Evangelist Message

10/25/2023

“Where Is God In All Of This?”

Have you ever asked the question, “God where are you?” Our world today is in such turmoil and it seems like there is bad news everywhere we look. Our political climate is chaotic, many people are struggling to feed their families, many are dealing with financial problems, health problems and the list goes on and on. Where is God in all of this?

Consider the situation Moses found himself in as he was leading the Israelites out of Egypt. In Exodus 17:1-10 we see the people complaining. They asked Moses why he brought them up out of Egypt to kill them and their children and their livestock with thirst?

They quarreled and complained and totally overlooked all God had done for them. He had freed them from slavery in Egypt. To guide and protect them on their journey He gave them the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Pharoah’s armies were after them and suddenly they were between the soldiers and the Red Sea. Things looked pretty bleak. The Egyptians were behind them and the Red Sea was in front of them. They had nowhere to go. But God was there with them. He parted the sea and Pharoah’s armies were drowned in the sea. They were hungry and God provided daily manna from Heaven. He was there with them.

God did all of that for them and yet they complained and they doubted. Still He extended His magnificent grace to them.  Even though they doubted, God did not abandon them. He gave them His grace. He gave them what they needed. He was there with them.

That is the good news of God’s love and grace. Not just for the Israelites of that day, but also for us today. Sometimes we may be like the Israelites. We may complain and grumble. We may even question if God is with us.

Life in the modern world is no less a wilderness journey for us today. We may not cry out for bread and water, but we may still grumble, complain and question God when we are faced with times of distress or need. But as God did for the Israelites so long ago, He does for us today. His divine patience and grace rest upon us. He is here with us.

We read God’s promise in Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

May we find comfort in those promises.  When we are between the soldiers and the sea in our lives, when we are thirsty in the desert of our lives, when our situation looks hopeless, may we be reminded that God is right here with us.



Evangelist Don Chilton

10/11/2023

Where there is no vision, the people perish.

(Proverbs 29:18)

I was a second-class Boy Scout and proud of it! The rank of second-class was bestowed on me with great ceremonial dignity, and I was quite relieved to have risen in the ranks beyond my former position as a tenderfoot scout. However, in order to fulfill the rigorous demands of second-class hood, I had to prove my scouting abilities in the wilds of Camp Royaneh located near Cazadero, California. Three whole days at scout camp was a challenge that I was prepared to undertake. I had my backpack filled with the needed equipment. COMPASS, check. MESS-KIT, check. CANS OF SPAM, check. HOSTESS HO-HO’S, check. And, the AMAZING ALL-PURPOSE SCOUTING KNIFE, check. I heard all about digging latrines, cooking over an open fire, and protecting myself against bear attacks (LESSON #1: Don’t put the left-over Spam under your pillow).

My only concern, and it was a very small one, was what to do if I got lost. I imagined myself wandering in the woods for days, living on carefully rationed daily allowances of Spam and Hostess Ho-Ho’s and, of course, any wild animals I might harvest with my Amazing All-Purpose Scout Knife. Mr. Gerhardt, an older, experienced Eagle Scout (and shop teacher at our school), noticed that I was looking less than totally confident as we set up our scout tents, and he finally asked me what was bothering me. “How will I know if I am lost?” I asked. “I might go off exploring and not even realize that I am lost.” Mr. Gerhardt laughed and said, “Just remember you are never lost as long as you remember where you are going. You may not see very far in front of you, and you may not know exactly where you are, but if you remember where you are going, you are not lost.”

At various times in my life, I have felt confused, disoriented, and even unclear about the steps before me. But I think the old scout was right. Vision is the gift of remembering where we are going. Vision, spiritually speaking, is a vital and essential part of our lives together as followers of Jesus Christ. This vision that I talk about is not laser-beam single-mindedness; it is more like bi-focal lenses on a pair of eyeglasses. Vision is clearer when we maintain a two-part focus that involves attention to our inner spiritual growth and a clear focus on human needs around us.     

We keep our eyes on Jesus, knowing that it in that relationship is where our spiritual health lies. We also keep our eyes on the needs of all people, staying deeply involved with our family . . . our friends, neighbors, co-workers, our schoolmates . . . in our church, our community and in the world. Vision gives us the courage to move beyond simplistic categories and challenges us to live life with balance. For me there is a built-in tension between my personal needs and my sensitivity to the needs of others. There seems to be an ebb and flow in the amount of emotional energy I can invest in either myself or others. 

This reminds me of a story that involves the great medical missionary David Livingstone who was photographed standing with his hand shielding his eyes as he surveyed the vast expanse of the African landscape that surrounded him.  A reporter commented on how striking the picture was and wondered what was going through the great doctor’s mind at the moment the picture was taken. “Were you by any chance considering the words of our Lord when he said, “The fields are ripe unto harvest, Behold the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few?” Dr. Livingstone thought for a moment and said, “No, I was telling the photographer that I was tired and that I had it up to here with all the problems and hassles of this ministry. I guess it was at that moment he took my picture.”

Sometimes when we find ourselves in the thick of it, involved in people’s lives, learning, growing, and caring, it is easy to lose perspective. We need continual reminders of who God is, . . . who we are, . . . and how we can serve God in our world so we can maintain a sense of confidence and joy while we stay focused on the vision before us.

Matthew 14 provides some important lessons to help us balance our vision. It is a time of transition for Jesus and his disciples. Jesus has experienced rejection in his hometown. Yet, we find Jesus filled with compassion for the crowds who have followed him as he sets to work ministering to their needs. At the end of the day, the disciples let him know that it is time to close-up-shop. And we find this in Matt 14:15, 16. “This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”

I am beginning to think that if we are doing it right, there will always be a built-in tension between the apparent needs around us that cry out to be met and our ability to meet the needs with the limited resources we have. We are experiencing some of those challenges in the Columbia Congregation. Because there will never be enough money, time, energy, creativity, or people to completely satisfy the diverse demands that are placed before us as a viable congregation in our community.  Thus, the issue is not whether we can be sure we have enough to accomplish the task, but whether we will bring what we have and present it in faith. 

So now, let’s continue on in Matthew 14:17, 18 . . . The disciples said, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me” Jesus then took the bread and the fish, gave thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to the disciples instructing them to give it to the people gathered. The disciples kept breaking the bread and serving the people, and there was plenty for everyone, enough to meet every hunger, with some left over. This scripture does not go into technical detail about how this happened, but I imagine the disciples were perpetually on the brink of running out of food as they were feeding the crowds. I believe that they were always one serving away from running out of food. But that day, every man, woman, and child in the crowd required a miracle in order to be fed. In the same way, as we live out our faith with compassion and care, we are very aware that we are one step away from not having what it takes to meet the needs all around us. 

Perhaps therein lies the secret of vision. And that is to simply keep your eyes on Jesus while staying in tune with the needs and cares of people all around us. With this bifocal outlook, we’ll remember where we’re going and that we’re never really lost. 

-Evangelist, Jamie Varvaro

10/4/2023

Wallace B. Smith and My Personal Reflections

I was sorry to read the message announcing the death of “Wally B.” as he was affectionately known to Church members. I didn’t know him personally, but I met him a few times when our paths crossed. He was part of The SMITH Family that is at the heart and foundation of our denomination.

When I was younger I remember my Grandfather Palmer (I called him Pop) telling me that he and Wallace B.’s mother, Rosamund Bunnell, were first cousins. I didn’t think much about that assertion until I started doing our family genealogy, and I discovered that Pop was correct. His father and Rosamund’s mother were brothers and sisters. So I am a 2nd cousin once removed from Wallace B.

Wallace B. was by profession a medical doctor. He was an Ophthalmologist and specialized in treatment and surgery for eye diseases. He knew that as a male member of the Smith family, he could be asked to become a prominent leader in the church. He was an active minister in the church but wasn’t being prepared to assume the role of President. Then at age 46 that all changed. He shared his story in an article titled “Experiences in Growing a Faith: Reflections on a Twenty-year Journey, 1976-1996”. (The article was published in “Restoration Studies”, volume 10, published 2009 by Herald House)

In 1977 my husband Barry had received a call to the office of High Priest. The call was presented to a business meeting of the St. Louis Stake. The business meeting was at the Roxarena in Roxana, Illinois. In 1977 Wallace B. was in the middle of his two-year (1976-1978) period of “President Designate”. He spent weekends traveling to church jurisdictions throughout the world. And on the weekend of the St. Louis Stake business meeting, he was in attendance with us. I remember feeling very grateful that Barry’s call was presented at that time. It made it even more special than it already was.

Lastly, I’ll share more about the articles in Restoration Studies. Wallace B. presented the inaugural address of the Wallace B. Smith Lectureship. That lecture was then printed in Restoration Studies. The lecture was given at the Restoration Studies and Sunstone Midwest Symposium held in Independence, April 2008. The John Whitmer Historical Association was one of the sponsors of the Symposium, and I was very active in JWHA. John Hamer asked me to be the Program Chair for the Symposium, so I was present when Wallace B. delivered his lecture.

This week when I pulled up my copy of the 2009 Restoration Studies Journal I had a pleasant surprise. I also had an article published in that same Journal. I remember that the editor of the Journal, Peter Judd, had asked me if I had a paper suitable to be included in the Journal. I said yes I did. My paper is titled “Personal Thoughts About Suffering” So, another way our pathways crossed.

I’m very grateful for the courage Wallace B. Smith had to make a mid-life turn when he was 46 years old. It was during his time as our leader that we built the Temple, and we opened the priesthood to women. I know from personal sources that from 1984 on he needed personal bodyguards.

I’ll close with words from a hymn that we always sang at World Conferences. “We thank thee, O God, for a prophet, to guide us in these latter days.”

Amen.

Evangelist Jeanne Murphey

9/27/2023

The Blessings of Prayer

Throughout the scriptures, we are frequently commanded and encouraged to pray. Why? Could it be because God knows what a blessing prayer can be for us as well as those we pray for?

Often we neglect to pray for a number of reasons….feeling inadequate, guilty, over-extended, tired etc. Because of this, we often feel discouraged and feel a sense of separation from our Creator. We forget how passionately He loves us and wants us to have joy, forgiveness, peace and hope in our lives.

There are many blessings we gain through prayer:

• we can feel flooded by God’s Spirit…often when we least expect it.
• it can give us a sense of being forgiven thereby giving us hope to keep going.
• we can sense that God is real and near to us.
• to sense that God truly loves us…
• to be enlightened with answers and guidance to our questions.

We all have likely had times when our feelings have been hurt by someone else. Sometimes those feelings have a huge impact on our lives and sometimes can last for years. Praying for that person who has hurt us will amazingly begin to heal and bless us, as well as them, in helping us to be able to see that person more as God sees them. Most of the time it is very difficult to deal with hurt feelings and to be able to forgive and let go. Prayer can bless us tremendously during those times.

There is great power in prayer! When you have experienced an amazing answer to prayer you more fully realize how much God wants to bless you and how amazing God is. Often this awareness comes later as you reflect back on a situation and come to see how God has blessed you.

Taking time to sincerely pray can give you the power, wisdom and hope so needed.

Evangelist Rodger Howell

9/20/2023

The Choice

And one man said;

“All hope is dead

And I wish that I were, too!     

For rough is the way

And the skies are gray

And I can’t get work to do.

I’ve lost the things which I thought were mine,

And it’s now no use for the sun to shine.”

In similar straits,

Betrayed by the fates

And stripped of his worldly gear,

Another man said;

“Well, I’m far from dead,

And I don’t want to die this year!

There’s a lot proved false which I thought was true,

But I want to be here when the sun breaks through.”

All men must choose

Of these opposite views,

And it’s easy enough to fail,

If you’re willing to quit

You can argue for it

With a truly deplorable tale,

But always the difficult thing to do

Is to stick to a problem and see it through.

This is not scripture, but a poem by Edgar Guest. Each time I read it I am reminded of the words of Paul who was determined to run his race to the end. I think of the story of Job who suffered much but continued to believe in God’s love rather than listen to his friends’ explanation for his woes. I think of the admonition to lay up treasures in Heaven rather than accumulate earthly wealth.

This is not a current writing, but it reminds me of the current issues in my life. I think of politicians who spread gossip and lies rather than speak the truth to get reelected. I think of frustrated persons who would rather shoot than attempt to reason with you. I think of folks who say why bother voting? Surely this is a wake-up call to be an honest, democracy-loving, god-fearing individual; to take up the yoke Christ offers and work faithfully on the task laid before me. I Remember the fable of The Tortoise and Hare race; how the Tortoise did not despair, did not quit, did not stop to rest, but forged on at the pace he was adapted for —– and won the race.

