Keeping It Green - How are we stewards of God's earth?

I recently completed a sermon series entitled, “Keeping It Green”. It was a short series – 3 weeks long. The overarching scripture verse supporting the series came from Genesis 2

“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have
dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over
every living thing that moves upon the earth.

I have given you every plant yielding seed and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. Every beast of the earth, every bird of the air, everything that creeps on earth, and everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.”

I recieved about three to four times the number of people supporting and substantiating the need to talk about how we are stewards of God's earth as compared to negative comments for this series.

Following the second part of this series, where I talked about the foods we eat, how they are processed and how that impacts our health and the health of our planet, I was invited by one of my regular church attenders to tour his corporate pheasant farm. He wanted to show me around since he is a corporate food producer. I appreciated his positive approach and his wanting me to be informed. He wasn't criticizing - he wanted to enlighten. So, I took him up on his offer.

I truly enjoyed the tour and appreciated the time he took to do so. He runs a wonderful pheasant farm raising over 1.5 million birds a year and selling them worldwide. His facilities are clean, sanitary and many of his employees have been there for years – the longest 25. They focus on being ecologically, environmentally, healthy and bird conscience.

I had a good time listening to him talk about the industry and how they do things. One regret I have is that I did not talk to him before I ran the series. I would have appreciated the balance he would have brought to my message. I know not all food providers or industries are as conscientious as he is, but there are those who are. And we need to know about them, recognize them, and applaud them.

And on a side note one of the most surprising statistics I came across was the rapid declination of our rain forests. 1.5 acres are cut down every second. By the year 2025 over one half of the world’s rain forests will be gone. By 2060 all of our rain forests will be gone. What will happen to our world’s climates, the air we breathe, and our atmosphere when this happens?

As I prepared for this series I learned a lot about people and businesses that are doing much toward perserving our world and world resources. At the same time I learned there is still much work to be done. If we believe what scriptures have to say, and we work to follow God's commandments and commission, I know that we can better stewards of what God has blessed us with.

So my question for you all – what do you think of being environmentally green? Do you think it is biblical – that God calls us to be stewards? Are we treating God’s green earth the way you think he would have us? What are your thoughts?

Is Judgement Day near?

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.

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

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

My Soul Waits In Silence

Our culture, our society today, is one of busyness. We tend to rush from one task to another, from this errand to that, making a pick-up, dropping something off, shopping here or there and in one way or another generally rushing about. It seems we have taken it upon ourselves to fill every moment of our days with activities. Because of this we often miss out on the quiet solitude, and inner reflection so very necessary in the recharging of our batteries.

We don’t do silence, quietness, or stillness very well, do we? Yet, time and time again we see our scripture remind us of the need for this very thing. Nehemiah – one of our Old Testament prophets – once commanded the Israelite people, “Be still, for this is a sacred day.” King David writes in Psalm 37, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.”

One of the commonly used Hebrew verbs throughout our Old Testament is but three letters long (hsh) and it captures a sense of silence; it emphatically commands us to hush.

And too, from Psalm 62 we hear the words of stillness impressed upon us: “For God alone my soul waits in silence.” Stillness and silence are a theme seen quietly running throughout much of our scripture – Old Testament and New. It is a command given to us for a specific purpose – that we might draw closer to our Lord. That when God comes to us with something to say, with some type of guidance or direction in our lives that the busyness of our day, the frenetic activity we go about, does not get in the way of listening and responding to the Almighty.

This command is necessary for us, that we might learn to rely upon God more, and human strength and endeavor less. When we are still in the Lord, we acknowledge the strength and power of God as the place of refuge and ultimate security in the midst of trouble. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress… Ultimately, we place ourselves in the capable hands of God’s care.

