Category Archives: Friday Word

The Gospel Is Inclusive

Posted on by

Someone asked me, “If you lived in a small town and the only church in town was conservative, would you go to church?”

Well—perhaps.

But I would not be quiet. So, I might cause a bit of a fuss. Because the Gospel is not “conservative.” And when someone tells me they are conservative, I am tempted to ask them, “Who are you leaving out?”

“Who do you think is beneath you, not worthy of your love?”

For white people when I was growing up, it was often people of color.

It still is for some.

But add to the list: immigrants, gay people, Muslims, Jews, anyone different.

“Conservatives” tend to be exclusive.

The Gospel is inclusive.

The Gospel proclaimed by Jesus declares God’s love for all people, equally.

No one is excluded.

The love Jesus teaches is unconditional, unmerited.

Jesus specifically tells us to love people who do not love us. He says only this kind of love gets a reward.

And God does not play favorites. Muslims are loved just as much as Christians.

Immigrants have the same value as the native-born.

Everyone is made in the image of God. Everyone belongs to God. And everyone will be treated with the same love by God.

This is controversial talk in many churches—“conservative” churches.

You may be in such a church—and that’s fine.

But don’t be quiet.

When you hear others demean gay people or immigrants or people of other faiths—speak up!

It may cause a little fuss.

But it’s worth it.

Evil triumphs when love is silent.

Heaven and Earth Together

Posted on by

Pam Reynolds had a brain aneurism that could not be removed by usual methods.

So, the doctors did the unusual, a procedure called “Standstill.” They lowered her body temperature to 60 degrees and stopped her heart and breathing.

Her brainwaves flattened and the blood drained from her head.

She was clinically dead.

She left her body and hovered above it for a while. (She watched the surgery and later described it all to the doctors—to their amazement.)

Then a tunnel opened up and she was pulled into it.

“It reminded me of the tornado vortex from The Wizard of Oz,” she said.

She was headed for an incredible light. It got brighter and brighter.

But she also heard her grandmother calling her.

And she exited the tunnel to a family reunion with her deceased loved ones.

They all looked great.

“Uncle Gene was there,” she said, “and great- great Aunt Maggie, and my grandmother.”

Pam was delighted to see them, but she wanted to go on to the light.

They would not let her.

They told her if she went to the light, she could not go back to her body.

And her family was somehow nourishing her with light. It made her feel really strong.

When the surgery was over, her uncle escorted her back. When she saw her dead body, she resisted going into it.

Her uncle “pushed” her. “And it was like diving into ice water.”

“It hurt!” Pam said.

The surgery was a great success. The doctors had done their job. But so had heaven.

Life is a joint venture, heaven and earth working together. So–let God work with you in your life.

A Night On Broadway—Saturday at 6:00

Posted on by

Shannon Davidson is our “star soprano.” She sings for us most Sundays. She is also a locally-known entertainer.

And this Saturday she will join Julian Rodriguez for a stirring concert we are calling A Night on Broadway.

Julian, with his soaring high tenor voice, is also part of the St. Matthew music program.

This is tomorrow.

Saturday, August 10.

At 6:00 p.m. (The doors open at 5:30.)

The concert is followed by dinner. All is free. (We do take an offering.)

Let me talk a little about St. Matthew—a church that has survived since 1896.

We are not large. We have some 70 on a Sunday morning. Our membership is around 150. And almost all of our members come from one source. They are readers of Friday’s Word.

They all knew what they were getting when they came to the church. They got it here first.

And all of them were looking for a church that placed the emphasis on God’s love.

Some of the most loving and gracious people I know gather every Sunday at St. Matthew. It’s hard to get a good fuss going! Folks are mostly in agreement.

So, I pastor a church where the Gospel is a lived reality.

And I must tell you—it’s a joy.

But in our worship, we do not seem small.

We have gifted people who bring us glorious music. Our small choir puts out a big sound.

Why am I telling you all of this?

I expect you to visit us sometime.

Like—Saturday night.

At 6:00.

Stories to Lift the Spirit

Posted on by

A participant in our NDE class told this story.

When her mother died, the family found in her things a pendant they very much wanted to place on her for the funeral.

It would look good with the clothing they had selected.

But there was a problem. The gold chain was thin and delicate and all “knotted up.”

Several members of the family worked to get the kinks out, but no one succeeded.

They were disappointed, but finally gave up and went with something else.

When they returned from the funeral, there was the chain and pendant, laid out on the bed without a knot in it.

It was, of course, a word from their loved one. Her life continued. And she wanted her family to know that.

The body dies.

We do not.

Death is a transition.

Not an end.

That story was not a near-death experience, but it was fair game for the class, which is really about the reality of heaven and God and life beyond death.

Another member did share an NDE. She must have died momentarily with a brain aneurysm. At one point, she found herself up at the ceiling looking down on herself in the hospital bed.

She was later aware of Jesus at her bedside. He let her know she would survive. And said to her, “Tell your boys you love them.”

NDE class, 9:45 Sunday. Followed by breakfast.

Life is better than you think. Be encouraged.

+++

One week away:

A Night on Broadway.

Sat., Aug.10, 6:00 p.m.

We can promise you glorious music and a bit of food afterward.

God IS Love

Posted on by

After the news last Sunday around 2:00 p.m. I am filled with hope. I believe we will be okay.

Last Sunday was also a good day in church.

I hope I was clear in my sermon why we can be sure God did NOT kill Ananias and Sapphira. (Acts 1- 11)

It’s simple.

God loved them just as God loves you and me.

God is never unloving.

How do I know?

Jesus tells us so. God is “kind to the ungrateful and to the wicked.”

The father in the great parable loved the Prodigal Son just as much when the boy was away and in sin as when he returned home.

God’s love does not depend on our behavior.

It is unconditional.

This is one thing that astounds people who have NDEs. They are immersed in a love beyond words–all sins forgiven.

“God—IS—love.” It’s as simple as that.

As much as I cherish the book of Acts, the Ananias and Sapphira story is wrong about God.

+ +

Speaking of NDEs, the study is going well. And you can join us—Sunday mornings at 9:45.

Here is a place where you can share those deep experiences you think no one will believe.

The class is also a kind of grief therapy for those who have lost a loved one.

We live forever.

When the NDE study ends, we will move right into an ongoing study of my book about religious experiences, Discovering God.

+ +

Our concerts resume in two weeks. Free. (We take an offering.) A Night on Broadway.

And join us for worship this Sunday at 11:00. (Or watch online.)