The New Year is here! Happy New Year.
It is always interesting to hear the resolutions made at this time. There is always ten pounds to be lost. There is always resolutions that have to do with relationships. The resolutions keep coming year after year. One lady was overheard to say, "I have resolved to make no resolutions for the year ahead."
Have you ever thought of what life is like without resolve?
It just happens. Everything that comes your way comes your way. You are the whim of whatever wave of life happens to be the highest at the time. You are always a victim of circumstances. People of this persuasion will say, "When it is my time to go, it's my time...."
The Christian life is one of great resolve. Think with me for a second.
Joseph resolved to keep Mary as his wife, no matter what others said. The Wise Men showed great resolve in making the journey to the Christ child regardless of what Herod said or did. John the Baptist resolved to baptize and preach the gospel even if it would cost him his head. Jesus showed great resolve in making sure that the world knew of God's love and grace even if it led him to the cross.
In these examples there is no sense of being at the whim of life. Instead resolution is that which steers the vessel of your life. It is that which guides you through the wilderness of life. Resolve is part of the character of Christ or the image of God which we all can claim in our life.
Or we can continue going year after year, drifting in life.
Make a list of resolutions for your faith journey. Create a plan of action for your faith walk. Then in great faith, do it. 2010 will be the year that changed your life! Or better yet, the year that God changed your life.
Pray for me as I pray for you.
In the Master's Name,
Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
www.thewellumc.com
www.midweekmanna.com
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Littlest Angel
The littlest angels always make the Children's Nativity.
Technically she was correct. It was her baby.
Sunday we had the Children's Nativity. It is the time the children dress up as the characters of the Nativity. It is an important way to teach children the story of the birth of Christ. As they grow up, they play different parts in the scene.
The angels were children under the age of five. Each was adorned in white with angel wings and of course there was a halo. It is hard to get little boys under the age of five to understand the halo concept. Some of them ditch the halo.
Our littlest angel was a two year old little girl filled with energy. Things went well in making the announcement to the shepherds. Although as the angels were waiting, there were moms trying to keep the little hands out of the baptismal fountain near by. When the announcement came, the one angel went to her place. Then when the whole heavenly hosts were cued, all of the angels took their place.
It was this point that the angels really took the stage. They were to go over across the stage and stand behind Mary and Joseph. Most of them did make the trip however a few wandered back to their mom. The littlest angel made it over to Mary and Joseph and discovered the baby Jesus. It was HER doll.
When a two year discovers HER doll in the midst of many boys and girls, it is time to make it clear who this belongs to. Yes, you guessed it. She immediately went over the manger and picked up baby Jesus and boldly proclaimed, "MINE! MY Baby!" holding the baby by its toes. Now in some churches, this little angel would have been attacked by the shepherds or wise men, but not ours.
The mother of the littlest angel convinced her that the baby belonged in the manger. After proclaiming loudly once more, "MY BABY!" the littlest angel put the baby in the manger--head down, toes up. Now one could argue that at some point maybe Jesus did in fact pull his toes out of the cloth and pull his toes up. Babies do that. It is just not quite the picture of the Nativity that we have.
It was a joyful moment at The Well--the Nativity.
I have thought about this and concluded that the littlest angel was there to teach us all something very important. Oh how God longs for each of God's children to go to the manger and proclaim to the world, "This is MY baby! This is MY Savior!" I think God would love that moment even if we didn't hold the baby correctly or put the baby back. Jesus was born not to be looked at with sentimental eyes, but to be grasped and claimed. The littlest angel knew that baby was hers.
The Savior is born--for you.
The Children's Nativity is already on the 2010 calendar. I can't wait to see it!
Pray for me as I pray for you.
In the Master's Name,
Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
www.thewellumc.com
www.midweekmanna.com
Technically she was correct. It was her baby.
Sunday we had the Children's Nativity. It is the time the children dress up as the characters of the Nativity. It is an important way to teach children the story of the birth of Christ. As they grow up, they play different parts in the scene.
The angels were children under the age of five. Each was adorned in white with angel wings and of course there was a halo. It is hard to get little boys under the age of five to understand the halo concept. Some of them ditch the halo.
Our littlest angel was a two year old little girl filled with energy. Things went well in making the announcement to the shepherds. Although as the angels were waiting, there were moms trying to keep the little hands out of the baptismal fountain near by. When the announcement came, the one angel went to her place. Then when the whole heavenly hosts were cued, all of the angels took their place.
It was this point that the angels really took the stage. They were to go over across the stage and stand behind Mary and Joseph. Most of them did make the trip however a few wandered back to their mom. The littlest angel made it over to Mary and Joseph and discovered the baby Jesus. It was HER doll.
When a two year discovers HER doll in the midst of many boys and girls, it is time to make it clear who this belongs to. Yes, you guessed it. She immediately went over the manger and picked up baby Jesus and boldly proclaimed, "MINE! MY Baby!" holding the baby by its toes. Now in some churches, this little angel would have been attacked by the shepherds or wise men, but not ours.
The mother of the littlest angel convinced her that the baby belonged in the manger. After proclaiming loudly once more, "MY BABY!" the littlest angel put the baby in the manger--head down, toes up. Now one could argue that at some point maybe Jesus did in fact pull his toes out of the cloth and pull his toes up. Babies do that. It is just not quite the picture of the Nativity that we have.
It was a joyful moment at The Well--the Nativity.
I have thought about this and concluded that the littlest angel was there to teach us all something very important. Oh how God longs for each of God's children to go to the manger and proclaim to the world, "This is MY baby! This is MY Savior!" I think God would love that moment even if we didn't hold the baby correctly or put the baby back. Jesus was born not to be looked at with sentimental eyes, but to be grasped and claimed. The littlest angel knew that baby was hers.
The Savior is born--for you.
The Children's Nativity is already on the 2010 calendar. I can't wait to see it!
Pray for me as I pray for you.
In the Master's Name,
Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
www.thewellumc.com
www.midweekmanna.com
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Emmanuel God is With Us!
"Some times I feel as though God must be a million miles away from me."
It is the thought of a young woman growing up in the confusion of teen age years. It is what the old man is thinking as he sits in the wheel chair of his nursing home when no one ever comes to see him. The nurse who works too many hours seeing more pain and suffering than healing knows the sound of these words. These words are the reality of those who have no hope in life. Or maybe it isn't that they have no hope in life but in the present moment there seems to be very little.
And then he was born.
A little baby born to a very young woman who wasn't even supposed to be pregnant to a man who wasn't supposed to keep her as a wife. The baby is born in a place where babies weren't supposed to be born. Visited by shepherds and magii who were not supposed to be so religious.
A baby is born to tell all of us that God is with us. God is for us. You are not alone and never have been alone. Emmanuel is the Hebrew expression for the Messiah to be born.
In life you may feel alone but the birth of Christ gives you something better than feelings. It offers you the reality that God has come for all the world. God comes again and again in our hearts when we allow Jesus to be born. May Christ be born again for you and for me.
Pray for me as I pray for you.
In the Master's Name,
Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
www.thewellumc.com
www.midweekmanna.com
It is the thought of a young woman growing up in the confusion of teen age years. It is what the old man is thinking as he sits in the wheel chair of his nursing home when no one ever comes to see him. The nurse who works too many hours seeing more pain and suffering than healing knows the sound of these words. These words are the reality of those who have no hope in life. Or maybe it isn't that they have no hope in life but in the present moment there seems to be very little.
And then he was born.
A little baby born to a very young woman who wasn't even supposed to be pregnant to a man who wasn't supposed to keep her as a wife. The baby is born in a place where babies weren't supposed to be born. Visited by shepherds and magii who were not supposed to be so religious.
A baby is born to tell all of us that God is with us. God is for us. You are not alone and never have been alone. Emmanuel is the Hebrew expression for the Messiah to be born.
In life you may feel alone but the birth of Christ gives you something better than feelings. It offers you the reality that God has come for all the world. God comes again and again in our hearts when we allow Jesus to be born. May Christ be born again for you and for me.
Pray for me as I pray for you.
In the Master's Name,
Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
www.thewellumc.com
www.midweekmanna.com
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Your Christmas Shopping List
On my Christmas tree there is a little bag of black rocks. It was a gift from my brothers and sisters years ago. When I was young they would always tell me I would get a bag of rocks and sticks. It makes me chuckle to see them each year.
My kids are already asking me what I want to for Christmas. It is not something that kids are asked. It is something we all are asked. It is tough to buy some gifts while others are just there for the taking. Some of us make lists out with the specific store, color, and price. I know one preacher's wife that writes down the phone number so the item can be ordered. It keeps her from having to return gifts.
There are some gifts that we can give which are lasting. They always fit and never have to be returned. May I suggest some for your Christmas list?
Kindness. During this season of rush and congestion, kindness goes a long way. It is a smile that is given during the tense moments of the day. It is saying those magic words, "please" and "thank you". Kindness is a gentleness that the world longs for. When I think of the character of Christ, I envision him as always just being a kind person.
Time. The most precious asset in our life is time. It is a shame that we do not use our time well. Most of us do not seem to have enough of it. Some of us have learned that there is always time for certain things in life. Wanna really make someone's day? Take the time to show up at a nursing home or a retirement center with a checkerboard. Go to the school and read a Christmas story. Stop by the waiting rooms at the local hospitals with cookies and water.
Forgive. Jesus is born to teach us the value of forgiveness in our relationship with God as well as our relationships on earth. Christmas is a great time to put aside differences and to let go of things that keep us apart. It is a great time to cease drinking from the river of bitterness and hatred. Be the one who makes the first movement towards reconciliation. Be the one who brings peace on earth!
I wonder how this season of Advent and Christmas could change our world if we put these on our shopping lists. Give the gifts that last!
