"Whose Responsibility is That?"
When it comes to the struggle to determine what we are responsible for and what we can let someone else handle we will want to do three things;
1. Let's take a step back and take a look at how things are and what is required of us. Let's catch our breath before we launch into something that may best by handled by other people.
2. Let's take a step up to the plate if it is clear that it is up to us to take something on. We must not back off if it is clear that there is something we can do about it.
3. Let's take a step out and move on it before we forget and before it is too late for anyone to act. Let's become known for being people of action.
We step back; then we step up; and, finally, we step out in the confidence that we can make a difference.
What is being asked of us today?
What should we back away from?
What calls us into action?
How are we redefined by the action we take?
If you have thoughts on this I'd love to hear from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
"Who's Responsible for This?"
We will want to think carefully about responsibility this Lent. What will we take on and what will we let go of and have someone else accept as their responsibility?
What will we do about becoming over burdened? How will we decide?
If we believe Jesus took on the sins of the world what does that say about the responsibility we have for life and for the lives of the people around us?
One of the first things we will want to do when we are struggling with our responsibility is to take a step back. There is nothing wrong with taking a look at what is being asked of us and taking some time to determine what we will accept and what we will not.
Tuesday of this week we celebrated Shrove Tuesday at the church. We had games for children and pancakes and lots of fun. It was carrying out the event the tradition of celebrating just before Lent begins with a night of fun and games. Historically, pancakes used up the sugar and shortening that, historically, believers refrained from eating during the season of Lent. Tuesday was an opportunity to take a step back prior to the beginning of the heaviest season of the year; the season of Lent.
This Lent we will look at the imperatives of Lent and this coming Sunday I'm going to have us look at the Last Supper as a time when Jesus took a step back by calling his friends together for a meal before he was arrested, tried, sentenced, suffered, and died on the cross. The Last Supper was a time to step back before the difficult end.
Sometimes we all need to take a step back. In the sermon I am going to talk about how important it is to take a deep breath, to catch our breath, and to take a step back before we agree to take on responsibility for making the world a better place.
How have you learned to take a step back? What do you do to catch your breath when you are feeling confronted with obligations and responsibilities?
If you have suggestions write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
We will want to think carefully about responsibility this Lent. What will we take on and what will we let go of and have someone else accept as their responsibility?
What will we do about becoming over burdened? How will we decide?
If we believe Jesus took on the sins of the world what does that say about the responsibility we have for life and for the lives of the people around us?
One of the first things we will want to do when we are struggling with our responsibility is to take a step back. There is nothing wrong with taking a look at what is being asked of us and taking some time to determine what we will accept and what we will not.
Tuesday of this week we celebrated Shrove Tuesday at the church. We had games for children and pancakes and lots of fun. It was carrying out the event the tradition of celebrating just before Lent begins with a night of fun and games. Historically, pancakes used up the sugar and shortening that, historically, believers refrained from eating during the season of Lent. Tuesday was an opportunity to take a step back prior to the beginning of the heaviest season of the year; the season of Lent.
This Lent we will look at the imperatives of Lent and this coming Sunday I'm going to have us look at the Last Supper as a time when Jesus took a step back by calling his friends together for a meal before he was arrested, tried, sentenced, suffered, and died on the cross. The Last Supper was a time to step back before the difficult end.
Sometimes we all need to take a step back. In the sermon I am going to talk about how important it is to take a deep breath, to catch our breath, and to take a step back before we agree to take on responsibility for making the world a better place.
How have you learned to take a step back? What do you do to catch your breath when you are feeling confronted with obligations and responsibilities?
If you have suggestions write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday's thoughts
First Sunday of Lent
March 1st
March 1st
The Disciplines of Lent
"Take Responsibility"
This year's preparation through Lent to Holy Week and Easter we are going to think about what we will take on. Typically, Lent is a time to give something up. This year we are going to think through with you what we will want to pick.
On the first Sunday of Lent I am going to try to explore what it means to take responsibility for our lives in ways we haven't.
There are so many ways we can see people fail to take responsibility for their lives. They blame others. They try to get out of obligations. They make up excuses. We all do it. What if we began to take responsibility for our lives and for the things we do? What if everyone did that? It would cure what's wrong with our economy and it would make us happier people.
What if we were willing to take responsibility for each other? What if we stood up for other people's mistakes so that nobody had to stand alone?
Isn't one of the most important tasks for Christians the task of being responsible for what happens in the world and to strive to make it better? Isn't that what Jesus' suicidal mission into Jerusalem was all about?
What responsibility will you pick up?
I'm planning to do the following:
1. I will own every one of my mistakes and try to learn from them.
2. I will work hard to see what is going wrong all around me and try to be part of the solution.
3. I will follow through with every promise I make and if I miss one I will go back until I get it accomplished.
4. I will encourage the people around me in what they are trying to do to take responsibility for their lives.
What will you do this Lent to take responsibility? If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, February 20, 2009
Friday's thoughts
Last week Rod Wilmoth died. He was a good friend, a wonderful preacher, and a great church leader.
This story came from his book How United Methodists Share Our Faith
"The concert was in the city's baseball stadium, and unfortunately, because of a schedule mix up, a slow-pitch softball game was taking place on an adjoining field. The audience sitting in the stands could see the game going on, and, worse yet, they could hear everything over the public address system. The first part of the concert was a disaster. The soothing sounds of Respighi's "The Pines of Rome" were interspersed with "The next batter for Schultz's Bar is Billy Ray." That would be followed by loud voices shouting, "Give 'er a ride, Billy Ray.!" The symphony players were unnerved and misplayed some sections of the work, and the regular conductor was visibly struggling simply to keep control.
The orchestra finally struggled to intermission, wondering if any of the crowd would return for the second part of the concert. The fame of the visiting Maestro Lehrer was such, however, that the stands were indeed full. Maestro Lehrer was introduced and mounted the podium to conduct the Sibelius tone-poem 'Finlandia'.
Just at that moment someone hit a home run over the fence and the softball crowd went wild. The Maestro merely waited until the noise subsided and then smiled at the orchestra, He raised his baton and began 'Finlandia.' A magical change came over the whole scene. His commanding presence pulled the individual orchestra members together into one ensemble, a focused fellowship. The momentum increased: the orchestra outdid itself; the Maestro was in total control, and as the great composition reached its climax, members of the orchestra heard Lehrer shouting, 'Das ist der Geist! Das ist der Geist! (That;s the spirit! That's the spirit!).'
When the performance reached its vibrant conclusion, the people jumped to their feet with thunderous applause. At that moment something wonderful happened. The softball players had stopped their game to listen to the majestic music, and when it was over, they too stood to their feet and clapped.'
Then Rod Wilmoth adds these words, "This is a powerful parable for our time. If we are faithful in telling the story and sharing our faith, the world will stop to listen."
I write this in tribute to a good friend, Rod Wilmoth.
Thanks for the memories.
If you would like to add your memories or responses write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net or click on the box below and others can see your response.
Charles Schuster
Sermon this Sunday:
"The Faith of a Fanatic"
This story came from his book How United Methodists Share Our Faith
"The concert was in the city's baseball stadium, and unfortunately, because of a schedule mix up, a slow-pitch softball game was taking place on an adjoining field. The audience sitting in the stands could see the game going on, and, worse yet, they could hear everything over the public address system. The first part of the concert was a disaster. The soothing sounds of Respighi's "The Pines of Rome" were interspersed with "The next batter for Schultz's Bar is Billy Ray." That would be followed by loud voices shouting, "Give 'er a ride, Billy Ray.!" The symphony players were unnerved and misplayed some sections of the work, and the regular conductor was visibly struggling simply to keep control.
The orchestra finally struggled to intermission, wondering if any of the crowd would return for the second part of the concert. The fame of the visiting Maestro Lehrer was such, however, that the stands were indeed full. Maestro Lehrer was introduced and mounted the podium to conduct the Sibelius tone-poem 'Finlandia'.
Just at that moment someone hit a home run over the fence and the softball crowd went wild. The Maestro merely waited until the noise subsided and then smiled at the orchestra, He raised his baton and began 'Finlandia.' A magical change came over the whole scene. His commanding presence pulled the individual orchestra members together into one ensemble, a focused fellowship. The momentum increased: the orchestra outdid itself; the Maestro was in total control, and as the great composition reached its climax, members of the orchestra heard Lehrer shouting, 'Das ist der Geist! Das ist der Geist! (That;s the spirit! That's the spirit!).'
When the performance reached its vibrant conclusion, the people jumped to their feet with thunderous applause. At that moment something wonderful happened. The softball players had stopped their game to listen to the majestic music, and when it was over, they too stood to their feet and clapped.'
