Wesley United Methodist Church, Orange TX

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I posted this slideshow of sunsets because they are a part of God’s creation that really inspires me.  They are from California and Texas.  Some were from La Jolla, some from Little Cypress, some from WOS Stadium and some from Orangefield Jr. High but they are all from God.  They make me want to look every evening for the next gift God has given us.  I hope you enjoy them and can see God in them. 

God’s Peace and Blessings,

Randy

Good Friday????  I watched “The Passion of the Christ” by Mel Gibson along with our Bible Study group the last two Wednesdays.   I didn’t see much Good going on around Jesus.   While the movie was made with theatrics in Mel’s mind there probably is a lot of truth in what we saw, at least as far as the cruelty of men is concerned.  Good Friday.  I am still wrestling with why/how we could come up with a term for such a brutal day for any man, especially our Savior.  The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church has no answer in it for why it is called “Good Friday”.  I am not suggesting a change but I am curious how the term “Good Friday” was first applied.  Just wondering why.  As a Pastor perhaps I should know this answer but for the life of me I cannot come up with one.  I guess I have always accepted the “Good Friday” term without applying a “why” to it.   I understand the sacrifice and know that it was endured for all our sakes and know that it is a “Good Thing” for all of us but is that why it is called “Good Friday”?   Got some answers???  I am interested! 

God’s Peace and Blessings,

Randy

Well we finished the movie “The Passion of Christ” by Mel Gibson tonight at our Wednesday Bible Study.  Most of us have seen it once before, but I for one had forgotten how brutal the movie portrays the beating/scourging of Christ.  For me it was again hard to watch even though I know it is just a theatrical rendering of research done by Mel Gibson.  Perhaps it was just this brutal, perhaps it was worse.  For sure Gibson used all of the cinematography available to remind us just how brutal humanity can be and the Romans were no exception.  Perhaps they were an exception in that they were more brutal than most.  The Jewish leadership that forced the crucifixion of Jesus was just as guilty as the Roman Pilate and his guards.  Jesus said to Pilate in John 19:11,  “That’s why the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”  Today we must remember that humanity back then was just as capable as humanity is now, of being guilty of the sin of denying Jesus Christ.

Throughout the movie we saw Jesus flashing back and saying things like “Forgive your enemies”, “Pray for your enemies”, “Love each other as I have loved you”, even as He was being beaten.   As abused as He was He never faltered from the path set before Him.  He calls us to do the same and never falter from the path He has set before us.  What we always need to remember is that while Jesus lived His life without sin we will never be able to fulfil the example He has set before us.  It is enough for us to do our best and know that Jesus loves us enough to cover us with His blood so that we are not seen as guilty by our Father in Heaven. 

The Passion of Jesus Christ is about our God and our Savior loving us enough to give the ultimate sacrifice for us.  Joh 15:13  The greatest love a man can have is to give up His life for a friend.  The Man was Jesus, the friend is you.  Receive this gift from your friend this Easter and receive your salvation.  Remember that the suffering that is faced on Friday is followed by life eternal on Sunday.

God’s Peace and Blessings,

Randy

There are many blessings a Pastor receives in the pastoring of a church.  Among the top are being honored to preside at Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals.  While the joy that is present at Baptisms and Weddings may not be at funerals, they are still a blessing.  If we really dig deep into our beliefs, study what our Bible tells us and actually practice what it preaches,  we would celebrate at all three.  While the reasons for joy at Baptisms and Weddings is self-explanatory,  perhaps we need to look at why we should be celebrating with joy at funerals when one of our Christian brothers or sisters go to meet their Savior.  A Savior who has given us a reason to celebrate the passing of one of His own. 

It is as if the hurt in our hearts at the death of a loved one overcomes the joy we should have on our faces with the knowledge that there is a resurrection.  Easter and the example of resurrection after death is almost here.  Jesus is resurrected, walks with His disciples and claims His life eternal with His Father in Heaven.  Our joy lies in the belief that because Jesus died for our sins we too will be in Heaven with the father as resurrected beings.  Life eternal with a purpose.  Death is a doorway that we walk through into the light of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Nothing reminds us of our belief in life after death like the death of a loved one, a wife, a child, a husband, a mom or dad.  We cannot know the depth of hurt people feel at the loss of their loved one.  We can only love them and be there for them until they can work through the grief they must endure.  Hopefully they will come through that grief with the knowledge that one day they will be with that person again.  That is a promise not made by me but by our Savior.

Have a blessed day and remember it is your life in eternity that Jesus Christ died for,

Randy

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

One of the many things about being a Pastor that brings joy into my life is being able to preside over wedding ceremonies. Heidi Theriot added Romero to her name this past Saturday, April the 2nd, 2011.  It was a beautiful day to have an outdoor ceremony under some beautiful huge old oak trees.  Sorry about not getting any of the outside pictures but I was kind of busy during the ceremony.  The reception was in the Community Center building there at the Erath, La. municipal park.  It really was a beautiful setting and a great place for the reception.  The Romero and Viator families showed Jane and I some real Cajun hospitality and really made us feel at home.  We had some really good food and fellowship while we were there.  Such a blessing for Jane and I.

Read John 9:1-41

This scripture is about a blind man getting his sight back after Jesus spits on some dirt and makes mud, then He rubs it on the blind mans eyes.  Sometimes I really need some of that Jesus mud on my eyes.  Sometimes I really have trouble seeing what God wants me to see.  Sometimes His words are as clear as the big ole nose on my face and I still cannot see it.  When we take some time to shut off all the noise we are constantly bombarded with we are able to read, understand, see and apply the word of God to our lives.   The blind man submitted his eyes to the healing touch of Jesus Christ and he was truly able to see.  No one could threaten or cajole him into denying the healing power of Jesus Christ.  He was banned from the Synagogue but would not deny that it was Jesus who healed him.  Jesus touches each one of us in much the same way and we can be just like the blind man, believing because we see clearly who our Savior truly is.  We just need to put our trust in those healing hands, even if it means He has to put mud on our eyes to get us to see. 

Have a blessed weekend, keep the faith by spending some time with Him, when your eyes are healed they will see the world you live in, in a different way,

Randy

  This is a picture of two people (Jan Day and Joette Webb) loving their neighbors by working at Orange Christian Services. Volunteering shows the love Christ has for His world in our hearts.  Do you believe?  Can you see?

John 9:6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes,

9:7 saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.

Jesus made mud with His spit.  He rubbed it on the blind mans eyes.  The blind man washed the mud off and could see.  A miracle happened to a man who had to beg to be able to survive.  I guess given those circumstances most people would have wanted to experience Jesus’ gift of sight. Jesus is the Son of God and was able to heal people of their physical ailments and if we read the scriptures we see he was able to give heart sight to some but not to all.  Some accepted Jesus as the Son of God and believed He was the Messiah.  Some did not.  Even though many of those who witnessed His miracles believed many did not.  I guess seeing is not believing.  People get blinded by their own pride, power and beliefs which keep them from being able to see the change that is right before their eyes.  A change that means a new way of living life.  Jesus came to tell all that using the law to judge a life lived well was in no way comparable to living a life where we are all challenged to put God first and our neighbors a very close second.  We who believe God and His Word live our lives trying to be the best we can be knowing that our God  sees our hearts.  Love is the way of Jesus Christ and love is what God sees in our hearts.  Love God, Love Jesus as your Savior and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you down the paths of righteousness in loving your neighbors.

Pray for Jesus’ love to always be in your hearts, Love is His law for the world,

God’s Peace and Blessings to all,

Randy

God’s sun has been shining brightly on His world and on the cross on which His Son died for all of us.  The shadow represents His presence here with us on this earth.  Not just a shadow but a real presence that is forever here interacting with us.  When Jesus gave His life for us, He gave it willingly and out of love for all of humanity.  Remember the sacrifice that Jesus gave for us when you see all the bad news in the paper and on television.  In remembrance of the sacrifice that God gave for us lets all remember to pray for those who are in such dire need whether they are next door or half way around the world.   What a perfect sacrifice, our time talking to God about the needs of the world.  He listens and really does want a relationship with you.  Lent is a time to refocus on what God wants us to do in and for the world.   Have a great lent and look forward to Easter. 

The cross is of course on the roof of Wesley UMC and the cross’s shadow is in the parking lot.  Come to Worship with us Sunday.  Feel the Spirit moving you.

God’s Peace and Blessings,

Randy

In the drawing above we see Jesus riding into Jerusalem, on a donkey and with people waving palm fronds. It is a reminder that Easter is on the way.  Jesus did and said a lot of things that can be so meaningful to each of us perhaps in many different ways.  In our Bible study we are going through the Gospel of John and last week we went through Chapter 10.  There is much to learn from Chapter 10 but one scripture that has Jesus speaking is:

Joh 10:37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;  Joh 10:38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”

   When I read these words I could hear Jesus telling each of us, Here is the way to walk upon the earth.  If we are doing the works of our Father then we will be witnesses that will be believed.  Speaking the words may get peoples attention, may get them interested but it is always the works of our faith that will draw them into a faith walk for themselves.  The Father is in us because we believe and because we believe we live out the teachings of Jesus Christ in our lives.  Remember the words from James:

Jas 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Having faith and having works is okay.  It is allowable to practice what you hear preached.

God’s Peace and Blessings,  Randy

Well, have the ashes worn off yet.  It would have been a good picture to get of all the folks with the sign of the cross on their foreheads.  We had a good service at Wesley with a good fellowship meal before.  Jane’s King Ranch Chicken Casserole was a great way to end my fast for that day.   Speaking of fasting, have you?   It is a good way to keep your mind on your spiritual growth.  Jesus spoke highly of it and in this weeks lectionary reading He fasted for forty days.  Then satan came to tempt Him.  Forty days of fasting and prayer prepared our Lord for His temptation and when we dedicate a day of fasting and prayer to God we can be prepared too.  If health issues keep you from fasting (not eating) then fast from some Television time.  Use that time to focus on doing God’s will in your life by visiting someone sick, in the hospital, nursing home or home bound.  Perhaps you could visit someone in jail or prison.   Pray and fast over a broken relationship and see if God shows you the way to mend it.  Fasting is exampled by Jesus and is a good way for us to grow stronger.  Find a way that allows Him to speak to you.  You see, all He really wants is a relationship with you.

God’s Peace and Blessings,

Randy