ALL THINGS NEW

Good day dear friends.

It has been quite the busy schedule these past few weeks and I've been unable to sit down and write a devotional like I know I need, and like I like doing. I'm rushing to finish this as the movers are set to be here in about an hour and a half. I also have to turn in the cable modem and cable box to the cable company this morning so we will be without internet for a while. I type this on our desktop computer that soon will be dismantled and placed in either the moving van or in our Suburban for the trip South to our new home.

I have to praise God for the weekend and participating in the Seaman-Haynes wedding in Port Aransas. I had never been to PA and must admit it is quite a lovely place. I had never done a wedding in Crocks (a plastic slipon sandal) or seen so many bare feet at a wedding. Of course I had to compete with the ocean's roar (okay the Gulf's roar) but it was a very nice wedding. For the rehearsal dinner we ate in the Dolphin Room of the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi. That was so relaxing! Of course if you fear fish or swimming mammals, you'd be scared to death.

The verse that comes to my heart is from the last book of the Bible, chapter 21:5: "And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." While in some ways this is a sad time to be moving from a dear old family to a new dear family, we hold fast to our faith that we serve a God who makes all things new. From a timeless God who makes all things new, you know it has to be good! This applies to all areas of our lives. Last night as we lay down to sleep (except those of us who were packing) at twelve midnight yesterday ended and a new day began! Isn't that incredible. Our yesterdays all end at 12 midnight last night and immediately a new day begins. So it should be with our faith and attitude about our life and that which we face. We are from the loving hand of the God who made and controls all things. In God we put our full trust.

As we pray for one another, ask God to make all things new. We remember the needs of our brother Jodie Polk and we ask God to make all things new for him. May Jodie's healing amaze the doctor! As we pray for those mourning situations in life that seem to be bleak, may God make new the possibilities that can come from Him into even the people who think God cannot.

PRAYER: Lord God, make new all things in my life. You better than even me know what things have been too "old" for so long and now a newness is needed, so come, You who will make all things and make me new. New with love, new with hope, new with mercy and compassion, new with faith unlike the faith I had yesterday. I thank You for the newness of this day and its possibilities. I love you and praise You! I pray in Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

TRADITIONS

Good day dear friends.

Today the daughter of Mary Borm undergoes surgery to repair a broken leg. Her name is Paula, but I don't know her last name (God does!), so please pray for Mary and Paula.
Please continue to pray for all pastors who are neck deep in boxes (or should be!) as they prepare to move. In our conference alone, we have something like 60 moves, so boxes are selling briskly (invest in boxes) and movers are salivating with excitement!

Here is our text for this morning:
13 You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. 14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; 19 but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother. 20 In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, 22 and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; 23 they only heard it said, "The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." 24 And they glorified God because of me.

In case you've been keeping track, I've dedicated the last couple of devotionals to the letter of Paul to the church in Galatia. They were being misled by false teachings and Paul is angry and addressing their unfaithfulness by way of this letter. Today's part deals with Paul reminding them of just who he is, and how he came to be a Christian preacher after having been quite an infamous Jew. Paul shares how he advanced in Judaism even beyond those his own age and how he thought he was doing what God wanted, but realized he was simply concerned more about the "traditions of his ancenstors" than the things of God. God decided Paul needed to meet Jesus which he did and the rest was history.

New life comes when we put away rituals, traditions, routines, habits, playing church, and the like, and surrender ourselves to Jesus. Jesus came to offer new life, in fact, life in the fullest, and that is what Paul is wanting the believers in Galatia to embrace. What are you willing to surrender for the sake of your life?

PRAYER: Loving God we do thank you for rich histories and traditions and those things that bring some meaning to our lives, but today I seek Jesus and the things that are Yours to bring me into life and life's full meaning and purpose. I ask this as I surrender my very self to You, in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great day in the Lord!

e.v.

A WORD OF THANKS

Good day dear friends.

First a personal word of thanks to all who planned and participated in my farewell luncheon yesterday after church. The food was the best I had ever seen and tasted and everyone went "all out" in getting the food table to look so exquisite. A special thank you to all who shared a word of appreciation of the Lord's work through Nellie and I. I was especially touched by the bravery of the youth and children and their willingess to say very kind words of appreciation. I am proud of you! May the Lord continue to richly bless you is my prayer.

My sermon yesterday was from 1 Corinthians 3:1-9. I'll use that as the foundation for my devotional for this morning, but I will preface it with the words of thankfulness that Paul shares with his brothers and sister at the Corinth church:

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Cor. 3:1 And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? 4 For when one says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely human? 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. 9 For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building.

