Reflections with Joey

The Theology of a Majordomo

2011-09-02T11:21:00.001-07:00

July 3, 2011

Biblical scholars remark that the 24th chapter of Genesis is easy to overlook because it is preceded and followed by the funerals of leading figures in faith history, namely Sarah and Abraham. The story of chapter 24 begins with Abraham discerning that his son, Isaac needs a wife. He instructs a trusted member of his staff of where to go and what to look for in a marriage companion for Isaac.

A dictionary says the term major-domo refers to the head steward of a large household who acts on behalf of the head of the house. In Genesis 24:1-67 after arranging for the burial of his wife Sarah, Abraham gives instructions to his head steward (scholars think this was Eliezer) a highly regarded servant, to find a wife for his son Isaac. It is essential to note that the first thing Eliezer does is pray before asking Rebekah if she will return with him to marry Isaac. Arranged and bartered marriages were common within societies of the Near East at this time. It was common with theses tribal cultures to marry other people from within their own clan. Sending a representative of one’s household to broker the transaction was also a normative practice. Another important element to consider is the text shares that Rebekah is asked for permission before the negotiations are concluded.

The choice of Rebekah has been compared to that of Abraham. She, just as the patriarch, leaving her family and homeland to enter into relationship with people unknown is thought an act of faith. Her sons Esau and especially Jacob would shape the future of ‘the chosen people.’ The theological continuum first noted in the call of Abram in chapter 12 is further underscored here. To clearly understand, the will of God is the life work of Abraham. This concept is present in the answer of Rebekah. This is followed in the work of Abraham’s faithful steward, as well. While Eliezer certainly is the head steward of Abraham’s family, it would be safe to say that the true vocation he represents is a Holy application.

Between Gatekeepers and Relatives

2011-08-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

Do you read advice columns? They illustrate perfectly how relatives and religious people say some wonderful and awful things. In one column, a while back, a person wrote to say that his understanding of faith called for him to ‘spiritually divorce’ himself from anyone whose views were not in tune with his. The advice columnist response was this thinking did not fit with the general understanding that theology is about love rather than hate. So the concept of staying apart from those who disagree with you would not be wise. In a recent column “Ask Annie” was queried on how to stop a relative from being a bully? Citing an earlier bit of advice where Annie had said simply leave when relatives become insulting and overbearing (the advice seeker) said this did not seem fair, and wanted to know how to change the behavior of said relative? Annie responded by saying leaving is always the first best option because while we cannot change the way others treat us, we can remove ourselves from toxic circumstances.

I remember hearing a lively and engaging sermon some years ago. The title was “You Can’t Box God, Your Arms Are Too Short.” The premise was similar to most of the writings of Paul. Who are we to argue with the workings and wonder of God? Yet we humans have been doing just that for millennia. Fighting with God over who is elect and who is damned? Creating our own rules with regard to who is accepted and who must be shunned in the name of faith? Even to the point of killing people simply because their views are different. It happens yet today. In Romans 11 Paul is responding to serious questions. The first is why and how Gentiles can be part of the realm of God? The second is, if this is so, what becomes of Israel with regard to being the elect, or chosen of God?

In his wonderful rhetorical idiom the Apostle asks and answers the questions. Did God reject Israel? Of course not, and then to underscore this point, “I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.” As to how gentiles are part of the ‘Party’ Paul writes in verse thirty-two “God has imprisoned all in disobedience in order to show mercy to all.” This, of course, ended all dissent, debate, and demeaning treatment in all religious arenas. Remember our brother writes before the Church split East and West, denominations, the crusades and all the fun religious bigotry of the twentieth century. His point then and now still holds. It is God who invites and invests in humanity. In our dissent and undignified beliefs and behavior we often miss God’s graciousness.

July 31, 2011 Archives

2011-07-31T11:02:00.000-07:00

7-31-2011:
Story has it that the mother of Ray Charles, fearful of her son’s dependence on her sought to change the path of his life. Blind since birth she had tended to his every need, until the realization that she would not always be there for him. The next day she made him get ready on his own. While he screamed and wailed behind his bedroom door she listened in agony on the other side. The change she had chosen for her son was incredibly difficult, but she explained she was doing this for his future. He went on to fame and fortune, remaining fiercely independent, both as a recording artist, and as a businessman, being one of the few artists of his era to control the master recordings to his music.

Genesis 32:22-31 is the ‘bookend’ to chapter 28:10-19a. In chapter twenty-eight Jacob is on the run from his brother Esau. Having cheated him out of his birthright for a bowl of soup a few chapters earlier, Jacob now has stolen the family blessing belonging to Esau. Having sent his family across the Jabbok river he settles in for a nights rest but as in chapter twenty-eight he gets none. Where in the earlier story he visioned his ancestors, here he spiritually wrestles with God. So bold is Jacob that with the Holy he will not quit until he receives a blessing. Therein his name is changed to Israel, because he has ‘struggled with humans and with God and prevailed’. Jacob (Israel) then changes the name of the place to signify the Holy encounter.

In athletics someone with talent is referred to as a ‘game changer’. In the realm of faith God is ‘The Game Changer’. God saw something in Jacob, which Jacob himself could not perceive, leadership and hope. This errant vagrant grandson of Abraham was changed both in name and spirit by the blessing of God. A gifted theologian Max Lucado puts it slightly differently. “ While it is true that God loves us as we are, God does not expect us to stay where we are.” This is the spirit of Holy change to which we are all invited.

July 10, 2011 Archives

2011-07-10T11:02:00.000-07:00

The writings of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the synoptic gospels. Scholars use this term because, while they approach the life and work of Jesus differently, some of the work is quite similar. One element each has is the parabolic teaching by Jesus. Luke contains the greatest number of parables, but all three authors note this work. Parables were common stories used throughout the region. They were used to make a point with regard to culture and custom, especially with regard to normative behavior. What Jesus did was apply the stories to a life in faith. The parable of the good Samaritan, and the parable of the Lost Son also known as the Prodigal Son are found only in the work of Luke. The parable of the Sower is in all three gospels.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus uses common life experience to illustrate how people respond to the Word of God. “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain...” verses 3b-7. Jesus closes the parable in verse nine with the admonition, ‘Let anyone with ears listen!’ In verse eighteen through twenty-three Jesus amplifies the teaching by sharing how those who either did not hear, respond, or in some manner were inhibited from doing so, met devastating results in their spiritual lives. Likewise those who heard and responded blossomed spiritually.

Pat Alger and Ralph Murphy wrote a modern parabolic interpretation of this message titled “Seeds.” It was a very popular recording. The second verse is the teaching narrative. ‘I saw a friend the other day I hardly recognized; he’d done a lot of living since I last looked in his eyes. And he told his tale of how he’d failed and the lessons he’d been taught. But he offered no excuses, and he left me with this thought:’ (chorus) “We’re all just seeds, in God’s hands–We start the same, but where we land–is sometimes fertile soil and sometimes sand. We’re all just seeds in God’s hands.” In the Bible, in life, we are each and every day invited to do at least two things well. Listen and grow.

Between Providence and a Cloverleaf

2011-06-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

The difference between pre-destination and providence could be compared to a rigged game and a fair contest. Theologically the construct in pre-destination is that God has your life and all events therein fixed at conception. All outcomes and consequences are determined in advance. The concept of providence is more like from time to time the spirit nudges us, or a guiding hand leads us. With providence, often it is only seen when looking back upon an event. The reasoning of pre-destination would be no matter what choices are made either good or bad the events are beyond personal control. Free will has no part in this thinking.

Genesis 22:1-14 is a passage scholars call the testing of Abraham. It is difficult for us to fathom the obedience the patriarch displays because we know where God is leading, and while the outcome of the story is positive, the ending would have been far different with the sacrifice of Isaac. To concentrate on whether Abraham would willingly sacrifice his only son is to lose focus. A point worth some consideration is to concentrate on the earnest intent of Abraham to see where God wanted him to go, then to act in faith believing God would be present. This relationship began years ago when God asked him to leave his homeland and family to establish a land for God’s people. As part of the relationship, God changed Abram, and Sari, to Abraham and Sarah, and assured them the blessings of ancestors would be theirs.

With the relationship in full force, Abraham travels into unknown territory with his son Isaac. When his son notes that the wood and fire are present for the burnt offering, but asks where the lamb for the offering is, his father simply says God will provide it. We can merely speculate what went through Abraham’s heart and mind as he bound his son, placed him on the altar and prepared to sacrifice him. Only when an angel intercedes on behalf of God does Abraham look up and see the ram caught in the bramble. He named the place “The Lord will provide.” At the voice of the angel, what did Abraham see when he turned his eyes from the altar to the horizon? It seems fair to say he saw the promise of God in terms of relationship, along with a better value of providence.

Wow!

2011-06-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,
Real service is what I desire.
I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord,
But don’t ask me to sing in the choir.

I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord,
I like to see things come to pass,
But don’t ask me to teach boys and girls, dear Lord,
I’d rather just stay in my class.

I’ll do what you want me to do, dear Lord,
I yearn for the Church to thrive,
I’ll give you my nickels and dimes, dear Lord,
But please don’t ask me to tithe.

I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,
I’ll say what you want me to say,
I’m busy just now with myself, dear Lord,
I’ll help you some other day.

This anonymous poem titled “Blind Spots,” was borrowed from a publication of “The Decatur Christian,” and printed in a Sunday Bulletin for this congregation on December 3, 1944. It serves as a valuable reminder to those who believe spiritual apathy is a current development in the faith community. Spiritual laziness, of course, can afflict any person of faith. Furthermore, with two career families, single parent households, children, and school, the demands placed on time are great.

Too often, those who work in the faith community (both paid and volunteer) ask where others are who might have talent to contribute to a program or a project? While it is helpful to wish for others to be involved, it can be hurtful to question another person’s faith commitment on the basis of participation. For this can lead to the LCM syndrome. We all know people like this; some of the best of us fall into this behavior from time to time. LCM stands for Last Christian Martyr, and this flawed thinking leads certain folks to think the Church would fall apart if they stopped doing whatever they do. The truth is, before we came, someone did the work of the Church, and after we are gone someone will do the work of the Church. Not because of human nature, but because God’s nature is to call us into active relationship.

Rather than looking around and asking why certain people aren’t involved, perhaps a new question is in order. The question functions along the lines of, “Am I searching for spiritual values to live by and then living toward them; with others and especially with God?”

Specialty

2011-06-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

We live in a time of specialty drinks. From the ordeal of ordering a simple cup of coffee, to organic power drinks, each beverage is customized. Even water needs to come from a European well or mountain stream. When we were children soft drinks were a treat, as were lemonade and ice tea. However, we did have two options for a drink of water out of the kitchen faucet, or on a very hot summer day, straight from the hose. Did you cringe at the last sentence? Those of us who lived the experience did as well. In eighth grade science we learn that water is necessary for life. In fact, we as humans are mostly water, with an allowable factor of hot air and malarkey thrown in. The Space Program of the United States of America seeks signs of intelligent life on other planets. Any hope of proof comes with the discovery of a water source. For life to exist there must be clean drinkable water.

In John 7:37-39, the promise of life giving water first given in the Book of Numbers 20:1-13 is retold. Moses and the people wander from Kadesh seeking to enter Canaan without water until God instructs Moses to strike a rock for living water. In the text from John it is with Jesus being ‘life giving spiritual water’ who in relation to God gives life through the spirit as well. Just as Moses was challenged and threatened in the desert, Jesus is criticized then plotted against by religious opponent; just as the promise of a ‘Land’ was held before the people of Israel. In the third chapter of John, Nicodemus, a religious leader comes to Jesus at night to ask about the Realm of God. In verse five Jesus points that ‘ no one can enter God’s realm without being born of water and spirit.’ While this confounded Nicodemus and some within the early Church along with some today as well, it is consistent with early Christian practice rooted in Paul’s writing, the text of the Book of Acts, and the teachings of the Apostles.

We are told by Cultural Anthropologists that Native American tribal practice held that water was drawn at daybreak with enough brought to last the day. The next morning any left from the day before was considered ‘dead’ and poured out. An interesting concept with regard to modern hygiene and how stasis promotes disease. What is suggested in John’s text through the words of Jesus is that we, like Nicodemus, are called to a double birth; one with water and one from above as in the Holy Spirit. It is both fitting and refreshing we begin the season of Pentecost with this helpful reminder.

Finding Faith Everywhere

2011-06-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

Where is faith found? To be sure faith is found in a wide variety of Holy writ, covering many languages and cultures. Faith is both caught and taught through lessons, doctrines and especially through song and proclamation during worship. Land is consecrated and buildings are built for the purpose of such teaching and gathering. However, is faith really found in an edifice or rather in the spirit of the gathered community seeking to know God?

Dr. Samuel H. Dresner was a student of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. In a book titled I Asked For Wonder/A Spiritual Autobiography, he compiles the teachers thoughts on a wide variety of topics. In one titled “Faith Is a Blush” he shares:

God
is unwilling to be alone,
and humans
cannot forever remain impervious
to what God longs to show.
Those of us who cannot keep their striving back
Find themselves at times
within the sight of the unseen
and become aglow with its rays
Some of us blush,
others wear a mask.
Faith is a blush
in the presence of God.

The Rabbi seems to imply, as the Prophets of Judaism insisted, that true faith begins in knowing our need of God, and in such awareness, obtaining a touch of humility which causes us to shine in the presence of Holiness. Remember the story of Moses on Mount Sinai, receiving the Commandments. As he came down the Mountain the people noted his face shone brightly for having been near God. Moses was not in the Temple, and still the result of his encounter with God stands today as a powerful symbol of the connection God has with people.

It has been said that the most important act of faith one might perform quite possibly will not take place in a Temple, Church, or Mosque; in fact, it may well occur on the highway, in the supermarket, or at a sporting event. We must be willing to broaden the horizon, and look beyond Holy sites for faith expression and experience. When this occurs the possibility of holiness happening simply causes us to shine.

May 29, 2011

2011-05-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

As people of faith, we are frequently asked to pray for those experiencing trouble. Be they victims of natural disaster, those experiencing a health crisis; perhaps folks going through a difficult transition such as a job loss, or going away to school. We pray because as part of the beloved community we are called to do so. This was part of the model for ministry which Jesus taught. However, do we remember to give thanks for the comfort which comes from and through prayer?

In Psalm sixty-six, the author divides the song in two equal parts. The first half is a plaintive request for Holy intervention. The words reflect a life in need of fixing, so the prayer is one of ‘God let’s make a deal.’ It has been said that ‘there are no atheists in fox-holes.’ To that end the early part of this psalm/song is one of siege. The second half is about holding up the personal promise given. The author states that if God grants protection, and care, then a life of service and praise will result. To modern hermeneutic scholars this sounds like the prosperity theology of a televangelist, yet a closer look at the Psalms would reveal it to be a balanced understanding of what a life of faith looks like in real time.

Anyone, past puberty in terms of faith, knows that sometimes life is all about cherries while others is about the pits, figuratively if not literally. A good friend once said, “Too often we treat our faith as if we live in a Stained Glass Fox-Hole, but the reality is we reside in a garden with ample room to take root and grow.” How fortunate we are that God’s grace is the foment of our existence.

May 22, 2011, part 2

2011-05-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

When we are just getting started whether in sports, work, or even life itself, we need an extra measure of support and care. As a small boy I can remember very clearly my mother forcing us to take a shovel full of Cod Liver Oil (well it seemed like it to me) each night before bed. She was interested in the health of her five children and to that end did all she could to be certain we had the food education and nurture to make us strong.

In first Peter 2:2-10, the author is writing in this same paternal vein. With the care of someone wise and understanding along with that of one willing to nudge a loved one in terms of spiritual growth. The letter opens, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation– if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

Though these words were written for the early converts in Asia Minor, they continue to have great value when considering the work of a faith community. That work is one needing both formation and outreach. The formation is the work done within the body of believers in terms of worship, nurture and outreach. The work is the fuel which then enables the community to go forth and demonstrate the Love of God in tangible means in cities, states, countries in the Biblical sense to the world.

One of the things I lean on for spiritual strength is music. Not just so called sacred music; though I like ‘Old Traditional Hymns, along with popular Christian music.’ One of my favorite classic Rock and Roll singer songwriters is Jackson Browne. In part it may be because he is just a bit older than myself, and we both grew up in Orange County. However, it probably is simply because of the words he uses when crafting a song which feels like a musical vitamin, only not as onerous. In a song from the album “Running On Empty,” the words convey a convincing thought. “Gotta do what you can, just to keep your love alive. Trying not to confuse it with what you do to survive. In sixty-nine I was twenty-one and I called the road my own. I don’t know when that road turned onto the road I’m on. Running on empty, Running Blind, Running into the Sun, but I’m Running behind.” Words like these I find at times can be an elixir for me. Just as helpful as that Cod Liver Oil, and more pleasant to boot.

May 22, 2011

2011-05-22T11:09:00.000-07:00

Who Guards Your Neighborhood?

2011-05-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

In a magazine titled “Departures” the May/June issue deals with the culture of luxury. In a very brief single page article, actor Alec Baldwin writes of the necessary luxuries, then lists his own. Both by name and in a pictorial setting. They are as follows: A print copy of the New York Times; drawing with Crayons; Fig Newtons; and the City of New York. Though he elaborates a bit on each as to why these items bring him comfort, it is clear he has a personal connection in his life to each.

I can still recall with some vividness a childhood experience. I was with my family at the beach at age six or seven. My father had just come out from a swim and scooped me in his arms and walked toward the ocean. At first I was fine, then became a bit afraid as he walked in the waves, then near hysteric as we moved further in. My dad then recognized my fear and deposited me beside my mom. I will never forget the look of disappointment on his face. He was a great swimmer, barely forty at the time, yet his youngest could not muster enough comfort to trust in his care. Later, when I went to work for him I came to understand him as a person who would never intentionally put someone, let alone one of his own, in harm’s way. One of my fondest memories is how much trust and delight my sons had in their Grandfather, and he in them.

Scholars tell us that most of the Psalms were for use in worship. Some were shared in formal ways while others were more private devotions. Psalm sixteen is of the latter category. It is titled “A Miktam of David.” According to Dr. Elmer A. Leslie a professor of Hebrew Scripture, Miktams are writings of personal relational spirituality which deal with ‘atonement or expiation.’ Virtually all of the first forty-one Psalms fit this description as they deal with protection, comfort and care from God for the one writing the prayer.

What makes Psalm sixteen work so well as a personal prayer is the specifics of the wording. In verse one it opens with a direct plea; ‘Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge...those who choose another god multiply their sorrows.’ The emphasis is on a deep trust the author (here it is David) has in relationship with God. The comfort derived from known boundaries of faith, and spiritual guidance. The Psalm closes with a summation of the author’s appreciation in verse eleven, ‘You show me the path of life. In your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’ So whether it is writing or saying a specific prayer, reading a newspaper, drawing a picture, or eating a cookie, especially a “Tates chocolate chip with walnut;” we each need personal places of comfort which we store in our memory and bring out to draw strength.

April 10, 2011

2011-04-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

My mother had a particular phrase she would use when her unmotivated offspring were not performing to capacity. She would look at us and utter the phrase, “Move as if you have a breath of life in you.” She was a biblical scholar, but I did not know this at the time. Years later while studying the book of Ezekiel I ran across the phrase in chapter thirty-seven verse eight, “...and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them.” In the very next verse God instructs the prophet to continue to speak to the bones the words given in order that the breath of life would come in them. Through this theological construct God is asking the same question yet today with regard to humanity.

We would seem to be slow about the process of growing spiritually. However, Ezekiel appears ready both to grow as a person of faith and to act on behalf of God. When shown the valley of dry bones and then asked by God, “Can these bones live?” Ezekiel gives the answer we often do, only you know, God. When told to prophesy to the bones he does so without hesitation or regard, and they begin to come to life. The fullness of their development does not occur until God informs the prophet that the bones represent the people of Israel, and that the promise of God to act on their behalf still holds.

Being alive is vastly different than merely living. What the prophet shows is that when we allow the nurturing hand of Holiness to guide us, promises are revealed and blessings ensue. In other words to be fully alive as spiritual beings sometimes we need a little talking to. Of course it is much more helpful when we listen.

Temptation Is Really Imitation

2011-03-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

Reflections

March 13, 2011

Psalm 27 is attributed to David. It is described in part as an act of devotion and also a prayer of devotion. Verse one begins, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" Then in verse four the author writes; "One thing I asked of the Lord, that I will seek after; to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life."

In his spiritual anthology, I Asked For Wonder, the late Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel shared his insight on what it means to be a person of faith. In a passage titled, "What We Owe" he writes, "The world was not made by man. The earth is the Lord's, not a derelict. What we own, we owe." Then the Rabbi closes with a quote from Psalm 116, "How shall I ever repay to the Lord all his bounties to me?"

It would be easy to think that Rabbi Heschel and the Psalm he quotes as well are referring to things monetary, but it would be a mistake. Though a monetary system was in place the Psalmist was interested in spiritual currency. In his writing Rabbi Heschel issues a call for spiritual not fiscal responsibility.

In Psalm 27, the author seeks to live in the house of the Lord forever. A wise noble, and holy thing to seek; most if not all would agree. For in a place of sanctuary there is safety, security, and in God's house holy things can and do happen. However, there is a cost and it has less to do with the state of our checkbooks than with the state of our souls.

When we gather in the house of the Lord, the rent has been paid. Paid by countless saints who have come before us serving God in selflessness. They gave generously of what they had both spiritually and financially, that we might have a place for our spiritual home. They did this knowing that others before them had done the same. Our continuing responsibility is to invite others into what we have come to call home.

In Lent, more than any other time or season of faith, we are called to remember the cost o faith. At times in our busy existence the spiritual aspects of prayer and self-denial of the season seem antiquated and burdensome. Yet, in our hearts we know there is a cost. If we forget there is always the cross to remind us. I agree with Heschel, "What we own, we own." However, since the rent's paid, all we have to do is the upkeep.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald

First United Methodist Church

4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Love Changes Everything

2011-03-06T10:56:00.000-08:00

Reflections
March 6, 2011

When I was in my last year of graduate school, now amazingly twenty years ago, life was hectic. I was serving 29 Palms United Methodist Church full time. Sue had no career option in the high desert that didn’t involve a hair net so she stayed with her company in Orange County and came up on weekends. Our sons were with me or in childcare. I had three semesters of course work left, the last one seemed the toughest. My dad had died the previous November, and I was driving 120 miles, one way, to school...sometimes five days a week. It was especially difficult for an 8:00 AM class. This meant waking my sons at 5:00 AM so I could make class.

One cold and rainy spring morning in March of 1986 we were running just a bit behind schedule. I started the trek to school, only to run over a rock that had washed onto the road causing me to lose a hubcap. I stopped, found the hubcap, pounded it back on getting my hands filthy and skinning a knuckle in the process. As highway 62 turns south heading out of the Morongo Valley, the storm worsened and slowed my journey. I could feel my class slipping away. Finally. I reached interstate 10 and headed west toward Claremont. With the rain still falling, the early morning sun was just peeking through the clouds behind me. Then a marvelous thing happened...a beautiful, full rainbow appeared in front of me, and stranger still it began to rain inside the car. At least I assumed so because my cheeks were wet. I was crying, stopping to compose myself I walked toward the rainbow a few feet pausing to take it in along with the sweetness of the desert air. Back on the road, for as long as I could, I just basked in the glory of that rainbow.

This was B.C.P before cell phones (imagine that) so after class, which I indeed made on time, I called my Mother and shared the story. She said, "when you saw the rainbow you thought of your dad." I said, "how did you know" and she reminded me of how my dad would stop the car on vacations to have us admire rainbows and remind us of the Noah blessing. What makes this significant is that my parents' relatives lived in Pennsylvania and Michigan so the car trips were long and deliberate, dawdling was not on the agenda. Except when there was a rainbow, then dad would stop the car and make sure we all saw it. Several years ago my son Aaron drove his 1969 Plymouth Barracuda to Carlisle Pennsylvania to a national show for Chrysler enthusiasts. I met him in Chicago and drove the twenty-one hundred miles back with him. It was August and we were in the Midwest so there were thunder storms. Somewhere in Iowa there was a big one, but there was also a beautiful rainbow. Aaron stopped and said lets take a good look. So we did. Every time I see a rainbow I think of my dad, because he knew every color in the band across the sky gives us good reason to be glad and hopeful.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald

First United Methodist Church

4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

A Faith Journey Is Not A Timed Event

2011-02-27T10:40:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS

February 27, 2011

Do you ever have those days when thirty seconds seems way too long to wait for a traffic signal? The few seconds it takes for your computer to reach the Internet is an eternity. In other words a simple task which might require a modicum of patience is asking something just not possible at the time. People who study human behavior tell us that technology has now driven humans to the state where we are often lacking proper civil decorum. Hence the likes of road rage, parking lot and shopping rage. For a variety of reasons we both work and play at speeds without leaving room for contemplation. Since we can check facts and figures nearly instantaneously, we are apt to think we know more than we actually do. This frees us to criticize, even condemn those we disagree with. This can become a non aerobic exercise for those of the muscle bound brain. Very good for the inflated ego, very bad for the soul. The Apostle Paul addresses this in his writing to the early Church.

In his first letter to the people of Corinth, responding to critics of his teaching along with that of his disciples he urges caution and calm. "Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy. However, with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me." 4:1-4 NRSV The words of Paul were strong when he wrote them. They are even more harsh today because we actually think we know something.

There is a wonderful song titled, "I’m In A Hurry (and I Don’t Know Why)" written by Randy Van Warmer and Roger Murrah. The refrain says volumes. "I’m in a hurry to get things done, oh, I rush and rush until life’s no fun. All I really gotta do is live and die, but I’m in a hurry and don’t know why." We seek to know, to make sense, to understand, to figure things out. The truth of the matter is, we cannot know and understand everything no matter how diligent we are. Over the years I have read of many folks rich, poor, famous, or pedestrian, educated or not, each with the singular belief that God does not exist. As a younger person this would either send me into a fit of anger, or a fancy for prayer over the said souls. Now it seem bemusing to ponder whether God ever doubts the existence of a nonbeliever.

Act As If Believing Means Something

2011-02-20T10:42:00.000-08:00

Reflections

February 20, 2011

The poet Maya Angelou says of life, "Nobody, but nobody gets through without help." Think of it, from the time we are born people are around us. Teaching, nurturing, protecting and nudging. As we mature, part of the natural response within us is to return those helps.

Psalm 121 opens with the line "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come?" The question is asked and answered by the writer. All Holy help comes from God alone. This was an important statement because at the time monotheism was new and communities often had many gods including a variety of household gods for protection and guidance. The Psalmist is saying only one God is necessary, because one God creates, guides, protects and helps all.

To look at an ancient text like this is sometimes difficult for modern thinkers. After all, we are independent, self reliant individuals. With a global positioning satellite, a portable laptop computer and a cellphone we can do just about anything. So the notion of taking time in contemplative thought to consider how blessed we are might seem unusual. yet, that is precisely what the psalmist is saying. That in a world of transiency, God is constant, reliable, available, creative, and creating.

To complete the idea of the poet, we would then be called to live life in the name of justice, healing, hope, and peace. For when the help of God finds a home in the human heart, Holy things happen.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald

First United Methodist Church

4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Faith's A Relationship, Not A Negotiation

2011-02-16T13:48:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
February 13, 2011

We all live within the parameters of laws and human limitations. For example: when we, as full fledged middle aged persons, attempt to act like teenagers in either dress or demeanor, there will be repercussions. It might be the minor embarrassment of being attired in an age inappropriate manner, or it could be a major injury because we decided to begin hang gliding at fifty without physical training or flight instruction.

Laws are those things set forth as important restrictions with the intent of ordering behavior in order to protect society. We have laws for virtually every facet of life. From the way we drive, to how we conduct business. In some cases the areas we live have laws which regulate what color our homes may be painted and how long the garage door may remain open. Laws are not a new concept. Any civilization with a recorded history has codes of behavior for its people. In most cases these are related to religious or cultural tradition and in many cases both.

Religion has influenced the laws of many lands. The Muslim, Jewish and Christian interpretation of the Holy Scriptures we hold in common has long been subject to debate in terms of understanding. However, it is curious that these faiths along with most other historic faith traditions all have a form of what most theologians call the Ten Commandments. These rules or laws are found in the Bible in Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20. Even if we can’t recite them, we remember the essence of them as being tied to private and public behavior held in relation to God and others. In other words we may not get all the thou shalts perfect, but we know they are important. Perhaps in an effort to make them easier to remember, the Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, Texas has posted The Ten Commandments Cowboy Style on one of its walls.

1. Just one God 6. No Killin’
2. Put nothin’ before God 7. No foolin’ around with another
3. Watch yer mouth fellow’s gal
4. Git yerself to Sunday meetin’ 8. Don’t take what ain’t yers
5. Honor yer Ma & Pa 9. No telling tales or gossipin’
10. Don’t be hankerin’ for yer buddy’s stuff

There has been much time and money spent in debate over the last several years about the placement of The Ten Commandments on the walls of courts or in monuments before State Houses. It seems somewhat silly to hang them on the wall of a Court, or for that matter even the wall of a house of worship. After all Moses was given these gifts that those who came to know them would find room for them in their hearts. Not to regulate or remind humans of their limitations, but to point to the possibility found in Holy relationships.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Market Value of Spiritual Currency

2011-02-16T13:45:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
February 6, 2011

Friends recently gave me a book titled, A Continual Feast. It is a compilation of quotes on spirituality edited by Jan Karon. A couple of my current favorites are as follows. “The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.” This remarkable saying is attributed to Marcus Aurelius who wrote in the first century C.E. What makes the quote, is the fact that we tend to think of these early times as serene and trouble free, and the saying would indicate they were anything but so. Another saying comes from the popular science fiction writer, Ray Bradbury, who said, “Sometimes you have to jump off cliffs, and grow wings on the way down.” The indication here would seem to be that risk is part of the freight of an adventurous life. The central element being what a life might cost.

In I Corinthians 2:1-16 the Apostle Paul wades in with his unique take on the value of a spiritual existence. For Paul a life of faith could not be separated from day to day living. For him, who we are, and what we are about, emanates from a spiritual foundation. In this passage, he writes to the people of Corinth with instructions on how to interpret a life in the Spirit. Because others followed him into this region saying, “They had the real truth, and Paul along with his followers had only part of the story.” Paul’s words are direct and to the point. First of all the story he told of the love of God in Jesus is not new or very complicated. So the gospel of God is not a new philosophy, but one rooted in an historic interpretation of how God interacts with humanity found in Scriptures which Paul refers to in his letters. Second, and even more importantly, is his insistence that mystery is part of a life of faith. He does not run or hide from the fact that we don’t get to know every thing. Later he embraces this thought fully when writing that what we see now is like looking in a dark or imperfect mirror, but in time we will see with greater clarity.

In this day and age any person, place or thing which strikes our fancy, we can Google and obtain a great deal of information. This is a wonderful aspect of technology. The issue resulting from our ersatz internet encyclopedia is that we often mistake data for understanding. What Paul is saying is that understanding is an act of the Spirit not of the brain. They both have value, yet where the mind eschews the unknown the soul embraces, even longs for it.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

UMW Sunday

2011-01-25T13:43:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
January 30, 2011

Matthew 5:1-7 is part of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is teaching in the region of the Galilee, and comes to a crowd on the side of a hill where he sits and talks to them about the meaning of faith in a new age. The beatitudes include verses three through twelve, where the word blessed is used at least nine times .

The concept of being blessed, or for that matter cursed, was common during the time of Jesus. So for him to address the crowd in terms of blessings would not have been unusual. The difference was the style and phrasing he chose. For to say the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, or the merciful are blessed seems odd.

A contemporary English translation phrases the beatitudes in this way. “God blesses those who depend on God. They belong to the realm of heaven. God blesses those who grieve, they will find comfort. God blesses those who are humble, the Earth will belong to them. God blesses those who want to obey God more than to eat or drink. They will be given what thy want. God blesses the merciful. They will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, they will see God. God blesses those who make peace, they will be called God’s children. God blesses those who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the realm of heaven. God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.”

Even dressed up in modern language, the ‘Beatitudes’ don’t sound very beatific. The words of Jesus are straight forward, direct perhaps, even a bit harsh. Know your need of God. Know that sorrow comes to all. Know your place in the order of the universe. Know the true meaning of faith. Know the value of mercy. Know the value of a right heart. Know the strength of peace-filled living. Then if you manage to be righteous, sorrowful, humble, meek, humble, true of heart and peaceable, expect to be given a hard time. The words are less an affirmation of faith or an invitation to discipleship, than a warning or a disclaimer one might find in a contract on a product purchased. Jesus was no street corner evangelist looking for converts. He wasn't selling anything, but he was offering something. He offered a new way to relate to the world and to those around us in terms of faith. He spoke boldly in truth and love to open hearts and minds willing to see old truths in light of new stories. So often we wish to make Jesus a salesman or a storyteller. The truth is, before and after any discussion of his deity he remains our teacher. Yes, Jesus was a teacher, and the best teachers don’t tell us what we want to hear. They do however tell us exactly what we need to know.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

It Aint About Us

2011-01-25T10:14:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
January 23, 2011

There is a wonderful story which is set in a football stadium. There are one hundred thousand spectators in the stands. The team with the ball huddles and as the quarterback leans in to speak to the team, a fellow in the stands turns to a friend and says, “I just know they are talking about me.” In a fashion this illustrates what Paul is trying to get at in I Corinthians 1:10-18. He has received word that the Christian community in Corinth is being fractured by different groups claiming their individual beliefs and in some cases individual leadership to all others. In his appeal for unity, he writes pointedly in verses twelve and thirteen, “What I mean is that each of you says, I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollos, or I belong to Cephas, or I belong to Christ. Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you Baptized in the name of Paul?” Then in the last verse of the passage he writes, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Early childhood development specialists tell us that a certain amount of self centeredness is normal in children. There are even names for difficult stages, hence the terms “the terrible twos, or tyrannical threes.” Even as adults, we are told that an amount of selfishness is necessary to maintain healthy self care. Some people, however, do not outgrow the behavior and narcissism becomes a way of life. These folks use the language of possession as in I, me, and mine. Everything in their lives is seen in relation to themselves. Of course, to a measure at times this is how we may relate to our existence, but not to the extent that the world does not exist without us.

Worse still, all too often, in matters of opinion and practice the margin for debate and civilized discussion is razor thin. This leads to the winners being the ones who shout the longest and loudest. This leads to sad and tragic results in everyday life especially as it relates to politics and religion.

Paul saw the clear answer to religious divisiveness. Follow the teachings of Jesus for they are rooted in scripture and are other directed rather than self centered. There is an old John Fogerty song with the line “Who will take the mountains and move then to the sea? I don’t know but it ain’t you or me.” Our brother Paul knew this two thousand years ago and we’re still playing the fools.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Life on the Rocks is Fine

2011-01-20T13:59:00.000-08:00

Reflections
Sunday, January16th, 2011

Tomorrow is a memorial holiday honoring the life and legacy of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. As a national holiday, banks will be closed,
mail will not be delivered, and most schools will be closed. One
cannot help but wonder what Dr. King would have thought about this
development in his legacy. After all his life's work was about others
not himself. It does not seem unreasonable to think Dr. King would be
amused. His legacy with regard to Peace and Justice, was about
furthering the cause of those oppressed not singing out individual
contributors. These issues are as old as the text of the Prophet
Isaiah, and as fresh as tomorrow's headline from CNN. He would say
from The Reverend Dr. Ralph Abernathy, Rosa Parks, Cesar Chavez, and
Harriet Tubman, the names of those who worked for justice is long,
with millions of names of people you will never know and whose words
and thoughts will not be reflected upon tomorrow. For Dr, King his
individual name and fame was only important in so much as it may help
further the cause of justice, born in his heart of faith, and built
upon a foundation of faith with eyes able to vision what a fair and
open society might look like.

I have a dear friend who works for a company that honors Dr. Martin
Luther King's memory with a day off. This year for reasons not fully
explained, the company is giving the day off but requesting employees
come in and work, at bonus pay of course, because of the holiday. The
person because of an inherent since of a possibility the wrong message
is being sent, spoke to the head of the company. The head of the
company echoed the same concern, but said the decision came from
'higher up's in the company. Though disappointed, with the seeming no-
decision for awareness, this friend will ask those who desire, to come
in, not penalize those who choose not to, and cover for those who do
not come in, without personal additional compensation.

We expect immediate change, and while at times this may be possible,
more often than not chance moves more like a glacier than the wind.
Is a lack of change a valid reason for not seeking the furtherance of
a fair and just society? "God drew me up from the desolate pit, out
of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock." Dr. King was a solid
biblical scholar and would have recognized those words from psalm
forty. The following quotes are from the heart of Dr. King's
philosophy. The first will be heard tomorrow , the second probably
not. Both are essential. "I have a dream that my four little
children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged
by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
"I refuse to accept the cynical notion that nation after nation must
spiral down a militaristic stairway into the hell of nuclear
destruction. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will
have the final word in reality."

I was nineteen years old when Dr. King was assassinated. This
birthday would have been his eighty-second, yet his thoughts, dreams
and hopes seem so young and fresh. Which would seem to mean that the
foundation is still there, but there is much work left to do.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA, 91601

Rest in the Spirit

2011-01-12T14:08:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
January 9, 2011

According to Dr. Marion Soards of The Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Kentucky, Matthew 3:13-17 completes the previous twelve verses of the chapter. The professor states that the work and ministry of John the Baptist is completed in these brief four verses which deal with the Baptism of Jesus and end the chapter. John you will remember is out in the desert preaching a faith of repentance. Repentance is a spiritual u-turn, where once we recognize we are lost, the spirit leads us in our return to God.

In this passage we find John preaching and Baptizing in the Jordan River. As Jesus approaches we can assume they greet each other. After all they were cousins. The more profound issue is telling John that He has come to be Baptized by him. After some protest John agrees. As Jesus rose from the water the Spirit descended on Him and a voice from heaven spoke saying, “This is my son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

The description of this event is sometimes referred to as a theophany which is visible manifestation of a deity. Another term often used is Epiphany which refers to spiritual enlightenment. Here both terms would be appropriate. The first twelve verses of Matthew 3 quote Isaiah, Zechariah, and Malachi along with II Kings. The work of John most literally the one of his being “a voice crying in the wilderness,” was fore told in these texts. Here when John protests against Jesus’ request is told, that is part of how the work and word of God is to be proclaimed.

The greater message for us as modern believers is twofold. First that Jesus honored and respected the ministry of others. Here he shows his respect for the ministry of John. In chapter ten of Matthew, Jesus demonstrates his confidence in the disciples when he commissions them for ministry. Then in chapter twenty-six a women led by the spirit anoints his head with expensive oil. When his followers complain of it as wasteful, Jesus calls it a beautiful act. Finally the passage tells us that as spiritual beings, we are called to be attuned to the work of the Holy Spirit; as a source of strength, as a guide, and especially as one who will nudge us in the work and way of our ministry.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Gift of Assumptive Saints

2010-12-22T13:14:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
December 19, 2010

Story has it that author, Lesbia Scott in the interest of teaching her children biblical theology, made up songs for them to sing. A friend upon hearing these songs, encouraged her to publish them. In the 1988 version of The United Methodist Hymnal, “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God,” can be found on page 712. The first stanza sings, “I sing a song of the saints of God, patient and brave and true, who toiled and fought and lived and died for the Lord they loved and knew. And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green; they were all of them saints of God, and I mean, God helping, to be one too.” I do not know for certain she borrowed from Pauline theology, however, the Apostle wrote in Romans 1:7, “To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:” In each of these cases the phrasing is assumptive. Those saints we have known in either implicit or explicit terms are named. Then the call is put forth of the possibility in each of us according to the will of God, to move into the positions of those whom we love who are now present with the Lord.

One theologian refers to these folks as “balcony people.” Those who have impacted our lives and remain with us observant from the upstairs room of our existence. Note that the word attic was not used. For an attic is a place where you put things that you probably will never use again, yet can’t bring yourself to throw out. Whereas the best seats are often in the balcony. Often reserved for people of bearing and import.

Mrs. Scott and our Brother Paul knew this. They used loving language to express their appreciation for those souls who had nurtured and nudged them. They are not merely a message in Jesus, but a model. They experienced a call into something beyond individual ability. They wrote and sang of the power of grace to transform ordinary individuals into extraordinary artifacts in the name of God. If we take the words seriously, we may have to come to terms with this fact. In the name of the love of Jesus, we are all saints in waiting.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald

First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Christmas In A Tree

2010-12-14T11:32:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
December 12, 2010

After my father died, a friend gave me a small framed needlepoint which reads: “After Loss Love Remains. ”The quote was said to be original from a sermon I gave reflecting
on Pop. To be truthful, I don’t recall saying it, then or now. However, the saying is true for me. My Father is gone twenty five years, my Mother twenty and yet I feel their love still.

Furthermore, my love and appreciation for them continued rather than merely being aggrandized. I hear them in some of the phrases (I swore to never use), and still use regularly. I see them in the features of myself and those of my siblings. I remember conversations as I look at belongings that were once theirs and are now mine. Gifts of a sort, a loving presence still.

Though I miss my parents usually at those times wisdom and experience would be helpful, I do not miss the suffering I watched them go through. Even as I matured enough to attempt to tell them, I am not certain they knew fully the gifts they gave in model and personality. In a season of gifts it seems some gifts fit better in the heart than under a tree.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Criticism Does Not Burn Calories

2010-12-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
December 5, 2010

It has been said, we as individuals may be the only Bible some people will read. If this is true, what story will we tell?

What insight to the experience of faith do we provide in the way we live? We have heard of the forgiveness of God, but we judge quickly, ourselves and others. We have heard of the unconditional love of God, yet we fail to love ourselves and others, continuing to love with strings attached and conditions included. We have heard of the acceptance of God; however, we are slow to accept change and adjust expectations for ourselves, and others.

