming faith community!
When we come to the table, knowing that it does not belong to us, understanding that everything- including Life itself- is a gift from God. Our faith in the Living God can transform the everyday dinner table into a Communion of ‘the priesthood of all believers!’ When we gather and eat in this way, LOVE casts out Fear, LOVE overcomes divisions, LOVE equals out status levels, LOVE beams from the face of the Body of Christ, LOVE extends the Table to the outcasts and even enemies (Judas ate at the Last Supper!). I know I always leave these meals with spiritual nourishment and motivation to be an authentic follower of Jesus.
LOVE CAN WIN by us boldly Living out our faith!
Do you want to be a part of this humble Way of Love, Truth and Life? Join us.
Peace and the Power of Love be with you,
Pastor Brian
Lead Pastor, FUMC Farmersville
214-316-7625
PS please let me know if you and/or your group would like to meet and discern together