March 1 - Search Me - Know Me

Search Me - Know Me

by Brian Groe

Scripture: Psalm 139

Key Verse:

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

    test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Point out anything in me that offends you,

    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Psalm 139:23-24

Sometimes reading the Psalms makes me smile.  In several of the Psalms, between one phrase and the next David goes from "Smite them, O Lord!" to "Search me, O God!"  This Psalm is a good example of this type of emotional yo-yo. 

How precious are Your thoughts toward me, O God ... (verse 17)

O God, if only You would destroy the wicked ... (verse 19)

Yes, I hate them with total hatred ... (verse 22)

Search me, O God, and know my heart ... (verse 23).  

CS Lewis in Reflections on the Psalms says:

It is monstrously simple-minded to read the cursings in the Psalms with no feeling except one of horror at the uncharity of the poets. They are indeed devilish. But we must also think of those who made them so. Their hatreds are the reaction to something. Such hatreds are the kind of thing that cruelty and injustice, by a sort of natural law, produce.

One of the things that draws us to the Psalms is the raw emotion that David expresses.  Normally our church going is so constrained that once in a while we want to feel the extreme joy that made David dance before the Lord, or the awe at God's greatness that caused David to fall on his face before the Lord.  We don't expect to have it all thrown at us in the span of one Psalm!

This Psalm is also interesting because of the tension that exists between the opening of this Psalm and the conclusion.  David starts this Psalm by saying that the Lord has examined my heart and knows everything about me. He then spends the next 18 verses contemplating all the various ways that God already knows him.

You know when I stand, and when I sit.  You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.  You know the words I'm going to say even before I say them. 

Where can I go to escape Your presence?  If I ride the wings of the dawn, You are there.  If I go to the depths of the sea, You are there!  Even in darkness I cannot hide from You for the darkness is light for you.

You saw me before I was formed.  You knit me together in my mother's womb.  You have seen my unformed being.  

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.  They cannot be numbered!

I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!

Yet we get to verse 23 and David is pleading: Search me, O God, and know my heart.  Test me and know my anxious thought!  Doesn't God already know?  Hasn't David already acknowledged that God knows him inside and out?  

Michelangelo - Sistene Chapel Fresco
God straining to reach out to Adam.
Adam casually reaching back to God.

It is one thing to know that God exists, and acknowledge that God knows me.  Paul says in Romans 1:20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. In the first section of this Psalm, David is acknowledging who God is.  

It is another thing entirely to know God.  Not just know who He is, but have a relationship with Him.  David is demonstrating this here.  He knows who God is, and what God does.  Finally in verse 23 David throws the door of his heart open to God, and says that he wants to know God as God knows all about him.  Lead me along the path of eternal life.  David wants to walk with God the paths of eternal life.  

Many authors say that this is what Jesus meant in the Beatitudes when He said "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."  Being pure in heart means that I am walking honestly with God, admitting my failings, my sinfulness, my nature while recognizing that God knows everything about me already.  Consciously and purposely opening myself up to God without any hint of hiding.  Taking God's hand as He leads me in paths of righteousness that will lead to eternal life.  

Even a cursory reading of the Psalms will show that for David this was not a "once-for-all" decision that he made.  Instead we see in many of the Psalms that David makes a similar decision to turn to God over and over again (see for example Psalm 22, 25 and 51).  How many times do I need to turn from my sinful and prideful ways, and invite God into my life to forgive, heal and guide me back to His ways?   How thankful I am that God always hears my plea, and has mercy on me.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Amen

This is a beautiful piece by Samuel Barber called Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).  The text is in Latin so I have included the translation of the lyrics:

Latin                                            English 

Agnus Dei                                    The Lamb of God

Agnus Dei,                                   The Lamb of God,

Qui tollis peccata mundi,             Who took the sins of the world,

Miserere nobis.                             Have mercy upon us.

 

Agnus Dei,                                    The Lamb of God,

Qui tollis peccata mundi,              Who took the sins of the world,

Miserere nobis.                              Have mercy upon us.

 

Agnus Dei,                                    The Lamb of God,

Qui tollis peccata mundi,              Who took the sins of the world,

Dona nobis pacem.                        Grant us peace.

 

Feb 22 - Ash Wednesday

What is Lent?

by Lori Wheeler

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.  Matthew 4:1-2

As we prepare to observe Lent as a body of believers, we are once again going to be publishing a series of Devotions written by several people from within our church. At Christmas, we had the opportunity to learn so much about God’s Word and how He can speak through others during their times of meditation on His Word. Preparing for Lent and getting the most out of this special time gives us an opportunity to experience an even deeper love for God. As with Advent, it is important that we understand what Lent truly is. How does it apply to our lives, and ultimately deepen our relationship with Him?

First- let's begin with what Lent actually is. As United Methodists, we believe that Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days, excluding Sundays, ending on Holy Saturday. Holy Saturday is the day before Easter.

It is possible to look up creative ways to observe Lent, but as you begin to truly meditate on how you can purposefully observe this time, I want to encourage you to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. During meditation on His Word and your personal prayer time, God will begin to reveal the potential for a deeper connection with Him. How CAN we self-examine and reflect? Do we really want to? Can we look closely at repentance? Repentance for what? Can we choose something truly difficult to fast for 40 days? Can we lean on Him to control maybe anger, addiction, time management, relationship battles...? And- what keeps us from spending quiet time reading His Word? What if...what if when we do, He begins to speak to our hearts truths that may seem difficult? Looking at the things that separate us from God or keep us from spending time with Him are very personal, and that’s why it’s important for us to truly seek Him and His will as we prepare for Lent; rather than entering into this season reluctantly or half-heartedly, we should allow Him to show us things we can give up that truly will allow us to reflect and that will deepen our relationship with Him.

Some will tell you to do something extra or take on something extra during Lent like feeding or helping others, scheduling time to visit shut-ins, increasing your tithes, practicing kindness, and every one of those things are truly Godly things to do, but I would like to challenge you to do those things in addition to a true fast. Because I truly believe that there is something each and every one of us can abstain from that will draw us closer to God, something that will allow us to look to Him for strength and decrease the things that keep us from spending quality time with Him. After all, that’s what Jesus did in Matthew 4.

In the beginning of Matthew 4, the first 11 verses, Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness. As I began reading and studying these verses to prepare for this devotion, my first question was, why was Jesus in the wilderness? He had just been baptized and His Father’s voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were present, all at one time. And then the Scripture says that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for a period of 40 days and 40 nights. It then says He was hungry. Hunger can often be a desire for much more than food. We can also hunger for control, power, “things”, position, and so much more. We are told that the devil tempted Jesus by appealing to his physical hunger but also to his position and faith, and what he mistakenly projected onto Jesus, a potential human desire for power and control. Satan twisted God’s words to appeal to Jesus, but Jesus continued to remain obedient to His heavenly Father. Jesus listened but didn’t entertain the offerings of the enemy. He resisted the devil and used God’s words to send him fleeing. He chose His words so carefully, but so did the enemy. The enemy was so careful to try to choose offerings that would appeal to the human ego, but Jesus chose words that would emphasize the truths of God. When I’m faced with temptation, I want to be able to respond as Jesus did, but I can only emphasize the truths of God if I know them, and the season of Lent offers the perfect opportunity for growing in that area.  

The Temptations of Christ

 So why did Jesus retreat to the wilderness? He was led by the Spirit to do so. He had had an encounter with His Father in one of the rarest moments recorded of the Trinity as One. A moment when God himself spoke, “with him I am well pleased.” A moment of perfection shortly before Jesus was to begin His ministry and begin to call others in to prepare for what we celebrate as Easter. And as I opened His Word to meditate for this devotion, He truly illuminated this text and that brought with it such a deep desire to serve better, to study with purpose, to seek His presence even more, and to glean His will in my life. This year, I feel He is calling me to a wilderness encounter of sorts, to separate myself from other distractions and intentionally set aside time just for God, and possibly even a battle with those things that I know are preventing me from being a more purposeful and prepared vessel that can lean on God to go through times of struggle.  If these verses don’t speak to anyone else, they certainly spoke to me. Deciding whether to participate in Lent, for the right reasons, is so important, and I think He really showed that to me during my meditations. It is not something to take lightly or choose something that really isn’t a challenge to commit to. For me this year, I feel convicted to choose in a way that will not only free up time to spend with God, but to have a need for Him to help me stay true to that commitment as I repent, self-examine and reflect.

Will you join me?

Blessings.

We hope that you enjoy the following selection titled New Wine by  Brooke Ligertwood

Feb 15 - A Note From the Administrator

Holiday Devotional Blog

By Brian Groe - Site Administrator

We received such a wonderful response from our Advent Blog that the church staff has decided to do something similar for Lent.  (You could say that we are a victim of our own success!)  

Next Wednesday, February 22 is Ash Wednesday which begins the 40 day celebration of Lent.  Unlike Advent (which is 28 days) we are not going to try to do a devotion every day of Lent.  Instead we will have a devotion each week on Wednesday.  Then during Holy Week (from Palm Sunday, April 2 until Easter Sunday on April 9) there will be a devotion each day.  Once again Bambi Wheeler is coordinating members of our church to submit the devotions over the next few weeks.

We will use the same blogspot address with associated email list (fumc-wp-advent.blogspot.com/).  So when you see the term Advent in the name, just think Holy Holiday Season instead.  If you do not wish to receive these emails, there is a way to unsubscribe at the bottom of the email.

The format of the devotion will remain very similar.  Either the author or I will include artwork appropriate to the theme of the devotion. 

The Sacrificial Lamb by Josefa de Ayala (ca 1670-1684)

There will also be some type of musical selection included with each devotion.  As an example I have included a link to the Brahms How Lovely is Thy Dwelling for your enjoyment.

We hope that you will enjoy these Lent Devotions.  If you would like to volunteer to do a devotion, please contact Bambi at the church office.  

Sincerely - Brian

Dec 25 - Music Filled the Air

Music Filled the Air

Sunday, December 25, 2022

by Brian Groe

I know that we said this would be an Advent Blog, but since it is Christmas Day I wanted to add one more post as a farewell to Advent for 2022.  

I have really enjoyed selecting music for the blog over the last month, and there were a few more choral pieces that I wasn't able to get included into the daily devotions.  These are all pieces that are traditionally done during the Christmas Season, and ones that Diana and I have performed in the past as part of choirs.  I hope that you enjoy these pieces as much as we do.

First from The Messiah.  There are so many rich and treasured songs that we remember and sing during this season.  For Unto Us a Child is Born is one of the most memorable.  

If you want to hear the entire Messiah, please click HERE.  This video presents all 3 sections of The Messiah (about 2.5 hours), and when I played it there were no commercial interruptions.  It is worth listening to the end to hear Worthy is the Lamb and the final Amen chorus.

I love singing choral music from Russian composers.  They really know how to write a bass line!  Salvation is Created by Pavel Chesnokov is a beautiful piece that both Diana and I have enjoyed singing in the past.



A few years ago, the Community Choir did the Pinkham Mass with David Hall.  Diana and I have sung this mass a couple of times, and it has always been a challenge, but it was a joy to sing it with David.  Here is the Gloria In Excelsis Deo

Randall Thompson's Alleluia is a wonderful expression of praise and joy.  As we celebrate this wonderful Christmas season, may we all raise our hands to say Alleluia.



Let me end this with one of my favorite Christmas hymns, In the Bleak Midwinter by Gustav Holst.  What can I give Him poor as I am?  What I can I give Him, give my heart.



I hope you have enjoyed these songs.  Thank you all for your support over the last month.  We would love to hear your comments about this effort.  You will find the comment box at the bottom of this post.  

May God richly bless each and every one of you in the coming year!

Dec 24 - When They Returned

When They Returned ...

Saturday, December 24, 2022

by Andy Lambel

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Key Verse: Luke 2:20 

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

The last verse of the Christmas story as written by Luke in his Gospel.  And it’s a familiar story to most of us. 

Today, I think about this text through the eyes and the lives of the shepherds.

Shepherds were not high on “totem pole” of that day.  In fact, they were the lowest of the low.  They were simple, uneducated men who risked their lives every day to care for a bunch of sheep.

And yet despite their lowly standing, the angels appeared to them that night sharing the good news with them.  In Luke 2:9-10, we read, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.’”  And the angel went on to them about the birth of Jesus, where it would happen, and how they would know that the baby was indeed the Messiah.  Then a host of angels appeared in the night sky, praising God.

So, the shepherds go to see this child they had been told about.

