I hope you were able to worship at Mount Pisgah during our Holy Week services. Each service inspired in its own way as we washed each other’s feet, ate a last supper, suffered at the cross, re-experienced Jesus’ death, and then rose with Him on Sunday. The music was truly something to behold as the choir, the praise team, soloists, organist/pianist (wow Cynthia), and instrumentalists joined to make this time holy - I can’t remember a time when I have been so moved by music through the week (thanks Karen!). The choir’s presentation of the last day of Christ’s life (Good Friday) rivaled our Christmas Cantata in quality and depth. If you missed this service, make a note to attend next year. Following that service on Easter morning, the choir demonstrated their versatility as they presented pieces ranging from classical to praise to spiritual. The praise team, too, had everyone rocking in The Mount as we joyously sang of the rising of our Lord. Also, we had over 100 inspired souls who braved the cold to usher in Easter at sunrise (thanks Ryan for the guitar music)!

I thank all who presented Christ to us during this time. The obvious servants were the musicians and liturgists, but so many more folks worked behind the scenes offering themselves to the Lord and us. I want to thank you all for doing such things as moving chairs, flowering the cross, assisting with sound/video, cleaning the sanctuary between services, setting up the chancel area, ushering, cooking/serving breakfast (the UMM did a great job here – yummy), assisting our elderly, setting up/serving communion, hosting children’s time, teaching children’s church, acolytes, chancel assistants, nursery workers, egg hunt workers, greeters, and all whom I have left out (sorry if I did). You all are blessings!

I can’t wait until next Easter! Oh wait, that will be this Sunday! See you there. May the Lord continue to bless you.

Grace and peace,

Ted

At the very beginning, Lewis deals with what he calls natural law. I’ll not get into the details (you can read the book), but in essence, he says that every person is governed by laws that we cannot defy such as gravity. This is reasonable and obvious. However, not quite as obvious are “moral” natural laws that define right and wrong for us humans at a base level that apply to all and are known to all. For instance, one such natural law is the knowledge that it is wrong to murder, and that almost every civilization supports this moral prohibition - no matter their religion. John Wesley would attribute such natural laws to prevenient grace, which is the Holy Spirit instilling that sense of basic knowing in everyone through the love of God. Without realizing it, people from the beginning of time have been led to this morality not considering for a minute that the one true God is at work.

Lewis went on to say that although moral natural laws reside within everyone and inform us of right and wrong, we all still break them – every one of us - even Christians. I believe that the practicing of our faith not only gives us salvation, but it also orders our moral lives thereby providing opportunity to live free from the guilt that accumulates through breaking natural laws and other tenants of morality. This means that we can live forgiven lives in joy, peace, hope, and love having been relieved of the burden of an inevitable load of wrong doings heaped on our backs. Of course it takes an acknowledgement of our wrongdoings through confession, and it likewise takes a belief that God, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, lifts them off our backs.

This is what Lent does for us. The Lord helps us to see that our burdens don’t have to be a part of us any longer. He relieves us of them through His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection to life. We are so blessed that the one true God provides this great gift – this is what Easter does for us.

Grace and peace,

Ted

At that initial meeting, a number of folks voiced their concerns that we have stepped away from our evangelical roots (Wesley was a self-avowed evangelical), opting to lead as pastors and laity with the social gospel. While the social gospel is important as we care for God’s people, our main thrust needs to uphold Christ’s message of salvation to the world and make disciples. However, a faction of our UM Church has disconnected with our foundations by promoting a social agenda that flies in the face of Biblical teaching. This faction is quite large, but it remains a minority within our membership. Nevertheless, this faction influences a number of folks within our UM connection and such a push from them may result in unwanted and unwarranted changes in our basic theological stands. Also, the press usually associates this faction with the main body of United Methodists, which is wrong.

Seeing the danger from that minority, our group formally organized into the Western North Carolina Conference Evangelical Movement (WNCCEM or WE). Other conferences have organized similar groups. WE’s purpose is set forth in the bylaws as stated below:

Proclaim to and educate United Methodists in the Christian faith that is grounded in Scriptural authority and promulgated by the Apostles, the reformers and John Wesley.

Inform United Methodists and influence the outcomes of issues effecting the governance and Discipline of The United Methodist Church.

Provide a forum where members can share experiences, seek and offer advice, and discuss common challenges and opportunities.

Promote the election of Evangelicals to General and Jurisdictional Conferences and the appointment of Evangelicals to Western North Carolina Conference offices.

WE is now a 501 (c) (3) non-profit group whose contributions are tax deductible. To join, visit the website and click on the membership tab on the right column. I urge you to spend a little time on that site to familiarize yourself with WE.

Our UM Church’s General Conference (our ruling body) meets in Tampa, April 24-May 4. At this Conference, which meets every 4 years, lots of social issues will be presented. Since the General Conference is the official policy making body in our church, it is imperative that we pray to keep our doctrine and theological stands in place. So, please keep our UM Church, our annual conference, Mount Pisgah Church, and the WNCCEM in your prayers. If you would like to know more about happenings around the church, and General Conference, I suggest these websites:

The Confessing Movement

The Good News Movement

The Institute for Religion and Democracy

Please feel free to ask me, Greg, or Donald about WE.

God bless you and our church.

Grace and peace,

Ted

The things that I want this year really aren’t things.

I really want peace: peace in the world, peace among nations, peace in congress, peace in communities, peace among churches, peace within churches, peace in families. I just want peace.

I really want joy. I want joy in relationships where, even if I don’t agree with someone, I can see that God created him/her and find joy in his soul. I want joy inside – in my Spirit. I want joy in activities such as work. I want joy in the little things that cause me to smile. I want joy in reading and studying. I want joy in seeing God working in the struggles of everyday life. I want joy in others.

I want love, and I want to love. I want to love others who wouldn’t otherwise be designated as “loveable.” I want to love someone in spite of the tension of the moment. I want to love according to God’s scale and not mine. I want to love the “ugly” things of life. I want to love my enemies. I want to love the hard times. I want to love the efforts and intentions of people and their results. I want to love interruptions. I want to love my sacrifices. I want to love my afflictions. I want to love misunderstandings. I want to love myself even though the “unlovable” parts stare me in the face every day. I want to love God more than myself.

As I write these things, I see that these are Christmas presents that I can use throughout my life – they needn’t be forgotten or discarded or worn out. They can easily be used as New Year resolutions every year. Of course, the above list only scratches the surface of things that I want, really want, but this is a start. As I grow in my relationship with Christ, that list will ever increase as true, Godly wants become apparent.

Join me in praying for God’s will to be done in our lives and in the life of Mount Pisgah Church. May the Lord give us all His peace, joy and love now and forever.

Grace and peace,

Ted

Christians need to identify with the Holy Spirit who resides in our hearts. What’s contained in that central spiritual vessel is the key to our life. If we allow ourselves to listen to and obey the Holy Spirit, then what we think, feel, say, and do will mirror Christ to others and to ourselves. When we act according to His influence, then our reactions to events will be more authentically loving in the face of injustices and sins of the world.

Grace and peace,

Ted

This situation is common in our world today. We all underestimate Satan. Satan is very clever and extremely smart. He is smarter and stronger than humans but, thankfully, not Jesus. Because people underestimate Satan, he works amongst us cleverly disguising his work as good and righteous. The veracity of this statement can be seen in people who claim to be faithful yet don’t depend upon the Bible for guidance. The last thing that Satan wants us to do is read and follow the Bible, for within it is all that we need for salvation--John Wesley said that. Many people who adhere to a liberal theological perspective denigrate the Word and hold their experience as a guide to faith. This plays into Satan’s hands because he can manipulate us much easier when we fail to follow God’s Word. That’s why it’s vital for us to read and study the Bible.

You are invited to our class that meets each Wednesday night from 6:30-7:30pm in the parlor. It’s an open class, meaning that there’s no registration and no fees – just show up with your Bible. I hope to see you there.

Grace and peace,

Ted

I am the type of person who is not patient with the debilitating effects of orthopedic surgery. Not being able to get around as I would like, using a walker, sitting so much and then sitting some more is not my idea of fun! Even as I was able to walk more, it was only for a certain time and distance. I could not even walk where I wanted as I took a week at the beach to recover, but the doctor ordered me not to walk on the beach! Now that was frustrating as I had to sit on the porch or inside the house the whole time!

Please don’t get the idea that I am filled with complaints however. I am so blessed that God’s healing miracle of modern medicine has enabled me to walk again. Even though my first hip surgery proved defective, I am blessed that they can “redo” it. Just consider what happened fifty or more years ago when arthritis or injury incapacitated someone’s joint – he/she would be crippled for life. Even though there is pain and recovery time with this surgery in today’s world, it is a miracle.

Sometimes we all get caught-up with introspection where we spend much time feeling sorry for ourselves. I once knew a man who was crippled with rheumatoid arthritis. His joints swelled and twisted so that he couldn’t walk or even hold a glass of water. When I would visit him, he would look up from his wheelchair and smile. I know he was in constant pain, still he smiled and talked of others who were suffering. He consistently insisted that his pain and suffering were not of consequence as others suffered more, and he had the Lord with him. Through his faith, he overcame the suffering of mental anguish and lived a joy-filled life. His perspective adjusted my perspective as I was whole physically – my troubles paled in comparison.

The Holy Spirit truly gives us what we need to live here and hereafter, we just have to see through our presenting problems. We can live joy-filled lives if we turn our attention to the Lord and others through Him. Care of others helps us do that, you helped me tremendously. I must say that Lynda did also – she was my constant companion and helper through the whole thing. I am the most blessed person I know! Thank the Lord and thank you.

Grace and peace,

Ted

25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you’re likely to end up in court, maybe even jail.

I like the translation from The Message because it takes the emphasis off of a legal situation and applies it to everyday relationships, as Chambers did. The gist of this passage strikes at the heart of Christian behavior and sets us apart from the rest of the world.

This passage is contained in the Sermon on the Mount where we see Jesus giving instruction on our actions. Here, Jesus shows us what is important: that we purge ourselves from harboring sinful thoughts and fantasizing sinful actions. Those things keep us standing outside the kingdom gates. If we react in anger to someone whom we have wronged, or we run from our obligations that we have failed to meet, then we will live forever on the run - from God. Perpetually looking over our shoulders is unsettling (at best) and prevents us from experiencing a joy-filled life in Christ.

Facing others, especially those who do not like us, makes us face ourselves and exposes some weaknesses that we would just rather not uncover to the world. It takes courage to own up to our foibles and “not so good” characteristics, but isn’t that what Jesus is asking us to do? What’s the worst that could happen - in most cases, only a slight embarrassment which will not hurt us. In fact, a little humility will help most of us.

So, who is it that you need to see? Whoever it is, make the first move. I’m starting with Jesus.

God bless you.

Grace and peace,

Ted

As I write this today, my heart is both heavy and excited. As Christians in 2011, we face a number of attacks from many areas of our world, but then again, this is not new as it has occurred since the time of Jesus. Due to a media that keeps us abreast of news like never before in history, we are very well informed and know of attacks daily. As the Church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Mt. Pisgah and the United Methodist Church are no strangers to “Enemy” (Satan) assaults. In our world today, many people are abiding these attacks and opting to stand against the Church, and even more sadly, they stand against Christ. This makes my heart heavy.

On the other hand, the Holy Spirit is working also. The Lord asks us to live by a Biblical understanding of our faith, and that the Church instruct and gather us in doing so. I see Him working within our annual conference as we prepare to elect leaders and representatives for our General Conference (to be held in 2012). There is a groundswell of folks who wish to rid our Church of non-Biblical ideas and practices. I see it, and I hope and pray that it happens quickly. This makes my heart excited.

I, and others within the conference, have formed a movement which we call the Western North Carolina Conference Evangelical Movement. This group of laity and clergy are committed to doing what this statement says:

Western North Carolina Evangelicals are organized to hold fast to scripture, Orthodox Christianity, and the Wesleyan foundations of our denomination. We plan to continue to organize in the future to provide support, guidance, and fellowship among our evangelical laity and clergy.

I have been impressed by the work and dedication of these folks, and I hope that we, as a church, will be likewise dedicated to changing our Church and our world through the Church.

As we move forward, I’ll keep you informed and even ask for your help. I would like for you to keep the United Methodist Church and Mt. Pisgah Church in your prayers. With the Lord’s guidance, we all can be optimistic and excited.

Grace and peace,

Ted

Someone remarked last Sunday that the Good Friday Service affected him more than any worship service he had ever attended. After I recovered from the shock of his favorite not being one where I preached (haha), I agreed that that particular service penetrated my emotions and spirit like few had. With the music and dramatic effect of the candles combined with the scriptural story, I just could not come away unmoved. I think everyone felt as though we were at the crucifixion. Our congregation was about 80% full, and I was so grateful. Last year, the first night Good Friday service we have had in some time, we only had about a half-full congregation. Next year, I am sure there will be standing room only! It’s very difficult to get the full effect of Easter without experiencing Good Friday in church.

With Easter being so late this year, I was a little skeptical about starting the sunrise service at 6:00 am instead of our customary 6:30. However, I was so pleasantly surprised when 140 folks showed up! Starting in darkness, we finished in the glow of the risen sun (Risen Son!) having sung, heard the Word, and fed our souls with Easter communion. What a blessing!

Our Chancel Choir gets a gold star on their worship cards as they sang the remaining three worship services Easter morning. Now, anyone that can sit through three sermons deserves that star, but really, their music was superb, bringing a bit of heaven to earth. I did vary each sermon a little to keep their interest, which I’m sure worked. It was such a glorious time though, that when folks would ask me between services if I was tired, I told the truth that I wasn’t. Each service brought new energy as we renewed our relationship with our Lord on this most special of days.

We must remember that Easter day is special, but also that every Sunday is an Easter. Every Sunday we celebrate the risen Christ and what He has done for us. Every day we also celebrate His taking our sins away through His work on the cross and giving us eternal life with Him. So, I look forward to every day, every Sunday, and every Easter.

God bless you.

Grace and peace,

Ted