Kokomo, Indiana
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Grace United Methodist Church Kokomo, Indiana |
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Pastor Stacee Fischer Gehring
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2010 Articles |
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. . . THE REST OF THE STORY
Jeff and I survived our week at “That Thing” (formerly Senior High Institute).In fact, we more then survived; it was a pleasure. We spent quality time with 9 interesting teenagers, swam with our daughter Evie in Lake Webster, laughed A LOT, worshipped and communed with our Lord through loud music and dancing, and was challenged in my faith.What more could you ask for in just one week?!
The theme for the week was “The Unstoppable Hope.”If we fully receive Christ in our lives, then our hope is literally unstoppable like a stampede of animals.If we fully receive Christ in our lives, then our hope is literally catching like a wildfire in a forest.This, my friends, is a fact.The question for us, then, is, are we open?Are we open to Christ’s unstoppable hope, a hope that knows no barriers?We, as a cabin, wrestled with this question all week at Institute. I feel it is a great question for the whole of the church as well – are you open?
The first stop in answering this question is to examine any existing hurdles in your life.What gets in the way of you being open to God?Is it fear? Doubt?Time?Temptation?Are you scared that an “unstoppable hope” will put you out of the driver’s seat in your life?Do you doubt that the hope received from Christ is enough for all the stuff that happens in life?Are you burdened down by sin and temptation and feel that the Lord wouldn’t want you or that you are not worthy of an “unstoppable hope?”These are possible hurdles for all of us – young and old, neophyte and experienced, rich and poor.
There was a song we heard at Institute that seemed to echo the teen congregation’s self-imposed hurdles, the reasons that we are not open, to Christ’s unstoppable hope:
I've been dirtier than you wanna know
I've left earlier than you'll ever know
Why do, you wanna be all listenin' to me
Why do, you spread your arms and tell me I'm free
Why do, you wanna be in my life
The singer feels unworthy, doubtful, and skeptical that someone, especially God, would listen to them or want them.And yet, the singer concludes with these simple words:
Jesus, Jesus
There's something about your name
Master, Savior, Jesus
Welcoming Christ into your life does not require a loud praise band, a complicated prayer, or having it all figured out.In fact, all that is required is being open and simply whispering (or shouting):
Jesus, Jesus
There's something about your name
Master, Savior, Jesus
And now you know the rest of the story.
Cheers!
Rev. Stacee J
...The Rest of the Story.
Confession time . . . I am a freak about the Olympics.I love them! My obsession began when i experienced the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics firsthand. There we were, in the middle of the Rocky Mountains watching sports we didn't know existed. Fans from around the world gathered together for the purpose of cheering on the worlds top athletes. What an example of unity.The spirit of the Olympics is truly tangible.
After attending an Olympic games, it is a huge disappointment to watch them on television.My main frustration is with the media's need to choose a "darling" or "face of the Olympics." This goes against all that the Olympics stands for, Yes, it's an athletic competition. Yes, there will be favorites. But, the Olympics are not about the"stars." Every athlete has a story.Every athlete has overcome and injuries.The Olympics ARE NOT just the gold, silver, and bronze medal winners. Just go to anOlympic games and you'll understand exactly what I mean. Jeff and I will be more then happy to recount our favorite Olympic memories for you!
What's my point? Well, I want to impress upon you, my dear friends and congregants, the need to look beyond the"stars," to look beyond the winners and to lookthe truth beyond the media's fluff. This is true in all things, not just the Olympics. It is imperative as Christians in this world to focus on what's truly important - what is truth, what is edifying, what is of the Lord.Paul tells his congregation at Philipi:
"Beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."(4:8)
I commend all the Olympic athletes for their effort, dedication and sportsmanship. I pray for their safety and pray blessings upon them and the countries they represent. Let's join together in a singular prayer for our world, to pray for a world in need for honor, justice and holiness, a world desperate forthe Lord.
Peace and Love,
Rev. Stacee
...The Rest of the Story.
One of my New Year resolutions . . . write an article each month in Grace Notes. Publishing this statement for the masses to read will no doubt hold me accountable to accomplishing this feat each month. Cindy Lovegrove, the Church Office Manager, would be especially appreciative if I would submit my articles on time. So, start asking me about my Grace Notes article around the 10-15th of the month. Cheers!
I’m not really one for New Year’s resolutions – they are merely more things on my list of yearly goals that if I don’t accomplish, which I usually don’t, then I will feel an even bigger failure. Here’s an insight into my neuroses . . . I love to make lists. If I do something not on the list I will add it to my original list just to mark it off. There is something about looking at a list of completed tasks, a sure sign of success in my microcosm. My list making can be taken too far, just ask my husband Jeff. It can also cause me to feel anything other than successful, worthy, or meaningful. I fear there are times when I define myself by what is done on my list or by what is left undone. For example, if I didn’t get around to mopping the floor, I am a poor housekeeper. Or, if I didn’t get Evie’s clothes laundered, then I am a bad mother. Or, if I never got around to writing my article for Grace Notes, I am a bad pastor.
So it’s at the beginning of each year that I try to focus my heart, soul, spirit and schedule on what is most important – my faith in the Lord. Faith in the Lord is not based on what I accomplish or whether or not I cross off all the items on my “To Do” List. Faith in the Lord is based on my openness to the Lord. Faith in the Lord is not based on how I define myself as a mother, pastor, or wife. Faith in the Lord is based on Christ’s view of me as a whole and loveable person. Faith in the Lord is not something that requires work and toil. Faith in the Lord simply lets the Lord into my heart, my soul, my spirit and my schedule.
Happy New Year to each of you! I pray you welcome the Lord into your life in fresh, new, and exciting ways in the year 2010.
Peace and Love,
Rev. Stacee
Email: revstacee@kokomograce.org
Office: 765-457-5329 ext. 222
Cell: 765-432-8434