Thu, 24 May 2012 18:07:48 -0800WeeblyTue, 22 May 2012 15:07:34 -0800http://www.parkwaywesleyanstaunton.org/2/post/2012/05/trusting-in-god.htmlSome time ago I came across a poem written by a teenage girl about her future husband. It was written as a prayer that God would send her the man of her dreams. This is was she wrote:

Dear God, I pray all unafraid / As girls are wont to be
I do not want a handsome man / But make him, Lord like Thee.
I do not need one big and strong / nor yet so very tall,
Nor need he be some genius / or wealthy, Lord, at all;
But let his head be high, dear God, / and let his eye be clear,
His shoulders straight, whate’er his fate / whate’er his earthly sphere.
And let his face have character, / a ruggedness of soul,
And let his whole life show, dear God, / a singleness of goal.
And when he comes / as he will come
With quiet eyes aglow man / I’ll know, dear Lord,
That he’s the man / I prayed for long ago.
That girl’s name was Ruth Bell and she later met and married Billy Graham. This story reminds me that the secret to finding God’s best for our lives is to be committed to seeking His will. I love the promise of Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. Whatever the decision we are facing we can trust God to guide us.

Have a great week!

Pastor Barry

-PS- Remember our church picnic following service this Sunday. It’s pot-luck. Bring picnic type food and plan on staying for some great fellowship and fun! I see a horseshoe, cornhole tournament in the making!
]]>Tue, 15 May 2012 07:21:41 -0800http://www.parkwaywesleyanstaunton.org/2/post/2012/05/why-women-cry.htmlAccording to a recent study women cry four times as frequently as the average man.  Thanks to the following story given to me by one of our newest attendees, Dollie Varner, we now know why.
Why Women Cry

            Why are you crying, a young boy asked his Mom?  “Because I’m a woman,” she told him.  I don’t understand,” he said.  His Mom just hugged him and said, “And you never will, but that’s O.K.  Later the little boy asked his father, “Why does Mom seem to cry for no reason?”  “All women cry for no reason,” was all his Dad could say. 
            The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.  Finally he put in a call to God and when God got back to him, he asked God, “why do women cry so easily?”  GOD answered “When I made woman, I decided she had to be special.  I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet, made her arms gentle enough to give comfort!  I gave her the inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times will come even from her own children.  I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going and take care of her family and friends, even when everyone else gives up, through sickness and fatigue without complaining.  I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her badly. 
            She has the very special power to make a child’s boo-boo feel better and to quell a teenager’s anxieties and fears.  I gave her strength to care for her husband, despite his faults and I fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.  I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.  For all of this hard work, I also gave her a tear to shed.  It is hers to use whenever needed and it is her only weakness.  When you see her cry, tell her how much you love her, and all she does for everyone and even though she may still cry, you will have made her heart feel good.  She is special!
            So next time you see those tears just give the women in your life a big hug.  I hope all of our Mom’s had a wonderful day.  We hope you know how much you are appreciated. 
            Have a great week.
            Pastor Barry 
]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 15:12:08 -0800http://www.parkwaywesleyanstaunton.org/2/post/2012/05/lighting-up-the-dark-places.htmlAuthor Robert Fulghum sometimes, when attending lectures, would respond in an unusual way to the speaker’s final, routine words:  “Are there any questions?”
                “Yes”, Fulghum sometimes says.  Then he asks, “What is the meaning of life?”
                People generally laugh and gather their notes, prepared to leave as the speaker smiles and shrugs off the question.  But one day, to his surprise, Fulghum got a serious answer.  It was from Dr. Alexander Papaderos, a Greek philosopher and the founder of an institute on the island of Crete.  At the end of a lecture one day, Dr. Papaderos asked, “Are there any questions?”
                “Yes,” said Fulghum, “what is the meaning of life?”
                The other attendees whispered and chuckled and prepared to leave, but Dr. Papaderos held up his hand. “I will answer your question,” he said.  He drew from his pocket a small round mirror, about the size of a quarter.  As he was growing up during the war, his family was very poor, and he had few toys.  One day he found the broken pieces of a mirror, left over from the wreck of a German motorcycle.  He tried in vain to piece the bits together, but finally ended up discarding all but the largest piece.
                “This one,” he said, holding it higher.  “And by scratching it on a stone I made it round.  I began to play with it as a toy and became fascinated by the fact that I could reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine – in deep holes and crevices and dark closets.  It became a game for me to get light into the most inaccessible places I could find.
                “I kept the little mirror, and as I went about my growing up, I would take it out in idle moments and continue the challenge of the game.  As I became a man, I grew to understand that this was not just a child’s game but a metaphor for what I might do in my life.
                “With what I have I can reflect light into the dark places of this world – into the black places in the hearts of men – and change some things in some people.”
                Having said that, Dr Papaderos took his small mirror and, holding it carefully, caught the rays of daylight streaming through the window and reflected them in Robert Fulghum’s face.
            Isn’t that what God calls us to do as believers.  Jesus tells us,“You are the light of the world (Matthew 5: 14) He then exhorts us, In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.(Mathew 5:16)
                Are you lighting up any dark places this week?  By the way, you can’t produce this light on your own.  Our best bet is to keep the mirror clean so we can reflect His light into a dark and depressing world.
 
                Have a great week!
                Pastor Barry 
]]>Tue, 01 May 2012 09:12:15 -0800http://www.parkwaywesleyanstaunton.org/2/post/2012/05/we-have-an-anchor.html   During our recent Men’s Challenge Weekend, our speaker, Retired Navy Chaplain Dean Cook, spoke to us about the importance of having an anchor.  He told us numerous stories of disaster when ships were not properly anchored.  He then reminded us of the words of Hebrew 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”   If we are believers, we have an anchor that is firm and secure, anchored to the very throne of God.  No matter the storms that come, the anchor will not give way.
                Gordon McDonald shares a modern day story of that kind of anchor and solid faith concerning a black pastor in South Africa.  Late one night this pastor’s home was firebombed and destroyed.  Fortunately, he managed to get his family out in time and no one was injured, but everything they owned was destroyed.
                Early the next morning the Bishop of that District went out to the township and found the pastor and his family standing in front of their burned-out home.  Nothing was left but the chimney.  All their personal belongings, furniture, books, pictures, sermon notes were destroyed.  Everything was gone but the clothes on their backs.
                Yet, the Bishop says he couldn’t help but be moved by the determination of this young pastor.  Not only were they praising the Lord for saving their lives, but there on the chimney, the only part of the house left standing, the pastor had taken a lump of charcoal and scratched out the words of the vow that all Methodist Pastors took each year at District Conference.
                Put me to what you will.
                Put me to doing,
                Put me to suffering,
                Let me be laid aside for you,
                Let me have all things,
                Let me have nothing.
                I freely and heartily yield
                All things to your pleasure and disposal.
 
                Those are the words of a man with a solid, stable faith.  Those are the words of a man with a firmly anchored faith.  How’s your anchor holding this morning?  I love the words of the old hymn that says.
               
                “In times like these you need a Savior,
                  In times like these you need an anchor;
                  Be very sure, be very sure
                  Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
 
                Hope you are having a great week.  It’s good to be back!
               
                Pastor Barry  
]]>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:59:13 -0800http://www.parkwaywesleyanstaunton.org/2/post/2012/04/true-worship.html[We have a guest writer this week.  We welcome to Tuesday Morning on the Run, Pastor Pam.]

This past weekend I was reading “Filled Up, Poured Out” by Mark O Wilson.  He tells a story about a nine-year old boy who receives a full-grown St. Bernard for Christmas. Viewing his new present with wonder, he exclaimed “Wow! That’s great! But is he mine or am I his?”

Mark writes that this is a wonderful question for all Christians: Is the Lord mine or am I his? We sing the great gospel song “Blessed assurance Jesus is mine…” We tell God what He can do for us but when was the last time we have asked Him what we can do for Him.  

As I have been reading “Filled Up, Poured Out,” I wonder how our view of worship would change.  What if we stopped thinking of God as a possession that we own? Do you think it would change your view? I believe that if ever believer would change their minds there would no long be worship wars in church. If we acted and believed that we are God’s possession, our focus would change. We would go from this is the way that I am comfortable worshiping God to wondering how God would like us to worship Him.

In John 4:24, Jesus was talking to the woman at the well about worship and reminded her and us 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.On Sunday mornings during our worship service for elementary students we have been studying what it means to worship God.  Two weeks agowe discovered that true worship happens in the heart. True worship is a heart attitude.  Think about the first four of the Ten Commandments – these commandments are about the worship of God.  This is reflected in Jesus’ words when he was asked what the greatest commandment was.  29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12) I explained to the children that if our hearts are not we are not worshiping.  Worship doesn’t happen just by singing or praying or preaching. These things only become worship when we have the right attitude.  The right attitude of worship is to worship with an attitude of respect, awe and love for God – that is when true worship happens. 

