Clever Free Methodist

  We are human and prone to mistakes, misunderstandings, and other influences towards our fallen nature that keep us from being absolutely perfect. There are those times where we may find exceptional achievement, but most times we fall short in some way.   Perfection, however, is not an illusion. It is something that we can strive for in our spiritual lives. Jesus challenges a rich man with such a goal. Matthew 19:21 , “Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect , go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”   Why would Jesus give this man what appears to be a nearly impossible task? It would seem impossible if we didn’t understand the word “perfect.” The word is not implying that we should be continually living without fault. This form of perfection relates to love .   Jesus is literally addressing the unconditional love of agape. In other words, Jesus is saying that we must strive...

  We find a very uncomfortable statement made by Jesus to Peter in  Luke 22:31 , that reads,  “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.”  What is more intriguing is that Jesus doesn’t stop it or prevent it from happening, but rather prays that Peter’s faith would not fail during the sifting. It is a prayer for our faith as well! What is this sifting? The word used for “sift” means  “inward agitation to try one's faith to the verge of overthrow”  or can have a figurative interpretation to mean “to riddle.” One of the greatest acts of “sifting” by Satan is his use of doubt in God or to question God. One of the earliest examples is from  Genesis 3:1  when Satan tried to get Eve to doubt God when he questioned,  “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” Satan’s tactics were no different with Jesus during Christ’s 40-days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Satan will always t...

  We all have some type of device to track time. On our phone. Our watch. A clock on the wall. Some even spend great sums of money to have a grandfather clock to chime the top of the hour as well as each quarter hour. Time matters. We schedule events for a particular part of the day based on time. Our favorite television program or educational classes are at a specific time each week. We have meetings, briefings, and other functions all have a set amount of time they last. However, when it comes to the life of the Church, we have a tendency to expect it to be regulated to a certain amount of time as well especially the Sunday worship service. We have allowed social norms to dictate worship to a one hour service. People have grown accustomed to that hour and now naturally expect that all church services to be one hour and no more. Through that understanding there has grown a population in the church that struggles to accommodate more than one hour. They become fidgety and rest...

  There is a wonderful southern community along the Gulf of Mexico in Texas called Corpus Christi. When I was stationed in Texas, at Fort Sam Houston, it was a joy, as an Army Chaplain, to lead marriage retreats in the luxurious hotels built along those Corpus Christi beaches. It never dawned on me about the meaning of that name until becoming an Army Chaplain and getting to spend a lot of time with colleagues who were Catholic Priests. The name “Corpus Christi” is Latin and means “the Body of Christ.” For Catholics and some protestant denominations, “Corpus Christi” is a very special time of remembrance of the sacrifice Jesus made giving his body upon the Cross for our redemption and salvation. Today, this remembrance of “Corpus Christi” (Body of Christ) is also known as “The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.”   So, what is this? This is a time they set aside after Pentecost to honor Jesus Christ, who they believe is really, truly and substantially present under the a...

  The book of Sirach may not be one you are familiar with unless you have studied the Old Testament or, perhaps, grew up in the Catholic faith. Sirach 35:1-12 speaks of stewardship and sacrifice which is quite relevant for us, today.   1 He who keeps the law makes many offerings;     he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering. 2  He who returns a kindness offers fine flour,     and he who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering. 3  To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord,     and to forsake unrighteousness is atonement. 4  Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed, 5      for all these things are to be done because of the commandment. 6  The offering of a righteous man anoints the altar,     and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High. 7  The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable,     and the memory of it will not be forgotten. 8...

  While a student at Liberty University, I always remembered the words of Dr. Jerry Falwell who told us “You do not determine a man’s greatness by his talents or wealth, as the world does, but rather by what it takes to discourage him.”   It is safe to say, when the heat is turned up or when obstacles and challenges mount, we feel like it is so much easier to just throw up our hands, quit, and sometimes, just give up completely. It’s not easy to get the wind knocked out of you and face having to start all over again.   The same can be said for the Church. When life is challenged, forces bear down on us, and commitments get out of hand, it always seems that the Church and ministry-related events are the first things we get rid of in order to gain more room in our schedule. Let’s be honest that we struggle with making God, our faith, and ministry a priority.   I believe when the first response is to skip Church, not attend Church events, or to simply quit, give up and ...

We have reached the pinnacle of the Christian faith: Holy Week. For some, it is referred to as “The Triduum” which begins after Palm Sunday and includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Resurrection. Why is this so special….or, maybe be bold enough to ask, “why should I care?”   Well, Holy Week is the most solemn and glorious week in Christianity, the pinnacle of the liturgical year. This is because Holy Week commemorates the final week of Our Lord's life and the establishment of the New Covenant. Here is why we should care :   HOLY THURSDAY: Jesus sets the example. He washes the Disciples’ feet (John 13:14-15) and gathers them in the Upper Room. Here Jesus is literally celebrating the Jewish Passover with them….but then, stops at the institution of the Third Cup (Cup of Blessing) …as told in Mark 14:22-26, Jesus introduces the NEW covenant by telling his Disciples to both “eat” and “drink” his body and blood given and shed for them (and for us).   I am sure, knowing t...