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Monday Message 05-20-2013

 “Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28).

Yesterday as nine former confirmands stood together before our congregation as new members I was filled with hope.  These are the young who have vision of what can be, who have emerging talents and insights to offer, and who have courage to stand before a crowd and say what they believe.  

But what happens when their eyes look upon others who have given up on vision and can’t seem to dream new dreams?

What happens when their lives connect with others who are suspicious of new insights and threatened by emerging talent?

What happens when their profession of faith and courageous stand for what is right and good and just is matched by hollow critique or doused with apathy?

Will the sons and daughters still prophecy?  Will the old dream and the young envision?

In 1803 the British created a civil service job calling for a man to stand on the cliffs of Dover.  The man was supposed to ring a bell if he saw Napoleon coming.  The job was abolished in 1945.  

In 1870 while the British were still posting men to look for Napoleon who died in 1821, the Methodists of Indiana met at assembly.  The Bishop asked if anyone wanted to comment on the changing events of the times.  The President of the college where the convention was being held volunteered to speak.  “I think that we are living in exciting times.  There will be many inventions.  I even believe we will be able to fly in the air like the birds.”  Visibly shaken, Bishop Wright scolded the speaker, saying his comment was heresy.  “We will not have such talk in my district,” the Bishop added, “I have read in my Bible that flight is reserved for angels.”  When the conference ended, Bishop Wright returned home whereupon he was greeted by his two sons, Orville and Wilbur.

Carry on our nine new members!  The Spirit of God has been poured out upon you.  Prophecy of the way things can be when the hungry in our world no longer remain hungry.  Dream new dreams of God’s Kingdom of love taking root in regions of hostility in our world and in our hearts.  See visions of God’s Spirit being poured out on all so that the broken experience healing, the lost are found, the lonely are consoled, the insecure discover their God given giftedness. 

Keep seeing beauty, believing in miracles, consulting scripture, playing your music loud, remaining faithful, being strong and gracious, trusting Jesus, pursuing God’s will, and sharing God’s praise. 

Confirmation Class 2013 Statement of Faith

(Compiled from full statements by each student)

I believe in God and everything He does for us.  He’s the one who gave us life and a beautiful planet to live on.  God loves everyone, good or bad, and is very forgiving.  God is always with you through the hard times and the easy ones.  He’s always there to talk to when you need a friend.  God will never leave you alone. (Ryan)

I believe that Jesus Christ, the son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary.  I believe he lived a life without sin.  He performed miracles and taught us how we should live our lives. (Tyler)

I believe that the Holy Spirit is the essence of God.  Daily, the Spirit reminds us what God has taught us and how much He loves us all.  The Spirit makes the scripture in the Bible true, and it will always be in our hearts.  The Bible is the book of life. (Ashley)

I believe the church is the house of God.  I believe I am one of God’s creations and watched over by God. Through my gift of music, I feel I will be more able to share the word and love of God as well as the Christian faith with others. (Jake)

I have accepted God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to be my leader and my “coach” through the tough times and through the better times.  I know to stay faithful through everything. (Christian)

I believe that we should try and reflect our Christian ways of living for God to other people so they may see how much God has changed our lives for the better and made us stronger and more gracious to others. (Kyle)

 I like to think that if I were Peter, I would have trusted Jesus with all my heart, so that I could walk out to him on the water and join him. I accept Jesus as my lord and savior, and I believe that when I die, because I have put my trust in Jesus, I will go to heaven. (Owen)

I believe God loves me; that He has personal knowledge of me; and that he has a personal agenda for me.  My personal faith also involves my responsibility to God to know His will in and for my life. (Lexie)

I want to live my life the way God wants me to live.  I will pray and share God’s praise.  I will be nice to others. (Kayla)

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