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"Roll out those hazy, crazy, lazy days of summer; those days of popcorn, & pretzels, and beer."
I don't know where those lyrics came from, but I don't think they were written by the early Christians in Palestine! It occurred to me recently, that as our society changed from agriculture to manufacturing, our yearly calendar also changed. In an agrarian society, there are no "summer holidays" because there is spring planting, summer crop tending, autumn harvesting, and winter subsistence. In most areas, there are also autumn plantings and winter crops, so that the cycles of the seasons are endless. Plants don't take the summer -- or the weekend! -- off, and neither does livestock! In a manufacturing economy, or a technological one, it is possible to take a vacation now and again, and weekends as well, because machines will not starve or die without care. However, it is the educational system that has really revamped our understanding of the seasons. It seems that, when school gets out, everything goes on hold, and even those of us who don't have children in school somehow feel like we ought to be able to "take the summer off." So people make up for it by using weekends for play, in a sort of "mini-vacation" mode. In our climate, where folks want to escape the summer heat, this attitude spills over into religious life particularly. When it's "too hot to go out" on Sunday mornings, worship attendance suffers and small groups go on hiatus until fall. But what does God think of this practice? If we really believe that God has our best interests at heart, and longs to help us find fulfillment in life, then we can consult His Guidebook, the Bible, for that answer. First, the Bible reveals that God never slumbers or sleeps (Psalm 121:3) and that He is always working for His children's good. (Romans 8:28) God never takes the summer off! (Aren't you glad?) Proverbs contains many gems about the value of industry; "Do not love sleep or you will grow poor," (Proverbs 19:13) and in the parable of the talents, Jesus refers to the one servant who did not use his talents as a "wicked, lazy servant." (Matthew 25:26) Second, Scripture tells us that rest in important, "on the seventh day, God rested from His labors" (Genesis 2:2), and God commands us to also take rest periods, "so that you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy." (Exodus 31:12-17) The purpose of the Sabbath day was intended for us to rest and worship God, to gain perspectives on the facts of His ownership of us and His will for our lives. It was not intended to help us escape from Him! Our culture has imposed upon us the expectation of doing "something different" during the summer months. We can use these hot days to sleep more, travel more, visit family more, eat more, read more, or watch more television. We can "hole up" in reverse hibernation! But there is something else we can do in the summer, something that can be a part of our leisure activities in a way that we may be too stressed out or busy to experience from September to June. We can take up the practice of seeking God in every activity, from swimming to traveling to family visits. We can decide to look for spiritual lessons in our daily lives, and praise the Lord for our discoveries. We can remain faithful, and allow the summer to become a time of spiritual restoration that will sustain us the rest of the year. As you slide into your hot car, can you be awed by a Creator who spoke the sun into being? When you gather with your family to remember the good old days, can you praise the Lord for the common memories you share? When you travel, can you look for new expressions of salvation in different churches across the country? When you part with your hard-earned money to provide for the enjoyment of your summer vacation, can you rejoice that you have remained faithful to your financial commitments at home, in your own church? We are so blessed by the God-given miracle of a thing called ZOOM! Most people can find an internet connection that will allow them to connect, even from across the country! Can you take an hour on Sunday to worship with your church family, lending your strength to their prayers and your encouragement to their lives? Here is the link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89004834331?pwd=WDkzWG8vS3V3QmE2K0ZSVHRLenk4dz09 Meeting ID: 890 0483 4331 Passcode: 777777 It is my prayer and my desire that our congregation will not be one that takes faithfulness to God lightly during the summer months, but that we will seek out new ways to grow spiritually each and every day. I personally promise you that I will spend just as much time on Sunday School, worship planning, and sermon preparation during June, July, and August as I do the rest of the year, and I know I speak for Rev Mark as well. While there will be weeks in which we meet only on Zoom, and not in our worship space, we will be able to be together each Sunday. God is faithful to us in every season of life, and there are many ways to express our commitment to Him during these "lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer." -- Blessings, Pastor Randa
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Do you remember the old song on Christian radio called "Dream Big"? The lyrics contain the following words:
"Dream big! It's the Lord's desire for you to Dream big, in everything you say and do! You'll find your greatest dreams come true; the God of Heaven is dreaming big for you!" What wonderful words! We worship a God who has big dreams for us, who goes before us and prepares the way for our blessing. We may not be able to see what He is doing, and at times may question His methods, but we should be confident in the witness of Scripture. Take Joseph, for example He dreamt that he would rule over his family, which so angered his brothers that they sold him into slavery in Egypt. Because of their evil actions, Joseph suffered the indignities of slavery, imprisonment, betrayal, and separation from those he loved. However, because of God's blessing, Joseph became steward in charge of all the resources of Egypt. When Joseph's family in Israel had a famine many years later, he had the means to rescue them. Joseph's comment to his frightened brothers reminds us that God is not out of business just because we don't understand His ways! "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Gen 50:20) On Good Friday, when the gravestone rolled into place and sealed Jesus' lifeless body into the tomb, it seemed to the disciples that their dreams had died with Him. They had begun to catch a vision of God's Kingdom, where there was peace between God and humanity, where dignity was integral to human life, where daily toil could become more rewarding. Now all was lost, and this new relationship with their Heavenly Father seemed like the lie of a madman. For three days that must have been an eternity to them, they grieved for their broken dreams and mourned their beloved rabbi. Their faith had vanished along with their master. But then, quite unexpectedly, God came to the rescue! Jesus was alive, and even more, He had opened the way to eternal life for all who followed after Him. Jesus' comment to his frightened disciples reminds us that God works behind the scenes: "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed!" During the Lenten season, we prepare ourselves to serve God by reflecting on His bountiful grace and our own unworthiness. We intentionally try to remove any "fripperies" or distractions that might keep us from true worship. But God does not deprive us of a meaningful life; it is God's desire that we might be vibrantly alive, fully aware of our possibilities. God has big dreams for us, and He wants us to fulfill them! It may surprise you but many people do not have any dreams beyond satisfying their daily needs. They go from activity to activity, from home to job to recreation, without ever formulating a long term goal or dream. But this is not God's will! What are He places dreams in our hearts, if we will only take time to look at them, and not be distracted by what seems "possible" or "feasible." Maybe you are old, and think your dreaming days are over. It's too late to choose a career, find a mate, or become famous! But God calls us to make a difference no matter what age we are. I recently became involved with the Ophelia Project, which provides mentors for high school girls, encouraging them to achieve, to dream big, and fulfill their dreams. I don't have any particular ability in this area, but I am trusting God to show His love and His encouragement through me (without words, because no preaching in school, of course.) What are God's dreams for you? DREAM BIG! - Blessings, Pastor Randa Some years ago, I preached a sermon that addressed Christ’s teaching on the subject of divorce. In it, I stated that, although Jesus does regard divorce as wrong, and against God’s expressed intention for the marriage relationship, it falls within the same category as so many other kinds of sin; gossip, judgmentalism, greed, failure to tithe, bitterness, drunkenness, failure to attend worship regularly, etc. As a failure to live up to the full commandment of God, divorce, and indeed all sin, must be acknowledged and repented, in God’s forgiveness may be known.
I was astonished at the number of people who said that this message had spoken to them, especially at those who had not been divorced. But perhaps this is not so strange, for I believe that all Christians struggle with the issues of sin and restoration as they strive to become more Christlike each day. Much of Paul’s writings in the book of Romans deal with the problem of sin, grace, and restoration. We know that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ and his work on the cross is sufficient to pay the penalty for our sin. We know that we cannot DO anything to make us more acceptable to God. Still, we do not take God’s grace lightly or casually. We have Biblical standards to uphold, standards of purity, holiness, and moral character. We strive to “live a life worthy of the calling we have received being completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Eph 4:1-2) But we inevitably fail. Clearly, the Scriptures make it plain that each of us falls into that category, for “all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Whether big or little, sin is sin in God’s eyes. Jesus said that we are to “be perfect, even as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt 5:48) There is no such thing as “almost perfect.” One accusation that the world levels at the Church is that “hypocrites” are to be found there. People who talk about being holy and good, but are actually failing to live up to holy standards in their personal lives, are welcomed at Church. So the question arises, “What is the place of sinners in the Church?” (I mean the organized Church, really, the Church is the people.) But should sinners be allowed to attend worship, serve in missions, teach classes, lead worship? Is their giving acceptable to the Lord? Are their prayers effective? Peter says that the prayers of a man who is inconsiderate of his wife are hindered. (1 Peter 3:7) James writes, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more quickly.” Yet immediately following are the words, “We all stumble in many ways.” (James 3:1-2) Paul writes that he does not judge anyone, or even himself, in regard to trustworthiness as a servant of Christ, and warns them not to judge others. (1 Cor 4:1-5) But one chapter later, Paul tells this same group of people that he has already passed judgment on a sinner in the church, and that they must put such a one out of fellowship. What a contradiction! What did Paul mean? The Jews practiced excommunication, although more of a social than religious ostracism, as the temple was still open to the person. The synagogue was the center of community life, where discussion, debate, and teaching occurred. I believe that Paul was speaking of this social kind of fellowship, when he said in effect, “Don’t hang out with such a person or practice similar behavior.” Or when he said “Don’t eat with such a one.” In the culture of Jesus’ time, and Paul’s, there were “in-groups” and “out-groups.” The “in-group, rooted in kinship and its extensions (friendships, workmates, patronage, etc.) is always to be supported, respected, and given loyalty. The “out-group,” (all other persons) simply doesn’t count. Often they may be treated as a different species. (Bruce Malina, Windows on the World of Jesus, p 47) What, then, is the place of sinners in the Church? I believe that the evidence shows that the Church, the house of worship, is open to all who seek to love and serve the Lord, no matter how imperfectly. God doesn’t limit His acceptance to those who are perfect in deed, but receives all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. He would rather have one sinner trying to serve, than ten who only observe and criticize! The Bible is full of imperfect saints who strive, and fail, and strive again, and God is pleased with them. (Abraham, David, Peter, James, John, Paul, etc.) Let us follow in their footsteps! After 5-plus years, we have made a major change to our Church -- we are now Community Church of Desert Hot Springs! While we remember with appreciation our original founding as the combining of St Anthony in the Desert Episcopal Church and Community United Methodist Church of Desert Hot Springs (and the generous support of the Diocese of San Diego,) our congregation decided to fully embrace our goal to be a place where any Christian can feel part of the community. We welcome people of all denominations!
In some ways, this is an ironic concept, as several of our active members are "snowbirds," living outside of Desert Hot Springs for part of each year. In other ways, I think this is the way that churches are intended to function -- broadening the community to include people from everywhere over Zoom, Facebook, and other social media avenues! According to recent news reports, the Covid Pandemic is officially over. We know that the virus is still present, and we need to be cautious and aware, but much of life is returning to "normal." Several things have been changed by the restrictions of the past few years, however, like the following: *Educational levels have been affected, along with learning styles and methods. *Working remotely is not only acceptable, but preferred in many professions *Church attendance has dropped again, as people who couldn't "go to church" discovered the convenience of Zoom worship, or simply stopped making the effort at all. *An epidemic of loneliness is sweeping over the country and the world, with rates of depression and disconnection increasing along with suicide hotline calls. I have to wonder how the Church generally, and Community Church of DHS will respond to these last two changes. My contacts with other Pastors indicate that everyone is wondering about our future, and the relevance of in-person worship. I, for one, find gathering in person far better, even if it means getting up early on Sunday! But not all people are like me. Will churches just feel helpless, or decry people's reluctance to make in-person worship a part of their weekly activities? Will we wait until God somehow moves to get the bodies back in the pews? Or will we emphasize our ability to use Zoom, Facebook Live, or YouTube to be "the Church That Comes To You?" Let's think about how we can capitalize on that latter concept - can we intentionally tell people that those who can't get out to church can still find a place to learn about God? Can we share our Zoom link with our friends? Can we share our new Facebook page on our own pages, and regularly check out what is being posted? People need the Lord, we all agree on that. But not everyone will "come to church!" So let's find ways to make Community Church of Desert Hot Springs "The Church That Comes To You." One of our favorite hymns goes like this:
"I serve a risen Savior, he's in the world today; I know that he is living, whatever others say. I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer, and just the time I need him, he's always near. He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today! You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart." The truth of EASTER confirms our faith! Jesus is alive and well, and He's living in the hearts of millions of His followers. We who follow Him celebrate His life and love. We who follow Him become His living presence. We who follow Him become extensions of His living presence. It is my hope and desire that we will join together this Lent and Easter in ministry to the world beyond our own doorsteps by sharing our faith with others. Let us commit ourselves to extending the love of Christ beyond the local church into the world! |
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