From the Pastor’s Heart

This past weekend, we had the blessing of watching our youngest granddaughter, Emmelia Joyce, for the weekend. June 29 will mark her 1st birthday. It is such fun to watch her grow and learn. She is now walking. She can say “Zeus,” her dog’s name, but “Pappy,” she hasn’t mastered yet! I put Emme in the stroller, and off we go for our long walks. They mostly consist of me saying over and over again…. “Say Pappy, say Pappy, Pappy….Pappy…Pappy…Pappy!” Her response is usually clapping her hands. YEA PAPPY!

I love being a father and grandfather. No titles are more meaningful or dearer to my heart than Daddy and Pappy. July 3 marks the day it all began. Let me explain.

Every 4th of July, the little town of Bessemer celebrated the holiday by bringing a carnival to town. It really wasn’t very big, but for the small surrounding towns of Hillsville and Mt. Jackson, it was a big deal, especially for the teenagers who walked the fair grounds numerous times and thought it to be the great social event of the year. It was the summer of 1971. I was going to be a senior in high school. I was one of the teenagers walking around when I spotted a couple of young girls. The one, I knew from high school. The other, I had never met. I stopped to chat. We talked and talked and talked. My interest was piqued, and I thought I would take a chance and asked the one girl if she needed a ride home. She flatly turned me down! But we made plans to meet at the carnival the next night. We walked around and around and around. As the evening was drawing to a close, I thought I would ask again, “Do you need a ride home?” (I am persistent, if nothing else.) She accepted the invitation. And as they say, “THE REST IS HISTORY!” Of course, the young 17 year-old was Nancy. July 3 will mark 40 years since that fateful night at the Bessemer carnival. Neither she nor I anticipated what that night might hold.

Nancy later told me she really didn’t want to go to the carnival that night. In fact, she said, “My mother had to push me out of the car!” Three daughters and four grandchildren… all because her mother pushed her out of the car.

It has been an amazing journey and continues to be so. Nancy did not marry a minister. That did not come until eight years after we were married. She has always been supportive, an amazing wife, mother and grandmother. We are all blessed because of her.

We are all on a journey. And along the way, we enter into relationships. The most important relationship any of us will ever encounter is our relationship with our Creator. Do you remember when your relationship with God began? Was it because your parents pushed you out of the car and made you go to Sunday school and church? Or maybe they pushed you out of the car and made you go to church camp, MYF, or VBS, and there, you met our God and for the first time experienced God’s unconditional love and grace.

If you are a parent/grandparent, don’t be afraid to push your children in the direction of God. Don’t be afraid to push them to have a relationship with the Almighty. It will be the beginning of an amazing journey. As in any relationship, it may have its ups and downs. But in the end, it will be the most precious and meaningful relationship you will ever experience.

Each of us has our own journey and story to tell. How is it with your soul? How is it with your relationship with God?

Blessings,

Pastor Russel

Some of you are familiar with the Gospel song written many years ago by Bill and Gloria Gaither. The refrain goes, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.” The story behind that song is inspiring.

In the lat 1960’s, while expecting their third child, the Gaithers were going through a traumatic time. Their firstborn child, Suzanne, was four, and her sister Amy was three months old. The timing for another baby wasn’t ideal. On top of that, Bill was recovering from a bout with mononucleosis.

The breakup of the marriage of Bill’s sister, Mary Ann, had left his family devastated. What’s more, a close friend had accused Bill and Gloria of using their ministry just to make a few bucks. All this plunged Bill into a deep depression.

Gloria remembers this also as a time of fear and sadness in society. This was the time of the “God is dead” movement. Drug abuse and racial tension were increasing. The thought of bringing another child into such a world was taking its toll.

But after a simple prayer by one of Bill’s close friends the strength of the Holy Spirit seemed to come to their aid. Christ’s resurrection, in all its power, was reaffirmed in their hearts. They were assured that the future, left in God’s hands, would be just fine.

In July 1970, a healthy baby, Benjamin, was born. Inspired by the miracle of their son’s birth, “Because He Lives” poured out of the Gaither’s grateful hearts. The song clearly affirms the hope believers have in Christ. We can face tomorrow, with all its uncertainty, as we realize that God holds the future and makes life worth living.

“Because I live, you also will live….” Said Jesus to his disciples. What does that say to you and me about our lives? I believe this is the heart of the Christian faith. Christ is alive and because he is alive, we can live lives that overcome every obstacle.

God’s message to each of us is a message of hope; life is worth the living just because he lives.

In His Service,

Pastor Russel

We can’t turn on the television or pick up a newspaper or magazine without hearing or reading about it. For several weeks, reports have been pouring into our living rooms concerning this much-anticipated event. The world seems to have a great allure and fascination of what is already deemed the biggest travel event of the year. I speak of course about the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton. I would be curious to know how many of us will actually get up at 4:00 am and watch history in the making as Kate walks down that grand aisle of Westminster Abbey as she becomes the bride of Prince William.

It seems that everyone wants to know every detail of the wedding:
What will her wedding dress look like, and who designed it? “When the entire world will be watching your wedding ceremony, choosing the perfect wedding dress is essential,” claims one reporter.
What kind of flowers will she carry?
What will be on the menu?
What will their wedding cake look like?
And what about her wedding ring? (We already know that Prince William has chosen not to have a wedding ring.)
What will they promise one another in the way of their vows? It is also reported that Kate will promise to “love, comfort, honor and keep” her husband. She refuses to “obey.”
Will the weather cooperate?
Do the royals approve of the match?
Who is on the guest list? It has been reported that the guest list for the party of the year is out. And there are some snubs and some surprises for the royal wedding.

There are so many details and so many questions. In a few short hours we will have the answers to all of our questions. I am absolutely amazed at the amount of media attention given to this wedding.

I am equally amazed at the lack of interest and attention that our society gives to another bridegroom. We read in Revelation 21:2, “and I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband…” Throughout the scriptures we are given the image of Jesus as the bridegroom and we, his people, as the bride. We see this wonderful imagery in Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding banquet in John’s gospel.

Why such little attention to the bridegroom that saves the world? Can you imagine the life changing possibilities if Jesus got the media attention and our attention that Prince William is currently receiving?

Do we care about the details of our bridegroom? Jesus, the bridegroom, wore a crown of thorns and a cross as God’s saving love was conveyed to all humanity. Jesus, the bridegroom, vows to never leave us unto the end of the age.

It has been reported that the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton is a marriage that will transform a ‘commoner’ into a queen. The covenant that Jesus offers us is one that transforms broken and lost sinners into transformed children of God saved by grace through faith. In my way of thinking, this marriage is far more news worthy.

I don’t know about you, but my invitation to the royal wedding must have gotten lost in the mail. But the good news for me and for you is that another invitation is extended: “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” No one is excluded. All are invited. To be sure, this invitation is the most important invitation any of us will ever receive. Have you sent in your RSVP?

Blessings,

Pastor Russel

When we read the Bible or think about some of the stories in it, there is a great temptation to think, “Oh, all that is very interesting, and it is wonderful to think that God could do this for people long ago; yet it does not have much to do with me.”

What we really must do if we want to be open to hear God’s word in Scriptures is to be prepared to locate ourselves in the stories. In so doing, we come to learn a little bit about who we are by identifying ourselves with these people.

As we approach Easter, we will once again hear the resurrection story. That first Easter many emotions were experienced and expressed:

Fear…. “So they (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary) departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great Joy.” (Matthew 28:8)
“And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.” (Mark 16:8). “…But when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘why do you seek the living among the dead.’ (Mark 24: 3-4).

Doubt and Disbelief…. “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:16). “But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her (Mary Magdalene), they would not believe it. (Mark 16: 11). “After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.” (Mark16: 12-13). “Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.” (Luke 24:12). “Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the twin was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘we have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:24).

Grief and Sorrow…. “Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.” (Mark 16:9-10). “But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.” (John 20: 11).

