Search this site

Everyone needs a recharge. We all get to those places of feeling totally depleted. About two weeks ago it hit me that I was there at that place of exhaustion. I had no patience, I was discouraged and a bit depressed and I knew, from experience, I needed to be recharged. There are many ways to do this. For some to just go away to another location really makes all the difference. To be away from all the people you normally interact with can also help restore your heart and soul. Jesus understood that, often sending the disciples away. “When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray.” (Matthew 14:23) That is what Gary and I decided to do, not head to a mountain, but to the beach to get away to restore our minds, our bodies, and our hearts. Of course, there are other ways to find restoration. One is already on my calendar for Thursday-Friday, August 4-5, 2022 . I am referring to the Global Leadership Summit. Each year I spend two days being restored and inspired by leaders from all over the world who help me move outside my world and my limited perspective. These leaders are change-driven, growth-minded, and hope filled. That is exactly what I need to hear. Usually, when the week of the Summit arrives, I internally resist going because there is always daily work that must be done. But then I begin to listen to the Summit faculty, and my heart is inspired, my mind is challenged, and I wish I could listen to these words every single day. Last year I heard Craig Groeschel talk about chaos in our lives. He said if we avoid chaos, we limit our own growth. You can have control, or you can have growth, but you can’t have both. Juliet Funt, a business consultant, talked about building space into our schedule just to think. If we don’t take time to think, we will not be able to reflect, create, and construct. There were many great speakers like General Stanley McChrystal or Dr. Henry Cloud. I am looking forward to the line up this August , especially the Rev. Andy Stanley who has one of the largest churches in the US. I still know when the week arrives for the Summit, I will resist restoring my soul because I have too much work to do. Yet, I also know how important the Global Leadership Summit is, and by attending I will experience the rest described in Psalm 3:5, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.” I hope you will register today and join us for the 2022 Global Leadership Summit. St. Andrew's attendees receive a discounted rate. Click HERE to register (ticket prices increase on March 31 ). #aplaceforgrace #GLS22

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. [Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14] We are horrified by the images that we see coming out of the Ukraine. Images of death and destruction inflicted on innocent people, including children, babies, and the elderly, by a brutal Russian force and a tyrant of a leader. Buildings destroyed, lives lost, multitudes of people injured, millions fleeing the country, heading for the borders of other countries. Yes, as people of God we can pray for the people of Ukraine, but we wish we can do so much more to bear the burdens of those on the other side of the world. Yet, we are heartened by the response of United Methodists in that area who are helping in whatever way they can. A UM congregation in Cluj-Napoca, Romania is opening the doors of its facility to refugees, offering food and the chance for conversation and counseling. In Budapest, Hungary, United Methodists have been at the Budapest Keleti railway station to greet arriving refugees, bringing them water, juice, and muesli chocolates for the children. A pastor of a UM church in Michalovce, Slovakia met a group of African students who had been studying in Kyiv, Ukraine to provide them shelter at her church. Even though we cannot physically help those suffering this devastation in the Ukraine, we can financially support the efforts of those who are—something they desperately need. You can help by donating to UMCOR, United Methodist Committee on Relief in the following ways: To Help Refugees within Ukraine: + Online: Click HERE to give online. Designate your donation to “Ukraine Refugees.” + By Phone: Call toll free 888-252-6174 to make your gift. Credit card gifts can be accepted by phone. + By Mail: Make checks payable to ADVANCE GCFA and send it to: Advance GCFA, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068. Write “Advance #14053A-Ukraine Refugees” on the Memo line. To Help Ukraine Refugees in Poland: + By Mail: Make check payable to the "Florida Conference Treasurer" and mail to: FLORIDA UNITED METHODIST CENTER, Attn: Icel Rodriguez, 450 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., Lakeland, FL 33815. Write "Adv # 102130-Ukraine Refugees" on the memo line. One hundred percent of your gift will go right away to United Methodist churches in Ukraine and Poland on the front lines of this refugee humanitarian crisis. Keep the people of Ukraine in your prayers—to be strong and take heart, and to somehow “see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” #aplaceforgrace #ukraine

