If you did not receive the January 16th blog post, please visit us at http://www.trinityumchurch.com/blog . You can subscribe again from any blog post. Thank you -- and we apologize for the inconvenience.
The Trinity Website Team
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
What Day Is It?
"This is the day The Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24)
This year Garfield the Cat from the comics turns 263 years old. OK not really, but ti feels like the comic strip has been around a long time doesn't it? It's not too far fetched to imagine Benjamin Franklin whispering to Patrick Henry at the Continental Congress, "Did you read Garfield this morning? At the end he shouts, Give Me Lasagna, or Give me death." Henry says. "Hey that's not bad. I night need to change a few things, but I like it."
Why has Garfield remain so popular for so long? People enjoy the humor. There is a familiarity now. We know what we are going to get with the big orange cat. And he displays both an intense love for food, and a an equally intense dislike of Mondays.
How do you feel about Mondays? It may be one of the most divisive of days. Everyone loves Friday. Saturdays and Sundays are pretty beloved. Wednesday gets to be Hump day. But then there is Monday. No one ever says TGIM to you when you get to work on Monday. At least not within arm's length. You have no camels wandering through the building shouting, "Guess What Day it is, Monday!!"
Monday doesn't even get any happy songs. Saturday gets Chicago singing "Saturday In the Park". Friday gets a disco infused, "Thank God It's Friday", Lionel Ritchie sang about "It's Easy, easy like Sunday Morning (full disclosure Lionel Ritchie has never been a pastor or tired to get three children under the age of 10 ready for Sunday School). What does Monday get? The Bangles have a "Manic Monday" and of course Fats Domino gave us "Blue Monday".
I was stuck by all of this as I scrolled down my Facebook post this Monday morning. There were several, perhaps even more than usual, posts about it being Monday. "I hater Mondays" "quick poll what's the worst thing about Monday?" "Typical Monday ughh". But every now and then a positive Monday post would pop up. "Looking forward to today" "I like Mondays it gives em a new week, a chance to start over." I began to wonder what makes the difference between those that hate Monday and those that seem to be able to deal with it, if not love it?
It would be easy to narrow it down to circumstances. If everything is going well you probably have a great Monday. Or if you don't have to work on that Monday. I hardly ever see anyone complain about Monday when ti's a holiday. But if you're like everyone else and your circumstances are tough, you are going to have a difficult Monday.
But I hate to have my attitude, or my demeanor dictated by my circumstances. That's really arbitrary. I can't control my circumstances. Am I then left to twist in the wind not just Monday, but every day? can my joy and happiness find no better platform than what might be happening on any particular day? Besides our demeanor is often a self fulfilling prophecy isn't it? If I go into any circumstance, or any day, looking for something to go wrong to prove how bad a Monday is, I'll eventually find it.
Is there nothing better on which we can relay? Take a moment, scroll back tot eh top of the page and reread the Scripture. Dr. JC McPheeters, was known to wake up every morning and shout this verse at the top of His lungs. His booming voice would echo throughout the house, "This is the Day The Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." It didn't matter where he was or who he stayed with, this is how his day started. Unfortunately for those he stayed with, his day would start around 4:00 Am followed by rigorous house shaking exercise.
Aside from maybe not being the best house guest for those who aren't morning people, Dr. McPheeters was known to be someone who radiated joy and optimism, even on a Monday. How did he do this? I believe Dr. McPheeters had unlocked the truth of this verse.
This is the Day The Lord has made. Meditate on that for a moment. This verse reminds us that God is in control. Oh our particular day may be full of trials and worries, but we need not be over taken by them. Despite what our day may say to the contrary , The Lord made this day, and He is in control of it. There is no need to fear a Monday that God in which God is in control.
God made this day, therefore He has a plan for it. When any day, not just Monday, seems to be spiraling out of control, I often find great comfort knowing that God has created this day. he has a plan for my life, a plan in which he will reveal Himself and sue this day for His glory. It's caused me to rethink my prayer life. I tend to pray less, "God give me what I want today" and more "God just allow yourself to be revealed through my life today"
God will be seen in any day he makes. Just as an artist's nature and character is sen though his/her works, so will God's nature and character be seen in any day he has created. And since God is a good God, and the first chapter of Genesis tells us what ever he makes is good, somewhere in this day I will experience a blessing. God's going to do something good today, somewhere and I'll be a part of it. So when we understand that this day is a day the Lord has specifically made how can our response be anything but rejoicing and gladness?
