Notes from the Pastor…
On Memorial Day we stand in honoring silence for all our military men and women who have surrendered their lives in the name of national service. It is quite a harrowing task to enter into conflict without the assurance of survival; therefore, we pause and say “thank you” for those who deployed and never returned. Yet in our silent gratitude we must also pray and seek the end of such sacrifices. While we memorialize those who have provided service that we can never repay, we must mourn the debt acquired.
In our cultural lust for entertainment, we often become inoculated to violence through television and films that trivialize self sacrifice and help us justify war. This phenomenon must be held accountable by the followers of Jesus who deem every human life precious and worth redemption.
Whether justified or not, war is a terrible thing. It deems the loss of human life as “collateral damage,” and affects the lives of soldiers and their families in untold ways. My grandfather, a combat medic in Korea, has never, and probably will never, speak of his experience. Kristyn’s childhood and life long friend was killed by her husband, a veteran of the second Iraq war who suffered from PTSD. The loss of war is greater than our imagination, and affects families of all nationalities; whether they are Afghani, Iraqi, Libyan, or American.
In honor of all veterans, let us commit ourselves not only to silent gratitude for their service, but also fervent prayer for peace. Additionally, you and I are more than "world peace" beauty pageant contenders; we have the ability and duty to put actions to our prayers . Thus, you can vote for peace and act for peace! Ephesians reads,
“Your struggle is not against flesh and blood (human beings),” and Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” Though we honor those who gave their life in war; we must also have the courage to relieve ourselves and others of the need for war.
In grateful appreciation and merciful prayer,
Grace, Pastor Ryan
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Passion vs. Apathy
Notes from the Pastor…
Saturday, May 21st came and went just like any other day. If you do not know the irony in that statement, then allow me to succinctly remind you – Harold Camping, a radio preacher from California, “calculated” the rapture to take place at 6 p.m. CST on Saturday, May 21st; marking the end of the world.
In the days following Saturday’s uneventful 6 p.m., the world news continues to replay the same scenario. They show a devoted follower of Harold Camping handing out tracts and preaching on the sidewalk; then they explain how “so-and-so” spent all their savings on advertisements proclaiming the end of the world. As 6 p.m. approaches these dooms day prophets hold fast, but moments later nothing out of the ordinary takes place. In most scenarios, we hear jeers and taunts from people in the crowd and the Harold Camping follower has an empty look of disappointment, disbelief, and confusion. If we watch their eyes we see a split second turn from expectation to shame.
I feel sorry for those dejected individuals. They have been duped and into believing that mathematics can expose the will of God. I even feel sorry for Harold Camping who spent much time, money, and effort attempting to know the unknowable. As a pulpit theologian, I am tempted to blame their false interpretation of Scripture, but that will only bolster my ego and further their shame.
Nevertheless, as I ponder these dooms day prophets, my pity turns to inspiration. These people truly lived up to Tim McGraw’s poem, “Live Like You Were Dying.” Their urgency speaks volumes to my apathy. While I may mock their ill-placed faith, I should be inspired by their passion. After all, Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5,
Concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters… the Lord will come like a thief in the night… so let us not fall asleep… but since we belong to the day, let us think clearly, and put on clothes of faith and love and hats of hope and salvation.
Grace, Pastor Ryan
Saturday, May 21st came and went just like any other day. If you do not know the irony in that statement, then allow me to succinctly remind you – Harold Camping, a radio preacher from California, “calculated” the rapture to take place at 6 p.m. CST on Saturday, May 21st; marking the end of the world.
In the days following Saturday’s uneventful 6 p.m., the world news continues to replay the same scenario. They show a devoted follower of Harold Camping handing out tracts and preaching on the sidewalk; then they explain how “so-and-so” spent all their savings on advertisements proclaiming the end of the world. As 6 p.m. approaches these dooms day prophets hold fast, but moments later nothing out of the ordinary takes place. In most scenarios, we hear jeers and taunts from people in the crowd and the Harold Camping follower has an empty look of disappointment, disbelief, and confusion. If we watch their eyes we see a split second turn from expectation to shame.
I feel sorry for those dejected individuals. They have been duped and into believing that mathematics can expose the will of God. I even feel sorry for Harold Camping who spent much time, money, and effort attempting to know the unknowable. As a pulpit theologian, I am tempted to blame their false interpretation of Scripture, but that will only bolster my ego and further their shame.
Nevertheless, as I ponder these dooms day prophets, my pity turns to inspiration. These people truly lived up to Tim McGraw’s poem, “Live Like You Were Dying.” Their urgency speaks volumes to my apathy. While I may mock their ill-placed faith, I should be inspired by their passion. After all, Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5,
Concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters… the Lord will come like a thief in the night… so let us not fall asleep… but since we belong to the day, let us think clearly, and put on clothes of faith and love and hats of hope and salvation.
Grace, Pastor Ryan
Monday, May 23, 2011
Type here to protect those in need
Genius! Welcome to the 21st century where our petitions are electronic and updated. In the most recent of current events, our government is debating where to cut funds to make a budget work. This is necessary, yes, but cutting the funding of these programs is unthinkable!
To protect the hungry, poor, homeless, sick, abused, and vulnerable, click here.
I know you are capable of exploring the website, but since you are already reading this blog, I have taken the liberty of copying and pasting some crucial information regarding the future of the people who may be affected by these suggested budget cuts:
The following is a summary of federal programs focused on assisting hungry and poor people. It is provided for informational purposes and should not be read as an unqualified endorsement of any particular program in its current form by any organization or individual.
The mission of Circle of Protection:
As Christian leaders, we are committed to fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice. We are also committed to resist budget cuts that undermine the lives, dignity, and rights of poor and vulnerable people. Therefore, we join with others to form a Circle of Protection around programs that meet the essential needs of hungry and poor people at home and abroad.
http://www.circleofprotection.us/index.html
To protect the hungry, poor, homeless, sick, abused, and vulnerable, click here.
I know you are capable of exploring the website, but since you are already reading this blog, I have taken the liberty of copying and pasting some crucial information regarding the future of the people who may be affected by these suggested budget cuts:
The following is a summary of federal programs focused on assisting hungry and poor people. It is provided for informational purposes and should not be read as an unqualified endorsement of any particular program in its current form by any organization or individual.
DOMESTIC:
Food Assistance
- SNAP (formerly food stamps)
- Free and reduced-price school meals
Low-Income Child Care and Early Education
- Head Start
Low-Income Health Care
- Medicaid
- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Tax Credits and Income Support
- Refundable tax credits (EITC: the refundable component of the Child Tax Credit)
Low-Income Education and Training
Shelter and Homelessness
Preventing Child Maltreatment
Refugee Assistance
INTERNATIONAL:
International Food Assistance and Emergency Response
- P.L. 480 Title II Food for Peace
- McGovern-Dole International Food for Education
Global Health
- Global Health and Child Survival—State Department (includes PEPFAR)
- Child Survival and Maternal Health
Sustainable International Development Programs
- Development Assistance
International Refugee Assistance and Post-Conflict Support
Peacekeeping
Sustainable International Development Programs
International Poverty-Focused Financial Services (in ways that serve the poorest of the poor)
The mission of Circle of Protection:
As Christian leaders, we are committed to fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice. We are also committed to resist budget cuts that undermine the lives, dignity, and rights of poor and vulnerable people. Therefore, we join with others to form a Circle of Protection around programs that meet the essential needs of hungry and poor people at home and abroad.
http://www.circleofprotection.us/index.html
To the Congo!
This newsletter article is definitely written for our church congregation and local readers. However, I am still sharing it on the blog because I hope our future holds many updates about how God is moving in the Congo and if any of us reading this are lucky, we will witness the power of God in Congo with our own eyes!
Notes from the Pastor…
On June 25th, the Rev. David Owen will inform representatives from area Christian Churches about a potential partnership with our Christian brothers and sisters in the Congo. The key word for David Owen, and any mission activity we may be involved in, is “partnership”. Your Elders and Ministers are giddy with excitement over this opportunity!
Sometime in the recent past, doing the work of Christ abroad (foreign missions) turned from long- and short-term deployments of westerners sharing the gospel for the first time in cultures strikingly different from their own, to “partnering” with Christians in their home context to assist their work as missionaries to their own people. And so, we as the Tres Rios Area and we as the First Christian Church in Ruidoso have an opportunity to form a “partnership” with Christians in the Congo sharing Christ in their native context.
“Partnership” is not about money. Doing missions as proxy leads to a false ideology for those that give and a dependent relationship to those who receive. Yes, money is involved in forming relationship (travel and communication expenses), but “partnership” does not initially entail funding Billy Graham style crusades or publishing evangelistic material. “Partnership” is about relationship. Like any good relationship there is a give and take; both the Americans and the Congolese are mutual students learning from one another Christian practice and theology.