Gal. 5:22 reminds me – “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law……..If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirt”.

Joshua 24:15 bids me “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve; as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.

Let me say – “I CHOOSE CHRIST;  I RUN BESIDE PAUL;  I SERVE BESIDE JOSHUA”

Evangelist Jerry Henry, Columbia Fairview

9/6/2023

CROSSING LIFE LINES

The Challenge of Change

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Sometimes change occurs because we have to and change, even change which we initiate, is rarely comfortable. As a result, we may find ourselves staying in place because tradition is a powerful force and far more comfortable than stepping across that line into the unknown. I call those moments when we are faced with making life-altering decisions “Life Lines” …not lifelines, but lines drawn in the sands of our life’s journey. Some of those ‘lines’ are easy to cross, some are really hard, and some alter the rest of our life’s journey. 

Some life-altering Life Line choices include baptism, education, career, marriage, and parenthood, but many Life Line choices are much more subtle…the way we treat others, the way we care for ourselves, the way we vote, the way we work or play; whether we are honest in our daily life or find small ways to take advantage of others’ vulnerabilities. 

Our church is currently facing a Life Line in the sands of its life. To be honest, we are standing on the side of tradition and looking across a Life Line toward transition. It is a true test of our faith and demands that we keep our eyes focused upon following that God who led Moses through the waters and the desert and spoke to a young man of simple faith who asked a simple question. 

As I see it, following God does not need to be complex or complicated. He simply asks us to love Him and love one another as we love ourselves. Yet simple as that sounds, we find that incredibly hard to do! Approaching a Life Line offers us a choice to explore the unknown or to remain comfortably where we are. If we choose to step across that line we may not know where the path will lead, but a scripture verse in Isaiah says: 

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

Jesus Christ came to bring change and the change He brought was not necessarily easy for lots of folks. The people had expected some great ruler or powerful general or influential leader; someone who had rules and regulations and knew all the answers. They expected someone who would take away their trials and tribulations and who would lead them into a kingdom where all their struggles would be over. What they got was a baby, a commoner, born in a cow stall of all places…a child …one of them! Only those who truly listened to God’s message understood who and what Jesus was! Those who did not, crucified Him!

One time at a church reunion I walked by a shelter house enclosure where three- and four-year-olds were having a great time on the playground. Then I noticed a boy of perhaps 10 or 12 years leaning over the gate, arms folded on top, watching the little kids. There was a yearning in his body language…yearning to be part of that carefree group…yearning to be able to play on the swings or in the sandbox or on the slide…yearning to be free of the responsibility of growing up. 

From my perspective, he had obviously grown beyond that, and even had he rejoined them, their childish games would have soon become boring. As I paused for a moment to watch, I felt his pain…pain at his loss of childhood and pain in his reluctance to move on into adulthood; pain at approaching a Life Line of change that was inevitable.

The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. – Deuteronomy 31:8

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6   

Jesus is still changing the lives of people…changes that may not be comfortable…changes that move us from the familiar into the unfamiliar…sometimes almost against our will. Our world is indeed changing; our lives are constantly changing; and our church is now changing! Through faith we can adapt to those changes and with God’s guidance we can become different, more diverse, more accepting, more understanding, and just as beloved!

May your journey be blessed is my prayer,

Evangelist Glenna Henry, Columbia Fairview

8/23/2023

Washing Windows

I spent some time this week reflecting on our Enduring Principles. I was drawn to the” Worth of All Persons.” As I thought about that principle, I remembered a story by the author Jonathan Kestenbaum. I’m sure most have read this but it speaks to me today and I would like to share it with you.

“A young couple moved into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman saw her neighbor hanging the washing outside. She said, “That laundry is not very clean. She doesn’t know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.”

Her husband looked on, remaining silent.

Every time her neighbor hung her washing out to dry the young woman made the same comments. A month later the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband, “Look, she’s finally learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?”

The husband replied, “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”

And so it is with life….what we see when watching others depends on the clarity of the window through which we look”

It is easy to have our vision of others clouded by anger, jealousy, negativity, etc. Judging a person does not define who they are. It defines who we are.”

Doctrine and Covenants 161:3b shares this counsel: “Do not be fearful of one another. Respect each life journey, even in its brokenness and uncertainty, for each person has walked alone at times. Be ready to listen and slow to criticize, lest judgments be unrighteous and unredemptive.”

May our windows always be clear.



Evangelist Don Chilton

August 9, 2023

SPECTACULAR

I can think of nothing I enjoy more in mid-July than spending sweltering summer days in south-central Iowa with some of the most courageous, gracious, loving, curious, insightful, committed, and creative people I know. It’s that special week every July where hundreds of 15 to 19-year-olds from all over the United St.ates and Canada arrive in Lamoni, Iowa and take over the Graceland University campus. 

I am blessed to be one of the directors of SPECTACULAR . . . I serve along with a core leadership team and hundreds of additional SPEC and Delegation staff who generously give of their time and resources to make a difference in the lives of our youth. Gateway Mission Center is well represented at SPEC. Janelle Varvaro coordinates the Visual Arts program and is assisted by Emily Tripp. Todd Davison coordinates the Performing Arts program. Craig Snethen is the basketball coordinator. Suzette & Rob Ryder have been the Midwest Crossroads delegation leaders for several years and are now passing that responsibility onto Melissa Thomas (who served as both SPEC and Delegation staff). Stephen and Amy Hoerchler were on SPEC staff this year as well, and the list goes on. I also feel it’s important here to highlight in particular a few others from the mission center who have in past years, played a significant role in the SPEC community. The entire Harder family, including Jim Craven, set a high bar of dedication to, and love for SPEC.   

SPECTACULAR (or “SPEC” for short) has experienced its own transformation as it has transformed the lives of many young people through its 53 years of existence. From what was primarily a sports experience, SPEC has evolved into not only many team and individual sports, but now includes a significant emphasis on the arts, music, leadership, and worship. 

At SPEC, we bring in world-class talent for entertainment, we host world organizations where we involve ourselves in making a difference in our world community, we invite speakers from other faiths that share their story of a common vision with the Community of Christ. I recall one such individual that speaks at major Christian events all over the country. After his last visit to SPEC a few years ago, he pulled me aside and praised what we’re doing and told me that “SPEC is really one of the best, if not the best, Christian youth gatherings in the nation.”  

I share this with you because I want you to know (if you didn’t know already) that SPEC is doing great things for the youth of our church. And more importantly, it is my experience and my testimony that the youth of the Community of Christ are alive and well. Part of the beauty of SPEC is that it’s not just the Community of Christ church, it is friends of the church, it’s the unchurched, it’s other individuals and faith movements that have a vision we all share, and that’s exciting. It’s exciting because Jesus’s call is a means of transformation: transformation for us and, through us – by God’s grace – for Spectacular, for our congregations, for our communities and for our world.

Each of us long for a place so pure and true, beyond our deep and restless thoughts where imaginative longitude can be found. A safe space made of love, where we can be ourselves, where we can be loved and be free. A place we’ll never want to leave, a place where dreamers can believe. For me and for the thousands upon thousands who have experienced SPEC over the years, we know that very place, because we’ve been part of something SPECTACULAR!

Evangelist Jamie Varvaro

March 22, 2023

The phone rang at 7:15 a.m. (California time as visiting family there – 2 hours earlier than Missouri) and awakened me from a wonderfully restful sleep. It was a video chat and on the other end were three very dear people to me: A niece, a sister, and a sister-in-law. I expected something was up but could not figure out what it would be.  Then my sister-in-law, Clara, answered my question: She told me that her husband, Kevin, my younger brother, had died in his sleep the night before at about 10 p.m. Wow, what a blow! We had just lost my beloved sister 3 weeks before this. We had no indication that this would happen to Kevin as he was only 67 and seemed to be doing fine. I am one of seven children, being right in the middle. In the past 2-3 years I had already lost two dear brothers, Richard and Russell. Now two more are gone, Raydene and Kevin, and I only have one brother and one sister left. My brother, Ron, is 88 years old, I am 79 and my younger sister, Roberta, is 71, and is in very poor health. “It is enough!”, I cried out to God. My heart is broken and I miss talking with them; laughing, singing, and listening to my sister’s beautiful piano music that she played by ear.  Section 161:2a calls for us to be joyful people. But, I ask you, “how can I be joyful with so much sadness around me?”  I listen to God’s call to become a people of the Temple…those who see violence but proclaim peace; who feel conflict yet extend the hand of reconciliation, who encounter broken spirits and find pathways for healing.” As we prepare to more fully focus on the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus, during this time of Lent, the hope we have in eternal life becomes more real in times of loss and sorrow. But my hope lies in my Lord and his promises…that He has prepared a place for His creation after this life. My positive attitude comes from those around me that pray for and with me: my wife and her family are my prayer partners as well as my congregation. They give me love (love that will overcome the voices of fear, division & deceit. D&C 161:3c) Come join me on our journey believing in the power of just a few vibrant witnesses to transform the world. Evangelist Rodger Howell

February 22, 2023

Is it Really a Blessing? Until recently, I bought into society’s teaching that a gift should be glamorous, expensive, and usually impractical. Household appliances, drinking glasses, and laundry baskets were certainly unacceptable. One year, Dave and I were going down the laundry aisle in Walmart when a daddy turns to his little boy and enthusiastically says, “Let’s get this laundry basket for Mommy for Christmas! She will really like this!” Once we moved out of earshot, I turned to Dave and said, “Yeah, I am sure she will think of him every time she has to pick up his dirty underwear.” On another holiday, Dave bought me a box of drinking glasses. These new glasses were heavy and lasted many years. I was selfish and wanted something more special and just for me. Am I guilty of looking at the blessings of God in the same way? The sun rises and sets every day, but this is not enough. It is no more special for me than it is for the rest of the world, or is it? In my days of depression, I want more…I desire more…I need even more, or do I? When I was in my 20’s, my cardiologist diagnosed my family with Marfan Syndrome. He informed me that most people with this condition will die suddenly between the age of 18 and 35. Medical advancements and treatments have allowed me to live to celebrate 68 years of sunrises and sunsets. Is this not a blessing that should be celebrated every day? My psychiatrist has said that I need to find among my friends one person to whom I can call and talk at least once a week. Someone to share my joys and friendship with. I find my social sharing by scrolling through social media. I have 485 Facebook Friends, but few have called since the pandemic began. My life is lived in the lives of characters in books that I read. I have a church that shares in community each week, but I have been avoiding that opportunity when I did not have a commitment to be there. Is it because I do not want to accept God’s blessing that I need and prefer to lay out in my prayers what I want or feel that I deserve instead? I went to church yesterday, not because I had a responsibility to do during the service. There I felt the joy of community as my depression was lifted as we shared in worship and table fellowship afterward. Valentine’s Day, which is also my birthday, has recently passed. I received a trash can. I also received a dog food bin in which to store my dog’s food and treats. What is most amazing is that it was what I really wanted and appreciated! (I must say that I also enjoyed the chocolates and necklace.) I am sure God has a trashcan where I can sort out the garbage as I clean up my heart and soul. Or a place to protect the gifts and blessings that I can share with my friends. I will be looking for these blessings so that I can recognize them and not pass them by as not special enough. What blessings have you passed by because they may not have been what you wanted or expected? “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see you.” – Michael W. Smith Vera Wetteroff, Evangelist

February 15, 2023

“The Encourager”   I was reading 2nd Peter chapter 1 today and verses 5 through 10 reminded me of our Brother Sid Faulkner. “For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness; and goodness with knowledge; and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection and mutual affection with love. For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For anyone who lacks these things is short-sighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.” Sid was a living witness of goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, mutual affection, and love. His message was always about love and encouragement. His letter-writing ministry was legendary as he shared his thoughts on life, God, and love. He gave freely of his talents and time in service to the Lord and was a blessing to so many people. He was definitely an encourager. Our lives are better today because God chose to share the life and ministry of Sid Faulkner with us. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Brother Sid’s life made a difference and he lived well. He eagerly confirmed his calling and election.  His welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is rich indeed. As we think of Brother Sid let us always remember his closing admonition, “Keep Shining.” Evangelist Don Chilton

