Dave's Deep Thoughts - Raise Your Glass!

Here's Pastor Dave McDowell's weekly devotional that he sends out to members of his church. Dave is my brother and serves as the Music Minister at Stewartstown UMC in PA. 

 

Sometimes you need to raise the glass

But there are times too put it down as well.

 

Anyone who knows me, knows I love Shamrock Shakes.

I love them so much that for sake of health and body mass,

I restrict myself to one shake a year,

That would be one Extra Big Biggie on St Patrick's Day.

Several years ago,

I ran into problems regarding my Shamrock Shake tradition.

 

There was the I'm sorry but we're out of them debacle of '07,

and the pistachio con job in '08,

In 2009, I was determined to let nothing stop me

from getting my Extra Big Biggie Shake.

And yes, this story is true.

 

It was the year that I was also in search of chocolate coins for an upcoming fundraiser.

When I was younger, the coins used to be easy to find

in most drugstores and supermarkets around St Patrick's Day.

In recent years though,

they were difficult to locate.

 

A friend of mine told me they could be found in a chocolate shop located in a nearby mall.

Since there was a McDonald's located in the mall,

I planned a trip on March 17th to get both my Shamrock Shake and the chocolate coins.

 

Once in the mall,

I bolted immediately to the McDonalds.

My three year Shamrock Shake drought was about to end.

 

There is nothing else quite like the first taste of a refreshing beverage.

As I left the restaurant,

I let the first taste of the green nectar slip down my throat.

Joy

Unmitigated joy

This time, I was not to be denied my Shamrock Shakefest.

 

That was, until I headed over to the chocolate shop.

Upon entry,

I greeted the cashier and explained that I was in search of chocolate coins.

 

While she apportioned the number of coins that I needed,

I explained that I needed them for an upcoming fundraiser.

 

I continued to take slow deep sips of the minty confection as we continued to chit chat.

I was in heaven and heaven was painted green.

 

Out of nowhere, the conversation quickly changed

as the cashier abruptly commented,

"My cat just died"

 

Not sure if I should continue to enjoy my Extra Big Biggie pleasure

at the expense of someone's sorrow,

I opted for selfishness

and took another deep sip

as I offered a perfunctory expression of sympathy.

 

"Her name was Flickers" she whimpered.

I was in trouble.

She had named it.

She had made it personal.

She wasn't going to stop.

 

There are cultural norms to observe when someone is mourning........

flowers are sent,

meals are provided,

hugs are offered,

expressions of sympathy are extended.

 

I began to ponder the morality

of enjoying a long awaited culinary pleasure

while in the presence of someone who was hurting.

 

And so I reasoned.......

since the Extra Big Biggie Cup was opaque,

and my minty pleasure was unknown to her.

I could continue to savor my frosty delight

while offering sympathetic expressions on behalf of Flickers.

 

"The last few weeks were terrible," she said

I paused, and then I slurped once again.

 

"It was Feline Leukemia" she said as she bared her soul to me.

Slurp, slurp.

 

"She really suffered in the end" the cashier continued.

Slower slurp as guilt began to set in.

 

" In the last days, it was awful,

she was in a lot of pain,

and there was this green cat diarrhea."

 

Mid-slurp, Stop.

 

"It was thick and so messy. Just awful"

 

I put my Shamrock Shake down.

Party now officially interrupted.

 

If there were four words that I didn't need to hear

while inhaling my Shamrock Shake,

it was green, thick cat diarrhea.

 

My lovefest with sugar and cream

needed to be exchanged for moments of compassionate listening.

I told her that I understood the pain of letting a pet go.

I told her that I would be praying for her

that she would find a happiness to eventually replace the sorrow she was experiencing.

 

Life is filled with a mixture of sorrow and happiness.

Sometimes they happen simultaneously.

Sometimes, they come out of nowhere.

 

The repentant criminal on the cross next to Jesus,

experienced the joy of salvation

while enduring the agony of crucifixion.

 

The unrepentant criminal on the other side

knew only pain and agony.

 

Two men.

Two attitudes ad responses

And One in the middle to meet them both.

Joy and sorrow

all converging on a wooden cross.

 

The cashier I met,

needed someone to listen to her pain.

Sometimes, that means setting aside one's glass of happiness for a while.

Eventually, the glass will be raised again.

 

Whether you cross paths with someone whose glass is raised in celebration

or is presently put to the side in despair,

believe that you were placed in that person's life for a reason,

if only for a moment.

 

That moment may make all the difference in the world to that person.

The response you give, will make all the difference in you.

 

To Flickers' owner,

I will raise my glass to you on this St. Patrick's Day.

My prayer is that you found happiness once again,

and that your glass is once again raised.

 

"Truly I say to you,

today you shall be with me in Paradise."

Luke 23:43

Sermon (March 17) - "Unbinding Your Soul: First Steps"

 

Once, there was a son who was more than ready to get out from under his parents’ roof. He wanted to throw off the rules and expectations of the family. He wanted to do life his way, without any interference from mom and dad.

So one day he took everything that belonged to him, told his parents off, and headed out on his own. He traveled the world. He traveled through several romantic relationships. He traveled through all his money.

The son had to get a job working at a pig farm just to feed himself. One day, when he was out slopping the pigs, he hit rock bottom. This was not at all the life he had envisioned. He was broke, alone, in a disgusting, dirty, dead-end job, hungry, and everything he’d dreamed of for himself had disappeared.

Now what?

Do you know a guy or woman like this? Maybe it’s you.

Jesus told this story. It’s known as the story, or parable, of the prodigal son. Some really religious people were giving Jesus a hard time about having dinner with “sinners.”

So Jesus told this story to people who thought they were God’s favorites. Jesus wanted religious people to understand more about how God operates. He wanted us to know how to grow closer to God.

The rest of the story goes like this:

“Now what?” the son thought. There was no hope for the son where he was. The pigs were poor company. So the son decided to head back home. He knew he would need to apologize. And he knew his family had the right not to invite him back in. But he decided to try his luck anyway. That took some pretty amazing courage. The son started walking home.

But something even more amazing happened. That dad, the one the son had told off? He ran out to meet the son. Listen to that part of the story again. It’s in verse 20:

“When the son was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; the father ran to him and put his arms around him and kissed him.” When the son was still far off, the father ran! The man ran.

This, Jesus wants us to understand, is what God is like! God sees us taking one small step towards God, God sees us headed towards healing in the tiniest of ways, and God is full-speed ahead, running towards us.

God is not waiting on us to make the whole faith journey on our own. God is not testing our willpower to see if we’ll be hardy enough to make it to spiritual maturity.

God is looking for the slightest inkling that we want to reconnect with God, and then God is pumping legs to get to us and sweep us up in divine embrace. All God needs is to see us taking that first tiny step.

If we are going to develop a real, powerful, delightful relationship with God, all we have to do is step toward God every day. And we will discover that God has already moved toward us far more than we can ask or imagine.

How do we step toward God everyday?

We pray everyday. We read a little bit of Scripture everyday. And we ask God to use us to help somebody else everyday. These are our spiritual exercises. They don’t have to be heroic. They don’t have to be pretty. They just have to be done.

Pray, read a little of the bible, and ask God to use us. Everyday. Doing these spiritual exercises are the tiny indication to God that we are moving toward God. They let God know we are moving toward healing, toward reconciliation, toward freedom, toward life. We pray. It’s our step. God does the rest.

Now, there are a couple of things that are really going to increase your chances of stepping toward God everyday.

One is, to have a buddy. We step towards God both alone and with others. We have to make the steps ourselves. But we are much more likely to pray and read a little of the Bible everyday if we have a partner doing this with us.

Many of us have been meeting in Unbinding Your Soul small groups during this season of Lent.  Small groups can serve as a buddy system so that we can help each other to continue to take steps toward a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

This week marks the fourth and final week of our small group study. Your small group may want to continue to meet after this final week.  If you do, the Unbinding Your Soul books that we have been using contain another four week study if you choose to continue. 

I invite you to pray about this in your small group this week to see if your group would like to meet for another four weeks after this week.  You might want to take a short break over Easter and resume sometime in April or maybe it will work out to not take any time off. 

So, the buddy system and your small group can increase our chances of stepping toward God everyday. 

Here’s a second way to help you to take steps toward God.  And that’s by stepping toward God at the same time everyday. Step toward God at the same time everyday.  Give God the fifteen minutes before you go to work, or the fifteen minutes before you go to bed, or on your lunch hour, or whenever it is, every day.

If you set a specific time to step toward God, you’ll get in the habit of stepping toward God everyday. Sure, give God other times too. Spontaneous times are great! Just be sure you give God the planned time.

Recently, we interviewed one of our church members to hear how she is taking steps toward God everyday.
 

 

Imagine God waiting on the front porch, looking out to see if you’re heading God’s way at the time you said you’d be there. Now, sometimes, maybe most of the time, we won’t do this very well.

Martha Grace Reese, the author of Unbinding Your Soul, writes, “Our best efforts usually have a ‘sorta, kinda, oh wow, I forgot’ quality to them.The good news is that if we’ll even try to show up, God can work with us. God can work miracles with that. Our part in this divine-human conversation is pretty humble.”

Romans 8:26 tells us that “The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray like we ought.”  If we show up, and try to step toward God, God is already running full-tilt to meet us and help us. One step toward God. Every day.

Derek Redmond was a world-class runner who made it to the finals of the 1992 Olympics.3 He started out strong in the 400 meter. Everyone was cheering him on.

But all of a sudden, heartbreak. His hamstring muscle popped. Derek was immediately on the ground in a heap. What now?

This was the Olympics. Derek Redmond wasn’t about to be carted off in a stretcher as his final moment on the world stage. His training kicked in. He had run this race nearly

everyday of his life. He got up. Barely. And he started hobbling towards the finish line. The crowd went wild. Then Derek stopped, grimacing in pain. He wasn’t sure he could make it.

 

Suddenly, someone else came on the scene. Pushing past the guards was a determined, older man. No one and nothing was going to stop Derek Redmond’s father from getting to his son.

Derek’s dad got to him down on the track. Derek’s dad wrapped him in his arms. He took on Derek’s weight. Together, with tender determination, father and son headed towards the finish line. Derek Redmond finished that race.

Derek just kept on stepping. His dad did the rest.

Sunday Worship Preview - March 24 (Palm Sunday)

Sunday, March 24 - (9:00 & 10:30 Services) & Wednesday, March 27  (6:30 pm Casual Service @ Crossroads, 2095 Fair Avenue)

Sermon - "Unbinding Your Soul: Step Over the Line"

Features - Palm/Passion Sunday & Holy Communion

Scripture - Johua 1:1-9 & Luke 19:28-40

Theme - Joshua encouraged God's people to step over the line when he said, "Choose you this day whom you will serve." Jesus stepped over the line when he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and then went to the cross to die for our sins on Good Friday. We too, are called to step over the line!

Crazy Book of Revelation Letters

Pastors will understand this.  About once a year, we receive a crazy Book of Revelation letter sent indiscriminately to various churches across the country. 

Last year, my annual crazy Book of Revelation letter didn't come in the mail.  Somebody placed it on our sanctuary altar so I would find it there. You can't blame people for wanting to save on postage. Last week, my annual crazy Book of Revelation letter came in the mail at the church which is the more typical choice of delivery system.

Here are the common threads that are found in each crazy Book of Revelation letter:

• The sender is obsessed with the Book of Revelation and likes to list several verses that include the most graphic symbols from that book of the Bible. And yes, these are always taken out of context.
• The Book of Revelation letter always include verses that refer to "women of ill repute" (I'm struggling with the politically correct way to refer to these verses.) The sender of the letter points out in many different ways that my church is destined for the same fate as "the women of ill repute."
• The letter will often include a list of the religious denominations that are destined for hell. It will state, "Methodist" but technically, I'm "United Methodist" so I'm hoping that makes me exempt from the wrath to come.
• Rarely will this crazy letter identify the religious affiliation of the sender. Hmmmmmm...
• The persons who writes/types such letters have terrible grammar.  I mean, really horrific grammar.
• To their credit, they will often personally address the envelope.  This is impressive since that takes a lot of time and improves the chances that unsuspecting pastors will actually open them.
• To their discredit, the letter is not only filled with grammatical and spelling errors, but there are also lines struck through printed words, arrows redirecting you to lines where the sender meant to include that particular point and so on and so forth.
• The senders have an atrocious understanding of the Book of Revelation.  The biblical author, John would not be pleased that these crazy Book of Revelation letter writers are basing their interpretation of this concluding book of the Bible solely on their understanding of the 1970's book, The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey.
• Once in a while, these crazy Book of Revelation letters will also include selected verses from the Book of Isaiah which also has references to "women of ill repute."

This past week, I received my annual crazy Book of Revelation letter. It came in the mail and even included a personalized name and return address. I was tempted to send a reply to this person who feels the need to warn me that my church (and many others) are being damned to hell.  This was to no avail as my church secretary and I could not decipher the initials of the state that was included in the return address.  Ah! These crazy Book of Revelation letter writers are market savvy!

So, I will continue to receive these letters about once a year, open them up, see if there is anything new in them from previous letters, and then place them in that container that will eventually send them to that place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Dave's Deep Thoughts - Is There a Pie Heaven?

 

Here's Pastor Dave McDowell's weekly devotional that he sends out to members of his church. Dave is my brother and serves as the Music Minister at Stewartstown UMC in PA. 

 

If a picture is worth a thousand words,

than a piece of pie must be worth a novel.

 

My mom was a great cook and baker.

Pies, pastries, and cakes

were shot out of my mom's kitchen at rapid fire pace

like fireworks at a 4th of July celebration.

 

Her cookies were were worth gold.

Her cinnamon buns were the envy of the town.

Her rolls were the hit of every holiday gathering.

 

During her last years,

dementia robbed my mom of her ability to function in the kitchen,

and the baking wizardry ceased.

 

Now that she is not with us anymore,

her baking prowess has taken its place in local culinary lore.

 

Over time, the rich remembrance of her tantalizing treats had begun to fade.

That was until yesterday.

 

A cousin of mine showed up at my workplace

with a pie in hand.

 

"I made you a

chocolate peanut butter pie.

I used your mom's recipe" she said.

 

I gasped.

My heart skipped a beat.

My stomach instinctively growled like a Pavlovian dog.

It had been years since mom had been able to make a pie,

let alone the chocolate peanut butter pie, one of the crown jewels of the family pie royalty

I gazed upon this pastry delight that my cousin had made.

It looked exactly like my mom's.

 

Fresh fruit pies had always made their grand appearances in their seasons.

Meat pies were mid-winter tummy warmers.

Whoopie pies were for crazy fun moments.

 

But the chocolate peanut butter pie

was a pie for all seasons.

 

Easter celebrations, family dinners,

birthdays, special occasions, ordinary days.

The chocolate peanut butter pie never went out of season.

 

With all due apologies to the apple pie,

mom's chocolate peanut butter pie

stood as a shining symbol of all that was good about

life, the American way, and the pursuit of happiness.

 

The homemade crust was as flaky as a mid-winter flurry.

Rich chocolate pudding filled the basin of the crust.

Whipped cream festooned the rim of the pie.

A delicate peanut butter crumb mixture dazzled the top.

 

As I took my first taste of my cousin's pie,

memories flooded back into my mind......

 

memories of family gatherings,

memories of a special occasions,

memories of coming home from school to a mother's love.

 

Jack Handy was once quoted as saying,

"When I go to heaven, I want to go to pie heaven.

I don't know if there is a pie heaven, but if there is......

mmm mmm boy!"

 

Foods have a way of connecting us to

the things that we love the most.....

family, life, faith.

 

Popcorn says get ready to watch a movie.

Cake says to sing Happy birthday!

Grilled hot dogs says to get ready for the fireworks.

 

But grape juice & bread says "here is your means of grace."

Here is a love that will not let go of you.

Here is the way that we can be together.

 

I am so grateful to my cousin for reminding

me of my mother's love for me.

 

I am even more grateful for a loving God

who reminds me that He loves me enough to die for me.

 

I don't know that there is a pie heaven,

but I know that there is a heaven.

And I know that there is a place at the banquet table reserved for

anyone who admits their need for the blood of Christ.

 

As we approach Holy Week and the celebration of the empty tomb,

take time to savor ......

 

the bitterness of betrayal,

the stinging agony of abandonment,

the pain of undeserved punishment,

and finally

the ecstasy of the empty tomb.

 

That empty tomb is the recipe of love.

That is, a love for all seasons,

just like mom's peanut butter pie.

 

Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Psalm 34:8

Mom's Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Recipe

 

(surprisingly easy)

Bake crust at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes until golden

Make peanut butter crumb mixture. TakeTbp of creamy peanut butter. Mix in confectioner

sugar with fork. Stir until you get a texture suitable for sprinkling .

Take 1 or 2 INSTANT chocolate pudding mixes (depending on size of pies)

(mix with ¼ cup less than directions indicated)

Fill pie with pudding, add whipped cream (do not use non fat)

Add peanut butter crumb mixture sprinkling on top

Sunday Worship Preview - March 17

Sunday, March 17 - (9:00 & 10:30 Services) & Wednesday, March 20  (6:30 pm Casual Service @ Crossroads, 2095 Fair Avenue)

Sermon - "Unbinding Your Soul: First Steps"

Features - 5th Sunday of Lent (4th Week of UYS Small Groups & 5th Week of Daily Readings) & Receiving of New Members/Holy Baptism

Scripture - II Corinthians 5:16-21 & Luke 15:11-24

Theme - Sometimes, all it takes is that one small step toward God and we experience a new understanding of God's love and purpose in our lives. What small step is God asking you to take?

The Bible History Channel Miniseries - Begins Sunday, March 3

 



Beginning Sunday, March 3, The History Channel is showing a miniseries on the Bible. For many people, the bible is a very confusing and complicated book. My hope is that this miniseries will help people get a sense of the overall theme and key stories found in the bible.

 

While the episodes will not possibly be able to capture the in depth meaning of each biblical story and they will undoubtely be told from a modern/western perspective, they will at least help viewers to gain an understanding of the basic components that we find in the bible.

 

I'm also thrilled to see that Dr. Craig Evans, a respected and noted bible scholar was consulted in the production of this miniseries. Dr. Evans was the keynote speaker for a continuing educaton event at my seminary a couple of years ago and offers a very solid approach to the understanding of the scriptures.