Please place Saturday, June 25, on your calendar; (1) come and hear David Owen, and (2) pray for those who are discerning God’s will in this opportunity. As your Pastor, my prayer is that the congregation of Disciples of Christ gathered in Ruidoso will learn from the congregation of Disciples gathered in the Congo, and that we may constantly pray with joy because of their sharing of the Gospel! To continue to paraphrase Paul, “I am confident that the One who began a good work among the Church will bring it to completion in
the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1)
Grace,
Pastor Ryan
Notes from the Pastor…
On June 25th, the Rev. David Owen will inform representatives from area Christian Churches about a potential partnership with our Christian brothers and sisters in the Congo. The key word for David Owen, and any mission activity we may be involved in, is “partnership”. Your Elders and Ministers are giddy with excitement over this opportunity!
Sometime in the recent past, doing the work of Christ abroad (foreign missions) turned from long- and short-term deployments of westerners sharing the gospel for the first time in cultures strikingly different from their own, to “partnering” with Christians in their home context to assist their work as missionaries to their own people. And so, we as the Tres Rios Area and we as the First Christian Church in Ruidoso have an opportunity to form a “partnership” with Christians in the Congo sharing Christ in their native context.
“Partnership” is not about money. Doing missions as proxy leads to a false ideology for those that give and a dependent relationship to those who receive. Yes, money is involved in forming relationship (travel and communication expenses), but “partnership” does not initially entail funding Billy Graham style crusades or publishing evangelistic material. “Partnership” is about relationship. Like any good relationship there is a give and take; both the Americans and the Congolese are mutual students learning from one another Christian practice and theology.
Please place Saturday, June 25, on your calendar; (1) come and hear David Owen, and (2) pray for those who are discerning God’s will in this opportunity. As your Pastor, my prayer is that the congregation of Disciples of Christ gathered in Ruidoso will learn from the congregation of Disciples gathered in the Congo, and that we may constantly pray with joy because of their sharing of the Gospel! To continue to paraphrase Paul, “I am confident that the One who began a good work among the Church will bring it to completion in
the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1)
Grace,
Pastor Ryan
Sunday, May 15, 2011
More Help Please
In my search for ideas from the "Please Help" blog last week, I have realized I am in search of two categories. My original appeal is to people who have experienced children's ministry themselves either as a child or now with their own child (children). I am so interested in your thoughts about how children can be reached!
The second group of people I now would like also to hear from: anyone who has worked with children in the church; any age group of children, paid children's worker or children's ministry volunteer, etc.
What have you learned about children in working with them in a church setting?
What have you learned about the church because of your work with children?
What is your biggest celebration in working with children in the church?
What is your biggest defeat in working with children in the church?
What advice would you offer to children's ministry volunteers?
What advice would you offer to children's ministry organizers?
What are your top three favorite resources you use (or have used) for children's ministry?
What do you do on Sunday morning to prepare for the children you will soon see?
In your opinion, what is the most positive effect a strong children's ministry can have on the life of a church?
*All comments are automatically anonymous. If you are comfortable in me knowing who you are, please type your name at the end of your comment. I appreciate your feedback!
The second group of people I now would like also to hear from: anyone who has worked with children in the church; any age group of children, paid children's worker or children's ministry volunteer, etc.
What have you learned about children in working with them in a church setting?
What have you learned about the church because of your work with children?
What is your biggest celebration in working with children in the church?
What is your biggest defeat in working with children in the church?
What advice would you offer to children's ministry volunteers?
What advice would you offer to children's ministry organizers?
What are your top three favorite resources you use (or have used) for children's ministry?
What do you do on Sunday morning to prepare for the children you will soon see?
In your opinion, what is the most positive effect a strong children's ministry can have on the life of a church?
*All comments are automatically anonymous. If you are comfortable in me knowing who you are, please type your name at the end of your comment. I appreciate your feedback!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Disciples and Dirt
Notes from the Pastor…
On Sunday, Mothers Day, Kristyn received the traditional Ruidoso Mothers Day present – plants, pots, and potting soil. It is amazing how much better a deck looks with planted pots rather than empty containers. It was a wonderful day to spend outside and we all enjoyed it, especially Jack. We are finding that Jack is a typical boy; he loves to play outside in dirt! Sunday, as Kristyn and I worked on planting our tomatoes, rosemary, and pink geraniums, Jack took to “helping”. His help was mostly playing in the potting soil, but sometimes he actually accomplished the task of placing the dirt in the pot. When he would do so, Kristyn and I would cheer and he would light up with a contagious joy.
