Anatomy of Sin--2 Samuel 11:1-11

Are you ever shocked by how sinful our world has become? Open up a newspaper and you can see sin’s effects -- Murder, assault, drugs, sexual misdeeds, gambling, drugs, failure to pay child support, tax evasion, etc. -- And that’s just the SPORTS page! We see news events that are almost unimaginable.

The LA Lakers Kobe Bryant was on trial a few years ago for allegedly having improper relations with a minor -- Not to mention the fact that he’s married. I could go on and on with stories from the headlines that prove my point.

You probably know people who’ve recently made a mess of their life through poor and/or sinful choices. But let’s not be too quick to take the attitude that says, “How could THOSE people do that”

Today, I want to look at the anatomy of a sin. The steps involved in sin’s progression. I want us to see how even a spiritual giant such as David can fall to sin if he lets his guard down. We’ll look too at the steps you can take to defeat temptation.

In order to do these things, I want to look at the life of David – a man after God’ own heart. First, a little background on David. He wrote much of the book of Psalms. He was regarded as a hero after demonstrating incredible faith in God and killing Goliath. He’s even referred to in scriptures as a “Man after God’s own heart.” Friends, if it can happen to someone like David, don’t be naïve enough to think it couldn’t happen to you.

The first step we find in David’s fall is that he became USED TO SIN. 2 Samuel 5: 13, “After he left Hebron, David took more wives and concubines in Jerusalem.” This is a seemingly insignificant verse. After all, what David did was legally and socially acceptable thing to do, but, according to a seemingly insignificant verse in Deuteronomy 17, it’s sinful. This passage says that a Hebrew king should not: 1) Acquire many horses, 2)take many wives, 3) accumulate much silver & gold. David had “overlooked” this transgression or brushed it off.

Are we being too hard on David here? All kings have a lot of money and possessions. Most kings back then even had many wives. Many of us today overlook the “little sins” or laugh off the “socially acceptable sins.” Many of us in this room do not think much about our indiscriminate t.v. viewing.

Perhaps we’ve been known to enjoy or even tell a coarse joke every now and then. Perhaps we’ve taken part in some gossip and negative talk this week. Materialism is rampant even among church-going people today.

Could it be that we’ve lost the innocence of our youth? Remember how you used to react when you were a small child and you heard obscene language? It shocked you. Sin should shock us still. We see, first of all, that David became USED TO sin. Sin didn’t seem like the big deal that it ought to. It has become an acceptable way of life.

The second step in David’s fall was that he had TOO MUCH IDLE TIME. Everybody needs some down time to relax. But too much idle time, often leads to misdeeds.

David was a leader and a warrior – that’s what he was gifted to do. verse 1 – “…at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab…but David remained in Jerusalem.” Why was David not out in the battlefield with his men? David was one of the greatest warriors Israel had ever known. Would be like having Shaquille ONeal on your team and sitting him on the bench. This would have been okay, if David stayed home for another purpose. But I don’t read of anything constructive David is occupied with. Friends, are you occupied with the work of the Lord today or are you using your time for other, more selfish endeavors?

David made a progressive step when he VENTURED WHERE TEMPTATION DWELLED. It was a common custom for women of that time to go to their rooftop at evening time to bathe. It was also very likely that the palace rooftop was higher than all other rooftops – providing a view of all rooftops in the area. You draw your own conclusions as to why David decided to spend some time on the rooftop that evening. It may have been innocent, but just seems fishy to me.

There are lots of ways that we venture where temptation dwells today. I just want to talk specifically about a few.

Internet pornography. Chuck Colson has called internet pornography “Spiritual Crack Cocaine” because of how quickly people can become addicted to it and how destructive it is to the human soul. No longer do men (and some women) have to enter into adult bookstores or seedy nightclubs to feed their sexual fantasies. It’s all now just a click away on a home computer.

We need to put safeguards in place. Internet filtering software is available for all of you computer-saavy parents who want to do your best to keep the garbage out of your home. Place the computer in a visible place in the house. Don’t assume your kids wouldn’t look at it. I have known some Christian parents who were shocked to find out that their precious children had been viewing pornography online. For some, the temptation is too great and it becomes a sickness, similar to alcoholism. Marriages have crumbled. Jobs have been lost (ministries have ended) It is a gateway for sexual perversion.

Billy Graham’s ministry has escaped the scandals that have plagued many evangelists. For years he has had the following policies in place: 1) No one person will ever handle the money. It will always be handled by committee. 2) He will never be alone with a woman other than his wife. 3)Doesn’t even allow the rumor of indiscretion. David ventured where temptation dwelled.

David’s next step down this path of destruction was that he DWELLED IN THE MIDST OF TEMPTATION. Once he noticed Bathsheba, David had not yet sinned. He could have recognized this as temptation and decided it was best to go back downstairs.

David made the CHOICE to stay on that rooftop and stare.

Matthew 5: 27 – 28, “You have heard it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” You can be a murderer if that is what you harbor in your heart. You can be an adulterer without being physically intimate. David dwelled in the midst of temptation.

The next following step is RATIONALIZATION. Now that David knew what he wanted, he now had to ease his conscience. He tried to make it seem okay in his mind. You can talk yourself into feeling okay with almost anything. Someone will tell you it’s okay. You can reason it out in your own mind. I can imagine what might have been going through David’s mind on that rooftop that evening. “Uriah is much older than her. She needs a younger man.” “Uriah is going to be gone to war for a long time.” “I’ve been under such stress lately. I deserve to do something for myself.”

David rationalized with sin until he no longer felt it was wrong.

Finally, ACTION IS TAKEN. 2 Samuel 11: 4-5, “Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. Then she went back home. The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, ‘I am pregnant.’”

How quickly the “man after God’s own heart,” the “giant slayer” became a common adulterer. Folks, don’t be naïve enough to think it couldn’t happen to you if you don’t keep your defenses up.

Next, notice the ENTANGLEMENT OF SIN. Like an insect in a spider web (more they try to get out of it, the more entangled they get). Sin is often sticky. (One sin necessitates another)

David sends for Uriah to come home and be with Bathsheba to make it look like the baby is his. But Uriah refuses to go home to the comforts of home while his men are still in the battlefield. David tries to get out of this jam by arranging to have Uriah set up to be killed in battle. Now he’s a murderer.

This is where our passage ends. However, I don't want to end the sermon on a negative note. I would like to focus now on what to do when temptation comes into our lives.

Basically, all you need to do is do the opposite of what David did in this account.

1) Beware having a lot of idle time.

2) Don’t go where temptation is if you can help it.

3) Don’t dwell in the midst of temptation.

4) Don’t let yourself rationalize. (stand on truth)

5) Be quick to repent vs. entangling yourself trying to get of it in your way.

Furthermore, fill your mind with good things. (Phillippians 4: 8) Have someone that you’re accountable to. Remember the Christian life is meant to lived in community not in isolation. Amen

Turning 40

The birthday that I remember the most is my 19th birthday. I was coming off a long day of school at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. All I wanted was to get home quickly so that I can enjoy a good meal with my family. But God had other plans as I drawn to a beautiful young woman who has never used public transportation before, and was in need of my help getting home. Fearing for her safety I decided to help her. This decision surprised me personally as I have never done anything like this before. I was even about ready to bring her home personally when we realized there was only one seat left on the final ride home. So there and then we said our goodbyes. Fate was unkind. It was never meant to be. I remember feeling sad that night as I didn't get the chance to know her. For all intents and purposes, she was gone forever.

Since that time I grew up. I graduated from my first pre-med degree. Witnessed the death of my parents. Travelled to the United States. Went to seminary. Lived in Pasadena, California and in Macksburg, Iowa. Became a United Methodist pastor. Lost a love or two. Got Married. Had a daughter. Returned to California. Had a son. Bought a condo where my wife and I can retire when everything is said and done.

In the twenty-one years after my 19th birthday life has taken me in some interesting directions traveling to different places, doing seminary work and becoming a United Methodist pastor, pastoring different kinds of churches, becoming a husband and a father, and many more.

I will turn 40 tomorrow. I wonder what will that birthday feel like? Turning 40 seems like a birthday that will place me in the middle of everything. I have a wife and two adorable children, a retirement place, and a vocation that I truly enjoy that provides well for me and my family. What else can I ask for?

How will my 40th birthday feel? I have matured a lot since my 19th birthday. I don't think any one birthday will become a turning point for me as I have learned to enjoy what life has to offer--the good and the bad. So bring it on.

“Come With Me…And Get Some Rest”----Mark 6:30-6:44

This morning, I would like to look at one verse from the record in St. Mark’s Gospel of the feeding of the five thousand. And this is the words of Jesus when he said to his disciples:"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." I would like to consider why this was so important.We live in a society where we are often very busy. Often I look in my calendar and wonder how I will survive the week. I am in such a rush.Yet Mother Theresa once observed: God is rarely found in the midst of noise and restlessness. Instead he is the friend of silence.Background:I think it is important to see the feeding of the five thousand in its context. Jesus has returned to his home town of Nazareth, where the people rejected him and where he made the famous comment: “A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country ” (Mk. 6:4 KJV). Jesus then proceeds to send the 12 apostles out “two by two” to preach a gospel of repentance. They are far more successful than he has been in Nazareth - for we read that the disciples “drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them” ( Mk 6:13)And then chronologically we come to the feeding of the five thousand.The disciples were on Cloud Nine. They wanted to keep on going. God is at work – how wonderful.Conventional wisdom would have said: “Strike while the iron is hot. Put another evangelistic campaign together. But JESUS said: “Pull aside with me for rest”Rest is so important if we are going to complete the course. By resting in Jesus, we see three principles illustrated in the story of the feeding of the five thousand.I. God is in control. Our problems don’t go away, but we acknowledge that God can deal with them.II. We will be surprised that God will use our meagre resources- in ways we cannot dream aboutIII. When God acts, He supplies liberally.Let’s look at each of these principles.1. The first principle is that God is in control.There is a temptation in life to be overwhelmed by things. The disciples were probably going to burn out if they had not drawn aside. How many of God’s people haven’t finished the course - because of burn out. Story: In the fall of 1904, Wales experienced a monumental religious awakening that shook the nation, turning its coal mines into sanctuaries, shutting down its saloons and brothels, and even cancelling its scheduled sporting events.God used a young man called Evan Roberts (1878-1950) as the prime mover in this Revival and he rose to national prominence. The Welsh press was for several months full of stories about Roberts - and the revival meetings he presided over.Yet after six months of intensive labor, Roberts withdrew from his ministry - an emotionally and physically broken man. At the invitation of Mrs. Jessie Penn Lewis, he retreated to the Lewis home in Leicester for what was originally intended to be a recuperative stay of one week. Sadly, he did not return to public ministry for nearly twenty-five years. Evan Roberts suffered from “Burn out”.Jesus recognized that we all need rest - to draw aside regularly and spend time with God. And as we do so - our problems take a different perspective.If we are going to be successful as Christians, we need to acknowledge that Christ is the source of all we do. And so we need to spend time with Him, in prayer and Bible Study, recharging the batteries and receiving our guidance from him. The disciples had a massive problem – how to feed 5000 people – with no supermarkets to buy from. It seemed an impossible problem. But they did the only thing they could – they brought the problem to Christ 2. The second principle is that God can take our meagre resources and use them spectacularly. We might feel, like the disciples, did that five loaves and two fishes wasn’t going anywhere, but our gifts in the hands of God can be multiplied spectacularly.Often we think that what we have to offer isn’t worth offering. Jesus took the five loaves and two fishes to feed 5000 people.God provides but he uses the little we have to kick start the process.
3. The third principle is that when God supplies the needs, everyone goes home satisfiedWhat has often surprised me in this story is the fact that there were 12 baskets left over. People didn’t just eat a little – they ate a lot – and there was still some leftover.
When God supplies our needs, we don’t have to worry. He cares for us just as we do for our childrenIf you are anything like me, you worry. Why pray when you can worry. When I am tempted to worry, I find the words of Jesus in Matthew 6 so encouraging:25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ’What shall we eat?’ or ’What shall we drink?’ or ’What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.:And thereby lies the key. We as followers of Jesus are called to seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.There is a temptation to look at all the problems we have and despair. However, Jesus challenges us today to draw aside and bring Him our problems. In conclusion, I believe that the feeding of the five thousand illustrates three important principles that happen when we spend time with Jesus. These are: I. God is in control. Our problems don’t go away, but we acknowledge that God can deal with them.II. Our problems will be resolved and we will be surprised how God will use our meager resources to resolve the problem.III. And we will see that when God acts, He supplies liberally.All we have to do is to bring our problems to Jesus in a quiet place and get some rest. Let’s resolve to do that daily. Amen

"Who Lost His Head?"

Some days are shockers. Bombshells. Pure Disasters. The morning of Sept 11, 2001 is forever etched in the minds of millions of Americans. Of four planes, two crashed into the Twin Towers, one crashed into the Pentagon, a fourth crashed in a Pennsylvania field. Emergency people rushed to the scenes. Buildings were on fire, towers collapsing and people were shocked. The passengers of the fourth plane discovered what happened to the other three planes and decided to take action. Their courage prevented the loss of even more lives. Sept 11th, a bombshell of a day. A nation was stunned beyond belief.

Friday, November 22, 1963. Dallas, Texas. 12:30 PM. A presidential motorcade was working its way through Dallas. Several bullet shots rang out and one bullet pieced the skull of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. A great American leader was assassinated. A nation was numbed. That day was a disaster.

Such it was the day that John the Baptist was killed. His head chopped by King Herod. John the Baptist was the first authentic voice of God in Israel for four hundred years. People flocked out to the Jordan River to hear John preach. People revered the Baptist. Honored him. Venerated him. Held him up in highest esteem. But one day he was brutally murdered, and the nation was shocked, stunned, and staggered. Speaking the truth can be dangerous to your health.

People of God who are committed to God and speak the truth of God sometimes get killed or martyred for their honesty. John the Baptist did. Jesus did. Many of the first disciples did. Stephen, the first martyr, did. Disciples throughout the centuries have.

One of the early church father said that the “blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Throughout the centuries, the martyrs have inspired us Christians with their commitment unto death.

This story of John the Baptist invites us to have the courage to be truth tellers, to tell the truth of God’s morality to people around us. When we do, we are often ridiculed, rejected and even killed for doing so. Speaking the truth can be dangerous to your health.

A tendency among all Christians is to “play it safe,” “keep one’s mouth shut,” “don’t offend folks around us,” “keep peace in the family,” “keep peace in the nation.” Yes, there is a safety in being silent before the evil around us.

There are at least four characteristics of martyrs like John the Baptist.
First, Martyrs get killed, not for their convictions, but for expressing their convictions. Martyrs don’t keep their faith private. Martyrs are people who “don’t know better” but they open their mouths and often at the wrong times. They refuse to keep their mouths shut, and therefore they get into trouble. There are all kinds of people who have beliefs in Christ and beliefs in Christian values and they never get hurt at all. The key is to keep your mouth shut and you won’t get hurt. Keep your mouth shut and nobody will bother you. But as soon as you open your mouth about Christ and the Christian faith, that is when you will start becoming a martyr. It is the same Greek word for both witnesses and martyrs and both have a lot in common: both witnesses and martyrs open their mouths for Jesus Christ. So Stephen had this problem, as did all martyrs, of not keeping their mouth shut and keeping silent about their Christian convictions.

A second characteristic of a martyr is not only what they say but when and where they say it. For example, back in the Soviet Union during the Stalin era, if you declared that you were a Christian, you could be killed for it. If you said the same thing in the United States, nobody would be bothered at all. It is not just what you say but when and where you say it that makes for martyrdom. If you talk about Christ and social justice in church among believing friends, nobody gets too upset about it. But in certain situations and certain epochs of history, you can get killed for saying the same words.
A martyr is not a person who checks the wind of public opinion. They don’t say to themselves, “I will check the wind of public opinion and then I will make my pronouncement.” That person has the guts to go against culture. That person has the guts to go against public opinion. They have the guts to go against the king or governing authority.

John the Baptist expressed his convictions to both Herod and Herodias and got killed for it. It would have been safe for the Baptist to express his convictions privately to his disciples and friends. Yes, speaking the truth can be dangerous to your health.

A third characteristic of a martyr is that they are willing to die. They don’t want to die, but they are willing to die for Jesus Christ that others might live in justice and freedom.

Christian martyrs believe passionately in Jesus Christ. These martyrs believe so deeply that they are willing to die for their faith in Christ and their consequent moral values. These martyrs don’t hide behind the safety of silence; they speak God’s Word when and where it is not safe to speak the truth; and they are willing to die for the truth of Christ.

A four characteristic of martyrs: Martyrs inspire us. Martyrs encourage us. Martyrs lift us up so that we are more committed to Jesus Christ in our day and age, in our world.

The beheading of John the Baptist invites us to be honest about immorality when we see it, invites us to speak the truth even when its dangerous. Amen

On Freedom

Freedom! What is freedom? What does freedom mean to you? How did we acquire freedom? Do you appreciate freedom? Is freedom important to you? Did our forefathers always have freedom? How did freedom come to mankind? When we speak of freedom, we are speaking of living without restraints. We still have rules, laws and regulations that are in place to protect us and other people, but these are beneficial for all of us. Drivers must stop at stop signs, red lights, drive on the right side of road, pull over for emergency vehicles, and so on and if they don’t and they get caught, there is a penalty to pay. Driving is a privilege and not a right and this privilege is regulated by laws.We have the freedom to cross the county line or the state line without having to produce any type of identification. In other words, there is no “check point.” We have the freedom to live in the neighborhood of our choice. We are free to pick our vocation or our profession. We are free to attend whatever church we so desire or not to attend church at all. We have the freedom of choice when it comes to voting for political leaders. We have the freedom to agree or disagree on every day issues. We are free to voice our opinion concerning issues that arise. We are free to express our thoughts in books, newspapers, songs, signs and on the internet.We have the freedom of choosing a person with whom we would like to share the rest of life. We have the freedom to marry or not to marry, to have children or not to have children, and to educate our children in the public school or private school system or to home-school them.Our list of freedoms is endless. I would venture to say that there is probably no other country in the world where people have the freedoms that the American people have.These freedoms did not come easy. Britain wanted power and authority. Their empire included the religious colonies that were established along the Eastern coast of North America. All the colonies and settlements under Britain’s control were established to increase the wealth of the Mother country. The Mother country wanted to sell more of her products to these colonies than she imported from them. In so doing, she would accumulate more wealth at the expense of the colonies. To make this work, the British government imposed rules and regulations on the colonies. We can see that there was not a whole lot of freedom beneficial to the people of the colonies.As we know, the first permanent British settlement in North America was Jamestown. This occurred in the year 1607. Then in 1620, the Pilgrims arrived in North America and established Plymouth Colony. After that, other religious colonies were set up.Since there was such a great distance between the colonies along the shore of North America and the British homeland, control from the Mother country over the colonies was a bit difficult. Because of this, the colonies were able to set up governing bodies within the colonies.The colonies began to grow and spread to other areas in North America. Over a period of time, the Mother country wanted revenue from the colonies. They began by instituting the Stamp Act in 1765. The colonists viewed this as a violation of their rights and their freedom. Because of the Stamp Act, riots occurred forcing the British government to repeal it. That was wonderful, but the result was the institution of other taxes.The thirteen colonies decided to fight for their rights and their freedoms which were hampered by the British. The armed conflict began in 1775 and lasted until 1783. This war was known as the Revolutionary War or the American War for Independence. A formal document was issued in 1776, The Declaration of Independence, which broke allegiance with the British government. The war went on until 1783 when the British government gave up all claims to the United States.These United States of America will be 233 years old on July 4, 2009. When you think about it, America is a young country compared to countries like Egypt, Greece, China or Rome that have been in existence for many centuries. Egypt, Greece, and Rome are talked about in the Scriptures. There are some facts I ran across that are interesting. When our third President, Thomas Jefferson died, out 16th President Abraham Lincoln was just 17 years old. Then when Lincoln was assassinated, our 28th President, Woodrow Wilson was merely 8 years old. When Wilson died, our 40th President, Ronald Reagan, was a young lad of 12. When Reagan died, our 44th President, Barack Obama was an aspiring 27 year-old law student at Harvard. (Source unknown except for Obama)There you have it. The lives of five men can take you all the way back to the beginning our country, 233 years ago.We are a young free democratic country based on the following: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. (Declaration of Independence)July 4th is the day to celebrate the freedom brought about by the Declaration of Independence. We need to celebrate what was handed down to us by our forefathers. God blessed the men who fought who fought for our freedom. God has blessed our nation through the years and continues to bless it each day.America’s freedom is from a loving God. We do have minor issues, but we know God is in control and will not give our country more than it can handle. Furthermore, whatever comes, our God will furnish a means to come out as victor and not victim. As we read in the paper and hear on TV, other nations and countries are having difficulties. There is turmoil and revolution. There is unrest. Elections are held but are not conducted in a civil or democratic manner. People are in need of food and housing. The media is prohibited. People are not permitted the freedoms that we as American citizens enjoy. We have the blessings of Almighty God.Some people like John Adams indicated that July 4th should be a religious holiday. He thought it should be a day to remember that God had His hand in our deliverance.There were 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. At the time, they did not know there would be suffering for them and their families.It is documented that five of the 56 men were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve of the 56 had their homes destroyed. Two of the 56 lost members of their family in the Revolutionary army. Two of the 56 had members of their family captured. Nine of the 56 died of battle wounds and other difficulties of the war. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader watched as the British sank his ships. Thomas Nelson’s home was taken by the British and destroyed by George Washington’s forces. John Hart lost his wife and 13 children. This is why freedom is not free. These are the people who placed their names on the paper that declared independence from the British government. These are the people who were willing to sacrifice all for the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for you and for me. These are the people who knew God was still in control and that He would bless these United States of America.Listen to these humorous freedoms we have in America:1. Only in America can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.2. Only in America are there handicap parking places in front of a skating rink.3. Only in America do drugstores make the sick folks walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions, while healthy people can buy tobacco products at the front counter.4. Only in America do people order double cheeseburgers, extra large fries and a large DIET coke.5. Only in America do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our junk in the garage.6. Only in America do we use answering machines to screen calls and have call-waiting so we won’t miss a call from someone we didn’t want to talk to in the first place.7. Only in America do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.Someone sent these on the internet and how true they are. I don’t believe all these things apply to citizens of other countries. There are some countries that are extremely poor and are not able to have these privileges.Our forefathers gave us the freedom we have in America. Jesus gave us the ultimate in freedom. He said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free….So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:31,32,36).Jesus is the perfect standard of what is right. He enables us to be free of the results of our sins. He frees us from the dishonesty and trickery of the Devil. Jesus gives us freedom to follow His word that we might spend eternity in His kingdom. He gives us the freedom to become all that God the Father wants us to be. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1).Whenever Jesus finished talking to the crowds or preaching to them, they knew He had them in mind. He was concerned about their welfare and the way they lived their life. He was trying to relate to them the Father’s will for their life.Jesus’ messages were down –to-earth, practical, meaningful and covered all facets of life. He wanted them to know how important they were to Him and how willing He was to help them bear the trials, tribulations, and burdens they would encounter.“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He does the same for His children today as He has done in the past. God promotes life and liberty today just as much as in previous years.Paul said, “The God who made the world and everything in it….himself gives all men life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:24-25).You and I are not here by accident. Our life was given to us by God and is of great value. We are to honor, cherish and protect what God has given us. We are free people living under the grace of Almighty God.As good as we try to be and as intelligent as we profess to be, there are numerous inconsistencies in our way of living. Someone sent these to me and I want to share them with you.1. We have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.2. We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy less.3. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.4. We have more degrees but less common sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.5. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.6. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.7. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years.8. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.9. We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.10. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.11. We write more, but learn less. 12. We plan more, but accomplish less.13. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.14. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.God gave us the freedom to choose. Sometimes we make good chooses and sometimes we make bad choices. Our forefathers gave us the many earthly freedoms that we take for granted.Ronald Reagan once said, “I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God’s help to guide our nation through stormy seas. We can’t expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living.”Conclusion:We celebrate 233 years of independence for America on July 4th, 2009. I am proud to be an American. I am proud of these United States. I thank all those people who fought for the freedoms that I now enjoy. I honor all those who gave their lives that I might enjoy life.I thank God for His love for me. I thank Him for expressing that love by sending His Son into the world to pay my sin debt. I thank Him for the opportunity and privilege of spending eternity with Him in His kingdom. I celebrate and thank God everyday for all the freedom given me. I hope you feel the same way.“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1).May God bless America as we give praise and honor to Him.Amen.

2009 NAFAUM Convocation Summary

CONVOCATION 2009 REPORT II – DANCING WITH GOD

DAY ONE. JULY 5. We journeyed to Dallas TX from California (Northern
and Southern), Canada, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine,
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Philippines, Tennessee,
Texas (Houston), Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. It was quite a
sight. Actually, we didn’t all arrive (and leave) at the same time.

The Dallas Filipino American UM community brought their area bishop, W.
Earl Bledsoe, to welcome the delegates and open the convocation. Pastor
Joseph Stabile spoke in behalf of the members of Cochran Chapel UMC, to
relay the congregation’s joy of being a part of our journey as a people
by the hosting of this historic gathering in their campus. Pastor
Joseph mentioned the small church in Mindanao named “Little Cochran
UMC” and illustrated some poignant connection.

The adult, youth, and children choirs of Faith UMC and Umphress Road
UMC reminded the gathering of the Filipino spirituality and culture
with their songs and dances. Pastor Diane McGehee of Bellaire UMC in
Houston TX, came with her members to grace the opening service with
contemporary songs and liturgical dance, a fitting blend. With the
message of Bishop Rudy Juan of the Baguio Episcopal Area as a
highlight, the first night of the 12th NAFAUM biennial was an evening
to remember.

The Dallas heat advisory for the last day of the convocation was just a
footnote for those that were determined to stay ‘til the end to witness
the closing programs of the 12th biennial convocation. Perhaps the
scorching outdoor temperature drove people to the air-conditioned and
friendly confines of Cochran Chapel. We confess that we were pleasantly
surprised with the unusually large attendance.

The concluding plenary session and another inspiring worship service
led by Grace Cajiuat-Herigstad were a fitting preparatory celebration
for the 13th biennial convocation in the California-Nevada area in
2011. The faithful sang and danced to “Humayo’t Ihayag” by Manoling
Francisco S.J, Johnny Go S.J, and Louie Catalan S.J. to close the
gathering. We rocked; we all danced with God!

The rest of the story will be told in pictures and video. We will let
you know when the YouTube link is completed and the DVD is available.
For now, for a limited period, you may view us on pictures or a slide
show taken by Brian Powell (God bless this man) in his website:
www.stickboyproductions.biz/NAFAUM. Brian requests that you make a
donation to NAFAUM when you print a picture. This is in addition to his
donation on the orders already delivered at the site. (By the way, the
group picture in the collection is not complete as it was taken early
in the day.)

2009 NAFAUM Convocation Update...

Last Thursday, my pastor friend and his son, myself, and my two kids went on the road to attend the 12th biennial convocation of the National Association of Filipino-American United Methodist in Dallas, Texas.

While on the road, we made stops in Arizona and New Mexico before arriving Saturday afternoon in Dallas. One of places that we ate was at Rudy's restaurant in New Mexico which is known for their barbeque food and sauces.

After our arrival, my daughter went with some of our relatives to the fourth of July picnic and fireworks display in Plano.

The next morning we attended the 11:00 am service of the First United Methodist Church of Plano where my wife and I got married some ten years ago, and ate with some family members at a local Chinese restaurant.

This afternoon I will be attending the opening session of the convocation. I am looking forward to seeing the new Philippine bishop of the Baguio Episcopal Area Bishop Rudy Juan and Bishop Earl Bledsoe of the Dallas Area of the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. It all begins tonight. Stay tuned.