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously. [Micah 6:2 The Message] When I was pastoring a church in the Orlando area, I found myself being exasperated by what I was seeing around me. There were so many in the area that needed help desperately but were trapped. At the church, we did the best we could to help individuals one at a time. But the issues they were facing were much larger than just them. We had individuals within our church community and those that showed up at our door who were struggling with mental illnesses. They were quite aware of it, but when I would try to find some help for them, there were weeklong waiting lists at mental health service providers. There were those who came to me who were struggling financially. They had low paying jobs, much of them in the theme park industry, who could not find an affordable place to live. They moved from one extended stay hotel to another. When they did find an apartment, most of their paycheck went toward rent. They had to forego getting needed medicine and sometimes food so they could pay the rent. There was an abundance of new housing being built in the area, but they were all high-priced condominiums for the affluent. I began to wish that faith communities could band together to address these institutional issues. Then we moved to the Tampa area, and I found such an organization existed here. HOPE (Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality) is a grassroots, community organization consisting of 23 multicultural and interfaith member congregations throughout Hillsborough County. St. Andrew’s UMC is one of these participating congregations. HOPE’s mission is to work for justice, fairness, and the dignity of people by engaging and training community members to effectively act together to achieve real and effective solutions to serious community problems. The issues they have been addressing in recent years are affordable housing in the community, access to mental health and addiction services, care for creation, and criminal justice reform. And what I found very exhilarating is that they don't just talk about the issues, ad nauseum, but by partnering with political leaders, community leaders, and major influencers in our community, they are getting things done! Here is a short list of their victories in the past few years: · All Tampa Police are now trained in Crisis Intervention to help divert those with mental illnesses to services rather than jail. · County Commissioners established the HOPE Affordable Housing Fund, which puts $10 million annually toward the construction of affordable housing. · The Youth Civil Citation program has been greatly expanded so fewer youth get arrested for non-violent 1st-time misdemeanors. · The Hillsborough County School District received $921,000 in state funding to implement a proven reading program for the 10 lowest performing elementary schools. · Hillsborough County established a program that assisted over 3,000 homeless people in getting birth certificates and IDs so they can obtain shelter and employment. We would like to invite you to a special HOPE event. The annual HOPE Nehemiah Action is Monday, March 28 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Nativity Catholic church in Brandon. You can also attend virtually via Zoom. There will be political decision-makers at this meeting, so your presence will make a difference in helping their initiatives move forward. HOPE’s goal is to have 2,000 people present in-person or online, and our goal is to have 100 from our church be a part of this important event. This is also a great opportunity to hear more about HOPE and the progress they are making. If you are interested, you can register by clicking HERE . For more information, contact Pastor Gary Rideout at gary.rideout@saumc.net. “There is HOPE for justice in Hillsborough County.” #aplaceforgrace #nehemiahaction #hope

Well, we are in our third day of the season of Lent, and we may already be struggling to keep our fast, keep on reading Luke, or add that extra step to help us draw closer to God. So, what do we do? The answer is not obvious. Join a small group or participate in a serving opportunity. Both Lenten practices will help you in a different way. Small groups are probably the most effective tool to teach us discipline through the influence of others. You learn the Word of God together, you share your life, and over time God begins to transform our hearts, our habits, and even our disciplines. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens a friend.” Throughout my life I have been a member of many different kinds of small groups. From each group I gleaned something different. When my children were young, my group kept me sane. When I was single, they helped with my loneliness. After marriage my group taught me what a healthy marriage looks like, and as I have aged my small group walked with me through the hard struggles of life. I joined all those groups for different reasons, but ultimately, I experienced the same results. Through them, I grew closer to God and my faith became stronger. This Lenten season you can join a small group that fits you and your life stage. If you go to SAUMC.Life you can click on Lenten Small Groups and start reading about the different small group opportunities you can join. The second way we can strengthen our spiritual life is through service. Whether we are working in the dirt, walking to raise money, painting a house or even being a presence at a rally that can bring greater justice to our community, service always transforms us. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.” Just working with others will change us in ways we don’t expect. Not only will we have a sense of purpose, we will grow relationships that can help us mature in our faith and expand our way of thinking. Our first serving opportunity is March 12 from 8:30-12 p.m. and we will be spending time cleaning up our campus. I hope you will join us. Register HERE . Blessings to you as you continue your Lenten journey. #aplaceforgrace #lent

Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. Exodus 33:7-8 We are nearing the end of our sermon series on spiritual practices in preparation for our church-wide study of the Gospel of Luke. This past week, Jayne’s sermon focused on the spiritual practice of “Stepping Away.” This Sunday the sermon will be all about Sabbath. Both challenge us to take time to get away from the busyness of the world for a time of quiet reflection and introspection to draw closer to Christ. I must admit that much of my own reflection and prayer life is what I would call “on the run.” As someone who needs prayer comes to mind, I say a short prayer for them at that moment. When I need to ask God for wisdom for a difficult decision, strength to get me through the day, or just to give God thanks, I lift that prayer right then. Whether I am driving to the church, sitting at my desk, or relaxing at home. Now there is nothing wrong with such prayers. God still hears and responds. Yet, sometimes we just need to intentionally get away from the busyness and clamor of the world and be totally focused on God. We need to give God our undivided attention—talk to Him when we are not distracted or in the midst of the rush of our life. We need to take that walk to the tent, like Moses. The passage in Exodus tells the account of Moses when he needed to have a talk with God. He took that long walk to the tent of meeting, outside their camp. I am sure as he took that walk, he slowly unbound himself of the hubbub and commotion that was going on in the camp. He was leaving the distractions behind as he took each step. The people knew it, for they stood at their tent doors and watched. He ignored all their pleas of “Wait, Moses—I have a quick question for you.” Moses was making that walk, intentionally and deliberately to meet with God. I’m sure there were people who needed tending to, tents that needed repair, camels that needed to be fed. But they could all wait for now. Moses had the discipline to walk away from them for the moment. He needed undisturbed time with God. Don’t we all? But it is so hard to carve out time, or when we do, to not be distracted by our “To Do” list. That’s when we need to take that deliberate walk—the walk away from the noise of the world to the quietness of God. We need to make that walk to the tent. #aplaceforgrace #walktothetent

February is Black History month, a time in this nation when we honor and celebrate the accomplishments of Black Americans. It is a time to recognize that Black History is American History with its varied and rich history, yet often overlooked. In honor of Black History month, we would like to take this time to recognize a timeline of Blacks in the Methodist Church. Here are some key highlights: 1758 – John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, baptizes two “Negro slaves,” thus setting the pattern for receiving people of color into the church. These two return to Anitigua to start a Methodist church in the “new world.” 1760 – Anne Schweitzer, a black woman, becomes a founding member of the first Methodist society (a small disciple group) in Maryland. Two years later, another black woman, “Bettye” is one of the five persons to attend newly inaugurated Methodist service in New York City. When the John Street Church is built in 1768 in NYC, the names of several black subscribers appear on its roster. 1784 – The Christmas Conference in Baltimore founds the Methodist Episcopal Church, the forerunner to the United Methodist Church. Among those riding out to issue a call for the conference is “Black Harry” Hosier. Born a slave about 1750, Hosier receives a license to preach in 1785 and becomes one of the best preachers and most effective early circuit riders. 1790 – Drawn by the Methodist Episcopal Church’s anti-slavery stand, blacks (slave and free) make up 20 percent of the 57,631 American Methodists. 1791 – John Wesley dies. His last letter is one written to anti-slavery crusader William Wilberforce, urging him to “Go on, in the name of God and in the power of his might, till even American slavery (the vilest that ever saw the sun) shall vanish away before it.” 1816 – Due to increasing segregation within churches, many blacks leave the Methodist Episcopal church to eventually form the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church in Philadelphia. The AME church is still in existence throughout the nation. 1845 – Bishop James O. Andrew of Georgia is told to desist from the exercise of his office until he frees slaves passed down from his wife’s estate. He refuses, which causes a split in the church along regional lines on the issue of slavery: the Methodist Episcopal Church (North) and the Methodist Episcopal Church (South). 1902 – Susan Collins becomes the first black missionary sent out and serves 29 years in Angola. 1920 – The Methodist Episcopal Church elects their first two black bishops, Robert E. Jones and Matthew W. Clair Sr. 1939 – The Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South are reunited to form the Methodist Church. 1984 – Leontine T.C. Kelly becomes the first African-American woman to be elected bishop. 2000 – General Conference delegates participate in a service of repentance for racism within the denomination. #aplaceforgrace #blackhistorymonth

I have been reading a book by Nathan Foster, the son of Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline . Having grown up in the church, Nathan falls into the category of one who is disillusioned with the organized church and its practices. He shared the following story in his book, The Making of an Ordinary Saint . Nathan was on a three-day bike ride across rural Ohio battling 20 mph winds. He was exhausted and angry. It was a legitimately brutal journey and he was in pain simply attempting to endure it. He tells how he encountered an older man, also on the trip who was having a very different experience. Every time Nathan would complain about the harshness of the wind, the older gentlemen would respond by noticing the beauty of the scenery around them. This infuriated Nathan because he felt invalidated by the man’s lack of response. Eventually the man encouraged him to submit to the harshness of the wind and embrace it. I connect to this story because when I am going thorough something difficult, I am very vocal. I invite everyone into my frustration and pain, always needing the reassuring validation of others that I have had a hard day, or that my situation is in fact challenging. So, the idea of submitting or embracing what is causing me frustration sounds unlikely. Yet it turns out that submission is actually a spiritual practice. It means to submit to another instead of getting your own way. The Apostle Paul said it this way in Ephesians 5:20-21, "… always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; and submit to each other out of respect for Christ." I believe this can be extended to submission to a hard task or challenge. I decided to try out this spiritual practice a week ago. I had many tasks before me, and I felt both angry and overwhelmed by the work. But this time, I asked God to help me embrace the difficult—submit to it instead of complaining about it. Big surprise, I ended up really enjoying all the work I had before me. Instead of feeling tired, I was inspired. Nathan had the same experience; he began to enjoy his ride. It was still hard and exhausting, but he also began to enjoy the beautiful scenery around him. It turns out that spiritual practices are not bad after all. I hope you will join us Sunday as we continue to explore spiritual practices by focusing on the practice of fasting. #aplaceforgrace #submission

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. [Isaiah 43:19 NIV] In a way, the Hebrew people in the times of the prophet Isaiah are much like us today. They are in a period of waiting—waiting for when things would get back to normal. The glory days of King David and Solomon are over for them. The kingdom of Israel is split—split into two kingdoms, one of them at this time, the Northern Kingdom, was destroyed by a conquering invader and the people were scattered to other foreign lands. We live in a world of waiting as well. We want things to get back to normal. Yet, we are divided and are burdened down by so much in our world today. The biggest burden of all is this pandemic that keeps lingering around. Yet Isaiah says something interesting to the Hebrew people in verse 18 of the 43rd chapter of Isaiah, “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.” He is basically saying, remember all the things that God has done for you in the past, how God rescued you from slavery and bondage in Egypt, made a way through the sea and saved you from those pursuing you. Remember these things to give you encouragement and strengthen your trust in God. But then, “forget them, do now dwell on them.” For you see, God is doing a new thing. If you are looking back in expectation that the same things will happen, that all will be back to the way it used to be, that there will be a return to the glory days—if that is where you mind and spirit dwells, then you will miss out on the marvelous wonders that God is doing. Don’t expect the same. God has a greater plan. He will make a new way, through the wilderness and the streams of the wasteland. #aplaceforgrace #somethingnew

… fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God’s throne. [Hebrews 12:2-3 CEB] I guess you have heard of the phrase “what’s on your bucket list?” – the meaning of which is, "what are things you would like to do before you leave this earth?" In other words, before you “kick the bucket.” I’m never sure how I would answer that question, but I know definitely some things that I have NO desire to do. One of these is mountain climbing. I’m not the adventuresome type. I prefer the comfort and coziness of my own bed at night, despise being in the cold, and suffer from vertigo, especially at great heights. This past week I was reading my daily devotional by Eugene Peterson, the author of the translation of the Bible called “The Message.” It was about mountain climbing. I thought about skipping it, because I was already getting dizzy just looking at those two words. He writes that mountain climbers rope themselves together, especially in dangerous terrain. They do so in case one of them slips and backslides, the others who are still on their feet are able to keep the backslider from falling completely. And in any group of climbers, there is a veteran climber in the lead. Peterson compares this with our journey in Christ as Christians, where Jesus Christ is the lead that we are all following. We are to “fix our eyes on Jesus” who has already begun and finished the journey we’re on. What a great analogy for the Christian journey—we are bound together to help each other when one stumbles, fixing our eyes on Jesus who will lead us on the path. So, I guess I can say that I am already mountain climbing, in the most challenging and rewarding journey in life. I don’t even need to consider that one to be on my bucket list. I am on the climb now. #aplaceforgrace #bucketlist

All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me and because of the good news will save them. [Mark 8:35] What an odd little verse. Not one of my favorites, but definitely an important one. This verse reminds us that we can be freed from the burden of always needing to get our own way. In fact, this verse teaches us that the greatest gift to ourselves is to learn to hold on to things lightly. To not live in the illusion that we can control all the moving parts of our lives. To not always make it about ourselves or our opinions. To not always insist we are right. When we are ready to lose those habits, we are then ready for God to do His work in our hearts. To be willing to hold our tongues, submit to the ideas and ways of others is to practice the spiritual discipline of submission. If you are not sure what a spiritual discipline is, let’s use a quote by Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline , “Spiritual disciplines are the means God uses to build in us an inner person that is characterized by peace and joy and freedom.” Based on this description, to practice the discipline of submission based on Mark 8:35 means that when we stop making it all about ourselves, our opinions, and our own personal control, we will find peace, joy, and freedom. Those are three things we always need in our life. For the month of February, we are doing a sermon series on spiritual disciples. Our goal will be to practice four different disciplines, and hopefully, begin to experience more peace, joy and freedom. Yet we will not stop there. It turns out that spiritual disciplines are not just about helping us grow closer to God. Spiritual disciplines also make us kinder, more gracious, and more loving to the people in our personal relationships as well as the people we encounter in our community. Anything that helps us better love our neighbor is worth practicing. We hope you join us for our February sermon series. #aplaceforgrace #spiritualdisciplines

"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. [Luke 2:48-49] I’m probably guessing that Joseph and Mary were not too thrilled to have the Gospel writer Luke include this story. What kind of parents would accidentally go off and leave behind their child? This is a passage I preached on the Sunday after Christmas. The episode is not as bad as it sounds. Back in those days, families travelled in caravans, large groups, so it would not be too unthinkable that a parent would lose sight of their child amidst all the travelers. And this was the message of that sermon, that we too can lose sight of Jesus in all our busyness. The part of the passage that always gives me pause for thought is Jesus’ response to Joseph and Mary: “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” According to Jesus, it should have been obvious as where to find him in Jerusalem. He was going about his Father’s business. Luke’s narrative states that they did not understand what he was saying. What exactly was Jesus doing as he was going about his Father’s business? And what should we be doing as we seek going about the Father’s business? The start of the New Year, with its opportunities for a dawn of a new lease on life—a transformation from the same-old-same-old, a time to put the past behind and move in a more healthy, upright direction, is an appropriate time to consider and to challenge ourselves to break away from the business-as-usual routine of our lives. Seeking God, searching for answers, deepening our relationship with Christ, letting God provide meaning in our lives, learning of God’s promises, experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, impacting others with the love of God through our acts of compassion and mercy, these are the things of going about the Father’s business. Directing our passion to God is what kept Jesus back at the temple instead of hitting the road back to Nazareth as soon as the Passover was over. As we start this New Year, we in our own ways want to be transformed. The Father’s business assumes that God is doing something before we know it. So, our task is not to get God to do what we think needs to be done, but to become keenly aware of what God is doing so that we can join in, participate, and delight in so doing so. I hope that all of us, individually and together as a church, will find the desire in our hearts to be transformed by going about the Father’s business—to be committed to the one who is committed to us. The One who is so committed to us holds back nothing, not even His son, to show us how He cares for us. Through deepening our relationship with God we can allow ourselves to be transformed, to be enriched, to be rid and cleansed of our faults. And in so doing we can help, through the love of Christ, in transforming the world. We have something valuable in Christ, something that needs to be stirred up in us, renewed or discovered for the first time, a passion for knowing and possessing. A fresh New Year lies unblemished before us. How will we resolve to go about the Father’s business? #aplaceforgrace

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. [James 2:26 NKJV] This is the time of year that the topic of discussion is resolutions. So, what is your New Year’s Resolution for 2022? I received a devotional from my former pastor in Dallas, Rev Eric Folkerth. He is not against making resolutions, but says if you want to do great things in 2022, don’t make them public. “Announcing your plans to others satisfies your self-identity just enough that you’re less motivated to do the hard work needed. The psychological path goes something like this: Resolve to be a runner. Tell everybody. Rush out and buy running shoes. Admire new shoes, and brain says, 'Hey! I’m a runner now.' Thus satisfied, never or rarely ever do actual running.” Neurologists say that thinking about something is in a way exactly the same as doing it. It releases the same amount of dopamine that makes you feel good. So how do you make progress on your resolutions? It’s simple. Nike understood it. Don’t talk about it. Just do it. It’s one thing to publicly claim your deeds, but another to put them in action. It is the heart of what the Apostle James says in James 2:14-17, "“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”" Pastor Eric calls it Shawshanking your way to your resolutions. Tim Robbins’ character in the film Shawshank Redemption is Andy Dufresne. Dufresne spends decades in prison for a crime he did not commit. But all during those years, he’s secretly tunneling out, through the walls and underground, using nothing larger than a handheld rock hammer. Day by day, he chips away at overwhelming stone. He never quits. He never stops. And he never tells another soul what he’s doing. At one point Dufresne says, “There are things in this world not carved out of gray stone. That there’s a small place inside of us they can never lock away, and that place is called hope.” We all need small victories along the way. We need to continuously chip away at our spiritual life and never get to the point where we feel we are done. These small victories will light the path of our future hope, instead of depressing us that we have not traveled farther. As Pastor Sue said in her sermon this past Sunday, we need to become more and more like Christ every day. We are called to a holy life—just be nice, kind, gentle, full of peace, good, and joyful. So, throw out your New Year’s resolutions and focus on these. Lift your tiny hammer and start chipping away. By next year, you’ll be amazed how far you’ve come. #aplaceforgrace #resolutions