Have a great week,

Pastor Pam and Pastor Dale 
]]>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:44:32 -0800http://www.parkwaywesleyanstaunton.org/2/post/2012/04/sing-o-sing-of-my-redeemer.html                 During the Revolutionary War a preacher by the name of Peter Miller was intensely opposed by a man who lived in same the town.  This man opposed Miller in every way he could.  He ridiculed his followers.  He made fun of him.  He spread rumors and told all kinds of lies about him.
            One day this unbeliever was arrested for treason and sentenced to death.  When Peter Miller heard about this he set out on foot to visit George Washington and intercede for his life.  General Washington listened to the minister’s earnest plea, but told him he was sorry, he didn’t believe he should pardon his friend.
            Peter Miller responded “my friend?  he’s not my friend.  He’s probably the worst enemy I’ve got!”  George Washington was flabbergasted.  He said, “You mean you’ve just walked sixty miles in terrible weather to save the life of your enemy.  That,” he said, “puts things in a different light.”  Washington granted his request.
 
With pardon in hand Peter Miller hurried to the place where his neighbor was to be executed.  He arrived just as they were leading him to the scaffold.  When the traitor saw him coming he exclaimed, “well wouldn’t you know, old Peter Miller has come to watch me hang.” Imagine his surprise when Peter Miller stepped out of the crowd and produced the pardon that saved his life.
                Isn’t that exactly what Jesus has done for us?  In Romans 5: 7-8 Paul reminds us that
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
 
            None of us deserve forgiveness.  None of us deserve to be saved.  We deserve death!  But God loved us enough to provide a way of escape.  He offered us a pardon.  Have you received His amazing offer of life?
 
            I often use my hymnal as part of my devotion time.  I was looking through it this past week and came upon a great old hymn by Philip Bliss.
 
            Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer
            With His blood He purchased me.
            On the cross He sealed my pardon,
            Paid the debt and made me free.
 
            Rejoice in the fact that we are free from the bondage of sin and death.  If you’re not free, you can be.  The pardon has already been secured.  Praise His glorious name!
 
                                                Have a great week
                                                Pastor Barry 
]]>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:47:12 -0800http://www.parkwaywesleyanstaunton.org/2/post/2012/04/i-hold-the-keys-of-death-and-hades.htmlI love the triumphant words of Jesus as he speaks to a lonely, persecuted disciple on the island of Patmos.  John has been exiled there and as he prays the Lord appears to him.  Listen to these encouraging words.  “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.(Revelation1: 17b-18)
            Max Lucado tells the story of a missionary in Brazil who discovered a tribe of Indians in a remote part of the jungle.  Unfortunately, the people of this village were dying of contagious, but treatable diseases.  A mission hospital was located about 15 miles from the village and the missionary knew that if he could get them there they might be able to save them.  Those who were still healthy could be inoculated and the sick could receive treatment.
            But there was only one problem.  In order to get to the hospital the Indians would have to cross the river, which they would not do.  They believed the river was inhabited by evil spirits.  If they were to enter the waters they were sure it would mean certain death.
            The missionary tried in vain to convince them that he had crossed the river and had arrived unharmed.  He took them down to the bank and stuck his hand in, but they still wouldn’t believe him.
            He waded out into the water and splashed the water on his face.  Still they were unconvinced.  Finally, he turned, dove into the water, swam beneath the surface and emerged on the other side.  Triumphantly he punched his fist into the air.  The Indians on the bank broke into cheers and then followed him across.
            Jesus saw a world enslaved by the fear of death.  He explained that death was nothing to fear, but they wouldn’t believe him.  He touched a widow’s son, and brought him back to life, and gave him to his mother.  He raised Jarius’ daughter but still they doubted.  Even when he called back Lazarus who’d been dead 4 days, it wasn’t enough to convince them.  No Jesus had to enter the waters Himself.  He had to dive beneath the surface of that river we call death.  But when he came up on the other side .. when he broke through the surface on Easter Sunday morning, it was time to celebrate – The victory had been won! 
    
            Have a great week.
            Pastor Barry 
]]>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:06:23 -0800http://www.parkwaywesleyanstaunton.org/2/post/2012/04/where-o-death-is-your-sting.html      Richard Dehann remembers a summer day when he and his brother were riding in the car with their father.  The windows were down and a bee managed to get inside.  Marvin, Richard’s brother, was extremely allergic to bee stings.  In fact, a bee sting could be fatal unless he received medical attention immediately.  Thus, the mere sight of a bee sent the boys into a panic.
                Richard says that his Dad very calmly reached out his hand, grabbed the bee out of the air, held it for a second and then let it go.  The boys began to panic again, but by this time their Dad had found a place to pull over.  Their Dad told them to “calm down, because that bee can’t hurt you anymore.”  Then, he showed them his hand.  He said, “Do you see that little black speck?  That’s the bee’s stinger.  This bee can still alarm you with its buzzing.  It may frighten you, but the power to sting is gone.”
                What a perfect picture of what Christ did for us at the cross.  Satan can make a lot of noise.  He can try and frighten and discourage us.  But because of the victory of the cross and the empty tomb, he can’t hurt us anymore.
                I like the way the apostle Paul put it in I Corinthians 15: 54b-55 “Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”
                Death holds no terror for the believer this morning.  If you don’t believe me, just look again at the nail prints in His hands!
                