February 8, 2023

Discern Wisdom   It is my habit to always consult with “Mr. Webster” as to the meaning of words. Having been assigned to preach on this subject the first book to hit was the dictionary. Discern: to make clear, to understand, good judgment. Wisdom: comes from knowledge and experience in life.      I grew up in what today is called “the inner city” of St. Louis. Each police district sponsored a softball team involving the teens of the neighborhoods. Our ultimate goal was to win the city championship trophy. Our team was of the Third District and we were good. It was the last game of the season and we were determined to win the trophy. It was the last inning and we were losing by one run.      We were at bat with runners on second and third and two outs. A hit would at least tie the game or even (perhaps) win it. Our batter up was our first baseman. He was a good fielder and an average hitter. The pitch—ball hit—pop fly to the second baseman. Out—game over, we lost.      As our first baseman walked dejectedly back to the bench and his disappointed teammates, his father (who had come to see us win) stepped forward and said to him, “What’s the matter with you!!” To which the kid started to say, “I can’t get a hit every time up” but at the word “can’t” his dad back handed him across the face, knocking him down. As his father helped him up I heard him say, “Cant never did do nothing…you can do anything you set your mind to.” These words of wisdom to his son have stayed with me all my life.      Later that evening my dad said to me, “I’m sorry son about hitting you that way but you need to get that word “can’t” out of your vocabulary. You can do anything you set your mind to.”      Years later when Margaret and I announced to my family that we were going to build our own home my dad said, “you can’t do that!” I gently grabbed him by his lapel and said, “what did you say?” He gulped, then smiled and said, “Of course you can.”      Though I take it out of context, the words of St. Paul to the Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” mean a lot to me.      There’s no such word as “can’t” my brothers and sisters. May you discern the wisdom of these words and remember every decision we make leads to a reaction or consequence. Think ahead, be wise. Discern wisdom. Evangelist Gordon Parrott

February 1, 2023

Unless you live somewhere entirely off the grid, you can’t help but be aware of the often toxic world we find ourselves in. Political, social, and justice issues among many other critical issues have us drawing lines in the sand as we fall deeper into a “us” and “them” mentality. The ways of critical thinking seem to have diminished while criticism has risen to the top. In this, I find myself wondering if there will ever be harmony? For you word nerds out there, the word harmony actually comes from the Greek word “harmos”—which means, “joint.” (As in the point at which two bones in the body are connected. Like the hip joint or shoulder joint.)     For those of you who have ever dislocated your shoulder or knee or suffered a minor injury like tennis elbow or tendinitis, that’s exactly what criticism does to our sense of harmony. Injures it. Knocks those bones right out of joint. Right now, it feels like the whole world is conspiring to knock the Body of Christ out of joint. Right now, the Powers and Principalities are doing everything they can to bring us down to our ugliest selves, our most… Violent Fearful Judgmental Reactionary Prejudiced But here’s the thing: We don’t resist by beating them at their own game. We resist by refusing to play. By meeting fear with love. By meeting violence with love. By meeting hate and homophobia and religious nationalism and racism and greed with love and love and even more love.             But that’s not always easy, is it? I know I’m not very good at it. My first instinct when I’m criticized is to get defensive. Fight back. Say something snarky. (Kind of my spiritual gift.) Or to let criticism paralyze me.   But one thing I’ve learned is: While you can’t control whether people criticize you. You can control how you respond. The fact is, if (in an attempt at self-protection) you close off the part of yourself that can be hurt by criticism, you also close off the part of yourself that… Is moved with compassion Feels empathy love, joy Extends mercy and grace to other people Can rejoice with those who rejoice and weep w/ those who weep. Loses the capacity to be moved as Jesus was moved by the humanity of other people and the beauty in the world.   You can’t selectively numb yourself. If you try and you numb yourself to pain, you will also numb yourself to joy. Eugene Peterson says, “We don’t become more spiritual by becoming less human.”   To survive in the world today, you have to grow a thick skin—but you can’t let every criticism or challenge get to you. And as followers of Jesus, we can’t do that at the expense of a tender heart that can be moved, molded, and changed. With all the challenges of a sometimes hostile world, may you continue to rise above those elements that try to knock you off your path as you continue to seek the way of Jesus.   “The soul of Community of Christ is expressed most fully as we embody Jesus Christ, the peaceful One, and his mission. This happens through relational, spiritual, invitational, and globally connected Christ‐centered communities actively pursuing justice and peace on and for the Earth. We are discovering that a posture of simplicity, agility, and flexibility will equip and poise us to faithfully live the heart of our calling in a changing world.” – Steve Veazey     Jamie Varvaro, Evangelist

January 25, 2023

What gives you faith and makes you trust in God?   Earlier this month the theme for our Sunday morning worship was “Strengthen Your Testimony”. As a part of that service, we were asked to share our testimonies. To help us focus our thoughts this question was asked. What gives you faith and makes you trust in God? I was raised in the church, so I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have faith in God. But having faith didn’t mean I didn’t also have questions about our beliefs and theology. Growing up I learned that one of our founding principles was the belief that God still speaks to us today. Our formal record of God’s word to us today is recorded in a book of scripture we call the Doctrine and Covenants. The most recent section, 165, was added in 2016. I also learned that we didn’t have a Creed, and most denominations do have a Creed. I knew we were encouraged to study and seek learning, and that it was okay to ask questions. When I was in Junior High my Sunday School teacher, who was also a public school teacher, said something I’ve never forgotten. She said that [sic] “Theology should make sense”. Through the years when I was confronted with theology that didn’t make sense to me, I would do research to find out if there were alternative answers that did make sense. Many times I have found helpful answers that stretched my understanding. My questions have continued throughout my life, and I think that is good. There was a time in the early 1980s when I was struggling with a major theological concept. That concept was about the role of women in the church, and in the culture at large. Scriptures teach that all people are equal, but we weren’t living up to that concept in the church or in the broader culture. Women were definitely prohibited from receiving equal treatment and opportunities. As I considered the place of women in our denomination I was very discouraged. My husband was the Pastor of our congregation and had also pastored two other congregations. I supported all of his ministries and was grateful that he responded to opportunities to serve. Nevertheless, I grieved over the ministry of women that was going unused. One Sunday morning there was a Priesthood meeting prior to the morning worship activities. Of course, I was excluded from the priesthood meeting, so I was standing on the lawn of the church by myself. I remember standing and looking up into a tree and “talking” to God about why women were excluded from offering their gifts and energies as priesthood.  What was there about being a woman that restricted her from the priesthood? Through those years I was considering what my future with the church would be. I had strong convictions that prohibiting women from priesthood ministry was wrong. I wasn’t concerned about being ordained myself, but I knew we had many capable and gifted women who needed priesthood office to enable them to more fully share their ministry. I didn’t know if I wanted to stay with our church when it seemed so impossible that a change would occur. I had been at World Conference when even the possibility of making a change had been responded to with a thunderous roar from the delegation of “NO”  As I considered my future, I knew that one of my options would be to leave the church and seek membership with another denomination that did have women as ministers. I made a list of reasons for whether to leave or stay. Ultimately there were more reasons to stay. Maybe the most important reason was that I knew our church had really good theology: Continuing revelation; agency; stewardship; God’s kingdomon earth; a refutation of ‘original sin’ etc. I decided that I would stay in spite of what I considered to be the tragic loss of women’s ministries. I had no expectation that the policy would ever change. I was wrong! I was a delegate to the 1984 World Conference.  One of the hopes and expectations when attending Conference is that the Prophet/President will have an inspired message to present to the Conference. The practice was that prior to the message being presented to the Conference Delegate Legislative session, it would be presented to the caucuses assembled at the Conference. In previous years those had all been priesthood caucuses, and my husband was in the High Priest caucus. By the 1980s other non-priesthood caucuses had been formed, and I was seated in the delegate caucus. As the message was read to us, it began with a Preface written by President Wallace B. Smith. In the second paragraph of the Preface were these words: “Because of the nature of that which I am now presenting, I have sought over and over for confirmation”. Those words immediately stood out for me, and I thought, ‘he’s calling women to the priesthood because nothing else would send him back “over and over”.’ As I listened to the whole message, I was right. This message became Section 156 in the Doctrine and Covenants and is notable also for listing the purposes of Temple ministries. The Temple had not yet been completed and wasn’t dedicated until 1993. Opening the priesthood to women was a monumental change, and was not welcomed by MANY members of the church. Most of my extended family was initially opposed. The church ultimately lost about a third of our membership because of this change. But what a blessing it has been. The records we have of Jesus’ ministry inform us that his ministry was about inclusion, especially to those who were considered to be outcasts. I started this Writing with the question posed to us, “what makes you trust in God?” I trust because so many times as I have continued to ‘talk with God’ I see circumstances change. I NEVER expected to see the priesthood opened to women. Now our young people would be astounded that women were ever excluded. Because I continue to have ongoing questions, I believe there are still issues that we need to resolve. But because of our belief in continuing revelation, we have pathways laid out to guide us in that work. Those pathways are the Mission Initiatives and the Enduring Principles. The “Great and Marvelous Work” is still before us as we continue our journey into the future Jeanne Murphey, Evangelist Cross Street, Shiloh, IL

January 18, 2023

As we have celebrated the miraculous Birth of Jesus and reflect on His amazing life, Jesus said to His disciples before He left them: “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you”. I am on my 4th reading of Betty Eadie’s book, “Embraced by the Light”, who wrote about her own astounding near death experience. Her life and understanding were forever changed through having had this experience. She writes…”Whatever we become here in mortality is meaningless unless it is done for the benefit of others. Our gifts and talents are given to us to help us serve. And in serving others we grow spiritually”.  Betty shares that she was shown that love is supreme. “That without love we are nothing. We are here to help one another, to care for one another, to understand, forgive, and serve one another. We are here to have love for every person born on earth. Their earthly form might be black, yellow, brown, handsome, ugly, thin, fat, wealthy, poor, intelligent or ignorant, but we are not to judge by their appearances. Each spirit has the capacity to be filled with love and eternal energy. Only God knows the heart of man and only God can judge perfectly. Because of our own limitations we can seldom look into the heart of man. I knew that anything we do to show love is worthwhile: a smile, a word of encouragement, a small act of sacrifice. We grow by these actions. Not all people are lovable, but when we find someone difficult for us to love, it is often because they remind us of something within ourselves that we don’t like. I learned that we must love our enemies….let go of anger, hate, envy, bitterness, and the refusal to forgive. These things destroy the spirit. We will have to account for how we treat others. Through the experience of my own mother’s death who lived to be almost 104, she had a deep faith in God. In the days just before her death she was mostly unconscious and responded very little. Within a few hours of her death in the middle of the night, she suddenly exclaimed with great fervor, “The fields and flowers are so beautiful!! The fields and flowers are so beautiful!” Then she ate two bites of applesauce and never awakened again. We really have no idea of what lies ahead when we leave this earth but we must trust God that we are in His loving hands As we, as a people, move forward, we need to grow in our understanding of the incredible and boundless love of our Creator. May you sense God’s love for you personally in your own life…and it is my prayer that you may more fully realize that this love is for each and every person Evangelist Rodger Howell

January 11, 2023

FOLLOW ME     Two of the simplest words Jesus ever spoke …. Yet how difficult to carry out.   Jesus called his original disciples with these simple words. The twelve who would become his apostles, as well as several others, left their homes and job, and families to literally follow about the countryside with Jesus for some three years. Others who heard the call did not go with him. They had felt the tug on their heart, yet could not break away from their obligations. Some thought it foolish to totally give over control of their life to follow this man, and actively sought to discredit him. Eventually, they killed him!   Was Jesus the long-promised Messiah? Is he still the Messiah, and calling to me and you to Follow Me? Have we felt the tug upon our hearts just as all who heard that call 2000 years ago? Obviously, we cannot literally follow about the countryside with him as those original disciples did, yet the tug is still there.  How much earthly treasure will we give up to build treasure in Heaven?  How wide will we make our personal circle of persons worthy of love? Will we tell others what we have experienced as we attempt to follow his teachings?   In a recent Wednesday Meditation service, we discussed Followers & Leaders. We noted that an effective team is comprised of one leader and several followers. The leader provides direction and assigns tasks, but also hears concerns and ideas from the team members. A follower may voice suggestions but fulfills the task he is assigned. To be an effective Follower I must re-order my priorities to put the task assigned to me ahead of any tasks I feel are more important. A follower does not abandon personal priorities, but rather calls on humility & patience to achieve support for the assigned task. Any company has a hierarchy; one President, multiple Managers, and many Employees. A Manager is a follower of the president and a leader to the employees.   How then am I to Follow Jesus? The day I was baptized it was just Jesus and Me. I would follow Him by being kind, honest, and forgiving…. All the fruits of the spirit. As a member of the church, I received direction from Prophet, Region, Congregation, etc. Who, then, is my leader? What if I feel feeding the poor is crucial, but the congregation is focusing on pastoral care? Did Jesus establish a hierarchy? Clearly not in terms of the worth of individuals! But didn’t Jesus send the apostles two by two? Didn’t he intend for new followers to take direction from Peter & Paul?    I believe he wants us to be active thinkers and a light to those we encounter. At the same time, we are to be a family, with each member contributing our gift to Christ & the Kingdom. We must develop humility and patience in order to listen to each other. If not, then we offer little support and our words ring hollow.      As I inspected the worship center each cabin had created at summer youth camp many years ago I read this message:        Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear your words   As I attempt to be a leader at times and a follower at other times, I pray for the spirit to help me know the difference and to remind me which hat I am currently wearing.    May you be blessed as you Follow the Master. Jerry Henry, Evangelist, Columbia Missouri

