Gleanings…

There are many things that say, “summer’s here!”  Hot weather, vacations, water fights (balloons, hose, what-have-you), and long, sunshiny days—to name just a few.  Around our house, fresh flowers cycle from the garden to the kitchen table and on to the compost bin.  Their beauty and variety are always a blessing.  What a reminder of how much God loves his creation!

I am grateful for those reminders.  Every season has their own, unique expressions of God’s great love, and it is a joy to welcome each one.  Nothing, in my opinion, can come close to flowers, though.  Trees, bushes, vines, wild-growing or stay-at-home annuals and perennials, sweet-smelling or otherwise; their variety provides a constant feast to the eyes.  I love it.

Did I forget to mention how much I love the variety of edibles?  Berries, fruits from trees, melons, and so many great vegetables make summer a delicious season to go along with the beauty of flowers.  I have tomatoes on the vine and I am watching them closely because as the famous song lyrics go, “Only two things that money can’t buy, and that’s true love and home-grown tomatoes.”  Looking forward to tasting the first ones to ripen.

Okay, one more thing to love about summer: Going swimming!  Yes, jumping into the water whether at the pool, the lake, or in the ocean, and feeling that cold, refreshing water on a hot, hot day is a little bit of heaven.

I know that I have not covered all the things that one can love about summer, but I hope that you have picked up that there is much beauty and wonder, and it all comes because at a point long ago, God spoke the word and it happened.  Why did God go to so much trouble to create so much beauty and wonder?  Not because we have earned it, or deserved it, or paid for it.  No, I expect that God went to all that trouble just because God loves creation.

You see, it is not just about us.  All living things get to enjoy the beauty, food, and refreshment of the season.  For that reason, I have to say that God wants to give us good things regardless of who we are, what we look like, or what name we use to address him.  Our words, thankfully, are carried to God by the Spirit who takes all our efforts at praise and petition and translates them into God-speak.  I expect this accounts for God’s continuing gift of love to and for all.

So, I invite you to join with me is saying “Thank You!” to God.  Sing, pray, rejoice, and love; it’s all good.  Then, as much as you are able, get out and enjoy God’s blessings in creation.  What we see now will be here for a season, and then we get to love autumn.  Praise God for his incredible goodness!

Peace,

Pastor Braxton ><>

We will be sending 100 buckets full of home items to support those in need in Zimbabwe

We welcome donations to support this outreach. 

Gleanings…

It is an unfortunate part of growing older that our ability to hear clearly diminishes.  It is not something that just shows up one day, but a gradual lessening that you notice when you start putting your hand to your ear and asking people to repeat what they just said.  At the same time, it is interesting to note that it doesn’t happen across all pitches or for all voices.  Some sounds come through quite clearly much to the surprise of the speaker (and hearer!).  “I heard that!”

Along with this gradual hearing loss, I have noticed a selectivity in deciding what and who to listen to has crept in as well.  When it doesn’t sound like the speaker has anything new to say, we tend to tune them out whether we have heard everything they said or not.  This, of course, leads to those embarrassing moments when they pause and we understand that they are waiting for a response.  “I’m sorry, could you please repeat the question?”

I wonder, do we ever do this with God?  Reading the Bible, listening to the sermon, or finding ourselves in a class setting where we have the same teacher that has been leading the discussion for years can find us tuning out, especially when we have recently experienced an event that we haven’t understood.  Then, after following our personal thoughts for some bit of time, we suddenly realized that there was something in what we just heard that may have been important.  “I’m sorry, but would you repeat that for me?”

All of this is to say that there can be times when we are in attendance but not present.  Much as a dog’s attention is redirected to the squirrel that suddenly darts past, we can find ourselves in the right place at the right time, but our attention is anywhere but where we are.  What do you do when you find yourself in that situation?  For me, I have to say a little prayer: “I’m sorry, Lord, let me try that again.”  I am always amazed that it helps.

I believe that it is a good thing to always be amazed when God helps us.  Not that God always helps in the way that I want God to, but it is so suddenly wonderful when we realize that God has heard us and responded.  Taking the time to ask for God’s help is really an act of recentering our attention on the One who is always present.  Removing what had been our focus and replacing it with an attention to what God is saying and doing at that moment is like taking a big breath of fresh air, and we suddenly find ourselves thankful once again.

I am glad that I don’t have to worry about whether God has heard me.  I’m glad that God’s hearing doesn’t grow muddled with time.  Most of all I am glad that I can trust God to take what I have said, done, or thought, and create something wonderful with it.  Help me, Lord, to be more attentive to all that you are saying.  Help me to maintain my focus on you.

Blessings,

Pastor Braxton ><>

Singing Service & Soup and Salad Lunch

April 30, 2023 at 11:00 am

All are invited to this special service of sharing God’s word through the message in the songs we sing.  We welcome everyone to join us for a buffet of Soups, Salads, and desserts after church. 

Gleanings – April 2023

I am not sure where this is going, so I will jump in and see what comes about.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday and we will gather to wave our palms, sing our songs of praise, hear the message of Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem, and make our final preparations for the week leading up to Easter Sunday.  Through all of this we will give thanks for the gift that Jesus brought from God, our Father.  The awareness that our sins are forgiven, that we have been blessed with the Holy Spirit, and that we have an assurance of God’s love to sustain us through every difficult time will bless us and fill us with great joy.  It is THE celebration of the Church and we know that it is a blessing and that we are to communicate it to those in need of help, healing, and hope.

A woman shot her way into a church-run elementary school this week and killed three adults and three children.  I read a report that one of the news networks said they were tired of reporting school shootings.  Good.  I’m tired of hearing that another shooting has destroyed homes, families, and communities.  I get the sense from other sources that I am not the only one who is weary of hearing explanations and excuses from people who did not lose a family member, friend, or relative in the latest savage attack.  But, at this time, I am not sure what can or should be done.  Stop the killing?  Yes, but how?

Jesus talked with people everywhere he went.  It did not matter whether he knew them or not, helping people to find their way through the struggles of life under the Roman occupation forces and the issues of correct religious observance left many feeling alienated and hurt.  Had there been the availability of handguns and rifles of any style, I expect there would have been more bloodshed recorded in the Bible.  What would Jesus have done in that situation?

I wonder whether there is a solution to the killings.  Whether one on one, one on many, or many upon many, killing seems to offer a solution to having to deal with people we do not like, situations we cannot control, and the pain that accompanies physical and emotional trauma.  Regardless of what lies at the heart of our struggles, we act all too often with violence believing that we will be/feel better if we can just eliminate the source of our hurt and pain.  Note that these acts of violence do not depend upon the presence of firearms.  When seeking to stop the pain, almost anything can be used as a weapon.  Getting rid of weapons is not the answer.

I asked earlier, “What would Jesus have done in that situation?”  I believe the answer is, “Just what he did.”  As the Son of God and the Son of Man, he knew us better than we will ever be able to know ourselves.  In the face of sure and certain persecution and death, he walked straight into it.  Violence promotes violence.  The response to killing is often more killing.  We believe that we will feel better when we have made the other person, group, nation, or people feel worse.  Jesus knew that what was truly needed was forgiveness.

Where does forgiveness come from and what enables it to make a difference?  (Forgiveness is not acting like it never happened.  Neither does it mean to release the person who committed the violence from all consequences.  Instead, it is a conscious decision to refrain from exacting retribution.)  Using Jesus as my model, I believe that forgiveness is possible only after we know the one(s) we need to forgive.  Who they are, how they came to this place in their life, and what led them to take this action are important questions that must be asked.  With some approximation of what lies behind their actions, we can offer help and healing through building relationships.  When we are convinced that someone truly cares for us and about us, that they  will help us bear our pain, we can experience hope for ourselves and our situations.

The events that took place during Jesus’ last week are painful to read, as are the reports of yet another shooting.  Imagining that people could be that cruel seems incomprehensible.  Yet, Jesus suffered their worst actions and showed the world that death is not the end.  With mercy, compassion, and love, Jesus has set us free from our pain, our injuries (self-inflicted or otherwise), and our brokenness.  Who do you know who needs to experience this gift of God in their lives.  May Jesus shine through your life and lead you to those who need him so that they may come to know him.

Peace,

Pastor Braxton ><>

Fairview United Methodist Church

Palm Sunday

April 2 – 11:00 am – Worship Service

Choral presentation of “The Blood Will Never Lose It’s Power”

Lunch and Fellowship to follow

Maundy Thursday

April 6 – 6:00 pm – Worship Service

Remembrance of Jesus’ Last Supper with His Disciples

Good Friday

April 7 – 6:00 pm – Worship Service (at Grace UMC)

Remembrance of Jesus Suffering and Death

Easter Sunday

April 9 – 7:00 am – Sunrise Service (at Grace UMC)

Hot Breakfast to follow

April 9 – 11:00 am – Easter Worship & Celebration of our Risen Lord!

at Fairview UMC

Easter Egg Hunt for children after church

We rejoice that “neither life nor death…nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).  

Fairview UMC  –  3901 Hamill Rd.  –  fairviewumchixson.com
Grace UMC  –  9833 Hixson Pike, Soddy Daisy

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Gleanings….

Saw a sign that stated, “All you need is love, and a sunset.”  

I thought as I read it, “How romantic!”  Truly, one of the joys I have every year (that I can go) is to see the sun set on the ocean.  The colors, the breeze, the sound of the waves washing up on the shore; I love it and I never get tired of it.  But I thought of something else as I read the sign:  All we really need is a sunrise.

Every year about this time, we celebrate Easter, and as holy days go, it is the perfect conclusion to the story of Jesus’ time on earth.  Think about it for a moment.  Where would we be without the gift of God taking on human form, living to enable us to know God better, and then dying on a cross to show us God’s love?  And then, on the third day, a sunrise!

“He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.”  Matthew 28:6

Just as the sunrise assures us every morning that darkness does not hold ultimate sway in this world, Easter morning reminds us that death does not have the final word for our lives.  Because of love, we have a future that knows no end and cannot be taken from us.  Though the time of our mortal existence is determined by many factors…..some we control, others we don’t….we will live eternally because not even death is stronger than God’s love for humankind.

What will be the form of our eternal existence?  I have no idea, but we are assured that we will be like Jesus (see 1 John 3).  This is good news without measure!

This year, do you need to see the sun rise again?  We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday and share the joy of greeting the new day with praise.  We invite you to join with us in a renewed life that begins and ends with Jesus every day.  May it be the beginning of a great relationship for all!

Peace, Braxton ><>

Gleanings…

Have you ever thought about just how much God loves you?  Getting to spend time with our newest grandchild has reopened my eyes to the immense love that God pours out upon us each and every day.  I am not sure that I can identify all of the ways, but here are a couple that I have noticed.

We get to see and interact with our grandson a couple of times most weeks.  Due to the limited number of visits, he is not super comfortable with spending time with us when mommy is not around.  Tears and crying convey his lack of comfort, but that does not stop us from holding him and doing what we can to distract and entertain him.  That is how we show him love.

It reminds me of the times when I was not super comfortable around God.  Fearful that he would condemn or abandon me led me to act standoffish or defensive.  Unfortunately, that also meant that I had feelings of distrust and fear around other people, including people who identified as Christians.  Interestingly, that did not stop God from showing me, or anyone else that I know, unconditional love.

After our grandson has worn himself out complaining about how unfair it is to have to live without mommy holding him, he will usually quieten and take a little nap upon one of our shoulders.  We may not be mommy or daddy, but we’ll do in a pinch.

I believe that God offers us that same sweet place of rest when we have worn ourselves out over difficult days and circumstances.  The cause for our complaining may not have been taken care of, and we may still be afraid that there is more trouble looming in the distance.  Does that stop God from comforting us and reassuring us that we are not facing our troubles alone?

Now, at some point, our grandson will come to recognize that we can be trusted and will readily accept our offers to spend time together, but it won’t be because we made him.  No, it will happen when he decides that we are ok.  At that point, we will get to build a loving relationship that allows everyone to feel secure.

In the same way, God allows us to decide when we will trust him.  The slow journey to where we feel safe and secure in his presence will free us to release our distrust and fear, and embrace a love that we can then share with all of his children.

Our grandson will eventually learn that he can trust us to always love him.  Isn’t it wonderful that God had done that very thing for us?  Aren’t you glad that we get to be one big loving family?  I know that I am.

Blessings,

Pastor Braxton ><>

 

Outreach

Mustard Tree – Monthly donation – $300 

Fellowship of Christian Athletes – Monthly donation – $100 

Red Bank UMC Food Pantry – Monthly donation – $100 

Big Ridge School – Monthly banana donations for the after school and summer programs 

John Calvin Apartments – Help delivering commodities to the residents apartments, supply birdseed, Christmas Cards 

Hands on Mission Project – donated 76 buckets 

Regency Apartments – supply birdseed, outdoor bench donated in memory of Eunice Harvey 

Wesley House at UTC – Donated food, coffee, and supplies for school startup. 

Christmas Shoeboxes – Donated 60 shoeboxes to the Disaster Relief Warehouse in Decatur 

Mayfield First UMC Church in Kentucky – Donated $1,000 for rebuilding after tornado destruction 

Change for Children – donated $1,500 

Nursing Homes – Crafty Critters make adult bibs for residents 

Fifth Sunday Offerings – donated to Holston Home for Children and Society of St. Andrew 

Egg Hunt – for children in the Big Ridge school daycare program during spring break 

Day of Thanks – Provided cookies, breads, and treats for the employees at Soddy Daisy Healthcare Facility 

Summit View Housing – Took Christmas cards to the residents 

Hosanna House – Took Christmas cards to the residents, provide needed items for Christmas 

Prayer Shawl Ministry – Crafty Critters make and provide prayer shawls for those in need of prayer 

Mary Ellen Locher Center – Crafty Critters make and provide heart pillows and hats for cancer patients as needed. 

