Jeff Ruby's? Or McDonalds?

 Hello Church,

God is a big fan of the underdog.  Read the Bible.  God is always rooting for the person who has little chance of winning, succeeding or thriving.  Adam and Eve couldn't follow even the simplest of rules.  Abraham had no home.  Moses' home was the wrong one.  And from the time Israel started to exist, they were getting beat up by the neighborhood bully... be it Egypt, Persia or Babylonia.  

And through it all, God was trying to root for Israel.  Oh, sometimes He got angry with them and had to show them who God is.  But by in large, He pulled for them.

Rooting for the underdog is a common Biblical theme.  In theological terms it is 'free the oppressed'.  Start with the widows and orphans and help those who need help the most.  

This still applies today, I believe.  However, there is a problem.  Everyone seems to claim oppression.

Name your social issue and you'll find two or more sides that claim they are the ones being oppressed, whether you are talking about immigration, ethnicity, economics, sexuality, theology, biology, geography, etc;  My favorite is when millionaire athletes argue with billionaire owners and both sides claim 'oppression' in some form.

This influx of victimization is a big problem in my book.  It greatly waters down who the oppressed really are in the context of the Biblical witness.  If EVERYBODY is oppressed, then what good is it when we are told to help those in need.  The translation today seems to mean that we are supposed to help everyone.  Sorry, but not everyone is being oppressed... at least not as God defines oppressed.

Egypt wasn't oppressed.  Persia wasn't oppressed.  Babylonia wasn't oppressed..... certainly not to the extent that God was rooting for them.  We need to get back to the basics of what it means to be biblically oppressed.  Economic oppression isn't when millionaires could be billionaires, but aren't allowed to be.  It isn't when a young married couple wants a house, but has to settle for a condo.  It isn't when I want Jeff Ruby's but instead have to settle for Texas Roadhouse..... or McDonalds.  

Real oppression is when families have no clean water; when shoes are a lavish rarity; when working 12 hours a day allows you to buy some tortillas for that one meal a day; when skin color is a factor in any decision-making process; when age qualifies or disqualifies you from working any job; when the language you speak is attached to your inherent value; when you spend your day in the same room every day with no visitors or love;... I could go on, but being oppressed means that you don't get to be comfortable because others won't let you be.  If someone chooses to be uncomfortable or chooses to be discontent and then complains about it, that isn't oppression.  My mom had other words for that.  'Spoiled' comes to mind.

I won't dare to define you as oppressed or not.  It certainly isn't my place to call you spoiled.  That will probably get me into trouble (though that would give me a great excuse to claim oppression).  I will challenge you, however, to look in the mirror and decide if you really have it that bad.  If you don't, find ways to help those who do.  Be God's hands and feet.  Serve those in need.  Show unconditional love.

If you do truly have it that bad, know that God is rooting for you.  .... and give me a call because I'll be rooting for you too.  And I'll do what I can and help the church do what they can to help you.  I really mean that and so does God.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Blogging While On REALLY Good Pain Meds.

 Hello Church,

I've never blogged while on pain meds.... so here goes.... against the better part of valor....  I apologize if I miss any prepositions.  They are small words and easy to miss. (But it's fun to imagine Russ Bowman and Jared Treadway reading this 10 times to see if I did miss any)

I had my gallbladder removed about 3.5 hours ago.  I feel really good (again, see the title of this blog).  I think the key is this:  I told my surgeon before my surgery to have a really good day.

You think that doesn't make a difference, do you?  We say it a lot, but this time I meant it.  I mean, I looked right into his eyes and said it in a very serious way, 'Have a REALLY good day'.  

He laughed.

Truth is, have you ever thought of all the ways your good day can impact those around you?  And if you are a surgeon?  If you have a good day, then a lot of people have good days too!  If you have a bad day?  Well, we won't talk about that....

And think about the things that create good days.  Doing a good job; being unconditionally loving; having a gracious attitude; exuding a sense of peace; expressing hopefulness, etc; these things can contribute to having a good day. It doesn't always work this way because sometimes our days are not dictated by things we have control over.  But Surprise!  These approaches to life can also be the result of having a firm Faith!  And thus a firm Faith CAN contribute to having a good day.

Jesus' Faith was a magnet.  That magnetism was transferred to His disciples and then to the Church and so on and so on.....  Therefore, be a witness and have a good day!

So the way I see it, I'm not having a good day because of the meds.  I'm having a good day because my surgeon had a good day.  And I am grateful.

Time for some bland mashed potatoes with bland applesauce and bland jello.  Btw... these things could cause a bland day.... something I'm not striving for.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Turn That Frown Upside Down

 Hello Church,

It is time to reconnect.  Get out of the doldrums.  Get a pep in your step.  Perk up.  Make the attempt.  Reconnect.

Remember 14 months ago?  Yes.  Do that.

As I move into the summer months, I am going to be more and more insistent about reconnections.  Specifically, for people who were connected before the pandemic, I am going to encourage you to get back to church life if you haven't already done so.  The Church needs you.  Why?  Because you ARE the Church.

Thank God the list isn't long.  I have watched worship attendance slowly increase over the past 3 or 4 weeks.  However, contrary to some opinions, worship attendance is only part of the church life.  Small Groups, ministry teams, volunteerism, mission work, etc; make up a bigger part of the activity of the church.  It is these areas that sometimes lag behind worship participation.  so....

It is time to reconnect.  Get out of the doldrums.  Get a pep in your step.  Perk up.  Make the attempt.  Reconnect.

For those of you who have named Emmanuel your home church (or for those of you looking for one), this Sunday is a great time to reconnect.  Worship is outside at 10:00 at our local Batavia Township Park.  You are also invited to bring your lunch and your lawn chair with you.  We will be sitting around and eating afterwards.... talking.... reconnecting.... you are invited.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Make A Nurse Laugh Today

 Hello Church,

In my 48+ years on this earth I have been to the Emergency Room 3 times now.  The first time was while I was in seminary, experiencing panic attacks.  I am sure there is a theological joke there somewhere.  The second time was credited to my oldest daughter Leah who decided to leave a needle in the carpet.  I was the lucky one who got to step on it.

And then there was this past Saturday night....

I've had a couple of gall bladder attacks over the past year or so.  I never had them officially diagnosed because, you know, the internet can inform you of anything at anytime.  No major deal.  I got through them and all was well.....

...until this past Saturday night... after I ate a half a rack of ribs and a cup of chili.....

It took me 3 hours before I gave up on saving at least $800 and went to the ER.  I got to joke around with the night shift nurses who took a while before laughing at my hilarious jokes (you know, the kind that my wife rolls her eyes on).  Fast forward to the end of the night when I was told by a well-spoken ER doctor that I had a gall stone approximately 1 inch big and nothing was going to fix that except surgery.

Each of us, from time to time, are reminded of our mortality.  Some reminders are rather harsh, much more harsh than a gall stone.  You have likely had your reminders over the years.  Sometimes we pay attention and sometimes we don't.

Whatever your reminders have been, know that as the Easter season comes to a close this next Sunday, the stone is still out of the way.  Life is a gift and new life is a better gift.  Enjoy your days in love of one another.  Show God your appreciation by how you use your gift, no matter where you find yourself... even if it is the opportunity to make Saturday night ER nurses laugh... they certainly are reminded of our mortality far too often.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Here Comes The New Pastor

 Hello Church,

As most of you know by now, I will be moving on from Emmanuel UMC and starting my next appointment at Springboro First UMC the last weekend in June.  Among the many issues that can cause anxieties in me when I change churches (this will be my 3rd official change) includes who follows me.  This transition is no different.  Truth is, I care about the churches that I leave.  I want them to have the kind of leadership that takes them to the next step..... whatever that next step is.

Well let me introduce you to Pastor Jay Madigan.  When I heard about him coming to Emmanuel, my anxieties eased.  I have known Jay for about 10 years now.  He was the pastor in a nearby church a few years ago.  We were in the same small group and I have become familiar with his pastoral approach.  Emmanuel will be in good hands.

None of us pastors have it all figured out.  We all have our weak points and our gifts.  Knowing this is what causes me anxiety when I leave a church.  While Jay and Emmanuel will have hiccups here and there as I will at Springboro, we do try our best to assimilate as smoothly as possible.  

That said, I am guessing that Pastor Amy at Springboro First has the same anxieties.  I will be the new guy and she does not know me like I know Jay.  This creates a tremendous amount of empathy in me for Amy.  I will do what I can to ease her anxiety, but I know from experience that it won't go away until the new pastor proves him/herself. 

Change is hard.  Change can be good.  Indeed, change can make things better if you go about it the right way.  Pray that Jay, Amy and I go about it the right way so that the churches can flourish.  Pray that the churches go about it the right way so that the pastors can flourish.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe