We have seen quite a bit come our way over the past week or so. There have been massive floods, deadly tornados, and even wide-spread predictions for Christ’s return. It has been difficult, to say the least, to see and hear of all the destruction taking place across our planet and now recently in our own country. Japan is still reeling from their monster earthquake and resulting nuclear tragedy, and now we are experiencing terrible weather incidents at home. Flooding has in daunted many areas along the Mississippi, and across the South tornados have cut paths of destruction, from Tuscaloosa to most recently, Joplin. I recently saw an interactive picture that the New York Times posted showing before and after pictures of Joplin from the sky. The content of the website tears at your heart, to scroll across a picture and see what was once a city reduced to parking lots and debris; knowing all along that this was home to many people, and that many people lost their lives. It also makes one think and wonder “Why?”

Where is God in the midst of all this? Did God cause the tornado that tore through Joplin, the earthquake that put Japan to its knees? Why them? It is easier to understand and even make peace with the results of evil perpetrated by humans. We have someone to point the finger at and blame, to call to account for what happened. But when the force of destruction is the earth itself, who is there to call to account for hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornados, floods, and droughts? As people of faith, it is only natural that our thoughts should turn to God the creator. After all can not God still the storm?

It is difficult, to say the least to know how God thinks and what God thinks. After all, we are not God. So does God point a finger at Joplin and send a mile-wide tornado through? I tend to think not. It is easy to loose sight of the fact that the earth is very much alive. The earth moves and changes, there is an ebb and flow to life and the processes of earth, and we as residents of the earth are along for the ride. Massive storms build, and forces of destruction tear their way through, but at the same time the

storms bring much needed rain to the land. It is a blessing, but also one that we must be cautious of. After all, the forces of the planet cut the Grand Canyon, uplifted the Himalayas, and gave shape to the earth as we know it. What are our houses of sticks and stones in comparison?

None of us will find a perfect existence upon the earth. We will have heartache, we will experience loss and tragedy, but we also have the opportunity to know love and choose the path of our lives, and to find God and know God in our lives. The hard times will come, it is a part of living our mortal lives. The earth will continue its cycles. It will storm and earthquakes will happen. Their existence doesn’t mean God is angry or that God is absent. If the storms never came and the earthquakes ceased, it would mean our planet was dying, and with it would go all life.

The important thing to keep sight of is how we live our lives. How do we allow God to act in us and through us to make the world better? Do we help those who have been hurt, even if all we can do is offer a prayer? Do we allow adversity to overcome us? Or do we make our way through the “valley of the shadow of death” with God as our shepherd and stand stronger than before the trials came?

In Christ,

David Ray

For those interested in taking a look at the aerial photos of Joplin, before and after the recent tornado: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/25/us/joplin-aerial.html

In my sermon this past Sunday I spoke about Christ as the Good Shepherd who calls his sheep John 10:1-10. One of the tenants of this figure of speech Christ uses to describe himself and his work on earth is that his sheep, you and me, know his voice and follow it. When I was preparing for Sunday, and after (hence this article) I kept asking myself the question; precisely how does Christ speak to us? It is a difficult question to answer, especially when you start talking about Christ speaking to you and really hearing what he has to say.

I believe that we find a good beginning point to find the start of an answer for these questions by looking to the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. John Wesley had a very highly refined understanding of grace, which in and of itself can be hard to define. I tend to see grace as God’s action to and for us, which is constantly at work. God is active and sending grace to us at all times. Thomas Langford states that, “Grace is God’s active and continuous presence.” and that, “grace covers the entirety of life.” It is wonderful to comprehend that the God of the Universe, our God, loves us this much That God is always involved in our lives and we are never without God. This brings us to something that Wesley called the “Means of Grace.” Simply put, the means of grace are how God actually sends grace to us. Grace isn’t some arbitrary power that God uses, but real tangible things so we can experience God and know God’s presence and even hear God’s voice!

So, what are the means of grace that God uses to speak to us? They can be varied, because individuals approach God in different ways as God approaches individuals in different ways (we all hear and experience differently). However, there are means of grace that are common to all Christians (or should be at least). Christians should be active and engaged in studying the scriptures, prayer, gathering in fellowship, worshiping, taking communion, and participating in mission work. All of which are means for receiving God’s grace. This list is by no means comprehensive or exhaustive, but a good starting point for hearing God’s voice and experiencing God’s grace in our every day lives.

How do Christ’s words challenge or uplift you as you read the gospels? What new insights and understandings do you gain as you serve your fellow humans? What do you learn when you speak about your faith among other believers? How does the suggestion of the Holy Spirit guide you as you go about your day and interact with other people? How is your soul lifted when you worship? What do you hear or feel or are led to do when you take time to listen in your prayers? How does the realization of precisely what God in Jesus Christ did for you, and also the world, strike you when you take communion?

Can you hear Christ speaking in all these things to you? God is there and the shepherd is calling you, be assured of it. It is up to us to really listen, and to respond.

In Christ,

David Ray

Worship Leaders Needed

As you know, our associate pastor David Ray will be leaving us soon – his last Sunday is June 12.  We are not going to be appointed another associate so Pastor Donna really wants to encourage more laity participation in leading the worship services.  What kinds of things would these folks do?  Offer the welcome and make announcements, pray the offertory prayer and receive the offering, read scripture (from the NRSV), assist with communion, lead affirmations and litanies, and things like that.  If you speak well in public (not perfect, just well) and would like to be a worship leader, please let the church office know as soon as possible.  If there are enough of you to sign up, we can rotate the leadership on a monthly basis.  We need people at both services.

 Part-Time Youth Director Sought

First United Methodist Church of Hillsboro seeks a part-time youth director.  Applicants will need to demonstrate a commitment to Christ, a passion for youth ministry, and a theology compatible with the United Methodist Church.  Experience in youth ministry is a plus.  Resumes or inquiries may be submitted to pastor@hillsborofumc.com or by calling Donna Ware at 254-582-2342.  If anyone in the church knows of anyone who might be interested in this position, please ask him/her to apply and be interviewed by the Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee.

Sunday, May 1 was a very joyful day in the life of First United Methodist Church of Hillsboro!  Twelve wonderful young people were confirmed into our church after a number of weeks of study, role playing, fellowship, service, and worship. The Confirmation Class of 2011 was presented to the congregation by Carolyn Gray who led the confirmation classes.  She was assisted throughout the sessions by David Ray, associate pastor, and the Servant Team made up of the previous class of confirmands.  Pastor Donna Ware led the service of confirmation.  The youth were welcomed following the service by a large group of church members, family, and friends and all were treated to a delicious brunch prepared by Cathy Justus.  Following are a group of pictures from the service: