Searching for Answers and Meaning

Communication can be a funny thing.  The use of words changes over time.

Take for example the word, INFLATABLES.  When I was growing up, no one spoke of inflatables.  The word was associated with a dark world of adult sexual behavior.  Some of you cannot believe that a preacher would speak of such things!  But over time the word was transformed.    Inflatables became what you put on your children to allow them to play in the pool.  Now it has an even broader use for the huge blowup toys that your children (and adults) play in at celebrations.  I confess to chuckling when I hear the word and think about its change in use and meaning.

So the other day our garage door broke.  Mandy called the repair place to see about it getting fixed.  The lady at the store asked Mandy, "What is the name of the operator?"  Mandy answered her question, "Well, my husband and I both operated it."  "No," the lady said, "I mean the name!"  And again Mandy answered, "His name is Jack and I am Mandy".   The lady on the phone chuckled again and said, "The name on the garage unit?!".   It was then that Mandy understood the answer that the woman was seeking.

It was perfectly clear to both what the conversation was--or was it?  

The study of the Bible requires us to have such conversations.  What does the Word mean in our day and time?  How is the Word understood in our world?  What is God saying to us?  It is a difficult task sometimes to discern the underlying truth principles of God.  

There are some who would argue that the Bible requires no such study.  It is to be taken at face value.   To those who would raise this argument, I remind them of how our understanding of the world has progressed over time.  God has enabled us to discover new gems in our human existence.  When the Bible was written, people believed that the world was flat!  When the Bible was written, most illnesses were seen as a result of disobedience or punishment by God.    Now there are still some who belong to the Flat Earth Society.  (If you do not believe me, google "Flat Earth"!)  And some still refuse to understand and accept modern medical knowledge.    I simply do not understand nor accept either of these as faithfulness to God and God's world.

We converse with the truth principles that the Word of God gives to us.  In the Methodist tradition, we believe that Scripture is primary and the starting place for talk about and with God.  However, Wesley also believed that the meaning of Scripture is informed by tradition, experience, and reason.  One uses these "lens" to gain faithful perspective to appropriate Scripture into a holy life and holy living.  

God does not change.  However, our ability to understand God and God's world changes as we learn and discover God's  world.  I think sometimes God gathers the celestial bodies and exclaims, "Look!  They finally found it!!!  They finally got it!  It took them a while but they found it!!!"

Such a relationship with God and Scripture is vibrant and alive.  It invites us into more conversations with each other and with God.  And yes, sometimes, it is just funny how we struggle to communicate with each other and with God.  

The answers to the questions and meaning seem to change over time.  Let us not be afraid of the change.  And there are times when you just have to chuckle.

Pray for me as I pray for you.

In the Master's Name,

Dr. M. Jack O'Dell

www.stlukesimpson.org

www.midweekmanna.com

An Answer to the World's Violence

I am appealing to everyone that I know to do something that is outside of us.    I know it is more comfortable inside.   The seat is well worn--formed to our shape.  The AC is running and the temperature is comfortable.  The frig is full of more than we can eat.  The cupboard has all of our comfort foods.

Tex Sample has said that the invention that has had most influence upon our sense of connectedness and community is the air-conditioner.  Before the AC was a part of our lives, everyone sat out on their front porch to cool off.  As people would walk/drive past, we would speak.  We would visit.  But then the AC came and we had to shut our doors and windows.  How many times did your mama say, "Close the door!  The AC is on!"  It is even true in our cars.  We would drive with the windows down.  But not today, we close ourselves up to stay comfortable.

So what is my appeal?  Build churches, send people, establish relationships across the oceans!  We cannot isolate ourselves within the 48 states.  The world IS our parish.  So before you react, hear me out.

We are either going to send people, churches, and the Word of God across the world or we are going to send soldiers and weapons.  We will receive either good friends in faith or body bags of our sons and daughters.  I know that is harsh, but it is true!   I believe that the answer to all the extreme groups of violence in the world is the body of Jesus Christ--the Prince of Peace.  The presence of the church and the relationships Christians can forge can change the world.  

Building churches and establishing vital relationships in Africa, South America, and Asia gives the world another alternative to violence.  We can offer the weapon of prayer rather than armor and artillery.    Our unity can be in good works of faith for all rather than extremist selfishness.
 

I can hear some of you saying, "Jack you are dreaming!  You are being naive!"  My answer:  the cross.   Jesus faced the same violence, the same extremism on all sides.   His answer was the presence of redeeming love and mercy.   

Without the presence of the church and Christians, others will believe that there is only one alternative--fight or be killed.  I think God is inviting us, begging us to be show another response.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, gave words to this vision when he said, "I look upon the world as my parish."  

Pray for me as I pray for you.

In the Master's Name,

Dr. M. Jack O'Dell

www.stlukesimpson.org

www.midweekmanna.com

Hear God's YES!

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.  Isaiah 1:18

Paul Tillich has an interesting understanding of faith.  Faith is when you accept God's acceptance of you.  It is knowing that God has already said "yes" to your reconciliation or to your new possibilities.  You are loved.  You are forgiven.

