Thought for the Week of April 30, 2012

This Saturday, an older man using a walker approached me at the gas station. He asked if I could spare 4 dollars for bus fare. I told him no but, I would be glad to give him a ride. He asked if I would mind stopping by the KFC on the way to get some chicken to take home to his sister, and daughter who were staying with him. I had to be somewhere at 2, and it was a little after 1, so I thought.. hey.. sure why not. We loaded up his walker, and headed for the KFC. He said he'd be right back, and went in to the kfc. I sat for a minute, and then decided I should probably go in as well. He had ordered a bucket of chicken, which is all the money he had, so I told him to order what he wanted, and I'd take care of it. When we got to his apartment on the other side of town, he pointed out a guy that was lurking over in the corner of the parking lot. He said  "See that guy over there, he's really down on his luck and homeless. I got some of the extra food for him, because he's not right in the head because of the Gulf War, he can't pay for his medicine, and doesn't eat often." 

He said he needed money to keep his lights on, and I referred him to a number he can call for public assistance. His story was long and sad, but very believable. Apparently, he had been well employed until an appendicitis surgery went wrong. He ended up sicker, and then had a stroke, while recovering he had a heart attack. Lost his job, and health coverage, and is depending on public assistance for his medical needs. All of this, and he was still giving charity to someone less fortunate than he was.


What I got from this, is no matter where you are in life, you can help someone, if you are open to the opportunities that God puts in front of you. 


Love one another, all the laws hinge on this one.

Thought for the Week of April 24, 2012

"Wherever two or more are gathered"

It is amazing to me how gatherings of individuals can create an energy feedback loop which can have an effect on the overall gathering, and the individuals participating. Since my first experience with an emotion filled worship service as a child, then witnessing the Vietnam anti-war protests, then later participating in organized sports, the fact that individuals in unity of purpose or mind can create something so much bigger than the sum of their parts, has helped me understand the importance of relationship.

I came across this reading today titled "The Power of Union" from the "Daily OM"  (http://www.dailyom.com/)

"The purpose of partnership is to create something greater than we can create alone. Not because of any deficiency or incompleteness in us, but because each of us is unique, with our own talents and abilities, and in partnership we increase the efforts and talents available for creating something meaningful together. All partnerships, whether romantic, creative, or professionally-based, can be powerful relationships for personal growth. In partnership we harness the power of union."

Do you have a solid partnership? Do you have someone you can count on no matter what the circumstances? I am very blessed to have a network of support from family and friends both new and old, from which I can draw strength, support, and inspiration. I expressed my thankfulness to a friend for being present through a particularly tough time. What she said to me was simple, but so true. She said "To have a good friend, you have to be a good friend. My love for you is a product of the investment that we have both deposited into our relationship "account"."

I thank God every day that my relationship with the Creator is not set up like an account. I have been bought and paid for by Jesus Christ, no balance owed. By following Jesus, (not worshiping Jesus, but actually following his teachings) life does go much more smoothly. How blessed are we?

If you are on a journey to understand God, the Church, religion, spirituality, relationships, or yourself better, come join us in our quest. We are all on a journey, come join with use and experience the "power of union".

There are two singles Sunday School classes that meet each Sunday for the 20-30's crowd, and one for us older singles at 10:50 in room 208.

Reach out to any of the staff for more information.

Peace and Grace!!!

Scott

Thought for the Week of April 15, 2012

"Connections"

Dr. Long often uses the phrase family of faith to describe St. Luke's. I have always considered "the church" to be an inclusive group of all of those that follow Christ. I was speaking with a friend last week about our first experiences at St. Luke's. They are considering becoming a member of our family of faith, so I shared my first impressions of St. Luke's. I remember walking in the door, receiving immediate eye contact, and a welcoming smile from several of the folks in the Narthex. I had visited several churches in Oklahoma City, and the openly friendly reception from St. Luke’s was a new experience. After becoming a member, subsequently joining the staff as singles director, then continuing as a candidate for ordination, I found that the goal set forth from the executive team at St. Luke's is to be aggressively friendly. Perhaps that is why I felt "at home" when I first visited St. Luke's.

I recently read a dear friend of mines writings about being open, and sharing God's love. She used the example of a child that she provides care for on a regular basis. The child’s attitude when meeting other children that she has not met previously, is one of open love and no prejudice from her limited past experience. The child approaches the other children with a greeting of "Hello Friend"!!! How wonderful would it be if everyone had the same level of hospitality in all of their daily contacts with other people, both familiar and not familiar? Not always literally saying "Hello Friend", but having an open heart, and mind free of prejudice and fear of the unknown. THAT to me is sharing God's love.

In order to share something you must have a connection to, and experience of, that “something” before you can pass it on to others. St. Luke's gives me that connection to God's love. Early this Sunday morning I lost another family member, and while processing this new reality, the only thing I was sure of, was that I needed to go to church to get loved on by my family of faith. I went to church, a little late, and a little "out of whack", and I was loved on every time I stood still for a moment. I did not share with many what had happened, because I did not have a good handle on my grief at that point in time, but it didn't matter, I was still loved on. To me, THAT is the perfect example modeling your life after Christ. Always coming from love, always sharing yourself and the love God has in abundance. What a great collection of people God brought together at St. Luke's. I've been blessed so many times by my family of faith.

Are you searching? Are you ready to make a change? We are here to help.

Rev. Sharen Hale is the pastor of St. Lukes connections ministry.

Her focus is to make sure that everyone is availed the opportunity to "plug in" to the areas for which they are searching. Whether you need to be loved on, or to find someplace to share your love, talents or passion, or if you are in a place where you just want to be, Rev. Hale can help.