Pray for me as I pray for you.
In the Master's Name,
Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
www.thewellumc.com
www.midweekmanna.com
My kids are already asking me what I want to for Christmas. It is not something that kids are asked. It is something we all are asked. It is tough to buy some gifts while others are just there for the taking. Some of us make lists out with the specific store, color, and price. I know one preacher's wife that writes down the phone number so the item can be ordered. It keeps her from having to return gifts.
There are some gifts that we can give which are lasting. They always fit and never have to be returned. May I suggest some for your Christmas list?
Kindness. During this season of rush and congestion, kindness goes a long way. It is a smile that is given during the tense moments of the day. It is saying those magic words, "please" and "thank you". Kindness is a gentleness that the world longs for. When I think of the character of Christ, I envision him as always just being a kind person.
Time. The most precious asset in our life is time. It is a shame that we do not use our time well. Most of us do not seem to have enough of it. Some of us have learned that there is always time for certain things in life. Wanna really make someone's day? Take the time to show up at a nursing home or a retirement center with a checkerboard. Go to the school and read a Christmas story. Stop by the waiting rooms at the local hospitals with cookies and water.
Forgive. Jesus is born to teach us the value of forgiveness in our relationship with God as well as our relationships on earth. Christmas is a great time to put aside differences and to let go of things that keep us apart. It is a great time to cease drinking from the river of bitterness and hatred. Be the one who makes the first movement towards reconciliation. Be the one who brings peace on earth!
I wonder how this season of Advent and Christmas could change our world if we put these on our shopping lists. Give the gifts that last!
Pray for me as I pray for you.
In the Master's Name,
Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
www.thewellumc.com
www.midweekmanna.com
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
A Song Changed Their Life
The shepherds were kind of like the gypsies of the day. They owned no land. They would wander from place to place with their sheep who ate everything in sight. If a better opportunity came along, they would simply sell all their sheep and leave. The shepherd's life was not one of great admiration. Not many young men or women would say, "When I grow up, I wanna be a shepherd!" We know nothing about their religion. For all we know, they were either devout in their faith or had no faith--take your pick.
I think God comes to us in our everyday life more than we want. There they were doing what shepherds do around the campfire. And then God chose them. Of all the people on the earth, God chose them.
Is it me or does it seem that God picks the most unusual people? Maybe it IS me that realizes how God chooses strange people. It is the strange people who are interrupted with God's messages. The angels came. I wonder if the shepherds had ever even heard of angels. They did that night.
And not only did they hear, but they obeyed. I guess they figured that if God had gone to all the trouble to find them, they might as well find God. The shepherds had not GPS that took them to the Christ child. They looked and looked until they found Mary and Joseph and the child. When they found them, they knew. Amazing how we just know God when we are in the presence of God. And they worshipped. I wonder how long it had been since they had worshipped God.
I also wonder what I would do if the angel's came and sang to me. Would I hear them? Would I recognize them? And would I be willing to interrupt my schedule, my life to find God? Would I search for God?
The Advent season is about finding God. The Advent season is about God coming into our life. The Advent season is about God coming into our world. And if you happen to be as unlikely as a shepherd, God will come to you! Be ready! Watch! Listen!
A man who was not particularly religious found himself in a worship service on Christmas Eve. As the service unfold, so did he. He felt God's love for not only the world but for him. As the words of the song were sung, "Christ the Savior is Born" he wept. His life was changed. God found him and he found God.
It can happen to you this year.
Pray for me as I pray for you.
In the Master's Name,
Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
www.thewellumc.com
I think God comes to us in our everyday life more than we want. There they were doing what shepherds do around the campfire. And then God chose them. Of all the people on the earth, God chose them.
Is it me or does it seem that God picks the most unusual people? Maybe it IS me that realizes how God chooses strange people. It is the strange people who are interrupted with God's messages. The angels came. I wonder if the shepherds had ever even heard of angels. They did that night.
And not only did they hear, but they obeyed. I guess they figured that if God had gone to all the trouble to find them, they might as well find God. The shepherds had not GPS that took them to the Christ child. They looked and looked until they found Mary and Joseph and the child. When they found them, they knew. Amazing how we just know God when we are in the presence of God. And they worshipped. I wonder how long it had been since they had worshipped God.
I also wonder what I would do if the angel's came and sang to me. Would I hear them? Would I recognize them? And would I be willing to interrupt my schedule, my life to find God? Would I search for God?
The Advent season is about finding God. The Advent season is about God coming into our life. The Advent season is about God coming into our world. And if you happen to be as unlikely as a shepherd, God will come to you! Be ready! Watch! Listen!
A man who was not particularly religious found himself in a worship service on Christmas Eve. As the service unfold, so did he. He felt God's love for not only the world but for him. As the words of the song were sung, "Christ the Savior is Born" he wept. His life was changed. God found him and he found God.
It can happen to you this year.
Pray for me as I pray for you.
In the Master's Name,
Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
www.thewellumc.com
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