Perhaps you have heard the recent news that the end times are upon us? Harold Camping, founder of Family Radio, has been instrumental in proclaiming the end date (or Judgement Day) as May 21st, 2011. His date selection is based on the analysis of hundreds of biblical verses. Many have taken this as an opportunity to plan nothing beyond that date. I've read reports of some people leaving their jobs, living on their savings accounts, with nothing planned beyond the 21st.
The advent of large, natural disasters such as the Tsunami hitting Japan, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes... have lent impetus to the end time idea. Some, I believe, see this as an escape from the travails and trials of our world. While others see no creedance in the date of May 21st as "the day". Many do believe that Jesus will come back, but aren't sure of when.
Biblically, we understand Jesus tells us, "But nobody knows when the day or hour will come, not the heavenly angels and not the Son. Only the Father knows." (Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32)
While I have had very few people ask me about the end times, is it the 21st, is it soon ... ? The thought I would impart is to not ask 'when is Jesus coming?' but instead are you living your life as if Jesus were coming tomorrow? Have you trusted Jesus? Have you taken Jesus as your savior and are you living the life Jesus calls you to?
The life Jesus calls us to is found in many parts of our scripture and is lived out in many ways, however I summarize this 'life style' in three distinct yet intertwined ways:
1) Do you have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ? Do you pray? Do you learn more about Him through the Scripture? Do you seek God's help in your daily decisions? Do you invite the Holy Spirit to be active in your life as you reflect your relationship with God outwardly?
2) Do you have a good relationship with the people around you in a way that reflects Christ in your life? In otherwords, are you filled with grace, forgiveness, love, understanding... to others? Do you seek to help others in their time of need? Lift others up in prayer? Are you sharing your Christian faith with others through words and (more importantly) your actions?
3) Do you go into the world and live your life missionally to help others come to know Christ?
I think knowing that Christ is coming again is important for and to everyone. We believe that Christ is risen and that Christ will come again. In the time that we have, here on this earth, we are called to be faithful to God's word and build communities of hope and healing. Let's not be worried about the when, but rather how we are being faithful to God.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Spring Storm Relief - How We Can Help
May God bless you today! It's a beautiful day. The sun is shining in my office window. The green plants on my sill are growing. I see the birds outside and I hear children's laughter in the room next to me (our preschool in full swing!). Today I am counting my blessings as I read about, think about, and pray for those who have been impacted by devestating tornadoes last week. Eighteen states from as far west as Texas to as far north as New York and Michigan experienced tornado activity between April 21 and 28th. Many states in the Midwest and South are experiencing destructive flooding. Alabama took the brunt of that storm system, which left a total of at least 300 people dead across six states: Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Kentucky, and Virginia. Here is my question for you: How can we help?
I'd like to ask you to be a part of the relief effort by:
1) Praying. Pray for the people and communities that have been hit by the storms. Lift up the emergency response and relief workers who will be assisting them.
2) Donating. This weekend, in both our 9am and 10:30am services, we will take a special envelope offering which will go directly to UMCOR #3021326 which is specifically for spring storm relief. If you are able to set aside any extra money for this effort, it will be greatly appreciated. If you are not a regular attender of our church services but would like to give toward this relief effort you can do so one of two ways:
a) Send a check to Milton UMC, PO Box 158, Milton WI 53563 and label it for UMCOR #3021326.
b) Or you can go directly to UMCOR's website and donate through their on-line donations at: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/
3) Serving. We do not have any mission teams, or relief teams, (from our church) going to serve in any of the affected areas at this time. However, if you are interested in going in the near future, or being a part of a mission relief team to help rebuild in any of the affected areas please contact our church at 608-868-2860. Ask for Pastor Patrick Schultz. We would love to be a part of actively helping those in need, in their time of need, in a way that God calls us.
UMCOR is the United Methodist Committee on Relief. One hundred percent of your gift to 2011 Spring Storms, UMCOR Emergency Advance #3021326, brings hope to survivors of these devastating storms.
For more information on our church please check out www.miltonumc.org
Thank you all, and bless you.
Patrick
I'd like to ask you to be a part of the relief effort by:
1) Praying. Pray for the people and communities that have been hit by the storms. Lift up the emergency response and relief workers who will be assisting them.
2) Donating. This weekend, in both our 9am and 10:30am services, we will take a special envelope offering which will go directly to UMCOR #3021326 which is specifically for spring storm relief. If you are able to set aside any extra money for this effort, it will be greatly appreciated. If you are not a regular attender of our church services but would like to give toward this relief effort you can do so one of two ways:
a) Send a check to Milton UMC, PO Box 158, Milton WI 53563 and label it for UMCOR #3021326.
b) Or you can go directly to UMCOR's website and donate through their on-line donations at: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/
3) Serving. We do not have any mission teams, or relief teams, (from our church) going to serve in any of the affected areas at this time. However, if you are interested in going in the near future, or being a part of a mission relief team to help rebuild in any of the affected areas please contact our church at 608-868-2860. Ask for Pastor Patrick Schultz. We would love to be a part of actively helping those in need, in their time of need, in a way that God calls us.
UMCOR is the United Methodist Committee on Relief. One hundred percent of your gift to 2011 Spring Storms, UMCOR Emergency Advance #3021326, brings hope to survivors of these devastating storms.
For more information on our church please check out www.miltonumc.org
Thank you all, and bless you.