The words we read in chapter three are a bit more harsher as Paul is reminding the readers that they were called into faith of Jesus Christ, which is a spiritual first step. What has happened is they have not taken a second step or steps towards spiritual maturity. All during his ministry there, Paul shared the gospel in baby steps, for they were infants in the faith. Here it is some years later and Paul is hearing complaints from them about how they don't like their new pastor, Apollos. As I shared with the congregation no pastor likes to hear that. It hurts the body of Christ when complaints are being lifted up against those who have come to serve among you. We are called to build upon that which is left for all to carry on.

Have you taken steps towards your maturity in Christ? How do you do that you ask? By following the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, Scripture reading, devotional time, time alone with God, worship, tithing, etc. That will take you into the realm of a deeper walk with Christ that Jesus mentions as "abundant life." (John 10:10).

Take those steps today! Become the people God has called you to be!

PRAYER: Loving God, speak to my heart and let me grow in faith and in spirit. Let me be guided and directed by The Holy Spirit. Take me into abundant living. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

TRAVELING WITH AND BECAUSE OF CHRIST

Good day dear friends.
Some time ago I asked prayer for Shanna Itz Rodriguez who had a tumor removed while awaiting the birth of twins, well tonight she delivered a boy and a girl, one weighing 3'12" and the other 3"13" born at 8:15 and 8:16 p.m. tonight. We thank the Lord for their birth and we pray for Shanna and babies to be well. I thank all of you who prayed for them.
Today's text comes from Galatians 1:10 Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; 12 for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. 14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; 19 but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother. 20 In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, 22 and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; 23 they only heard it said, "The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." 24 And they glorified God because of me.
It is so easy to get caught up in trying to please people. For some if we can please the right people we believe we get something out of it. Others just for a smile or the right look of approval motivates their actions. No one could ever accuse Paul of being a people pleaser. He would have been fired long ago! Paul's desire was to serve and please God. And that, he said, started even when he was doing exactly what God didn't want him to do, namely the persecution of the Christian church. Paul's calling, as yours and mine, was to be a "servant of Christ." Paul reminds the believers at Galatia that his life was completely opposite of how they knew him now.him.
To travel well, we must travel with Christ and because of Him!
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for sharing Jesus with us. Let us be open to the leading of Christ in all that we do. May we be led by Him in all things. Our desire is to travel with and because of Jesus Christ. In His Name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

AN EASIER WAY?

Good day dear friends.

I appreciate your prayers for those we share through these pages. God answers all prayers! I appreciate your prayers for me while at General Conference. I needed them! I got a fever on Thursday night with chills and the works and on Friday was sent to a minor care emergency center where the experience was worse than the chills. Nurse Allstate, as she called herself, proved I was in better hands on my own than in hers! After beating my arm senseless she said she could not find a vein and poked me three times causing me to say loudly, "Ouch, that hurts!" I'm a chicken when it comes to needles but I hate pain even more. What a baby. Anyway, that blood test and others showed I was fine with the possible onslaught of an upper respiratory infection. Antibiotics did the trick and by Sunday I was fine.

Here is our text for today from Paul's letter to the Galatians 1: 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!

In his teachings, Jesus had predicted that the day would come when followers would easily fall away for diverse reasons including the hearing of a "gospel" they liked better. And such was what Paul is addressing today. Some of the "Christians" of Galatia were abandoning the faith to follow a different "gospel" and that is of following those Jews who had said that they were not truly following Jesus if they hadn't embraced Judaism. The main issue was that of circumcision and these Jews were telling the Galatians they had to be circumcised to be truly followers of God. Paul stresses there is no other gospel and becomes quite frank in his saying if anyone comes to you with another gospel that person, even if he were an angel, is accursed!

Who or what distracts us from enjoying the grace of God? Is anything worth abandoning the Lord Jesus to follow someone or something else? Do we seek an easier way, less stressful or hectic way to be a true follower of Jesus? There is none, just faithful obedience to the truth we received from Christ about Himself and God.

PRAYER: Loving God we thank you for Your truth and how You have given Your all for us. Let me quit seeking the ways that we think would free us from what we think holds us back in being Christian. As we say in our ritual, "Free us for joyful obedience." Through Jesus Christ we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

Good day dear friends.

Please keep Paul Mayhew in prayer as he has undergone shoulder surgery in Austin. We pray all has gone well and that he is recovering well. Paul will wear a shoulder sling for about six week.

Here is our text for today from Luke 22: 39 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial."

Today is National Prayer Day in the USA. This is a day set aside for us to be in prayer. The underlying reason is, of course, to pray for our nation and our needs. And they are many. But the day also serves to remind us that we are, and should be, a nation under God. It is God in whom we trust and in whom we find our reason for life and all that we need. It is appropriate then that we read that passage in Luke, posted above, that says that Jesus has a custom of praying. In reality, Jesus had a lot of customs, of going to church, of teaching, etc. Jesus knew what it was to stay in contact with God the Father.

Jesus' favorite place of prayer was the Mount of Olives, a quiet place that lent itself for solitude and prayer. While Jesus prayed everywhere, this place was one in which he could direct his most pressing thoughts to Jesus. It was also a place where he took his disciples so taht they might be people of prayer too. In this passage, Jesus' command was that they "pray that you may not come into the time of trial." Jesus knew what lay ahead, the disciples did not. In the same way, God knows what lays ahead for us, we do not, so like the disciples, we pray.

In prayer we find that which we need to help us be the people of God, rooted in Him and receiving from Him that which we need.

PRAYER: Lord, every day should be a day of prayer for us as believers. Bless our nation and help us to be your people in all things. We ask this in Christ Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

WHAT A GREETING!

Good day dear friends.
Please be in prayer for Emily Lawrence. She was set to undergo surgery last night. We pray all is well with her. Emily is the daughter of Theresa and Steve.
Here is our text for today from Galatians 1: 1 Paul an apostle—sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the members of God's family who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Someone once said there was a difference between being a disciple and an apostle. A disciple is one who sits at the feet of a great teacher and learns. An apostle not only learns, but goes and puts into practice that which he/she has learned. Paul took his title as apostle as a badge of responsibility and honor. His honor, like that of Jesus, was to serve not to be served, and he did this quite well all through his life. His commission to serve as an apostle was from Jesus Christ and not human orders. He also knew the presence of those who believed like him gave him further authority to serve.
In this short passage Paul writes to all the churches of Galatia. His desire is for them to receive God's grace and God's peace. No greater gift because of Christ's sacrifice. God's underserved favor and love and peace freely given to those who believe and who would receive it.
Paul also lifts high the name of Jesus and expects us to do the same.
All of that in a greeting. What do we convey in our greetings each day? Is it as lofty and heavenly as Paul's? Or do we convey something different?
A great "Good morning!"" goes a long way farther than a grunt or moan showing at least that we're alive.
Let your greeting be one of life and grace and peace!
PRAYER: God of grace and peace, let me today share You with how I greet others. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name and for His sake, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

SALT AND LIGHT

Good day dear friends.
Here is an update on Del Brown. Del was finally released from the hospital yesterday, weak, but no longer suffering from fever. Please continue to pray for his complete recovery.
Here is a prayer request: Emily Lawrence (daughter of Theresa and Steve Lawrence) was admitted into the hospital at CTMC, Monday evening, with a possible infection, in her right leg. Please keep her and her parents in your prayers.
Sadly, the father of Harriett Olson, Charles L. Olson, died on Sunday. Please keep Harriett and her family in your prayers.
Here is our text from Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
I've related the importance of salt in cooking. If you leave out an ingredient of any meal that requires cooking, it cannot be salt, because salt is what gives the entire entree its flavor. Salt for the Jews at the time of Jesus was for flavor, for preservation, and for insulation. Apply these three to the Christian faith and you see what Jesus meant when he said WE were salt: Our positiveness of life as lived through Christ should add flavor to life. Our rootedness in Christ should allow us to share with others the preservation of that which is good for God in the world. And our faith should help us when we feel everything is falling around us.
As for light, that is pretty self-explanatory. Light defeats darkness. To live in Christ is to live in light and that defeats the darkness.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank you for all You have shared with us to make us who we are. Let us indeed be salt and light for the world through Jesus in Whose name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

OUR MISSION

Good morning dear friends.

Greetings from frigid Fort Worth! Nothing like mornings in the 40s. It is especially funny to hear from delegates from the north US who expected Texas weather to be warmer. You and me both!

Here is our text:

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace to this house!' 6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you.' 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 "Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.' 12 I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town. 13 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. 16 "Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

What authority and power is ours from the Lord Jesus Christ! Like the seventy sent out in this passage, so has Christ sent us. Our is a mission to share first, peace. Let the peace of Christ fill every heart. The peace that "passes all understanding." In other words, the peace Christ offers through us, should be that peace that others will not understand but yet it is still there. It is the calm when others are panicking. It is the joy when others are sad. It is the light of hope, when others have resigned to be in darkness.

Ours is a mission of healing. Lift up in prayer those whom you hear are sick. Yes, you may be asked to pray for people you do not know. My first morning here I had breakfast at the Corner Bakery. The lady who served me asked if I spoke Spanish. I replied que si, and she asked if I would pray for her. She had hurt her hip while working the week prior and was now in severe pain. She had missed several days of work and now was working with much discomfort. I told her I would. I don't know the lady, but I know her need. I am not about to tell her, "I don't know you, why should I pray for you." That is not in keeping with my mission in Christ Jesus. Yes, I prayed and am praying for her healing. Later she shares that her daughter is pregnant and is almost due and now an illness has come upon her that she needs surgery and they're waiting until June to do a C-section and the surgery she needs. I can only imagine the stress that Luisa Fernanda is under, as is her mother Maria. Ours is to share with God through prayer the needs of those who need healing.

We can't forget to pray that God raise up laborers, like you and me, to do the work of God in the world. The harvest is ready, we just need those who will come and do the work of the Lord in our midst.

Not everyone will welcome us and Who we stand for. Woe to them. Ours is just to share with all; some will listen and be blessed, others will suffer life without Christ and then....

PRAYER: Loving God, give me Your courage, wisdom, strength and all that I need to fulfill that to which You have called me. Let me be Your servant in all things. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

NARROW IS THE WAY

Good day dear friends.

As we pray for one another, please pray for John Schaeffer, who has entered the hospital again. John and Dawn are new members but he has spent more than his share of time in the hospital. If any of you work or drive by Austin South Hospital, please go and visit John.

Here is our text for today:

Matthew 7:12 "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. 13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
I don't know about you, but in my opinion, traveling alone is not the ideal way to travel. I say this because of the long journey yesterday from SM to Ft. Worth. This is one route that our car has memorized. I could have taken a nap and the car would have known how to get to FW easily. We have made this journey several times going up to Denton to visit Caty at Texas Woman's. I traveled this way to attend General Conference. I am chair of the Committee for Correlation and Editorial Revision, the committee that puts the Book of Discipline together for the United Methodist Publishing House. I have one of the best seats in the house, sitting on stage while all goes on around. I do not get to vote on things, unless one of the reserve delegates wishes to let me go and vote. But I came without Nellie, who is the Chief Administrative Officer of Child Care for the Department of Valverde Grandchildren. Her number one and only client is of course, baby Sarita Evangelina Cortez, the delight of our eyes, ears, heck, all our being! So, while Sarita's mom has finals, Nellie is watching baby. And that's an important job! Pray for her today at 3:30 pm as Sarai has a major exam.

But the road is best traveled with my wife. She's my navigator, critic, food processing administrator (she unwrapped burgers as we eat and drive), narrator, conversationalist, critic, and my overall best friend and travel companion. She wants me to be a cautious driver, friends, which is why I list that as "critic." But our road has some known turns and routes, as well as the unexpected "only one lane open ahead" and I had a couple of those last evening. We usually start our journey northy by leaving 35 to get to Creedmoor and then to the tollway that gets us north of Georgetown. We stop in Temple at one of our favorite Starbucks (the best manager of those is of course Blair Thompson from our church at the SM Starbucks); it's ideally located for a rest and stretch, hot chocolate or hot tea stop. We pass through familiar sights that are still standing 30 years after we made that journey up to Perkins. And the road from Waco northward reminds us of our first church there in Waco. It is a familiar road, best traveled together.

Jesus spoke of life and how it can be traveled. In the above passage He mentioned life in Him and how that can be "narrow" which I take to mean difficult, for it is not a popular way to travel, the wider way is more traveled and you see so many on that way. His way is the way of service, sacrifice, and love. The other way is selfish, self-serving, me-centered, and doesn't offer much in the way of love. My mom first exposed me to that verse talking about the road to destruction she would say, "Is a beautiful road or so we think. It has roses and beautiful flowers all along it. The road that Jesus wants us to walk has thorns and is harder to walk." I first thought "I'd rather walk along the beautiful road, but when she said Jesus was on the thorny road I changed my answer.

I haven't changed my answer to this day. And I trust your changing would be only to get on the road to life.

PRAYER: Loving God I thank You for being with me on the road that leads to life. Speak to my heart about what I should be, what I should do, and what I should share. Help those not yet on Your road to find the way, and if you could, use me to help. I ask this in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

PS Yes, I miss Nellie very much!

BREAKING THE ARMS OF GOD

Good morning dear friends.

Our text for today comes from Matthew 14:22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." 28 Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Today's thought is not original. It comes from a great conversation I had with The Rev. Tom Monroe, a stewardship strategist with a company based in Atlanta. Tom was a pastor on the staff at First Baptist Dallas, one of the country's biggest Baptist churches. One of his church members sold real estate and once while cleaning a home to sell, she came across some books by a Methodist preacher. Tom said he received these as gifts and in one he came across a passage that touched his heart. It concerns the above passage about the miracle of Jesus and Peter walking on the water. That Methodist preacher wrote (and I left that name at the office!) that while we know this story well, he came to an understanding that the only one who was in the most secure place was Peter. The eleven were in a boat probably built by their own hands, and it was a product made of wood, tar, and pitch. The waves or the wind could easily sink the boat and take them to the bottom of the sea. Peter, on the other hand, was in the arms of Jesus and this writer asks, "Who can break the arms of God?"

The answer is of course, no one. But we try! We find ourselves at times trying hard and we act like we're almost to the bottom of the sea, but in reality if we have faith and if we have placed ourselves in God's arms, there is no one nor anything that can break the arms of God.
What a secure feeling and thought: You and I are in the arms of God! Friends, there is no better place to be!

PRAYER: Loving God of all strength, thank You for Your hold on our lives. If one of us is feeling like we're almost at the bottom of the sea, lift us up! If one of us is feeling like we're slipping out of that firm grip that is Yours, tighten it! No one can break Your arms! We pray this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

PS Many leave today for Fort Worth for the start of General Conference. I start work early tomorrow with the committee on which I serve and every day will be a long day with lots to do. Pray that God would bring His strength, joy and peace to us all. Thank you!

A FAITHFUL WITNESS

Good day dear friends.

Our text for today comes from 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

I had the special privilege of speaking at a men's retreat for Manchaca UMC at John Knox Camp outside of Wimberley on Friday and Saturday. It was a great time sharing with brothers in the faith, especially some young brothers. Pastor Steven Sweet, a dear friend and true brother in Christ Jesus, invited me to go and speak about the Christian life and I believe I left more blessed than I hoped to bless them.

One verse that I made mention to is the text for today. It is a verse that applies both to men and women, and contains an attitude for servant living.
If you look at it, here are the key points:

1. We should approach God with a humble attitude. God is everything and we are His and as we come to Him, we should be open, listening, and loving towards our Heavenly Father.

2. This attitude of humility will result in God lifting us up when it is time. No one should come before the throne of God thinking we deserve anything, we don't. We come before God's throne because God loves us and we come to be loved.

3. God is a listening, caring God. We can, through prayer, "cast our anxieties" on God because of the care and protection God offers to us. There is no need to carry around the weight of worry when we can give it to God to carry for us.

4. We need to maintain a discipline and alertness before God of spiritual things. This includes our prayer life, our devotional life, our willingness to study God's Word, to worship God, and to seek to learn more about all God has to offer us. You'll see in the next one why this is imporant.

5. We can very easily become the prey of the devil. From experience the writer shares how easily one can fall victim to the wiles of the devil. Probably not that the writer himself may have fallen, but being an overseer in the faith he had probably seen more than his share of those for whom he cared, fall victim to temptation.

6. We must resist, standing firm in our faith. What we have learned as truth we must hold to. I shared in my sermon yesterday the story of C.C. McCabe who boarded a train in the days of the Old West and found a newspaper headline that said "Churches Across America Are Dying." McCabe read the article and it was an interview with an agnostic Robert Ingersoll, who said America would be better off when the last one closed. McCabe got off at the next stop and fired off a telegram to Ingersoll with the message, "All hail the power of Jesus' Name! We're building more that one new Methodist Church every day of the year and propose to make it soon two a day." What a way to resist!

7. We are not alone, not even in our suffering. Every Christian suffers. Some trials are unexpected and of the kind one would not wish on his/her worst enemy, but we stand firm in our faith, knowing God is with us and our brothers and sisters are with us. Pray for one another. Even for folks you don't know! Just lift up the saints who are suffering for the sake of Christ.

8. Our trials and suffering will not last a long time. In God's time, the Word promises we will be restored, supported, strengthened, and established.

9. Worship God! Amen!

PRAYER: Loving God, we lift You up in our hearts, minds, and spirits. Yours is the power and glory and the kingdom for ever. Remember us today with our needs and joys. Let our lives give steady witness to others, especially those who do not yet know, or who have forgotten. We pray this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

RELIGION IN THE NEWS

Good day dear friends.

Our text for today is from John 4: 19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

My morning internet routine goes as follows. 1. I read the morning devotional at The Upper Room (www.upperroom.org/devotional). This morning's devotional is very good as they usually are. 2. I go to CNN to see what are the headlines for today. http://www.cnn.com/ gives an update of the headlines around the world and here in the USA.

Which is why this morning I write about religion in the news. The Pope's visit has been major headlines all week. It is his first visit to the United States and so that is headling worthy news. He has celebrated two major outdoor masses in huge arenas and that is worthy news. He is, as the Catholic church, the direct descendant of Saint Peter, the "rock" of the church. Just thinking about that and how, imperfect as the line got in some eras of our history, still the one recognized by that church as having had hands laid on him that were first the hands of the fisherman called by Jesus. That's worthy of headlines. The other news are more local, a polygamist ranch outside San Angelo (which is in the Southwest Texas Annual Conference of our church, and the children of that ranch are being helped by many UMs), has been raided by the authorities, and thankfully another "Waco" incident didn't happen.

In another part of the world, Buddhists originally slated to participate in the Olympic torch relay, have withdrawn in protest of the treatment of monks by the Chinese government, the hosts of this summer's Olympics.

The greatest news of religion today? How God is using you to make someone else's world a little better by your kind words, kind act, or listening, caring ear. These things won't be on tomorrow's headlines nor should they be, for we do things for Christ not for the fleeting glory of humans, but for the eternal glory of He who sends us out "to make disciples." And the best way to make disciples is to be one.

PRAYER: Loving God, we praise you and thank you for Jesus. We pray that in all we do today we might show that we are indeed, your disciples and in that way, help to make someone new a disciple. We pray this in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS: LIVING WATER

Good day dear friends.

Prayer Updates: David Gish underwent successful surgery yesterday. Karen reports the doctor was pleased with the results of shoulder reparation. Pastor Ryan is home in Austin and not driving to Chicago as was shared here originally. The "encounter" with the deer occurred between Lake Travis and Austin. Ryan's car is in the shop and Ryan is resting at home. He is in severe pain (throat) and needs our prayers. On Thursday he flies to Chicago for his vacation.

Our text for today:
John 4: 5 So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." 8 (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, "Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."

One can only imagine the stress and strain put on Jesus' body during His ministry. Travel was not by private jet or limo. It was by foot, from place to place. The weather was hot at times, mild at others, but always dusty as the winds blew around Him in the land now called Holy. Jesus knew of the need to rest and in the passage for today, as his disciples had gone on to buy food, He rested near a well. The well was famous to the locals, but also the place to draw water. As Jesus rested a woman comes to draw water and He asks her for a drink. The woman of a different ethnicity was surprised by His request. A Jew would not ask a Samaritan for anything let alone anything that would touch their lips! Jesus' reply was of love when He said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, "Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."

All of us know the importance and goodness of water. We live in an age where any supermarket will have an aisle full of different water in different containers and claims, though my suspicion is that they've all come from the same bathtub of one who knew early enough to market the city water they now claim is spring water. It was when I was a child that I had an illness that to this day I can't remember what it was or what caused it. All I remember is the severe thirst that I had during the whole time I was sick and how for some reason did not get to enjoy the quenching relief of water. I remember the moment when I finally was offered a glass of water and how I felt as the cool water finally quenched my thirst.

Jesus offered to that woman in that encounter on that day, the quenching of the thirst of her soul. For too long she had sought relief from the thirst of sin with different "waters," and here she encounters He who offers to us, "living water." The water that quenches once and for all, the thirst of our soul. Never again will we thirst for we have received the longing of our very being.

Jesus offers that water to you. Will you drink?

PRAYER: Living God of the living water, quench my soul today. Let me cease from seeking relief in the waters the world offers. Let me find that which will quench my thirst now and forever. It is in the Name of He who offers us this, Jesus my Lord that I pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

WHO DO YOU FOLLOW?

Good day dear friends.

As we pray for our morning, please lift up Art Amey who is having eye surgery in Austin this morning, and for David Gish who is having major surgery here at CTMC. Last, but not least, some of you knew that Pastor Ryan our associate was not feeling well Sunday and he suspected mono, well the doctor confirmed he had it. He left for a driving vacation to Chicago and somewhere between here and Austin he hit a deer. His car is in the shop and he borrowed his parents' car and is driving to Chicago. Pray that when he gets there he might have some rest and time for healing while enjoying his friends and his beloved Chicago deep-dish pizza!

Our text for today comes from Matthew:

Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

In Sunday's NY Times Magazine, page four, two full-page ads for an insurance company that struck me with the first page being a picture of a majestic-looking elk at the top of some steps, with the caption under it saying, "The question isn't how you reach your goal, it's who do you follow?" I thought then, a Sunday morning, as I do now, a Wednesday morning, how appropriate! I always imagine the Sunday Times Magazine as being read by men and women in bathrobes, sipping coffee as they await their morning brunch. The thought of bathing, dressing, and going to church possibly far from their minds. Yet, I pray that this ad make them as it did me, "Who AM I following?"

The text from today comes from the passage of Jesus' encounter with the one we've come to call "the rich young ruler." That title gives him away: Rich, young, powerful. Was there a question as to how he reached his goal of being rich? Not really. Youth came naturally. The power? Hmm, yes, the power. His problem was that he had NOT yet reached his goal. Overcoming his fear of his mortality. He had the riches of this life, yet his joy was not complete; something serious and something sacred was missing from his life. The joy of the knowing that this life is not all there is. Was the young man ill? We don't know. Was someone he knew and loved ill? Maybe. Something made him think that one day he would find himself leaving this world and he wondered what lies beyond this life, and if all he had heard from and about this itinerant preacher about life and its true meaning, what did he have to do to attain it?

