Faith Meets Life Blog

Join us on our faith journey (which began when you first learned about God, and--sorry to tell you--never ends). You've already packed your bag--it's full of Bible verses you had to memorize, Old Testament stories you've heard over and over, hymns you've had to sing, your most powerful memories, and your questions and doubts. Now we take a walk through your beliefs and unbeliefs. It gets a little bumpy, but you aren't alone, and you'll be glad you came.

Upcoming topics:

What is this 'grace thing' anyway?

Can you be a Christian and not be part of a church?

May 6, 2012

I am so proud of our Henson and Mabel youth who went to Faith Formation class (and all their grownup friends too!)!!! Y'all are awesome and I know the older crowd learned a few things along the way too. Faith Formation applies to all of us, as our faith evolves and even ebbs and flows during our lifetimes. While the core of what I believe has not changed since I first made my own credo, a lot of my positions on things have altered. That doesn't mean I got it wrong before; it means my perspective has changed.

One thing that has not and will not change in my life is my fundamental belief stated in I John (that's the one in the back of the New Testament, not the Gospel John--so confusing!) 4:7-21. Paraphrased, it says that God loves us a whole lot, and if we love Him back, this is manefested in loving one another. The reasoning goes that if we love God, whom we have never personally met, God lives and loves within us, and we share that love with our fellow man, whom we do get to meet. You cannot proclaim you love God and then turn around and not love your neighbor. The text actually calls you a liar if you do that.

Wow. But hey, we're all nice people, right? You have the opportunity to love (or not) your neighbor every single day, every encounter with every person you meet. Do you make fun of people when you fly past them in a car? Do you laugh at jokes that deliberately call out a certain stereotype of a person? Cut in front of people? Pretend you don't see someone who needs help? These are all insidious ways we aren't loving our neighbors, and yes, we all do it all the time, often without thinking about it. I'm pretty sure that doesn't exempt it from the text in I John. Ouch. It's a good thing we have that Grace thing going!

February 2012

Hey all, the Youth page is on temporary hiatus while the youth attend Faith Formation and the teacher (er, me) deals with a family situation and rethinks how to put a jolt of spiritual electricity back into our program. Stay tuned!

July 17, 2011

It's been a busy summer, both inside and outside the class. I thought summer was the slow time! But there are vacations to take, summer jobs, summer baseball, and just stuff to do. Up here we have less than 1 month before school resumes. Hard to believe!

We netted $160 from our concessions at the Gospel Jubilee for the Watatagua Children's Council. Every dollar helps! We had Brian come and talk about how do I know when God is talking to me? which confirmed that you aren't necessarily going to have a great big voice out of nowhere. We helped with the Vacation Bible School at the end of June and had a great campout! We definitely need to camp out again on our beautiful grounds by the creek before school kicks into high gear. It won't be long before we plan a huge pig picking, and then Sunday School kickoff, and...where does the time go?

Anyway, despite the schedules, we have managed to complete the God is...Holy series. The net of this series is explaining what "holy" is, how God meets that defninition and we do not. This suggests a vast divide between God's awesomeness and our lowliness. (The only analogy I can think of that even starts to explain this is: think of a sport or activity you completely stink at or have never tried, and think of the most fantastic star of that sport/activity. How ridiculous would you feel trying to say you're on the same level?) So why does God even care about tiny sinful beings like us? That question I cannot answer, but I CAN tell you he does care! A lot! He loves us so devotedly, so completely, it's nearly impossible to comprehend. That's where Jesus comes in, bridging the gap between God's awesomeness and our lowliness. Jesus' own sacrifice enables us to talk directly to God without offering sacrifices or using go-between priests. Take advantage of that! Talk to God--he's always available to listen. And don't worry if you've screwed up...God wants a relationship with you, which means you don't have to be perfect. Just stick with him, and he'll stick with you.

May 17, 2011

What a spectacular spring! We had a very successful spaghetti lunch on Palm Sunday, netting $262 for Japan relief! We finished up the second segment of God is...Personal. We're starting the next series, God is...Holy. This Sunday we are planning the concessions for the Gospel Jubilee, and determining how to use the proceeds.

See you then!

On May 29 we are going to have a guest leader! We are going to tackle a topic that when I seem to do it, makes me sound like I'm crazy. Well, I could be, but time to bring in a second opinion.

March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Last week we did not hold a class, but you need to come and see the room! We will put some finishing touches on it Sunday and talk about what is going on in Japan, and what it means to us in our faith journey.