John the Baptist knew the message he wanted read from his life. He wanted the world to know the need it had of God, so he preached of repentance. To repent means to turn around. To those headed down the wrong road of life, John suggested a U turn. Not just any U turn, but one which leads directly back to God. To the judgment and forgiveness of God. This was the power of the baptism John offered. For in this act, John believed one died to his or her past and was born anew through the life giving symbol of the water. Furthermore, John was very clear on two additional points. First, that the agent at work was God, not himself. Secondly, and more significantly, greater works and grander love was yet to come. It still makes for good reading.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Endurance is an Act of Faith, Not a Deodorant

2010-11-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
November 14, 2010

Community is born of the belief that we are not alone in our endeavors. While we may have divergent beliefs, goals, and backgrounds, none of us except religious ascetics or hermits lives in true isolation. From family, to work, school, sport or social clubs and formal religious expression, each brings an element of what community is or can be.

So what is the how, when, and why of community? The how of community begins with the intentional act of looking outside ourselves. Self-care experts tell us the art of selfishness is essential in terms of emotional wholeness and balanced living. Self-centeredness is another matter altogether. Writing on the pitfalls of self-absorption, the poet Longfellow said, "Whenever nature leaves a hole in a person's intellect, she generally plasters it over with a thick coat of self-centeredness." In a similar vein, yet more pointedly, the English cleric, Hare, wrote, “Many people spend their lives gazing at their own shadows, and so dwindle away into shadows thereof.” The modern parlance would be something like, navel gazing gets us nothing but bellybutton fuzz, for which no useful purpose has been found.

We live in a time of individuality and self-reliance so why should we be concerned about community? The spirit of individuals and the soul of society hinges on the notion that we matter both as individuals and as members of a community. When our lives are only about ourselves as individuals, the narrowness of focus can stifle both individual and community. Though all the world’s great religions teach the sacred value of individuals, each teaching, be it Buddhist, Christian, Hinduism, Islamic, Judaic, or Sikh places the higher value on the Holy art of moving beyond one’s self. Stressing the importance of creating kinship, of reaching out in the name of help and hope in concert with and toward others.

The second chapter of James is a call to not just community but a friendship covenant rooted in sacred loving care. If we are to take community seriously, the fundamental operating principle by which we live will then be a conspiracy of kindness. The contagion of such an attitude can warm hearts, but if left unchecked it can light the world.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

When Hope Is Home, Fear Won't Call

2010-11-09T13:21:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
November 7, 2010

Fear has become a very large industry. I read in a recent article that while other holidays have remained flat in terms of growth in the last five years, Halloween has grown. This holiday dedicated to fright is becoming ever more popular. Resorts and amusement parks have created destination vacations. Scary movies are released as near to October 31st as possible. Then of course there is the costumes and the candy. Though all in the name of good fun we embrace fear.

The prophet Haggai was one of the so called latter prophets. Scholars tell us that the message of these prophets followed or rather continued the thought of the former of a unified nation for the people of Israel along with the ushering in of the messianic age. In 589 B.C.E. the Babylonians conquered Israel and took their captives to Babylon. In 538 B.C.E. after defeating the Babylonians, Cyprus issued a decree which allowed the Jews to return to their homeland. This decree also encouraged the people of Israel to unify their leadership and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. Nearly two decades after being freed, the Jews had not begun the work on the temple and were not unified politically. The primary reason? The people are paralyzed by fear. Whether fear of failure, fear of success, or fear of being conquered again is not stated, however the prophet addressed the issue head on in the second chapter.

“Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, “Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now?” (Verse 2) The prophet goes on to ask whether there is enough memory of their former worship and lives together to find the energy to rebuild again. Using words in the form of an oracle from God, Haggai writes “Yet now take courage, ...take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you says the Lord of hosts, according to the promise I made to you... my spirit abides among you, do not fear.” History records somehow this worked. The temple was started in 520 and completed in 515. The political and worship life of the people restored. What the text reminds us, is that faith and fear are not new at all. More importantly still the words of the old prophet ring just as true today as they did two and a half millenia ago. To be afraid, even in the name of entertainment, requires effort. In the presence of a holiday celebration not a bad way to spend some time. However, with the rest of the time we have, how much better as people of faith to work and live in the presence of Hope?

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Earning Salvation or Responding To It

2010-11-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
October 31, 2010

There is an old adage that says, "You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink." The meaning, of course, is meant more for humans to illustrate how in our animal-like stubbornness, we can harm ourselves by refusing help. This is perhaps even more true in terms of people responding to the experience of faith. Luke 19:1-10 tells the story of Jesus traveling to Jericho. As he arrives, Zacchaeus, the local tax collector comes to hear him speak. It is important to remember that in those days tax collectors were more like robbers sanctioned by the government to take your money. Tax collectors were allowed to add penalties if they chose as long as they paid the governor the agreed upon rate. What makes this interesting is the fact that a crook as Zacchaeus would have the desire to hear the itinerant preacher Jesus speak. Scripture records that his was a life changing event for Zacchaeus.

Keeping the concept of leading, in the face of strict resistance, albeit in a different context, consider the words of Paul in II Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12. Here the apostle shares the joy he, Timothy, and Silvanus have over this community’s openness to their teachings about the life of Jesus. Paul and his ‘Sons’ knew how resistant some communities have been, and want to affirm the people of Thessalonica. So impressed with their willingness to learn and grow in faith, the letter is written as a boast on this community and passed on to the other churches in the region, holding them up as a model.

Where Zacchaeus responded to salvation as it was offered by Jesus, the Thessalonians would seem to have earned it by possessing attentive spirits. In the horse analogy one had to be drug to the water then invited to drink. The other upon hearing the good teachings realized they were thirsty.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

A Trust Worthy of Investment

2010-10-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
October 24, 2010

In second Timothy 4:6-22 we see the most pastoral side of the letter to Timothy. Here a seasoned pastor (Paul) writes an adopted son (Timothy) deep words of encouragement as one’s life and ministry is ending and the other’s is just starting. Any among us who have had the privilege of knowing a Spiritual Mentor can appreciate the power of this passage. If we do our work of faith effectively, we end up worn out and fearless in the end.

Though the language of having ‘fought the good fight, and finished the race’ have what we might call the meaning of sporting competition, the unique difference is the authorship and intent. In Greek to receive a bouquet of flowers or a laurel crown would mean a personal physical achievement for an individual. Whereas in the Jewish tradition Paul hailed from, this would be a spiritual celebration representing the joy of a life of faith.

I am all too well aware that many people are deprived of good mentors. In youth, their parents are either poor or absent role models. Which is why I celebrate and count as gifts the mentors throughout my life. My parents were from what author Tom Brokaw calls “The Greatest Generation.” Solid, unspectacular people whose life patterns are the benchmark I strive to live toward as a citizen. They did not preach their faith they just set about living it. In school, from elementary to junior high, then on to high school and college and finally graduate school, I was fortunate to have teachers who were academic mentors if you will. Individuals who knew the value of learning and willingly showed interest and shared of their gifts. Finally in my professional life as a pastor I have been no less fortunate. I have written from time to time about Dr. J. Miles Acker, Jr., who was so generous with his time and talent as I was emerging professionally. Miles was the best kind of mentor and teacher in that complacency was a dead end road for him. Any time he felt I was entering this realm or worse, becoming closed to new thoughts, he would jab me in the ribs with a thought or phrase capable of jolting me back on track. The good doctor is gone a dozen years and I miss him still.

What mentors teach mostly is the power of investment in the lives of those around us. They model the value of being interested in people, in loving , and caring for the community and the planet. They never preach action, rather they live for it till they drop. I still have mentors though I am nearly thirty years into my call to ministry. For me the reason is simple and selfish. My desire is not to rust-out but rather to wear out.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

A GPS Is Not A Roadmap

2010-05-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
May 9, 2010

Today is Mother’s Day. We may not all be mothers, but we all have (or had) mothers. Some people for a variety of reasons do not connect with their natural mother, but everyone does seem to have a mother figure.

An old Jewish saying says, “God could not be everywhere, so God made mothers.” A Spanish proverb puts it another way, “An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.” Poems, songs, novels, and plays have been written depicting the value and strength of motherhood. Famous people usually give their mothers credit. President Lincoln wrote, “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” Earlier, John Quincy Adams had written, “All that I am my mother made me.”

From time to time, I have shared with you stories of my mother. Her wit, will, and wisdom have marked me beyond measure and in many ways continue to shape my existence. My mother taught me that doing your best was more important than being the best. Her gift of a passion to do the right thing, rather that the popular thing, is a treasure. She believed in equal justice and an extra measure of grace for everyone, and her faith led her to witness these truths.

I only remember her being truly wrong once. Not long after I was ordained, we had a serious disagreement. It lasted the better part of a year. The details aren’t important, but the point of departure was over her judgment of somebody. My mother argued the judgment of God, and I argued the love of God as she had taught me. Once in frustration she asked, “What kind of minister are you?” I responded, “A frail and human one whom you taught to believe in a loving and forgiving God.” It was not an easy time for either of us. In an attempt to resolve the argument, I asked my mother to look at three of her favorite scriptures; Matthew 7:1-7, Philippians 3:12-16 and 4:13. Whether the scripture worked, or she had pity on me, something changed and we got past our differences. Our relationship was not the same, it was better.

It is the only argument I ever won with my mother. Perhaps she did let me win, yet I am certain she gave me the tools by teaching me faith, justice and a full measure of grace.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Five Second Rule In God's Kitchen

2010-05-04T11:00:00.001-07:00

REFLECTIONS
May 2, 2010

The Book of Acts is attributed to the author of Luke’s gospel. In Acts, we find the early church fighting to find form and function in terms of discipline and development. Arguments large and small would rage over gifts of the Spirit, especially who was allowed to follow the teaching of Jesus . In Acts eleven, Peter is defending the necessity of the emergent Church in its need to be open to gentiles, which is to say non Jewish and including even Pagan persons, interested in experiencing the love of God in Christ. The difficulty Peter and the Apostles faced was those believers who still held strict adherence to Judaic Law which meant rules against outsiders, and specific dietary laws as well. Many within the early Church were concerned with who was in and who was out, and what was clean and what was not. To illustrate this most of us can look no further than our childhood. Was yours the first name called when choosing teams for sports? When I was in grade school or perhaps Jr. High there was a popular song that went something like this, “I’m in with the in crowd, I go where the in crowd goes. I’m in with the in crowd, I know what the in crowd knows.” Through much of my adolescence I was either a partner to or a victim of this thinking. These illustrations are mere snapshots of a larger phenomenon which afflicted the early faith community. Namely an aversion the revealed truth which Jesus taught and moreover lived.

The process of faith is one of constant revelation in terms of personal experience. The clearest biblical evidence of this for me is seen in the stories of Peter and Paul. Peter was one of the earliest disciples who when Jesus shared his upcoming arrest, trial and passion, assured the Master he would follow him to the death. Jesus told Peter not only would he not do this, but in fact he would betray his Lord three times before sunrise. Jesus did this not to impugn his reputation or crush his spirit, rather to state that Peter was not yet ready to be the Rock upon which the early church could be built. Likewise with Paul, an early persecutor of the followers of Jesus, he was certain of his way and understanding of faith until confronted by Christ spiritually. Each of these men needed revealed experiences which opened them to new possibilities in terms of ordering their lives of faith. The net result of Peter and then Paul’s experience of encountering Christ was that they could not live the same way they had in the past. They had to move to a new reality of what it meant to be a follower of Jesus. No longer could they be arbiters of clean and unclean, or who does or does not belong. Their life was now focused on a faith fashioned and focused on an all inclusive love, sung to a tune of grace and forgiveness.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

If Jesus Cooked, Would You Eat Fish For Breakfast?

2010-04-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

Reflections
April 18, 2010

The twenty-first chapter of John is an epilogue that in literary works summarizes or provides closure to the story.

Peter, James, John, Nathaniel and Thomas and two unnamed disciples decide to go fishing. After a long night with no luck, a stranger from shore calls and asks if they've caught any. They say no and he suggests they cast their nets on the other side of the boat. As they do this, the nets become so heavy with fish they cannot haul them in. John recognizes Jesus and at hearing this, Peter jumps into the water to go ashore. The others follow in the boat and bring one hundred fifty-three fish with them.

At shore, Jesus is at a campfire cooking them a breakfast of fish and bread. The story is full of details. We are told the names of five disciples with two left nameless, but the total number is seven, considered a perfect number in Biblical times. The number of fish is divisible by three, that was considered spiritual. This was the third time Jesus revealed himself to the disciples. The Jesus repeats the request that Peter "feed his sheep" three times possibly reflecting the three denials Peter made of Jesus. At the close of this passage Jesus foretells the martyrdom of Peter and ends by telling those gathered to follow Him.

This is a remarkable story on several levels. Instead of flash and flair, Jesus offers practical help with fishing and then serves the disciples breakfast. The offer of advice from Jesus is the gospel writer's reminder that Jesus remains as a comfort and guide. In a powerful shift from trial and crucifixion, Peter instead of avoiding Jesus cannot get to him quickly enough. The breakfast is a reminder that Jesus is the bread of life and disciples are called to witness. The first letters of the words Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior, spell the Greek work fish, so during the early persecution of the church, believers used the symbol of a fish to indicate their faith. Finally, the dialogue Jesus had with Peter is a wonderful indication that however one may choose to deny God, the love, hope, forgiveness, and grace of God still comes. The closing remark of Jesus to follow Him is very similar to the opening of the gospels where Jesus encounters those fishing and says, "follow me and I will make you fishers of people."

In effect of course these words are anything buy an epilogue. For the gospel story is written each day when disciples anew offer the bread and hope of grace to a world hungry for the love of God.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

What's In Our Spiritual Wallets?

2010-04-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
April 11, 2010

You’ve no doubt seen the commercial. The buyer takes a credit card out to buy something and a hoard of ruffians heads his or her way. They stop only upon finding that it is a certain brand of card. Then looking into the camera the toughies say “What is in your wallet?,” the implication being that if we don’t have this card our monetary life is in danger. These are interesting times in terms of finances so there is some value to such a message. To be aware of cost and risk is an important question. When I started to work for my father at age fifteen, quite often I would ask the question, “Pop, how much does that cost or what is that worth?” He gave one of three answers consistently. “Too much,” “Enough.” Or my particular favorite now (not then). “Son if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.”

The central question of the book of Acts is, what is the cost of discipleship? The early Church is struggling with not the concept, but the actual risk of following Jesus. In chapter 5:27-32, Peter and the Apostles have been brought before the religious council for violation of religious law. This has, of course, a familiar ring to it, for not a week ago the Scripture reading for Holy Thursday, and Good Friday had similar questions being asked of Jesus. The high priest states ,“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him... and we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit...” It is clear that the Apostles have been warned not to preach in the name of Jesus or to teach his ways in Jerusalem. Yet, here they are before the very same council that warned them not to do so. When they told the religious leaders that it was by the power of God through the Holy Spirit that they preached and taught, at first the Council so enraged wanted to kill them. However, at the urging of one leader they were instead jailed, beaten and released. Whereupon, they rejoiced in their suffering and immediately began preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus.

The early Christian Mothers and Fathers knew the very real risks attached to life in relation with Jesus. Yet they embraced it. We in the modern Church are apt to ask why should I do this or that, or even more pointedly, what’s in it for me? Our ancestors in the faith knew if not intrinsically, certainly in their souls, that personal cost was not the question. Perhaps they knew Paul’s words from II Corinthians 5:19-20 “that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting our trespasses against us, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation... Making us ambassadors for Christ.” We do well not to ask what the salary and benefits are?

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Easter Is A Marathon, Not A Sprint

2010-04-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
April 4, 2010

The most popular Easter narrative is John: 20:1-18. It finds Mary Magdalene at the burial ground of Jesus. Finding the stone rolled away and presuming the tomb empty she seeks out Simon Peter and John, the “beloved disciple.” They literally run to the tomb and on the evidence of the burial cloths being left behind, believe Jesus has risen. Mary comes back to the tomb enters and sees two angels, but not Jesus, they speak to her but she does not understand. Finally, Jesus speaks to her but she mistakes him for the gardener. It is when he calls her by name that she recognizes him. In some measure and means the story of Easter is the willingness to see the power of salvation, then having the heart to share the story. In the book of Acts, Peter is recorded saying some things which illustrate. “Peter opened his mouth saying; ‘Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who knows their need of God and does what is right, is acceptable to God.’” Peter then goes on to tell an abbreviated version of the temptation and passion of Jesus, reminding his listeners that he was among the first to see Jesus post Easter. It was then that Peter and those gathered with him experienced the Holy Spirit. For Peter the linking of the stories is essential. The gift of the Spirit is a direct result of the Passion.

Part of the question we as moderns must ask is, what do we believe and where do we see evidence to support our thought? What are our resurrection stories? Better still, where do we find ourselves in need of resurrection? The greater message of Easter is not found on a cross or in a tomb, but rather in how we respond to the way of the Master. Do we follow Jesus or just empathize with the story? The call, of course, is to get involved. Tom Waits is a unique singer songwriter. His voice is very rough and at times his message equally so. On an album for which he won a Grammy he utters the words to an L. C. M. (my abbreviation not his, standing for Last Christian Martyr) “You gotta get behind the mule if you want to plow,” then at a particular point he says to the offender “come down from the cross, because we need the wood.” To me this means our participation in Easter is to speak of the Good News we have known and seen. To share the wonder we have found in a relationship with Jesus. An L. C. M. prefers the must of the tomb or the comfort of the cross to getting behind the mule, literally the word and work of Jesus. I don’t know about you but the mule looks more interesting.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Faith Is A James Brown Song

2010-04-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
March 21, 2010

Scholars tell us that Psalm 107 is probably a song used by those who have come in off the desert to celebrate a festival. It begins with the words, “O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble...” Then just a few Psalms later in 126, a so called song of ascents, the psalmist gives voice to the celebration of deliverance from threats. “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

When I read these two passages together I heard a voice, though not the one most might think. I heard the voice of the late great singer James Brown. I was transformed back to the first time I saw him on television. It was the early version of Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. The show was in black and white, not the high definition digital color we have today. I was young and mesmerized by he stylish flamboyance. Where most of the men who performed on the show wore sport coats, Mr. Brown wore what appeared to be formal wear. While most singers stood at the microphone James treated it like it belonged only to him making it at times a part of the performance. Even the way he sang seemed different. This was before the Beatles or at best very early in the “British Invasion.” It was certainly pre-Heavy Metal, and Grunge Rock when lyrics became secondary to volume, or so it seemed. When James Brown sang he articulated the lyric, but the energy was so intense that at time it became difficult to understand what he was singing.

He presented music as a celebration. Becoming a force of nature almost in a dervish like trance. Though years later there would be tales of great excess regarding alcohol and drugs, few of which he denied, early in his career his energy seemed more pure as if coming from a spiritual side. It is important to note that James Brown like many early Rock and Roll stars first played in churches before making it to The Ed Sullivan Show. It may perhaps seem strange enough to think of reading a Psalm and hearing James Brown sing, but if you’re interested, this is the abridged version . “I feel good, I knew that I would. Now, I feel good, I knew that I would. Soo good, Soo good, God is so good. Heh”

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Grace Helps The Meal Taste Better

2010-04-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
March 14, 2010

Sixty-two years ago this Sunday the first worship service was held on this property. The congregation started in a home, moved to Lankershim Elementary School, finally setting down roots at Lankershim and Weddington Streets for the next thirty years. The planned expansion to the Tujunga site was delayed by World Was II. Finally, this property was acquired and the first building constructed was the Social Hall. This space would be used for worship and social gatherings for about two years until the Sanctuary was completed. There are probably less than a dozen people active in this parish today who were present on Easter Sunday 1949 when the Sanctuary was consecrated, let alone were present for the consecration of the Social Hall, March 14, 1947.

However, they need not be present because we have a thorough historical record. Beyond that, and perhaps more important still, we have their stories. Some of us have been fortunate enough to know those who brought the Church to this location. Over coffee, a meal or perhaps a Christmas tree sale we have heard the struggles and triumphs of their common history. The gift of God throughout faith history is that called people are to have a strong memory of the past and a clear vision for the future.

Those folks who gathered here for the first worship service at 4832 Tujunga Avenue knew from where they had come. They settled in this community with a sense of purpose and a forthright vision of where they were called to be and what they were called to do. They had a heart for community and invested time and effort to build and teach so. Moreover, they had a heart for the hopes and needs of the world and extended themselves financially and spiritually into this cause as well. Our task today, tomorrow and each day which follows is to retain a keen sense of the rich past which we share, and then lean full force into what lies ahead.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Kindness A Soul Can Cling To

2010-03-11T15:40:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
March 7, 2010

We seem to live in a time and space where food, fashion, and fitness have become part of a new religion. This is not to say health isn’t important, it most certainly is. In an Associate Press article, writer Mark Sherman cited recent studies by the Journal of American Medicine, The Center For Disease Control and The Rand Corporation having found that in American culture obesity has nearly replaced smoking as the number one preventable cause of death. The article quotes Health and Human Services Secretary, Tommy Thompson recently, “We’re just too darn fat, ladies and gentleman, and we’re going to do something about it.” What is planned is a national campaign to educate people to eat more healthy food and less unhealthy food and to exercise more.

Another point of the article was that Congress is considering legislation to prevent obese Americans from suing the fast food industry for their condition, and the McDonald’s corporation ending the promotion of “Supersizing” fries and drinks. On the other side of this issue are recent studies which have shown that people can be both fat and fit and civil rights groups which claim discrimination against over-weight people in business and industry.

Which brings us to Isaiah 55:1-9. This passage is part of a segment found in third Isaiah where acting as the mouthpiece of God seeks to comfort the people in exile. This passage is an invitation to a banquet. Verse two is particularly interesting, “Harken diligently unto me and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in fatness.” Of course, lest we rush to the refrigerator, scholars tell us that the text is replete with metaphoric and symbolic language.

The food offered at this feast would be the spiritual variety. A sip of care, a bite of hope, a morsel of justice, the bread of loving kindness. The people were under extreme pressure and the prophet offers the spiritual refreshment which is necessary for faith to endure and grow. In essence the prophet is saying feast on the goodness of God, may your spirit be nourished by encountering the Holy.

During Lent, fasting can be part of the faith journey in our tradition. Another practice is refraining from eating favorite foods during the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Over the years I’ve given up cake, ice cream and soda pop. However, after considering Isaiah’s text I had a vision of a hot fudge sundae. It seemed quite spiritual to me.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91601

Be Somebody Because You Are

2010-03-02T14:54:00.001-08:00

REFLECTIONS
February 28, 2010

I have a colleague (now retired) whose father was a well known minister in another part of the country. My friend said he struggled with a sense of call, and then one day while on a college retreat, he became certain of his call by God to become a minister. On his next trip home he went to his father and told him of his call and his dad said, “Son do anything else if you can.” When my colleague shared this story, a fair number of those in the room did not understand why his father wasn’t overjoyed. Then the man said, “He simply wanted me to be sure, for if I wasn’t, the heartbreak would be devastating spiritually.” Like his father this fellow was an active Methodist minister for nearly five decades.

Isaiah 6:1-6, (9-13) is the call of Isaiah. There is somewhat of a formulae for the calling of an individual by God. God contacts either through angels or in person. The person demurs saying they cannot do what God is asking. This short list is: I’m too old, or young, I’m a woman, or I don’t speak well. For Isaiah, it is that he is one of ‘unclean lips,’ meaning he is a resolute sinner. The final action in the call involves God touching the person literally or spiritually and then reemphasizing the holy claim upon them. In this passage the lips of the prophet are touched and make him clean and thus worthy of becoming a mouthpiece for God.

To serve God is a tremendous gift, but the burden of such service is an individual awareness of human limitations while engaged in the work of so called holy thought and action. It is no wonder that to be called takes some convincing. For we all have our share of fears and doubts. The French author, Anatole France said of fears limiting our efforts; “To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” As for our limitations and shortcomings the late Sir Winston Churchill said it best with the phrase, “We are all worms, but I do believe I am a glow-worm.” The message therein, be it a call from God, a word from Isaiah, or thought provoking aphorisms from world leaders or artists is straightforward and direct. Be somebody, because we already are. Whether we feel like it or not in the name of love with potential and hope beyond measure we are each and every one of us, somebody.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

A Past, Present and Future Hope

2010-02-24T12:39:00.001-08:00

REFLECTIONS
February 21, 2010

We have just celebrated Valentine’s Day. To some, it’s a soporific celebration created by florists and the manufacturers of greeting cards and candies. To others, it’s a perfect day set aside to consider matters of the heart. A day when we claim the power, purity and possibilities found in hearts conditioned to hope and care.

The philosopher, Buckingham, wrote, “All true love is grounded on esteem,” and the thought does make sense. Our lives along with the signs of life around us in flora and fauna are signs and symbols of the esteem, the love and care God has for creation. The nurture, support, care and leading we receive from parents, friends, and family come because of the esteem in which we are held. While passion is certainly important in a committed relationship, psychologists have found long marriages have a common element in unconditional regard for the other’s welfare. That is, people who stay together hold each other in high esteem.

The love which comes from God and is best known through Jesus is AGAPE. It is a Holy type of love. The passionate love one feels for a mate is EROS. It is physical, yet in the best sense is emotionally and spiritually pure. The love which binds communities is called PHILIAL; as in Philadelphia, “The City of Brotherly Love.” Each of these loves and any other we know or define can only be effective when both the transmitter and receiver of love are open to the power of esteem.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Beyond the Casket of Selfishness

2010-02-17T11:55:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
February 7, 2010

Some years ago Tina Turner had a hit song with the words, “What’s love got to do with it? What’s love but a second hand emotion.” We know from her biography and interviews that this song was for entertainment purposes, and that in fact Ms. Turner has serious thoughts about how important love is as a source of hope and healing. If we look at the writing of Paul, we could easily say love has everything to do with it. For the apostle, even through bold and sometimes harsh exhortations to those his letters are addressed, opens and closes his epistles with words of loving care and encouragement. He dedicates the entire 13th chapter of his first letter to the people of Corinth to the concept of what it means to live a love-centered life, closing with the phrase, “So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

The late theologian, C. S. Lewis, spent thousands of words on hundreds of pages describing the concept in a book titled the Four Loves. He suggested the first love is Eros the love of attraction. This is the science of hormones where through biology and circumstance we become drawn to one another. He says the second love is Philial, a Greek term for love of another, as if they were brother or sister. Many of us in childhood experience a bond with a friend which becomes lifelong, and though no relation, these folks become family. The third word he uses is Storge, usually pronounced store jay, a Greek word for familial love. The family of origin, nuclear family, dysfunctional or otherwise they are our own. The character Sir Toby in Shakespear’s Twelfth Night expresses this when in frustration he fumes, “Am I not consanguineous? Am I not of her blood?” Illustrating the adage that while we may not choose them as friends; we are related by blood, they are family. Dr. Lewis spends a great deal of time with the fourth love which he calls Agape, the Greek word for Holy love, that transcendent gift we experience in the person and presence of Jesus. According to Lewis, it can never fully be ours because the power of God’s love is meant to be shared.

Still, talk of love is difficult for the simple notion that we are people who say we believe the Bible is the truth of the love of God, yet we feel free to use it as a tool to judge and often hate people who are different than ourselves. The Gospels record that a scribe, in an attempt to trick Jesus, asked what the greatest commandment was. Jesus in response issued two new commandments as the summation of all Mosaic law. “To love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.” The word on love, be it from Matthew, or Paul to the Corinthians, or in the voice of C. S. Lewis remains the same. It is all encompassing and its etymology can be traced to the heart of God.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Finding the Key to Awesome

2010-02-17T11:41:00.001-08:00

Reflections

February 14, 2010

Theologian Frederick Buechner offers some insight into the term Holy. In his book Wishful Thinking, he writes, "Only God is Holy, just as only people are human. God's holiness is part of his Godness. To speak of anything else as holy is to say that it has something to do with God's mark upon it. Times, places, things, and people can all be holy, and when they are, they are usually not hard to recognize."

To experience the holy in the terms the Reverent Buechner means is to look at our experiences differently. To look at those around us and even ourselves with uncommon expectations. Jesus moved throughout his ministry with just such a model of faithfulness. When healing, He focused not on disease but health and wholeness. When criticized for breaking the laws of faith, He reminded the people that laws were made to serve people, not the reverse; and the ultimate service was toward God. The people Jesus chose as disciples and later sent as apostles were folks who had seen holiness in him...in his speech, touch, manner and movement. We experience anew that holiness when we read the story of faith in Scripture. Be it the story of the patriarchs, the narrative of Bethlehem, the calling of the disciples or the letters of Paul to mission churches, we see and feel the holiness in the story. We fail as modern believers if we view it as something holy which happened. The holiness of God which Jesus spoke and the Bible records is happening still.

What does it mean to experience a holy moment? Most of us have had one if we take the time to remember. Births, baptisms, communion, weddings, funerals all provide opportunities for holy moments. However, holiness is not regulated to houses of worship or worship events. The beauty of a rainbow can be a holy moment. Wild flowers blooming in the desert are holy. The sun rising over the mountains is holy. The sun setting over the water is holy. You and I, if we dare, can be holy for each other and this world when we allow something of God's love to show in us.

Imagine if we looked at each other with reverent expectancy, counting on good and glorious things to come from each other. If you are one who believes holiness happens only in lofty surroundings, take the time to watch a child chase a butterfly or two old folks play chess. Holiness happens not because of us, but in spite of us because of God's grace in our midst.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald

First United Methodist Church

4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Why One Person Orchestras Aren't Popular

2010-01-26T12:14:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
January 24, 2010

Years ago, when playing little league baseball, a team I played on was pretty good but we could have been better. We never really played as a team in a cohesive sense because we had one player (actually our best player) who endeavored to play all nine positions at once. We won games, and even qualified for the playoffs, however, this one person team kept us individually and collectively from reaching our full potential. This happens in life and is certainly an element of Church life. Sometimes we become so involved in doing everything that we leave no room for others to be a part also.

What does it mean to belong to something greater than oneself? In his letter to the people of Corinth this is the central question Paul seeks to answer. After the church was established, the people began to break into groups, arguing over who was more spiritual. The Apostle spent a great deal of time addressing these issues in chapters eleven and twelve, culminating with his argument and instruction in chapter thirteen about the power of love to transform life.

In chapter 12:12-31a Paul uses the analogy of the human body to deflect dissension and create a sense of belonging within the community. He explores the understanding by stating that we cannot individually be the entire body, but only the part we have been created to be. Even the consideration of spiritual gifts limits our ability because spiritual gifts are different.

Paul insists that we have need of one another so that working together we become ‘the body of Christ’. A living symbol of God’s love lived in and through community. What makes this possible in faith communities is the knowledge that we are not called to compare gifts, or compete to see who is best among us. Rather, we are called to claim our gifts and work together that love might be known in ever new and mysterious ways.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Faith Means Less Theory and More Practice

2010-01-19T14:11:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
January 17, 2010

January 18th is a National holiday so designated in honor and memory of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The debate prior to the naming of this holiday was loud and long. It centered around the worthiness of Dr. King having a day named for him. His behavior as a man, an academic, a minister of the gospel and as a social force were all held up to public scrutiny. Even though, for some, questions of character remain; a day was named in honor of Dr. King with each state given the right to designate how to observe the day. Some states have chosen to ignore the day, citing crowded calendars, yet a case could be made for other issues at play.

The message of Dr. King was simple and powerful yet at its heart quiet. God is loving and just, and we are called to live toward those ideals. Dr. King lived and taught that we are to stand together in the name of love on matters of justice, care, and peace. For him, fair wages, voting rights, along with the right to ride, eat, drink, or sleep in a non-segregated environment were not matters of color, but matters of justice rooted in faith. God had called Martin as God had tapped his father before him. His message carried political implications, but was at its base Biblical and faithful to his Christian calling. While it is true he had a political profile, he remained throughout his life a pastor.

It was April 4th of 1968 when an assassin’s bullet killed Dr. King. He would be the first to remind us that the greatest Purveyor of Peace died at the hands of violence. That how Jesus lived is more significant than His death, because He live fully toward the will and reign of God. Our focus must be the will, the wonder, the work, and the way of Christ and not His death alone.

It seems to me that we will be doing well this January 21st, not merely remembering Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, but remembering the aim and ideals of his life. He lived fully toward the gospel of Jesus Christ and paid with his life for proclaiming what God called him to say and do. In memory of Dr. King and in honor of his faith and recognition of our commonness in Christ might we dare to dream; of more peaceable cities, states, and nations. Of standing up for what is right, just, loving, and holy, lest we fall for something less. Do we make the day just another day off, or do we pause and remember that it, and we count for something?

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Doing Right While the Sun Endures

2010-01-07T14:19:00.000-08:00

Reflections
January 3, 2010

We stand at the front edge of a new year with empty calendars and great expectations, wondering what the year will bring. Of course, none of us know for sure what the year will bring, but we can say with some certainty our expectations are a factor. If we go through life with low expectations, chances are our expectations will be met. However, if we choose to set high expectations, while there will be disappointments (even detractors critical of the lofty view) there is great joy in living fully to the best and brightest hopes.

John Wesley was an 18th century Anglican Priest who, along with his brother, Charles, began the Methodist movement in England and what were then the American Colonies. John Wesley believed in the power of the Spirit and the development of the mind, and to that end along with his brother used popular music with theological lyrics and small group common sense faith to change the face of religion in Europe and what would become the United States.

Two of his most famous rules seem worthy of sharing at the start of this year. On stewardship he wrote; "Earn all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can." On doing the work of faith as disciples he wrote; "Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the place you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can."

It has often been said that we might be the only Bible some individuals read, the only Sunday School some will experience is through our word and deeds. If this is true, then the question ever before us must be..Are the words we offer those of criticism or care? Are our actions born of judgment or grace? Is the time we offer God given instead of or along with our treasure? Are the relationships we build with faith communities born of conscience, commercial appeal or a commitment of the soul?

Of course, all of the above is easier said than done and I close with a story to illustrate. A fellow awoke early one Sunday and said to his sleepy wife, I don't think I will go to church today. I don't much care for the way worship is planned. Too many people sleep during the sermon and criticize the preacher afterward. The coffee at fellowship is weak and the conversation too strong. Another thing that bothers me; just then his wife elbowed him and said, your faith calls you to be loving not judgmental. The household of faith needs understanding not evaluation. Beside, you are their Pastor, Joey, now go and lead worship! With great expectations let's get on with God's work.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Locating Love is Not Complicated

2010-01-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

Reflections
December 27, 2009

In his book Leaving Home, Garrison Keillor has an essay titled, "Christmas Dinner." The story suggests that the primary function of Christmas gatherings is to argue politics, watch football and eat ourselves out of one wardrobe and into another. In a line which speaks volumes about his experience he writes, "You close your eyes and when you open them you could be six or you could be forty-two." For him the story of Christmas is something one can relate to and touch. The late theologian and Christian mystic, Dr. Howard Thurman takes a different approach. In his text, The Growing Edge, he writes of the mood symbol and quality" of Christmas, and of the "fullness of time," found in the person and ministry of Jesus. "As we look at the life of Jesus, we discover there was no great dazzling character to his daily living experience..." "He did a thousand little things, but all of them were infused with the most profound awareness of his life as a living instrument in the hands of God. He was available to God totally..." Thurman's point, and I dare say Keillor's, is hat the gift we are given by God in our Christmas tradition is remembrance. For all of Mr. Keillor's humor, one can sense in the weaving of his words the powerful bond he finds in relationships and how remembering Christmas dinner becomes more rich with the passage of time.

In faith, we remember that in the "fullness of time" God came to us in the person and presence of Jesus. In his life and ministry, Jesus shows us that love may have come down at Christmas, but it didn't stand still, rather it lives unto God and moves among people in real time.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Peace is Just One Kiss Away

2010-01-07T10:39:00.000-08:00

Reflections
December 20, 2009

Theologian, Frederick Buechner writes that before news can be good or bad it is simply news. According to the dictionary, news is previously unknown information. Originally news came to us in bits and pieces, traveling by whatever means available, then being dispersed by those in the community with credibility and once. From a town crier to a news paper then a telegraph, and finally a telephone, the news of the day sort of eased its way into our lives. In this day and age we are so enthralled with news that at any given moment one can turn on the TV or power up the internet and find more news and information than can possibly be absorbed. Whether it is good or bad is less relevant than the fact that anything one might want to know is available at anytime.

Jon Stewart is the host of The Daily Show. A popular talk and commentary program which reports current events with a marked comedic twist. Though the program offers disclaimers and Mr. Stewart touts the program as fake news, according to research, a growing segment of individuals eighteen to forty-nine cite this program as their main source for news. What this seems to be importing is that either a growing part to the viewing audience prefers entertainment over hard news, or more disturbing, there are people who would prefer manufactured as opposed to actual data.

In the Bible, the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are called gospels. The term according to scholars means good news. In each case, the writer brings their particular understanding of the goodness of God in Jesus. Mark is believed the earliest writing and John the last. Though the stories are different, written from the perspective of the authors, they are not manufactured and certainly not fake.

We hear news, view or read it, take it in, then factor the value we ascribe to it. Especially in Advent, we need to tell and retell the news of our faith. Mark, in the opening of his gospel shares the most important aspect of the reporting. Mark has no birth narrative, he begins with John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness. The power of their story is not John but his message which has two key elements. The first is don't focus on John, he is just the messenger. Hear the message that God calls us to a relationship of dynamic change. Secondly, the more powerful message is found in Jesus. We tell and retell the story not because we are slow or hard of hearing, but because in the repetition, the news becomes richer and a full blessing in ways unknown before.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Not What We Give But How We Live

2009-12-15T14:32:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
December 13, 2009

In his book, WISHFUL THINKING, A Seeker’s ABC, Fred Buechner shares the following about joy: “In the Gospel of John, Jesus sums up pretty much everything by saying. ‘These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.’ (John 15:11) He said it at the supper that he knew was the last one he’d have a mouth to eat. Happiness turns up more or less where you’d expect it to–a good marriage, a rewarding job, a pleasant vacation. Joy, on the other hand, is as notoriously unpredictable as the one who bequeaths it.”

In Philippians 4:4-6, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near, do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Philippi was a city in Macedonia. A stop along a main trade route in an east to west direction in the Roman Empire. Thessalonians and Acts record that from the beginning some had opposed the Church at Philippi. This was the first Church established by Paul on European soil.

What is unique in this text is that Paul is emphatic in his instruction to live joyfully. So deliberate is his message, that he repeats himself. He encourages believers to a joyful, gentle, confident, response to whatever life brings. These words of encouragement are written while Paul himself is under house arrest. Which is a polite way of saying he is in prison.

Paul knew something the early believers didn’t, and we latter day followers too often forget. A life of faith is joy-filled. Though never devoid of detractors, opposition, pain, suffering, even death; a life in Christ is unique and unlike any we have known before. For Paul, a life of faith is a hope-filled, heaven-bound, joyous journey. In other words, anything put predictable. Perhaps he repeated his words not for emphasis, but because he sensed how quickly we forget!

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Finding Our Way to Christmas

2009-12-09T11:59:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
December 6, 2009

Have you ever seen something that was there all along, but in some way you’ve just witnessed it for the first time. This is a bit like what happened to the religious leaders in Jerusalem when they went to see John the Baptist, as recorded in John. Though they were well aware of the prophetic stories in Isaiah foretelling of a messenger to come before the Messiah, either John or his message was not what they had in mind. When they came upon him they asked who he was and he told them he was not the Messiah. In Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Bible the story continues, they pressed him, “Who, then? Elijah?” “I am not”. “The prophet?” “No.” Exasperated they said, “Who then? We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something, anything about yourself.” “I’m thunder in the desert. ‘Make the road straight for God!’ I’m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached.”

Have you ever been in the desert during a thunder storm? Before the thunder comes a great light. This shines nearly bright as day. It is both awesome and revealing. Here John says that after the thunder he preaches, an even greater light will be revealed, but implicit in the narrative is that the people need a certain level of patience. The Bible story indicates this was not the case. To see something in a new light is the work of a patient soul, this in large measure is what Advent is all about. Think of Advent as a time of anticipation to be in deep thought considering all the facets of the powerful gift we are given at Christmas. However, somewhere along the way the prelude to the party which Advent was intended to be has become an extension of Christmas. It seems we throw out the Halloween pumpkins and immediately put up the Christmas lights. The malls and radio stations seem to play nothing but Christmas music from Thanksgiving on.

Early in my professional ministry (as opposed to the ministry we each are called as believers) armed with the high powered theological education I had acquired, I worked diligently to keep the seasons of Advent and Christmas clear and distinct within the context of worship. Then I began to note what the Bible records as murmuring. That bit of recreational griping which occurs when people are unhappy. On the second or third Sunday when we had not yet sung a Christmas carol, a parishioner or two would ask when this might happen. I would explain this was a separate season, sometimes even write an article on the theology and rationale. Yet every year this same pattern occurred. A beloved member faxed a list of favorite Christmas carols. This included Away in a Manger to Jingle Bell Rock. It was at this point I consulted a higher power. This is to say a more seasoned pastor. After listening to my story, my friend said the following, “Joey we both went to the same graduate school and received the same theological and liturgical training. What I have learned is that people want to sing Christmas carols. So we sing them early and we sing them all. Remember there is ample evidence Jesus was a Leo rather than a Sagittarian. Besides, the Advent and Christmas seasons are the greatest in terms of giving, so why not sing every one and be blest.” Who needs lightning or thunder when you have an old sage with a pen light pointing the way from rigid interpretation to a loving understanding of what Advent might actually be about?

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Online Spiritual Orders Cost Less

2009-12-03T10:36:00.000-08:00

Reflections

Advent is an “in the meantime” event in the life of the Church. It is a time of waiting, a time of anticipation. On the calendar, it occupies the four Sundays between the last Sunday of Pentecost and the first Sunday of Christmastide. During this time we are invited to consider the coming of Christ into the world in the telling and remembering of the birth narrative of Jesus; through recalling the lives of Joseph and Mary. In the comparison and contrast of John the Baptist’s story we are given enough information to formulate an opinion. Ultimately, that opinion becomes a question.

What impact did the coming of Jesus have? The quick answer is we haven’t enough time or space to cover the impact of Jesus. The teachings, healings, miracles, and love of Jesus have lasted two thousand years and touched countless lives. The greater questions yet remain... What does his coming mean to you and me, here and now? What difference has this Babe in the manger made? What difference does the Carpenter from Nazareth make; even here, even now?

Perhaps the greatest question is what difference are we willing to allow Jesus to make in our lives? What burdens are we willing to let loose of? What healing are we willing to accept? What miracles are we willing to believe in? How much of his love are we willing to claim for ourselves? Our expectations can be as high as we choose.

In the season of anticipation, consider the gifts given in love, forgiveness, acceptance by the One known as Immanuel. There is no question that the gifts are given freely. Acceptance of God’s graciousness is a question we each must answer with our hearts.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Gospel According to Leonard Cohen

2009-11-24T13:53:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
November 22, 2009

Do you ever have the experience of reading something and hearing it as song? Better still have you looked at something and then realize in the visual, something which made the experience more rich? Several months ago while choosing scripture for worship, I read I Samuel 1:4-20. It is the story of Hannah going to the Temple at Shiloh to pray that God might give her relief from her barrenness. The priest of the temple, Eli, who upon witnessing her immersed in prayer assumes she is a drunken prostitute, and confronts her. Hannah protests and begins to explain her petition, however, the Priest either in mercy or perhaps it was embarrassment tells her that the prayer is answered. She leaves the burden lifted, the double blessing is in the next chapter, her pregnancy and birth of her son, Samuel, is told through a song she sings in chapter 2:1-10. This song of Hannah is one which Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew by heart and she would use this as the pattern for her own song about the birth of her Son, recorded in the first chapter of Luke’s gospel.

When I read the exchange between Hannah and the Priest Eli, the words became as music. Not a traditional hymn or lite lyrical piece, rather I heard the words as a Leonard Cohen song. If you think you don’t know his work, you are probably wrong. He is a prolific songwriter and many artists have recorded his music. His voice for some may be an acquired taste, however, I find his style moving and deeply spiritual. He writes and sings with a precision and edge which explores life fully, and freely exposes its flaws and quirks.

Hannah is the barren yet favored wife of Elkanah. His other wife Peninnah belittles and badgers Hannah making her life miserable. Hannah has come to the temple seeking relief from the torment and if a miracle is possible, a son to call her own. The priest is a doofus (a technical theological term) but not without power as God’s agent in Shiloh. When Hannah leaves that temple, she knows something is different but is not aware of exactly what transpired. Which brings me that question of seeing and not fully experiencing.

A while back Sue and I were having coffee at an outdoor mall. While talking, we took notice as a young family came out onto the patio. A mom, dad, perhaps an uncle and two little girls perhaps three and five years old. The girls began dancing immediately. They heard the music I had been deaf to or at least ignoring. Sue and I looked at each other and laughed as they danced with wild abandon, emitting a freedom I simply don’t recall.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Salvation Is Not An Equation, But A Process

2009-11-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
November 8, 2009

A past L. A. Times article told of a football player’s struggles to balance a new marriage, along with school work and sports. The part of this story that is unique was how he came to play football. Having grown to early adolescence in a country where football was not played, he tried out for a soccer team and knew something was different when he was given a helmet. How he came to the United States in the first place was quite unusual, along with what his family left behind.

His father was a successful businessman in Egypt, but fearing his children would be at a disadvantage in choices for schools and jobs, he brought his family to America. Christianity is a minority religion in Egypt and its adherents are at a marked disadvantage when applying to colleges and seeking employment.

The father had money and position, but he knew his children would not have an equal opportunity, so he left his homeland bringing only what little they could carry and very little money. Since coming to the U. S., he has supported his family by working fifty hours a week in a gas station for minimum wage. Instead of enjoying the fruits of his labor, he sacrificed his wealth and in some measure his health for his children.

In terms of fiscal management this story is a disaster. For a middle-aged man to leave a successful business and money in the bank for an uncertain future seems silly at best. On the other hand, from a standpoint of spiritual management, this story is awesome. In the story, the son spoke of how overwhelmed he is by the generosity of his dad. He is committed to doing his best in school and in sports not because he hopes to become a professional football player, but because he desires to live toward the gift he has been given.

We come now to the end of another financial campaign. Letters have been written, words of encouragement given, each intended to inspire and enliven our sense of stewardship. The questions ever before us, in terms of stewardship, is what does generous giving look like? For some it is easy, generosity has to do with decimal points and the number of zeros following. For others, it has to do with human care and commitment, the kind having been paid by the saints of history. In this body of believers many, and many more unknown, have risked greatly in terms of dollars and faith for us to be where we are now.

In the story just shared about the football playing Egyptian, one thing is fair to assume. If asked what generosity looked like, the son would say, “just like my dad.” Long ago a pledge was written in a language we don’t understand by Someone whose motives confused the world and overwhelm us still. How silly are we to think we can cover that generosity with what we have in the bank.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Rest When You're Dead, Do Something Now

2009-11-03T13:44:00.000-08:00

Reflections
November 1, 2009

Under the guise of scholarship, thoughtful individuals seek to know and explain the mysteries of life. Therefore, we know the why of rainbows involve ambient moisture and refracted light. Moreover, the Biblical concept becomes interesting upon finding the creation story is tied to a tradition five thousand years old and the earth is several billion years old. How then do we reconcile a six day creation?

Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because in tone, text, and tenor they have much in common. The Gospel of John however stands apart. John offers no birth narrative or manger scene. The Jesus in this Gospel is said to have been with God at creation. John uses imagery to describe Jesus. We are told Jesus is Word, Flesh, and Light. John shares the power of Jesus' ministry in teaching and through miracles, but especially in the stories of healing. Without equivocation or regard to status Jesus heals. Insider or outcast it makes no difference. The Sabbath or not, John tells us Jesus has no concern about convention, his care is for the hearts and souls of the people.

In Chapter 11:1-45 Jesus is called to heal his friend Lazarus of Bethany. He is the brother of Mary and Martha and they have sent word of need. Yet before Jesus arrives Lazarus dies. Mary and Martha alternate between chastising Jesus for coming too late to heal their brother, and celebrating what they assume is the final resurrection when Jesus tells them Lazarus will be raised.

The power of the story is found first in the depth of emotion Jesus shows when told of the death of his friend. Scholars can discern this because the word used for those who week with Mary in verse 32, and the words used for Jesus weeping in verse 35 are different. The first having to do with a public kind of expression the second having to do with personal sorrow. Secondly, the true power of this passing is seen not in the raising of Lazarus, but in the expectation Jesus shares and John records. Jesus expects believers to find life in him, and to share that life with others. The love of God intends for us to be engaged in a life that begets a loving creation.

So do things need to be explained? As a young man an incident happened that caused me to think I needed to explain it in detail to some people close to me. I sought the advice of my dad and he said never explain yourself to those who care about you because they don't need it, and those who don't care about you have already made up their mind. Speaking of my dad, he loved rainbows; as a child when I asked him where they came from, he said the Bible. They are a visual promise of God's presence with us. It should come as no mystery that each and every time I see a rainbow, my father, thought dead since 1985, is very much alive in my heart.

Where we get stuck as modern people is with the notion of resurrection. We want empirical evidence, and seek to unravel the mystery of how and why? John's Gospel does not explain; it simply tells the story. Lazarus slept. Jesus wept. The crowd unbound and wondered.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church, 4832 Tujunga Ave.,
No.Ho., CA 91601

Of Braying Mules and Blessed Bluebirds

2009-10-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
October 25, 2009

Scholars believe that Psalm 34 and Job 42 are related in some manner. The words from Job follow a pattern of his consultants and family, harping after him like a herd or braying jackasses, that the evil which has befallen him has to be of his own doing, while Job insists his heart is pure, and a fair hearing by God will resolve the situation. Conversely, the Psalmist writes openly of God’s protective ways. In verse eight the Psalmist states, “O taste and see the Lord is good, happy are those who take refuge in him.” Then to underscore this gift in verse nineteen, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all. He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken.” The author takes a spiritual dilemma, and evokes an incantation of birdsong.

Have you ever been in a tight spot, feeling the pounding of your blood in your temples, the tightness in your throat at the thought of speech, the emergence of pain at the thought of movement? Then stepping outside because the air inside would not move through your lungs, you hear it. A chirp, two tweets, a trill, and then a full blown symphony coming directly to you from the sidewalk, between the stale cigarette butts and the old residue of squashed gum. The source is a little bird with a lung capacity smaller than a dime, and a beak so tiny a cracker crumb would fill it. Yet her voice is so powerful and pure that it drowns out traffic on one of the busiest streets in the city. All you had been burdened by a few moments ago has evaporated, the only interest now is to sit and absorb the musical gift at hand.

So it is each day in life. Do we succumb to the nagging negativity? To those who drone on about what is wrong with the world? Might we instead tilt our heads and tune our ears to the dissonant voice of hope in the midst of our fears, calling us to leave our seats and join in the dance of grace in the name of the One we know as love. When given the choice each day of being either a jackass or a bluebird, the choice seems most obvious. Yet for some of us the distance between Eeyore and middle E is a bit too close for comfort.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Know Weaknesses But Live Strenghts

2009-10-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS

October 18, 2009

Years ago in a psychology class, as an assignment, each student had to take a personal inventory exam. There was a variety of such exams by various authors, but the general purpose was to sort out personality tendencies and learning styles, and then seek for ways to improve one’s effectiveness professionally. The pattern to the exam was to ask questions about perceived strengths, then weaknesses, finally moving to hopes, dreams, or aspirations. Most people struggle with the notion of exploring weakness. After all, who among us is unaware of our most minuscule personal weakness?

Everyone has some strengths to draw from. The difficulty is how to keep latent fears from surfacing thereby causing strengths to be undermined by perceived weakness. Too great a focus on weakness would seem to perpetuate weakness rather than nurture strength. At worst it can undermine the fibre of who and what we are about. It is essential to keep perspective in life especially with regard to self and abilities. A few months ago I read a story about personal success in which the game of Baseball was used as an illustration. The phrase as I recall it was, “What do you call a hitter who gets a hit in one of three attempts? A multimillionaire.” This is true because a ballplayer who gets a hit just one third of the time is batting over three-hundred which translates into a very lucrative contract.

What might this have to do with you and me and the price of peanuts? Just about everything. More recently I was watching a baseball game and the commentators mentioned the player next to bat had no success against the pitcher. They spoke a great deal about the fact that he had not gotten a hit in fifteen previous at bats. They continued this when he entered the batter’s box, but before they could go on he hit the second pitch for a single allowing the winning run to score. When asked after the game if he was aware of this statistic, he answered, “Of course, but I am paid to hit the ball not lament my previous efforts, so that is what I did.” While we are not paid to believe, part of our strength is the wealth we find in a spiritual existence and the knowledge that if we allow, God brings out the best in us. Life is not about winning in the sporting sense, and we may never be able to hit a curve ball. However, a desire to strive to be engaged in life in the name of love each day does sound like a winning proposition.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Laity Sunday

2009-10-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
October 11, 2009

Most lay persons do not spend a great deal of time thinking about their ministry. They leave what they consider ministry to clergy. After all clergy are set aside for Ordination by local congregations. Clergy are educated at fine graduate theological schools, examined and credentialed by Boards of Ordained Ministry and ordained by Bishops at Annual Conferences. However, it would be a huge mistake to underestimate the Ministry of the Laity. In the sixteenth century Martin Luther turned the religious world on its ear when, while leading the Protestant Reformation, he announced the order of “The Priesthood of All Believers.” By this he meant that all who believed by virtue of their faith had a holy obligation to act in ministry. What he declared in fairly clear terms was the future of the Church, in terms of community and institution, belonged not to the sanctified in the pulpits, but to the saints in the pews.

In the past twenty years or so, experts in congregational development looking over statistical data regarding church growth have begun to notice Pastors do not necessarily make churches grow. While it would be too simple to say pastoral leadership has nothing to do with church growth, there is a more powerful singular element. This would be the congregation. The numbers show that more than eighty percent of the time people come to a house of worship because they have been invited. Of course, some come because they see something in terms of advertisement or outreach in the newspaper or on television. More importantly, people stay with a congregation and get involved because they feel a sense of invitation, to be involved and find a way to express their gifts in ministry.

You will notice that brilliant preaching, programs, or outstanding music were not the primary draws. A theology of hospitality, along with a caring and nurturing atmosphere are the most powerful elements necessary for a dynamic congregation. My mentor in early ministry had a favorite saying regarding the primary relationship between lay persons and clergy. “The primary task between a pastor and a congregation is to be partners in the gospel.” This simple phrase has served me well and blessed me enormously.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Do You Have A God Tattoo?

2009-10-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
October 4, 2009

Some behavior theorists believe we are the sum total of our life experiences. For example, I am a child of the sixties. This is the decade where I came to full maturity. This was a time of rebellion against authority and cultural norms. Rebellion against my parents seemed silly to me because I liked them. The long hair and different clothes, I rather liked. I still do. However, I admit a certain gratitude that no pictures of me in a silk paisley shirt, or cranberry cords with pink patch pockets has survived.

We have a myriad of ways to mark events in our lives. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, all are tied to dates on a calendar. We make note of these events year after year. Of course, the dates are not always positive. Yet they leave their mark on our hearts just the same. Those of us who have been around long enough can name dates such as November 22, 1963, April 4, 1968, June 4, 1968, September 11, 2001. These months and years book mark sad times in the collective heart and mind of this country. If you were around for any of the dates, you remember exactly where you were.

Events whether personal or global mark us. They leave something of the time and we carry it forward with us as we journey. The author of Hebrews writing to new converts to Christianity speaks mostly about the superiority of the Christian to other religious traditions. The writer shares the concept of a “spiritual imprint,” opening the letter with these words: “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days God has spoken to us by a Son, whom God appointed heir of all things, through who God also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being and he sustains all things by his powerful word.” The words were meant as formative training for the emerging first century churches. They were to pattern themselves after the life of Jesus, and in so doing their lives would be imprinted.

This pattern exists yet today. For when we gather to worship both individually and corporately, our hope is to experience holiness. We seek the touch of God in the hymns and prayers. This is especially true in the sacrament of Communion. In the breaking of the bread and sharing of the cup, we claim the real presence of Christ with us at table. If we take this seriously, how can we not be imprinted by love, marked by grace, or touched by a holy hope?

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Prayer Is An Answer Not A Question

2009-09-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
September 27, 2009

I was taught a very common children’s prayer as a child, “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake. I pray the Lord my soul to take.” The prayer would continue with a series of God bless mom, dad, brother, sister, dog, cat and any other elements a young mind could think of to add. While modern spiritual formation tells us this probably is not the best prayer to teach a youngster it was easily memorized and frequently taught. My favorite prayer was the grace before meals. “God is good, God is great, we thank thee for this daily food by your hands we all are fed, we thank you for this daily bread, Amen.” The point for me was to say the prayer in one sentence with one breath in less than ten seconds if possible. At first these prayers seem formulaic, pedantic, over simplistic, or any number of critical thoughts which one may care to lift. However, at least someone took the time to teach them.

In my late teens as I was struggling with a call to ministry, (which I eventually answered in my mid-twenties) my mother asked me about my prayer life. I shared that it was much the same as she had taught me as a child. She shared that there was much more to prayer as an adult. More important still, she talked to me about her own prayer life and then helped me begin to form a more mature approach to prayer. When my mother prayed, she spoke directly to God as if she had immediate access. She prayed as one seeking advise and council. She was confident and trusting as if speaking to a friend. These were concepts I had not considered before. She made clear what she was asking for in prayer. Guidance from God for her and her family, and for a sense of protection, calm and council not things or possessions, but divine care for family, community and country. She later told me of a time when we were moving from Dearborn, Michigan to Connecticut about praying for the sale of the family home and promising more than a tithe to the Church. I asked if it worked. She said before I prayed we had no offers, and afterward we had two. I asked if she gave the money to the Church and she said you know I did, I gave my word to God. When I suggested that this was a bit like asking for money, she was quick to say to the contrary. I wasn’t seeking material gain except for the purpose of caring for my family. When I asked about the donation she smiled and said “I gave the money to the pastor, in cash.” I said how do you know the money went to the Church? My mom laughed out loud and said, “Silly, my prayer was to give the money to God not a minister. In my heart that is what was done.”

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Is A Cauliflower A Cabbage With A PHD?

2009-09-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

Reflections

September 20, 2009

What does it mean to be wise? Is it like art or pornography, individual in that we know it when we see it? Perhaps it is like good food, we know it when we experience it. According to the dictionary, wisdom (that is to be wise) is "characterized by marked deep understanding, keen discernment, and a capacity for sound judgment." At some level though experiencing wisdom involves perspective.

The author, Mark Twain, allegedly said of his father, "At seventeen I couldn't believe how stupid he was; then at twenty one I was amazed at how much the old man had learned." Whether true or not, Twain had different experiences of his father over time. One might say he experienced wisdom. At the very least, he wised up.

The Book of Proverbs is from the part of the Bible known as Wisdom Literature. This part of the Scripture contains poetry, aphorisms, and religious sayings. All intended to enlighten and inform people of faith. The sayings on love and service which Jesus used, along with his teachings in parables, reflect his understanding of wisdom literature.

It is true one can grow through wise sayings and learning, Biblical and otherwise. In Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar Mr. Twain writes, "Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education." Later in the text he writes, "Put all your eggs in the one basket and - WATCH THAT BASKET." Wise and thought provoking sayings.

Modern Biblical scholars have taken time to explain that throughout Proverbs wisdom is referred to in the feminine gender. Specifically, wisdom is a woman. Once author has taken the time to explain the sense of this thinking, by extolling the virtues of women's intuition and nurturing qualities. Another simply suggests that God was merely using a first person pronoun in the Proverbs reference. In a moment of enlightenment, I believe it sound judgment to end this reflection now. This wisdom stuff is grand!

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Banner Over Us Is Love

2009-09-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
September 13, 2009

Psalm 19 is a hymn to God as creator of the universe and the origin of the Law. Much powerful music has been penned to illustrate this concept. Three which illustrate these ideas are found in our United Methodist Hymnal. The first stanza of How Great Thou Art, (written by Stuart Kine in 1953) reads “O Lord my God: when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.” There needs to be in the heart of every believer a sense of wonder, a willingness to appreciate the power of creation.

Another popular hymn which illustrates this understanding of the creative spirit is the hymn, Morning Has Broken, (written by Eleanor Farjeon and arranged by Carlton Young). The middle verse finds the words: “Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven, like the first dew fall on the first grass. Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, sprung in completeness where his feet pass.” Here the import of the message seems to be that in God, creation is whole, full and right. The law of life is found not in judgment, but in the creative and enduring movement of God.

The words to Be Thou My Vision, (translated from ancient Irish by Mary E. Byrne in 1905 and arranged by Carlton Young in 1963) have in them the implicit sense of law found in Psalm 19. The opening verse is so powerful and forthright: “Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

We so often see the work of law as a literal event as in the black and white of the printed page. However, Biblically law is bound in relationship. This is the nature of Covenant; at base, a simple form of contract. God says, “I will be your God, if you agree to be my people.” While there are commandments set forth in writing, even in stone, the bonding agent, the signature and seal in the hymns we sing cannot be legalistic tones set in concrete. Rather they must be rooted in love and bound for heaven, for the glory of God must be told indeed.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

It's Not Just The Way It Is

2009-09-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
September 6, 2009

Mark 7:24-37 contains two stories of healing. Jesus is in the region of Tyre. He enters a home seeking some quiet and rest, having just argued with the Pharisees over tradition and cultural practice. He tells them plainly in verse eight “You leave plainly the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.” The text records that immediately (a word Mark used more than any other Gospel writer) a woman appears at the door begging that Jesus heal her young daughter who is demon possessed. The story tells us she is a Syrophoenician and a woman. For these reasons alone Jesus would normally have nothing to do with her. In fact he refers to the possibility of attending to her needs as an act of throwing the food for the children of Israel to the dogs. The woman persists arguing that even dogs deserve crumbs which have fallen from the table. In verse twenty-nine Jesus says, “For saying that, you may go- the demon has left your daughter.” When the woman went home she found her daughter healed. Vs30

The other story in this passage finds Jesus in the region of the Decapolis. (a federation of ten cities in eastern Palestine) Here people bring to Jesus a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. They beg him to heal the man. Jesus takes the man aside and heals him in private. Jesus then commands those witnessing the healing to remain quiet about it. They of course do not.

These healing stories appear in a slightly different form in Matthew 14:21-28. In Mark they appear between very public feeding miracles found in chapter six and eight. The significance seems to be that in the face of cultural norms and practices, the love of God pushes us to move in mercy. In both the healing stories in Mark it appears at first glance that Jesus is reluctant to heal. However, when pressed his emphasis in always loving kindness. In a liturgy from the 1964 Methodist Hymnal there is a Communion prayer which parallels the woman’s response in Mark. “We do not presume to come to this thy table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to partake of this Sacrament of thy Son, Jesus Christ, that we may walk in newness of life, may grow into his likeness, and may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen” (p832)

What is so powerful in the words from Mark is the simple fact they show Jesus changing his mind. When given the option of judging the woman as unclean and unworthy because she is female and a foreigner, Jesus will not do so. When given the opportunity to make a spectacle of healing Jesus chooses to keep it quiet. Each of us with more than ten minutes service in the Church have some very concrete ideas as to the what and how of church organization in general and spiritual practice in specifics. What we see in the model of Jesus is a fluidity of faith and practice which confuses and frightens us if we are honest.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Art Of Seeing And Saying Goodness

2009-09-02T11:48:00.000-07:00

Reflections
August 30, 2009

When growing up I remember my parents saying often, "If you don't have anything good to say about someone, remain silent." Though they didn't always practice this to perfection, neither did they go out of their way to disparage others with mean spirited evaluations.

We live in a time and space where everyone is a critic. All that is needed is a computer and an opinion. Instead of the old forum of writing letters to persons who have offended or to the editor of a local paper, people can now post their comments in an ongoing online format. This means of communication is powerful, and at times effective in terms of negative impact. This is true in part because people are in general more inclined to share negative thoughts and attitudes, especially if they can remain anonymous which is possible from a computer. This literary action is known as blogging, and while possible in the affirmative, for the most part seems to be action reserved for those who live by the power of negative thinking.

While the author of Psalm 45 writes in an open and unrestrained manner, the method and means of the writing is to lift high the positive aspects of human existence. The verses are filled with superlatives extolling God's blessings upon the subject of this Psalm.

What we say and sometimes what we may fail to say, speaks volumes about what we believe. Though we carry with us every wound and slight which has come our way, we need not be bound to, or burdened by such baggage. The love of God calls us to look beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary promise carried in God's love for us. We have a choice each day our feet hit the floor. Will we choose to be harbingers of superficial criticism, or ambassadors of superlative care and love?

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Webers, Oroweat, Or Jesus?

2009-08-25T11:32:00.000-07:00

Reflections
August 23, 2009

One of my favorite hymns for Communion is One Bread, One Body. An original composition by John B. Foley written in 1978. It appears on page 620 of The United Methodist Hymnal. Using 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; Galatians 3:28 and 1 Corinthians 12, Mr. Foley provides a beautiful musical setting for understanding the meaning of a gathered community.

The refrain of the hymn both invites into and offers us a way to live. One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessing which we bless. And we, though many throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord."

When we gather in worship, we each bring (as the tortoise) our very lives on our backs. We come from different places with different frames of reference, and different understandings and perhaps expectations of life. Yet, we come with a common hunger. A similar hope. A like desire. We seek to nourish a spiritual need. We want to know the will of God for ourselves. We yearn to be more complete as people of faith. In worship, (especially when we celebrate Communion), we can accomplish all of those things and more.

We come knowing all have been invited. The Open Table we celebrate as United Methodists is based in the belief that the invitation comes not from the household of faith but from The Lord of Life. We come knowing we are not alone. Others, like ourselves, frail, and fractured people, come seeking grace and assurance. We, are believers within the Body, stand with and for one another; thus strengthening the fabric of faith, individually and corporately. We come knowing our differences make no difference to God. Our ancestry, income, real estate holdings, schooling, or station in life is not the question God asks of us. Whether we seek justice and act in loving kindness is more likely.

When we gather in One Spirit, one in God, we can become one in deed, indeed. Then we, as many, can go throughout the earth proclaiming the hope of a God who gathers us at table, then sends us forth to share the love and hope we have known in the breaking of the bread and sharing of the cup.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Your Heart's a Jukebox, God Has The Quarters

2009-08-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

Reflections
August 16, 2009

In the play, Twelfth Night, by Shakespeare, the line is uttered "If music be the food of love play on." Indeed music would seem to be that which nourishes humanity. Old songs can bring back memories. Love songs can bring a tear to an eye. Music has a way of getting inside of us and sometimes comes out whether we want it to or not. Sociologists tell us that all societies and cultures have a central place for music especially in the gathered community. For those within the faith tradition this meant gathering and singing the Psalms. As modern worshipers this might seem a bit arcane, yet this was the common style of liturgical worship until the sixteenth century. At this time in the throws of the Protestant Reformation new styles of music began to be written and performed for Church settings.

As you might imagine not everyone was delighted with the "New Music." This is no less true today. Every once in a while a person will ask why we sing modern music in Church. The answer is twofold. First, if all the music we sing is from a long past century, we are liable to forget the era in which we reside, and more importantly, if we are to witness to the current generation we must do so in a manner relevant to modern ears. "Be though my Vision" is a moving hymn to me. It was part of the liturgy used when I was ordained so it touches me deeply every time I sing it. "Star Child," from The Faith We Sing hymnal is a Christmas hymn which I cannot sing without tearing up. Another from The Faith We Sing hymnal which touches me is "Cry of My Heart." Composer Terry Butler writes: "Teach me your holy ways, O Lord, so I can walk in your truth. Teach me your holy ways, O Lord, and make me wholly devoted to you. (The refrain) It is the cry of my heart to follow you. It is the cry of my heart to be close to you. It is the cry of my heart to follow all of the days of my life."

There exists within notes and lyrics a transformative and mysterious element. How else can I explain that at certain times, in certain seasons, when I sing certain songs I hear my parents' voices and sense their very presence. The why of music having such power is not very complicated for me. It seems to me that the gift of song is one bestowed on creatures by our creator. An internal blessing which when fed by grace comes out naturally.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Of Dust Bunnies And Designer Faith

2009-08-12T10:15:00.000-07:00

Reflections
August 9, 2009

In Ephesians 4:25-5:2 we see how to, what for and why of Paul's understanding with regard to faith and practice. He is writing to a community struggling with pagan practices and other believers who believe their teaching is greater than his.

Paul begins by telling the readers what to do in faithfulness. Don't lie, steal or use anger inappropriately. For by behaving differently, believers distinguish themselves from those living falsely. In addition, he urges believers to not grieve the Spirit. His understanding being that the Spirit protects and nurtures believers, thus inappropriate behavior would interfere with the work of the Spirit. He includes, in the instruction, the suggestion that people of faith are to imitate God in the way they respond to life.

Charles Caleb Colton, the nineteenth century English minister, authored the phrase, "Imitation is the sincerest of flattery." Since flattery can be defined as insincere, of excessive praise stemming from self-interest, why would the Holy need our imitation of flattery? Of course God needs neither from us. However, when we repeat in our daily existence, the love, grace, and forgiveness we have known from God; the blessings of faith become real. When we act as forgiven people and in turn forgive others, healing happens and hope abounds. When we act as if we are loved and treat those around us with love; the atmosphere in which we live becomes more rich and full.

We are called, according to Paul, to imitate God, not to become godlike but to become more human, effective and able as children of God. In the retail world, copies of expensive items are called "knock offs," a polite word for a good fake. The love of God made real in Jesus is meant to inspire real change in us and from us. Anything less is a poor imitation.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Between A Baker and The Bread of Life

2009-08-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

Reflections
August 2, 2009

What is the most nourishing thing we can do each day? Health and nutrition experts tell us we need to start each day with a good breakfast. In the movie Forrest Gump the main character runs across the United States and back. A news reporter asks about his routine and Forrest responds in a simple thoughtful manner that he sleeps when tired, eats when hungry and breaks for the rest room when needed. Without elaboration or profundity we are told how the journey is possible.

The life and ministry of Jesus works just so. In the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus, after feeding the five thousand in Galilee, is followed to Capernaum by a large crowd. When they ask him how long he has been there his response is unusual. "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life..." vv. 26-27

So begins the saying, "there is no free lunch." Jesus reminded the listeners that the signs and wonders they witnessed did not impress them as much as the dividing of the loaves and fishes. He goes on to say that "the bread of life," he offers endures long past the need for physical sustenance.

We've all seen the bumper sticker or kitchen magnet that says, "Life is a journey not a destination." This scripture passage reminds us that this is especially true for a life of faith. Too often we become stuck by what we believe we can or cannot do, or locked into an understanding chiseled in stone leaving no room for revealed truth, forgiveness or hope.

We all need bread for the journey of life. I personally need ice cream and peanut butter cookies as well. For nourishment in our daily walk of faith, all that is required is the Bread of Heaven and our open hearts willing to partake. Now let's eat!

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Love Makes a Difference, Imagine That

2009-07-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

Reflections
July 26, 2009

In defining love as a noun, Webster's Dictionary writes, "1. strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties (maternal for a child) 2. attraction based on sexual desire, affection, and tenderness felt by lovers 3. affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interest..." When defining love as a verb Webster's writes, "1. to hold dear; cherish 2. to feel a lover's passion, devotion, or tenderness for 3. to like or desire actively..."

The Gospels record that when pressed on the greatest commandment of God, Jesus responded with two above all others. "And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, to test him. Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" And he said to him, "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." Mt. 22:35-40

For Jesus, the law of love is clear. People of faith are people of active devotion. We are to love God in a demonstrative manner. Our inner most selves are to be set toward the One who created us. The thoughts, hopes, and dreams we have are to actively reflect the love we have for God. Likewise, we are to love those in our midst as we love ourselves. This is a little more difficult. First, because self love and self indulgence share a continent with common borders. Self nurture and narcissism can be cruel partners. Furthermore, we live in a time of comparisons which can lead to self loathing more readily than self liking. Advertisements drown us with stark reminders of our imperfections. We see perfect models in perfect clothes in perfect surroundings enticing us to be uncomfortable with who we are, and perhaps loathe those who seem so perfect, or ourselves because we are not.

The Law of Love to which Jesus pointed is perfect because it is rooted in the Holy. God did not create us to be perfect. We are who we are, cellulite, spare tires, warts, and all; God's creatures. The object of God's desire created in love to be creatively loving. The difficulty, of course, is getting it through our delicate psyches that if God loves us that we might consider loving God back, and perhaps love ourselves and those around us. However, defining love or contemplating it is much easier than acting on it.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Does Jesus Twitter?

2009-07-29T09:38:00.001-07:00

Reflections
July 19, 2009

There is a saying that when we talk to God it is considered prayer, however, when we find God talking to us we are considered addled. I can say with some confidence that most mature people of faith have a few stories to tell around these issues. In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul is dealing with new believers who are receiving a great deal of spiritual information all at once, and not all of it from reliable sources.

Paul set out first to remind the community at Ephesus that they started out not knowing God, and it is only through the way of Jesus that their minds and hearts have been opened to another possible way to live. The phrasing he uses is almost poetic, “Remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise... but now you who were once far off have been brought near by his love. So then you are no longer strangers or aliens, but citizens along with the saints and also members of the household of God..” vv 11-12, 118-19

There was a great deal of consideration and argument over who belonged in the Christian community; on who was in and more importantly who was out. Determination of those belonging was at that time left to those who worshiped legalism wherein the many laws of Judaism were used as a matrix for the early followers of Jesus as the Christian tradition was emerging. Another common pattern in the early Church was for believers to attempt to carry their Native religious practices into the early Christian Church. Their validation was often said to come from the leading of the spirit. In Ephesus Paul is dealing with such an issue. The people believed they understood the word of God and the way of Jesus better than Paul and the early Church leaders, and Paul seeks to set them straight. Because Paul has first hand experience with answered prayer along with an active understanding of what Holy dialogue sounds and feels like his hope is to get the good people to listen a bit more before they speak. To we who live in a time of instant text messaging, and know first hand the power of the blog, this can seem a bit humorous.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Currency of Grace

2009-07-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

Reflections
July 12, 2009

What are we willing to spend to have some sense of holiness in our lives? The question, of course, deals not with monetary values, but with theologic investment. Frederick Buechner, author and theologian, puts this in his writing about the concepts we find in faith. For the act of believing he writes, “Eternal life is not the result of believing in. It is the experience of believing.” He says of the term grace. “A good laugh is grace, so is a good cry. To witness a sunrise or a sunset is to experience grace. However, in the end what is remarkable with regard to grace is, there is nothing we can do to earn it. There is, nothing, we can do to earn it. There is nothing, we can do to earn it.”

Grace is the unmerited gift of God’s love we experience in relationship with Jesus. We cannot earn it. We cannot buy it. We cannot claim it. It comes because God’s love for us is greater than our ability to comprehend. It is a dividend we receive with our own investment. Something we earn without working for. At some basic level the best way we can hope for, in terms of understanding, is to seek to know the natural relationship God has with creation, especially human creation. God creates in the name of love. God loves in spite of disobedience, not because of obedience. Finally, God loves us because it is God’s nature, rather than our ability to will God’s love.

Throughout the letter to the Ephesians the Apostle Paul writes about the claim and cost of discipleship. In chapter three, he offers a prayer that the people will be blessed by grace to receive the wisdom of Christ which will lead them into an effective life of faith.

Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer knew something of this experience. He escaped Germany as Adolph Hitler came into power in the late 1930's. He came to the United States with the offer of a teaching post. However, in the safety of academia he felt God leading him home to confront the threat of hatred and totalitarianism. He returned to Germany and was among the last executed by the Third Reich before their defeat. His actions illustrate one of his most famous statements about faith. “Grace is free, but it is never cheap”. What makes it valuable is the courage to act in the name of love.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood , CA 91601

Self Centered Faith Won't Work

2009-07-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

Reflections
July 5, 2009

Here we are with a year half gone. For some this is a time to pause and reflect on the long lists made in January. For others a time to access the work done thus far, and for others still there remains a need to rethink, even perhaps regroup in light of the time.

In spiritual matters this process is no less complicated. People who strive to improve in the ways and means of faith move on a path fraught with the frailty of human existence. Paul in his letter to the Romans then expresses his own struggle in the midst of theirs. I know that all of God’s commands are spiritual, but I am not always. Is this not your experience as well? I decide to act one way then, I act another doing things I absolutely despise...this is why the love and command of God is necessary.” vv12-13 The Message

Like so many of us Paul struggled with personal limitations. Most of the chapter deals with his deep sharing of regret over, in his words, doing those things he did not want to do, and doing the very things he wanted not to do. There is an old Communion liturgy based in part on the Anglican Book of Common Prayer which uses similar language, “We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.” At the end of the chapter the Apostle, nearly beside himself with frustration over his limitations, says, “I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I am at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions...” The Message

Any of us who move thorough life with a plan deliberate or otherwise stop from time to time to get our bearings and evaluate. The danger in this behavior rests between the areas of profound critical thinking and deep self criticism. While there is great value in critical thinking, for it can correct flawed thought and action, self criticism taken too far can paralyze the heart, mind, and soul. A couple of years ago, I was relating a frustration to one of my adult sons about a personal failure of some import at the time. After listening for a bit my son looked at me and said pop it’s time to turn the page. I said, “What? I don’t understand.” To which my progeny licked his index finger and turned an imaginary page. After a fashion this is what Paul is saying. In Christ we are given a fresh start from whatever blocks our path spiritually or impedes our progress as we endeavor to be and do good. In the days, weeks and months ahead of what is left of this year may we keep our wetted index fingers poised and ready.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Don't Give God A Dime

2009-06-30T13:26:00.000-07:00

Reflections
June 28, 2009

Talking about money is dicey at best, though it may be easier during the summer, because part of the congregation is away on vacation and the rest are distracted by the heat. The difference between money and stewardship of course is great. Money is the currency of daily existence; the printed-paper and minted coins sustaining each household with the necessities of food and shelter.

Stewardship is the currency of faith. Through prayer for each other and our shared ministry, by worship attendance, in the giving of money, gift in kind donations, and in service to God through mission and ministry, one's spirit is sustained, nurtured and grows.

In 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 the Apostle Paul invites the people of Corinth to grow spiritually by an act of stewardship. The Church at Jerusalem, headed by James and consisting mostly of Jewish Christians, has fallen on hard times financially because of its boundless generosity. So Paul sends Titus (one of his spiritual offspring) to Corinth for an offering to help the Jerusalem folk. The Church at Corinth consists mostly of Gentiles and by comparison is quite well off. Earlier in the letter, by way of illustrating his expectations, he reminds them how the Macedonian Church, though poor, had been extremely generous in their giving.

In this passage he tells them the reference was not a command but an illustration of what is possible. In verse 12, Paul gets to the heart of any offering, "For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has--not according to what one does not have." It is not the size of the gift, but the eagerness of the giver to respond gratefully to God with the gift..

All too often we become lost in the dollars and cents of stewardship. Any time an offering is taken there is an implicit invitation to faithfulness. The truth is that for some of us, it is easier to commit our wallets than it is to give our lives to God. The fact remains, there will always be a natural tension between financial security and spiritual poverty. Perhaps we're afraid the offering plates are too small or the ushers are too weak to carry the weight of our hearts and souls.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Vintage Christian Whine

2009-06-23T11:09:00.000-07:00

Reflections
June 21, 2009

There is a wonderful old joke where some friends are sharing dinner and the host says, “Would you care for some Southern California Wine?” and the guests say, “Why yes, thank you.” The host then says, “Oh Daddy, I need a new BMW and a 52 inch flat screen television, and I will simply die if I don’t get this new phone. Please, please, I must have them.” It really is not much of a stretch to say in some manner this is what the Apostle Paul is dealing with in his letter to the people of Corinth.

He is writing to a group of effete elitists operating under the mistaken notion that they could follow Jesus and still practice their particular pagan, hedonistic ways. Paul, however, knew that encountering Christ was a “game changer.” After half a life of following the narrow way of judgment as the highest calling in life, Paul met Jesus on that dusty Damascus road and experienced what navigators call a course correction. He knew he could not continue on the same path in the same manner because he was no longer the same person. Before knowing Jesus and choosing to follow him, Paul had been the prince of judgment, afterward he became the emperor of grace. Little wonder he would try to explain to the Corinthians who’s who and what’s what with regard to their understanding of what constitutes high and holy behavior. Their usual response to Paul was complaining, questioning why they could not simply incorporate their old practices in their new life of faith, and failing all else they would challenge his spiritual authority.

We know this is not a new story. The account in Exodus with Moses leading the chosen out of bondage in Egypt relates. Remember God called Moses to lead, the people did not hire, or elect him. As they journeyed, the people began to question Moses ability to lead, and even his relationship with God. So they ‘murmured’ against him the text records. In modern parlance, we would say they were recreational gripers, perhaps even professional whiners. We know people like this. Heck, if we are not careful, we become such people. How much better then would it be to focus on the love and grace we know in faith? The choice we have each day is to drink from the bitter cup of whine, or partake of the grape of grace given by our model and mentor, Jesus. I’ll raise my glass in a toast to the latter.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Where Pride Resides

2009-06-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

Reflections
June 14, 2009

According to scholars Psalm 20 is attributed to David. It was most probably a sacrifice liturgy offered in hope for strength and vitality in battle. The opening is a clear indication of prayer. “May the Lord answer you in your day of trouble. May God grant your hearts desire and fulfill all your plans.” Rather than enter into a misguided argument over who God favors in war, I would prefer to consider the spiritual grounding of one who prepares for conflict with a song and prayer. There is an adage which says, “If you don’t have a plan for success, then plan on failure.” Of course there is an equally powerful statement about the futility of over planning attributed to the late singer John Lennon which reads, “We make plans and God laughs.” Whether we fall on one side or the other in this equation or somewhere in between this much is clear. The reality of life is effective human existence requiring a certain amount of discipline order and preparation to accomplish most any task great or small.

What we seek to accomplish is, more often than not tied in some manner or measure, to what some call core values. Elements of life we hold in high regard and value as extraordinary. When we talk about family, education, faith, sustainable living, financial security or meaningful work, we are naming our core values. Thoughts and elements to live toward, because they stir in us something high and hopeful.

My favorite line of Psalm 20 is verse seven.”Some take pride in chariots, and some in their horses; but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God.” While we may not be entering battle in the same way David was, still each day we must go forth into life knowing that there are those who will oppose us simply because it is the desire of their heart. How much more essential it is to seek the High and Holy presence which guides and girds us.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Is Faith A Tool Or A Weapon?

2009-06-09T14:03:00.000-07:00

Reflections
June 7, 2009

John 3:1-17 deals with the topic of spiritual birth or rather rebirth. Nicodemus comes to Jesus seeking the true way of faith and is told one "must be born from above." The conversation becomes more of a debate than dialogue when Nicodemus begins to question what this might mean in literal terms.

In his book Whistling In The Dark An ABC Theologized, the Reverend Frederick Buechner makes some interesting observations on this passage and the meaning of the term born again. "Somewhat testily prodded by Nicodemus to make himself clearer, Jesus says 'that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.' In other words, spiritual rebirth by the power of the Holy Spirit is what Jesus is talking about. The implication seems to be that the kind of rebirth Jesus has in mind is (a) elusive and mysterious and (b) entirely God's doing. There's no telling when it will happen or to whom."

Buechner goes on to write how difficult the term has become for modern witnesses to the word. "Some of those who refer to themselves as 'Born Again Christians,' however seem to use the term in a different sense. You get the feeling that to them it means Super Christians. They are apt to have the relentless cheerfulness of car salesmen. They tend to be a little too friendly a little too soon and the women to wear more make-up than they need. They speak about 'the Lord' as if they have him in their hip pocket and seem to feel that it's no harder to figure out what he wants them to do in any given situation than to look up in Fanny Farmer how to make brownies. The whole shadow side of human existence appears as absent from their view as litter from the streets of Disneyland."

The point that Reverend Buechner makes is quite straight forward. The truth of the Spirit of God is that it moves into lives and in love and forgiveness and in ways untold changes lives, creating new poeple of faith. The difficult part is that it can't be bought at a store, learned like a poem or made like a cake. The problem is who do we think we are when we begin to act as if we can create or command it when the absolute truth is we don't.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Ave., No. Hollywood, CA 91601

Waiting For The Wonder

2009-06-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
May 31, 2009

Jesus was frequently placed in the position of doing what was accepted and legal, or doing what He was called to do. He lived within a religious culture which had laws and rules. Mosaic Law forbade work of any kind on the Sabbath, yet Mark 1:23-28 and 3:1-6 record Jesus breaking the law. When questioned about His behavior, He answers with the question of whether the law was made for people or people for the law? What may seem a capricious reply was a valid retort then and still merits consideration today.

His point was simple, people are more important than rules. The law of love takes precedent over Mosaic Law. There is no place for legalism among a body of believers. Jesus modeled as much in His ministry to those outcast and marginalized by His religious community. Mark and the other Gospels record religious leaders questioning Him as to why He would break the rules and at some level we identify with Jesus and see His need expand the measure and meaning of law within His tradition. In truth more often than we care to admit, we more closely resemble His detractors.

How often do we in the faith community say to someone with a new or different idea, we’ve never done it that way before. Worse yet, if something new is implemented, we are quick to ask the question; who gave approval? Worse still, we take our most sacred document, the Bible, and make it a legal document. Those who accused Jesus of violating the Sabbath cited the Levitical codes. For them, the Word of God was law.

Life is not a game and the Bible is not a rule book which determines who is in or out of the game. Jesus lived in real time and showed that ultimately all time belongs to God. Jesus was certainly aware of rules, law and judgments both secular and holy. However, the reign of Jesus was and remains a state of grace.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

In Faith There Are No Losers

2009-05-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
May 24, 2009

Chapter seventeen of John’s gospel contains the high priestly prayer of Jesus. It is an important chapter because it precedes the two chapters dealing with his arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial. In verses 1-5, Jesus prays for God’s guidance. In verses 6-19 the prayer shifts to the disciples and the work of Christ carried on by them. In verses 20-26, the focus is on the Church universal, the world at large and the need for God’s saving love to be present in word and truth.

Some of us have been raised committing prayers to memory. It might be a table grace, a bedtime prayer or the Lord’s Prayer, but there it is, and by rote we say the words often without a real sense of what is happening when we pray. The Lord’s Prayer, also recorded in the gospels, is considered by many to be the most perfect prayer recorded in scripture. In the awkward twenty six verses recorded by John, we see the passion, power, and purposefulness which Christ modeled throughout his ministry.

The passion of Jesus was doing the will of God, even at the cost of his own life. In personal and intimate phrasing he addresses God, counting on the care and comfort from a loving parent. Jesus knew the only real power we have comes from God, so he prayed for the strength and nurture of his disciples. He closes the prayer with purpose namely that the Church might come to know fully the love of God and live to that end.

In this prayer we are shown not how we hurt, but how we hope. That remaining as we are is not our task, but rather being lead to where God would have us. That we exist not for our needs as much as for each other, that God’s way and work and wonder might be known.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Not a Burden, But a Blessing

2009-05-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
May 17, 2009

Psalm 98 is an invitation for believers to respond in faith through music. Though less demonstrative than Psalm 150, the instructions are clear. Persons of faith are to use music as an integral part of worship.

Of course, we as modern people have the full benefit of musical developments over the centuries. The Church has a rich history of great music composed for worship settings. Inspired composers have written great pieces for the seasons of Advent, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. Others have written for the settings of worship, be it Morning, Evening, Communion, Baptism, Wedding or Funeral services. These great pieces of music were given to the church not merely to admire, but to inspire others to compose new music which in turn would be passed on.

We know throughout history, in sacred and secular settings, music has been a powerful influence. William Congreve, the 18th century playwright wrote, “Music has charms to soothe a savage beast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” Another William (Shakespeare) frequently used music references or terms to make a point in his plays. In TWELFTH NIGHT he penned, “If music be the food of love, play on; give me excess of it...” In THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, he writes, “...here we sit, and let the sounds of music creep in our ears: soft stillness and the night becomes the touches of sweet harmony.” Then, later in the play he writes, “The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils; the motions of his spirit are dull as night, and his affections as Erebus; let no such man be trusted.”

The Psalmist implores us to sing a new song, or shout for joy because of what God has done. The playwright encourages us to use music as a tool of measure for those things we value in life.

Music is used to sell us everything from produce to politicians. It floods our senses in markets, waiting rooms and elevators. How easy it is to forget that it is a gift from God. The music we make has holy implications. As Saint Francis wrote, “Lord make me an instrument of your peace...” As the music plays, may we be open to the Creator, composing new music within us.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

When Love Is Lord of Heaven and Earth

2009-05-12T13:04:00.001-07:00

Reflections
May 10, 2009

Some years ago Tina Turner had a hit song with the words, "What's love got to do with it? What's love but a second hand emotion." We know from her biography and interviews that this song was for entertainment purposes, and that in fact Ms. Turner has serious thoughts about how important love is as a source of hope and healing. If we look at the writing of Paul, we could easily say love has everything to do with it. For the apostle, even through bold and sometimes harsh exhortations to those his letters are addressed, opens and closes his epistles with words of loving care and encouragement. He dedicates the entire 13th chapter of his first leter to the people of Corinth to the concept of what it means to live a love-centered life, closing with the phrase, "So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

The late theologian, C.S. Lewis, spent thousands of words on hundreds of pages describing the concept in a book titled the Four Loves. He suggested the first love is Eros the love of attraction. This is the science of hormones where through biology and circumstance we become drawn to to one another. He says the second love is Philial, a Greek term for love of another, as if they were brother or sister. Many of us in childhood experience a bond with a friend which becomes lifelong, and though no relation, these folks become family. The third word he uses is Storge, usually pronounced store jay, a Greek word for familial love. The family of origin, nuclear family, dysfunctional or otherwise they are our own. The character Sir Toby in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night expresses this when in frustration he fumes, "Am I not consanguineous? Am I not of her blood?" Illustrating the adage that while we may not choose them as friends; we are related by blood, they are family. Dr Lewis spends a great deal of time with the fourth love which he calls Agape, the Greek word of Holy love, that transcendent gift we experience in the person and presence of Jesus. According to Lewis, it can never fully be ours because the power of God's love is meant to be shared.

Still, talk of love is difficult for the simple notion that we are people who say we believe the Bible is the truth and the love of God, yet we feel free to use it as a tool to judge and often hate people who are different than ourselves. The Gospels record that a scribe, in an attempt to trick Jesus, asked what the greatest commandment was. Jesus in response issued two new commandments as the summation of all Mosaic law. "To love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself." The word on love, be it from Matthew, or Paul to the Corinthians, or in the voice of C.S. Lewis remains the same. It is all encompassing and its etymology can be traced to the heart of God.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald

First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Familiar and Strange Sound of Love

2009-05-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

Reflections
May 3, 2009

John 10:1-42 is part of what some scholars call "the sayings tradition" related to the teachings of Jesus. From the prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah, to the Psalms and on into the Gospels of the Christian Testament, the "Good Shepherd" has been a symbol of Holy leading. While most of us have little, if any, experience with sheep or shepherding, we probably have some knowledge of the love and care which can occur between humans and animals. When we lived in Riverside, Sue drove a diesel powered automobile, when I was outside I could hear her coming. More interesting was the scene of watching our cat, Tigger, come racing down the street to meet her as she pulled in the driveway. Not the sound of her voice, but the sound of her car let him know she was home and life was good. In other circumstances, I have watched with a certain amount of wonder as people talked with their dogs, cats, birds and even horses. While I have been told that animals cannot understand human speech, I seemed to experience otherwise.

John, in this chapter, is making a point of sharing the difference between Jesus and the "hireling." For the hireling is simply watching and has no depth of care for the flock as witnessed by the quick exit when trouble comes in the form of a wolf.

If you would talk to a rancher, he or she would tell you that sheep are difficult animals to watch. They are easily distracted, vulnerable to prey and liable to wander off at a moment's notice. Which is why shepherds use staffs to catch the sheep, pulling them back into the fold, or throw rocks to keep the sheep headed in the right direction. Shepherds call to their flocks and if necessary go out and carry them back. Sheep don't mean to get lost, move in harm's way, or be out of range of the shepherd's voice, yet after all they're just sheep. Sheep will always need a Good Shepherd. Even in the twenty-first century, it is a metaphor that holds.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

It Wasn't A Ghost Story

2009-04-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

Reflections
April 26, 2009

Luke 24:36b-48 is a post resurrection passage where Jesus comes to his followers and they struggle with believing who he is. This is not the only challenge in belief for the early Church. In John 20:19-31 the story of the disciples gathered when Jesus appears to them. Thomas is not present and will not believe until he can touch Jesus’ wounds. So Jesus appears later that Thomas may believe. The Bible is replete with such stories. An angel of God tells Abraham and Sarah that in old age they will become parents, and they laugh in the face of Holiness itself. Noah doubts that God really wants him to build an Ark. King David doubts the real power of God and experiences a fall from grace. Peter swears loyalty to Jesus only to deny him. Paul insists on his righteous condemnation of those who follow Jesus only to find his surety could not have been more false. Doubt comes because it can and because sometimes it must.

In a Homiletics Magazine article from March of this year in which the agnosticism of the late astronomer Carl Sagan is written. Jerry Adler of Newsweek in March of 1997, Sagan was fascinated by the phenomenon that educated adults, with the wonders of science manifest all around them, could cling to beliefs based on the unverifiable testimony of observers dead for 2,000 years. He once said to cleric Joan Brown, “You are so smart; why do you believe in God?’ “ Of course, Dr. Sagan meant why would you or how could you? Rev. Brown replied “she found this a surprising question from someone who had no trouble accepting the existence of black holes, which no one has ever observed. You’re so smart why don’t you believe in God” Adler goes on to say that Sagan never had doubts about his agnosticism. His wife Ann Druyan, told him that “There was no deathbed conversion...no appeals to God, no hope for an afterlife, no pretending that he and I, who had been inseparable for twenty years, were not saying goodbye forever.” Didn’t he want to believe? She was asked. “Carl never wanted to believe,” she replied fiercely. “He wanted to know.”

Therein lies the difficulty. Far too often we need to know rather than simply believe. Be it Dr. Sagan, or the bank manager, you, me or the postal worker, we forget that God’s existence does not require our approval. The world we live in, with its flora and fauna, even the bubble gum we can experience, and the ‘Black Holes’ we cannot are proof that God believes in us. Our need to know is not a validation of faith, our willingness to believe is.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

On Getting The Story Straight

2009-04-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

Reflections
April 19, 2009

The season of Easter comes to us in springtime, a season of growing and birth. Author, Hugh Kerr, reflects upon this in his book, THE SIMPLE GOSPEL, in an essay titled Starting Over Again. Dr. Kerr reminds us that the faith tradition is full of examples of God’s generative power. Word with the prefix re, (such as repentance, redemption, reconciliation, renewal, regeneration, and resurrection) are used regularly in the Bible. These words along with words suggestive of transformation like the term New, (as in New Testament and in the book of Revelation, a New Heaven and a New Earth) evoke the promise of change found in relationship with God.

Each season of the Church year, be it Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter or Pentecost call upon us to contemplate the work of God in our lives. However, none is more demanding than Easter. For in Easter, we remember the work of God in the life of Jesus. We recall the gift of ministry He gave in life and death and life anew. We reflect on His gracious acts, and we reconcile our hearts to the work of grace in each of us. In this season, we can claim fully and without reservation a love that can make all things new.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Name Recognition

2009-04-16T14:29:00.000-07:00

Reflections
April 12, 2009

God is at work in our world. In ways and at times we are yet unaware. G.K. Chesterton wrote of this in a personal way. "There was a man who dwelt in the East centuries ago. And now I cannot look at a sheep or sparrow, a lily or a cornfield, a raven or a sunset, a vineyard or a mountain, without thinking of Him." The Him, of course, is Jesus.

Chesterton's intent wasn't geographic or biological, but rather to illustrate how Jesus took the common and placed it in the uncommon. Jesus used everyday elements, and common occurrences, to demonstrate God's love and our response. When Jesus said as God knows the grains of sand and each hair on our head, the focus was on relatiopnship, not hair or sand. When He suggested one consider the mustard seed as a model of faith, the oint wasn't to diagram the spiritual life of a plant, but to show great things have small beginnings. Jesus' use of everyday elements affirms a belief that God is a creative and renewing source.

The redemptive and renewing power of God can be heard in the song, Hymn of Promise written by Natalie Sleeth. "In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise, butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see."

For the Christian tradition the most significant symbol of renewal is found at Easter. The Cross, a tool of death, becomes a signature of hope. The Tomb, a point of closure, becomes an opening to new life. The Disciples, scattered by denial, fear, and their own sense of loss, are given over to the power of grace transforming and strengthening them.

At Easter, if we dare take notice, the unrevealed is made known in the person of Jesus. In life, in death, in life beyond death, Christ tells us that the final word belongs to God. It is a word of renewal over destruction, love over hate, hope over fear, and grace over judgment.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

2009-04-07T14:04:00.001-07:00

Reflections
April 5, 2009

This is Palm Sunday! We all know the story. The Gospels record that Jesus gave instructions to his disciple to go into the city and prepare for their celebration of the Passover. As part of that preparation, they were to bring a colt (some record donkey), on which He was to ride. He then rode into Jerusalem with the children waving palm branches to shouts of hosanna.

Palm Sunday is, of course, known as Passion Sunday as well and that interpretation is found in one of today’s lectionary readings from Philippians. In the second chapter, beginning with verse five, Paul records the purpose of Jesus’ visit. He came to celebrate the Passover, but He came as well, knowing He faced betrayal and mortal danger. His humility and inner peace in the face of death confound and confuse. His self-giving love and obedience nearly beyond comprehension.

The words of Paul were so important to the early Church they were sung often in worship in the form of a hymn. They used them to remember the Passion experience. Paul recognized and celebrated His triumphant journey into the city. However, he knew the road to Easter traveled through Good Friday.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Between Mercy and Grace

2009-03-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

Reflections
March 29, 2009

Theological volumes have been written about the concept of grace. From Martin Luther to Karl Barth, great Biblical minds have dissected the term and constructed detailed explanations of its importance to thinking persons of faith. Whether seen as an unmerited gift from God or a saving act of love through Christ, the personal experience of grace is difficult for most of us to get our minds around. Some of our best clues come to us from scripture. I remember the late Dr. Dominic Tamietti, a beloved pastor of this annual conference, offering his definition of grace. Explaining he had been a successful salesman earlier in life he said, “Grace is the best deal you are ever going to get.”

The Psalms are filled with a God of grace who preserves, protects and sustains. Even the prophets while calling for accountable faith remain rooted in the understanding that God's loving-kindness is the source of life. The gospels tell and retell the grace-filled story of the life and ministry of Jesus. In his writings the apostle Paul is strong in emphasizing grace over judgment.

In his letter to the Romans Paul writes, “For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by God’s grace as a gift.” 3:24. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds the people of God’s work in their lives. “But God, who is rich in mercy; out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ...by grace you have been saved...” 2: 4-5

The pretext promise and print of our faith is that of grace. For God creates in loving-kindness, the promise of Jesus is forgiveness not fear, and our Holy Book speaks more of love than legalism. So why are we in the faith community so quick to judge, so rude and rule bound in matters of belief? In large measure we judge simply because judgment is much easier than grace. To be a person of judgment all we need are the facts and our own formed opinions. To be a person of grace would require putting on the mind of Christ and changing our hearts from earth bound things to heavenly things.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, developed the concept of prevenient grace, which simply stated says the love of God through Christ is at work in us even when we are not aware of it. Which means even when we are at our very worst, God’s love is aiming for the best in us. That is what I call a deal.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

God's Love is Active, Not Passive

2009-03-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

Reflections
March 22, 2009

John 3:14-21 is part of a larger passage which begins with verse one. It is the narrative of the encounter Jesus had with Nicodemus. Though not mentioned by name, Nicodemus is the intended audience of verses 14-21.

You will recall Nicodemus questioned Jesus about the concept of new birth, and Jesus responded by telling the new birth in faith. When pressed by Nicodemus, Jesus amplified the answer. Verses 14-21 continues this expanded answer to include the understanding of just how great the love of God is, and that new life in faith leads to transformed living. It appears in the text Nicodemus believed Jesus' thinking absurd.

In Nicodemus, we find the armchair quarter-back in all of us. We detach ourselves from the game; analyze the action, and pronounce judgment upon those participating. This comes from the narrowness of our single minded thinking. Jesus and Nicodemus were both Jews, each devout by any standard or measure of faith. Jesus in his openness affirmed Nicodemus where he was, and invited him to look at questions outside of his present experience. Nicodemus, either through fear of something new, or pride, would not open his heart or mind to a new understanding and experience of God.

We are not unlike Nicodemus. We find it easier to find fault than find common ground between differences. It is easier to raise questions and cast doubt than to seek that we may know or adjust our frame of reference and broaden our perspective.

The gospel writer tells us in Jesus, God sent the very best. Not to judge or condemn, but out of love, that our lives might be blessed. No pie in the sky theology, but abundant life, full members of the Kingdom here and now. The only catch is we have to claim our tickets. At times though it's more fun to evaluate than be part of the action.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Accept and Live It, Don't Analyze It

2009-03-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

Reflections
March 15, 2009

In 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 Paul writes, "For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles." The tension is between wisdom and power. Some want religion and the experience of faith to be wise beyond measure, irrefutable, authoritative. Others want a life of faith filled with power and experience of the Holy. Paul in fact infers that both are elements of the experience he knows in Christ, but to the groups in question, Paul's witness presents roadblocks to the faith experience.

Paul is not picking on the Jewish community, remember he is a Jew as is Jesus. He is not making fun of the Greeks or Gentiles either, for they both were of prime interest to him in terms of mission and conversion. Paul's interest was expressing the Good News of Christ, and here he pointedly states the risks found in sharing the Good News.

Those same risks exist today. We live in a highly technological age. Information comes to us quickly and powerfully from our computers, radios, and televisions. While these may be used as tools for ministry, the most effective expressions of faith are still the written and spoken word. To those who live with absolutes, no expression is effective, and we (or rather our faith) remains foolish or a stumbling block.

Do we then stop sharing the Good News of Jesus? Of course not! We are called by the love of Christ to witness. To share what we have experienced. To tell what we know to be true of God's love. To do so in worship, with song, and prayer, and in the very way we live. To do so, not because all will believe, but that all may believe.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Aveue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Warranty of Faith is Legacy and Love

2009-03-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS
March 8, 2009

The essence of the Hebrew Bible is covenant. Which is to say contract law. In Genesis seventeen, God comes to Abram and proposes a working arrangement. I will be your God and you will be my ambassador. Leading my people through trial and tribulation until they reach the land I have promised them. For this Abram would receive a legacy or inheritance of a nation of people related to him according to God, “numbering as great as the stars.” What a promise! Were any of us to receive such a promise could we refuse? It is interesting for two basic reasons. First Abram is older than dirt itself (as is his lovely bride Sari). Second, Abram knew plenty of gods, but this One claimed to be The One who could deliver.

It is important for us as modern believers to remember that people in this time of history followed a divergent mind set where household gods and regional gods held great sway over individuals and society as well. Yet Abram aged and worn is told he and his very mature wife will , if they follow the lead, be parents of virtually all of humanity. Scripture, of course, records that Abram and Sari accept the offer of God along with the warranty, yet they do so after first laughing at it. However do we really understand the terms of the agreement?

While it looks straightforward, “I will be your God and you will be my people... and your numbers will number greater than the stars.” The truth of the matter is that both Abram and Sari doubt the possibility of God to uphold the contract. It is only after Abram and Sari see that the fine print requires serious change, as in their names from Abram to Abraham, and Sari to Sarah, that they understand God is serious.

Far too often we misinterpret the experience of faith as saying a few words or participating in a particular ritual. However, the rubric of faith at its essence involves change. A change of identity, if you will, from one person before we knew God, to a complete different person afterward. Part of the question we must ask ourselves even here, even now is what is the legacy we wish to leave? Does it belong to us or in the end does it belong only to God?

