Wednesday, April 19, was a wonderful day in the life of Sapulpa 1st Methodist Church as we celebrated the 100 birthday of Jackie Robertson. Jackie has been a "professing member" of our church since 1931 (her chronological member number is "5"!) and her contribution to the life of the church (and the Sapulpa community) has been beyond measure. At a dinner in her honor, she was joined by some 40 family members, over 100 members of our church, and many special guests and friends. Highlights of the evening included Jackie being awarded a certificate recognizing her as an official member of the Oklahoma Centenarian Society. She was also honored by letters from state representatives, officials of the Cherokee Nation, and the singing of the National Anthem (in Cherokee) by one of her grandsons. A very special moment was when she rose to address those who were gathered.
Sometimes we fail to recognize it, but each of us find great resources from the legacy and heritage of special people who have gone before us. For each of us there are people who have: inspired us, taught us, encouraged us, and have been role models for us of what it means to live life well. Most of our Heritage members are people who have faced numerous trials and struggles in their life and they have done so with fortitude and grace. They are, for us, a true example of how we should live.
So, if you are facing a life challenge or trial, remember people like Jackie. Give thanks to God for the resources of faith that were planted in your life by people who have gone before you. Draw upon their wisdom, be inspired by their example, and be strengthened by the knowledge that God walks with us just as he has walked with so many who have gone before us.
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Years ago I heard the Christian author/pastor, Charles Swindoll, tell the story of asking his adult son what "times" he remembers most from his childhood. The son told him one of his most memorable occasions was a day when he was playing football in the cold, wind, and rain. His team was way behind (no chance of catching up) and most of the "stands" were empty. But he said he looked up and there was his mom and dad, still in the "stands" cheering him on. This, the son said, was indeed a special moment. Well this past month my son and his mom had a similar experience...
Five years ago, for Christmas, my wife bought me a Fitbit watch and have worn it every day since. I love this exercise watch, it is one of the best Christmas gifts I've ever received. I love the way it: counts my steps, let's me know when I need to "get up and get moving," tracks my exercise, and helps me set fitness goals. In addition to telling me the time, it is a very practical fitness tool. Another thing I like about this watch is that it gives me positive feedback when I reach my daily step goal. When I reach my daily goal a type of "colorful fireworks" display begins to flash along with a vibration for my wrist. It's my Fitbits way of saying, "Great job! You reached one of your fitness goals today." I'm not 100% sure why, but I find this positive feedback to be very encouraging. In fact, if I haven't experienced my Fitbit Fireworks for the day I will often say to myself, "I need to get up and start walking." Through the feedback of this small fitness tracker my behavior is actually being shaped in a positive way. So the question I've been asking myself is: "Why don't I put more effort into giving positive feedback to others when I see good things happening in their life?" Is it possible that others could be influenced by my personal "Relational Fireworks?"
I took advantage of a "break in the weather' yesterday and took down all of my outdoor Christmas lights. The "dismantling took about three hours." That surprised me because putting them all up took about three days! The contrast struck me: How much easier it is to "tear down" than to "build up!" Why is this so? The answer is that to "build something" (even an outdoor scene of Christmas lights" requires creativity, intention, purpose, and considerable effort. To tear something down is sort of easy...
We did something new at my church for Advent this year. For years we have sponsored an Angel Tree which provides our members with an opportunity to purchase gifts for children who desperately need to know they are not forgotten at Christmas time. We continue in this tradition, but this year we also wanted to provide a way for our members to pray for one another as we journey together towards Christmas Day. So, on Thanksgiving Sunday (one week before the 1st Sunday of Advent) we provided decorations upon which our congregation could write out a "seasonal prayer request." At our Hanging of the Greens party these requests were hung upon a Christmas Tree and on the first Sunday of Advent members were encouraged to take a prayer request and make this request a part of their daily prayer time as we continued through the Advent season. In the midst of these decorations someone placed a "partridge," on the tree so we began to refer to this Advent experience as our Partridge In A Prayer Tree, prayer opportunity. So far, the entire experience has been extremely well received...
For years it has been our family tradition to "turn on" the Christmas house lights during the evening of Thanksgiving day. The "flipping of the switch" honor usually goes to our two grandsons who take delight in having the power to "make the lights shine." At last, though worn out, I was ready for the grandchildren to come and for the official "turning on the lights" to commence. But then something awful happened!....
I am so blessed. I am in my 13th year as senior pastor of the 1st United Methodist Church of Sapulpa and I serve a wonderful congregation. I have known this for years but this truth was made evident once again this past Sunday as they surprised me (and my family) with a Pastor's Appreciation Day celebration. Cake, balloons, an office door covered with notes, a wall display of art work done by the children of the church, numerous greeting cards (many with personal notes of appreciation) and a love offering, were all apart of this wonderful day. I know that I am truly fortunate to serve such and amazing congregation. But I am also aware that there are many pastors today, all across our land, who are tired, stressed, and struggling because of the stress and conflict that the work of ministry sometimes brings...
One thing that is clear about my wife, there is hardly anything she won't do if it means spending time with her grandchildren. Recently, our daughter Beth, and grandsons, Andy and Sam, decided they wanted to "try their hand" at an indoor ropes course. The course led participants to a height of approximately 20' above the floor. The course involved a number of obstacles and maneuvers and most people would consider it a challenging adventure. The participants wear safety harnesses so I wasn't too concerned when my daughter and grandsons got in line to purchase their tickets. My anxiety heightened, however, when I saw my wife get in line and I realized she was planning to go rope climbing with them. "Are you crazy?" I asked. She let me know that she was sure (even though she suffers with a moderate degree of neuropathy in her feet and related balance issues) that she would be fine. Fortunately that proved to be true as she had a wonderful time with her daughter and grandkids. Her experience, also suggested several life lessons...
Taking a "step of faith" sometimes means moving forward in the face of strong fears.
Recently my wife and I vacationed (along with our daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren) in the beautiful Winter Park area of Colorado. While there we got to spend some time at Snow Mountain Ranch (near Granby) and a friend of ours arranged for our son, daughter, and grandsons to ride the "zip line" that stretches across the Snow Mountain Ranch valley. To ride the zip line, however, requires one first to climb to the top of a 35' tower, get "hooked up," then step off of the edge of the tower and allow the force of gravity to pull you down the mountain side. For most people, this climb and ride provokes a heightened level of anxiety and requires taking a definite "step of faith."... Some people work hard to get "somewhere." Unfortunately they have little vision of what they want to accomplish or what their Preferred Future might really be. Others have a clear vision of where they want to go but they do not have the dedication to work towards this end. Still others have vision and dedication, but they spend little time in prayer seeking God's guidance or assistance. But I believe it is when when vision, hard work, and prayer are merged together that there is often a wonderful outcome...
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AuthorDr. Allen Schneider is a United Methodist pastor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist presently serving the Sapulpa and greater Tulsa communities. Archives
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