Next Saturday April 28th, we will be heading over to help our friends at Christ UMC to assist with their mission activities.

Details coming next week!!

Don't forget, each Sunday at 10:50, Singles Harmony Bible study meets in room 208 for a discussion surrounding the scripture chosen for each week's sermon.

Peace and Grace!

Scott

Thought for the Week of April 9, 2012

"Free Will"

  

One of the earliest sayings I can remember hearing is "nothing is certain, except death and taxes". I was about 6 when I heard that old adage for the first time, and remember thinking.. well.. that's pretty bleak.. what else is there. I asked my Granddad, what about the sun? He said the sun could and would one day run out of fuel and go dark, but not for a long time. I thought and thought, but couldn't come up with anything that was for sure. It wasn't until later in my childhood when I began a relationship with God, that I knew there was something else that was an absolute. Using the parameters of proof didn't work, but I still knew and I was sure. Some things are pretty much set in stone, no matter what we do, think, feel or decide. Whether you choose to acknowledge God or not, the Creator is still there, and part of your life. John Wesley called that presence, prevenient grace.

  

God gave us free will, to make choices about what we know for sure, and accept, and what we don't know for sure, and accept. I believe everyone is where they are because of the choices and decisions surrounding those choices. Sometimes a bad decision, or a good decision, can alter your life permanently, and sometimes the weight of that decision isn't clear at the time the decision is made. Making choices in my life has become a whole degree easier with my closer relationship with God. Now I feel like if I listen, be still, and remain open to doing His will with complete surrender, how can I go wrong? When I don't listen to Him, is when the trouble starts.

  

I choose to be obedient, and have faith that as long as I am doing my part, God will do the part of the Universe. I will be capable and ready to rise to any challenge put before me as long as I am surrendered to the Creators' will.

  

What does your decision process look like? What are the sure things in your life? When making a decision, do you have the freedom of coming from love, or are you shackled from fear? There was a time in my life that I was so afraid of messing up, that I would be stuck in analysis paralysis way too long, and sometimes make a decision so late, that the opportunities which awaited had forever changed at least, and evaporated at worst.

  

"Yeshua gazed at them and he said to them, “This is impossible with the children of men, but everything is possible with God.”

~ Matthew 19:26 ...Aramaic Bible in Plain English

  

Be brave. Stretch your comfort zone with the knowledge that the Creator of the universe is guiding you. With that how could you fail?

  

This Week:

  

Friday Night on the Town. Zorbas NW 60th and May 7:00 pm

Saturday:

Clean up at Christ UMC this Saturday the 14th. Contact Rev. Linda Truitt lindatruitt73013@yahoo.com to rvsp, and for details.

Rev. Scott Raines

Pastor of Singles Ministry

St. Luke's UMC

222 NW 15th St.

Oklahoma City, OK  73103

Church 405-609-1009

Cell 512-554-1661

sraines@stlukesokc.org

www.stlukesokc.org

Thought for the Week of March 12, 2012

"Pride and Prejudice"

Henri Nouwen talks about moving from hostility to hospitality as a tenant of spiritual development.

Taking an honest assessment of my reactions in every day situations uncovered some ugly truths about me, that I really did not appreciate. I found myself quite offended by me.

Like many of you, I think of myself as a "nice person", and most of the time can at least muster a smile, and emote in a pleasant manner, friendly at pretty much any time, whether I'm really feeling it or not. Digging deeper into why I react, or feel the way I do in different situations, and understanding where those feelings come from, has helped me to truly be more open and hospitable at all times. Once again, our friend FEAR, was the root of my negative prejudices. F.E.A.R. Forget. Everything. And. Run. Or hide, or act unapproachable.

One of the most important things in the New Testament, and contained in three of the gospel writings is the conversation about  "The most important law"

Luke 10:27-28 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself" “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

 How do you react when you see someone different than  you. Race, Gender, Political affiliation, Religion, Nationality, Poor, Homeless? Does FEAR rule your heart? Or are you coming from love?

Thought for the Week of April 2, 2012

"The Passion"  

   

Many times I have wondered how Jesus was able to remain obedient to God during the horrible trials he suffered during the week before he was sacrificed as the lamb of God.  

I have had difficulty remaining obedient to God when the sacrifice is nothing compared to being beaten, spat upon, humiliated, then forced to die a horrible, painful and slow death. This week my older brother Thacker shared a story during his sermon about a friends sons' first T-ball game. The boy was to be the pitcher in the game, after he ran out to the pitchers mound, he turned around and yelled, "Daddy, is this where I am supposed to be?" Jesus in his despair, asked the same of our Father. "Daddy, is this where I am supposed to be?"  

   

Thacker also wondered about how the people of the time could go from celebrating the Kings triumphant return, to demanding Jesus be crucified. Talk about "Passive/Aggressive".. It's a fact of life that sometimes things are not what you expect them to be. How do you deal with that when it happens? Do you become angry and feel betrayed, seeking revenge? Do you try to place blame on others for not being what you expected them to be? Or do you understand that your expectations were not realistic, and learn from that, when forming expectations of things to come?  

   

Having realistic expectations is key to living a life of faith. Not knowing exactly what may happen, but having faith that you can expect, without a shadow of a doubt, that God will be there, is life giving.  

   

Come join us at St. Luke's as we celebrate Holy week. Visit our site athttp://www.stlukesokc.org/  

   

There is something going on every day this week. Come join this family of faith, and find the love and grace which can be expected.  

   

   

Peace!