I hope you will watch this amazing video clip that my friend Johnny Kincaid sent to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqQXJ1RxG5U
I was incredibly touched by it--in fact I was wiping away tears. What the Faith Lions fans did that night is such a powerful testimony of the Gospel. Jesus Christ came, lived among us, died , and rose from the dead so that we can have a fresh start.
May we all be cheerleaders for those who need God's grace!
By the way--I know that my friend Johnny is. You see he has a heart for prison ministry and leads Kairos weekends where prisoners can encounter the love of Jesus.
Matthew 24:31-40
31 "The Son of Man will come in all his glory. All the angels will come with him. Then he will sit on his throne in the glory of heaven. 32 All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate the people into two groups. He will be like a shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep to his right and the goats to his left.
34 "Then the King will speak to those on his right. He will say, 'My Father has blessed you. Come and take what is yours. It is the kingdom prepared for you since the world was created. 35 I was hungry. And you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty. And you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger. And you invited me in. 36 I needed clothes. And you gave them to me. I was sick. And you took care of me. I was in prison. And you came to visit me.'
37 "Then the people who have done what is right will answer him. 'Lord,' they will ask, 'when did we see you hungry and feed you? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in? When did we see you needing clothes and give them to you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40 "The King will reply, 'What I'm about to tell you is true. Anything you did for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Sabbath Wire by Bishop Mike
Thought I would share this E-pistle from Bishop Mike Coyner today:
“The Sabbath Wire” – February 25, 2009
I bring your greetings on this Ash Wednesday as we begin the 40-day journey of Lent toward the Easter celebration. Having returned recently from our trip to the Holy Land, I want to share with you the story of the Sabbath Wire as a reminder that we should not make the season of Lent a rigid set of rules but an opportunity for spiritual focus. Here is the story: Every time I go to the Holy Land (this was my fourth trip), I see something new and learn something new. This trip it was the Sabbath Wire which surrounds the upper city of Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee. Our group stayed in lower Tiberius, along the Sea in a beautiful setting which includes hotels, docks for fishing boats, hot springs, and a modern city. However there is also an upper Tiberius which is home to a large population of very devout and Orthodox Jews. On this trip our guide pointed out that the upper city is surrounded by a Sabbath Wire, which looks much like a set of telephone poles with a single wire. The wire surrounds the city and marks the limit of a “Sabbath day’s journey” from the center of the town. It is there to prevent any devout Jew from walking too far on the Sabbath. The wire keeps them from breaking the Sabbath rule about “working” by walking too far. Likewise in the hotel where we stayed in Jerusalem there was a Sabbath elevator which automatically went up one single floor at a time without any buttons being pushed – because, again, to push a button is considered “work” and a violation of the Sabbath. The sad thing, to me, about such rigid rules is that they actually miss the point of the Sabbath. In the Hebrew scriptures, the Sabbath is for rest, reflection, prayer, family time, and pleasant walks to enjoy God’s creation. So the rule about a “Sabbath day’s journey” is all about taking a pleasant stroll. How sad that a good thing – taking a stroll and enjoying God’s creation – has become a rigid rule complete with a wire to mark the limit of walking too far. I trust that we will not make Lent into a time that is so rigid we miss its point. The point of Lent is prayer, preparation, reflection, repentance, and getting ready for Easter. It is not about giving up desserts or chocolate or some of the silly rules we have put upon ourselves. I suppose it is our rebellion against such silly rules that has caused so many of us to ignore Lent altogether. Surely there must be a balance here so that we can gain the spiritual growth of Lent without hindering ourselves with rigid rules and superficial sacrifices. I hope that you will have a meaningful season of Lent, one which allows you to focus upon your journey of faith with Jesus. God bless you!
