Don't Miss These Olympic Events

Who has not watched the Olympics of late?  I must admit that some of the events are more exciting than others.   I am totally convinced that curling was invented by some housewives who wanted to trick their husbands into doing some sweeping.

So I am thinking of the some new events for the next Winter Olympics that might involve church folks.

Acolyte Exit Jump--Most of the altars are built up a few steps.  So as the acolytes leave, could they do a two and half twist while keeping the candle still burning.  Extra points could be awarded for a stunt off the front seats or pews as we know they are unoccupied.  A perfect score could include startling Mr. Smith who sleeps soundly each week.

Usher Free Style Figure Skating--Why could not the ushers do a skating routine that is both stylistic and functional?  Imagine the ushers twirling around the corners of the aisles graciously offering the plate to those waiting.  Loss of anything from the plates would mean points lost.  The music would be adapted for each service.  Oh and just imagine what the costumes could look like if it were held during Mardi Gras. 

Two or four Person Bobsled Parking Competition--Fill the parking lot with ice or water and see who can push the bobsled fast enough to move through the parking lot missing pedestrians and cars while ending up perfectly parked in the handicapped parking lot.  By the time they get there someone would be handicapped. 

Speed Skating--Two versions of this could be offered.  The first round could be the Sopranos rushing through the parking lot and into the choir room just in time to get their robe on and sing!  An alto or two might qualify for this competition as well.  The most exciting round would be the exit from worship through the back door, out the parking lot, and into the eating establishment to "beat the other denominations."  Again penalties would be given for those whom you knocked down, did not speak to, and whether you shook the preacher's hand.

Olympic gold medals are treasures of this world.  They represent hours and hours of dedication and discipline that focus on a very intense time of performance.  It is an honor to even compete.

Let us celebrate the accomplishments of all.  By the way, maybe we could increase church attendance if we handed out gold medals every once in a while?  Nah, I don't think Jesus would go for it!

Pray for me as I pray for you.

In the Master's Name,


Rev. Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
Lead Pastor

www.midweekmanna.com
www.stlukesimpson.org

Eden

So it is almost Valentine's Day. 

Relationships are precious jewels in our life.  Significant other relationships are the most precious jewels that we can possess.  Sadly enough, sometimes these relationships receive the leftovers of time and energy.  May I share some thoughts with you?

Intimate relationships require work and energy.  We like to think they do not, but the reality is just the opposite.  At the end of the day when you have worked all day, you simply must find time to do some more work.  It means doing the little things.  It means taking the time to talk.  You understand this.   In our day we confuse physical proximity with intimacy.  One can be present physically and yet very far away emotionally and spiritually.

Intimate relationships require clear communication.  I urge people to make a list.   Make a list of ten ways that you are loved.  Give it to your significant other.  You are responsible for teaching them how you want to be loved.  You will hear them say, "I never knew...."  Call it a dummy sheet.  Call it a cheat sheet.  But you will call it in the end clear communication.

Identify and stay clear of people that threaten your primary relationship.   Misery loves company.  People who are miserable in intimate relationships love to bring others down as well.  If you hang out with people who constantly gripe about their significant other, you will find that sooner or later you will join the gripe club.  There are people in the world who see it as a challenge to destroy good relationships.   Just say to yourself, "I love my spouse too much to hang out with folks like this."  Guard this precious jewels as you would any other valuable asset in your life.

Cherish and nurture your friendship with your loved one.  Someone said, "It is not the lack of love that has destroyed relationships.  It is the lack of friendship."  Before you became what you are today, you were friends.  Do the things that brought you together.  Date!  Laugh! 

Learn to say, "I am sorry" and "I forgive you."  These are the most important words you can say.  Let go of grudges.  Refuse to drink from the river of bitterness and resentment.  Ask for and give the gift of forgiveness.  It will only bring you closer to one another.

Celebrate something each day!  Celebrate little things.  Celebrate big things.  Become your significant other's best cheerleader!  