The Need For Prayer

For over well over a week now I have followed the news of Governor Scott Walker, the Republicans and the Unions “going at it” in terms of Walker’s proposal to cut the $137 million state budget deficit which is projected to top $3.6 billion by 2014. As a means of addressing the budget Walker moves that public employees pay into their retirement and help cover medical insurance costs. Additionally, he has built into his initiative that collective bargaining rights of many state workers would be stripped. In response, tens of thousands of union members and supporters have gathered at the state capital in protest. Actually, there has recently been a gathering of those supporting the Governor’s initiative as well resulting in opposing picket lines, signs and a certain amount of yelling at each other.

While all this has gathered national attention, especially in places like Washington, New York and other states similarly looking to address their own budget deficit woes, it has also gained the attention of our religious leaders such as Milwaukee’s Catholic Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki who writes in a letter to Governor Walker, “hard times do not nullify the moral obligation each of us has to respect the legitimate rights of workers.” and Bishop Linda Lee, the Wisconsin Conference United Methodist Bishop who writes to Governor Walker, “far more is accomplished for the best interests of all those we serve when employers and employees work together…” Copies of letters sent from our state’s religious leaders can be found at: http://www.wichurches.org/

I have the unique perspective of having worked with unions – although not as a union member – rather as a state employee in management with DOA for almost five years. My mother was a career teacher and I am married to a teacher of almost eighteen years. I understand as well as most what is hanging in the balance: addressing our state fiscal needs by balancing the budget through responsible stewardship and the impact on the lives of many throughout our state. I’ve listened to my own church members, several who work in our school systems, tell me of their concern of loosing jobs or not being able to cover mortgage payments. I’ve read countless Facebook and blog articles – some with derogatory language not publishable in public forums in my opinion. Some support the initiative. Some do not support it.

It is my humble opinion that much prayer is needed. Whether you agree with Walker’s initiative or not; whether you support the public workers or not, there is much need for prayer. We must be in prayer for those who are hurting and suffering, if nothing else because of the anxiety over what may occur. We must be in prayer for our Governor, the Senate, our government leaders and the people of Wisconsin as this decision has far reaching consequence and ramifications – much of which we can only imagine and surmise at this point. Please take time each morning to pray for those who are making decisions which will impact the lives of many. Please pray for those who will be adversely affected by these decisions. May we strive to work together, listen to one another, and make decisions for the betterment of God’s people.

Blessings all,

Patrick

I had a wonderful question posed to me following my prior blog posting. The question was essentially, do I really believe someone can have an eternal relationship, "be saved", and not be a follower or believer in Jesus Christ? This is my attempt to answer that question.

As I've explored the world religions more in depth these last several weeks (more than ever before) I've come to learn there are some areas where Christianity and the other religions are in agreement. All of them (except perhaps Buddhism) worship the same God we do. I've found the other religions seem to be living out their faith more readily than we as Christians oftentimes do. Judaism and Christianity have much the same history - the sacred text of the Jewish people is our sacred text. The stories of the Jewish people are our stories. The heritage of the Jewish people is our
heritage – at least up to the time of Jesus Christ. It's at the point of Jesus Christ where we, as Christians, diverge paths from the Jews. In fact, this is the point of divergence for Christians and most of the other world religions.

As I mentioned in my sermon on Islam last weekend, our disagreement with Islamists centers around Jesus Christ and that we believe Jesus is divine; they do not. We believe Jesus died for our sins - the sins of the world; they do not. I've come to respect the lives of the Hindus, Buddhists and Islams (I'm sure I will the Jews as well as I learn more about them). Nevertheless, there are areas I disagree with them as a Christian - again that centers around Jesus as our savior who took the sins of the world upon his shoulders - for all people.

I recently read something by Rev. Adam Hamilton which made me question and reflect a bit differently of how Jesus provides salvation for the world. What if by taking the sins of the world upon his shoulders for all people - Jesus opened the way even for those who don't believe in him? What about those who never heard of him? If someone has never heard of Jesus would they be doomed to an eternity of hell? What of someone who never learns the gospel? What of the person who is raised by fanatic parents or atheistic parents and they never have the opportunity to come to know Jesus? Would they be condemned to hell? Should a mentally challenged person who does not understand the meaning of Jesus and what Jesus did for all, be condemned to hell?

There are many questions - and I'm still working out some of the answers. I do believe in God's grace, mercy and judgement and trust he wil judge believers and non-believers with grace and with infinite wisdom. In some ways I am choosing to stand in the gray on this one - it's not black and white for me. There are numerous issues where I stand in the gray: homosexuality (our new testament and old, call it a sin against God); Christians who don't tithe - scripture says we are to give 10% of our income back to God; Christians who don't pray; Christians who don't worship; Christians who profess to be Christians, but don't live the lifestyle Christ calls us to live... What I do know is that God will judge accordingly and he does not call me to judge.

Is there a chance that those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God can still have an eternal relationship with God - perhaps. I'm just glad I'm not making the judgement call on that.

What do you think? Do you think someone can have an eternal relationship with God - reach heaven - but not know Jesus?

Blessings to you all,

Patrick

Christianity and our world religions

Throughout the month of January and much of February we are on a journey of exploring our world religions. Together, on Sunday mornings, we are looking at the world’s five major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. In the introduction of this series I ask the congregation four vital questions.

1) Why are there so many different religions?
2) How should Christians view other religions?

3) How is God at work in other religions?

4) What is the fate of those who earnestly pursue God through other religions?

I want to answer those questions briefly here and then encourage you to do some reading on your own about the other religions of our world.

If we have one true God, then why are there so many different religions in our world? Wouldn’t it be easier if there were one religion, one path, one understanding…? Certainly this would help remove some of the confusion as well as conflict that stems from the ardor of religious beliefs. The different religions arise from the many different cultures and ways of looking at and understanding God. Think of a movie you and a friend recently went to. Each of you leaves the movie with different perspectives and understandings, points of emphasis… yet it was the same movie you watched. Religion is something like that. We each come away with a different understanding and perspective.

How should we view other religions? It is important for us to remember the beliefs held by most persons of other religions are as sacred and important to them as our Christian beliefs are to us. We must respect all persons as we seek to learn about the beliefs of other faiths. Too, we can learn something from the other religions that will help us in our own Christian faith.

How is God at work in other religions? Two biblical stories come to mind when I think of this question. The first is the story of the Magi who followed the star signifying the birth of Jesus. The Magi were neither descendants of Abraham nor followers of Moses. But God spoke to them in a way they would understand. They followed God’s sign in the heavens which led them to Jesus. The other story that comes to mind is that of Hagar and Ishmael. God promised to make Ishmael into a great nation. This is a promise our Arab and Muslim friends believe was fulfilled in them. God speaks to us in many ways. The question is, are we listening?

Lastly, what is the fate of those of other religions earnestly pursuing God? I think of the Hindus, Buddhists and Islam experts, I have met with in study for this series and have come to understand, they worship and follow the One True God, the same as we do. While they may go about it a bit differently and have a different perspective– the essential worship is the same. While Jesus did say, “No one comes to the Father except through me” perhaps believe one way to interpret this is, while the merits of Christ’s death are important for all persons to enter heaven, it is up to God to apply those merits as he chooses. If a faithful Hindu never has an opportunity to know Christ, should he be barred from an eternal relationship with God? If a mentally handicapped child dies without ever knowing the truth Christ has to offer, should that child not receive the grace and blessings of Christ?

I believe for those who are not Christians, but strive to live in honor of God and to follow God, will receive God’s mercy and be lifted up before Jesus Christ to receive his grace.

Here's my question to you! How would you answer the four questions I posed? What do you think of other religions in the world? If you are not a Christian (or follower of Christ) how do you view - what do you think of - Christianity?

Peace out friends,

Patrick

Need a new perspective?

Every now and then I pause, calmly consider my life, count my blessings, and admit to myself I need a new perspective. I sometimes feel in a rut, in the same ole routine and need to look at things differently. Mark Twain once wrote, "What, then, is the true Gospel of consistency? Change. Who is the really consistent man? The man who changes. Since change is the law of his being, he cannot be consistent if he sticks in a rut"

Perhaps one of the greatest joys I receive from my profession, my calling as a pastor in the United Methodist denomination, is that "change is the law of my being". Those mundane circumstances of routine and rut around me can at times become stale. Yet, it is the people surrounding me that change all that.

It is the meeting of a young couple excited about learning about God and finding out what it means to be in a relationship with Him with a desire to become members of the church. It is the absolute pleasure of meeings with a young man I've known for almost four years and his newly intended as we begin to plan their wedding. It is having members of the same family drive from Iowa and Colorado with their respective new borns and toddlers, over the course of several years, asking me to baptise them as the whole family comes together.

It is my own family - my beautiful wife and incredibly smart daughter - who bring the most change and variety into my life. That might mean leaving church to drive to Ft Atkinson to open Brenda's car because she locked her keys in the car :) Or Brenda treating me my favorite meal for supper time. It might mean Brenda and Grace stopping by church during the day to surprise me with a visit. It also means listening to my three year old take center stage at a musical recital as she plays her violin and in the process has all the parents laughing.

I read a different type of book than I might normally. I drive down a road I've never driven before. I dream of speaking in front of thousands, bringing the Word of God in a way that moves the hearts of the listeners. I think of adopting another child. I consider doing mission work in Mexico where I can continue to use and learn spanish.

Being in a rut can leave me feeling less than what God has made me for; I have wandered a bit from the path of God's intention for me. When I feel this way and in those rare, rare moments I question my roll as a pastor - is this the best way for me to help people reach God through Christ? I look to my daughter. And I follow her advice and stand on my head, I look at life differently, I see a different perspective and am given new life.

This is the perhaps the greatest joy in my life (besides my relationship with God and my wife); it is the relationship with my daughter who teaches me more each day. I love her and all she has to offer. I'm proud to be her papa.

peace out - as Gracie says to me every night I put her to bed.

Always faithful,

Patrick

Building Bridges Between our Faiths

Our world today, in some ways, is very different than it was only a generation or two ago. When I was young and growing up there was not a great diversity of faiths or religions surrounding me – I did not grow up with a mosque in town, a Muslim temple or Jewish synagogue; we did not have practicing Buddhists in my school – at least not that I knew of. I did not grow up knowing the difference between a Buddhist and Hindu, or a Buddhist and a Muslim. When I was growing up I did not see that kind of religious diversity and I would bet it was the same for you as well.

But chances are today your neighbor; your coworker or classmate, someone you know… is of another faith, a religious belief other than Christianity. The world is changing. It is becoming more diversified, more pluralistic and the mainline Christian churches: the Methodists, the Presbyterians, the Baptists, the Lutherans, the Catholics … are not the only religious voices in town any more. January 9th I will begin a new sermon series exploring the major religions in our world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

I am doing so because of a deep seated belief that in order for our community, our nation and our world to get along we must have a deeper understanding of one another’s beliefs – even if we do not agree with them. These major world’s religions earnestly pursue God; yet each does so in a different way. There is no question that so many different religions have historically led to conflicts and continue to be a source of distrust and animosity and even lead to open warfare in our world.

Each of our faiths represents our deepest values and beliefs. Anything that questions or opposes those values or beliefs is considered a threat. Yet the only way to a long lasting peace among our different faiths is mutual understandings based on respect and educated insight into one another’s religion. It is vital to the peace of our community, our nation, and our world that bridges are built – relationships of understanding and willingness to learn and trust between our religions, rather than erecting continual walls separating and further diversifying us.

I invite you to join with me beginning January 9th as I begin to explore the five major religions of our world while asking four main questions:

1) Why are there so many different religions?
2) How should Christians view other religions?
3) How is God at work in other religions?
4) What is the fate of those who earnestly pursue God through other religions?

For more information on this sermon study led by Reverend Patrick Schultz and the location of Milton United Methodist Church please visit our website at www.miltonumc.org or contact us at 608-868-2860.

Note: This series was originally done by Rev. Adam Hamilton in 2003 and is a reprisal of that works.