               Have a great week as you contemplate the victory of the cross!
                                         Pastor Barry
 
Don’t forget
  April 4th       No regular Wednesday Night Services
  April 5th       6:30 pm                Maundy Thursday Service begins with a meal
  April 7th       2:00 pm                Easter Egg Hunt
  April 8th       7:30 am                Easter Sunrise Service
  April 8th       8:30 am                Easter Breakfast Fellowship
  April 8th       9:30 am                Sunday School
  April 8th      10:45 am               CELEBRATION SERVICE
]]>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:02:45 -0800http://www.parkwaywesleyanstaunton.org/2/post/2012/03/near-the-cross.html   Dr. Eric Frykenberg was a veteran missionary who spent over 50 plus years as a missionary to India.  One day as he spoke to a group of college students, someone asked him, “What was the most difficult thing you faced on the mission field?”
            Without hesitation he answered, “Discouragement.”  “There were times,” he said “when I could feel my heart growing cold before God.  When that happened, I knew I was too busy.  I also knew it was time to get away.  So I would take my Bible and go off to the hills alone.  I’d open my Bible to Matthew 27 or John 19 and I’d read about the crucifixion.”
            Frykenberg added, “I would wrap my arms around the cross.  And then, I’d be ready to go back to work.”  Have any of you become discouraged?  Has your heart grown cold?  Has your life, your schedule become too hectic?  Does it seem like your prayers are not getting through?  Maybe you need to pull away and wrap your arms around the cross again.
            Let me encourage you during these next couple of weeks to draw near the cross.  Reread the passion narratives in the gospels.  Attend the special services of Holy Week.  Celebrate the Lord’s Supper with us this coming Sunday.  Remember the cross!  The cross has a way of putting what really matters back into focus.
            I love the way Issac Watts, the great hymn writer puts it…
 
            When I survey the wondrous cross,
            On which the Prince of glory died,
            My richest gain I count but loss
            And pour contempt on all my pride
            Love so amazing, so divine
            Demands my life, my soul, my all.
           
 
                                                                        Have a great week!
                                                                        Pastor Barry 
]]>Tue, 20 Mar 2012 07:51:09 -0800http://www.parkwaywesleyanstaunton.org/2/post/2012/03/loving-our-enemies.htmlIn Matthew 5:43 we find one of the most difficult commands of Jesus in Scripture 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighborand hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  According to Jesus, this is the proof that we are sons and daughters of God.  But we need to understand that this involves far more than just having a positive attitude or having patience.  In fact, I don’t believe this is possible on a human level.  It is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit working in our life.  It can’t be faked.

                Chuck Swindoll tells the story of some American soldiers stationed in Korea who rented a house and hired a local Korean boy to do their housekeeping and cooking.  This young man seemed to have an unbelievably positive attitude and was constantly smiling.  In fact, he was so good – natured the soldiers couldn’t help themselves.  They played one trick after another on their unsuspecting employee.  They nailed his shoes to the floor and they put grease on the stove handles.  He’d simply pull out the nails and wipe off the stove handles and keep smiling.  The soldiers would even balance buckets of water over doors so that he’d get drenched, but he would towel off, clean up the mess and keep on working. 

                Finally, the soldiers became so ashamed of themselves they called the young man in and apologized for their behavior.  They commended him for his cheerful attitude and promised that their pranks would stop.  The young man seemed pleased.
                He asked, “You mean no more nail shoes to floor?”
                “No More.”
                “You mean no more sticky on stove knobs?”
                “No more.”
                “You mean no more water buckets on door?”
                “No more.”
                “Okay then, no more spit in soup,” he responded with a smile and a shrug.

                Are we ever guilty of plastering on a smile and saying kind things, while inwardly we are “spitting in the soup” and mumbling under out breath?  Do we internally gloat when an enemy falls or experiences misfortune?  Do we ever seek subtle ways of taking revenge?  If so, we are not really loving our enemies as Christ commanded.

                Loving our enemies involves hard work.  Perhaps the place to start is in prayer.  Jesus tells us to “pray for those who persecute you …” It’s almost impossible to harbor resentment toward someone that you are sincerely and consistently praying for.  If we will begin to pray as an act of faith, even if we don’t feel like it, God will respond by filling us with His love.  So don’t just fake it.  Genuinely love!
 
                Have a great week.
                Pastor Barry 
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