Card Ministry – Send Birthday, Sympathy, and Prayer cards 

Congregational and Others Support – Flowers, Food, and Assistance – sick, surgery, hospital, sympathy 

Birthday for Jesus Party – Bring presents…..donations for Union Gospel Mission 

Christmas Cards – for those in assisted living housing 

Special Services & Events – Ash Wednesday Service, Good Friday Service, Choral Easter Program, “Songs of Calvary”, Laity Sunday Service, Fifth Sunday Singings with Soup & Salad Lunch to follow, Lent Bible Study, Church Picnic, All Saints Day Service, Choral Christmas Program, Christmas Family Night Dinner, Fall Bible Study, Birthday for Jesus Worship Service.

Gleanings…

What are you doing tomorrow?  Strange question?  I don’t think so.  Each day seems to slip away so quickly and often the most that we have to show for it is exhaustion.  If we are lucky, we will have used the day to be with the ones that we love.  Otherwise, it may have just used us.

Jesus makes a point of telling the disciples (Luke 12:22-34) that our chasing after the “stuff” of this world will have very little impact on the life that God has for us.  “Stuff” will not enable us to live longer, neither will it contribute to any sense of joy.  Instead of striving for the “stuff” of this world, maybe we should be investing our time in seeing that each day is used to its fullest extent through loving our family, friends, neighbors, and yes, even our enemies.

There is a lot of energy expended trying to make sure that we end up in heaven.  Many believe that this is a reward for having lived a good life.  I wonder, though, when Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven has come among you, is he not talking about the here and now?  If that is the case (and I believe it is), then our daily living is actually a part of heaven if we use it to live in and share God’s presence with others.

So, this is a short Gleanings… article because I want you to use your time to do something that expresses your thanks for heaven, here and now.  If you have missed talking with an old friend—don’t forget the young ones—do what will bring joy to both of you.  Find a way to show and share love.  Find a good vantage point and take in the beauty of creation.  Sit quietly with a loved one or sing and dance with wild abandon until laughter overtakes you.

Life is what you make it; choose heaven for yourself and those around you will live in it, too.

Blessings,

Pastor Braxton ><>

Gleanings…

Lyndie and I received news today that a tiny infant we had been praying for died this morning.  Weighing in at 290 grams at birth, he was the tiniest baby every admitted to the NICU.  Though the doctors and caregivers of multiple hospitals gave it all that they could, though this little one was bathed in prayer every moment of every day, and though the parents trusted that God was going to bring a miracle, his little body was not able to sustain life.  Needless to say, the journey for the family is not over.

What were our expectations for what God would do?  Over and over the hopes of people needing a significant miracle are unfulfilled.  Though countless prayers from people known and unknown to the families are lifted faithfully, the prayed for response never seems to come about.  For some families, it is the end of hope and the beginning of despair.

We who watch and pray from the sidelines often find ourselves holding our breath as the affected family struggles for understanding, consolation, and peace.  It is never easy to make sense of such heart-rending loss no matter what our level of faith in God may be.  To see it happen is tragic; to see it happen more than once causes us to wonder what is going on.  Where is God and what is God doing to help us?

How often do we fail to see what is right before our eyes?  When distracted, it is quite easy to miss signs, warnings, and blessings.  When we are so focused on our struggle, our loss, or even our overwhelming success, we can overlook the very thing that we have been searching for.  I don’t know what the next step for this little one’s family will be, but I do know that God is present and ready to help them find consolation and peace.

Will that be enough?  What about the promises of God that if we ask for anything in Jesus’ name, it will be granted to us?  What will they say to those who ask why God did not preserve the life of their little one?  In the great mercy of God, they will not have to struggle with these questions either silently or alone, for we who have been holding them in prayer will continue to seek God’s comfort for the family and all who mourn with them.

Knowing what to pray for can be challenging.  We want specific needs fulfilled.  We want answers to come that align with our expectations.  We want the action we have requested to happen now if not sooner.  Is that what is best for the person or action we are praying for?  Is our understanding sufficient to know all the ramifications of what our request would bring about over time?  Not always.

There are times, when the answer seems long in coming, that we can make it through our self-focused view to the place where we can begin to understand that what we are requesting may not be best in the end.  At those times, our prayers can change from “my will” to “thy will” and we can begin to thank and praise God for simply being there.  At that moment, we begin to feel and appreciate God’s consolation and peace.  And, I might add, we begin to look for how God will redeem this life and situation.

The blessing of life is that all of us are held in love by God.  Every life, whether long or short, has meaning and serves an eternal purpose.  With this understanding, our prayers can become more focused on seeking what God desires and less about what we want.  Allowing God to direct our focus gives God glory allows God’s purposes to be accomplished to the blessing of all people.

Please do not stop praying for God to bring help, hope, and healing to all wherever there is need.  Our praying opens us to receive guidance for how we can help to bring about the answer from God.  Instead, live in constant prayer that every person may sense God’s loving presence and find in it the strength to meet the need before them.  And may God be gracious to allow you a vision of his great love for your faithfulness.

Peace and hope,

Pastor Braxton  ><>