In 1 Corinthians 3:9 we read, “For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field…” I imagine the Kingdom of God is like seed in soil; when we as disciples work together to nurture the seed, the seed grows, and there is contagious joy in our labors. Maybe we adults need to be more like children, and take simple joy in playing in dirt! The dirt that we play in is the fields of forgiveness, reconciliation, redemption, mercy, compassion, and love. In our labors we may make mistakes, we may get dirty and we may not do things exactly as they should, but in such labors there is great joy in working with our true Father and true Mother, that is our God.
In Jesus with Dirty Feet, author Don Everts maintains, “Jesus was a man with dirty feet… Jesus floated on no pristine clouds. Jesus was no aloof elitist. Jesus was no odd hermit. He preferred the world of dirt and friends and handshakes. He embraced this relational life on earth [passionately].”
May you embrace the relational life on earth passionately! May you play in the dirt of God’s field! May you experience contagious joy in laboring with your fellow believer!
Grace, Pastor Ryan
On Sunday, Mothers Day, Kristyn received the traditional Ruidoso Mothers Day present – plants, pots, and potting soil. It is amazing how much better a deck looks with planted pots rather than empty containers. It was a wonderful day to spend outside and we all enjoyed it, especially Jack. We are finding that Jack is a typical boy; he loves to play outside in dirt! Sunday, as Kristyn and I worked on planting our tomatoes, rosemary, and pink geraniums, Jack took to “helping”. His help was mostly playing in the potting soil, but sometimes he actually accomplished the task of placing the dirt in the pot. When he would do so, Kristyn and I would cheer and he would light up with a contagious joy.
In 1 Corinthians 3:9 we read, “For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field…” I imagine the Kingdom of God is like seed in soil; when we as disciples work together to nurture the seed, the seed grows, and there is contagious joy in our labors. Maybe we adults need to be more like children, and take simple joy in playing in dirt! The dirt that we play in is the fields of forgiveness, reconciliation, redemption, mercy, compassion, and love. In our labors we may make mistakes, we may get dirty and we may not do things exactly as they should, but in such labors there is great joy in working with our true Father and true Mother, that is our God.
In Jesus with Dirty Feet, author Don Everts maintains, “Jesus was a man with dirty feet… Jesus floated on no pristine clouds. Jesus was no aloof elitist. Jesus was no odd hermit. He preferred the world of dirt and friends and handshakes. He embraced this relational life on earth [passionately].”
May you embrace the relational life on earth passionately! May you play in the dirt of God’s field! May you experience contagious joy in laboring with your fellow believer!
Grace, Pastor Ryan
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Please Help
I have always loved kids. I have always loved church. Now I have a son and I am personally vested in the children of the church. I am hoping to gather ideas, personal experiences from you as a child or your child now, hopes, visions, etc. I am thinking about children in the church almost all the time lately and I welcome all thoughts on what you think is possible! In case I have still been too vague, here are some questions I am pondering. Feel free to answer them or add to them. I appreciate the help!
What can the church offer children?
How do children view church?
How do children participate in worship?
How do families worship together?
How do children contribute to worship?
How does church affect a child's life?
Is the church experience different for a child if a child comes with a family, part of a family, with a friend's family, or alone?
When it comes to children's ministry, in your experience what is tangible and affective?
What is most harmful to children in church?
*You do not have to be a parent or church attender to contribute your thoughts.
**All comments are automatically anonymous. If you are comfortable in me knowing who you are, please type your name at the end of your comment. I appreciate your feedback!
*You do not have to be a parent or church attender to contribute your thoughts.
**All comments are automatically anonymous. If you are comfortable in me knowing who you are, please type your name at the end of your comment. I appreciate your feedback!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Sacred Companions: Part VI
You may be noticing that my list of shareable quotes has been getting shorter. The reason for this has zero relationship with the relevance of the progressing chapters. In fact, this book is making me consider what role I may have in my own person spiritual direction as well as what role I may play in spiritual direction in others' lives. The majority of the information in recent chapters has become experiential examples which has been so helpful, but not applicable unless shared as a whole. If I retyped entire examples (and thereby entire chapters) into my blog, David Benner might not appreciate that too much. Instead, I will recommend the book (again) and leave you with two simple questions seen in this chapter.
*If you have ever read this book, please feel free to leave your favorite quotes as comments! I would love to see what spoke to you in each of the chapters.
Chapter 6: A Portrait of the Process
What is happening in your prayer life?
What do you think God is asking you at present?
*If you have ever read this book, please feel free to leave your favorite quotes as comments! I would love to see what spoke to you in each of the chapters.
Sacred Companions: Part V
I couldn't wait to get to the end of this chapter after the allusion in the beginning to a section on dreams. I am so interested in and fascinated by dreams. If you have ever read a specifically helpful book on dreams (interpretation, application, etc.), please recommend it!
"Some people have great difficulty moving from their ideas of God to their experiences." (p. 109)
"Biblical revelation aids our attunement to God by helping us encounter the Lord God of heaven and earth, not simply the god of our imagination, childhood experience or previous religious instruction." (p 117)
"Too easily we offer God obedience that is not a heart response, merely a behavioral one. Too easily fear, guilt or a desire to manipulate God can motivate obedience." (p. 121)
On p. 118, I was thrilled to learn a helpful dream response. If you are a fellow "dreamer" please feel free to use this and please share your experience!
"The most basic dream work exercise:"
T Title - give the dream a title
T Theme - note its overall theme
A Affect - note the dominant emotions in the dream and now as you prayerfully reflect on it
Q Question - note the potential questions the dream poses for you
For a full example of this dream exercise, read this chapter! If you are interested in using this formula to evaluate your dreams, keep a journal by your bed and record your dream as soon as possible. As I mentioned before, I am fascinated by dreams. David purposes in this chapter, "Dreams are most useful in spiritual growth when we prayerfully listen to them rather than seek to interpret them." I am hoping to learn to do this as well. Another helpful suggestion David gives in this chapter is to pray about your dreams - something I have honestly never thought to do. I am rejuvenated by the possibility of seeing God in my dreams! May it be so, and may I recognize!
*If you have ever read this book, please feel free to leave your favorite quotes as comments! I would love to see what spoke to you in each of the chapters.
Chapter 5: Soul Attunement
"Some people have great difficulty moving from their ideas of God to their experiences." (p. 109)
"Biblical revelation aids our attunement to God by helping us encounter the Lord God of heaven and earth, not simply the god of our imagination, childhood experience or previous religious instruction." (p 117)
"Too easily we offer God obedience that is not a heart response, merely a behavioral one. Too easily fear, guilt or a desire to manipulate God can motivate obedience." (p. 121)
On p. 118, I was thrilled to learn a helpful dream response. If you are a fellow "dreamer" please feel free to use this and please share your experience!
"The most basic dream work exercise:"
T Title - give the dream a title
T Theme - note its overall theme
A Affect - note the dominant emotions in the dream and now as you prayerfully reflect on it
Q Question - note the potential questions the dream poses for you
For a full example of this dream exercise, read this chapter! If you are interested in using this formula to evaluate your dreams, keep a journal by your bed and record your dream as soon as possible. As I mentioned before, I am fascinated by dreams. David purposes in this chapter, "Dreams are most useful in spiritual growth when we prayerfully listen to them rather than seek to interpret them." I am hoping to learn to do this as well. Another helpful suggestion David gives in this chapter is to pray about your dreams - something I have honestly never thought to do. I am rejuvenated by the possibility of seeing God in my dreams! May it be so, and may I recognize!
*If you have ever read this book, please feel free to leave your favorite quotes as comments! I would love to see what spoke to you in each of the chapters.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Reactions and Ben Laden
I woke up this morning to the news of Osama Bin Laden’s death, and before I saw the celebrations at the White House, before I opened Facebook, I found myself with a mix of emotions.
On one hand I feel the weight of President Obama’s words: “Justice has been done.” Throughout history there have been world leaders who have chosen evil, and justice was/is deserved. Moreover, as Christians we feel emboldened in justice oriented actions when atrocities against humanity are great. In Psalm 33:5 we hear: “The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” To some degree, because God is love, God is also just. In addition, my theology instructs my heart that God gives the power of securing justice in this world to the created. And so, I hear, “Justice has been done” and I feel good about the just results.
On the other hand, in scripture justice is anything but a self-edifying endeavor. The prophet Amos speaks about justice, but his statements on justice are against the nation of
Of course it was Jesus who leveled the grounds of justice, saying to his followers: “You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Like I said, I find myself in a mix of emotions; I wish to celebrate justice, but I hear the somber call to love. And so, I echo a friend from seminary, Rev. Lory Hunt, whose simple reflection speaks volumes to the work of the Church and the teaching of Jesus…
“Lord, have mercy! Christ, have mercy!”
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