Pray for one another.  For years now, Mandy and I have had prayer cards that direct us to pray for each other.  She keeps hers on the kitchen sink.  I keep mine in the bathroom.  I wonder what that says about us!  However, each day we are reminded to pray for each other.  We have a prayer book (A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie) that we each read from.  Whether we are together or apart, our prayers are one!   Let God work in your life.

Mark Twain tells the story of Adam after the death of Eve.  Adam is filled with sorrow and yet joy.  He is remembering the blessings of Eve's life.  And then he says this wonderful line,  "Where ever Eve was, Eden was."  May your  days be filled with the jewels of Eden!

Happy Valentines Day!

Pray for me as I pray for you.

In the Master's Name,

Dr. Jack O'Dell

www.midweekmanna.com

www.stlukesimpson.org

Are You Overwhelmed?

So this week I am at a Stephen Ministries Leadership Training event.  Stephen Ministries is a wonderful expression of equipping lay persons to do skilled ministry.  Churches who utilized this system have a high degree of care.  But I have to tell you I am overwhelmed.

The system has a MOUNTAIN of paperwork and files.  I am sure that the person who developed this is a type A person with another dose or two of type A added.    The manual just by itself is 35 lbs.  There are more folders with all the subsets and color coded for your ease.  In addition to this there is the handouts and even more handouts.   We have killed a whole forest (or two!).  Being overwhelmed is paralyzing!  

What about you?  Have you been or are you overwhelmed?

For some the feeling comes from work.  The tasks just seem to stack up.  The interruptions keep you from getting some things done.  Or maybe the internal expectations of perfection weigh you down.  Then there are those who are working in places where they have not been adequately trained.   One keeps trying and trying only to find it more difficult. 

Or maybe it is family that overwhelms you.  There is not a training manual with family.  Raising kids most of the time is trial and error.  When the hard times come, it is easy to beat yourself up.  Then  the expectation from spouse can be overwhelming.  You work all day and then come home to find that the work is still to be done--housework, relationship work, etc.  Marriage is sometimes hard work.  In the good times, marriage requires time.  

Friendships can be overwhelming.  You want to care and be there for those around you.  But some friendships are just labor intensive.  Other friendships are overwhelming in the sense that you receive so much.  

But today I want to remind you of another gift that can overwhelm you.  It is the love and grace of Jesus Christ.  Grace is abounding.  It is overflowing.  God's grace meets you right where you are.  God's grace meets you with all your imperfections--warts, weight, and all.  And God's grace wants you to know that you are loved and not alone.  Spend some time and let the grace of God overwhelm you. 

I do not remember where I heard it but it makes sense to me.  Someone told me that every time this person is showering, this person would just let the water flow overhead and all over.  This is what God's grace is---overflowing, refreshing, washing, and cleansing.  Bask in the grace of God.  Let it over whelm you!

Pray for me as I Pray for you

In the Master's Name,

Jack

www.midweekmanna.com

www.stlukesimpson.org

Experiencing Winter

It is cold here in Louisiana.  I mean, it is cold.

Before you folks up north laugh, get the whole picture.  It is going to be in the teens tonight with snow and ice.  Two days prior to this, it was in the 60's and 70's.  Two days after this, it is going to be back in the 60's and 70's.  This is the land where temperatures reach over 100 and the humidity stays at about 100 percent more than we care to admit.  It is where one day your hair is redone by wind gust of 20 mph and the next by the humidity.  Mosquitoes and cockroaches (yes everyone has them here!) are big enough to stuff.  So coldness is not one of our everyday adventures.  It is cold.

Experiencing the bitter cold can come in so many other ways.  Consider this.

The bitter coldness of being unwelcome.  Going into a church where the gracious God proclaims a welcome to all who would come only to find that no one spoke to you.   Or maybe someone spoke but it was obvious that it was a cordial welcome.  No one would point  you in the right direction.  Where is the nursery? Where is the coffee?  Where are the Sunday School classes?  Do I sit/stand/kneel?  Which book or hymnal do I use?  Am I sitting in some one's special seat?  As this person leaves, they are certain that they will never come back.    Stone cold museums where the warmth of God is not present.  Something else is present but it is not warm and not God!

The bitter coldness of indifference.  Does anyone really care?  Do I really want to let anyone know my struggle.  It would only embarrass me and invite ridicule.  There are hungry people out there!  There are lonely people here!  There are parents who are struggling with making it through the day.  There are kids being bullying.  So what.  What difference can I make?  It must be them because I am making it and I have it just as tough as anyone else.  Indifference is a cold heart that has hardened itself away from the sufferings of others.  

Or what about the coldness of gossip and those who speak ill of others.  The words are spread without regard for harm.  There is no gentleness nor regard for the harm done.  The words are a bullet that is fired without regard.  It is a vicious as can be.  The sniper (yes they usually hide) delivers the blow and then slithers back into the darkness.  They are convinced their motives are pure but rarely are.  They are demons that destroy the body of Christ and the sons and daughters of Christ.

It is cold.  Oh so cold.  Or does it have to be cold everywhere?

But we as Christians can choose to be warm-hearted and compassionate   We can practice hospitality, concern, and love.  We can challenge the experience of winter with the new life of Spring and even the warmth of summer.  Our words, actions, and intentional acts can change the world around us and within us.    Once you come to know the compassion of Jesus in your life, winter only comes through the seasons of life.  We learn to share the warmth of the faith during the season of winter.  There is a place of warmth to run to when the outside is freezing.

There is a place and a community that warms the world--inside and out.

Pray for me as I pray for you.

In the Master's Name,

Dr. Jack O'Dell

www.stlukesimpson.org

www.midweekmanna.com

All Creatures of Our God and King!

Sometimes it is hard to keep your cool and stay focused.

So two preachers are in their place on Sunday morning (the names have been withheld to protect the guilty!).   The hymn begins to play.  It happens to be that great hymn of faith (All Creatures of Our God and King!)  The hymn celebrates the majesty of all creation.  Then it happens.

A wasp has decided to join worship.  Now I often wonder if these creatures who decided to worship with us randomly are God sent or demon sent.  Did the wasp suddenly feel the urge to identify himself/herself with the leaders of worship?  Has this wasp been waiting to answer the call to ministry?  Is there a wasp committee (which would have to be Methodist as we have such an affinity for committees) that sends out missionary wasps to worship?  "Go see what the Methodists are doing and report back to us!"  

Or perhaps there is a demonic side to this creature that has motivated its sudden appearance.  Is it a martyr wasp that is sent to do harm to those who would lead worship?   Are there cells of demonic wasps just waiting to invade UMC worship and attack its leaders?

Anyway, the wasp showed up.  It is hard to identify whether a wasp is friendly or not.  I imagine it the same for the wasp. 

The sudden appearance of these wonderful creatures of God in worship has great impact upon those who find themselves in close proximity.  One can react without thinking.  Such is the case.

Preacher one found himself holding a cross.    Preaching two and Preacher one were silently contemplating their options when said wasp lit upon or in very close proximity of Preacher one.  There should be a pubic notice somewhere in the wasp colony that warns them:  Do not land near preacher holding a cross.    Without really thinking, preacher one smote the wasp with the cross!  Yes in the holy of holy, with a cross, he smote the creature of  our God and King!  Let us pray.....

Now I am not sure what theological implications there are for such action.  I am sure there is no disciplinary actions that are necessary.  And I am not sure what happened to the remains of the wasp that dared to show up for worship.  However, I am sure that preacher one and preacher two continued to worship God in the fullness of creation with a sigh of relief.  But maybe there should not be too much comfort for these two as there ARE other wasps in this world.

Strangely enough, the apostle Paul reminds us that the cross is the central event in the life of Jesus that does protect us.  We speak in the faith of taking up the cross and carrying the cross.  When we find ourselves at a loss for what to do look at the cross.  Hold the cross in your hand and in your heart.

Sometimes there is more going on in worship that one realizes.

Pray for me as I pray for you.

Dr. M. Jack O'Dell

www.midweekmanna.com

www.stlukesimpson.org

Giving Voice

Each morning I listen to a Podcast that is produced by the British Jesuits (Pray as You Go).  It is a very traditional devotion.  It begins usually with a monastic chant.  Don't you love to hear the monastic voices sing!  First of all they are singing in a cathedral where sound just oozes.  Then it seems that all of the monks have beautiful voices.  I am wondering what they do with all those who cannot sing?   It is a great way to start the day along with other prayers and scriptures that I read.

In past months, there has been a female British voice that began the podcast.  This week the voice has changed.  There is a male voice that almost has a gruff whisper in it.  At first, I was just taken back by the change.  "Wait!  That is not the usual voice I am used to hearing!"  I even checked to see if some foreign podcast had invaded my space.  At each day has passed, I must admit I enjoy hearing both voices in their uniqueness.

What would that look like in our everyday world--to enjoy hearing the different voices in their uniqueness?   Usually when we hear something different one reacts to the voice.  Some have the hair stand up on our necks.  Some will not listen.  Some become intrigued.  Others welcome the new voice.   But to celebrate the uniqueness is still the call before us.

I think Jesus was intrigued by each person's uniqueness.  He would look at each person with compassion and sometimes pity.   He listened to their stories.  Jesus dared to feel their pain.  Jesus saw that the image of God was deep within the soul of each person.  Sometimes it was in poor shape as the world had trampled upon it.  At other times the person had lost sight of their uniqueness and had become something quite different than what God intended.

I would invite you to give voice to the uniqueness that God has given to you.  I heard it put this way the other day by someone--"Be yourself--everyone else is taken!"    And then the next question is what have you been called to do in the kingdom of God that is uniquely yours?  In other words, it won't get done unless you do it!  God is counting on you!

Give voice.  Hear the voices around you with an intrigue for the holy.

Pray for me as I pray for you.

Dr. M. Jack O'Dell

www.stlukesimpson.org

www.midweekmanna.com

What Will You Do With Jesus?

As I am writing this, Jesus is passing by the window of my office.  He is with Mary and Joseph in the back of the pickup truck.  Jesus is being stored away in the shed until next year.     Kind of an interesting thought--storing Jesus and his family in the shed.

Storage shed take on a life of their own.   Did you know that the storage industry generated over 24 billion dollars in 2013?  That is alot of storage.  We have so much stuff that we not only cannot put our cars in the garage (it is filled with stuff!) that we have to rent/construct other places to store it.  The attic is full.  The garage is full.  Our closets are full.  For most of us even baby Jesus can't fit into the storage shed.  It is too full.

You can now bid on storage sheds that people have abandoned for one reason or another.   There are some who have found treasures in these abandoned places.  Great pieces of art, furniture, etc that have been left behind.  I have not heard of any one finding Jesus in the shed.  Or if they did they were not excited about it enough to tell anyone about it.

Some folks store Jesus on a weekly basis.  I admit that I do not like to have the sanctuary doors locked at the church.  It is as if we have to lock God in until next week.  We certainly do not want God loose in our neighborhoods.   The tamed and stored God is so much more fun to visit.  We can just peek in on God when we need God.  

So did you store Jesus away with all the other Christmas decorations? Or has the birth of Jesus changed your life so that storage is no longer an option?  How can you keep the Christmas experience alive in your life?  Let me offer some suggestions.

Celebrate each day!  I do not think there are enough celebrations in life.   I think one ought to celebrate the presence of people as much as possible.  Celebrate one's health!  Celebrate anything done well or done with intention.  Shock someone today by giving them an standing ovation!!!

Give more than you receive.  Generosity is missing in many people's world.  Begin to think of changes you can make in your life to give more to others.  Being generous creates holy spaces in your heart.

Pray.  Pray as though you believe that prayer makes a difference in your life and others.  It does!  Pray for your enemies.  Pray for those who think ill of you.    Pray with Jesus.  You will never be the same.

As Jesus and his family round the corner to head to the back shed of the church, I know they will be safe until next year when we take them out of storage.  The real danger for my world is the Jesus I will not let be stored.  It is this Jesus that will control my life this year.  What will you do with Jesus?

Pray for me as I pray for you.

In the Master's Name,

Dr. M  Jack O'Dell

www.midweekmanna.com

www.stlukesimpson.org