from Bishop Michael J. Coyner
Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church
“The Sabbath Wire” – February 25, 2009
I bring your greetings on this Ash Wednesday as we begin the 40-day journey of Lent toward the Easter celebration. Having returned recently from our trip to the Holy Land, I want to share with you the story of the Sabbath Wire as a reminder that we should not make the season of Lent a rigid set of rules but an opportunity for spiritual focus. Here is the story: Every time I go to the Holy Land (this was my fourth trip), I see something new and learn something new. This trip it was the Sabbath Wire which surrounds the upper city of Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee. Our group stayed in lower Tiberius, along the Sea in a beautiful setting which includes hotels, docks for fishing boats, hot springs, and a modern city. However there is also an upper Tiberius which is home to a large population of very devout and Orthodox Jews. On this trip our guide pointed out that the upper city is surrounded by a Sabbath Wire, which looks much like a set of telephone poles with a single wire. The wire surrounds the city and marks the limit of a “Sabbath day’s journey” from the center of the town. It is there to prevent any devout Jew from walking too far on the Sabbath. The wire keeps them from breaking the Sabbath rule about “working” by walking too far. Likewise in the hotel where we stayed in Jerusalem there was a Sabbath elevator which automatically went up one single floor at a time without any buttons being pushed – because, again, to push a button is considered “work” and a violation of the Sabbath. The sad thing, to me, about such rigid rules is that they actually miss the point of the Sabbath. In the Hebrew scriptures, the Sabbath is for rest, reflection, prayer, family time, and pleasant walks to enjoy God’s creation. So the rule about a “Sabbath day’s journey” is all about taking a pleasant stroll. How sad that a good thing – taking a stroll and enjoying God’s creation – has become a rigid rule complete with a wire to mark the limit of walking too far. I trust that we will not make Lent into a time that is so rigid we miss its point. The point of Lent is prayer, preparation, reflection, repentance, and getting ready for Easter. It is not about giving up desserts or chocolate or some of the silly rules we have put upon ourselves. I suppose it is our rebellion against such silly rules that has caused so many of us to ignore Lent altogether. Surely there must be a balance here so that we can gain the spiritual growth of Lent without hindering ourselves with rigid rules and superficial sacrifices. I hope that you will have a meaningful season of Lent, one which allows you to focus upon your journey of faith with Jesus. God bless you!
from Bishop Michael J. Coyner
Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Penn & The Gideon Bible
A friend sent me this amazing video of Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller) speaking about the night a fan gave him a Gideon Bible.
You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM
Penn is one of the most well known atheists in America. His video blog is an amazing witness to the importance of sharing our faith in a winsome way. The man Penn is talking about lived out 1 Peter 3:15 "Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way."
By the way--if you're reading this I hope you're praying for Penn to encounter the reality of Jesus. I know I am.
You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM
Penn is one of the most well known atheists in America. His video blog is an amazing witness to the importance of sharing our faith in a winsome way. The man Penn is talking about lived out 1 Peter 3:15 "Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way."
By the way--if you're reading this I hope you're praying for Penn to encounter the reality of Jesus. I know I am.
Good Food, Good Fellowship
Sunday's mission meal was a huge hit. (We have some marvelous cooks in this church!) Best of all we collected over 40 bags of groceries for LIFE Food Pantry. In fact, we had so much food that we had to get recruit another driver to help deliver it.
Thank you for your generosity to those in need. I know that Jesus was smiling!
"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?" Matthew 25:35-37
I thought I would share this wonderful post that I read by Elizabeth Glass Turner of Good News Magazine.
Blessings and peace,
Pastor Beth Ann
The Simple Ministry of Food
By Elizabeth Glass Turner
When I was little, my mom had major health problems. She was in and out of the hospital. I remember fearful nights with her away, and Dad trying to do my hair.
I also remember the casserole dishes. It was fascinating to see what would pop up under aluminum foil. There were lots of leftovers. I have vague memories of kind omen stopping by with supper, helping to fill the gap while mom was recovering at the local hospital across town.
We weren't left alone.
Years later, a Zimbabwean family in my church suffered several major health crises in the midst of pursuing higher education in the states. The mother, her husband in seminary, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and required surgeries and chemotherapy. A notepad was passed around. Names and dates were aligned. I signed up. Later, a clean dish was returned to me, the mounds of spaghetti long gone, growing kids satisfied.
I saw the family unexpectedly at a camp in Florida this summer. They were joyous, healthy, and working hard in ministry, planting a church. I smiled to myself as I thought of the empty casserole dish returned to me.
Why do casserole dishes carry such power?
Maybe you haven't ever needed anyone to help you do simple things: wash dirty laundry, make a meal, take the dogs for a walk, watch the kids for a couple hours.
There is no feeling so naked as having to rely on someone else for the most basic needs of a day.
One time, I was quite sick, living alone, and my basement apartment began to flood in the night.
Some friends quietly came over, brought me something hot to drink on the cold January night, fetched the dirty, mildew-smelling towels that soaked up the flood waters, and returned fresh, fluffy clean towels the next day.
I could've cried. I think I did.