Then Rod Wilmoth adds these words, "This is a powerful parable for our time. If we are faithful in telling the story and sharing our faith, the world will stop to listen."
I write this in tribute to a good friend, Rod Wilmoth.
Thanks for the memories.
If you would like to add your memories or responses write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net or click on the box below and others can see your response.
Charles Schuster
Sermon this Sunday:
"The Faith of a Fanatic"
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
"The Faith of a Fanatic"
The Biblical texts that drive this sermon are:
2 Corinthians 4:3-6 and Mark 9:2-9.
When we are confronted by people who seem to have more faith than we and are more religious than we what do we do with that? Do we deal with it; confront it; or run from it?
First of all we need to assess if it has something to say to us. How does it speak to us and what does it say? Is it authentic and should we pay attention to it? How do we determine if someone else' faith is valid for us? When do we decide we better listen to them and when do we determine to run from them so we don't have to listen?
Three tests of faith.
1. True religion is not about ego. If we are people of faith we 'preach not ourselves'. In fact, we are a small part of it. There is something much bigger than we and we work hard to get ourselves out of the way of it. We preach not ourselves.
2. As Christians what we want to listen for and to is the Gospel and the author of the Gospel. We listen for Jesus' words in the challenges we hear from those who are full of faith. Do we hear the Gospel of love or do we hear a shallow representation of the Gospel that uses his name but does not promote his message? We know it when we hear it and we know it when we don't.
3. We let the light shine. Finally, true Christian faith brings light to the darkness; not darkness to the light. It is uplifting not condemning. As we are listening to a person who has intense faith are we sensing the light shining?
Other people speak their faith in ways we may not speak it and sometimes the words get in the way. But there are aspects of faith we can look for no matter how it is expressed. it is not about ego, it is about the Gospel of Love, and it lets the light shine. When we can hear that and see it, then we can pay attention and we don't have to run from it.
No one has a right to intimidate us; and no faith that is true is something we cannot learn from.
People of faith are kind and generous and open and loving. People of faith are people you want to be around; they are contagious and congenial. Even when people of faith take on difficult issues and confront controversial topics and when they have to take a stand, they do it with love and hope.
What do you do with very religious people in your life? How do you deal with them.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The Biblical texts that drive this sermon are:
2 Corinthians 4:3-6 and Mark 9:2-9.
When we are confronted by people who seem to have more faith than we and are more religious than we what do we do with that? Do we deal with it; confront it; or run from it?
First of all we need to assess if it has something to say to us. How does it speak to us and what does it say? Is it authentic and should we pay attention to it? How do we determine if someone else' faith is valid for us? When do we decide we better listen to them and when do we determine to run from them so we don't have to listen?
Three tests of faith.
1. True religion is not about ego. If we are people of faith we 'preach not ourselves'. In fact, we are a small part of it. There is something much bigger than we and we work hard to get ourselves out of the way of it. We preach not ourselves.
2. As Christians what we want to listen for and to is the Gospel and the author of the Gospel. We listen for Jesus' words in the challenges we hear from those who are full of faith. Do we hear the Gospel of love or do we hear a shallow representation of the Gospel that uses his name but does not promote his message? We know it when we hear it and we know it when we don't.
3. We let the light shine. Finally, true Christian faith brings light to the darkness; not darkness to the light. It is uplifting not condemning. As we are listening to a person who has intense faith are we sensing the light shining?
Other people speak their faith in ways we may not speak it and sometimes the words get in the way. But there are aspects of faith we can look for no matter how it is expressed. it is not about ego, it is about the Gospel of Love, and it lets the light shine. When we can hear that and see it, then we can pay attention and we don't have to run from it.
No one has a right to intimidate us; and no faith that is true is something we cannot learn from.
People of faith are kind and generous and open and loving. People of faith are people you want to be around; they are contagious and congenial. Even when people of faith take on difficult issues and confront controversial topics and when they have to take a stand, they do it with love and hope.
What do you do with very religious people in your life? How do you deal with them.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"The Faith of a Fanatic"
Just because a person has faith that, by itself, doesn't make it right. Just because a person believes God has spoken to him or her it doesn't mean God has. We live in a world in which there are people who have strong convictions and much that is professed is has a questionable quality. We may want to dispute it or even run from it. We may want to counter it with another point of view or simply ignore it altogether.
