The unclothed:) anabaptist

I just finished reading The Naked Anabaptist: The Bare Essentials of a Radical Faith.  It was a thought-provoking read.  Here are some links to give you an idea what the book is about.  If you are:
-Mennonite
-attending a Mennonite church
-avoiding Mennonites
-attracted to the core of following Jesus but don't like religion or church
-wondering about God

THEN - this book just might resonate with you.
I found it challenging and encouraging as one who is or was all of the above at some point.  Stuart Murray does a good job of identifying what they have found to be the helpful things in Anabaptism, while being honestly critical of lessons to learn or things to avoid.  This is a book I will need to read again.

Fruity...

Anybody feeling fruity out there?

Read the article from the link above.  I know I have thought as the author did, that I was supposed to work at being fruitful.  I was supposed to push out my own fruit.  I know that fruit is produced as we become more like Jesus; as we grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus, as we are transformed by our prayers, reading, confession, reflection, action, worship, etc.
I would still suggest that we can monitor, evaluate, and prune the fruit that we produce.  These actions remind us that we can't produce fruit on our own, and that we must stay on the vine.
God bless with water, sun, and nutrients!

An Overview of Mennonite History

I was recently made aware of a new book on Mennonite History.  You may be asking why you should be interested in reading Mennonite History.  Well you might find out you are a Mennonite and you didn't know it!  For those of you who know you are or were a Mennonite, it may be the book you need to read this week.
It is written in an accessible and nonacademic style, this revised edition updates the story and incorporates new historical research and discoveries.
Check it out at http://store.mpn.net/productdetails.cfm?PC=1431
You will find that you can read the introduction, preface, and epilogue at the link above as well.

The Lord's Prayer

This Sunday, I will be finishing the 5th of 5 sermons on the Lord's Prayer.  I broke it into verse 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and focused on one verse with supporting other passages each week.  Up to this point, I have used the lectionary scriptures as the basis for each week's sermon.  This has been a fulfilling study for me.  I have also appreciated the comments from others of the deeper meaning they have found in praying and learning about the Lord's prayer.

Most common responses:

• Importance of praying on the whole churches behalf, not just my own requests, and yet, on the other hand, the significance of changing the pronouns to first person reminding us our individual responsibility.
• Importance of not just repeating prayers and expecting magic to happen, but also recognizing that repeating traditional prayers can shape or re-energize our spontaneous prayers.
• This prayer is such a simple prayer that can be understood at our first reading, however, in depth study of this prayer continues to reveal fresh learning about the heart of God and our relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

Blessings, and keep praying!

Pastor Dave's Doodles: God-focused Worship

Here is an excellent post from a thinker, theologian, awesome musician, fellow Mennonite Pastor, friend, funny guy, and supper guest this evening... Think about it.

Pastor Dave's Doodles: God-focused Worship: "Does our worship service lead people to an encounter with Christ and the Holy Spirit? Think about why we do what we do in worship. Do we wo..."

The Lord's prayer

Last Sunday I began a series on Matthew 6:9-13, The Lord's Prayer.  Each week I plan to focus on one verse.  Last week was verse 9.  Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be your name.  These are the main points I hoped to bring out:
-Our, we, us used instead of My, I, me.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ and of Christ and because of Christ.
-Father denotes an intimate family relationship.  For those who have a loving relationship with their fathers, it is instructive to relate to God with the same openness and trust.  For those who don't have a loving relationship with their fathers, God becomes to them what they have never had.
-Heaven is beyond this world.  God's presence and power are everywhere and with us.  Remembering that God is in Heaven, reminds us that God is limited by our earthly existence.  God can break into our reality and bring healing and hope.
-Hallowed means holy and glorified.  This phrase is actually the first request.  We are asking that God's name will be held high and shown to be holy, by our lives.  We are asking for God's power to make our faithfulness bear fruit.  When we live righteously in God's power we lift God's name and reputation up and bring God glory.

May it be so in my life.  I am unable to live this out in my own power.  How about you?

Are we there yet?

Ah, the ultimate question of travel with children!
Come to think of it, it is an excellent question for our spiritual lives too.
A couple more questions for your spiritual journey:

How will I know when I get there?
Where is there?
Do I know where I am going?
Do I have a destination in mind?
Have I prepared for the journey?
Did I forget to pack something?
Do I know where to get directions?
Do I trust the directions?
Am I willing to ask for and follow directions?
Have I started the journey?

Home, by the numbers

We were gone for 11 days; 10 nights; slept in 5 beds in 4 states (Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan); drove through 8 states (Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska); put about 2,500 miles on the van; filled the van with gas 4 times; got 24 mpg on 10% ethanol 89 octane gas, got 26 mpg on no ethanol 87 octane gas; ate too many fast foods; each of us consumed on average 4/5 of a quart of soft serve ice cream in 48 hours; saw dozens of wonderful family and friends, some of whom we haven't seen for 11 months; only checked email once a day; girls watched strawberry shortcake ferry berry video at least 6 times; numerous other videos viewed; biked @7 miles through 2 tunnels on the old Pennsylvania turnpike (pike2bike) with @35 Nolt cousins, of which over half were less than teenagers; had lots of conversations; shared hugs and handshakes; preached one sermon (meditation); Suzanne spent 1 day of shopping with her sister, 2 mornings of connection with a great friend; 44+ hours on the road; 1 big suitcase for 5 peoples clothes; 1 little suitcase for 5 peoples shoes; 2 more broken pairs of flip-flops; 2 rain storms while driving, and hours of sunshine; and memories...

Wind

It is windier in Nebraska than Kansas.  Really?  Could this be true?  If there have been any surprises for us here, it may be that.  It is nearly always windy.  When it is calm, you keep thinking that your forgetting something:)
Today we have sustained winds from 25-30mph, and gusts up to 45mph.
But I'm not complaining.  I'm just saying.
Have you ever wondered what God is up to?  Yeah.  Have you ever asked God?  Yeah.  Has God ever told you?  Yes and no sometimes.
Sounds kinda like John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
It isn't always an immediate clear answer, but it can be perceived...
If you are listening.
If you are asking.
If you can step back and take a big view.
If you put out a windsock.
If you walk out in it.

God, sustain the wind of your Spirit in us.  Gust in us, and through us, bringing your healing and hope.

Retreat

Suzanne and I went on a retreat this past Friday through Sunday.  According to the Definitions from Webster for Retreat we find this:

1 a : an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable b : the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position
2 : a place of privacy or safety : refuge
3 : a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director

So, which one was it?
Well I do not find my work dangerous or disagreeable, but sometimes it is difficult.
While not a forced withdrawal, it could be seen as a necessary time to pull back.
The St. Benedict monastery was a place of privacy, safety, and refuge.
And for sure, we were a group gathered for prayer, meditation, study, and instruction.
Suzanne and I enjoyed the time together, catching up, reaquanting with other pastors and spouses, with each other, and with ourselves.
My challenge to you, take a moment or a day or a longer time of retreat.  The work will wait for you, and it may be good for you and those around you.