With whom do you identify? Are you like one of the many who experienced fear that first Easter? Are you one of those who struggled with doubt? Or are you more like Mary, broken with sorrow and grief?

You might say we do not associate with any of those emotions. We are Easter people and we proclaim with great joy and gusto that Christ defeated death and is raised from the dead.

Yes, that is true. Perhaps a better way to approach these Easter Emotions is to ask: What does Easter mean to me?

One of my favorite hymns is the Gaither hymn: ‘Because He Lives’. The first verse states: “God sent his Son, they called him Jesus; he came to love, heal and forgive; he lived and died to buy my pardon, an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. Because he lives, I can face tomorrow; because he lives, all fear is gone; because I know he holds the future, and life is worth the living just because he lives.” We often lift our hearts and voices in celebration over these words, especially on Easter.

But, what about standing at the grave of a loved one? It is here where it is most important to ask: What does Easter mean to me? What Easter emotions are experienced at the grave: SORROW… FEAR… DOUBT…. BELIEF?

The other night I had a dream about my brother, Tommy. Tommy died ten years ago. I woke up with overwhelming grief and sorrow.

I discovered there are times when I am most like Mary as I find myself broken with grief. And it is then that I especially need to ask myself once again: What does Easter mean to me? I need to hear again how death is defeated. I need to hear again: “In my Father’s house there are many rooms.” I need to hear again the voice of the master: “Do not be afraid.”
I need to be like the Koontz family. The Koontz family lost three children to diphtheria in the same week in the early 20th century. Only a 3-year-old girl escaped the disease.

On the following Easter morning, the father, mother and child attended their church in rural Nebraska. Because Conrad, the father, was the Sunday School Superintendent, he led the session when all the classes met together. As he read the Easter message from the Bible, many were weeping, but the father and mother remained calm and serene.

When Sunday School was over, young Harry Lassiter, a local 15-year-old boy, was walking home with his father. “The Koontzes must really believe the Easter story,” said the boy.

His father answered, “All Christians do, Harry.”
“Not the way they do!” he said.

Do you believe in Easter?

Easter Blessings,

Pastor Russel

The Rev. Michael D. Powell, a United Methodist pastor tells of an experience he had while serving his first church, which was located in the tiny logging town of New Meadows, in the mountains of Idaho.

The local airport was a dirt landing strip at one end of town where for years his church held their annual Easter Sunrise Service. It was also one of Powell’s favorite places to walk their dog, Jesse.

A little girl, who was mentally challenged lived in a house below the airport, and she used to see Powell walking the dog and run out to join him. She would walk all the way to the end and back with him, but she never said a word.

After preaching at the United Methodist Church in the mornings, Powell would go over to the Assembly of God church for the more informal services in the evening. One of the songs he learned there was the old gospel tune, ‘He’s the Lily of the Valley.’

So for a while, the song became a kind of mantra for him, and he would sing it on his dog walks:

‘I have found a friend in Jesus. He’s everything to me.
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay;
He tells Every care on Him to roll.
He’s the Lily of the valley, the Bright and morning star.
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.’

He used to belt that out when he was really happy. But one day he wasn’t all that happy. When the little girl came running up the hill to walk on the dirt runway with Powell and his dog, Powell said, “Hi.” The little girl never talked anyway, so he just kept walking along in his moody, self-absorbed way.

And then it happened. After walking along in silence for 20 minutes or so; suddenly he heard the little voice say: “Bright and Morning Star.” She wanted him to sing!

It was the only time in all the time he knew her he ever heard her speak, and he said it was like the voice of God piercing the cloud; offering him just a glimpse of glory.

Just when he needed it most, the Rev. Michael Powell received a word from God through a small mentally challenged child.

Have you ever received a word from God just when you needed it? As we enter the season of Lent and begin this forty day journey, I invite you to listen for the voice of God and hear just how much we each are loved as we once again experience the walk to the cross. The suffering Christ speaks volumes of God’s love for us.

I pray you will journey with me to Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, and hear loud and clear of God’s loving and saving act.

Blessings,

Pastor Russel