Posts Tagged ‘God’
Upperroom Daily Devotional 6-10-14
June 10, 2014Lectionary Scriptures for 6-15-14 Trinity Sunday
June 9, 2014Pastor’s Ponderings, Wonderings, Wanderings
June 7, 2014
Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday. I want to share a story about Pentecost involving a preacher-teacher named Fred Craddock.
The well-known author and preacher Fred Craddock tells a rather funny story about a lecture he was giving: A few years ago, when he was on the west coast speaking at a seminary, just before the first lecture, one of the students stood up and said, “Before you speak, I need to know if you are Pentecostal.” The room grew silent. Craddock said he looked around for the Dean of the seminary! He was nowhere to be found.
The student continued with his quiz right in front of everybody. Craddock was taken aback, and so he said, “Do you mean do I belong to the Pentecostal Church?” He said, “No, I mean are you Pentecostal?” Craddock said, “Are you asking me if I am charismatic?” the student said, “I am asking you if you are Pentecostal.” Craddock said, “Do you want to know if I speak in tongues?” He said, “I want to know if you are Pentecostal.” Craddock said, “I don’t know what your question is.” The student said, “Obviously, you are not Pentecostal.” He left.
What are we talking about on Pentecost Sunday? Is the church supposed to use the word Pentecost only as a noun or can it be used as an adjective? And so I ask you: Are you Pentecostal?
In spite of the fact that the church doesn’t know what the adjective means, the church insists that the word remain in our vocabulary as an adjective. The church is unwilling for the word simply to be a noun, to represent a date, a place, an event in the history of the church, refuses for it to be simply a memory, an item, something back there somewhere. The church insists that the word is an adjective; it describes the church. The word, then, is “Pentecostal.”
If the church is alive in the world it is Pentecostal.
How do we keep this aliveness, this fire burning, this spirit moving? What must exist in us, around us, and through us, if we are to be Pentecostal? Simply these three things:
1. We Are To Be Of One Accord
2. We Are To Join Together Constantly in Prayer
3. We Are To Repent
Come join us tomorrow for Pentecost Sunday. I will talk some more about how United Methodist as well as other denominations must be Pentecostal in their beliefs.
Have a blessed day in Jesus Christ,
Pastor Randy
Pastor’s Ponderings, Wonderings, Wanderings
June 3, 2014
Flowers are blooming in our backyard. A blessing to us and one I wanted to share with you. The flowers are surrounding an oak tree. The oak tree was planted 28 years ago when Melvin Croaker showed up at our new home with a blessing for us. The seedling oak tree that had been growing in one of his flower beds at his house seemed like the perfect lasting gift to give someone. It is the gift that keeps on giving. The oak tree has provided lots of shade for our back yard for many years now and if you will look closely at the picture you will notice a small oak seedling growing on the right side of the bed surrounding the oak tree. It is a constant reminder of Melvin and the friend that he still is today because of the seedling he planted in our back yard.
I have been reminded many times through Melvin’s thoughtfulness and friendship how important it is to be a good neighbor/friend. I see in the oak tree and its fruitfulness how important it is to plant seeds. God has designed the oak tree to produce acorns to produce more oak trees that will produce more acorns. God has designed us as Christians to produce seeds that are given to us by the Holy Spirit. Seeds that will create more Christians, as the Holy Spirit helps them to become aware, through our witness of the love God has for each of us. Each of us is given the opportunity to plant a seed and God has promised us the Holy Spirit to help us take advantage of those opportunities.
Just as the God designed oak tree has grown from a seed planted so will the seeds of Christian belief/faith grow through the workings of the Holy Spirit.
Get busy planting seeds…it is your calling…and His Spirit.
May God bless each and every seed that is planted.
Amen and have a blessed day…every day.
Pastor Randy
Wesley United Methodist Church, Orange TX 