December 30, 2022

Follow The Star   After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ Matt 2:1-2 NIV   Every Christmas as Christians we celebrate God’s great gift by decorating homes, singing carols, shopping, giving gifts, and worshiping together in celebration of the birth of a Savior.  Yet amidst all the chaos and commercialization, we do those things because somewhere deep down inside we believe. We believe there was a baby born in a manger; we believe angels really visited shepherds on a hillside and we believe there really was a star that guided wise men from a country far to the east across the desert to a humble stable in a little town called Bethlehem.   After they left the king the Magi went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense, and myrrh. Matt 2:9-11 ESV From many paths of life we, too, follow a star to come and stand or kneel before a manger each Christmas. People follow many different stars. Some follow the star of riches which can lead to worldly treasures; some follow the star of fame which might lead to a name in lights; some follow the star of love which may lead to love, home, and family. And some follow the star of faith and hope which takes us beyond the light cast by the stars of fame, riches, and worldly comforts. The Magi, or Wise Men, were learned men for their time, very well educated and likely wealthy. It is quite remarkable that they would be so knowledgeable about Judean culture that they knew what had been prophesied many years before about the birth of a new king. The signs they were watching for must have been very powerful signs to cause them to drop whatever they were doing and follow a new star into the unknown. I have wondered if the wise men had any idea what they would find when they arrived at their destination. And when they saw a newborn baby, did they doubt? Could they possibly have known the impact such an unimportant event would have on the history of the world?   There is speculation that the Bethlehem star could have been a comet, a supernova or possibly an alignment of planets appearing at the precise time of Jesus’ birth. Perhaps! But even so, who’s to say that God didn’t plan it that way? After all, God created the heavens and the earth and He alone knows all the mysteries of the universe!   It is unlikely any of us will ever physically follow a star to Christ’s manger, but spiritually that very star is there for us to follow every day of our lives. And if we, like the wise men, faithfully follow the light of that star, then we will not only find ourselves kneeling before our Christ but sharing the light of His star with others through the testimony of His presence in our lives. As Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: ”You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. Matt 5:14-16 NIV   It is my prayer and my hope that as this year ends and a new one begins, we will each seek to follow His star to the manger and give our gifts to Him just as the wise men did so many years ago. Then may we share the message of that experience with those whose lives we touch! Evangelist Glenna Henry Fairview Congregation, Columbia, MO

December 21, 2022

Baby Jesus It was forty-five years ago today, my life changed. This was the day that I changed from a young college graduate to a mother. Childbirth is a time and experience that cannot be forgotten. A greater love than I had ever experienced grew within my heart. My soul was filled with awe as I beheld the tiny baby once within me and now placed within my arms. The cries of the infant awakened within me an instinct to give protection and care. In her smile, I saw perfection and love. The season of Advent is a period in which Christians await the celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus. The Community of Christ has been on an Advent journey this year seeking with wonder and awe. It will be only a few days until Christmas arrives. What will Christmas bring this year? In worship and song, we speak of the time when God came down to earth as a baby. As we use our spiritual practices, we feel the movement of God within our souls. Christmas is the day God comes into the world. It is the moment when God places the perfection of holiness into our spiritual arms. Take a moment this Christmas to be in awe of the holiness that God has given to God’s people. Allow it to change your life. Let it grow within your heart. Be filled with awe as what once stirred within you now becomes a vision within your reach. Allow yourself to be awakened to a new and wonderful calling. Advent Video Evangelist, Vera Wetteroff

December 16, 2022

Comfort Zones     We all have a “comfort zone”. In fact, we have many comfort zones that regulate different areas of our life. Most people live nearly (if not all) their entire life in their comfort zone. It functions as an emotional thermostat, one that was programmed early in life and restricts us to certain ranges of feelings and behavior. When the emotional temperature rises higher or lower than the thermostat settings, our comfort zone is activated to bring us back into normal range.     I see the painful consequences that result when anxiety induced self- sabotage keeps people trapped in their comfort zones for too long. I feel tremendous compassion for the suffering I see, because I struggle with it myself. (To a much lesser extent now)     God is allowing me to see that anxiety is inherent in life. The more creative we become, the more passionately we attempt to express our true nature, the more anxiety we evoke within our psyches. It is our deepest desires that can arouse our greatest apprehension – for what if we should try with all our heart and fail? We are afraid that failure will cast us into a bottomless pit of despair. Yet in reality the greater and far more common despair comes not from trying and failing, but from failing to try. It is why people won’t allow themselves to love or be loved. What if it doesn’t work out? What if? What if?  What if?  It is our anxiety about failing (and even sometimes about succeeding) that sabotages the process of growth and keeps us trapped in our comfort zone. Both will change us.     As you know, our body needs to maintain homeostasis (a range of conditions that allow for optimal functioning). The prime example I guess is our need to maintain a temperature within a few degrees of 98.6 F. Similarly we have (whether we know it or not) an emotional comfort zone which is set during the process of our childhood. We develop from our experiences a range of feelings it’s safe (acceptable) to have in our home.     The feedback (verbal and non-verbal) we receive from our parents and other authority figures may convince us that it is not safe or appropriate to become too happy and exuberant – or too sad and quiet. We learn not to be real. I believe children need to learn how to maintain healthy comfort zones that help them regulate their behavior.     Unfortunately, along with all the valid and practical information that becomes encoded into comfort zones, much that is inaccurate and counter productive also gets embedded there. Then comfort zones can become potential traps that can hamper growth. For example, we may learn to equate any new situation with danger. We may learn that “being myself” results in a withdrawal of love and should be carefully avoided. We may learn that expressing our opinions and our angry feelings (being honest) means getting spanked or sent to our room.     Having a comfort zone is healthy, being imprisoned in one is not.     More and more I’m being “taught” (I believe by God) that I need to be aware (fully awake to what I’m doing and thinking). Awareness enables us to observe our own behavior and become conscious of what were previously automatic and unconscious behaviors. We can use awareness to change bad mental and emotional habits and addictive behaviors.     In closing I think we need to work at being excited, enthusiastic and always hunger and thirst for love and truth.     I want to share (I know I have countless times) these seven thoughts. I wouldn’t trade them for all the gold in the world and they represent most of what I have learned so far: Only God completely satisfies. Nothing is enough, until you are enough. Whoever and whatever is in your life you have attracted and regardless of however seemingly pleasant or unpleasant they are, or it is; its exactly what you need in order to grow and evolve. (our only reason for being here) We need to quit blaming, complaining, alibiing and goofing off. Its childish, immature and serves no one well. We need to live (not exist – live) in the now, learn from and release the past and have no fear of the future. Fear attracts bad things. We need to learn how to consistently and persistently use our mind correctly. (like Jesus Christ did) We need to be open to God’s love, be thankful for it and share it with all God’s creation. Evangelist Sid Faulkner

December 7, 2022

Don’t Worry Be Happy Today I found myself trying to look too far into the future and suddenly I was worried about what might be in front of me.  As I was experiencing this I was reminded of that song by Bobby McFerrin from 1988, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”  The first couple of lines from that song are: “ Don’t worry, be happy.  In every life, we have some trouble.  When you worry you make it double.”  Isn’t that so very true!      As I reflected on the words of this song, I thought about what Jesus had to say about worry.  In the Sermon on the Mount, he made it very clear that we should not worry.  In Matthew 6:25 he tells us, “Do not worry about your life., what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. In verse 27 he asks, “And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?  He goes on in verse 34 to say, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.  Today’s trouble is enough for today.”      Today’s trouble is enough for today.  I find that when I live in the present I usually stop worrying.  Worries, for me, usually have to do with events that occurred in the past or events that I think may occur in the future.  By living in the present and trusting God to sustain me each day as it comes brings me peace.      As we look forward to this most wonderful time of the year may we celebrate each day as it comes and not borrow trouble from tomorrow.  Don’t worry, be happy! Evangelist Don Chilton

November 30, 2022

Moving the Fence   During World War II a soldier was killed on a hillside in Italy. His comrades, not wanting to just leave him lying there, and knowing he was a religious man, inquired of the priest at a nearby church about the possibility of burying him in the church cemetery. They were told no, since the cemetery was for church members only. So they hastily dug a grave for him on the outside of the cemetery fence. The next morning they returned to mark the grave with the soldiers ID and to take a picture to send to his family. But they could not locate a grave outside the cemetery fence. After some searching all around the fence they discovered a new grave just inside the fence. They later learned the Priest had come in the middle of the night, torn down the rock fence and rebuilt it around their comrade’s grave.    At a recent Wednesday night meditation our topic of discussion was an article investigating why many Christians were losing faith and falling away from church participation. The article suggested that many were questioning if a loving God would allow so much hurt and disease to spread without intervening somehow. Indeed what kind of a loving God would create a world with such pain included? Even allowing that some pain is caused by mankind, there are hurricanes, fires, floods and diseases that claim the lives of innocent children before they have a fair chance at life.    What kind of God is that? Maybe there is no God? Maybe I have created an image of God out of my own desires?   Even though I didn’t buy into these rejections of Faith, these are still tough questions. Why did God create the world as we are encountering it? Surely mankind has not created all the ills that claim young lives. Why doesn’t a loving God intervene more? How do we tap into His power and love in our daily lives?   Some have placed their belief purely in Science, not allowing for Faith in God to guide their daily decisions. Others have taken the opposite view, having Faith in God for everything and discounting the Science of vaccines or global warming. One member of our group said he had no difficulty with Science and Faith coexisting — “Science is the discovery of truth that can be demonstrated – Faith is the discovery of truth that cannot be demonstrated”   These questions and thoughts have filled my mind and caused me to re-examine my belief basis. Perhaps I have created an incomplete image of God. Maybe there is a reason for a world with difficulties as well as joys. Maybe how I deal with the issues I encounter is “my agency”; and a necessary part of the process of becoming a fit companion for God. Is the story of Job a parable of growth we all need in some measure?   I ask myself: Have I placed my fence so that the real God is outside?  Does every TRUTH I discover require me to move my fence?     I think that efforts to Fence-in life inevitably involve force or violence of some form. I think that God’s desire is that we embrace life as it comes to us with Peace, Hope, Kindness, Humility, Generosity, Perseverance & Appreciation. These are the fruits of the spirit and ultimately define our Faith. God tells us that LOVE will conquer all.    Can I live in LOVE … without any fence at all? Jerry Henry, Evangelist, Columbia Missouri

November 23, 2022

Last week our family was discussing the personality of our 3-year-old granddaughter, Emme. Emme is smart as a whip, confident, funny, and last, but certainly not least … stubborn. With that stubborn trait in mind, our daughter Emily (Emme’s mom) was recalling a story I had shared years ago from the pulpit and how “Michael” reminded her of Emme. It’s a favorite story of mine too, so I wanted to share it with you.   David was late for Cub Scouts. “Karen!” I called out. “Michael! Please get your shoes on. We have to drive David to his meeting!” My wife was at work. Dinner was finished—tacos, probably. I can cook tacos and I can cook toast. I remember a conversation I had with a number of people at work. We were discussing income, husbands and wives both working, when I casually mentioned that on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I give the children dinner. “You cook the children a dinner?” someone asked, impressed that I attempted such a thing. “Well, I don’t really cook. I just take something out of the freezer and pop it in the microwave.” “That’s cooking!” one of my colleagues said, laughing. “Karen! Michael! David is waiting in the car. Come on, you guys!”   The two of them ran into the hall, grabbed their coats, and zoomed down the side steps and into the car. After I locked the door, I proceeded to the car. Opening the driver’s door, I was greeted with wild hoots and shouts. “Stop the noise! You’re driving me crazy!” As I drove, the children sat in the back, poking each other silently, trying not to add to the tension. David groaned.   I pulled up to his troop leader’s home, wished him a good time. “I’ll pick you up at eight o’clock.” ” ‘Bye, Daddy. I love you.” “I love you too.” The car started rocking. Michael was jumping back and forth on the seat. Even Karen was beginning to be annoyed with him. “Michael,” I said. “I’m tired. It’s been a long day. I expect you to calm down and help.” He giggled. At certain times during the day, asking a five-year-old to calm down is like asking a crocodile to become a vegetarian.   The closer we drove to the house, the more Michael acted up. By the time we rolled into the driveway, I was fed up. So was Karen. She hopped out of the car. I joined her. “Well, I’m not getting out,” Michael said triumphantly. “Fine,” I said, slamming the door. It was six-thirty. The sun had set nearly an hour earlier. As I walked up the front lawn, then up the steps, I could hear Michael crying. I was so annoyed with him that I didn’t turn around but simply stepped into the house. “What about Michael?” Karen asked with true concern. “He can come in on his own if he likes.” I carried my annoyance into the kitchen, lifted the dirty dinner dishes from the table, and dropped them into the sink. “But it’s dark, Daddy.” I ignored Karen, turned the faucet on, squeezed dish detergent into a wide bowl, and began scrubbing a flat plate. Karen sat at the table. I rinsed the plates, the glasses, the forks, and knives. Everything was in the drain-board. I turned and watched Karen kicking her legs back and forth as she sat on her chair in silence. As I began to dry the dishes, I looked out the window into the darkness. My anger suddenly turned into the tall oak tree in the distant backyard, as the shadows of the bushes crawled upon the grass toward the house as a car wound its way through the neighborhood.   “It’s dark. Daddy,” Karen said behind me. I draped the towel over the back of the chair and stepped out the front door. There was Michael, sitting in the car. I could see his small head framed in the side window as the living room light illuminated his face. I walked into the night, stepped up to the car, pulled open the latch of the door. Michael looked up at me and whispered, “I knew you’d come for me, Daddy,” and then he rolled into my arms.   Hope is knowing that salvation will come even as you sit in the darkness. Michael pressed his head against my shoulder as we walked into the house and the screen door swung shut behind us. Jamie Varvaro, Evangelist

November 16, 2022

BLESSINGS “Carve your Blessings in stone; Write your hurts in the sand”. These words of wisdom are significant for me, and I think this is an especially appropriate time to ponder on their meaning. I’ll start with the second part about writing your hurts in the sand. I always picture myself standing in the sand at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The tide comes in and swirls the sand around my feet, and then moves back to the ocean. This process repeats endlessly. When Barry and I married we spent our honeymoon at the modest vacation home his parents built in Pacific Grove, California. From the front window of this home we could see the ocean with only a road running between us and the sands that led down to the ocean shore. It was a beautiful place to begin our life journey together. It was a place where I could let my childhood hurts recede into the waters of the ocean. Letting the hurts slip away didn’t mean that I had wiped them out of my memory. It meant that I wouldn’t let them govern my life going forward. Through the years I have defended myself when threatened, but I try not to let a desire for revenge or vengeance determine my daily life decisions. Now for the first part of the words of wisdom to “Carve your Blessings in stone”. One of my biggest blessings has been dear friends. I’m very grateful for those friends, and I want to tell you about two of them. Their names are Merilou (Gilmore) Hartwig and Nick Hartwig. I first met them when we were students at Graceland. Nick and Merilou came to Graceland from Alaska, and that alone made them special and unusual. Another way they were unusual was that they were an engaged couple, and they married two years later just after graduation. Nick was a convert to the church. He was born in Colorado, and Merilou was born in Idaho. Their families moved to Alaska, and that is where they met each other. Nick grew up in a very dysfunctional family, and Merilou grew up in a very loving and close family. When Nick and Merilou met each other Nick fell in love with all of them. He hadn’t realized a family could be so good, kind, and accepting. When they arrived at Graceland Nick had another life changing experience. He was nurtured and challenged, and he wanted to continue being in that place. He wanted to share what he had found and experienced. It became his goal to earn the educational degrees that would allow him to return to Graceland, this time as part of the Faculty. Nick earned his B.S. degree and then he pursued earning his M.S. degree at the University of Washington in Seattle. He eventually earned his Ph.D. in Paleontology. It was in Seattle that my path crossed with Nick and Merilou again. Barry and I were newly-weds and Barry had just enrolled in graduate school to further his education. The four of us became close friends. That friendship was so close that if Barry and I had died young, Nick and Merilou would have become legal guardians for our two young daughters. Within two years of finishing his Master’s degree Nick and Merilou did return to Graceland, and he was a faculty member teaching biology, botany, and related sciences. During their many years in Lamoni, Iowa (home of Graceland) they always opened their home to friends and family, especially at Homecoming. I’ve been there when they had 20 some people staying with them. Their home did not have 20 beds, so we would bring air mattresses and sleeping bags and find a place on the floor. One year I brought the gift of a ladies straw hat with the words “Hartwig’s Hotel” on it, and the name stuck. Nick and Merilou also opened their home to the international students that began coming to Graceland from Eastern Europe. A church member named John Menzies was an American Ambassador to that part of the world, and he paved the way for many students to come to Graceland. Nick and Merilou were ‘town parents’ for those international students. I’ve been at their home when Merilou was baking oodles of cakes, so that she could give one to each of the students for Valentine’s Day. And of course she did the same for their birthdays or any other special occasions. One of those students is named Angel, and he lives in Bulgaria today, but often comes to the United States. He has a position with the Bulgarian government, and is a person with influence. He has been like an ‘adopted son’ to Nick and Merilou. After Nick’s retirement it was decided that it was time to move to Kansas City to be closer to their son and daughter. Also Nick had been experiencing increasing dementia in recent years. When Angel learned that their home of 50 years was for sale, he said “it isn’t any more”. He has bought the house and plans to turn it into a gathering place for international students. And it will retain the name of “Hartwig’s Hotel”. Every time I tell this story I get goosebumps. It is so fitting that this home that welcomed so many international students will continue to provide that ministry of welcome and acceptance. Nick’s and Merilou’s gift of love so generously shared with others will continue into the future. There is a scripture in Doctrine & Covenants, Section 165.2 that describes how Nick and Merilou have lived their lives. “Free the full capacity of Christ’s mission through generosity that imitates God’s generosity. Listen to the testimonies of those responding generously. Follow your soul’s yearning to come home to God’s grace and generosity. Let gratitude show you the way.” “Carve your Blessings in stone”. These two people have shared so much with so many. I have been blessed to be part of their journey. The sad part of this story is that Nick recently died after an accident in the shower. He and my Barry, are both gone, but Merilou and I will continue to be close friends. I know that she has always been a blessing to me, and I know that she feels I am a blessing to her. At this time of Thanksgiving, what Blessings have you carved in stone?   Evangelist Jeanne Murphey

November 2, 2022

“THE HORN OF PLENTY” Thanksgiving 2022   As we anticipate the season of Thanksgiving we are prompted to “count our blessings” and to look back over our lives at the blessings that we have experienced.  In 1955 my dad was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, which is a disease that causes a separation of the nerves and muscles causing extreme weakness, which caused him to be unable to work and to continue to support his family. We lived on a farm and he had been very successful in handling cattle up to that time.  This meant that we became a “welfare family” with all the stigma attached to that…especially in those days. The hardships that followed caused us to grow as we tried to make the best of the circumstances. There were 7 of us kids – 2 had jobs but lived at home; 3 were in school and 2 were not old enough yet to attend school. It required our family to move to a house in 1956 that did not have running water and very minimal access to electricity. Each day we had to haul drinking and cooking water from our neighbors.  But through all of this Mom managed to put 3 meals on the table each day. Mom was a praying woman and taught all of us to pray and as I look back I can readily see how Mom’s prayers blessed us so much and taught us the value and importance of reaching out to God and trusting Him in our daily lives. Mom made sure that we each had a lunch to take to school each day. I even learned to enjoy bean sandwiches! Mom had a large garden which provided a generous amount of vegetables and potatoes. Because of Mom’s diligence I do not remember ever worrying that we would not have enough to eat. Due to the generosity of nearby neighbors during that time we were given 2 different pigs and a calf named Jumbo for our food.  Every Sunday we faithfully went to church and even though we were a welfare family, at church people would be standing around my father hoping that he would invite them home for dinner. My mom always killed, plucked and cooked chickens for Sunday dinner. All day on Saturday she would bake pies and cakes to share. She was such a good cook that it was a real treat to come to our home for Sunday Dinner. We, as kids, listened to a lot of adult conversation which in many ways was very educational for us. No matter how grim things looked at times, we were so blessed as a family and still are through the dedication and prayers of our mother. Our mother lived to be almost 104 years old and was sharp and strong up until the end. As adults we have all continued to be active in our faith in Christ. Even though we were poor we were rich in the associations through our church family. As we approach the Thanksgiving Season it is a time for us to not only reflect back on our blessings but on how in remembering them, they can be a real inspiration to us as we move forward trusting in our God. God bless you in this season of gratitude, Evangelist Rodger Howell

October 26, 2022

COME UNTO JESUS…The Peaceful One   Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light!” (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV)   In recent weeks I have thought much about the passage of time and how our lives are so controlled by time. I thought of the past three years when our activities have been much controlled by a virus that we’ve for the most part had little control over. Even those of us who chose to be vaccinated, as I experienced, have not been entirely free of the threat.    I thought, too, of how the seasons change…not just around us, but in our lives. As I am now in the winter of my life, I think often of the words of Jesus in this scripture and am aware that the lightening of my own personal burdens has been for the most part because I have chosen to take upon me the name of Jesus and yoke myself in service with him!   In those dark times when the burdens seemed too heavy to bear, I have been blessed by turning to the Word of God or led to read inspiring words or listen to the encouraging voice of a loved one or even the voice of one who disagreed with me. In that way, I’ve learned more about this God I have chosen to follow.    In the words of Robert Redford in The Natural; “Life didn’t turn out like I expected!” or in the words of Clint Eastwood in Bridges of Madison County; “The old dreams were good dreams. They didn’t work out, but I’m glad I had them!” The path I have chosen has definitely taken me in a different direction than I dreamed of, but as I’ve traveled that path I have experienced more blessings than I ever thought possible.   We all have dreams when we are young…dreams of great and marvelous accomplishments or becoming someone important on the playing field of our lives. However, within the framework of life, the moments of glory often come as brief flashes of light indelibly etched into our conscience…when we fall in love with that special person, when our child is born, when we suddenly recognize the presence of God in our life. Those etchings combine to form the core of our being.     One of my favorite Christmas songs is “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” with heartfelt words written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, each verse ending with “peace on earth, good-will to men”. The verses of the hymn encompass the journey from the darkness of total despair to the uplifting joy of release and the promise of peace that only our Heavenly Father can bring!   In the words of Jesus from the Gospel of John: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let not your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”   May you be blessed by those life etchings that prepare you for your journey toward Jesus the peaceful one!   Evangelist Glenna Henry Columbia Fairview

October 5, 2022

Quiet Time Thoughts   Thoughts to me are fascinating things. Where do they come from? Who do they come from? What do you do with them?  What do they do to you and to others? Do they help to heal the world or make it sick? Do they do anything? Where do they go? Are they always in existence? Does anything or anyone ever die? Once a thought is thought can we alter it? If we recognize the potential harm that may result from our thoughts can we ask God to intervene and to amend or temporarily suspend His laws until we can make the necessary adjustment to make our thought a blessing – or a prayer? Isn’t this true repentance? If we are what we think (and from my perspective I don’t know what else we can be) what are we? Don’t we change as our thoughts change? I believe everything and everyone begins as a thought in God’s mind. I believe we have a responsibility to God, our neighbor and ourselves to think good thoughts. I believe this is our ultimate stewardship. I believe how we think determines more than anything or anyone the quality of our life. What do you think? More and more I recognize and appreciate “the gift” of God bequeathing me and you and everyone else a portion of His divine mind. An equal portion to each one. No favorites. What we do with it is up to us; can anything be fairer than that? Have you ever given anyone something that you thought was precious and would improve their quality of life and bless them and then see them devalue it and misuse it and eventually ruin it? I imagine this is how God feels. I believe God has feelings; if He is love, He would have to have. Of all the things I pray about (for you, me and others) I pray most that God will help us to use our mind correctly. I think it’s the most important thing we will ever do. When (and I guess if; for some people may never do it) we use our mind correctly (like God uses His mind) I think we will reconnect with our Creator and become one. I don’t know how to explain it; but I believe even after we become One with God we still retain our individuality. (I think this is His eternal gift to us.) Evangelist Sid Faulkner