This brings me to verse 20.  As I’ve read this verse over and over the past few days, one word sticks out to me.  The word RETURNED.

I don’t think these simple shepherds returned to their sheep the same men they were when they left their sheep.  I don’t think a person can have a personal encounter with the living Christ and return to wherever they came from the same person.

Think about other personal encounters with the living Christ in Scripture.  

What about the three wise men?  After they had a personal encounter with Jesus, Scripture says, “they returned to their country by another route.” – Matthew 2:12.  They didn’t go home the same way they came.  I think they went home different people.

Think about Nicodemus and his conversation with Jesus found in John chapter 3.  Nicodemus was a Pharisee, but he approached Jesus and had a conversation with Him.  The next time we see Nicodemus, he’s helping Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus after the crucifixion.  We’re not told that Nicodemus returned to his home a different man, but I think he did after having a personal encounter with Him.

And then there’s Thomas or doubting Thomas if you will.  We read about this in John chapter 20.  Thomas is told by the other disciples, “We have seen the Lord.”  Thomas doesn’t believe them.  He says, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” – John 20:25.

About a week later, Jesus appears to the disciples again.  This time Thomas was with them.  He appeared and said to Thomas, “Put you finger here; see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas’ next statement show what can happen when a personal encounter with the living Christ take place.  Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.” – John 20:28.

This is what can happen to us when we have a personal encounter with the living Christ.  We will not return the same person.  

A personal encounter with the living Christ is a LIFE-CHANGING, LIFE TRANSFORMING encounter.  May we all have that same encounter with Christ as the shepherds on that first Christmas morning and return home glorifying and praising God.

AMEN

Dec 23 - Tell Everyone

Tell Everyone!

Friday, December 23, 2022

by Brian Groe

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Key Verse: Luke 2:17-19
After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

Traditionally, Luke the physician and companion of Paul is the author of the Gospel of Luke.  In fact between Luke and Acts, the author of this book contributes 27% of the material in the New Testament.  Luke contains a considerable amount of information that is not contained anywhere else in the New Testament.  Tradition says that Luke got this information by interviewing eyewitnesses.

Think about that for a minute.  Say one of the shepherds was 10 years old when Jesus was born.  That would make him 43 when Jesus was crucified.  It was likely 20-25 years later that Luke began his research, that would put this particular shepherd in his mid 60's, which for that time and for his occupation would make him an old man.  I'll bet that he still remembered that night clearly, and could recite everything the angel said because he had told the story so often.  

In our verses today we have 2 reactions to the same incident, and they are both things that I need to incorporate into my own life.  First the shepherds told everyone!  They told them about the angels.  They told them what the angels said.  They told them about the child that they had seen in the manger.  I am sure that they didn't really understand what it all meant, but they told everyone what they had seen and heard!  AND all who heard were astonished.  It was quite a story, and all who heard it were amazed.

Secondly, Mary kept all these things in her heart, and thought about them often.  Mary thought often about the visit of the shepherds that night, and the message that they brought from the angels.  She cherished every word, and every sight.  

In a similar way, I need to contemplate what God is doing in my life.  Every day God is working within me as I walk with Him.  I need to open the eyes and ears of faith to see and hear the wonders of God in all that surrounds me.  I need to always keep at the front of my mind the many blessings God has given me.  Then I need to go out, and speak of God's love and grace towards me, and tell everyone I see of the grace and love of God that we celebrate all year long.

As I was searching for Advent Prayers, I found an interesting quote.  I like things that make me think, and this quote got me thinking in a new direction:

Advent Reflection

In one sense we are always traveling,
    and traveling as if we did not know where we are going.
In another sense we have already arrived.

We cannot arrive at the perfect possession of God in this life, 

    and that is why we are traveling 

    and we travel in darkness. 

But we already possess God by grace, and therefore, 

    in that sense, we have arrived and are dwelling in the light.

But oh! How far have I to go to find You in Whom I have already arrived!

- Thomas Merton, "Dialogues with Silence"

For a song today I have chosen Tchaikovsky's Hymn of the Cherubim.  Since the choir is singing in Russian, here is the text for this song.

Text by W. G. Rothery, 1909

Angel Spirits, ever Blessèd, 

    offer praise on high unceasing,

Ever crying Holy, Holy, Holy 

    Lord God of Sabaoth.

Saints and Martyrs Blessèd 

    praise Thy Name, Trinity Lifegiving,

Ever crying Holy, Holy, Holy 

    Lord God of Sabaoth.

In the angelic Song, let us join 

    before Thy Throne on high, 

    Blessèd, Blessèd Trinity

Ever crying Holy, Holy, Holy 

    Lord God of Sabaoth.

Amen.

Glory be to God in the highest.

With the angelic Throng, we join 

    in Songs of Praise for ever.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah. 

Holy Lord: Who is, and was, and is to come.  Open my eyes to see afresh the wonders of grace that You perform every day.  Open my ears to hear the songs of praise sung by angel choirs.  Open my mouth to proclaim Your love to everyone that I see.  Thank You for the great gift of salvation that we celebrate today.   Amen

PS - As we wrap up this year's Advent Blog, I want to thank Bambi for organizing, reminding and shepherding this effort.  Thanks to everyone who contributed their wonderful memories, thoughts and prayers to this effort.  Thanks also to Pastor Andy for his leadership that made this possible.  Most importantly thanks to you our readers for making this a success. Let's join together in thanking and praising God for the wonderful gift of salvation that we celebrate during this season.   

Finally, allow me to remind you of the schedule of coming events:

• On Saturday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) there are services at 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  The 5:00 p.m. service will be livestreamed on the church's YouTube and Facebook page.
• On Sunday, December 25 (Christmas Day) there will be a potluck style breakfast in fellowship hall at 9:15.  There will be one service at 10:00 in the Sanctuary.  We will be singing Christmas Carols.
• Recorded and livestreams of our services can be seen on the FUMC West Plains YouTube channel at youtube.com/@fumcwestplains244/featured.
• For more information about First United Methodist Church of West Plains, MO see our website at fumcwestplains.com.

We hope that everyone has a blessed and joyous Christmas.

Dec 22 - Good News

Good News

Thursday, December 22, 2022

By Geoff Posegate

Scripture: Luke 1:1-20

Key Verse: Luke 2:16
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”

Have you ever felt like you were just not the kind of person who could or should get lots of good news in this life?

In the 2009 film, “The Blind Side,” a poverty-stricken young man named Michael Oher (now a retired professional football player) is taken into the home of the well-to-do Touhy family of Memphis, Tennessee. He is stunned when he realizes he is being given his own room, much less his own bed. Michael assumed good news like this would never be a part of his life path.

Looking at the realities of our world, we can assume that some people get good news and some people don’t, and that’s just the way it is. Judean shepherds certainly knew this to be true. Shepherding was not the idyllic, pristine look we give it in our Nativity scenes at Christmastime. Shepherding was dirty, transient work, looked down upon by most people in first century cultures. People assumed shepherds were of low character and untrustworthy. Only the lowest of the low stooped to shepherding sheep and goats. They were not people who experienced much good news in life, if any.

Luke specifies that after the shepherds heard the news of Jesus’ birth, they “hurried” to find him. Was the hurry just due to curiosity or fear of missing out? Or was it more? I notice the number of times in the preceding verses the word translated “you” in English appears. “I bring you good news…” (verse 10.) “A Savior has been born to you…” (verse 11.) “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby…” (verse 12.) Perhaps the shepherds rushed to see if it was all true because of the staggering possibility that the good news actually was for them; that they really had been chosen to get good news, maybe for the first time in their lives.

Maybe because of illness, someone’s death, job loss, depression, a relationship ending, or any number of reasons, you feel good news just isn’t in the cards for you. If so, you’re in good company; in the company of the first ragged crew to get the news that Jesus was born. Maybe this year a Christmas angel (messenger from God) wants you to be the first to get life-saving, life-changing good news. Michael Oher could not imagine the good news that was ahead for him and how his life would change. Maybe that’s true for you, too.

Loving God, rescue me from the lie that good news is for everyone else except me. Stand me with the stunned shepherds. With them, bowl me over with the message that the good news actually is for me; for us. Focus my mind and heart of those who don’t believe good news is for them this Christmas, because of what’s happen to them, where they came from, who they are, or who they’re not. Use me as your messenger of good news to them. I pray in the name of the One who is the good news. Amen.