Patton United Methodist Church

Morning Musings-6/16/2020 "The Difficulty of Trusting God" Many in today's world, especially in our western societies have attempted to make the understanding of Christianity into some simple and easy activity; say a prayer, follow the rules as best as one can, and expect a final reward. The more I study scripture, especially related to Christ, I sense that it is not only easy, but that even Jesus found it immensely difficult to do God's will. ... That fateful night in the Garden where Jesus prayed, the prayers were not ones of ease, they were cries and laments. The prayers sought of a way to remove a cup, a thorn, that was to be the true measure of a God follower, even to the point of death. Scripture tells us that in these prayers it was so difficult for Jesus that he sweated to the point his sweat became like blood coming from his brow. He prayed this not just once but at least three times. (Matthew 26 & Luke 22) St. Paul seemed to grasp this completely when he wrote to those who gathered in Christ's name in Corinth-"Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 12:7b-9 NRSV) Both remind us that it is costly and painful to truly accomplish and follow the path God has for us. Both of these were people just like me and you. Both felt the distresses of life, both challenged the norms of both the religious and the political realms of their communities and times, and both knew that the only way to eternal peace was by following the difficult path instead of falling prey to the path of the world around them. It is no wonder that Jesus told his disciples, "Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it." (Luke 17:33) As I continue on this journey of life and faith, I continually ask myself if I am ready to lose everything (yes, including my life) to be a follower of God through Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. At times I am sure I am not and at other times I am sure that I am making headway at least. Maybe, as difficult as it is, I need to be in prayer in the same way both Paul and Jesus sought to have their cups removed from them, yet acknowledged that God's will must be done over their (and my) own desires. Amen.

Morning Musings-6/15/2020 "The Freedom of God" Simon Tugwell-Dominican Priest, Author, and spiritual leader writes, "He [God] is free to determine the manner of his own working..."... For me this fits in with what I read about God in Isaiah, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9 NRSV) God is not bound by our human understandings and desires. If God had been bound by these desires and understandings it is my belief that preservation of God's immense power and judgement (anger and jealousy) would not have allowed us to experience (and relate to) Jesus or the Holy Spirit. It is through the lens of Jesus that we see the freedom of God. Transformation occurs not by punishment, coercion, or threat, instead it comes through love and compassion; something so different than many wanted to believe (and many that still do). Because of this I can understand why Jesus when questioned about "who can be saved" replied, "What is impossible for mortals is possible for God." (Luke 18:27) Maybe this is why it is so difficult for me (possibly us) to follow Jesus completely. We have become servants to the world around us instead of servants to God, recognizing God's freedom and omnipotence which allows God to do as God desires and not as I (or you) desire. And that desire I believe is love. The love poured out for all of us through Jesus Christ and the examples he set for us not just in his time of ministry on the earth, but in his resurrection and care also. May we experience the freedom that comes from God; a freedom to love when the world says "hate"; a freedom to step outside the boxes the world wants us to fit in; the freedom to meet others where they are instead of where we (I) would desire them to be. Amen.

Resist evil; what we are called to through our baptismal vows.

Back to Church-June 14, 2020 at 9:00 AM. All are welcomed. Covid 19 guidelines are suggested but not required. It will be good to gather together again. See you there! Pastor Roger