What do we say to someone who is filled with conviction and is convinced that we are wrong in the way we think?
Can we affirm them for their vigorous expression and challenge them on those points of belief that seem "over the edge"?
Are there family members whose evangelistic approach seems harassing? What do you do with them at family gatherings?
Are there friends whose theological passion makes it impossible to discuss important matters? How do you maintain a friendship?
What do you say to a religious fanatic?
How do you handle this difficult issues? I'd be interested in your ideas. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others read and respond to your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Just because a person has faith that, by itself, doesn't make it right. Just because a person believes God has spoken to him or her it doesn't mean God has. We live in a world in which there are people who have strong convictions and much that is professed is has a questionable quality. We may want to dispute it or even run from it. We may want to counter it with another point of view or simply ignore it altogether.
What do we say to someone who is filled with conviction and is convinced that we are wrong in the way we think?
Can we affirm them for their vigorous expression and challenge them on those points of belief that seem "over the edge"?
Are there family members whose evangelistic approach seems harassing? What do you do with them at family gatherings?
Are there friends whose theological passion makes it impossible to discuss important matters? How do you maintain a friendship?
What do you say to a religious fanatic?
How do you handle this difficult issues? I'd be interested in your ideas. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others read and respond to your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Monday, February 9, 2009
Monday's thoughts
Sermon for Sunday, February 15th:
Joel Kershaw is preaching.
If you wish to contact him about his sermon his email address is jkershaw@fcfumc.net.
He'd love to hear from you.
Joel Kershaw is preaching.
If you wish to contact him about his sermon his email address is jkershaw@fcfumc.net.
He'd love to hear from you.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Friday's thoughts
"Faith for the Fun of it"
Two points to this sermon:
1. Faith for the fun of it begins with they understanding that we are called to rise to the occasion. Things that happen to us aren't always good. Some of the things that happen are bad and most of what happens to us just happens. Our job is to rise to the occasion; to participate in what happens to us.
2. Faith for the fun of it ends with the understanding that we are called to be ready for the occasional rising that will take us with it and we will be able to see some things we never saw and do some things we never imagined doing. We cannot ever be completely prepared but we can anticipate. We can be people of faith and trust who know that things do change and the unexpected can be expected.
What is faith for the fun of it? It participates in life and anticipates in the possibilities of the life yet to be.
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your words click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Two points to this sermon:
1. Faith for the fun of it begins with they understanding that we are called to rise to the occasion. Things that happen to us aren't always good. Some of the things that happen are bad and most of what happens to us just happens. Our job is to rise to the occasion; to participate in what happens to us.
2. Faith for the fun of it ends with the understanding that we are called to be ready for the occasional rising that will take us with it and we will be able to see some things we never saw and do some things we never imagined doing. We cannot ever be completely prepared but we can anticipate. We can be people of faith and trust who know that things do change and the unexpected can be expected.
What is faith for the fun of it? It participates in life and anticipates in the possibilities of the life yet to be.
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your words click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
"Faith for the Fun of It"
Why does faith have to be so serious? Why can't we expect to have fun at church? What is the prohibition that makes it difficult to enjoy religion? Why does it have to be so "heavy"?
There are several assumption that lead to that conclusion. Here are just a few.
1. It is assumed if something is fun it must be trivial and we wouldn't want to trivialize something as important as faith.
2. When we think about the God we worship we worry that we have made God an idol and we worship the wrong thing. Consequently, if we are enjoying ourselves, in the name of God, we have probably not connected to the true God but some facsimile of God; some replica.
3. Life is so serious and for us to be able to face the hardness of life it requires a significant faith; otherwise we will be overwhelmed by the problems we cannot handle.
4. Religious people have always seems so serious. If religious people are serious how can faith be fun?
Personally, I don't know how faith can exist without fun. I don't see how we can be Christians without being in a mode of celebration. We call the message Jesus came to give us "gospel" which means "good news". The Prophet Isaiah spoke of how God would "raise us up on eagle's wings".
If faith isn't fun it isn't faith; it's a shadow of what faith can be. There must be laughter and celebration in faith.
If you come to the church almost any day you will hear laughter. If you attend our classes or our worship services there will be stories to inspire us and humor to help us put things in perspective.
I don't know what I would do if there were not fun in faith.
What are your thoughts on this subject? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Why does faith have to be so serious? Why can't we expect to have fun at church? What is the prohibition that makes it difficult to enjoy religion? Why does it have to be so "heavy"?
There are several assumption that lead to that conclusion. Here are just a few.
1. It is assumed if something is fun it must be trivial and we wouldn't want to trivialize something as important as faith.
2. When we think about the God we worship we worry that we have made God an idol and we worship the wrong thing. Consequently, if we are enjoying ourselves, in the name of God, we have probably not connected to the true God but some facsimile of God; some replica.
3. Life is so serious and for us to be able to face the hardness of life it requires a significant faith; otherwise we will be overwhelmed by the problems we cannot handle.
4. Religious people have always seems so serious. If religious people are serious how can faith be fun?
Personally, I don't know how faith can exist without fun. I don't see how we can be Christians without being in a mode of celebration. We call the message Jesus came to give us "gospel" which means "good news". The Prophet Isaiah spoke of how God would "raise us up on eagle's wings".
If faith isn't fun it isn't faith; it's a shadow of what faith can be. There must be laughter and celebration in faith.
If you come to the church almost any day you will hear laughter. If you attend our classes or our worship services there will be stories to inspire us and humor to help us put things in perspective.
I don't know what I would do if there were not fun in faith.
What are your thoughts on this subject? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"Faith for the Fun of It"
Sermon: February 8Th
Sometimes we take ourselves too seriously. Every now and then we need to take a look at what is so serious in the area of faith that we forget to have fun with it.
In the process of weeding out books for the church book sale (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), I discovered a bulletin that celebrated a historic moment in my home church's past. It was the 100Th anniversary of Wesley Church in Morgantown, West Virginia at its present location. Actually, the church is much older than that.
In the notation of important moments in the history of that church it was pointed out that Francis Asbury designated the region as the "Redstone Circuit" and John Cooper and Samuel Breeze were the "Circuit Riders" in 1784.
In 1785 Francis Asbury "preached and baptized" in Morgantown and at Colonel Martin's farm.
in 1786 600 persons heard Bishop Asbury on a "great day" in Morgantown.
In 1788 Bishop Asbury preached to a "lifeless, disorderly people, here but reported a "fine new chapel" at Colonel Martin's, apparently the first Methodist structure in Monongalia County.
1792 Bishop Asbury spoke on the interest in academic life that existed in the Morgantown congregation.
There are two things I appreciated about the heritage that was the church that confirmed my faith and that sent me to seminary and supported me when I was ordained.
1. I think it is not a bad thing for a church to be viewed as "disorderly" by those who are trying to move it into an attitude of conformity.
2. I think it is a great thing for a church to be noted for its intellectual life by the hierarchy of the church. It's good for that to be noticed and appreciated.
Faith for the fun of it is both disorderly and intellectual.
How would you define "fun in faith" and how important is it?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sermon: February 8Th
Sometimes we take ourselves too seriously. Every now and then we need to take a look at what is so serious in the area of faith that we forget to have fun with it.
In the process of weeding out books for the church book sale (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), I discovered a bulletin that celebrated a historic moment in my home church's past. It was the 100Th anniversary of Wesley Church in Morgantown, West Virginia at its present location. Actually, the church is much older than that.
In the notation of important moments in the history of that church it was pointed out that Francis Asbury designated the region as the "Redstone Circuit" and John Cooper and Samuel Breeze were the "Circuit Riders" in 1784.
In 1785 Francis Asbury "preached and baptized" in Morgantown and at Colonel Martin's farm.
in 1786 600 persons heard Bishop Asbury on a "great day" in Morgantown.
In 1788 Bishop Asbury preached to a "lifeless, disorderly people, here but reported a "fine new chapel" at Colonel Martin's, apparently the first Methodist structure in Monongalia County.
1792 Bishop Asbury spoke on the interest in academic life that existed in the Morgantown congregation.
There are two things I appreciated about the heritage that was the church that confirmed my faith and that sent me to seminary and supported me when I was ordained.
1. I think it is not a bad thing for a church to be viewed as "disorderly" by those who are trying to move it into an attitude of conformity.
2. I think it is a great thing for a church to be noted for its intellectual life by the hierarchy of the church. It's good for that to be noticed and appreciated.
Faith for the fun of it is both disorderly and intellectual.
How would you define "fun in faith" and how important is it?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