It can't be true.  If God knew me like I know me, God would see all the stains in my life . God would know all the failures that I am and that I have.  If God knew the "real" me.   There are so much damaged goods.  And yet---God does know.  God knows the whole story--inside and out.  And God loves us right where we are.

Think with me what that does for us.  It frees us to become.  It gives us license to change.  God becomes the one that urges us on to better and deeper living.  It is not about who we are supposed to become.  It is about where we are right now. 

All of us are somewhat afraid of being fully known.  Our culture teaches us to protect ourselves from being known.  When people know you fully they will abuse you.  They will use it against you.  They will ridicule you.  They certainly will not love you.

God will love you. God does love you.  Right now.  Now matter how screwed up your life is or how well it is put together you are loved.   God has said "Yes" to you!

A young man dated a girl a really long time. She waited for him to propose.  She waited and waited.  He was so insecure.  He was so afraid. He could only see all the problems marriage could have. Finally one day she asked him, "Why don't you ask me to marry you?  You know I love you!  You know we belong together. "  Finally the boy confessed, "I was afraid that if I asked you to marry me, it would be the only "no" I would ever hear you say to me."   

God uses love and forgiveness to  motivate us to become who God would have us be.  The change in our life and in our living is in response to God's everlasting unconditional love.  

Hear God's "yes" and let your life be transformed with God's mercy. 

Pray for me as I pray for you.

In the Master's Name,

Rev. Dr. Jack O'Dell

www.stlukesimpson.org

www.midweekmanna.com

Slow Down You're Moving Too Fast!

My friend and colleague, Jerry Hilbun, told a story in his sermon to the Clergy session of Annual Conference that has stayed with me.  I do not think he would mind me sharing it.

It seems that there was a man who had done really well in life.  Well enough that he was able to buy a new black Jaguar car.  (It is amazing how much we invest in our cars these days.  As a preacher I wish that some of my parishioners giving to the church matched their car payment--but that is another story!)  The man was really proud of his new car as he should be.

He was breezing down the main road of town one day when all of a sudden out of nowhere a brick came flying.  The brick hit the side of his car making a terrible dent in it.  The man could not believe it!  As you might expect, he stopped and backed up to see who do such a think to his new toy.  There he found a young boy. 

Before the young boy could say anything, the man began to speak harshly to the little boy. "Why would you do such a thing!  What kind of a hoodlum are you!"  In very quick time, he made it known to the young boy that he would face severe punishment for his deed.

In tears, the young boy finally was allowed to speak.  "I am so sorry Mister.  But I did not know how to get help!" And at that he pointed in another direction.  "I was taking my brother for a walk and his wheelchair turned over.  I can't get him up!  So I threw the brick hoping that you would stop to help me!"

The man looked to where the young man was pointing.  A large lump in his throat and gut began to form as he saw a boy sprawled in the bushes and a wheelchair wheel spinning in the air.  He rushed over to pick the boy up and returned him to his chair.  

As he was helping the little boy continued to apologize and said he would do whatever was needed to fix the car.  The boy had no idea how much it would cost to do such a repair.

The man assured the little boy that everything was okay.  He apologized for his harsh words and even offered to take them both home.  The boys refused and started down the sidewalk again.

The man admitted that he slithered back into his new Jag.  He had never felt so small in all of his life.  The dent in the Jag seemed insignificant.  As he drove away, he realized his life was changed.  From that day on he made a promise to God that he would never be too busy to stop and help others.  He also made a promise to God that he would reserve judgment of others.  A new kind of gentleness came into his life.

And the dent in his Jag?  It was never fixed.  It served as a reminder of how imperfect life is.  

Thanks for the story Jerry.  It meets me more than I like to admit!

Pray for me as I pray for you.

In the Master's Name,

Dr. M. Jack O'Dell

www.stlukesimpson.org

www.midweekmanna.com

Become Willing and Able

Are you willing and able?

Have you ever thought of how many ways you can make some one's day if you are willing?

Today at work, you can be willing to extend compassion and understanding to a fellow worker.  But will you?

In your home, you can be willing to do something extra for your children, your spouse, or your parent.  But will you?

In your coming and going today, you can extend a smile or helping hand to a stranger (a friend you haven't made yet).  But will you?

The act of the will is a decision.  We make the decision over and over again and again.  It is the decision how we will respond to the world we meet.   It is choosing to respond instead of react.    The submission of our will to the will of God is what John Wesley called "going on to perfection."  It is where the love of God directs our will.  We choose God.

But then some will argue that they are not able to do this.

"I can do all things through Christ" (Philippians 4:13) is  Paul's answer to this.  

Quit trying to do it yourself.   Submit yourself to God's Spirit.  Leave behind the self help section of the bookstore.  Immerse yourself into God's people, God's presence, and God's moments.  And you will find yourself becoming quite able to do what you never thought you would be able to do.

Become willing and able.  Decide and surrender.  God will do the rest.

Pray for me as I pray for you.

In the Master's Name,

Dr. M. Jack O'Dell

www.midweekmanna.com

www.stlukesimpson.org.