I'm not suggesting you get up at 4:0o AM shouting this verse at the top of your lungs. I am suggesting that remembering the truth of this verse, that This day, no matter what it might hold, is a day the Lord has created will give you cause to rejoice and be glad. Even on a Monday.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
This year Garfield the Cat from the comics turns 263 years old. OK not really, but ti feels like the comic strip has been around a long time doesn't it? It's not too far fetched to imagine Benjamin Franklin whispering to Patrick Henry at the Continental Congress, "Did you read Garfield this morning? At the end he shouts, Give Me Lasagna, or Give me death." Henry says. "Hey that's not bad. I night need to change a few things, but I like it."
Why has Garfield remain so popular for so long? People enjoy the humor. There is a familiarity now. We know what we are going to get with the big orange cat. And he displays both an intense love for food, and a an equally intense dislike of Mondays.
How do you feel about Mondays? It may be one of the most divisive of days. Everyone loves Friday. Saturdays and Sundays are pretty beloved. Wednesday gets to be Hump day. But then there is Monday. No one ever says TGIM to you when you get to work on Monday. At least not within arm's length. You have no camels wandering through the building shouting, "Guess What Day it is, Monday!!"
Monday doesn't even get any happy songs. Saturday gets Chicago singing "Saturday In the Park". Friday gets a disco infused, "Thank God It's Friday", Lionel Ritchie sang about "It's Easy, easy like Sunday Morning (full disclosure Lionel Ritchie has never been a pastor or tired to get three children under the age of 10 ready for Sunday School). What does Monday get? The Bangles have a "Manic Monday" and of course Fats Domino gave us "Blue Monday".
I was stuck by all of this as I scrolled down my Facebook post this Monday morning. There were several, perhaps even more than usual, posts about it being Monday. "I hater Mondays" "quick poll what's the worst thing about Monday?" "Typical Monday ughh". But every now and then a positive Monday post would pop up. "Looking forward to today" "I like Mondays it gives em a new week, a chance to start over." I began to wonder what makes the difference between those that hate Monday and those that seem to be able to deal with it, if not love it?
It would be easy to narrow it down to circumstances. If everything is going well you probably have a great Monday. Or if you don't have to work on that Monday. I hardly ever see anyone complain about Monday when ti's a holiday. But if you're like everyone else and your circumstances are tough, you are going to have a difficult Monday.
But I hate to have my attitude, or my demeanor dictated by my circumstances. That's really arbitrary. I can't control my circumstances. Am I then left to twist in the wind not just Monday, but every day? can my joy and happiness find no better platform than what might be happening on any particular day? Besides our demeanor is often a self fulfilling prophecy isn't it? If I go into any circumstance, or any day, looking for something to go wrong to prove how bad a Monday is, I'll eventually find it.
Is there nothing better on which we can relay? Take a moment, scroll back tot eh top of the page and reread the Scripture. Dr. JC McPheeters, was known to wake up every morning and shout this verse at the top of His lungs. His booming voice would echo throughout the house, "This is the Day The Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." It didn't matter where he was or who he stayed with, this is how his day started. Unfortunately for those he stayed with, his day would start around 4:00 Am followed by rigorous house shaking exercise.
Aside from maybe not being the best house guest for those who aren't morning people, Dr. McPheeters was known to be someone who radiated joy and optimism, even on a Monday. How did he do this? I believe Dr. McPheeters had unlocked the truth of this verse.
This is the Day The Lord has made. Meditate on that for a moment. This verse reminds us that God is in control. Oh our particular day may be full of trials and worries, but we need not be over taken by them. Despite what our day may say to the contrary , The Lord made this day, and He is in control of it. There is no need to fear a Monday that God in which God is in control.
God made this day, therefore He has a plan for it. When any day, not just Monday, seems to be spiraling out of control, I often find great comfort knowing that God has created this day. he has a plan for my life, a plan in which he will reveal Himself and sue this day for His glory. It's caused me to rethink my prayer life. I tend to pray less, "God give me what I want today" and more "God just allow yourself to be revealed through my life today"
God will be seen in any day he makes. Just as an artist's nature and character is sen though his/her works, so will God's nature and character be seen in any day he has created. And since God is a good God, and the first chapter of Genesis tells us what ever he makes is good, somewhere in this day I will experience a blessing. God's going to do something good today, somewhere and I'll be a part of it. So when we understand that this day is a day the Lord has specifically made how can our response be anything but rejoicing and gladness?
I'm not suggesting you get up at 4:0o AM shouting this verse at the top of your lungs. I am suggesting that remembering the truth of this verse, that This day, no matter what it might hold, is a day the Lord has created will give you cause to rejoice and be glad. Even on a Monday.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
Monday, January 6, 2014
The Rhythm Of Life
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
This morning reminded me why I am not a fan of winter. Last night I took the dog outside and it was a rainy 40 degrees outside, which is not bad for central Ohio in January. When I got up this morning it was 3 degrees outside. yes 3. And it's going to get colder as the day goes on. You know it's not going to be a good day when it starts out at 3 and it's going to g o downhill from there. I understand a little bit of cold and snow. After all it's Ohio, not Hawaii. I don't think it's unreasonable to assume the weather isn't going to revival Hoth in temperature as the wind chill reaches -30. Yes you read that right, -30
I'm going to keep much of my complaints to myself. All we have is bitter cold. Just an hour North of us they have bitter cold and at least 10 inches of snow that fell yesterday. You can see why I'm not a fan. I know that many others disagree with me. They love the cold snowy weather and can't wait to break out their North Face jackets and curling stones the first time they see a snowflake. God bless you. Enjoy it. Just don't expect me to make the toboggan run with you.
I like the rest of the seasons. I love Spring (baseball begins) and fall (Football begins). I like the long hot days of summer and the slight change in speed since the kids are out of school. But winter just doesn't do it for me.
But I understand the need for it. winter is a part of the rhythm of life in nature. It allows nature to rest and be dormant. If the land and plants, many trees get the chance to rest they won't be as productive in the spring and summer. It will effect the harvest in the Fall. Winter also effects us the same way. I don't know if we would enjoy the ifs warm day, or the first flowers that bloom with out having to go through long grey days of winter. In fact as we look at each season we can see how necessary they are, birth production harvest and rest. Each with its own beauty and importance (yes, I'll admit , begrudgingly, even winter).
Having a rhythm to life is not just for nature is it? We too are called to have just such a rhythm to life. A time for ideas and hopes to generate a time to be productive and to harvest. And a time to rest. God teaches us this in genesis with the modelling of a Sabbath. He then reminds us of it's importance in the ten commandments and in Ecclesiastes. there is a time for every thing. A time to work and a time to stop, worship regain perspective. Without we lose sight of the importance ,or lack of importance of the other seasons of life. Just as we would wear the earth out if we went right from Harvest to Spring, so we can wear out our souls when we don't understand the need for Sabbath.
But it's more than that isn't it? The rhythm of Life God establishes for us is more than a week to week thing. I've found that there is also a rhythm to experiencing the presence of God in my life. There are times when I feel His presence in an incredible way. And it's wonderful. It fills my heart. It causes me to be more like Him.It affirms my faith. It gives me joy, unspeakable joy. Have you had those moments in your life? I certainly hope so. It may have been during a retreat or during worship. It may have been a song on the radio. Or something in nature. Sometimes you can't put your finger on it. God's presence just visits you and blesses you. these are great moments of renewal and revival.
But I've also experienced the other season as well. The winter of the heart, or what St. John of the Cross called "The Dark Night Of the Soul." There are times when I just can't feel God's presence. Those moments when I simply can't find God.
I feel like this song by "Barlow Girl" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8QubLxJI54 (cut and paste into your browser we'll wait for you)
I wait for God but I can't find Him. It feels as if he has withdrawn the sense of His presence. Now certainly at times this is my fault. I haven't kept to the rhythm of the Sabbath. I've allowed sin to remove my heart from the holy of holys and I simply cannot experience the reality of Christ.
But there are also time when as far as I can tell I'm doing everything "right". Private and corporate worship, accountability group, reading my Bible, spending time in prayer. And I still don't feel anything. My soul is in it's winter and it's grown dormant.
So what do you do when it's winter in your heart? Given there is no sin to confess no sabbath rhythm to reestablish what do you do? As I look back at this passage in Ecclesiastes, it tells me to simply not sweat it. There is a season for all things A season to be on the mountain with God and a season in the valley. And they are both OK. The times of winter and being in the valley have lesson for us as well. It's in those times my faith grows the most. Anyone can have faith on the mountain. The valley causes us to grow. The time of winter allows me to really concentrate on-God and grow deeper because I'm not caught up in the emotion of the moment. And it is in those times as I seek Him and it's quiet that I discover His presence isn't always dependent on how much I "feel it". And like the first warm day after a long grey winter when God's presence floods my soul again it is sweeter and more appreciated than ever before.
So if that's where you are today, don't panic. This season will pass just as the icy bitter winds will pass. The season of warmth and joy will return. Take the time to make sure you aren't out of rhythm and there is no sin barring you from God. Just keep on keeping on. Continue to pray because He hears you even if you can't always hear Him. Walk with Him even when you can't sense His presence for He never leaves us. Continue to worship, read your Bibles and grow. You'll look back some day and see these are incredible times of growth. And hold on. His warmth and the joy of Spring will come as it always does. Spring and resurrection, new Birth always follow the winter, even the winter of the heart.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
This morning reminded me why I am not a fan of winter. Last night I took the dog outside and it was a rainy 40 degrees outside, which is not bad for central Ohio in January. When I got up this morning it was 3 degrees outside. yes 3. And it's going to get colder as the day goes on. You know it's not going to be a good day when it starts out at 3 and it's going to g o downhill from there. I understand a little bit of cold and snow. After all it's Ohio, not Hawaii. I don't think it's unreasonable to assume the weather isn't going to revival Hoth in temperature as the wind chill reaches -30. Yes you read that right, -30
I'm going to keep much of my complaints to myself. All we have is bitter cold. Just an hour North of us they have bitter cold and at least 10 inches of snow that fell yesterday. You can see why I'm not a fan. I know that many others disagree with me. They love the cold snowy weather and can't wait to break out their North Face jackets and curling stones the first time they see a snowflake. God bless you. Enjoy it. Just don't expect me to make the toboggan run with you.
I like the rest of the seasons. I love Spring (baseball begins) and fall (Football begins). I like the long hot days of summer and the slight change in speed since the kids are out of school. But winter just doesn't do it for me.
But I understand the need for it. winter is a part of the rhythm of life in nature. It allows nature to rest and be dormant. If the land and plants, many trees get the chance to rest they won't be as productive in the spring and summer. It will effect the harvest in the Fall. Winter also effects us the same way. I don't know if we would enjoy the ifs warm day, or the first flowers that bloom with out having to go through long grey days of winter. In fact as we look at each season we can see how necessary they are, birth production harvest and rest. Each with its own beauty and importance (yes, I'll admit , begrudgingly, even winter).
Having a rhythm to life is not just for nature is it? We too are called to have just such a rhythm to life. A time for ideas and hopes to generate a time to be productive and to harvest. And a time to rest. God teaches us this in genesis with the modelling of a Sabbath. He then reminds us of it's importance in the ten commandments and in Ecclesiastes. there is a time for every thing. A time to work and a time to stop, worship regain perspective. Without we lose sight of the importance ,or lack of importance of the other seasons of life. Just as we would wear the earth out if we went right from Harvest to Spring, so we can wear out our souls when we don't understand the need for Sabbath.
But it's more than that isn't it? The rhythm of Life God establishes for us is more than a week to week thing. I've found that there is also a rhythm to experiencing the presence of God in my life. There are times when I feel His presence in an incredible way. And it's wonderful. It fills my heart. It causes me to be more like Him.It affirms my faith. It gives me joy, unspeakable joy. Have you had those moments in your life? I certainly hope so. It may have been during a retreat or during worship. It may have been a song on the radio. Or something in nature. Sometimes you can't put your finger on it. God's presence just visits you and blesses you. these are great moments of renewal and revival.
But I've also experienced the other season as well. The winter of the heart, or what St. John of the Cross called "The Dark Night Of the Soul." There are times when I just can't feel God's presence. Those moments when I simply can't find God.
I feel like this song by "Barlow Girl" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8QubLxJI54 (cut and paste into your browser we'll wait for you)
I wait for God but I can't find Him. It feels as if he has withdrawn the sense of His presence. Now certainly at times this is my fault. I haven't kept to the rhythm of the Sabbath. I've allowed sin to remove my heart from the holy of holys and I simply cannot experience the reality of Christ.
But there are also time when as far as I can tell I'm doing everything "right". Private and corporate worship, accountability group, reading my Bible, spending time in prayer. And I still don't feel anything. My soul is in it's winter and it's grown dormant.
So what do you do when it's winter in your heart? Given there is no sin to confess no sabbath rhythm to reestablish what do you do? As I look back at this passage in Ecclesiastes, it tells me to simply not sweat it. There is a season for all things A season to be on the mountain with God and a season in the valley. And they are both OK. The times of winter and being in the valley have lesson for us as well. It's in those times my faith grows the most. Anyone can have faith on the mountain. The valley causes us to grow. The time of winter allows me to really concentrate on-God and grow deeper because I'm not caught up in the emotion of the moment. And it is in those times as I seek Him and it's quiet that I discover His presence isn't always dependent on how much I "feel it". And like the first warm day after a long grey winter when God's presence floods my soul again it is sweeter and more appreciated than ever before.
So if that's where you are today, don't panic. This season will pass just as the icy bitter winds will pass. The season of warmth and joy will return. Take the time to make sure you aren't out of rhythm and there is no sin barring you from God. Just keep on keeping on. Continue to pray because He hears you even if you can't always hear Him. Walk with Him even when you can't sense His presence for He never leaves us. Continue to worship, read your Bibles and grow. You'll look back some day and see these are incredible times of growth. And hold on. His warmth and the joy of Spring will come as it always does. Spring and resurrection, new Birth always follow the winter, even the winter of the heart.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)