Walking The Believer's Road

Overwhelmed with Blessings

2011-04-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of God, your God. Deuteronomy 28.2

Hallmark has done a great job of getting us to send greeting cards. Most of us expect to get a number of cards to help us celebrate special occasions. A friend of my parents' takes this to the extreme. She sends them a card about every week to ten days, just to remind them that she is thinking about them and wishing them well. All of her cards are handmade by her and are quite attractive. These are not cards you read and throw away - you put them on display. My parents have so many of these little works of art that it is becoming a challenge to find room for them. Just as they get one put up, another arrives in the mail!

My father passed away last month. (And we got lots of cards, a nice blessing of caring.) Preparing for his memorial service, I thought about all the good times we had, and the nuggets of wisdom he passed on to me. I realized how much he shaped my character. I had more blessings than there was time to share.

As I delivered my remembrance at the service, I could not help but cry. It was not that I was sad. My dad had a great life and retirement. And I got to see him one more time just before he died. No, I was overcome by how awesome my blessings were, are, and continue to be.

Not everyone can say this, but my sister and I won the lottery, the parent lottery. My upbringing and support are my biggest blessings. What God has done for me is amazing. As I thank God for my many blessings, I also think about how God might use me to bless others. Am I available? Are my eyes open for opportunities? It's something to think about and ask God's help with at Easter time and beyond.

Have you been overwhelmed with blessings?

John Ebert
Walking the Road

John serves on the Interfaith Hospitality Network team. He lives in Merriam, Kansas.

He is Risen

2011-04-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

It is important to remember that as the women walked to the tomb on “the dawning of the third day” they expected only to find a dead body. They hoped for nothing more.

Mark says they were met by a young man in a white robe. Matthew says he was an angel whose appearance was like lightning, his clothing white as snow. John says it was two angels. Luke says it was two men in dazzling clothes.

Each account is different. No two of us ever describe the same episode in the same terms. What is universally affirmed, however, is the basic fact of the empty tomb. That never varies. As William Barclay said, nothing so wonderful as the resurrection can escape a certain enhancement as it is repeatedly told and retold.

The tomb was empty! Jesus was not there. “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” the women were asked. “He is not here, but has risen.” (Luke 24:5)

Thanks be to God who gave Jesus and gives us the victory that we may rise in newness with him!

Steve Langhofer

Steve is the Senior Pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church. He can be reached at SteveL@visitasbury.org.

the Deleted Scenes

2011-04-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (This) proves God’s love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of God’s Son, much more surely… will we be saved by his life. Romans 5:6, 8, 10

When I finish watching a really good DVD movie I click on the special features. Commonly there is a section called “deleted scenes.” These include often powerful parts of the story that for undisclosed reasons got cut.

Each year in re-reading the gospel accounts of holy week I wonder why some of these scenes were not cut. They are embarrassing to both the disciples and Jesus.

The disciples are slow learners and often don’t get who Jesus was or what he taught. They can’t stay awake when he needs them to be alert and supportive. They all desert. Judas skulks away, only later to return with a kiss. Peter denies three times. Jesus tells them repeatedly he will die but they don’t believe him.

Good film editors might have deleted scenes that make the lead character look bad. Not Mark, Luke, Matthew or John. They keep it all in—good, bad and ugly. I’m so glad. If God deleted the disciples for their poor understanding or lack of faith, surely God would need to delete me and you!

The good news of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection is that, for clearly disclosed reasons, God loves us. Without condition. Especially when we do not deserve it. Amazing God!

Steve Langhofer Walking the Road

Steve Langhofer is the Senior Pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church. Email him at stevel@visitasbury.org

Pilate

2011-04-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

As we near the end of our journey, we are taking a closer look at some of our fellow travelers.

Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea, Idumea, and Samaria from 26-36 AD, was appointed by Tiberius Caesar. It was a thankless and dangerous job. Rome expected its administrators to be successful in keeping law and order; collecting taxes; improving conditions (roads, water systems, public safety) and convincing the populace that Rome is their benefactor.

Pilate doesn't want trouble. He doesn't know (or want to know) the details and implications of Jewish belief and custom. He doesn't understand all the Jewish factions, or why they fight, or what about. He doesn't know who or how many people might care about this Jesus. What he cares about is keeping things quiet, and important people happy. Pilate is being threatened with a riot if he doesn't cooperate.

Jesus is being accused of forbidding people to pay their taxes and of calling Himself a king (over Caesar). If these charges were true, Pilate would not hesitate to kill the man. Nor would there be any repercussions for Pilate. But Pilate knows there is something fishy. Why would Jews accuse another Jew of crimes against Rome when every Jew would approve of these actions? Pilate knows the Jewish authorities want Jesus dead, but he doesn't know why. They aren't going to tell him the real reasons. That makes him wonder all the more.