Jesus feeds us. We feed each other. Whether you feed someone today, or whether you have to accept the role of being fed, I hope that you carry with you the instinct to feed the hungry - whether they're wealthy members of your congregation, or neighbors with cancer, or homeless folk on the bypass.
We all need fed.
Thank you for your generosity to those in need. I know that Jesus was smiling!
"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?" Matthew 25:35-37
I thought I would share this wonderful post that I read by Elizabeth Glass Turner of Good News Magazine.
Blessings and peace,
Pastor Beth Ann
The Simple Ministry of Food
By Elizabeth Glass Turner
When I was little, my mom had major health problems. She was in and out of the hospital. I remember fearful nights with her away, and Dad trying to do my hair.
I also remember the casserole dishes. It was fascinating to see what would pop up under aluminum foil. There were lots of leftovers. I have vague memories of kind omen stopping by with supper, helping to fill the gap while mom was recovering at the local hospital across town.
We weren't left alone.
Years later, a Zimbabwean family in my church suffered several major health crises in the midst of pursuing higher education in the states. The mother, her husband in seminary, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and required surgeries and chemotherapy. A notepad was passed around. Names and dates were aligned. I signed up. Later, a clean dish was returned to me, the mounds of spaghetti long gone, growing kids satisfied.
I saw the family unexpectedly at a camp in Florida this summer. They were joyous, healthy, and working hard in ministry, planting a church. I smiled to myself as I thought of the empty casserole dish returned to me.
Why do casserole dishes carry such power?
Maybe you haven't ever needed anyone to help you do simple things: wash dirty laundry, make a meal, take the dogs for a walk, watch the kids for a couple hours.
There is no feeling so naked as having to rely on someone else for the most basic needs of a day.
One time, I was quite sick, living alone, and my basement apartment began to flood in the night.
Some friends quietly came over, brought me something hot to drink on the cold January night, fetched the dirty, mildew-smelling towels that soaked up the flood waters, and returned fresh, fluffy clean towels the next day.
I could've cried. I think I did.
Jesus feeds us. We feed each other. Whether you feed someone today, or whether you have to accept the role of being fed, I hope that you carry with you the instinct to feed the hungry - whether they're wealthy members of your congregation, or neighbors with cancer, or homeless folk on the bypass.
We all need fed.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Asbury Seminary's New President
For over two years Asbury Theological Seminary, my alma mater, has been searching for a new President. This morning I was pleased to hear that the Board has selected Dr. Timothy Tennent.
The thing that is most exciting about Dr. Tennent is his world-wide focus. Asbury has always prided itself on taking John Wesley's statement that "The World Is My Parish" seriously. The school has graduates serving literally around the globe.
Here's the press release:
ASBURY SEMINARY ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT
WILMORE, Ky. (Feb. 17, 2009) – Timothy Craig Tennent, Ph.D., of Ipswich, Mass., has been elected the eighth president of Asbury Theological Seminary by the Board of Trustees. Asbury Theological Seminary, a private graduate school in the Wesleyan tradition with an enrollment of more than 1600 students, offers master’s and doctorate degrees in theology, biblical studies, missions and ministry studies.
Tennent, 49, comes to Asbury Seminary from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass., where he has served as professor of world missions and Indian studies since 1998.
Dr. Dan Johnson, chairman of the Board of Trustees stated, “The board is very excited about the unanimous election of Dr. Tennent. Dr. Tennent is a scholar’s scholar, a professor’s professor. He is a world Christian with world vision who will take Asbury Seminary into wonderful new arenas.”
“I am honored to have been selected to be president of Asbury Theological Seminary,” Tennent says. “We are delighted to be moving to the historic and beautiful garden area of central Kentucky. My wife, Julie, and I have always said that wherever God sends us, we will go. God has taken us to China, India, Nigeria and many beautiful churches in the southern United States and in New England. Now we have the great opportunity to help Asbury work with a global constituency and play a stronger role in preparing ministers from around the world for God’s work around the world.”
Tennent received his M.Div. in 1984 from Gordon-Conwell; the Th.M. in ecumenics, with a focus on Islam from Princeton Theological Seminary; and did graduate work in linguistics (TESL) at the University of Georgia. He completed his Ph.D. in non-western Christianity with a focus on Hinduism and Indian Christianity in 1998 at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
He is also one of the first four graduates from a new leadership development program funded by the Lilly Foundation and developed by the Lexington Seminar.
