So the day begins ...

I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow my statutes and keep my ordinances and obey them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 11:19-20

My first thoughts about being given a heart have been my friends that have had heart transplants. Before the transplant their life was no doubt in an ending process while afterward their life had a new beginning. These are the particular words in Ezekiel that make me think along that line: 'one heart', 'new spirit', 'removal of the heart of stone', and 'give them a heart of flesh'.

Such is indeed a new life and this is what Ezekiel speaks of. In his perspective a new life pulls toward oneness with God, is given breath (spirit) by God, removes the stone-heart that resists God ... that worships idols (some of which were made of stone), and gives them a heart full of life.

LORD God, giver of new hearts: Renew our national and international leaders; the Universal Church; our bishops, cabinets, denominational and local church leaders. Do such that our leaders together may encourage us to visibly make your vision a reality. Keep us in tune with your vision expressed by Your Son and empowered by Your Spirit: 'Love God, neighbor, enemy, and self.' Please make us instruments of your grace. All praise be to you who does the impossible! Amen.

Holy, holy, holy,

the Lord God the Almighty,

who was and is and is to come"

(Revelation 4:8b)

Worship is this morning at 10:00 AM

You are invited to be our guest as you seek to center upon God.

Arlington UMC

1360 Murfreesboro Road

between Briley Parkway and Donelson Pike

knocking

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me (Revelation 3:20).

Reminds me of the book, The Shack.

You are invitedto be our guest at

Arlingon UMC
1360 Murfreesboro Road
Nashville, Tennessee 37217

arlingtonum.org

Worship begins at 10:00 AM.

Bouncing Scripture verses off of each other ...

But when I (the LORD) speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God’; let those who will hear, hear; and let those who refuse to hear, refuse; for they are a rebellious house (Ezekiel 3:27);

and ...

Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent ... Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God (Revelation 2:5, 7).

Note: In Revelation the "lampstands" were symbolic of churches (Rev. 1:20).

Enough ...

Enough prayer for me for today ...

Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.

(Psalm 143:8)

Just walking and listening ...

I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face (3 John 13-14).

The imagery of talking together just hangs in there with me while I am walking together with family; friends; staff, congregants; leaders; mentors; and in the midst of that, the LORD.

Just do it ...

Jeremiah said,

‘That will not happen. Just obey the voice of the Lord in what I say to you, and it shall go well with you, and your life shall be spared" (Jeremiah 38:20).

Be very familiar with Scripture so that you can be clarified as to whether or not that inner voice is God's voice so that in those moments when God's voice speaks within you can ...

just do it.

Such is ...

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. (1 John 5:1).

Spoke to me on Monday ... "everyone who loves the parent loves the child ...".

Such is the tasks of grandparents ...

Our God-given target

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare ... For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord ... (Jeremiah 29:7, 11-14a).

During the time of this writing Israel had been hauled into exile to Babylon by the Babylonian military. God's advice is to make the best of their exile by seeking the welfare of the place to which they have been exiled--to do what is best for the others of that place. Such will be their welfare and not their harm

These sound like the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-33 or 7:7-11.

I invite you to come to a place where you may once again meet up with Jesus. That place is:

Arlington UMC

1360 Murfreesboro Road

(between Briley Parkway and the airport runway that goes across Murfeesboro Road)

arlingtonum.org

Sunday, 8:30 AM: Community breakfast:

Sunday: 10:00 AM: Worship

(615) 361-4896

those who do ...

Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever (1 John 2:15-17).

I have observed both sides of life -- extreme poverty and unbelievable material richness. My observations is that, overall, the ones in the most poverty I have seen have had the strongest faiths I have seen. From my perspective, it is OK to have an abundance of property as long as we recall that our property belongs to God just as we do, and God has put us in charge to see that the love of God is expressed in our care for the powerless and the hopeless.

Again, the will of God can be summed up by "love God, neighbor, enemy, and self".

let all the peoples ...

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you.

(Psalm 67:3)

What a thought! What a vision! All the peoples praising God.

As I imagine that scene I perceive of a world where all have clean water, all are fed, all have the medicines needed, all have experienced the love of God, neighbor, enemy, and self.

As I have experienced that scene it has also been with people that do not have enough who have lived in homes made out of materials found at the trash heaps. And in the midst of all that trouble, their lives are still lives of praise.

The character of God I have experienced is in the middle of life no matter what its condition. Let all the peoples praise you, O God, even when things do not work out right.

Praise the Lord!

Praise the LORD!

(Psalm 105:45b)

One basic message of the 105th psalm is anytime -- anytime! -- is a time to praise the LORD no matter how we feel!!!

Like a number of the psalms what psalm 105 do is work through the history of Israel inviting them to tell of what the LORD has done. A part of that history includes their time of slavery to Egypt, of course, including God's work to release them through a man named Moses.

Such says to me that even when times are tough there is that inward call to recall that, in spite of all, the LORD still hangs in there with us. Praise the LORD!

Add or detract?

Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to the secretary Baruch son of Neriah, who wrote on it at Jeremiah’s dictation all the words of the scroll that King Jehoiakim of Judah had burned in the fire; and many similar words were added to them. (Jeremiah 36:32).

A particular phrase here catches my attention: "and many similar words were added to them". Such is a widespread belief of what happened to Scripture. Words of clarifications, interpretations, definitions, possible daily-life applications, and stories were added to the original documentation of Scripture.

Some would say that is an awful thought. But, for me, it enhances the necessity of struggling with what today's Scripture lesson means to my own life. For example, that "many similar words" phrase pushes me to ask this question:

Will my life lived today add or detract from God's basic message of

"love God, neighbor, self and enemy"?

My prayer and hope is that my life will add to God's basic message. Now may your life do so as well.

Always tough questions ...

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews.

These words are from John 19:38-40.

The two gentlemen they speak of were, by all evidence, disciples, or followers, of Jesus. Yet, as far as Scripture gives evidence, they were not a part of Jesus' small group of followers/disciples. Jesus does indeed reach beyond the local church setting. There is no doubt of that.

• So what is the calling of Arlington UMC to reach beyond ourselves again?
• What is my calling to do so?
• And, if you are an active part of the body of Christ, what is your calling to reach beyond the walls of the church.
• And if you are not a part of a church-setting, what is your part in reaching beyond yourself?

Just playing around with Jesus' question ...

"Whom are you looking for?"

(a part of John 17:4)

Who am I looking for?

I am looking for a person who has all the answers.

Who am I looking for?

A person who knows the best decisions at every point in life.

Who am I looking for?

There are times when I am just not looking for anyone

... such are times to be alone.

Who am I looking for?

A person just hungry to be with Jesus.

Who am I looking for?

Jesus, I suppose and hope that I am just looking for you in all those I meet.

Who am I looking for?

Jesus, I am looking for you.

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord;
praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time on and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust,
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 113

Our hour of praise at

Arlington UMC

is at 10:00 AM.

Blessings ...

the potter's house ...

‘Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.’

Jeremiah 18:2

The work of a pottery-maker is my favorite imagery of God seeking to shape each of us into the individuals and communities he desires us to become. He gives us the freedom to resist. He shapes us as fast as we allow him to do so. His feet spin the potter's wheel as fast as we can take it and his hands mold us.

So my choice today is how much will I allow God to shape me.

Just like a tree that's planted by the water ...

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.

(Jeremiah 17:7-8)

When I read this I thought that trees that I have seen planted by water suffer the erosion of the soil so that their roots are partially showing and that are growing out of the banks of a river at an angle. It looks rough! And yet they are thriving! To me that thought adds meaning to these verses. In the roughness of life, God's presence aids us by helping us effectively deal with anxious moments with an inner peace with growth.

I cannot help but think of the hymn ...

Trees that planted by the water, LORD, I shall not be moved.

I shall not be, I shall not be moved;

I shall not be, I shall not he moved.

Just like a tree that's planted by the water, LORD, I shall not be moved.

The old dependable S.O.A.P.Y.

Scripture: ‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning (John 15:26-27).

Observation: The Advocate, Holy Spirit, sent by God the Father and God the Son to inform, or teach, us. One of its means of teaching is 'natural' conscience. It is 'natural' because we are born with it, and it is 'unnatural' because without God's consistent help we cannot have it.

Application: To look for moments to share Christ Jesus with others knowing that the Advocate can testify as well so move into, through, and after our witness in tome of prayer.

Prayer: God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God: thank you for allowing Your Spirit to come and live among and in us. The Spirit is You --- such is almost unbelievable when experienced in daily life! Guide my emotions, thoughts, attitudes, disciplines, insights, and actions by graceful words and good works. May my words and deeds help those who hear and see at least glance at you, by your grace and truth. Amen.

Yield: Look for moments to testify on behalf of Jesus, and be prayerfully prepared.

The day starts ...

For me, just a confession for today ... sometimes a good way for a day to start ...

Correct me, O LORD, but in just measure;

not in your anger,

or you will bring me to nothing

(Jeremiah 10:24)

There is a balm ...

One of my favorite texts provides the background for an African-American spiritual. The text is as follows: "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why has the health of my poor people not been restored?" (Jeremiah 8:22).

The spiritual on my mind and heart this morning is a response to these questions, and a positive one at that. It goes like this:

Refrain:
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged,
And think my work's in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.

Don't ever feel discouraged,
for Jesus is your friend,
and if you look for knowledge
he'll ne'er refuse to lend.

If you can't preach like Peter,
If you can't pray like Paul,
Just tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.

Peace

For from the least to the greatest of them,
everyone is greedy for unjust gain;
and from prophet to priest,
everyone deals falsely.
¹⁴They have treated the wound of my people carelessly,
saying, ‘Peace, peace’,
when there is no peace.
¹⁵They acted shamefully, they committed abomination;
yet they were not ashamed,
they did not know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the Lord.

