Surprise Visit

Any one who knows how much I love being a pastor knows how much I resist doing Charge Conference. The obsequious forms, the additional meetings (times two churches), and extensive preparation to satisfy the Company Mandates distracts and derails my time and attention from the real work of ministry: making disciples, calling on the sick, home bound, planning and celebrating worship, and being attentive to the direction of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the only way I can make this bureaucratic bazaar palatable, is by accepting and approaching it as a spiritual discipline. What did Sister Joan used to say? "Offer it up."
But God never ceases to amaze me with His sense of humor. This year, Charge Conference was hosted by my Church in Early. OY! Bunches of people were coming to my Church. Bunches and bunches. The ladies prepared lunch, Ann, my strong right hand technician prepared music, and Bev and Anita, two accomplished secretaries (really "administry" assistants) prepared the final copies of the "sacred writ": Forms A, B, C, D, etc. etc. etc. I even made little favors; pumpkin and apple scented votive candles wrapped in gold and red tissue paper, with a business sized card attached which read "Welcome, pass it on!" for each attendee. I was prayed up and ready!
What I wasn't prepared for was, in the midst of our conferencing, was the unexpected joy of the Presence of the Lord. As people shared the ministries of their respective churches, there was a lightness and brightness in the atmosphere, intangible, but unmistakeable! Once again, the Lord showed me that He can show up anywhere and redeem anything - even Charge Conferece! Ok, so now I have hope for Annual Conference this June. Maranatha!

Fall Is My Favorite

Fall is my favorite time of year - I grieve when it passes. Not that I have anything against winter, snow and sub-zero temperatures because those too have their virtues, beauty, and of course, Christmas.
But the light in Autumn lingers as if to wring out the last drop of glorious color from late roses, reluctant mums, shivering aspens, flaming maples and staunch oaks. Unhurried, yet aware of the warmer days slipping into the night of winter, I soak up long shadows on fading grass, the corn rows rustling in the wind, flamboyant early sunsets, and red glazed diner plate moon. This is the season of wrap ups: The pond water drops too cold to feed the Koi. There's one last bike ride along the trail before hunting season begins. One last road trip before the snow flies. One last tour of the garden, pulling up tomato cages, coiling hoses, discarding dead vines, and remnants of summer's rich bounty before the earth is adorned in its white winter coat. One last intoxicating gaze upon all the jewel tones of this crowning season, to inhale the brisk crips air and earthy scent of harvest before nature beds down for fozen slumber. Autumn is my favorite time of year because the earth peacfully falls to sleep in complete confidence of resurrection.

Back in the Saddle

It has been too long. I realized last Saturday, how much I have missed riding. My friend Jennifer and I went to a retreat Friday night, and Saturday I headed off 50 miles in the opposite direction of home to go riding with her in sunlit pastures.
The owner of the stables also joined us. I rode Jennifer's Joe: a 16.3 hands gentle thoroughbred retiree from the track. Although he was not a Tennessee Walker, he had the color, height and breadth of Ledge, the Walker that whisked me into horse happiness. To me, Joe was just like Ledge -a skyscraper with four legs. Just the therapy I needed to get back riding again. Sunday late afternoon, I went to see my own Lida, armed with tack box, wormer grooming gear, and three Delicious apples. Tomorrow, Lord willing, I hope to ride her - even if only for 20 or 30 minutes. She will be twenty three in a couple of weeks, but when I ride her, I'm seven years old. Nothing like a good horse to keep you young! Nothing like a good friend to remind you of what you truly love. Thanks Jennifer!Yesterday was the first time my young friend successfully recorded the entire worship service.In the future, I hope to fathom how to edit and publish a video clip from the service. To read this Sunday's sermon, the second in the series The Afterlife entitled "For All the Saints". click on the angels: