No Charge!

John 17

The Upper Room Living Prayer Center provides a remote prayer ministry, which United Methodist Church Huntington Cold Spring Harbor is a blessed participant. There is no charge to participate in the ministry, and there is no charge for your prayers and no charge for requesting prayer and no charge to having your prayers answered. There is simply no charge to you.

Intercessory prayer is provided by persons, who care for the essentials of human beings. Volunteers are trained through the ministry and local churches provide financial gifts to cover the overhead expense of using telephone lines. Yes, you may phone in to speak with a volunteer concerning your prayer request or leave a message requesting prayer, then receive an intercessory prayer through the prayer line during the 24/7 period of existence. Barring trouble with the telephone lines, the intercessory prayer ministry is operative for you to call 1-800-251-2468. For more information and updates on the entire ministry, please visit the website www.upperroom.org/prayer.

The voice was weakened by age or illness. Still it was a voice, so familiar. A voice that had been heard almost everyday from June 22, 1955 until April 15, 2002. When I walked into Mother's room on April 13, 2002, she perked into an amazing expression of love and joy having her baby for a final family member visit. When asked of her desire, she only requested: "To see His (Jesus) face." I prayed that she would be able to see the face of our Lord. A face she had spoken of so many times through the forty six years I was blessed to hear her voice. I cannot recall the cost of the hospital bill for the care Mother received. She had been in and out for nearly two years attempting to survive an illness that had defeated her mother and father, and was to have carried her away in 2000. She fought the good fight at the urging of her sons for a little more time. She gave all the time allowed and I soaked in every moment I could. Mother, unlike many seniors, was well covered in medical benefits. The expenses to her care left no financial strain on the family, so there was no charge post her life on earth. No charge for the prayer, no charge for the care, and no charge for the time. Simply, no charge to me.

Some times the ways of men and women in relation to prayer has an expense. One of the sites advertising on blog sites, including this one invites you to share prayer requests. I went through the Ad one day, just because I like to examine what is being advertised on the site. I started out providing information on myself, which I did not have issue with though you only are asked for first names in your request to the Upper Room Living Prayer Center. Then, they asked for contact information, I thought: "Oh, why not, a Christian ministry that prayers with me may contact me." Okay, the next phrase had a line of questions pop up one after the answer giving to the previous. Oh my, there it was in question #4: How much are you willing to ... $9 or $15, etc.  I smiled, clicked out of the site and said: "No charge!"

The intent of the use of the funds is not known to me. We may be assured that the witness of the faithful is trustworthy, and we just have a difference in the manner of the request for funding a valid prayer ministry. After all, they are praying.  As for me, it came across as though there was a required donation in order to have the prayer offered and answered. The sense of a charge factor threw me into a place of retreat. It ended my longing to ask, seek, and knock through the ministry. I felt that there was a cost for prayer.

The cost for the prayer of Christ, the cost of a praying Mother, and the cost for prayer one for the other in this house has no charge. Donations for the prayer ministry are not to be sent in or given as payment for a charge. There is no free will offering collected in this house for the prayer ministry. Monies given are out of sincerity of heart for the sake of providing the ministry to others, not a bribe to God or reward to prayer participants, are utilized for the prayer ministry as one of numerous ministries in the local church. Mercy, Lord, mercy.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us, and thank you for paying the cost and leaving us with no charge. Amen.

The Unexpected Expectation

Luke 2:41-52

"Someone is at the door," he said to himself. It was after midnight, when the ringing of the bell would not cease. The pastor was relaxing, when the unexpected visitor came. Surprisingly it was young Master Bayfield, a middle school youth member of the local church.

"Pastor," the youth said, "may I stay with you? I can't take it anymore. My grandmother treats me as the one always wrong, because I am the oldest. It is not my fault, when they (his younger brother and two sisters) are the one pushing things up. When I try to get them to stop, I get blamed. It is not fair. Just not fair."  Returning the young man safely to the residence of his grandmother, after speaking with all concern during the night, proper pastoral intervention was concluded. This is not about the Bayfield struggle. It about the Bayfield and other young people knowing they can turn to the church for safe sanctuary.

Many children are missing safe and secure places to stay. Abuse in homes, kidnapping, molestation and acts of discord often give rise to youth running away from home by existing windows, back doors, etc.  Kids are hanging out in the middle of the night for the thrill of sex or abusive use of alcoholic beverages or other drugs. The signs posting missing children remind us that even one child missing from a safe place to stay is one too many. What shall we do, when the unexpected comes home to us?

Everyone should find the place of worship in the midst of grief. A comforting place of peace and blessed assurance is most valuable when troubles and burdens overload.

The church may be a safe sanctuary. Bayfield heard his pastor say in church: "I expect you to find your way to church, if you ever need safe sanctuary. No one should abuse or inappropriately touch you or cause you alarm. If I am not at the church when you come, here is my cell number. And remember, I live next door." It should forever be a blessed unexpected expectation for our children and youth to come to church for safety, security and sanctuary. What a difference safe sanctuary makes in life. Here is to wishing all missing persons could be found in church.

