http://www.bisfumc.org/blog/index.php var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); ]]> http://www.bisfumc.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100728-085403 Wow, it’s hard to believe it’s been 5 weeks since I’ve last written, sorry for the long delay, and welcome back. I’ve just returned from my grand summer adventure to Thailand. I’d like to spend a few days recounting and recording some of what we experienced in that beautiful country.
I traveled with Barb and Dave Nash, and Diane Dyk, members all of Legacy UMC. We had a number of “purposes” for this trip. Primary among them was to reconnect with Somsong, a 40 year old Thai man that Barb met five years ago, and Diane 2. He lives in a very rural village in NE Thailand an hour NW of Khon Kheon. He is a quadriplegic who lives under the main floor of his family home, exposed to the weather. We hoped to help ‘enclose’ him and his living quarters at least in part, to help temper the severity of their Thai winter. I’ll spend much time talking about this amazing man, and his faithful family caregivers; most notably Jansi, one of his 9 siblings.
We also went to meet/connect with a local Assembly of God pastor who has begun ministering in Somsong’s village. He is the pastor of a small but expanding church in Khon Kheon. He is 60ish and formerly worked for the US CIA during the Vietnam conflict. He speaks good English and interpreted for me/us on various occasions. We went to Thailand to forge this relationship and explore the potential for future mission project(s) in that part of the world. We were able to learn what we needed to know.
Over all the experience was tremendous. Somsong is an amazing fellow that you will be impressed to get to know through these stories. The village life is incredible, the food was hot, spicy and outstanding, the people were friendly, the pace of life is relaxing, the whole country is hot and humid, and I am having a harder time than expected readjusting to CST after 12 days half way around the world, and 30+ hours to get there and back!
So, I hope you enjoy reliving some of our experiences, and I promise to return to Ecclesiastes soon.
]]> http://www.bisfumc.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100621-095715 Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?