March 6, 2011

The Samaritan behind us, we are now focused on what to do next...with the room, with the lessons, with activities planned and to be planned. How can we grow in our fellowship, in our service, in our relationship with God? Today we talked about Samuel, who was almost literally poked awake by God, yet didn't know who was talking to him for a while. The curious passage in this story was the beginning, where it was said that God wasn't making His voice heard very often during that time. (How many people in today's world claim God is dead or doesn't exist because nobody hears from Him?)

I would argue that God is ready to speak to us anytime, but we aren't hearing Him. In today's busy world, we are bombarded with messages--school, peers, parents, media--and it can sound like one giant noise at times. Does God's voice even have a chance? God can and does get in your face when He deems it the right time; but often His voice is quiet. It's not that we don't hear Him sometimes, it's that we choose to pretend we didn't hear Him. I have had God remind me He loves me when I see a breathtaking sight or hear happy sounds from my family. But God often speaks to me from my heart. I usually don't hear His voice unless I am 1) quiet and not focused on something else, and/or 2) inviting Him to speak to me. It doesn't take much to hear God, but you have to be ready and willing to listen.

May you have a week with less "noise" and more God!

February 27, 2011

The flu has struck, rendering us teacherless this week. I'm sorry guys--we'll catch back up next week! Note that I updated the events list on the youth page tonight--there's stuff to mark on your calendar...the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper (less than 2 weeks away), the Fishing Derby, and note that we are tentatively signed up to provide supper on May 28 (this will be a fundraiser). More details to follow but make a note when you are planning your busy schedules.

So, back to the Good Samaritan story and how it applies in "real life." In the parable, Jesus explains that you show how you "love your neighbor as yourself" by showing compassion and mercy (Luke 10:36-37). So how does an American teenager in 2011 do that?

First, I did not get a chance to tell you the movie I was thinking of. Any guesses? Answer: here. Think of this story from the social/racial/class aspect. There's a lot of anger, mistrust and resentment between Michael's past and present.

And here's another example, pulled off by none other than high school basketball players in NC. See? You have chances to show God's love and mercy every day; you just don't realize the opportunity when it's happening. Ask God to point them out, and you'll be amazed at how wide your eyes are open.

Have a blessed and eye-opening week!

Feburary 20, 2011

Hi everyone. So, who in our society is the "traveler" in the Samaritan parable? Does racism play a part in 2011? How about illegal immigrants? How about people of Middle Eastern descent? How about the wierd kid in your school?

By the way, our "traveler" doesn't have to be beaten and on the side of the road. S/He could be looking like s/he is having a bad day. Maybe bullied. Maybe just the person nobody talks to. Jesus asked us to love our neighbors--that means all our neighbors, not just the ones we like! Love the ones who are the hardest to love. That, my friends, is sharing God's love. God doesn't pick and chose; he loves us all as His children. Remember that--you are a child of God. You are loved and beautiful and special! This will NEVER CHANGE.

Doesn't that feel good? Now, who in your world isn't hearing that message? What are you gonna do about it?

Feburary 13, 2011

Have you seen the room? There are changes...I'm not telling what they are, but things are a little different. Come and see!

The younger group started a new rotation this week on the story of the Good Samaritan. I know you know this one...it's probably one of the best known Bible stories. And why not? People find it easy to relate to, and assure themselves, Oh yeah, I'd be the Samaritan, no doubt about it! Not so fast, Shaggy...my challenge to you is this: In the story, Jews (the victim) and Samaritans loathed and distrusted each other. If you are the potential Samaritan in 2011, who is your hypothetical "victim?" In other words, who are the despised in our culture/community? Would you stop and help them, even to the point of having to spend money? What are some examples in our culture that depict this story? I can think of a recent movie...answer on Sunday.

January 30, 2011

We've been the ultimate slackers, haven't we? We have an awesome trip in October to the corn maze, and we helped decorate the church for Advent in December and helped the younger Sunday School class decorate their Christmas cookies. But consistently meeting for Sunday School? Not so much. Between the snow cancelling services and general absences by youth and the teacher (yes, I admit to missing a couple Sundays here and there due to being out of town), we have not been on a regular schedule. Plus, I expect penguins to join us in the Sunday School room any week now (if you've been to SS, you know what I'm talking about!).

However, it is a new year and yes, time for a new start. Tell you what...y'all show up and I'll deliver. How's that for a deal? There are changes on the horizon. Changes to the room. Changes to the feel of Sunday School. Not that it was bad before, but I think it's time to mix things up a bit. Check it out in the next couple weeks. Then tell your friends.

October 16

Wow, has it been a month?!? We haven't had class in 2 weeks due to absences (first week, no students; second, no teacher!) but prior to that we still had some good discussion. We've finished the series on God is...Huge,* and discussed how God does not neatly fit into any of the typical boxes Christians tend to stuff Him in: A distant grandparent (is kindly but at arm's length); a vending machine (on-demand gratification); an angry police officer (ready to pounce on the first screw up); a paramedic (only for 911 situations); and a teddy bear (comforting when we want Him; removed when we don't).

So if He's much bigger than all that, then how can He possibly know or care about you or me? Well that's our next section, God is...Personal. Come join us and find out just how personal He can be!

Like the blog or want to chat? Send an email to hensonchapel@hcmcumc.org.

* Our series is from the book, God Is...Exploring the Many Sides ofGod, by David Rhodes and Chad Norris.

September 13

Greetings! I missed one week of summary. We had a really small group--2 plus me--on Sept. 5, so we went outside and shot some hoops and talked about how we can know God really exists. Of course faith enables a lot. And if we were to be able to put God into some kind of form, like a superhero or something we could see, touch, etc., does that not diminish His awesomenes? Heady stuff, to be sure! However, one thing you can absolutely be sure of: When you think about these questions, you are building your faith. And that is more than okay--God loves you for taking the time to understand Him. So keep asking the questions!

Today our group was larger, and we threw the normal format out the window. Instead, we talked about current events, especially in the light of the 9/11 anniversary. There were two huge topics of debate in the media last week--the preacher in Gainesville who planned to burn the Qu'ran on Saturday, and the uproar over building a mosque near Ground Zero. Let me make a comment here, no matter how your heart lands on these issues: Both of these debates involve how our country is affected by the outcome. Don't get me wrong; I am not belittling the memory of 9/11 or the immense pain and scarring the actions of a very few extremists have inflicted on us.

My point is there's a lot of vitriol in the comments about how we should nuke all Muslim countries because they "hate America." We should "let them all kill each other." "They are bunch of barbarians." None of this is very Christ-like. God does not follow nationalism, or laws, or freedom of speech or any of that. These are all man-made institutions; God's plan transcends our institutions and order. And what did Jesus tell us? "Love thy neighbor." "Turn the other cheek." Some call this weak-minded. Do you? What was Jesus teaching us to do? "Love thy enemies." That is way harder than calling for their deaths, or telling them to "go home," and other comments clearly not coming from love. Think about it.

August 30

Happy Monday! I hear the Mabel youth are interested in getting the Youth Group meetings back together. Sounds great! There are plenty of things to do unless you just want to hang. We can eat, bowl, swim, shoot hoops, enjoy music, go to a movie, and/or do some small outreach work. There are a zillion possibilities.

Henson Chapel has given their youth a great new room of their own and it might be a great place to start...speaking of starts, we started off last week's class with donuts and a very untraditional, non-stereotypical description ofGod. (How do you visualize God?) Next we talked about how influential the media is in our lives. Think about it...between Facebook, iTunes, YouTube, Netflix, streaming videos, Twitter, all at your fingertips, we get bombarded every minute with messages. How often does God play into those messages? I'll bet 'not much' for most mainstream stuff. Does that send the overall message of the irrelevance of God? We discussed this but ran out of time before we could really get to the heart of knowing God exists. Let me just say that Faith is a big part of how you manage the media onslaught. Next week we'll take it outside, unless Hurricane Earl has other plans!

Like the blog or want to chat? Send an email to hensonchapel@hcmcumc.org.

August 25

Hi, guys...Thought I'd try a short blog to explain the new youth Sunday School class at Henson. Last week we kicked off with more pastries than we could possibly eat, and some unconventional introductions. It was a small gruop but we still had some good discussion. For example, we tried to tell someone how to draw a school bus without telling them it's a school bus...the drawings they came up with were, well, interesting! Kinda like trying to describe God to someone when maybe we aren't so sure what he looks like to us, either. Everyone has their own vision of what God looks like. And who's to say it's right or wrong? We'll continue that discussion this week and ponder a BIG QUESTION:

How do we really know God exists?

Think about it and bring your A game on Sunday--there might be hoops involved!