CUMC - July 2010

Yesterday, we went to the big Christ United Methodist Church again; I like that place for two reasons; first is that I know and like Michael, their music guy. He does a very good job with the music there. And second, it's a church that seems the best compromise between what I'm looking for, what Jan's looking for, and what Grace is looking for.

Michael was hired out of Nashville less than a year ago as an assistant for Chuck Weatherford, and then earlier this year, Chuck quit. It was unexpected to me, and to several other people as well. Now CUMC has hired a new "Pastor of Worship Arts" to be the head music honcho, but Michael will remain in charge of the choir and orchestra, as he's doing a great job there. He will also play his sax (he's very good) in the contemporary service they've just starte there, at 9:30. I had lunch with him a couple weeks ago, and he says doing all this is his dream job. I think he'll do a wonderful job there.

The message yesterday was given by Vicky Landrum (since their senior pastor was in Kenya, due back today), and she did an excellent job. She's not a super-dynamic speaker, but she is VERY listen-to-able. I think it's curious and kinda funny, that of all the speakers I've heard at CUMC, I like all of them better than their senior pastor.

The message yesterday was on "Live LOVED." The main scriptural reference came from Ephesians 4 (my favorite book still), verses 17ff. Here it is:

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, putting away lying, “ Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,”for we are members of one another.
26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
27 nor give place to the devil.
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

The part that really touched me was the part I've highlighted in red above. Essentially, it says, "Now you've heard Jesus, so there is no more claiming ignorance! It's TIME! It's time to put away all your old ways, the ways that have grown corrupt. It's TIME! It's time to live in the NEW YOU, the you that is created in God, in Holiness and righteousness. Be the person you know God created you to be, the person God wants you to be.

There was much more to the message than this, of course, but that was the part that touched me most.

During the message, I was also praying for my Mom, who professes belief, but doesn't govern her actions to match her claim. I was thinking how beautiful it could be if I could talk with her and turn on the light for her, especially for the last two verses quoted above. She has lived in a purgatory of strife for years, caused by bitterness and retained hurts and unrealized forgiveness. I'm tempted to say it's a purgatory of her own making, but it's just as likely it's a victory for the enemy, putting her through all that misery for all those years; I would love to be able to cast out that enemy, to open her eyes and her heart to the joy of forgiveness and unconditional love, to make her final years here on earth (she's approaching 85) a total joy for her, and to help her assure her own eternal joy.

It was a poignant and effective message yesterday. Well worth meditating on all week.