These are the key verses in the book of Ecclesiastes. They contain the secret to unlocking the deep depression/despair we see/hear so often in Solomon. [ i]Apart from him ; or “without God”, seems to me to be the key.
Many Christians have dismissed this verse, these recurring phrases throughout Ecclesiastes, and really this whole book, because it/they seem to advocate a philosophy of life many would name hedonism: (eat, drink and be merry) enjoying the things of this world only for personal pleasure. I cannot deny that on the surface, that is exactly what it appears to be saying in this book, but when you add this small 3 or 2 word “disclaimer” (apart from Him) or (without God), it does make more sense.
Our fear of alcohol, good food, eating and enjoying life can really be tempered when combined with (apart from Him). Without God those many “hedonistic” things become ends in and of themselves, and lead down a path of despair, depression and finally destruction. But when combined with an active, healthy, holistic, honest relationship with God…they become part of God’s creative genius, designed to enhance the enjoyment of our lives. Let’s be honest, there are many hard things in this life, there are tragedies, sadness, disappointments, and much hard work; all of which might be moderated a bit by finding some balance between living there; and trying to find some enjoyment in the simple pleasures this life affords. Enjoy your life today…just make sure to include God in all parts of it!
]]> http://www.bisfumc.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100619-094433 Ecclesiastes 2:17 So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless – like chasing the wind. I know a thing or two about chasing the wind. These past few days in ND have been hurricane-esque with 78 mph gusts. I tried chasing a golf ball in that wind…not fun.
Solomon’s despair has finally been completed. He’s tried to find meaning in pleasure, wine, fancy homes and gardens, and even wisdom itself; and lo and behold; each has left him wanting. So he has come to hate life. All his searching began with an illegitimate internal source, and maintained an illogical external focus. Never once does he mention that he tried to include God in any of his searching.
I believe Solomon is trying to make a vivid point: that searching to fulfill one’s life must have some greater purpose than just personal, private, internal fulfillment. Finding ones purpose must grow from a deeper source than just what we think will make us happy. Finding one’s purpose in life must take into account more than just what makes us happy or feel good. It must account for the fact that we are lovingly made in the image of God, by the hand of God, for the will of God! Solomon has not made that connection…yet.
What about you…me? Are we seeking to find fulfillment anywhere else but in God? If so, our despair might become Solomon-esque! We must find our purpose, our meaning, our happiness, our fulfillment in only one place…the arms of the one who made us, loves us, and chooses to need us.
]]> http://www.bisfumc.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100615-104033 Ecclesiastes 1:13 …I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. Really? I know the depression that comes when the rhythms of life become so predictable that everything seems the same, but to say that God has dealt us a “tragic” existence is really a stretch, for me.
I mentioned yesterday that I believe two words might be very helpful in understanding and interpreting God’s message through Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes. I in no way am trying to “add to” the scriptures, nor am I in any way so full of myself to think that I have the key to unlocking all difficult scriptures. It just seems to me that many of the obscure, ironic, impossible passages in this book would be much clearer if we were to apply the words…”without God”…
For instance; “Everything is meaningless” (without God), makes sense. (Without God) "History merely repeats itself". (Without God) nothing is ever truly new. (Without God) our lives really are a quite tragic existence.
Again, I’m not trying to add to scripture, just add to our ability to understand it. I’ve come to this conclusion from reading this book a number of times. There are about 7-8 significant passages interspersed throughout the book that lead me to this conclusion. I’ll highlight them as we encounter them.
So for today: just know that life (without God) really is meaningless, pointless, purpose-less. God has designed it to be so, so that we might learn the majestic lesson that dependence (upon God) is significantly superior to independence, (from God). It is not tragic, it is not vanity, it is the way God meant it to be. Without God, what is life really?
]]> http://www.bisfumc.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100614-075703 Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Everything is meaningless”, says the teacher, “completely meaningless.”
Wow what an opening line. Sure makes me want to jump into this book and explore its depths! Welcome back frog blog readers. I’ve enjoyed my time away, but missed the discipline and intention that it forces upon me. In response to a couple suggestions I’ve decided to explore Ecclesiastes. It is one of my favorite books. Maybe I identify with Solomon’s depression, maybe with his resignation that life sucks, maybe I just find myself often in his words/thoughts/truth.
This book opens with one of the most depressing, hopeless statements in all of scripture. Is everything truly meaningless? If so, we might understand Solomon’s intent to then wrangle some sense out of living, by exploring alternative endings and beginnings. But if it is not meaningless, why does he write such? Some have speculated that Solomon wrote this toward the end of his life, and may have been suffering the beginning stages of dementia. I don’t know those facts, and so am left with dealing with the meaning of its words at face valve.
There are two key words missing from this book, which in my opinion will explain the book, not completely, but far better than we get at face value. I’ll share those words in a later post. For now, I want to wrestle with this first verse: is everything truly meaningless? If so, then why do we put so much effort in the living of our lives? Why not just resign ourselves to the fact that fate, or the stars, or random chance determine our existence; and live our lives in any fashion we choose? I believe many have chosen this explanation for their living. Many in our world today live subsistence lives moving from one thrill to the next, from one paycheck to the next, from one day to the next without giving much thought to any other option. And most unfortunately, they have ignored or intentionally disregarded the church and faith as providing any substantive alternative or answer. How sad.
Over the next few weeks these posts will be a bit more random than usual, because of my more random schedule, but I look forward to spending this time with you and with Solomon, as we wrestle with the meaning of life! Welcome back.

]]> http://www.bisfumc.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100512-092144 http://www.bisfumc.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100511-101333 Rom. 16:1-2 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

In this last chapter of Paul’s letter to the Roman church he mentions a significant number of folks who have been helpful to him while serving in various leadership roles throughout the church. But I don’t think it an editorial accident that this list is headed by a woman named Phoebe. These endearing and complimentary words about this woman, who is the deacon of a church, come from the lips/pen of the same man who declared in another place that women should remain silent in the church. (I Cor. 14:34). How can these be reconciled? Was Phoebe able to be a “silent” deacon in the church? Or was Paul speaking of a localized situation in Corinthians when he called for women to be silent, and to learn from their husbands? I think the later!
Paul gets a bad rap in my book. He is derided and often summarily dismissed as the ancient architect of Male Chauvinism. I think nothing could be further from the truth! In as much as Jesus elevated the status of women in his culture, Paul followed closely in his footsteps by electing, appointing, honoring and utilizing women to lead his churches throughout the ancient Middle East. He ends many of his writings with words of congratulations and commendations for the women who have and are leading the believers in various places. Why would he appoint women if they were to act as second class citizens and remain silent, relegated to teaching only children; and not adults in many churches still today? (And frankly, I’m not sure the UMC would exist today were it not for faithful United Methodist Women who have been the backbone of many UM churches!)
I grew up being taught and believing that only men were to be pastors. My first chapel experience in seminary caused a crisis of faith as I sat with 700 new freshmen students, 100 of whom were women…and most of whom had ‘calling stories’ far superior to mine! I was brought face to face with the reality that I had to figure out how to incorporate some new truth in my life – that God does indeed call women to be Pastors, and for the record, many of them are far superior to many of us men in their gifts, skills, and talents. I thank God that Paul understood that God’s call is not gender specific – God calls all of us; not all to be pastors, but all to be followers, and leaders
]]> http://www.bisfumc.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100506-093854 Rom. 15:5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.