September 28, 2022

Amazing Grace   Amazing Grace. We hear those words a lot. We speak those words. We sometimes sing those words, but do we pause to think about what those words really mean? What does Amazing Grace mean to you? We experience grace in many ways. Think about the times in your life when you have experienced grace, undeserved favor from someone. Many years ago one of our daughters who was 17 at the time parked her car in front of our house and I happened to notice a scratch on her front bumper. I asked her what happened and she started to cry. She had bumped a street light pole and knocked it down. I had her take me to where it happened and sure enough that beautiful aluminum pole was flat on the parking lot. I told her she had to call Ameren and report the incident. She, of course, didn’t want to do that but she made the call. The man at Ameren thanked her for calling and said he would talk to his manager and get back to her with the cost to repair the pole. He said it would probably be several hundred dollars. Needless to say, she was upset. She worried and worried about that. I must confess I was worried about it too. Later that day the man called her back and said, “Don’t worry about it. We will take care of it. You were honest enough to report it. It is almost Christmas, have a nice day.” Unmerited favor. Justice would require that she pay for repairing the pole. But grace entered in. Her day went from miserable to awesome with that phone call. Amazing Grace. That kind of grace is awesome. But how much more amazing God’s grace is. In 2nd Corinthians 5:17 we read, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” Ephesians 2:8&9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.” Matthew 11:28-30 gives us the invitation, “Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ……Amazing Grace. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was asked how he would treat the rebellious southerners once they were defeated and brought back into the Union. Lincoln reportedly replied, “As if they had never been away.” Isn’t it comforting to know that because of His amazing grace, God treats us the same way. When we come back to Him it is as we have never been away. Amazing Grace indeed! Evangelist Don Chilton

September 21, 2022

A Testimony   All of my professional life I worked as a graphic artist for printing companies and an advertising agency. My last few years as a manager of a catalog program for a large printing company. We produced catalogs for distributors of construction equipment and supplies. Our job was to gather materials (literature) from manufacturers, obtain copyright release of their product information and make up pages for the catalogs. One such distributor was pushing us to get his catalog produced and in circulation. One of his manufacturers had failed to respond to our written and phone attempts and was holding up production of the book. Under pressure, I chose to proceed without copyright release in violation of copyright law. Months after the catalogs were in distribution, my boss called me into his office. Present were two attorneys. We were being sued for copyright infringement. Obviously they were angry and I was scared. I was told to do nothing-let the attorneys handle it. That night I shared this news with my family. Now my whole family was scared, but then something happened. I remembered a phrase “Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art in the way with him.” I looked it up, there it was in Christ’s sermon on the mount. (See Matthew 5:27-28) So, I disobeyed my boss. I called the owner of the manufacturer. I confessed to doing wrong, apologized and begged his forgiveness. A few days later I was called into the boss’s office again (with lawyers present) and scolded, “I thought I told you to not get involved.” Then, smiling he said, “He dropped the suit. What did you do?” Knowing he was a church goer I explained. All were happy. At the next convention, while manning our booth, a man, his wife and daughter approached. He introduced himself. He was the owner of the company I had talked to. Then he turned to his family and said, “This is a company with integrity.” Praise be to God and His only Begotten Son. You can’t go wrong by obeying the Word of the Lord. Evangelist Gordon Parrott

September 14, 2022

I’ve been thinking a lot about peace lately. Mostly because of the current state of the world we find ourselves in. I sometimes find myself going down the social media rabbit-hole and finding it often to be a sad display of self-centeredness. I often find myself returning to a favorite passage in a book I read long ago where the author says,   “Most of us spend our lives trying to escape from self-centeredness. Some of us succeed better than others. It seems to me that the ones who are perhaps the most at peace are those that somehow turn self-caring into what might be called other-caring. It takes courage to be an other-carer. Because people who care run the risk of being hurt. It’s not easy to let your guard down, to open your heart and react with sympathy, or compassion, or indignation or enthusiasm, when usually it’s much easier — and sometimes much safer — not to get involved. But people who take the risk make a tremendous discovery: The more things you care about, and the more intensely you care, the more alive you are and the more at peace you become. This capacity for caring can illuminate any relationship. Each of us is born with some of it, but whether we let it expand or diminish is largely up to us. To care, you have to surrender the armor of indifference.”   It seems although, that peace is not for everyone. Some people prefer the turmoil, or fight to stay in control rather than allow the peace of God to permeate their lives. Certainly, peace is available freely to everyone, but it is only attainable for those who receive the free gift of grace offered in Jesus.   There can be no peace within if we are out of sync with our true selves. We will search, trying anything and everything that will help us discover the peace for which we long. We often hear the expression from those who are trying to “find” themselves. They complain that something is wrong inside or in their relationships, marriage, work … they don’t feel whole or peaceful. Sometimes they think that the problem is with the others in their life. If only I was married to someone else … If only I was married . . . If only I worked for a different company … If only I worked for any company … If only I could just quit working altogether.   I sometimes wonder what my life would be like if I had made some different choices along the way. In hindsight though, I’m very grateful for my life, my experiences, and the way things are turning out. But there are plenty of failures, embarrassments, and empty spots to remind me that I am still on the journey … and if I truly want to proclaim that gospel of peace … and have true peace in my life, it cannot be a passive journey … but an active one. Evangelist, Jamie Varvaro

September 7, 2022

DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU Next week, I’m planning to attend the annual John Whitmer Historical Society meetings in Independence, Missouri. JWHA is the church history association that is affiliated with Community of Christ. I am a past President of JWHA, and one of my duties at that time was to notify Bryan Monte that he would be receiving the award for writing the best article of the year. The title of his paper is “Harvest Hills: From Pioneer Monoculture to Heterogeneous Community” (JWHA Journal 32, Fall/Winter 2012, Issue 2, p.105-131). Bryan lives in the Netherlands but was able to come to our meeting in September 2012 to receive the award. He and I had never met each other, and purely by chance we found ourselves standing next to each other in a reception line. He later shared what was happening in his life when he received my e-mail informing him of the award. He sent me this story.  “Just a few hours before I read your notification at home one evening, I’d had an especially difficult time at college due to my MS and had considered suicide. That day my legs were burning and I’d had difficulty getting to and teaching my classes. On the way home, I transferred at Den Bosch station and waited for my next train to get back home. As I was stood on the platform, a speeding express train approached and was about to pass through the station at top speed and I thought ‘If I just throw myself under those heavy, gold wheels, my suffering will soon be over.’ But then I had another thought. ‘Not today.’ And I got home and read your e-mail. I felt happy that I was still alive as that JWHA award means more to me than any other award I’ve ever received. It’s in the bookcase just above my desk so I can look at it while I’m working on my PhD dissertation or my literary magazine. The award reminds me of why, if I can, I should stick around—because you never know what might happen—even just a few hours later.” Bryan didn’t know it, but when he shared his story with me I too was battling suicide. My husband, Barry, had died a few months earlier. Six weeks after his death, I had a heart attack brought on by stress and grief. In August 2012, I knew I needed to find a therapist because of my suicidal thoughts and despair. My therapist told me that she wanted me focus on my impact on others. In my Journal for September 22, 2012 I wrote: “Bryan gave me the gift of his story, and I hope I have returned the gift to him”. He gave me exactly what I needed at that moment in time. In the ten years since my encounter with Bryan I have often said the same words he used for himself, “not today”. By “sticking around” I have been amazed at the events and blessings I might have missed.  We never know when a chance encounter will be a blessing for both of us. I often think that the gospel could be summed up in the simple advice to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Jeanne Murphey, Evangelist

August 31, 2022

As a child we got to listen to radio programs like the “Lux Radio Theater” or a western show like “The Lone Ranger”. Then came the commercials and one in particular was by Hallmark Cards with the tagline “When you care enough to send the very best”.  God did that for us by sending His Son, “the very best”, to offer us a better life. Just think of how that impacts each of us. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”. I cannot begin to tell you of the feeling of being loved that I felt while attending a recent funeral. I also felt that same comfort and love in a recent Communion service. All of this is for the sole purpose of God wanting to draw us near to Him with a power so special that it can only be expressed in Love. So how do you express love on a Sunday morning to those who are present with you? How does it carry over to every day of the week? Are you putting your best foot forward? How about the tone of your voice? Is it friendly and expressive of your warmth and smile? Do I speak first to make newcomers feel welcome? Do I reach out to someone who is standing alone and help them to feel welcome? When I put my best effort front and center, God will use me to bless others. He wants us to care enough to give “our very best”. May each of you sense how much God loves You and can love through you to others. Rodger Howell, Evangelist

August 24, 2022

G R O W I N G  O L D  W I T H  G O D Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by how many moments take our breath away. Such moments occurred throughout my life, but it is toward the closing years of my journey I am recognizing their significance.  If we age with God our physical person diminishes, but our spiritual person increases. Things we can no longer accomplish become less important, while the simple things we overlooked are now of prime importance. The good news is simple things are likely still within our physical limitations; and we seem to have more time as our pace of life slows.  If we age by ourselves (apart from God) we see only the diminishing of life. Activities we once did, and still want to do, become more and more difficult. We struggle to keep pace. We have difficulty fitting in. We question our worth. Loneliness and discouragement set in. The difference between these two scenarios is receiving god’s gift of Grace. It is inevitable that our physical person must fail and fade away as our journey of life draws closer to an end. Grace is offered to help us adapt as we make our way through this journey. It is not forced upon us; we must accept and see where it leads us. Remembering Jesus invitation to Follow Me; we must surely expect new scenery, new opportunities, new obstacles along the journey. We must anticipate new purpose as we grow closer to the Divine. Our life journey here on earth is, after all, a period of learning and growing into Eternal Life with our creator. Independence is a good thing in some respects. Anyone who lived thru the Great Depression will surely know the value of being able to feed & clothe themselves. They will recognize the satisfaction that comes through laying aside reserves to care for their family in the future. Too much independence can be detrimental. It may lead one to think they are in control, and thus not rely on God. They will gradually forget to pray (consulting God) about life issues r concerns. They will miss the answers (Grace) God might have given them. Paul said … When I was a child, I thought as a child. When I became a man I put away childish things. Ecclesiastes tells us there is season and a time for everything under heaven. Considering these statements together; I conclude our life journey on earth is intended to be ever changing. The aging process of the physical body is to be accompanied by the growing of the spiritual body (soul) to help us adapt as we go. By seeking God & staying close to God we are offered all the resources needed to nourish the soul. As we make this transition from earthly life to life eternal it is the Grace of God that gives us the flexibility to adapt, the vision to see what God sees, the thinking that lets us apply the two Great Commandments to decisions before us. I ask you, as I ask myself, what new purpose have I formed today? How can my physical ability along with my spiritual understanding join to serve God’s purpose in me here in this place at this time? God bless us all. God bless us all. Jerry Henry, Evangelist, Columbia Missouri

