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One day, there was a blind man sitting on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet and a sign that read, "I am blind. Please help." A creative publicist was walking by and stopped to observe. He saw that the blind man had only a few coins in his hat. He dropped in more coins, and, without asking for permission, took the sign and rewrote it. He returned the sign to the blind man and left. That afternoon, the publicist returned to the blind man and noticed that his hat was full of bills aw well as coins.
The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was he who had rewritten the sign, and wanted to know what he had written on it. The publicist responded, "Nothing that was not true. I just wrote the message a little differently. The new sign read, "Today is Spring and I cannot see it." Sometimes it's not WHAT we say, it's HOW we say it! Sometimes we need to change our strategy. This is as true for churches as it is for individuals. The Christian church is in possession of the greatest story ever told, but is understood and interpreted in different ways by different groups of people. For some, that story is no more important than yesterday's news. They vaguely remember Jesus -- Isn't he the one who was born in a stable and wise men brought gifts and now we have presents in December? -- but have little or no understanding of the power of the risen Christ. For others, like the so-called Christian Nationalist groups, Christianity is a means to enforce their own brand of teaching on society as a whole without allowing for faith differences. For most "mainline" Protestants, the story of Jesus is the inspiration to follow in His footsteps as best we can, trusting in grace to make up for our failures. For many years, churches have been growing in Latin America, Africa, even Asia. People have been being saved everywhere except North America and Europe, and so we have to wonder why Christ's story has had such impact there and so little impact here! Of course, people in undeveloped countries tend to live more in the day-to-day, more precariously, less affluently than we do, and therefore might desire the "power to live victoriously" more urgently, but we can't say Christianity is relevant only to the poor! Surely the message of love, forgiveness, and peace within is important in every culture. But in framing our message, we may need another approach. The FACT of the blind man's condition was less relevant to his donors when they saw only the physical aspects -- what moved them to get involved was the EMOTIONAL IMPACT of his blindness. This has a powerful message for us as Christians seeking to invite others into grace. Perhaps we need to better understand how difficult life really is for those who have no sense of lasting importance, no understanding of the abundant life. A life without Jesus means a life without eternal hope, purpose, comfort, or security. Earthly stability vanishes when the economy tanks, cancer strikes, tornadoes touch down, loved ones die. Millions of people will come to a point when what they have built up is taken away, and nothing remains of what they have worked so hard to gain. (Read Luke 12:13-21, the parable of the rich fool.) When we put ourselves in their place, we can find God's compassion, and make the effort to reach out in spite of our fears. Of course, you can't "put yourself in their place" without getting to know what "their place" is like! The word "compassion" really means "feeling with," which involves getting to actually know non-believers. The greatest hindrance to evangelism is that many Christians don't regularly spend time with anyone who is not part of their church or faith group. We would be happy to share our faith, if only we knew some people who weren't already either IN church or deliberately NOT IN church! It is all the more important, therefore, to actively learn about people who are not part of our group; by reading about how people of different generations experience the world, by asking our adult children and our grandchildren their opinions, by finding out what people of different ethnic backgrounds think; in short, by GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH NEW PEOPLE. Join a new group, go to the gym at a different time, volunteer somewhere. Always be ready to listen, to empathize, to hold people and their needs in your heart. We can't wait for non-believers to come to us, we must go to them -- as Jesus did -- with more than just words! Blessings on you as you love, Randa * NOTE - The most recent reports on Christianity in America seem to indicate a slowing of the decline of the past few decades, which unfortunately may be connected to the Christian Nationalist movement and Project 2025. It remains to be seen if this trend will continue, and if it will produce authentically Jesus-focused, biblically accurate, faith that produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control! (Galatians 5:22-23) Pray God that it is so!
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At the beginning of Lent, I thought that 6 weeks as a long time. Now faced with less than a week before Easter Sunday, I wonder where the time went! In a small church setting like ours, there are no massive displays of Easter lilies, no cantatas, hand bell choirs, prayer marches, orchestral presentations, or other exciting events. We just have faithful Christians doing their best to be servants of the Lord Jesus in everyday life.
I confess that there are times that I miss being in an event-driven church, because there are so many things that appeal to and attract a wide variety of people. Truthfully, being a faithful disciple of Jesus isn't very glamorous, or very showy, and isn't likely to command much attention from the ordinary, non-Christian person. It is rather like what Isaiah says about the coming Messiah in Isaiah 53:2-3 King James Version, "He has no form or comeliness, and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." or in the New Living Translation, "There was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance, nothing to attract us to Him." Than again, maybe that makes us all the more authentic, and reflective of our Lord. It's not in the flashy events of life that Jesus is best shown, it's in the daily grind. Anybody can be loving, patient, joyful, forgiving, and kind when it's party time, but what about the moments of sorrow, fear, rejection, misunderstanding, and the dull routine of life? That's where we need the presence of our Lord, shown through His faithful followers. For every Easter lily that isn't on our altar, there are countless hugs and prayers for those in need. For every voice not raised in Choral concerts, there are multitudes of comforting and encouraging words that are heard by weary souls. And when the excitement and pageantry of the Easter celebration are over, loving saints will continue to make a difference every ordinary day. So yes, Lent is almost over, and Easter is almost here, and we rejoice in the reminder that our loving Savior gave up His life to save us from our sins, and then rose from the dead to take His place in Heaven. We also rejoice that our faith doesn't end with Easter, for Jesus still lives within His people every day. May the Spirit energize us all! Alleluia!! Interesting how God speaks to us through the everyday things! Today I spent some time in the dentist's chair, dealing with a broken tooth that was the side anchor for a dental bridge. The tooth had been bothering me from time to time, especially when I took the removable bridge in and out, and finally, it gave up the struggle and just cracked off. Apparently, this began as a little cavity under a crown, out of sight, out of mind, ultimately resulting in an extraction and the need for further repairs and expense.