Patrick
The End of a Terroist Leader
The news of Osama bin Laden’s death, perhaps much like the news of 911, is that which will leave many saying – I know exactly where I was when… For me, I was laying on the couch watching TV when my wife leaned around the computer screen and said to me, bin Laden is dead. Since hearing the news I have listened to commentary from CNN correspondents, congressmen and senators, and of course President Obama, as well as comments posted on Facebook. The responses range from elation to still concerned. Dr. Drew indicated the head of the snake has been cut off, while Senator Kerry stated the threat is still not gone.
From a pastoral perspective, and as one who served in the Marine Corp many years ago, I am relieved that a significant leader of al-Qaeda has been removed and that for many families and individuals in the United States (and throughout the world) who suffered through 911 and other al-Qaeda led attacks, there is a perhaps a sense of closure and relief.
Lives were devastated and changed forever following the horrors of 911. Many have never recovered from the loss of friends and family and continue to struggle today. Many clergy, churches, denominations… as well as other spiritual and Christian organizations have expended great resources (time, energy, counseling, finances…) to help families and individuals find a way to live their lives in spite of their losses. There are many that still feel anger and grief over the loss of so many innocent lives – as I still do.
I am angered every time I hear of innocent lives being taken (not lost, not given, not ending – but taken!) through the cowardly acts of terrorism. Taking the life of another is never condoned and while there may be circumstances where it is justified – such as self-defense, or acts of war – I will never believe that God intends us to act in such a way towards one another. I know our own Christian heritage is rife with acts of equally abhorrent behavior such as the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition or even hate crimes against homosexuals or people of other ethnicities that result in degrading the humanity of our sisters and brothers; however I cannot believe that is God’s will, but rather is misguided egotism.
While I understand there is no magic wand to wave that will eliminate the acts of hatred, cruelty and antagonism we can harbor against one another; while I understand that much of what is done against humanity in the name of God is actually in self-interest; and while I understand that humanity is a flawed creature, I continue to place hope in the activity of Jesus Christ in our lives.
bin Laden sowed discord, hatred, death and division in the name of God. I will say that I don’t believe his God is my God. Or perhaps another way to say this is, we don’t know the same God. The God I know does not command anyone to commit wholesale murder and destruction in his name. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi recently said:
"In the face of a man's death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not of hatred,”
And therein lies the secret. We must understand our responsibility before God. God doesn’t call us to murder those who disagree with us. God doesn’t even call us to make fun of, harass, embarrass, pick-on… those who disagree with us. God calls us to come to know one another, to forgive one another, to live side-by-side with those who are different from us, and to perpetuate peace.
I am not sorry Osama bin Laden is gone. I believe our world is a safer place without him at the helm of al-Qaeda. However, I do not rejoice in the death of anyone, not even an enemy. As MLK Jr. would say, returning hate for hate multiplies hate. It adds a deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. I turn to the light of Jesus Christ and ask that Christ be with those of our military, my Marine Corp, and the lives of those who have been impacted by acts of terrorism. May God continue to bless us and watch over us and turn us to a better way of living together.
Peace to all,
Pastor Patrick Schultz
From a pastoral perspective, and as one who served in the Marine Corp many years ago, I am relieved that a significant leader of al-Qaeda has been removed and that for many families and individuals in the United States (and throughout the world) who suffered through 911 and other al-Qaeda led attacks, there is a perhaps a sense of closure and relief.
Lives were devastated and changed forever following the horrors of 911. Many have never recovered from the loss of friends and family and continue to struggle today. Many clergy, churches, denominations… as well as other spiritual and Christian organizations have expended great resources (time, energy, counseling, finances…) to help families and individuals find a way to live their lives in spite of their losses. There are many that still feel anger and grief over the loss of so many innocent lives – as I still do.
I am angered every time I hear of innocent lives being taken (not lost, not given, not ending – but taken!) through the cowardly acts of terrorism. Taking the life of another is never condoned and while there may be circumstances where it is justified – such as self-defense, or acts of war – I will never believe that God intends us to act in such a way towards one another. I know our own Christian heritage is rife with acts of equally abhorrent behavior such as the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition or even hate crimes against homosexuals or people of other ethnicities that result in degrading the humanity of our sisters and brothers; however I cannot believe that is God’s will, but rather is misguided egotism.
While I understand there is no magic wand to wave that will eliminate the acts of hatred, cruelty and antagonism we can harbor against one another; while I understand that much of what is done against humanity in the name of God is actually in self-interest; and while I understand that humanity is a flawed creature, I continue to place hope in the activity of Jesus Christ in our lives.
bin Laden sowed discord, hatred, death and division in the name of God. I will say that I don’t believe his God is my God. Or perhaps another way to say this is, we don’t know the same God. The God I know does not command anyone to commit wholesale murder and destruction in his name. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi recently said:
"In the face of a man's death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not of hatred,”
And therein lies the secret. We must understand our responsibility before God. God doesn’t call us to murder those who disagree with us. God doesn’t even call us to make fun of, harass, embarrass, pick-on… those who disagree with us. God calls us to come to know one another, to forgive one another, to live side-by-side with those who are different from us, and to perpetuate peace.
I am not sorry Osama bin Laden is gone. I believe our world is a safer place without him at the helm of al-Qaeda. However, I do not rejoice in the death of anyone, not even an enemy. As MLK Jr. would say, returning hate for hate multiplies hate. It adds a deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. I turn to the light of Jesus Christ and ask that Christ be with those of our military, my Marine Corp, and the lives of those who have been impacted by acts of terrorism. May God continue to bless us and watch over us and turn us to a better way of living together.
Peace to all,
Pastor Patrick Schultz
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