The question asked, the response came quickly. Sell what you have. Give the money to the poor. Come, follow me.

Could you make it any harder Lord? The young man lived in the top 1% of his society. He had things others only dreamed of, yet in the lap of luxury there was missing the comfort and joy of being alive and having hope for tomorrow.

Sell what you have. Part with what makes you comfortable. Part with what is killing you.

Give the money to the poor. Did you stop to think that what you have could be used to feed someone who hasn't eaten in some time? Could your money be used to help pay for the medical treatment of someone not being able to sleep because of pain and discomfort?

Come, follow me. You haven't really reached your goal if your life is empty. Full of things, empty of life is no way to live. And it's no way to die.

PRAYER: Loving God of all things, You own the herds of livestock on the hills, and You even own the hills, yet, Your desire is for us to live this life in abundance. Help us all to realize what true abundance really is. Let us know it is not in things, but in that which You have provided for us. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

DINNER WITH TAX COLLECTORS AND SINNERS

Good day dear friends.

I know there has been quite an absence in my sending this email devotional and I pray forgiveness and I ask continued prayer for me, my family and our preparations for General Conference, the transition between here and Harlingen, our new appointment, etc.

Here is today's text:

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

In case you've awakened from a long fog of a sleep, today is tax day. And I can proudly say that for the first time in my history of being a taxpayer, I filed early! And my taxes have already been processed! What a miracle! I also have overcome what I used to do, that of filing for an extension giving me til August, then in August I would file for an October extension, then I would file. It is so much better not worrying about which post office will be open until midnight so that I can rush over there with my extension form filled out and ready to mail.

Paying taxes have never been a popular thing except for those who work for the IRS. Even in Jesus' time the calling of Matthew to be a disciple meant calling a man away from the tax table. Matthew may have been among the wealthiest of the disciples for the common practice, and he may not have been one who participated in it, was to set a "tax" higher than due the Roman government and keeping the difference. But Matthew's call into ministry also meant that his former co-workers were invited to a dinner that night. Here is where the criticism begins. Jesus was sitting at the same table with tax collectors AND sinners. What's the difference you might ask? Jesus was in violation of keeping clean by sitting with those considered unclean. Jesus' response was to tell the folks there that he had come to be with those in need of mercy, those considered "sick" by others.

Our hope is in Jesus who invites us all to His table. One of the beautiful things, of many, is that as United Methodists every time we celebrate the Lord's Supper we say that the table of the Lord is open to all who desire to be in communion with the Lord and no one is denied. And the same is true in our spiritual life.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for the openness of Your love. Help me to model that in my life today. I ask it in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

PS Don't forget to file your taxes! Or extensions!

CHURCHES FOR SALE

Good day dear friends.


Matt. 21:13 - "My house shall be called a House of prayer."

Some realty company discovered my email and sent me an email with the subject line just like the subject line for today's devotional: "Churches for Sale." I opened it to see what they were offering and more importantly, where. The first was Austin, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and San Antonio. Apparently, these guys and gals specialize in selling churches. I can think of nothing sadder in real estate than to sell a church. It says a lot without one knowing the full story, but the result is the same; this church is no longer able to function as a church, and we have no other option but to sell it.

In this week's conference newspaper, The Witness, there was a sad article about the Falfurrias church, El Buen Pastor UMC, that is closing its doors. No longer able to attract enough people to sustain it financially, the conference had no other option but to close its doors.

Jesus knew the day was coming when the very Temple that He had loved and cared for and even called a "house of prayer" would one day find itself with not one stone left upon another. He knew that His church would continue in other parts of the world, but the very Temple, symbol of worship and power, was destined to close at the hands of foreign powers that would close it down.

Could it be that churches have forgotten how to pray? And as a result of losing communication and contact with God, have forgotten to love? To reach out in Christian love to others? To share the Good News with a world that needs to hear? More importantly, have those people who make up the church, forgotten how to pray?

I say dear friend, that we can never forget to pray. We can never be too busy to lift up even a thought prayer to God about our needs and concerns along with a thought of thankfulness to God! God loves our prayers and God answers our prayers. We must be people of prayer!

It was a very moving ceremony yesterday morning as Kate McWhirt presented a prayer shawl to John Morrisett. Kate and some other ladies of the church, knit a shawl and all the while they are knitting, are praying for the person recommended by the pastors and staff of the church. As I told the congregation to receive a prayer shawl does not mean one is dying or going to face terrible situations, it simply means that because of some health issues and trials, their name has been lifted up to God in prayer. Rev. Jenna Heart who comes as the new pastor here in June is having a prayer shawl made just for her. If you know of someone who would benefit from a prayer shawl, please let me know.