Pilate then makes a strong appeal for the release of Jesus. But each effort he makes is rejected. If anybody had spoken for Jesus , what would have happened? We will never know. But partly, at least, Pilate is delaying, to see who will be offended if he does condemn Jesus. Nobody steps forward. Jesus is, in this hour, a man nobody cares about. We have to wonder, at this point, where all the friends and followers, and especially the twelve.... where have they gone?

From the book "The Believer's Road" by Bruce Van Blair. (Luke Twenty-Three)

Judas

2011-04-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

As we near the end of our journey, we're taking a closer look at some of our fellow travelers.

Jesus chooses Judas after praying all night. He chooses each of the twelve because of qualities He senses, and bonds that are already growing. He choose them because together they represent all the major qualities of energy and personality, so that together they can appeal to everyone, and together they can represent all aspects of life. Twelve disciples to start the new "twelve tribes" of the New Covenant.

Judas is a sleeper in a sense. He is more attached to position, fame, and wealth than the other eleven. Yet in some ways he is the deepest in potential. He is too much "within himself," but he also has the marks of greatness if he ever comes out- sees it clearly- buys it all the way. He, like Jesus, is a Pharisee. He has many influential friends and relatives. He is enthralled with the newness and daring of Jesus. He keeps the books because he is a good organizer, and adept at such things. Levi could, but it is easier on everybody to let Judas do it- since Judas is well educated and above suspicion.

As with all of the twelve, Jesus is taking a chance with Judas. Any of the twelve could crack under the pressure of these last days- each in a different way, perhaps, but each one could crack. How close to it the others get, we do not know. That they all come pretty close is revealed in how confused they are when Jesus mentions the subject.

Judas, having been forgiven for total betrayal, will be the only one who really understands how total is the grace of Jesus Christ- and how full the Gospel really is. Sadly, Judas betrays Jesus more in his suicide than he does in his bargain with the chief priest. He does not stay around long enough to be forgiven. He cannot imagine it. He cuts out before Jesus can get back to him. That is the biggest glitch in the whole operation.

From the Book "The Believer's Road" by Bruce Van Blair. (Luke Twenty-Two)

Annas

2011-04-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

As we near the end of our journey and approach the cross of Easter, we are taking a closer look at some of our fellow travelers. Today we look at the High Priest Annas.

Only John tells us that Jesus was first brought before Annas. Annas was the Jewish High Priest from 6 to 15 AD. Four of his sons also held this office. His son-in-law Calaphas was now in office. The family was immensely rich and they bribed themselves into office with Annas the power behind it all.

The family made their money by selling sacrifices inside the Court of the Gentiles in the temple. Every animal offered in the temple had to be without blemish. there were inspectors to make sure each animal met the necessary quality. If an animal was bought outside the Temple it was certain that a flaw would be found. the worshipper was directed to buy at the Temple booths where the animals had already been examined and where there was no risk of rejection. Sounds helpful right? But outside the temple a pair of doves would cost about 4 p; inside the Temple at the booths ran by Annas it would cost as much as 75p. The whole business was set up to exploit the worshippers. The Jews hated Annas for this reason.

Jesus had attacked this business, thrown over the tables, chased out the livestock and called them a den of thieves. Jesus had hit Annas where it would hurt the most- his pocket.

So now Annas wanted to be the first to gloat over the capture of this disturbing Galilean.

One more tid bit from today's reading. When Jesus and His disciples left the upper room after celebrating the Last Super they walked to the Garden of Gethsemane. Bible scholars tell us that path would have taken them down a steep valley and across the channel of the Kedron brook. At this time all the Passover lambs were being killed in the Temple, and the blood of the lambs was poured on the altar as an offering to God. Some estimates say that as many as 250,000 lambs may have been slaughtered. That's a lot of blood. From the altar there was a channel down to the Kedron brook, through that channel the blood of the Passover lambs drained away. So as Jesus walked over the brook it would be red with the blood of the lambs. And as He did so wouldn't the thought of His own sacrifice be vivid in His mind.

From the Asbury New Testament Challenge. http://www.asburyumcnewtestamentchallenge.blogspot.com/

Diane Young Myers. Director of Discipleship

Simon of Cyrene

2011-04-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

As we near the end of our journey and approach the cross of Easter, we are taking a closer look at some of our fellow travelers.

The bible is full of stories of ordinary people who by the power of God do extraordinary things. One of these is Simon of Cyrene.

When a criminal was condemned to be crucified, he was taken from the judgement hall and set in the middle of a hollow square of four Roman soldiers. His cross was then laid upon his shoulders and he was marched to the place of crucifixion by the longest route possible. A soldier marched before him with a placard inscribed with his crime as a warning to anyone else who was contemplating such a crime.

During the time of Jesus, Palestine was an occupied country and any citizen at any time could be immediately forced into service by the Roman government. A Roman soldier could enlist your "involuntary" help by tapping you on the shoulder with the flat blade of a Roman spear. When Jesus sank beneath the weight of His cross, the Roman centurion in charge looked around for someone else to carry it. Enter Simon of Cyrene.

Simon was probably a Jew who had scraped and saved his whole life so that he might be able to eat one Passover in Jerusalem. He had come to participate in a cherished lifetime ambition, and he now found himself schlepping a heavy cross to Calvary. It's not too much of a reach to assume he might not have been very happy.

So what exactly makes Simon so extraordinary? The Bible says that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Obviously the sons were well known people to early Christians. Paul writes in his letter to Rome "Greet Rufus, and his mother." So somehow the humility of carrying the cross for the Christ must have changed Simon in a profound way.

From the Asbury New Testament Challenge. http://www.asburyumcnewtestamentchallenge.blogspot.com/

Diane Young Myers. Director of Discipleship

A beautiful view

2011-04-18T07:00:00.001-07:00

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings.

Cecil Alexander

These words come to my mind every spring. It is then that God's gift to us, a beautiful world, comes alive to all who have endured a long, hard winter providing a new lease on life, and offering a faith for wonders to come. Who cannot know God when looking in the face of a flower. A snow white daisy with a bright yellow center, or a yellow and white crocus boldly popping up even with snow on the ground. These are all God's gift to us.

All around I see rebirth. Birds of all kinds jet back and forth hunting for material to use in building a nest or searching for bugs and worms in the soft earth. Trees, once barren and dark, suddenly are filled with small birds. and fresh buds.

I am cheered as I dig in the garden. Dirt in my hands renews my spirit. As an old Irish prayer proclaims: "May the blessings of God's soft rain falling gently on your head, refresh your soul with the sweetness of little flowers newly blooming. And so may the beauty of God's world renew our faith in God's goodness.

Kathie White

Walking the Road

Kathie is an active volunteer in the church memorial garden and uses her gardening skills to keep the church grounds well landscaped. She lives in Prairie Village.

Asbury will host a Blessing of the Animal Service on Sunday, June 5 at 10:00 celebrating all of God's creatures.

God Has Given Me This Day

2011-04-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

I recently came across a card with a poem that Coach Bear Bryant carried with him and reportedly read daily. This card has helped me become aware of something I should have on my mind every single day. Here's what it says.

"This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in its place I traded for it. I want it to be a gain, not a loss; Good, not evil; Success, not failure, in order that I shall not forget the price I paid for it."

Jack O'Neal Walking the Road

This devotion was written in 2004 and was included in the 2004 Asbury Lent Devotion Book. Jack and his wife Mildred live in Overland Park.

Travel Itinerary

2011-04-15T07:00:00.002-07:00

Life is in the details. Phones that keep ringing, copy machines that jam, and children who are sick when we need to be at work. Look at the details that grabbed Jesus attention. The precision in which he planned his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. And look at what details Jesus ignored- the details of urgency, effectiveness, recognition and popularity. Details that consume us never crossed Jesus mind. And we easily overlook the details he was concerned about.

We tend to think that spirituality means escaping all these concerns with details. We know the details of Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, Good Friday and Easter. We've gone through them year after year. Why do it again? Because it's the only way we can take our eyes off the things that do not matter and set them upon the arrival of the Savior.

Diane Young Myers Walking the Road

Diane is the Director of Discipleship at Asbury. She lives in Lee's Summit with her husband John and their 15 year old son. Email her at Dianem@visitasbury.org.

A Full Journey

2011-04-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Holy Week freaks my friends out. Imagine the four weeks of Advent and all the pageantry of Christmas Eve Services all crammed into seven days. That’s Holy Week for church workers. Most of my friends are church workers of one kind or another and the month with Holy Week and Easter in it has them on edge.

You can find us pouring over music scores and phone lists, drinking buckets of coffee day and night, desperately trying to book all the musicians for all the services, coordinating with children’s ministry teams over the donkey processional, the communion folks with timings and locations for all the services, flowers, bulletins, video and lighting, cleaning up the chancel area, rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing…it’s a much busier time of year (for we protestants anyhow) than Christmas….…And I LOVE It! Seriously! Don’t get me wrong, the Advent and Christmas Season are filled with beautiful music for bands and for choirs, the children’s bright eyes and anticipations on the Sundays and Christmas Eve Services are great, but nothing beats Holy Week for me.

It took me a long time to realize that the days from entrance processional on Palm Sunday through the mortality of Good Friday to the Resurrection of Easter Sunday could be so powerful. As a musician, I get the opportunity to sing about all these things all year long with various groups. I’ve sung and recorded Holy Week Music in French, Latin, English, German…you’d think I’d be bored with the texts or just going through the motions after twenty years of it…but every year the same darn thing happens.

On Palm Sunday, when we sing the Hosanna’s and watch the children come down the aisle I get choked up and joyful. On Holy Thursday, I participate in the communion meal and I remember what communion is REALLY all about. On Good Friday, I thank God for the greatest sacrifice that I could never imagine, I admit that I have not done all that Christ has called me to do, and I vow to do better in the following year (and I do…a little better every year)..and I get choked up. Then Easter Sunday comes, the Resurrection happens here at Church and the people sing “Hallelujah”…and…you guessed it, I get choked up full of joy once again!

I invite you to allow yourself to go through Holy Week this year. I mean the whole week. If you leave Palm Sunday waving your greenery and full of joy…then return joyfully on Easter Sunday, that’s ok. But if you allow yourself to walk for seven days in the life of our saviour, and fully experience those six days in between Sundays, I think you’ll find the Call to Worship on Easter even more meaningful. “He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!”.

Alan Murray Walking the Road

Alan is the Director of Music and Emerging Ministries at Asbury. He lives with his wife Catherine in south Kansas City. Email him at alanm@visitasbury.org.

Choosing the Road

2011-04-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

When I moved to Kansas City in 1985, I only knew a few people in town – mostly college friends. As with college, I was many miles from my immediate family. Since I had grown up going to church every Sunday, I didn’t even think about whether I would go to church each week – it was already in my DNA, I knew I would go to church regularly – so I started church shopping.

In college at Baker University, I was a member of the Baker pLaymen (we were laymen of the church who did plays – get it?), so even in college, I went to church most Sundays. Often, as a member of the pLaymen, we were church – sharing our “chancel dramas” (30ish-minute plays based on scripture). I actually remember being at Asbury one Sunday morning, sharing our drama, Onesimus, based on a kind of obscure passage from Philemon, a New Testament book so short that it only has one chapter. In Onesimus, my “entrance” was down the center aisle – and I had one sentence to say, which got me about 10 pews into the sanctuary. So, I got to vamp a little – make up some filler dialogue as I practically ran the rest of the way – down that long center aisle. (It’s no wonder brides love it – you really get to make an entrance!) Anyway, Asbury left an impression on me……

So, a few years later, when I was looking for a church home, Asbury was on my list to visit. Several of my pLaymen friends were from Topeka – and Bud Cooper had been their home pastor. They loved him. So, when I found out that Bud was now the pastor at Asbury, I came back several times, just to hear him preach. For those of you who have been around awhile, you may remember that the pulpit used to sit a bit higher up. In fact, when Bud spoke, I was pretty sure that some of what he shared was being whispered to him right from God, because, standing in that high pulpit, he was pretty close to heaven!

Anyway, besides Bud, the other people at Asbury were quite friendly – very welcoming. And, I knew that I wanted Asbury to be my church home. I chose to be here. And, I continue to choose to be here. Through the loss of a job and my dear parents, Asbury was my home, supporting me and helping me pick up the pieces. And, Asbury continues to be my home and my family – not just to support me, but also to celebrate things with me and, yes, to walk with me – on the road toward the cross.

Prayer: Gracious God – Thank you for Asbury Church. Thank you for leading me to Asbury. Please help me in my walk toward You – and use me, Lord, as someone who can help and strengthen others as we journey together, ever closer to You. Amen.

Mary Moyer. Walking the Road

Mary is the Director of Administrative Ministries at Asbury. You can email her at marym@visitasbury.org.

The Long Road

2011-04-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

I was on Facebook in June of last year and noticed a friend had ‘liked’ something called Kiva Walk. I decided to check out Kiva Walk since I thought Kiva was an organization funding loans to third world nations giving opportunities to the working people. It turns out the Kiva Walk was a young man, Jonathan Stalls, and his dog who were walking across the United States from Delaware to San Francisco asking for donations to Kiva.

His day to day expenses were covered. He would couch surf (sleep on people’s couches), and accept the hospitality of strangers in providing a meal and using those opportunities to share what the Kiva program accomplishes around the globe. All of the donations he recieved went directly to the Kiva organization.

As it happened I was out of town during the time that Jonathan and Kanoa (his dog) were in Kansas City. But Jonathan had put out a notice asking for connections along Highway 50 as he traveled through Kansas. My hometown is in Marion County so I asked some friends if they would possibley be able to help Jonathan when he walked through the area.

Wendy said yes, and hosted Jonathan and Kanoa. She had friends who were available to host the next night. Mostly this is how it worked for Jonathan and Kanoa as they traveled town to town, state to state. He walked Kansas in late June and July. Usually about twenty miles a day. I followed the travels of the Kiva Walk via Facebook and marveled that this young 20-something would devote six months of his life walking across the United States to raise awareness and funds for the Kiva organization.

In August I was so excited when I realized Jonathan and Kanoa (along with his cousin, Matt) would cross the Monarch Pass in Colorado at the same time we would be vacationing in Salida, Colorado. My husband Steve and I were able to pack a lunch and meet up with these two young men and their faithful dog for a roadside picnic in Colorado and enjoy the fellowship and friendship of adventure.

You can learn more about Jonathan’s adventure. He is on Facebook as Kiva Walk. He has raised more than $456,000. By putting one foot in front of the other, talking with people along the way, and believing that he can make a difference in this world. Quite an adventure on the Believer’s Road.

Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40: 30-31 (NRSV)

Jo Mead. Walking the Road

Jo Mead is a seminary student at St. Paul's School of Theology, and assists Asbury with our Senior Care ministry programs.

For more information about Kiva contact www.kivawalk.com.

Open Eyes

2011-04-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

In the early 1980’s I was the financial officer for a local construction equipment manufacturer. We opened a dealership in Mexico City, and I traveled there on a few occasions. Our Mexican dealer was well-educated and well-connected, particularly with the telephone and the electric power companies that served Mexico City. Those connections were central to our decision to open there.

One day, as we motored to the downtown offices of the head of the electric company, we passed several bare lots that were vacant except for cardboard “structures”. We learned that each was home to at least one family, probably more.

We arrived at the power company and after a short wait were ushered into a very large, expensively decorated office. Bigger, by far, than my living room at home. El Presidente was clearly very much in command, and his staff of lackeys acted as if in they were in the presence of a deity. My unease began to grow.

As we walked out to the car, we passed a large pile of garbage. Right on the sidewalk. An old toothless woman was digging through the garbage with her bare hands, looking for her next meal. I remember thinking “Today I have seen the face of abject poverty."

That experience would not completely leave me. And neither would other things that I saw during my travels there. I asked myself “Why did it take such dramatic examples to get my attention?” I realized that I didn’t have to go to Mexico City to meet hurting and hunger.

Many years later, I visited my parents at their winter travel trailer park in Weslaco, Texas, just north across the border from Rio Bravo. They had good friends they saw every winter, two of whom were Howard and Dorothy. Howard was tall, fit retired law enforcement agent. About every-other morning, Howard left early and returned late in the afternoon. My curiosity finally questioned him . “ I have to feed my kids,” he said. Turns out Howard helped start a free lunch program for children in Rio Bravo. When I returned home, I thought about Howard’s quiet unassuming passion for those people. I sent a check and a note….not much…..and I got a note back. “I thank you and my children thank you…..that will feed a lot of hungry bellies.” I felt pretty small. All I had done was send a few dollars, while Howard poured his life into caring for “the least of these”.

My Mexico experiences helped open my eyes to the plight of people. Sadly, I confess they haven’t been wide-open enough. None of us can do it all, and most of us confess and regret that. But, I do know that it doesn’t always take a lot to make a difference, and that together we truly can accomplish much.

Scripture paraphrased: “Come…..take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you. I was hungry and you gave me food. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was sick and you visited me.” “When, Lord?” And the King will answer, “I tell you truly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.” Matthew 25

Prayer: Oh God, open our eyes to the hurts and hungers of the world around us. Then, open our hearts as well. But help us not to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task. Remind us that small steps, when taken together with each other and with You, can lead us far.

Dave Rybolt

Walking the Road

Time Travel

2011-04-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love to travel. I have discovered that there are times when traveling down the road is not only a linear journey from one place to another, but it involves time travel as well. In Boston when I walked by the Old North Church, I could see the lanterns in the tower. When I walked across the battlefield at Gettysburg, I could hear the guns firing and smell the smoke that must have been hanging everywhere, and sadly I could visualize the bodies of dead soldiers carpeting the land.

When I was in the Holy Land we stopped at the Chapel of the Beatitudes. We sat there in silence for several minutes and listened to the sounds coming from the hills around us. The sounds were reflected off of the water of the Sea of Galilee. We heard children playing, dogs barking, birds singing, and people talking. Then, our guide began to read the beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew. It felt like we were listening to Jesus speak to us. It felt like we had a rare glimpse of what it must have been like to hear Jesus bring love and hope to people by the words he spoke. No wonder the crowds followed him.

Linear travel is wonderful. We get to see so much more of our world. Linear travel allows us the privilege to discover all the places God has given us that are filled with beauty and mystery. But time travel puts us in touch with our ancestors and with the God of creation. Time travel can give us hope and courage as we remember those who have gone before us on the journey and who have lived in the confidence of God’s redeeming love. What a gift we have been given by those who have gone before us on the journey!

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

Rev. Jerry Tubach Walking the Road

Jerry Tubach is Asbury's Director of Development. He is a retired United Methodist Clergy and former District Superintendent. He lives with his wife Sheila in Lenexa. Email him at jerryt@visitasbury.org.

A Workout

2011-04-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

When I joined a gym and started working out several years ago, I was completely out of my element. I constantly worried about what I was doing. Am I using the machines correctly? Am I going too fast or too slow? Should I add more cardio or more time in the weight room? Or both? Is what I’m doing going to allow me to achieve my goals? I watched other people with rapt attention to see what they were doing. If they looked how I wanted to look, I’d try doing what they were doing.

So what’s the connection between working out and walking The Believer’s Road? For me the two have many parallels. Each has a goal and path that you take to get there. But there is more than one way to go; in fact there are several means to the same end. You can watch what others do and try to emulate them. But you really have to make your own way. What’s right for someone else may not work for you.

It’s easy to become distracted and even discouraged in either endeavor. You can find excuses galore for not working on your body or your spiritual relationships and it’s too easy to stray from your goals. You may feel like you’re not getting where you need to be quickly enough or maybe that you’ll never arrive. If you aren’t seeing or feeling results, it can be difficult to get motivated to continue.

The strongest link for me has been the realization that what I get back is closely tied to the effort I extend. When I’m not seeing results at the gym, and I’m honest with myself, I realize I’ve been phoning in my workouts, or even skipping them altogether. And I feel spiritually drained when I become passive and dis-engaged from my faith walk.

Walking the Believer’s Road is not a spectator sport. The Lenten Season always gives me the nudge I need to refocus my efforts. When I pray, study and worship it strengthens my faith. And I get back on track.

Pamela Ottaway Walking the Road

the Return Trip

2011-04-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

There is a surprising evolution that preceeds those first precious moments of pure happiness that follow a time of struggle. It is both an awareness that you have come through the worst, but also a remembering that God has been with you all along. The smile that lights your soul and highlights your face is a recognition that you have somehow become more than you were. That growth and moving on are now an option. And although it may have felt like you were all alone trudging through your obstacles. God was just moving aside so you could shine through.

Cheryl Patterson Walking the Road

Cheryl is a psychiatric nurse, she lives in Mission, Kansas.

The Path of Perseverance

2011-04-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Is it spring? Is it winter? It could be a beautiful spring day today and blustery tomorrow. The forsythia are in bloom and then covered with a beautiful blanket of snow. Oh, when will the sunshine, warm breezes and beauty of the day be here on a regular basis? But we persevere! We know the beauty of the day is just around the corner, just as we know that the joy of Easter is at the end of this 40 day Lenten path. Commitment and focus draw us through the path to the rebirth of spring, just as it draws us along the Lenten path toward the resurrection of Christ.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

Lee Svet. Walking the Road

Lee serves on the Worship Arts team of Asbury. She lives with husband David in Leawood, and is very glad to have son Clark home for spring break.

The Road to Forgiveness

2011-04-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

The ornery cackle of our Volkswagen GTI’s exhaust floated through the open bedroom window as I lay reading in bed. I listened as son Jon scurried out of the drive and headed to a friend’s house. Ten minutes later the garage door opened, but I did not hear the exhaust of his car.

``Oh no,’’ I thought, and instinctively began to get out of bed. ``Dad . . .?’’ The plaintive wail of Jon’s trembling voice was chilling. He had run five blocks home was out of breath. ``Dad, a strange car followed me. I cut through the parking lot behind the church. I hit a curb.’’ I threw on some clothes and we went to see the car. As we drove, the silence was palpable; my rage seethed just under the surface. Jon fidgeted.

The GTI sat crumpled in the dark, listing to one side. The wheel and tire were jammed up under the fender. The damage was far worse than a broken wheel. I was so mad I could hardly talk. I wanted to scream about carelessness, and trying to ditch the “strange car,’’ but I knew I would erupt if I said anything. As I paced and fumed, I began to calm down. No one was hurt, and the car, well – it was just a car. My son was more important.

Why was this nine-year-old car so dear to me? I bought it new in 1984, and it had been my personal hot rod. After a couple of years I replaced it with a used Porsche 944. The woman who bought my GTI loved it as much as I did. One night, six years later, she called to say it was for sale. I went to see it, couldn’t resist. The car was like the day I sold it. No dents, no scratches and only 51,000 miles. The exhaust still had its ornery cackle. As I ran my hand over the radio I installed myself, the memories came flooding back. The GTI was soon back in my garage for Jon, my 16-year-old. Little did I know that this car would teach me a lesson about forgiveness.

Jon’s words, written when he was the editor of the Shawnee Mission East newspaper, say it better than I ever could:

“In 1984, my dad fulfilled a dream. He bought a brand new, white Volkswagen Rabbit GTI. He cleaned and cared for it with the caution of a mother tending a newborn child. It was his baby. Nine years later, and two or three cars later, I had been entrusted with the keys of his firstborn.

Just keeping the car up to his standards was a challenge all in itself. I can't count the number of times he asked me if I thought that car was my own personal trash can. Of course, I always thought it was immaculate. These small altercations I could handle, but there was one occurrence that I couldn't. As I drove through a parking lot in the dark of night something happened that changed my life.

My car came over the crown of a small hill, and the lights focused on a median. I hit the brakes. It was too late; the axle was bent and the frame pushed back. After arriving at the scene, my dad stood isolated in the parking lot with flames in his eyes. I was going to be disowned. After minutes that seemed hours, my dad came back to his car to go home. His devilish eyes suddenly had an ethereal coolness. His arm found its way around my shoulder. There was no doubt that he was upset, but his words and actions brought comfort. It proved to me that perhaps I am his baby.”

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, forgive my anger and help me see that love is the best path to forgiveness.”

Tom Strongman. Walking the Road

Tom Strongman is a journalist for the Kansas City Star, where he has been writing about cars for over twenty years. Tom lives in Leawood with his wife Susan, and enjoys having grandkids nearby.

The Road Crew.

2011-04-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12: 12

I used to think that I did not have any gifts that I could share with the church. I am not a very good public speaker, and I am the only person in the history of my high school who was asked to drop out of mixed chorus.

I am sure you have heard of the 80 – 20 Rule. Twenty percent of the congregation does 80 percent of the work. I am trying to be part of the 20 percent group. I used to be the guy that showed up only on Christmas and Easter. And, as a family, we were not even close to tithing back when we were raising our daughters.

God, along with my wife’s help, kept pulling me back to the church. I discovered there are a lot of things I can do, and I have the ability to do them. I can usher and I do. I can be a greeter and sometimes I do. I have been participating in a Bible study, which I find to be fun and interesting. I put the Christmas lights up in front of the church. I realize there are many others at Asbury United Methodist Church that do far more than I do. These are just a few things that I can help with and participate in.

As it turns out, I have discovered that I too am the body of the church. Even though my tasks may be less spectacular, it does not mean that God loves me any less or that I am not important to God. I can personally say that the more I give to the church, whether it is time or money, the more I feel good about myself. This is not to be confused with a feeling of superiority or smugness. It is more like the hug I got from my Mom when I was a kid that made me feel warm, safe and loved.

Prayer: Dear God, I so want to be a member of the body of the church, because I so dearly want to feel warm, safe and loved. Amen.

John Cotter

Walking the Road

John Cotter is the current head of Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) and lives in Lake Quivira with his wife, Julia.

The Sacrifice.

2011-04-03T07:00:00.001-07:00

I enjoy listening to K-LOVE radio station while I am in the car and even at my desk from time to time. Every once in a while a certain song will catch my attention, and the song “This Man” by Jeremy Camp is one of those songs. The lyrics go:

In only a moment truth
Was seen revealed this mystery
The crown that showed no dignity he wore
And the king was placed for all the world
To show disgrace but only beauty flowed from this place
Would you take the place of this man
Would you take the nails from his hands
Would you take the place of this man
Would you take the nails from his hands

Especially this time of year, these words mean so much. The sacrifice that Jesus made for people he didn’t even know is just unfathomable to me. But all the same, I am just so grateful that he made this sacrifice so that I can have the peace of forgiveness. With this peace, for me, comes the knowledge that I am responsible for living my life to reflect God’s grace to those around me. I strive to perform an act of kindness every day, no matter how small and all the while realizing that I fall short.

During this Lenten season, humankind tends to be more gracious, and it is my prayer that we would all extend it throughout our entire lifetime. I find strength in my daily conversations with God, and although I have never “heard” Him speak directly to me, I know that he is always with me, answering my prayers even in the most subtle way. I know that if I look, I can see the beauty of God’s love in the faces of our children, grandchildren and elderly and in nature.

So – would I take the place of Jesus and take the nails from his hands? I hope that I would and gratefully.

Grace and Peace,
Kelly Mulvaney

Walking The Road

Kelly Mulvaney serves Asbury as an usher during worship, and has taught Godly Play in the Children's Sunday School program. She lives in Overland Park.

Doubts Along the Way.

2011-04-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?’ John 14:5
But he (Thomas) said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ John 20:25

The apostle Thomas, sometimes called Doubting Thomas, is one of my favorite characters in the New Testament. I have been very blessed to be in an Old Testament and now a New Testament Disciple Bible Study during the fall of 2010 and spring of 2011. The teacher of these classes has been amazing and has added so much to the class with additional research and commentaries on the weekly assigned reading.

But, I must admit, even with so much more knowledge of scripture than I ever had before, I find myself sometimes easily identifying with Thomas. The more I learn, sometimes I feel as Thomas seems to in John 14:5. I just simply do not understand. Thomas was honest and plainly told the Lord he did not understand.

And then there is Thomas’ doubt of the resurrected Jesus and his appearance to his disciples on the evening of Easter Sunday, because Thomas was not with the disciples when Jesus came the first time. Thus the verse, John 20:25.

A week later the disciples were gathered together again, including Thomas, and Jesus came and stood among them. Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.’ John 20:27. We know after this Thomas did acknowledge Jesus as his Lord and God.

And so, if one of Jesus’ closest friends, one of his 12 disciples, did not always understand and had doubts, then it must be okay if I also lack understanding and have doubts. God will be patient with me as I continue in my journey of Christian faith to gain understanding, knowledge and remove doubts. It’s almost as if Thomas gives us “permission” to feel this way sometimes. And even though we may remember Thomas for his doubting, we also know through scripture he was capable of tremendous devotion and courage.

And, I can identify with Thomas in one other way – I do acknowledge Jesus as my Lord and my God.

Prayer: Thank you God for Holy Scripture with so many different stories and different characters that we may learn from, as we seek to grow in our own faith and live the Christian life you call us to. Amen.

Julia Cotter
Walking the Road

Trust in the Journey.

2011-04-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” Psalm 28:7

Trusting in God is easily said, but not always easily done. I used to get to the point where I had exhausted all of my own capabilities and was utterly hopeless before completely placing all trust and hope in the Lord. As I have gotten older, I have learned that there are few things in life I can actually control, and for everything else I need God’s help.
One particular instance provided me with a tangible helplessness that allowed me to feel God’s presence and guidance in my life. I had just finished my freshman year of college and was flying back to the U.S. after spending two weeks with my parents in Prague. I had never flown alone before, and was slightly overwhelmed by the Amsterdam airport. I managed to get to a gate with the same airline and same connecting city, but a different flight time and flight number than my flight. By the time I realized the mistake, I had missed my flight to the U.S. I had no idea as to how to find a ticket counter, reschedule my flight, get another connecting flight, etc. I began to worry I would be stuck in Amsterdam.

A man traveling on leave from the navy happened to notice my situation and went with me to find a ticket desk. He waited while I got my flight rescheduled and walked me to my other gate. He made sure I had everything I needed before heading back to his own boarding area. I was so flustered by the entire situation, I may not have been able to calmly accomplish all of that on my own, with only a two hour delay in the end! As I got home much later, I reflected back upon the experience and realized that God had sent me an angel in the form of this man, who helped guide me when I was utterly petrified and all I could do is pray.

God may not always answer our prayers in such a tangible form, but the times that He does answer help us to remember that He is always there, supporting and guiding us. He is the caring and protective Father that made the ultimate sacrifice for us - sending His son to die for our sins. In this Lenten season, let us remember this sacrifice and give our trust and our lives to God, who will always give us the support we need.

Sonder Crane

Walking the Road

Sonder Crane is a pediatric resident at Children's Mercy Hospital. She and husband Todd live in Roeland Park.

A Second Chance.

2011-03-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, I went in the hospital for what was supposed to be a simple mastoid (ear) repair surgery. When I came to, six hours had passed and I was surrounded by my wife, a daughter, the surgeon and another doctor. The second physician introduced himself as an infectious disease specialist and explained that I had suffered for some time from a leak in my skull. This leak was allowing spinal fluid to seep out through my ear. He then said "I don't know why you're still alive."

As I lay awake that first night, his words kept coming back to me. I realized I had been the recipient of a miracle I didn't deserve. The emotions swept over me in waves that night, as I knew how unworthy I was to have received such a precious gift. By the time the sun came up, I knew with complete certainty that God loved me beyond my ability to comprehend. I like to think that as morning broke, I was not the same person I had been the day before.

For whatever time remains for my journey here, I want to always remember that night, and my heavenly Father who loves me without condition.

Gary Brown
Walking the Road

Gary and his wife Marilyn lead relationship counseling ministry for couples planning to be married at Asbury. They live in Overland Park.

Meeting new friends on a journey.

2011-03-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

My 40th birthday was an amazingly happy and amazingly sad experience…at the same time. I’m not talking about “aging” or “giving up youthful thoughts” or anything quite so trivial. In fact, my wife threw me an amazing surprise party, and about 70 people showed up, from all aspects of my life.

As much fun as I was having, something even more beautiful took place that didn’t involve me one bit…well, maybe just a little bit. I don’t know that many saw it, after all, you’d have to have known all the players to understand the connection that was happening, but I carry this moment with me still, three years later. Two very good friends of mine (both about my age) attended the party. They were great guys, but I would have called each of them ‘loners’ in a sense. I mean, they each had great friends and families and all, but neither spent a lot of time just hanging out with other guys. One lived out of town, so he spent a lot of time commuting, the other was a deep intellectual who worked three jobs and was very busy all the time. And at this party the two met for the first time.

Although they had little in common, socially or politically or hobby-wise, they quickly found that they were on a similar journey. They had both been diagnosed with cancer. And if there was a ‘good’ kind of cancer to have, well, neither had it. Both were facing terminal illness with poor survival success rates, but they were hopeful. My wife and I were hopeful for them as well. They each had been through surgery to remove tumors, both were in various stages of treatment. So they had a common problem, and instantly connected. They spent the evening talking to each other about the process, the trials, and the accomplishments.

It was great to see these two friends of mine become friends with each other, even if their connection was because of illness. Over the next year and a half, they didn’t ‘hang out.’ But they often e-mailed each other, and each asked me about the others progress regularly.

I know that some may see it as coincidence, but I don’t. That great party allowed them to find each other, to talk for a couple of hours and share their issues. And even if only a short while, help each other through what must have been a frightening experience. Those two friends of mine are gone now. I'd like to think they finally have time to hang out together, and to talk about more cheerful things. And I’m so glad I got to know them both.

Alan Murray

Walking The Road

Alan is the Director of Music and Emerging Ministries at Asbury, and lives with his wife Catherine and several cat-children in Kansas City, Missouri. Email him at alanm@visitasbury.org.