Jesus was missing for three days before his parents found him in the temple. His response to them indicated that the expectation should have been to find him in the temple. Among the reasons to have our children and youth in church should be about safety in life, not just life beyond death. This is about the expectancies of life, here and now. Parents and others responsible for raising children in today's society are encouraged to consider the church as a safe sanctuary. The local church is where relationship can be established, so as to expect our children to run to the church when safety needed and sanctuary is desired.

The unexpected expectation should become a blessed expectation, when we teach our children to pray for the guidance of God and stay in touch with the people of God. Word of abuse being administered by some pastors and priest has damaged and marred the church being a place for our children to run to in time of trouble. Be assured that responsible persons have countered abusive ways of clergy. Commitment has been made to protecting persons coming to clergy for support and protecting clergy from people coming to abuse. Responsible people are insuring that the church remains a safe sanctuary, so that you may expect a safe place amidst the unexpected occurrences in life.

 

Lord Jesus Christ. Son of God, have mercy and grant us a place of safety. Amen.

Making High Decisions

1 Peter 4:8
Having never used illegal drugs, the benefit is void to a mentality of sobriety. The recent death of Gil-Scott Heron, friend to a beloved; brought to mind the “high” (a mindset) lived in days gone by, so rapid. Days at the (old) Columbia High School (CHS), which was located amid downtown Columbia, South Carolina were mixed with acts removing innocence in “streetology 101” (the study of street life) and developmental academics required in histories, sciences, languages, etc. What a wonderful measure of being human moving from "destructive segregation" to "constructive integration" (Martin Luther King, Jr. labeled the period of change). Living high on the fact of settling disputes inside the school building in opposition to fighting in the streets. After numerous attempts to stop belt buckle fights on and off school buses, calm came through assimilation and association ending the 60s moving into the 70s with sincerity of heart - love.

Seeking to live in harmony, the students of the 60s and 70s formed a human relations council at CHS, so as to learn of and from the other. The violence ended with some intervention from non-violent students and rule enforcement from the teachers and administrators. The goal was to get along and obtain intelligence that could not be ignored regardless of race, creed, or color. Churches, like the Washington Street United Methodist Church across from CHS, were silent participants (it seemed) helping to bring change. Never really considered the value the churches had on the entire process of secular school integration, because many upheld segregated worship.

Indeed, it was the "intentionality" (existentialism) of men and women of faith, not the mind blown decisions of drug abusers that lifted us higher than imaginable during those days of struggle. Still the contributions of some inebriate geniuses should not be discounted. They spoke truth into the light of reality, while escaping some scenes of ignorance. It was more than the preaching of a father preacher that taught messages of love. It was the words of brothers and friends (females and males) that paved the way on the rough roads toward sincere hospitality. Individual choices brought more than correct expressions; they brought down minds too high on drugs to meet the totality of needs in the world. It was and is time to escape decisions to be high, in order to make high decisions. High decisions made in the fulfillment of physical, social, and psychological human needs have to do with choosing not to conform to a drug culture of meaningless control substances, so as to maintain the ability to understand and influence positive change.

Because of the insights that managed to be so verbally correct, blind sightedness could not play the tune of victory. Covered in divine love from headgear to footwear, fear of relating to humans from the diverse corners of the world vanished. Looking back over the naked reality of what was, in order to see the beauty coming into view beyond what is, the clarion call is to respectful living. Young men and women are to be urged away from dope mentality and pornographic displays on streets, buses, subways, etc. The intelligence of sacred purpose given individually and collectively has to be sealed in the minds of children and youth. In time, adolescent theories live into adult results paving highways for new ways of living.

Remembrance is high on Columbia’s gift of life, not the Colombian associated ill-fated drug culture. To market the positives of the 60s and 70s is a meaningful desirable. Desires, too, become meaningless without the acceptance of the masses. The task is to uncap bottled up agape, so that the ingredient can pour into minds, soak into hearts, and live within souls of people high on transformational love. Decision! Deciding not to be high, so as to make high decisions.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, and teach us to love as You have loved - people. Amen.

The Church In Need of Prayer

John 17:1-11

Bringing new life into a local church is a decision of two persons, you and God. Each  individual in communion with God has an opportunity to add life in a locality. What choice are you making?

Jesus made the choice of fulfilling the mission granted unto him by God. He taught and mentored disciples into the ways and means of doing and living in accordance to the will of God. When Jesus laid down this earthly life to glorify God through sacred sacrifice, He became glorified as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, cherished throughout eternity.

Prior to the glorification of Jesus Christ, prayers were made by our Lord, according to the Gospel of John the 17th chapter. In the totality of the chapter Jesus prays of himself, the disciples bought into earthly communion with him, and for all, who would become members of the Church throughout the ages. Yes, Jesus prayed for you and me. The Lord prayed for us.

The primary focus here is not on the particulars of Jesus praying for us, you and me. Rather, center on the authenticity and authority of Jesus praying. Jesus as an authentic being prayed that God would indeed accept the completion of his earthly mission of glorification. His purpose in being was to bring glory to God through a life of devotion to the task given to by God. Jesus knew the purpose of life and lived to the fulfillment of a purposed driven life. Then, lifted his eyes up to heaven and prayed: "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you..."

What a centering on purpose Jesus brought to living in humanity. Being true to self is one portion of living as authentic being. It is unfulfilled living, when your life is lived and sucked into world void of God, who has purposed your being and staying in the world. So, in addition to being true to an understood self, every authentic being in unfulfilled until brought to an inner comprehension of self in connection to God. Authenticity is being true to self from the root of being as well as the seed of being. In other words, we are more than flesh and blood of a mother and father, we are children of God rooted in the faith of Abraham, but more so grounded in the being of God. When we pray, we are in need of praying as children of God. Faith in God is the essential beginning of genuine authentic prayer. The Church is in need of prayer, genuine prayer. Do you believe God to be God, and Jesus the Christ, the Son of a living God?

Christians or non-Christians are not the issue here. The root is not in a faith limited by the descriptions and characterizations of human minds. At the root of praying for the church is not the name Christian, it is the name Jesus. Jesus is authentic being given the authority by God over all life, so-called Christian or non-Christian, so that all may come into eternal life as given by God. In other words, the Church is not in need of prayer to be an exclusive club decided on by votes of people in humanity. No, the Church is in need of prayer for all of humanity to come into genuine relation with God, who alone grants unto Jesus those that are to be eternally grafted and bonded eternally to God. People from various walks and understanding of life may come. They may come with the philosophy of Socrates on a life worth living. They may come with the theology of Islam on a life in submission. They may come with the training laws of Moses on a life in obedience. As for our house, we come in surrender, surrendering all to God through the teachings of Jesus, the Christ, Son of God and Savior of men and women in the world, who accept the glorification of God given to Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, and grant that we may dwell in you - Christ! Amen.

Life Management

Luke 16:1-13

The successful management of life requires responsible stewardship. The "dishonest steward" in the 16th chapter of Luke is an interesting story. Really, it is a powerful story giving mind to the desire for integrity. It is even more interesting to merge the essence of the story into the current experience of life in a multi-generational determined United States of America. Dishonesty in every culture is dishonesty, for sure. Dishonesty though in the USA is home for some of us. It is in the face mess lacking integrity within the national family jerking the sincere of heart. So, we, the people, hold each person accountable for the best and the worst.

This text (Luke 16:1-13)  is not essentially about dishonesty. The focus is on accountability and hospitality. In order to find a place of acceptance, when held accountable, the dishonest steward offered forgiveness of portions of debt to persons, who might be hospitable in his time of need. The owner complimented the forgiveness of the dishonest steward as a reward for reconciling the system in view of needed friendship. Forgiveness of debts, forgiveness of dishonesty, forgiveness of brokenness, forgiveness of...

During the management of life, business, family, etc... mistakes are made. Changes are made that yield both positives and negatives. Face it, leadership and positions may be change for better or worst. Still there abides the need for life management. Changes are inevitable, and the pain of change at times seems unbearable. Forgiveness is needed, even necessary to moving toward reconciliation or restoration. People seek reconciliation of relationships and restoration of support systems as breath provides opportunity in life.

We are people living to love and living to be loved. One who loves money, however, more than human lives will neglect the poor for self social standing. Too often, love is proclaimed, but unclaimed. Fulfillment of the ethical claims of the law may keep one out of jail, fulfillment of the ethical claim to love may keep one out of hell, at least on earth. Interesting how money buys friendship, but cannot buy us love. Love, true love, is not for sale. Pure and unlimited love is unconditional and given through the ages and wind of time from the heart, beyond understanding.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on sinners, and guide our living. Amen

Sincere Worship & Ministry in 2011

Romans 12:1-21

Where may Your mercy be acknowledged before human beings? Where may the Truth be told regarding your abundant grace? Worship has to do with living together with You, O God. In the Spirit of Truth, praise and prayer is lifted humbly before You. Personal steps are made toward You in the midst of corporate and private worship. In awe of You! Yes, in awe of you is the leap of faith made into the opportunity for transformation.

Christian worship is intentional and direct adoration of Your mighty work in the world. Humbly bowing before Your throne, there is no shame in admiring the people, places, and things of creation. You alone continuously work for the good of humanity, when humanity works in existential isolation. Bring us into the sincerity of heart, so that in the midst of storms and tribulations, we sing the songs of constant love. Forever and ever, we know Your love will be delivered.

Inspire us to love as You love. Unite us in the genuine and sincere ministry, which glorifies You. Behold, we come with diversity of gifts and graces, determined to render the totality of our being unto You. True worship is living with You, true ministry in serving with You. Handle us, so that we may handle the matters of life free to love wholeheartedly.

Bring us unto sincere worship and ministry in 2011. Issue Your appeal through men and women, who have sincerity of heart, O God, and we shall return to You, here and now.

Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy, save our souls. Amen.