Jeremiah 6:13-15

Peace, or wholeness and completeness, comes from God alone.

Seeing Jesus ...

Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ He answered, ‘And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.’ He said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshipped him. Jesus said, ‘I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.’ Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, ‘Surely we are not blind, are we?’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, “We see”, your sin remains (John 9:35-41).

This occurs after Jesus heals a blind man. In this passage seeing is recognizing Jesus and being open to him. And in essence being open to Jesus is to give our lives to him and seek to follow his teachings to love God, neighbor, self and enemy.

A part of following Jesus is the realization that some of the means of grace such as Holy Communion, teaching, reading of God's word, and support groups for keeping the faith are in the church.

You are invited to Arlington UMC if you are looking for a place to come.

A city-slicker in a fruitful song ...

I am a city-slicker. That is, I gardened a couple of years in the early 80's. Well, this year I have a couple of tomato plants in large flower pots on our patio. I have added in fertilizer weekly plus keeping it watered. Now they were planted late and so yesterday we had our first tomato! So a smile came on my face as I read the words below from Habakkuk.

Though the fig tree does not blossom,
and no fruit is on the vines;
though the produce of the olive fails
and the fields yield no food;
though the flock is cut off from the fold
and there is no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will exult in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
and makes me tread upon the heights.

To the leader: with stringed instruments.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

(The last part of this text that is "to the leader" indicates that this may have been the words of a hymn. And with one tomato I do feel like singing).

Just a small discovery ...

Have you ever heard people say something so that wondered how they came to their conclusion? That's the way it was for me this morning when I was reading 2 Kings 23. Years ago a prof said that 'even though we don't know what book of the Bible was found in the Temple that when it was read moved Josiah to repentance, most believe that it was Deuteronomy'.

This morning I saw part of the reasoning for his statement in 2 Kings 23:24-25 -- the words from Deuteronomy 6 are in italics below in the reading for today.

Moreover, Josiah did away with the mediums, wizards, teraphim, idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, so that he established the words of the law that were written in the book that the priest Hilkiah had found in the house of the Lord. Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him (2 Kings 23:24-25).

How true it is! We all are called to turn to God with all that we are.

he tore his clothes ...

When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. (2 Kings 22:11).

Biblically, national leaders are to be good examples of following God. The story of Josiah, who is Judah's king in 2 Kings 22 is but one example of this. Here, he hears the words of a biblical book that had been found in "the house of the LORD", the Temple of Jerusalem. As it is read aloud, Josiah tears his clothes which was a symbol of his guilt and his desire for repentance -- to turn away from sin.

Biblically, national leaders are to be the conscience of a nation. That is, they are stand for what is right in the eyes of God.

Pray for our national leaders that they will be true to God, and turn to God.

slow to anger ...

The Lord is slow to anger but great in power,
and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.

His way is in whirlwind and storm,
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

(Nahum 1:3)

In reading the words, "whirlwind and storm" I was recalling a storm that literally blew through our neighborhood. The winds were strong enough to so blow the tree limbs that their waving registered in our motion detectors for our outside lights so on and off they would go.

Often, the presence of the LORD is biblically symbolized in quite a few ways such as wind, storm, and clouds, but there are other symbols of God's presence such as light, scent, breath, silence and stillness.

May today in the violent wind and quiet breath may I sense the presence of God. And may you as well.

For all ...

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony,

‘He told me everything I have ever done.’

John 4:39

What this story in John 4 suggest to me is that in order for me to know myself best, it will be helpful to have regular conversations with Jesus. For me, Jesus speaks first of all through Scripture.

But there are other ways he may speak as well through any ways he chooses. Here are just a few of the ways I have heard Jesus speak personally to me:

• all of the worship experiences;
• conversations;
• personal reflections on events;
• readings other than Scripture;
• observations; and,
• letters received and sent.

There are times when I see life as Jesus trying to constantly get his message of loving God, neighbor, self, and enemy across. And, as impossible as it sounds, I believe his message never comes back empty. That is, there is always at least one who listens, understands, and acts out the love of Jesus for all ... for all.

Just hanging around ...

For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall never be shaken.

Psalm 62:1-2

Reflections on God ...

Part of my favorite imagery of God is as a potter. I would imagine that such is partially true because of gifts that I received from laity that they made with their hands. Such has been a coffee cup at my first student-pastor assignment (while I was attending college). And, although is cracked, I have never thrown it away. Other such items have been clay lanterns, and other home-made coffee cups.

That imagery of God that I have is One who slowly molds us into Christian perfection, that is, creatures of love for God, neighbor, self, and enemy. My belief is God will mold us as fast as we will allow God to do. That came to mind as I read Isaiah 64:8 ...

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.

May we allow God to mold us into those God desires us to be.

Invitation

I will appoint Peace as your overseer and Righteousness as your taskmaster.

(Isaiah 60:17b).

You are invited to Arlington UMC.

Worship is traditional and at 10:00 AM on Sunday.