PRAYER: God of living prayer, we thank You for listening to our prayers and concerns. Let me never be too busy to pray. And may the day never come when I believe I have forgotten to pray. I pray for my church and the needs it may have. May our doors always be open because of my prayers and love. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

ON LEAVING DEAR FRIENDS

Good day dear friends.

"I call you friends..." John 15:15

It is in knowing one is leaving that the hurts and joys of church members become deeper in my soul. I rejoice with those who are rejoicing in wonderful ways, but the burdens being carried by others hurt me deeper than before. I suppose it is the knowledge of knowing I won't be pastor for much longer and while I will still carry you in my hearts and prayers, it is not the same.

While we are praying today, please lift up Preston Connelly to your prayers. Preston is being moved to a special care unit as his Alzheimer's has become worse. He will stay at Merrill Gardens but may be separated from Doris. This has caused Doris great pain as you can imagine. As we pray prayers of thanksgiving, lift up the hearts (if they can get any higher!) of George and Bobbie Gilbert, who yesterday received a new great-grandchild into their lives.

The Lord Jesus as He taught His disciples spoke about servanthood and friendship. He Himself was a servant to God first, then to us as He ministered the new way of life we are to live, but He reached a point where He knew that the servant title of the disciples had to be expanded to include the title of friends.

Do you ever see your role as a friend as a special title in your life? Do you take being a good friend seriously? I know and love dear friends who would do anything for me. I know the ones I could call in the middle of the night and they would get up and come and help me. I also know the ones who I can share the deepest and most serious of secrets and they will go to their graves with them. What a blessing to have friends, and what a more awesome blessing to BE a good friend.

I would pray we would be the friends of Jesus today. And while being the friends of Jesus we would be the friends to those in need. Jesus knew it's easy to befriend and love those who befriend and love us; Jesus calls us to love everyone and be a friend to all.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank you for the friend I have in Your Son, Jesus Christ. I pray that I might be your friend and a friend to all today. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

TAGGED

Good day dear friends.

Someone "tagged" our wooden fence that is located in our children's playground at church. Being wooden it lends itself to tagging, that is, the marking with graffiti. This one was done in chalk and I'm guessing it was by the hand of an older person, not a teen or a child. The tag reads, "HE LIVES!" Sunday, between services two little boys playing on the grass stopped when one of the boys saw it and pointed it out to his friend. Having been the first to spot it he read it to his friend, "HE LIVES!" The two just nodded and smiled, then went back to running and playing.

What in your life says HE LIVES? Are you a living "tag" for the risen Christ? Do people see in you the living Christ or are you a living Snopes? Snopes.com is the site one can check out the validity of those million forwards we get and send. Some of the emails contain the most precious stories of faith and warm feelings and someone will always "check it" at snopes.com and discover that it may have been a great story, but it just didn't happen.

He Lives is part of a great story that faith says did happen. It tell of God's power and ability to help us rise above our deepest challenges and setbacks, to higher ground and to higher living. He lives is an eternal story that will bless all who believe.

May your life be tagged today with the line that frees us all: HE LIVES!

PRAYER: God of life, thank You for Your power and ability to lift me above what I am facing today. I may be weeping and weak, but Your love and grace make me strong, strong enough to move forward. I pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

WHEN LIFE PAID DEATH A VISIT

Good day dear friends.

Again, our thanks for your prayers for our son-in-law, Eric Cortez, as he
recovers from
his appendectomy. He should be home this evening if all goes well. I know he
must be
doing good because he ate some barbecued chicken and ribs that I made for
Easter. That
was his biggest regret about being sick, he said, not being present for the
family BBQ!

Rev. Barbara Aziz is out of the hospital and I'm sure resting today after all of
her activities
at her church in Bishop, Texas. She was hospitalized with a bout of food
poisoning this
past week, but was out on Friday.

Yesterday we had a great time in church turning folks away from our eleven
o'clock
worship and sending them to our contemporary worship service. The sermon was
called
"When Life Paid Death a Visit," and I took folks on a tour of Eden and reminded
them that
through the first Adam, death paid life a visit, and it wasn't until the second
Adam, Jesus,
that life could pay death a visit. Ours is the victory as we trust God's desire
to be in
relationship with us and to walk with us all our lives.

We talked about our reluctance to talk about our own death and how Easter is
about our
trusting God that even in our death, God is with us and we have nothing to fear.

At our Good Friday service we had someone (maybe more than one) who said that
after all
these years the idea of forgiveness did not sink in until a service such as the
one we held.
It was very Wesleyan to hear someone say, I finally realized that Christ had
died for even
my sins!

Amen. And on Sunday, He rose again to give us complete victory over sin and
death!

PRAYER: Father, for lives touched and transformed, we give you thanks. May the
Resurrection Event be ours now and forever. Let my life touch others this day
and all days.
I pray in Christ Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.