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Faith Is A Quiet Riot

2009-03-03T11:54:00.000-08:00

Reflections
March 1, 2009

Great teachers and philosophers warn against having a higher opinion of oneself than necessary. The other side of the argument is the old adage which says if we don't blow our own horn who will. Our lives must be lived in real time somewhere in between the two, but we are given stories which shed light on the subject.

Luke 18:9-14 has Jesus telling the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector. It begins with the warning of those who trust in their own righteousness rather than that of God. It goes on to say the pharisee stood in the Temple praying in a loud voice how grateful he was that he wasn't like the lowly tax collector. His fine clothes and abundant wealth were proof of God's approval. The tax collector, however, hid in a corner praying earnestly for God's mercy. The passage closes with some hard words in verse fourteen "for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." RSV

It seems normal when we accomplish something to have a certain amount of self-satisfaction and pride. Yet taken literally, this parable would suggest we never do this. Parables were used to exaggerate and overstate the obvious. Here Jesus uses contrast to point out the lack of focus in the spiritual life of the Pharisee. In the Temple of the Holy the Pharisee believed only two things...his personal accomplishments and attributes were the path to salvation, and his goodness was greater than any other persons.

The tax collector on the other hand knew only one thing...his need of God and the vastness of mercy and love found therein.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood CA 91601

Believing is So Much More Than Seeing

2009-03-03T09:51:00.000-08:00

Reflections
February 22, 2009

In this electronic age, life moves at the speed of light and sound. We can take college courses through our television, do our banking and pay bills with our computer and order products made half a world away with our telephone.

We are people impressed by numbers. How much, how big, how fast, how far, are the questions we seek answers for. Statistics are important we are told, for this is how we can compare and contrast products, policy and even people. In baseball for example, statistics are used to compile data on every conceivable action on the field. All movement, be it offensive or defensive, even mistakes are counted and evaluated. The purpose of the statistics is two fold. First, to compare current players with others on the field; and secondly, to compare them with the greats of the past. The problem, of course, is that statistics merely give us the facts. The numbers do not tell is how modern players would perform if placed back in history, or how historical players would respond today.

I recently found the following information about the Bible: "The Bible contains 3, 566,480 letters; 773,746 words; 31,173 verses; 1,189 chapters and 66 books. The word and occurs 46,277 times. The word Lord occurs 1,855 times. The word Reverend occurs but once, which is the 9th verse of the 118th Psalm. The 21st verse of the 7th chapter of Ezra contains all the letters of the alphabet except the letter J. The longest verse is the 9th verse of the 11th chapter of St. John. There are no words or names more than six syllables."

These statistics about the Bible are just that, a numerical analysis of word usage, phrasing, and frequency. They tell us nothing about the text historically, the people for whom the words were written or the authors. The numbers give us nothing which we can grasp in spiritual terms. In faith we know the Bible is the Holy Scripture; written by human hands, but inspired by God. It is the story of God at work in the lives of people. It is history and it is spiritual narrative. Though recorded in print, it is not dated or time bound. For the God of the Bible is yet alive, moving about in Spirit and Truth. One wonders which the Creator would find more important, attempting to live the ideals of the Bible, or counting the letters included therein. Heaven knows there is room for both.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Ave., No. Hollywood, CA 91601

I Was Religous, Then I Got Converted

2009-02-17T13:03:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
February 15, 2009

Any of us who have studied higher math (or at least attempted) know that knowledge of conversion is essential. Without an understanding of formulaic expression this field of study becomes laborious and quite frustrating. Anyone who has traveled can recall at least one strange experience where attempts to convert currency was neither easy nor fruitful. We now live in this wonderful age where we are converting our televisions from analog to digital signals. I haven’t a clue what this means except that from what I have read it is supposed to be a good thing. The word conversion has a variety of meanings. The first listing in my Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary says, “The act of converting: the process of being converted - compare gene conversion” The second listing reads, “An experience associated with a definite and decisive adoption of religion.”

In Mark 1:40-45 we find a type of conversion. We would be quick to say it is purely a religious experience, however, it seems to be so much more. A leper comes to Jesus and begs to be healed, saying “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Jesus is moved to heal the man, but issues instructions to obey the Law of Moses regarding healing which required going to the chief priest before talking to anyone and receiving a blessing and ritual cleansing. The leper ignores Jesus’ instructions, instead telling all about his healing. Jesus knew there were a variety of professional prophets and healers in the region, but he saw himself not as part of a traveling medicine show, but as an agent of God linked to an historic faith, hence the instructions to see the priest. We are not told whether the leper is a person of faith. Clearly, Jesus linked faith with the process of being healed.

The conversion which takes place in this story is multilayered. From a math standpoint the life of a leper did not add up to much. He would have been an outcast, cut off from family, friends and society at large. Healing meant being counted, belonging. Being converted, a leper now had currency in community, as a member to be appreciated, rather than one diseased and despised. As one healed, the leper became converted scientifically from one person to a totally different person. The fact that the leper did not remain silent is either a clear indication of his faithlessness or absolute proof of his religious zeal. If one has to choose between being rigidly religious or whole heartedly converted, the latter seems the finer choice.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Weight of Opinions and a $3.00 Cup of Coffee

2009-02-10T09:31:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
February 8, 2009

In the two letters which the Apostle Paul wrote the people of Corinth the questions and concerns of both parties come out of perceptions and opinions surrounding issues of doctrine and ethics relative to the faith community. What does the Church look like in terms of who we say we are, and how do we relate to each other and the world? Since Paul first brought the message of Christ to Corinth, he held a deep affection for them. Scholars surmise this was reciprocal, for his letters appear to be in response to letters first sent to him. This does not mean they agreed on everything. Hence Paul’s direct language in reminding the people that the life they have accepted in Christ is very different than the one they left as non believers.

Have you ever disagreed with someone for whom you had respect, perhaps even loved? I would be surprised if your response was no. After all who among us has not had words with a friend or family member over politics, religion, philosophy or culture to name a short list. Who doesn’t have an Uncle or Cousin with whom we carried on verbal battle over what seemed clear and important differences of opinion. The information we ingest whether it be read or heard, and how we process it, informs our thought, having a great deal to do with how we perceive the world. It is then through our perceptions that we formulate opinions. Which is to say that opinions often have little or no basis in fact or reality. This means if we perceive someone to be bad they become so. If we think something is wrong or for that matter idiotic, it becomes so, through perception. In this process perception becomes thought, thought becomes opinion and opinion held as dogma becomes a point of conflict when we encounter opinion different from our own.

One of my favorite professors when class dialogue and discourse had moved in debate and diatribe would caution us to curb our opinions. He would say, “For opinions are like armpits and each of us has two, however, one is liable to stink at any given time. Besides, he would go on, a strident and well thought opinion and fifty cents will buy you a cup of coffee.” Though the price of a cup of coffee has gone up considerably, the principle still holds. I hear that phrase from time to time from a voice inside my head. It usually comes when I am at my strident best, railing against some opinion I perceive an affront to my humanity. It never fails to cause me to smile. Then I head off to find a good $3.00 cup of coffee.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Charge of the Methodist Church

2009-02-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
February 1, 2009

In his first letter to the people of Thessalonica, Paul writes: “We thank God for and always mention you in our prayers. Each time
we pray, we tell God about your faith and loving work and about
your firm hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” CEV

Today is Charge Conference Sunday. An important day in the life of any United Methodist Congregation. When we meet each year at charge conference, part of our task is to accomplish the same thing Paul desired for the early Church. Be it Phillippi, Rome or Galatia, Paul hoped the early churches would not let up or let go of their mission focus. Those early believers worked at understanding, communicating, worshiping and working their faith. Our task today remains much the same. It is important that we share plans and details with regard to our property, programs and personnel. The finances are part of United Methodist polity and tradition. That we encourage as many people to attend as possible is important as well. That the information is presented in an entertaining and inviting manner is helpful.

However, through it all our focus must be clear. We do not meet just to gather for a party, and we do not report to simply give information. We meet because as the Body of Christ, we are a gathered community. We report because as a body of believers, we are accountable to each other. We celebrate, share, encourage and empower to one end; that the love of God might flourish. That the facts and figures we share in our charge conference report only have merit and import if they are written in the ink of grace upon a parchment of hope and bound with a winsome will to share the goodness of God. Otherwise, we are simply covering our backsides or whistling in the dark.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Being Christ-like

2009-01-29T16:13:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
January 25, 2009

A few years ago author, Kent Keith published the “Paradoxical Commandments of Leadership.”

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self centered; love them anyway.
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; do good anyway.
3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies; succeed anyway.
4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow; do good anyway.
5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable; be honest and frank anyway.
6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest minds; think big anyway.
7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs; fight for a few underdogs anyway.
8. What you spend years building, may be destroyed overnight; build anyway.
9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them; help them anyway.
10. Give the world the best you have and you may get kicked in the teeth; give the world the best you have anyway.

As disciples of the Church we would do well to read this list at least once each year. Especially as we endeavor to start new programs of missions and ministry.

Any of the ten items listed could be said true of Jesus and his leadership model of ministry. However, all he did came from the claim of God on his life.

So two additional commandments might read:

11. Do all of these because God has first done them for us in Christ.
12. Do them not alone, but in concert with the spirit and the body of believers. For “ANYWAY’ and in spite of our abilities, God can use us, that extraordinary things might happen.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Too Much Talk, Not Enough Listening

2009-01-20T12:17:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
January 18, 2009

How we listen and what we hear, or rather think we hear, has a great impact on our perception of the world around us. There is a wonderful old story about a man concerned about his wife’s hearing, so he devises a text. Starting from the other side of the room and behind her as she is sitting in her chair reading, he says in the same tone and timber, “Do you love me?” The first three times there is no response. The last time he hears her say clearly, “For the forth and last time, of course, I love you!” Sometimes, we are concerned with others hearing when we might be having some difficulty of our own. Yet hearing things we do not wish to can be painful and life altering. A few years back, I went to a new doctor or at least she was new to me. After my intake interview and physical, I asked for her evaluation. She said, “Well Joey, the truth is, you are just too fat, and you need to lose weight.” I said Dr. I think I would like a second opinion. To which she replied, “Certainly, you’re ugly as well.” Sometimes the information is more than we needed or wanted. How we respond can make a difference.

I Samuel 3:1-10(11-20) is a story about the call of Samuel. Hannah, the mother of Samuel, has sent her young son to serve as an assistant to the Priest Eli. She has done this because it was in the temple which Eli served she prayed to God to end her bareness, now she has dedicated Samuel to God and asks Eli to prepare him for a call into God’s service. While living with Eli, Samuel hears voices three times in the middle of the night. Samuel believes Eli has called to him and goes to him. The fourth time it happens Samuel realizes that it is God speaking, revealing the demise of Eli’s house because of his son’s behavior. What is interesting about the passage is in the midst of judgment is a powerful word of grace.

After receiving the call from God and the revelation, Samuel collapsed on the floor and lay until daybreak. At this time Eli called to the boy and demanded to know what God had said. “So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he (Eli) said, ‘It is the Lord, let him do what seems good to him.’” How poetic and powerful in terms of faith that Eli would acknowledge in the face of grave circumstances that the world belongs to God and not him. The final line of the text is a gentle reminder that even in the face of harsh circumstances or words, grace can be present and even prevail. “As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.” On the other hand, there are those times when grace seems overrated. I never went to that stinking doctor again.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

From Faith Comes Heavenly Things

2009-01-13T11:46:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
January 11, 2009

Acts 19:1-7 is a text detailing what some refer to as Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Paul has followed Apollos into Ephesus and encounters followers of John the Baptist. In conversation, he discovers they have no understanding of the Holy Spirit. Paul and those with him lay hands on them, and their world is changed radically because they can now speak in tongues, and prophesy. Luke reports that there were about twelve, which is a way of linking this story back to the ministry of Jesus and the original twelve disciples. The ultimate question here is, what does it mean to follow Jesus? More importantly, how do believers respond to life in terms of the gifts it brings?

Stephen Schwartz in the song “All Good Gifts,” written for the musical “Godspell,” gives a wonderful indication. “We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land, but it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand. He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, the breezes and the sunshine and soft refreshing rain.” (Then the refrain) “All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above, So thank the Lord, oh thank the Lord for all his love.” The difficulty, of course, is in keeping balance, lest we fall into a faulty theology where we thank God and feel blessed when things go well and then feel cursed or perhaps even curse God when bad things happen.

Here believers’ receive the Holy Spirit and have a transforming experience. However, we are all too aware that an active and deep faith does not exempt any of us from sadness, pain or suffering. The openness of these disciples is key to grasping the power of a lasting faith. For in receiving the Baptism they are saying that they understand God’s presence is lasting. This means the Love of Christ does not exempt us from harsh and hurtful times, rather it surrounds and supports us always, but especially then. The late prophet of the Protestant Church, William Sloane Coffin wrote, “When the worst in life happens in this world, we are called in the name of the Spirit to show the best of God’s love.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

A Theology of Play for the New Year

2009-01-06T13:06:00.000-08:00

I wrote this note just four days before Christmas. How does one write about the new year when the image of Christmas looms large? You know the feeling. Too many things to do and not enough time to do them. Gifts to buy, cards and letters (even sermons to write, worship to do... not to mention the hospital calls.) The sense of being pressed between two walls moving toward you and working frantically to get all that needs to be done completed.

All too often our experience is to accomplish what we can between the rush and rancor of each day. While urgency is helpful, even essential to effective living, to work and live under undue pressure or place it on those around us is not simply unhealthy... it is not good theology.

Time and again in the ministry of Jesus we see him pressed to God's work and yet available to the people around him, and his work stands unequaled in comparison to any we know. However, he did more than model mission and ministry; he gave us a pattern for spiritual life which if followed can be strong and durable.

The Bible records that Jesus prayed, taught, healed, fed and worked with people; but he took time to draw apart and be with God alone. He took meals with friends and relaxed, even laughed along the way. Those of us rooted in the Protestant tradition get the work ethic of Jesus. We strive to model our lives by the examples he gave, however, the idea that he had a play ethic either insults or confuses us. Yet, the record would seem to indicate he had a lively sense of humor. The pitched conversations he had with those in authority and his insistence on children being allowed in his presence are but two clear indications.

To follow Jesus is our calling but not just half way. How about in this new year taking time to do God's work, but also taking time to do God's play as well. Part of the mission we have as believers is to enjoy the time we are given in this world in which we live and each other. In the meantime, we have things to do, places to be, people to meet and pressures to live up to. Nobody said a theology of play was easy. To a new year filled with love and laughter! Amen

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Do You Wonder Where Awe Went?

2008-12-31T09:57:00.000-08:00

The reading from the Psalter for this last Sunday in 2008 comes to us in the form of a Psalm of praise from Psalm 148.

Psalm 148 begins, "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!" The author continues for another hundred and forty two words, filling ten verses with words of praise to a creative and sustaining God.

The author suggests, infers, and instructs that for God to be properly praised, everything (and every thing is listed), must be involved in active praise. All things animate and inanimate, heavenly and earthly, literally all of creation are invited to praise the living and life giving Lord.

For us it might seem strange to have the Psalmist suggest that plant, rocks, trees, animals, sun, moon, sky and water could praise right along with humanity. Yet the author did not differentiate. All these and more were God's creation and each had a part in creation's call to worship.

If we copied the Psalm writer we might say something like, "Let each of us praise God." With our televisions, and microwaves, with our cars, and boats, with our compact discs, and earphones, with our fitness machines and manicured lawns...let all of us praise God. The author intended for all of humanity to be aware that God is the creator and as creatures of God's creative act we are compelled to use all we have and all we are to offer praise and thanksgiving.

The intent of the author travels across time and touches us now with no less power if we would but allow. An appropriate thing to contemplate at year's end. An exciting way to live a life in a new year.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Ave., No. Hollywood, CA 91601

Love Came Down at Christmas

2008-12-23T14:00:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
December 24, 2008

What is you earliest memory of Christmas? Mine is 1953. I was four years old and we lived in Winsted, Connecticut. Pushing six decades removed, the memories are still quite vivid. My slightly older sisters, Peggy and Kim teaching me to make snow angels, and pushing me in a sleigh. The water in the lake seeming imposing, lapping over the highway, as we drove to and from town. I have clear recollection of family car trips to New York so we could see Rockefeller Center, with its enormous Christmas tree and the shops filled with displays grand, and otherworldly to my young eyes. I remember stringing popcorn to put on the tree and not doing it well enough to be allowed to continue. Remember I was four.

The picture I have in my head of Christmas morning is first that it finally came. For the young it takes so long, where as when we mature it just seems it was a couple of months ago. We had just moved a few weeks earlier from Michigan so Mom and Dad had our presents in a moving container. Literally a barrel was opened and our presents were handed to us. I don’t remember the explanation in detail of how Santa knew we had moved; the presents were proof enough for me. I cannot recall a single gift, but I can tell you I experienced belonging, love and generosity. A truly gracious style of giving which my parents, Mary and Charles exhibited over and over again. Some things I still have; the Puch Burgmeister ten speed bike for my twelfth Christmas. The Craftsman tools I was given for my sixteenth birthday and Christmas. However, among the most treasured of gifts, is something that I gave, rather than received. The first gift I purchased for my mother with my own money was an amber candy dish. It had a cover and clear glass for accent. It cost $9.95 at Virginia’s Gift shop at Knott’s Berry Farm. When she died it came back to me. It wasn’t valuable or elegant, but it was hers and more important, occupied a prominent place in her living room for twenty-five years, so I am grateful to have it. I treasure it in some manner because it represents more than a days labor for me at that time, but mostly as any Momma’s boy can attest because my Mom liked it, kept it and showed it off.

The specific value of the gifts we give and receive at Christmas cannot be measured in cost or origin of purchase, but rather in the reception and ultimate appreciation of the gift. Sort of like the story of a gift coming in the form of a baby. The five star hotel was full, so the parents stayed in a stable, filling the animals feed trough with hay. With the bleating of animals and the must of the stable floor in our memories, we tell this story each Christmas. To remind us and to announce to the world, that in the end, love, not expense makes the value of the gift.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Song of Hope And Love

2008-12-23T10:17:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
December 21, 2008

“There must be always remaining in every person’s life some place for the singing of angels–some place for that which in itself is breathlessly beautiful and by an inherent prerogative throwing all the rest of life into a new and created relatedness. Something that gathers up in itself all the freshets of experience from drab and commonplace areas of living and glows in one bright white light of penetrating beauty and meaning–then passes. The commonplace is shot through now with new glory–old burdens become lighter, deep and ancient wounds lose much of their old, old hurting. A crown is placed over our heads that for the rest of our lives we are trying to grow tall enough to wear. Despite all of the crassness of life, despite all of the hardness of life, despite all of the harsh discords of life, life is saved by the singing of angels.” (From The Mood of Christmas by Dr. Howard Thurman).

In Luke 1:39-45 and then 46-55 we find two stories which amplify Dr. Thurman’s text. The first finds Mary going to visit her cousin Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea. Mary calls a greeting as she enters and Elizabeth responds; “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb... for as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.” vv 43-44. In vv 46-55 we find the “Magnificat” where Mary praises God for the blessings bestowed upon her. The readings are familiar. Mary carries Jesus within her and Elizabeth, John the Baptist. The stories of Jesus and John were great, but not all that happened to them was. Their abuse and suffering surely scarred the hearts of Mary and Elizabeth. Yet the words of these mothers of our faith are those of praise to a God who gives hope and strength to all who seek.

At Christmas we are reminded that the grace and hope of God comes in the fragile package of the babe in a manger, but has great and enduring strength if we remember that hope is stronger than fear and love is more lasting than any care or curse we encounter. The key would be found in expressing this understanding. Perhaps what Mary and Elizabeth are telling us is that if we don’t see or hear the angels singing, we are called to join the song and thus become the angels.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Between 1 and The One

2008-12-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

REFLECTIONS
December 14, 2008

In the play Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare writes, “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” If we categorize, John the Baptist would fall into the third of these. His cousin was the son of Mary and Joseph and they could trace the lineage to the house of David, but John’s parents were just a couple of oldsters who counted him a late in life blessing. There was some talk of his being a distant relative of Elijah, but nobody knew for sure.

So, John went about his life in the hills outside of Jerusalem until he was drawn to the wilderness of the southern desert. It was here he experienced God in ways unimagined. He heard God say the law alone was not enough. For people could follow the letter of the law and remain fallen in spirit. People must turn away from those things which separate them from God. So John preached as he believed God had called him to, for people to change their ways and accept God. His existence was unusual for some, but the spirit of God moved and John had a following.

The inevitable questions came from those in authority. Who are you? And who sent you here? When he told them he wasn’t the Messiah, they asked if he was Elijah. He said he was not. They pressed, are you a prophet? “Not even a minor one,” he responded. They wondered why he was doing this unusual ministry with water, and he told them because God had called him to bless with the power of life giving water.

John was not born into a Royal Priesthood. He served in wild places wearing wild and ragged clothes and eating wild food. He did not seek recognition or acclaim. It came because of the power evident in his ministry.

When Jesus came to the Jordan River to be baptized; John knew he and the water were instruments. The greatness of God’s glory was beheld in the One on whom the water fell.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601