The simple life [June 18, 2008 {0869}; An e-Review Commentary by Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker]

06-23-2008

Being a longtime church member, I HAVE been leading the simple life for many years now, and in the meantime watching our church continuing on in its struggling, dysfunctional way by allowing "THE HISTORICAL JESUS" to be taught every Wednesday. The course, which belittles both the Virgin Birth and Resurrection — saying that neither ever happened — will begin to be taught again starting September. I'm close to 88 years of age now, and pray the course will be stopped while I'm still topside. I feel I've been called to do all I can to have this happen, whether our "Leadership" feels the same or not.

Robert MacLeish Sr.
First United Methodist Church, Orlando 

I have recently returned from the Celebrate Jesus mission in Southeast Florida. As a member of the “pigeon team” ( the oversight team ) I was on the road every day visiting some of the 13 churches that were hosting Celebrate Jesus mission teams and doing acts of kindness in the neighborhoods. Although we did burn a lot of gas and drove in traffic, which was not simple, there was something “simple” in the way we and the missionaries were blessed during the week. For us, we were housed in a “for sale” parsonage and slept on air mattresses on the floor. We received biblical hospitality - ours from Debbie McLeod, the district superintendant of the South East District, who provided us with breakfast and snacks, tables and chairs, and who came each day to our morning devotion time and went out with us to visit the churches. Each church welcomed us royally, and each gave us a place at the table when we arrived at mealtime. I spent a week with no T V, no internet, no newspaper ( no junk mail, no magazines ). I spent time with Christians in serious devoted prayer over neighborhoods where churches are struggling to be light in a dark place. I prayed in a church where 80 percent of the Sunday morning population is children. I walked in the neighborhood helping a church reach out to its neighbors and listening to the wonderful stories of what happens when people take a step of faith and offer to listen to and pray for their neighbors’ needs. It is amazing what God will do when we put aside the trappings of our modern life, turn to Him and ask, “What is your will for me today?” Love God. Love your neighbor. It’s that simple.

Kathy  Furlong
Community United Methodist Church, DeBary