How like our Christian lives that can be! A little "hole" develops -- too tired for worship this week? Well, maybe next week when things slow down a bit. Budget's a little tight? I'll catch up on my giving next payday. Been a little irritable lately? Well, with all the pressure I've been under... Bible Study and Prayer? You've got to be kidding - I can barely get the laundry done! A small accountability group or mission project? Out of the question!! Little by little we put God on hold, and let the things of this world take precedence, weakening the structure of our faith. Little by little, our support system breaks loose and our response to Christ decays. Oh, we may look fine on the outside, but underneath, our relationship with God has disappeared, and the shell that remains is insufficient to bear the pressure of life's trials. This is not the first time I have been through this situation! A previous dentist was able to x-ray a bothersome tooth, disclose the extent of hidden damage, drill through the outer shell and remove the decay within. Then he put in a post, and built up the surrounding material until the tooth was once again able to support the bridge. Similarly, our Heavenly Father knows the extent of our damage! When we go to Him with our emptiness, He exposes the decay and allows Jesus to wash it clean. He puts in the supporting post of the cross, and builds us up with His encouraging Spirit until we are able to bear the pressures of life again. Of course, evidence of the broken places remain, but function is restored. Oh, if only I had gone to the dentist sooner! If only I had taken better care of my teeth in the first place! It is not God's will that His people should suffer emptiness, holes in their faith. It is His will that we should be employed in "preventive maintenance," washing away the debris of this world and making sure that our relationship with Him is solid and intimate. (The floss and the toothbrush do no good when they sit on the sink!) As a dentist once told me, "Take care of your teeth, they're the only set you have!" Take care of your faith - it's all you have! See you in Church! -- Pastor Randa (Just so you know, the dentist was able to pull the tooth, insert bone graft material, and prepare me for a possible implant. At some future date, a post can be inserted that will eventually be able to support a fixed bridge, thus sparing the need to have even more teeth removed! It's not ideal, not for sure, and expensive - but praise God, my faith is still in good health!) What did you do in 2024 to benefit the Kingdom of God and spread the Gospel of Christ? Did you make a difference in someone's life from the standpoint of faith? If you had been unconscious for the entire year, would there have been a significant difference in the advancement of Christ's cause? In His mission of salvation for all?
In looking back over my past, it occurs to me that there are some years in which I seem to have done nothing memorable! At least, if I did anything of lasting value for the Kingdom of God, I cannot now recall what it was! Do you have years like that also? I remember the year I was converted and first began to take my place in the ministry of Christ's church as a layperson. I recall the year that I began bringing the children's message during worship. I remember the year I did the Walk to Emmaus, and learned what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. 1992 stands out as the year I was called by God into full time ministry, and being placed into my first charge, Duncan UMC, and the year Bob retired and I received the care of Safford UMC. I think I touched a few lives in Yuma, when I was assigned to Trinity UMC, and of course our work with Casitas de Cristo brought hope and help to 30 poor families, but that was mostly Bob's doing! Retirement and our subsequent involvement with Community UMC, and now Community Church, have brought great joy and a sense of purpose. I think it is not vain to say that the Lord used me to help some people grow in all these places, but there are many years in which my efforts seemed to be mostly for myself, my family, and my own comfort and security. Perhaps you might say, "Doesn't God want us to be attentive to our own needs? He doesn't call everyone to be a missionary to China, or go into full time ministry! And besides, I am doing more for the Kingdom of God than many people I know!" This is true; we live out our faith in the context of our own personal lives. We are good people, living honorable Christian lives most of the time. And most importantly, we know that we do not merit eternal rewards because of the hours we spend doing "Kingdom Work." But still, something is missing in our lives if we do not regularly engage in ministry of a lasting nature. The Bible tells us that we are created "in the image of God," having some of the divine nature in us. Part of that nature includes the creative force, and some, I believe, is seen in the human drive to accomplish something lasting in life, to make our mark, to achieve. We want to make a difference! We don't want to die without having had an impact on the world. From King David's Temple to Donald Trump's Tower, from "It's a Wonderful Life" to "Lord of the Rings," this theme has been part of the human story across the centuries. But in our power-based, self-oriented culture, our jobs, income, and leisure activities often take precedence over everything else, and few people seem interested in accomplishing anything of an eternal nature. One thing seems pretty sure, you can't hit what you don't aim at! It's very easy and comfortable to just drift along from day to day, taking care of what seems urgent without considering what things are important. This is especially true if we haven't spent time intentionally deciding what things ARE important, and asking ourselves, "Is this action, food, thought, relationship, going to help me achieve my goals? Or is it keeping me from them?" For example, if my goal is to be healthy in my later years, it would be wise to ask myself a question like, "Is sitting on the sofa for three hours helping me to be healthy?" "Would standing up for 5 minutes and walking in place every 30 minutes be helpful?" If my goal is to make a difference in someone's life, it would be wise to ask myself, "Would sending a note to this person help me to achieve my goal?" "Would just thinking nice thoughts about them help me to achieve my goal?" If, like a dear friend says, my goal is to "not be a difficult old woman," will getting riled up at the current state of the government contribute positively to that goal? If my goal is to be a witness for Jesus, what will help me achieve that goal? I challenge you to make 2025 a year in which you -- and I! -- give some concrete planning to the formulation of real, spiritually based, goals. Let us develop a clear target to aim at, a basis from which we can ask, "Is THIS good for my goal, or bad for my goal?" And if you would like to be part of a small group that meets together for an hour or three to work on your goals, please give me a call -- 928-246-9062. Let's make 2025 a year to remember! Blessings, Randa I want a Norman Rockwell Christmas, with snow-dusted carolers wrapped in woolen coats and fur caps singing on my front porch. I want Christmas trees freshly cut in the forest and brought home by laughing families that gather around the fireplace to warm up with hot cocoa and gingerbread cookies before decorating each bough with handmade ornaments. I want gifts thoughtfully crafted or purchased with the tastes and interests of the recipient in mind, and then carefully gift-wrapped in paper printed with potato-cuts dipped in paint by little hands. I want curly ribbon, a thoughtful note on the gift tag, and I want to see them given one at a time, while everyone watches to see what treasure is inside the box. I want bountiful meals, with various relatives bringing their special dish for everyone to ooh and aah over, and adults and children who enjoy one another's company, never argue or fight, or get on each other's nerves. I want a beautiful Mary, and a wise Joseph, with clean, deodorized sheep and shepherds, and Baby Jesus lying on a soft, fluffy bed of straw in a warm, cozy stable surrounded by dander-free, freshly-bathed farm animals looking on.
But that's not the real Christmas, at least, not the one experienced by so many in our world today. There's always some element that doesn't measure up to the beautiful Rockwell picture. Perhaps it's that many do not know, let alone sing, the carols of Jesus and Wise Men and Angels, for there are many who are alien to the joy of Jesus' birth, opting instead for the myth of Santa Claus or the drive of consumerism. Or perhaps it's that poverty has prevented the table from filling up with food, or alcohol or drugs that have so preoccupied the parents (or children!) that they have no interest in family interaction over a cup of cocoa. Perhaps it's that the children have been so busy with school, sports, day care, dance, or some other "leisure" activity that they have not had time for the foolish pastime of making wrapping paper -- and anyway, isn't it better to buy the shiny foil kind? Perhaps it's that phone calls, or business, or career pursuits, or sickness have stolen the time away from Christmas trees and gingerbread. Perhaps it's that our "what's in it for me?" society has conditioned us to rip open our boxes as quickly as possible, ignoring others who are similarly occupied. Perhaps it's that we have become so accustomed in our world to strife and quarrels that we accept chaos as a way of life. Or perhaps it's just that we live in an imperfect world, where things go wrong for no discernable reason. But then, Mary and Joseph didn't have it so good, either. The "cozy barn" was most probably a dark, stuffy cave or a lean-to behind the in, redolent with the odors of sheep and goats and chickens, unbathed and unperfumed. The birth was not antiseptic; Mary was likely exhausted and disheveled from her labor, and Joseph "unclean" from contact with her birth waters and blood. Straw is not very soft, no matter how you chop it up, and an audience of rough and smelly sheepherders is the last thing I would want! Yet this is the world that our Savior chose to enter, as a tiny and helpless infant. Not for Him the Norman Rockwell nostalgia of twinkling lights and gentle beasts! No, He chose to be born into the chaos of humanity, not so very different from the reality of our world today. He chose to experience just what we experience, so that we would know His intention was to love us just as we are, and to show us a way to overcome our difficulties by His grace. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:15-16) This is the greatest concession He could have made for us, this identification with our condition. Because we know that Jesus understands, we can trust Him enough to draw near and receive the gift of salvation from Him. The very chaos of His experience reminds us of His love. So think this, when your Norman Rockwell visions of the perfect Christmas go terribly awry. You are participating in Jesus' Choice! You are experiencing what He did, and in some small way, identifying with His suffering on the cross. May it be a comfort to you, as your Christmas tree falls sideways and you slip your gift into a red and green paper bag, to know that Jesus accepted frustration and pain in order to give you the best, most carefully chosen and perfectly suited-to-your-needs gift of all, the gift of salvation. Have a most Merry and Blessed Christmas! |
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