What does living in complete harmony with each other look like? It seems that so much of the stress I deal with in my life is conflict between me and another, or between others in my circle of influence or under my care. Are we all just sinfully defiant and unwilling to live in this spirit of harmony, or is there some other meaning?
I’ve been meeting together with a group of friends as we try and “flesh out” what unity means in the body of Christ, but especially between three very different churches. It has been fun, but not always easy. The other day at one of our meetings, I asked; “What draws us together – why do you keep coming to these get togethers”? The most common answer was that we all fashion ourselves, and see each other as somewhat “on the edge” of our lives and ministry. We like to think of ourselves as “cutting edge”, and maybe we are, but more likely to me is the fact that this group is willing to lay aside our significant differences in order to focus with greater intention on our even more significant similarities and commonly shared beliefs and values. I don’t think what we are doing is necessarily revolutionary, but it is interesting. I wonder where we’ll end up?
On a more personal level, I want to know what more I can and should be doing to foster harmony within my own circle(s) of influence. Am I an advocate for harmony and unity, or am I an instigator of the opposites? Am I working to advance my own personal-preference agenda(s); or am I honestly following God’s will and leading? Am I allowing the anger, frustration, and resentment that lie within me to sabotage my relationships, especially with those I love the most, and those with whom I work most intimately?
Lord Jesus, I want to do the right things today to build unity and harmony with the folks I share life and ministry. I want to know your patience and encouragement, so I might exhibit those in myself, and share them with others.
]]> http://www.bisfumc.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100505-085340 Rom. 14:1 & 17-19 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong…For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

My first thought upon reading verse 1 was…”well, then what will we have to talk about?” Sad that for so many Christians, much of our intercourse with each other is fighting about stuff one or the other thinks is right or wrong…I guess we are both wrong! I find it a bit ironic Paul commands us not to argue about stuff that some deem right or wrong, then he fills the remainder of this chapter with discussion about eating certain foods, or not, drinking or not, and other controversial subjects. In the middle of the chapter he reveals the point behind the lesson: For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Lord, I’m tired of fighting with other believers about so much stuff that really doesn’t matter. How much of what we fight about really does? Really? Help me instead today, to focus on living a life of goodness, peace and joy. Help me see the goodness you have planted in others, help me not forget some has also been planted in me. Help me work hard to maintain peace in all my healthy relationships, and not worry or spend time fretting about the toxic ones. And help me find my joy in you so that I might spread your joy to others this day. May I be blessed with the honor of serving you by serving others today, and may my attitude be a reflection of yours as I do. I long for harmony in this church I serve, and others I know. It is so easy for all of us to become petty and selfish with YOUR church. We think it exists for us, but it doesn’t. We think it should meet our needs, fulfill our wants, conform to our preferences, and when it doesn’t; we tear each other down laying blame on one another, instead of building one another up. It is not my church, it is not really even our church…it is yours.
]]> http://www.bisfumc.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100504-084937 Rom. 13:13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see…

Sorry I’ve missed a few days; happy to be back. This verse struck me this morning. My dad was always fond of reminding us boys (not sure he was as worried about my sister), but he almost always reminded us as we went out the door for some late night event: “Nothing much good happens after midnight!” I think he was right! On a spiritual level I thought of that as I read this morning: because we belong to the day. Because of our salvation made possible by Jesus Christ, and our acceptance of that marvelous gift, we are children of the day, not children of the night.
Ever notice how much things seem worse in the night? Thunderstorms don’t seem so severe when they happen during the day, blizzards are not so bad during the day; but when the sun sets, things seem to get worse. Ever notice how problems of the day, seem intensified during the night? There is no secret why we are called Children of the LIGHT!
I not only want to remind myself today that I am a child of the day, but the second part of the verse also must inspire me. It does little good to live decent, personal, private, secret lives…we must also live decent lives for all to see! People are making a judgment about us by observing how we live…scarier yet…people are making a judgment about the God we say we love…by observing how we live! Unfortunately people are not very willing or able to separate Jesus from his followers…more unfortunate still, is that our less than faithful lives makes doing so a necessity! God help me to live as a child of the day, a child of Light, help me live a decent life (not pharisaically perfect) just decent!
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