The leadership training program “covered innovation in everything from theological practice, shared governance, fundraising, negotiating personal dynamics in education to working with boards,” Tennent says. “During the three-year program, I met with dozens of deans and many presidents from schools across the theological spectrum, and learned a great deal about many of the unique challenges that we are facing today.”
Tennent is passionate about classical, orthodox theological education.
“I am alarmed by the growing trend away from serious theological reflection and do not believe that the church will be adequately prepared to face the challenges of pluralism and post-modernism without a more robust theological preparation,” he says. “I am also passionate about the emergence of the Majority World Church. I believe that the Western church continues to have an important role in global missions, in partnership with the increasingly vibrant Majority World Church.”
The thing that is most exciting about Dr. Tennent is his world-wide focus. Asbury has always prided itself on taking John Wesley's statement that "The World Is My Parish" seriously. The school has graduates serving literally around the globe.
Here's the press release:
ASBURY SEMINARY ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT
WILMORE, Ky. (Feb. 17, 2009) – Timothy Craig Tennent, Ph.D., of Ipswich, Mass., has been elected the eighth president of Asbury Theological Seminary by the Board of Trustees. Asbury Theological Seminary, a private graduate school in the Wesleyan tradition with an enrollment of more than 1600 students, offers master’s and doctorate degrees in theology, biblical studies, missions and ministry studies.
Tennent, 49, comes to Asbury Seminary from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass., where he has served as professor of world missions and Indian studies since 1998.
Dr. Dan Johnson, chairman of the Board of Trustees stated, “The board is very excited about the unanimous election of Dr. Tennent. Dr. Tennent is a scholar’s scholar, a professor’s professor. He is a world Christian with world vision who will take Asbury Seminary into wonderful new arenas.”
“I am honored to have been selected to be president of Asbury Theological Seminary,” Tennent says. “We are delighted to be moving to the historic and beautiful garden area of central Kentucky. My wife, Julie, and I have always said that wherever God sends us, we will go. God has taken us to China, India, Nigeria and many beautiful churches in the southern United States and in New England. Now we have the great opportunity to help Asbury work with a global constituency and play a stronger role in preparing ministers from around the world for God’s work around the world.”
Tennent received his M.Div. in 1984 from Gordon-Conwell; the Th.M. in ecumenics, with a focus on Islam from Princeton Theological Seminary; and did graduate work in linguistics (TESL) at the University of Georgia. He completed his Ph.D. in non-western Christianity with a focus on Hinduism and Indian Christianity in 1998 at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
He is also one of the first four graduates from a new leadership development program funded by the Lilly Foundation and developed by the Lexington Seminar.
The leadership training program “covered innovation in everything from theological practice, shared governance, fundraising, negotiating personal dynamics in education to working with boards,” Tennent says. “During the three-year program, I met with dozens of deans and many presidents from schools across the theological spectrum, and learned a great deal about many of the unique challenges that we are facing today.”
Tennent is passionate about classical, orthodox theological education.
“I am alarmed by the growing trend away from serious theological reflection and do not believe that the church will be adequately prepared to face the challenges of pluralism and post-modernism without a more robust theological preparation,” he says. “I am also passionate about the emergence of the Majority World Church. I believe that the Western church continues to have an important role in global missions, in partnership with the increasingly vibrant Majority World Church.”
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Precious in the Sight of the LORD
Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
Psalm 116:15, NIV
This morning I'm preparing for a funeral. Ruth Sabina Humphrey Fountaine has been an active member of Bedford First UMC since the 1940s. She went home to the Lord on on January 30th with her family surrounding her. Visitation is this evening at Furguson-Lee Funeral Home and the service is tomorrow at 11 am here at the church.
Please keep Dr. Tom, Ruth's husband of over 65 years, 4 children, and many grand children/great grandchildren in your prayers.
As I've worked on the service I was reminded of this verse from Psalm 116. "How precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15, NIV
Blessings and peace,
Beth Ann
is the death of his saints.
Psalm 116:15, NIV
This morning I'm preparing for a funeral. Ruth Sabina Humphrey Fountaine has been an active member of Bedford First UMC since the 1940s. She went home to the Lord on on January 30th with her family surrounding her. Visitation is this evening at Furguson-Lee Funeral Home and the service is tomorrow at 11 am here at the church.
Please keep Dr. Tom, Ruth's husband of over 65 years, 4 children, and many grand children/great grandchildren in your prayers.
As I've worked on the service I was reminded of this verse from Psalm 116. "How precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15, NIV
Blessings and peace,
Beth Ann
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