August 17, 2022

“Pure and Undefiled Religion before God and the Father is this: to visit Orphans and Widows in their trouble, and to keep Oneself Unspotted from the World.” James 1:27 A Little Human Kindness Greetings Brothers and Sisters of the USA Gateway Mission Center;   It is a Good to be able to share with you once again, I am trusting that you are feeling Blessed and Highly Favored before Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As I thought about my message to you – I read a little story in one of my Morning Devotionals that really stayed in my mind and touched me so I felt like I would like to share it with you.    It was taken from: “In Moments Like These” written by David Jeremiah –   A California newspaper published a picture of a note scribbled by a woman named Wanda. She slid it under the front door of her neighbor, whose name she did not even know. The note said: Mrs.? Would you consider becoming my friend? I’m 90-years old—I live alone and all my friends have passed away. I am so lonesome and scared. Please—I pray for someone. Thankfully the neighbor, Marleen Brooks, found the note and went right over to Wanda’s house with cupcakes, and the two formed a Wonderful Friendship. Marleen has carried this a little further by reaching out on social media to encourage others to be on the lookout for lonely neighbors who may live right next door.   I remember when my Grandmother passed away – it left such an empty place in our hearts. I was very proud of my Mother as I watched how she handled this difficult time in her life. She decided to fill this empty place in her heart by adopting her Aunt Ann – she had been a widow for years and we would go up to see her in St. Louis from time to time – she was never able to have children and she was so alone and lonely. My Mother decided to take Aunt Ann under her wing and she and Dad would go up and take her out for lunch always remembering her on all the Holidays – Birthdays – Mother’s Day and just unexpected visits. This helped my Mother – but – it was such a Blessing to our Aunt Ann to be thought about and Loved as a Mother.   I had this same opportunity to adopt a couple of ladies in the nursing home – one of the ladies was a mother of a fellow employee of mine – her name was Tena and she was such a Special Gift to me. Her husband had a cousin that was also in the same nursing home – she had been a widow for many years – her name was Phyllis – she had one Son that lived out of state – so she was really alone. It brought such joy to me to visit with them – I like to light up their rooms with a few little flowers. I would take Phyllis down to Tena’s room and we would have Bible Study together – we prayed together – laughed and sometimes cried together but it always seemed better at the end of the visit than it was at the beginning. I was able to share with them once a month for a couple of years – then COVID hit and everything was locked down – I continued our visits on the phone – they have since went to be with Our Lord.    There are So Many people that are lonely and in need of a friend – not all are as Courageous as Wanda was in our story above – so we have to be looking for opportunities to be a friend. The scripture says in Proverbs 18:24 – A man who has friends must himself be friendly. That is a two part relationship – isn’t it interesting – that is how it is with Jesus and us – in John 15:15 – Jesus called us His Friends. I guess the question we have to ask ourselves is – Are We Jesus’ Friend – have we taken the time to get to know Him and build a relationship with Him? How do we get to know Him – through His Word – through Prayer (we talk to Him and then we listen for Him to talk to us). We go to Him with our troubles and concerns – but – Also – with our Joys and Blessings – we remember to Thank Him for Loving Us So Much!!!   We Must Remember – We Have A Friend In Jesus – there are just So Many that do not know that – it is our responsibility to introduce them to Jesus – The Greatest Friend They Could Ever Have!!!    The end of the little story I shared with you said – “People need people, and people who need people often need the Lord.” I think this is one of the reasons that Jesus told us not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together – we need one another and we surely need Him.   As we shared in our Priesthood Meeting this evening – what a difference it makes in our lives as we gather together in church on Sunday mornings and Worship Our Lord Together – We Know We Are Loved and Not Alone!!! May God Continue to Richly Bless You – – Individually and Corporately!!!   Love and Blessings, Evangelist, Miriam D. Counts

August 12, 2022

THE POWER OF PRAYER   From the time I can first remember as a little girl, I was terrified of the dark…to the point I didn’t want to go to bed at night. I had such visions of terrible creatures hovering in the darkness that I would cling to my mother and cry when it was time to go to bed. Finally one night, probably at wits end, she held me in her lap as she sat in our creaky old rocking chair and told me about someone named Jesus who would come and be with me if I closed my eyes and asked Him to.    I don’t recall the exact words she told me to say, but I’m sure she told me how much He loved me and would protect me from those fearsome creatures I was so afraid of. As I climbed into bed, she covered me right up to my ears and reminded me about Jesus. So I did ask Jesus to be with me and when I did, the creatures faded away and I went to sleep. Every night after that I asked Him to come and be with me and before long the fear was just a faint memory, but the belief and trust in prayer has remained through the years.   Communication is important to God, which is why Jesus taught His followers how to pray with the Lord’s Prayer.  There are two places in the Bible where Jesus gives similar instructions on how to pray. In Matthew 6:9-13 (IV), Jesus says, ‘This, then, is how you should pray:          Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;          Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.          Give us this day our daily bread.          And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against           us.          Suffer us not to be led into temptation, but deliver us from evil;          For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.          Amen. He shares a similar instruction about how to pray in Luke 11:1-4 (NIV), but I love the language and flow of the words in Matthew’s version.   In His instruction Jesus tells us some simple steps to follow:          Address God as the Heavenly Father.          Praise God for who he is and what he has done.          Acknowledge that God is in control, not you.          Ask God for what you need.          Confess how you have sinned and repent with a humble heart.          Ask God’s protection and support in overcoming the evil one’s attacks on your life. Then:          Always look, listen, expect and wait for His response to your prayer.            These moments in prayer give us a place to pause and speak with God about something specific or talk to Him about what is on our hearts or in our thoughts. And God will listen.   There are many ways that this guide to prayer from Jesus can benefit us, but there are three benefits that are especially important:   First, it turns our focus outward. Where prayer can get very “me” focused, with my requests, my issues, and my sins, this guide to prayer turns our focus outward to an awareness of God and pushes us to think about others and the will of God. It turns our prayers from insular (me) to inclusive (you). Second, this framework gives us something to hold on to and come back to when our mind wanders. There are many, many distractions in our lives and the Lord’s Prayer not only keeps us focused, but it can be a place to come back to when our mind goes elsewhere. Finally, utilizing the Lord’s Prayer removes boundaries and enables our prayer to expand to become open and inclusive. Jesus gives us the starting point, but we can go as deep as we want anywhere along the way.   Prayer should be simple, direct, honest and offered with humility, but also expectation. A silly little acronym often helps me re-focus my thoughts when they diverge from where they should be going…KISS…or Keep It Simple, Stupid!   Keep in mind that God ALWAYS hears your prayer and ALWAYS answers, even if the answer is not always exactly what you expect.   Blessings to you and yours, Evangelist Glenna Henry, Columbia Fairview

August 3, 2022

Time to Reset   James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.   This week I decided to participate in a 3 day “Reset” dietary program to help me get back on my diet.  Have you ever tried something like that to help you get back on track with your nutritional needs?  It is much like a three day fast but with select supplement to meet the important nutritional needs. As I began this fast yesterday, I also began to think about how my whole body, mind and spirit needed a reset.  It has been quite a struggle for me the past few years. During this pandemic, I have felt a loss of community.  This became most apparent with the suicide of my younger sister.  Family gathered to support each other in community but not without the risk and resulting cases of covid among us.   To reset mentally, I returned to my psychiatrist.  He worked with me to reset my medication and is encouraging me now to seek out a therapist.  The lack of the presence of church community has left me without a place to talk, to release my emotions and to pray.  Remember those Wednesday night prayer services that filled our need for therapy sessions?  Looking at a screen instead of weeping in someone’s arms is somehow just not the same. Sitting at a computer in my home has been my daily activity during this pandemic.  I work from home, read books, play games, and live the digital world.  I decided to reset my activities and this last month, I found a walking friend.  She is part lab and named Kia.  She refuses to eat her breakfast until we go for our morning walk.  That morning walk has reset my energy level as well as my praise level for the blessings of God’s world.  She doesn’t let me lay in bed all morning saying, “I don’t want to get up.” Since we have trained her to sleep in her crate at night, she wants out around 7:00 a.m. and is ready to go.  She is a true friend and stays by my side all day. My husband Dave is finally getting over Covid.  Since he was over 65 and diabetic, he was given the medication which helped him to recover faster but a few days after finishing the medication and testing negative, he had the “rebound effect” and once again has had to isolate.  He is doing well now but I have  missed his companionship for a few weeks.  Maybe tonight he can return to sleeping in our bedroom. Life is a struggle and a blessing.  But sometimes we need to reset so that we are walking toward the blessings and not the struggles.  This is especially true when we become overwhelmed.  Even Jesus had to take those walks in the wilderness to reset when his journey became overwhelming. It is time for me to turn toward a reset for those spiritual blessings.  How about you?  Am I the only one who becomes angry with God and draws away?  God has prepared us for this time by teaching us spiritual disciplines.  It is way past time to bring them back into my life with a three day spiritual reset. I hold you all in my prayers of blessings as you seek you own ways to “reset” in order to right the vessel of life that God has given you to weather the storms. Blessings. Evangelist, Vera Wetteroff

July 27, 2022

Becoming Whole Life offers us countless opportunities to become whole. Everyone and everything teaches. Not everyone learns. Life asks of us the same thing we have been asked in every class: “Stay awake; pay attention.” But paying attention is no simple matter. It requires us not to be distracted by expectations, past experiences and that we remain open to that which is not only new but to the old that we haven’t seen and understood clearly.  It asks that we not become confused by masks and labels, that we not jump to early conclusions. Wisdom comes most easily to those who have the courage to embrace life without judgement and are not willing to think they know something for a long time. It takes time to know (trial and error over and over again until you can rule out random results). It requires us to be more mindful than we have been taught to be (to do our own thinking) and at times it may require us to suffer. But ultimately, we will be more than we were when we began. There is (I believe) the seed of a greater wholeness in everyone. We are all more than we seem. Many things do not wear their true nature on their sleeves. What you can see and touch about an acorn, its color, its weight, its hardness, length and width will never hint at the secret of its potential. The secret is not directly measurable, but given the proper conditions over time it may become visible. An acorn makes no sense unless we know that woven into the way it is made there is something waiting to unfold that knows how to become an oak tree. An acorn is defined by this capacity. Something can be the size, shape, weight, texture and color of an acorn, but without this hidden power to become an oak tree, it is not an acorn. Our essential humanity is defined by the seed of God within us, the capacity to grow in wisdom love and truth. None of us are only the way we seem. Every acorn yearns toward the full expression of its nature and uses every opportunity to realize its capacity to become an oak tree. There is a natural yearning toward wholeness and wisdom in us all as well. This varies in strength from person to person. It may be quite conscious in some and deeply buried in others; it may form the focus of one life and lie on the periphery of another. I don’t know why this is so but I do know it’s always there. Wholeness (which I define as becoming one with God) is a basic human need. My journey of life and my attempts to grow have not been very steady or graceful; I feel like I may have stumbled forward a little bit, but I believe more than ever it’s an effort worthy of all I can give it. And I shall continue to do my best. Evangelist Sid Faulkner

July 20, 2022

The Blessings of Community I have been reminded over and over during the past two years of the great blessings that have come my way through my family, my church family and my friends.  When we go through difficult times in our lives it is my belief that we experience God’s incredible love through our family, our church family and friends. I have found myself in the role of a full-time caregiver and have come to truly appreciate the blessings of our sacred community.  It has been such a source of encouragement and strength to have the support of our church family as we have started on this journey.  Just when I would feel down and broken, someone would call, send a card or come by with an encouraging word, a prayer, a meal and just share that precious ministry of presence with us. As I sit here today thanking God for all these people who have blessed us so much, I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing community of faith that has stepped up and really helped carry us through some very rough times.  I am so grateful to our friends and our church family who have rallied around us and covered us with love and prayers. The words of Section 161:3a & c come to mind. “Open your hearts and feel the yearnings of your brothers and sisters who are lonely, despised, fearful, neglected, unloved.  Reach out in understanding, clasp their hands, and invite all to share in the blessings of community created in the name of the One who suffered on behalf of all.” “Be patient with one another, for creating sacred community is arduous and even painful.  But it is to loving community such as this that each is called.  Be courageous and visionary, believing in the power of just a few vibrant witnesses to transform the world.  Be assured that love will overcome the voices of fear, division, and deceit.” It is my testimony that Jesus Christ and the witness of this loving community has transformed my world.  There are many who need to experience the blessings of this community,  many whose lives can be transformed.  Who do we need to reach out to today? Our Mission Prayer,,,,,,“God, where will your Spirit lead today?  Help me be fully awake and ready to respond.  Grant me courage to risk something new and become a blessing of your love and peace.  Amen.” Evangelist Don Chilton

July 6, 2022

“What is love?” asked the disciple. “The total absence of fear,” said the master. “And what is it we fear?” persisted the disciple. The master sighed and then quietly replied, “We fear love.”    We live in a world which is saturated with fear—a world which uses fear to justify a variety of “we versus them” scenarios. It is a world where we are more concerned with the inconveniences of battling a virus, than respecting science. A world where we are more concerned with the infrequent violence of protests, rather than the possible validity of them. A world where we are more concerned with trying to manipulate conflicts to our advantage, than honestly seeking to resolve conflicts to everyone’s advantage. A world where we are more concerned with the ups and downs of the stock market, than with the ups and downs of our neighbors … and so on and so forth.  All of which leads me to think that in this celebration of our independence that we’ve just experienced this July 4th, that there might be a different pledge of allegiance worth considering, which is perhaps one that Jesus offers us. A little history first … As I understand it, the original pledge of allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, and a Christian socialist. It was published in the September 8 issue of the popular children’s magazine The Youth Companion as part of a National Public-School celebration of Columbus Day.  It read, “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Some sources say Bellamy originally intended that the pledge could be used by citizens of any country.   Apparently, he had also considered using the words “fraternity and equality,” but he refrained from doing so since he knew the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans, which rendered the pledge far less meaningful.    Then, in 1923, the words the Flag “of the United States” were added, so new immigrants would not confuse loyalties between their birth countries and the United States, making it a kind of “we versus them” pledge. A year later, the words “of America” were added as well.  And, finally, in 1954, the words “under God” were added, though I have never been sure if those in power have ever seen themselves as being “under” anyone.   Now, by way of contrast, perhaps there is a pledge that Jesus offers us … “I pledge my undivided heart to my God and to my neighbor and to the world my God calls me to create: a world with freedom and equality, a world with love and compassion, a world with peace and justice for all.”  Evangelist, Jamie Varvaro

June 29, 2022

THE WORTH OF ALL PERSONS I want to share two recent experiences in regard to the “Worth of all Persons”. The first experience was in April around Easter time. I was leading the adult Sunday School class in the sanctuary and we were discussing a Herald article. Class was half over when a woman walked in and sat down. We were all wearing our Covid-19 masks which makes it harder for us to recognize each other. I didn’t know her but I assumed some of the other people did. I soon discovered that no one knew her.  During our class discussion I mentioned one of our Enduring Principles, about the “Worth of All Persons”. I related this to our church’s journey that led to our full acceptance of people who are homosexuals. The unknown woman had been sitting quietly until then. Then politely, but very firmly she said “Homosexuality is a sin”. I was surprised, but gently replied back that the Bible offers a variety of perspectives about sexuality. She remained polite but unmoved. She said that every word of the Bible is true and homosexuality is a sin. Class came to an end and I went over to continue dialogue with her. I wanted to find out if she had any flexibility in her belief that every word is literal. I asked her about the creation story in Genesis. I gave a brief summary of the scripture that the earth is a round ball sitting on legs that go into the depths. Overhead are holes in the top of the ball that allow the stars to shine through. She defended the Biblical description, but I could tell she was conflicted about what to say. I tried out another Bible story from the Old Testament. Israel is going to war and one of the commanders is a man with a family. He makes a bargain with God. If God will give him a victory, then whomever is the first person to walk through his door when he returns home will become the sacrificial burnt offering for the victory. [Judges 11:29-40]. I shared this story because years before I had one of my Sunday School students tell me that story. Then she asked me if I would honor that bargain. I said “NO”. I wanted her to know that life is too precious to sacrifice that way and that our God does not ask for such sacrifices. After she left me I went to her father because I was concerned that something was troubling her. I wanted him to be alert for whatever that might be. I was very surprised when he said that he was the one who told her that story. I can think of no rational reason to tell her that story, and I always shudder when I consider what dark thoughts were going through her head. Was she wondering about her worth to her father, and if her father would sacrifice her? I asked our visitor about that story. Her reply was that if the father made that bargain, then he had to keep it. She went on to say that she wouldn’t have made that bargain, but once made it had to be honored. We continued to talk. I found out that she lived in the neighborhood and had come to the Yard Sale we had a few months ago. On this morning she was trying us out. I stayed with her and sat by her for the worship service. I gave her a hymnal and she sang along. I’m fairly certain that during our worship she was not pleased with our expressions of inclusivity of other people and other religions. When the service was over she politely said she would not be coming back. As she left I thought that it was best for her, and best for us that she would not come back. We don’t have a chance of opening her vision beyond the very narrow views she holds. She would not feel that she had been fed spiritually in our midst. My prayer for her is that she will find a place to worship, but at the same time I’m concerned about such a group’s inability to cherish “the worth of all persons”. My second experience happened this month. It started with a “Letter to the Editor” that appeared in my local newspaper. The letter was signed by 10 ministers, and that immediately caught my attention. My assumption was that the letter would be about the recent killing of 19 children in Uvalde. The letter was about children, but not about their deaths. The 10 ministers were writing to protest a program that was going to be presented in my local library, and another nearby library.  This is PRIDE Month and the libraries were recognizing it. The announcement said  “The Library is happy to welcome drag performer Maxi Glamour to read and sing songs for a very special Pride Month Event”. The ministers wrote: “Our Lord … issued a vivid warning to those who would endanger the innocence of children. … It is simply wrong to expose children to sexually explicit themes. … Inviting a drag queen to perform for children is intended to introduce children to sexually explicit themes. … it is our duty to say that the actions of the … libraries are wrong. We exhort all involved to repent of this wrongdoing.” I replied to their letter, and my letter was printed on June 11. It was placed beneath a “Community Spotlight” column titled “Looking at school shootings”. I disagreed with the ministers statements. I’ll quote portions of my letter. “Last Sunday in our congregation we talked about the welfare of children. There seems to be a disconnect between our country’s concerns about the treatment of children. On one hand, we have tolerated for many years the murder of our children in several incidents of school violence. On the other hand, we are legislating the circumstances around a woman’s pregnancy, on the grounds that each life is precious. Yes, each life is precious, so why don’t we take care of these precious lives? Why don’t we provide them with the necessary resources to not live in poverty? Why don’t we adequately fund schools and teachers so that all children receive a good education?” I also pointed out that for centuries men have appeared in “drag” when presenting entertainment. In the time of William Shakespeare all women’s parts were played by a man. The library program is meant to entertain and educate. I closed my letter to the editor with this statement. “I am an ordained minister and hold the office of Evangelist in my church, the Community of Christ. I too am greatly concerned for the welfare of children, all children whether straight or gay, or other.” Jeanne Murphey

June 22, 2022

When is a Noise a Noise? Recently Patti & I attended our Reunion at Camp Woodland Hills. Due to previous commitments, we were only able to stay for a few days. However, it was a marvelous time!  What drew my attention was the great number of children who attended. They were noisy beyond belief. They were having a ball playing games and shuffleboard. The small ones were pushing one another in a little plastic car and just making “a joyful noise”. I never heard any discord from this vibrant happy group of young people as they were making “a joyful noise”!  To some it would be too much but to others it was the sound of the “future”. For me, I can remember times in the past when it was frowned upon if a baby was crying. My, haven’t we changed! Now, our churches are silent except for an occasional “noise maker” who attends our services. So, how does our future sound? Quiet as a whisper….or noisy…even disruptive?   In Section 162 of the Doctrine & Covenants given in 2004 we read: “Listen to the Voice that speaks from beyond the farthest hills, from the infinite heavens above….Listen to the Voice that echoes across the eons of time and yet speaks anew in this moment. Listen carefully to your own journey as a people, for it is a sacred journey and it has taught you many things you must know for the journey yet to come. Do not yearn for times that are past, but recognize that you have been given a foundation of faithful service, even as you build a foundation for what is yet to be. You hold precious lives in your hands. Be gentle and gracious with one another. A community is no stronger than the weakest within it. Even as the One you follow reached out to those who were rejected and marginalized, so must the community that bears his name. The call to respond is urgent. Look to the needs of your own congregations, but look also beyond your walls to the far-flung places where the church must go.” Listen with a new understanding! Evangelist Rodger Howell

June 15, 2022

WHAT IS TRUTH    and    HOW DO WE FIND IT This past Sunday our theme was “Guide Us Into Truth”. Truth is especially important to all who consider themselves religious, regardless of denomination. Jesus told those who believed, If you continue in my Word you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free. In Politics, and other earthly professions, Power of Persuasion is often valued more than Truth. Indeed we hear of “Fake News” which seeks to generate its own Truth. Pilate reflected this earthly understanding when he mockingly asked Jesus “What is Truth”. John 1:17 tells us the law was given through Moses, but life and truth came through Jesus Christ. In John 14 Jesus is giving his farewell message to his disciples. He tells them He is going to the Father and they know the way to come later. When they protest that they do not know the way, He tells them I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me. In John 16 Jesus tells them, I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. In I Cor 13 Paul says Prophecy, Tongues and Knowledge shall all vanish; but Faith, Hope and Charity will abide forever. Now we know in part because we see through a glass darkly; but when we meet the Father face to face then we will know complete Truth. In Ephesians Paul admonishes us to speak the Truth in Love and to “Put on the Armor of God wrapped in Truth” From the very first mortals have asked God to give us Truth in the form of rules. They tried hard to follow and judge by the rules and rejected Jesus, the very source of Truth. In more modern times Christianity said we have a Bible, there is no need for further scripture. Even within the Community of Christ we balk at Revelations that diverge from previous understanding. Why is it so difficult to believe God’s message given through Jesus ……. Follow Me…….. I have more Truth for you…….. I am leaving you, but the Holy Spirit will guide you to Truth. Shouldn’t we expect understanding to expand as we follow? Can we ever say Enough, I now know it all? Are we smarter than Paul, who vowed to run his race to the end, and only attain full truth on the other side of the glass? Let us hear again Jesus’s admonition …               Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.….and               Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself There is no greater commandment than these. I believe we do not need a rule for every possible situation. Rather we need to apply these two commandments in every situation and see what action they lead us to.       Evangelist Jerry Henry, Columbia Fairview

June 8, 2022

“When The Bible Comes Alive” When you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the Word of God. I Thessalonians 2:13 Greetings Brothers and Sisters of the USA Gateway Mission Center;             It is a Good to be able to share with you once again, I am trusting that God has Generously Blessed you and your families in many ways since I last shared with you. It is so interesting the way that works, we are Blessed to be a Blessing to Others – it is kind of a contagious thing. I have always said that when we are Blessed – God does not mean for us to keep our testimony of His Goodness to ourselves – we must share how Good God has been to us – it Blesses others with Hope in our Lord’s Love For ALL.   As I thought about what I should share with you today – I remembered reading a little story in my quite time of a little boy who was reading his scriptures – he was being very quiet up in his room so his mother called out to him asking him what he was doing and he said “I’m watching Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead!” I thought how good it would be if we could visualize like this when we read our scriptures. It reminded me of a time early on in my life when I had become actively attending the church – I attended for two years before I became a member.    Reading has always been a challenge for me – I always admired those who could sit down and finish a book in one setting and actually comprehend what they had read. Studying my Bible had been hard for me – I had always been told that everything we would ever need in life was between the covers of the Bible. I remember praying and saying to God – if I am to live my life according to your word – You are going to have to help me to understand it.   We were approaching the Season of Lent and I was thinking of what I wanted to do to come closer to my Heavenly Father during that time in preparation for Easter Sunday. I thought about it and I prayed about it and I told God that I was going to read all four Gospels and complete them by Easter Sunday morning. Now that may not seem like much to many of you – but – it was for me – I had two small children and very little quiet time then and challenged reading skills in comprehending. I counted how many chapters there were in all and figured out how many I would need to read each day. I prayed and ask God to help me to be faithful in my promise to Him and my desire was that He would make the scriptures come alive to me and that He would help me to fall in love with them.   God helped me to stay faithful in reading my chapters – some days were a little more difficult than others as some chapters were much longer than others. Easter Sunday morning came and I got up very early and was reading the last chapter in John and I remember being so thankful in that I was able, with His help to keep my promise to Him. Easter Sunday was very busy at church – the children were having a special little program at the beginning of services that day. Ty Braddy – he has several relatives in the Mission Center – he was in a white robe and he was Jesus – the children had prepared construction paper flowers that they were spreading on Jesus’ path. As Ty got to the front of the room he ask us to close our eyes and he began to read from the Gospel of Matthew – the Beatitudes.   A very Wonderful thing happened to me that morning as Ty read from the scriptures – I found myself on a grassy hillside with the Disciples being taught by Jesus. I could feel the green grass between my fingers as I sat there on the hillside – listening intently to Jesus. The next thing I knew – I heard Ty tell us we could open our eyes and our services continued. I could never be able to tell you how much that experience meant to me – the words that came to me were this – “ When you do your best to Honor God in the keeping of your promises to Him – He will Bless You with the Desires of Your Heart.” I ask God in my prayer – to make the scriptures come alive to me – and He Did! I also ask Him to help me Fall in Love with His Word – and He Has! My Prayer – is that He Will Do The Same For You and Your Families.            Love and Blessings, Evangelist, Miriam D. Counts

June 1, 2022

FINDING OUR WAY BACK TO HOPE   Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   One summer morning our little black cat managed to catch a hummingbird which she proudly brought to me. Realizing what she had, I gently pried her mouth open and removed the tiny bird. Thinking it was likely so injured it would not survive, I cradled it in my hands to calm and warm it then carried it down to the lower deck to place it in a bush with hopes it would recover. However when I opened my hands, the little bird was gone like a flash, so quickly I did not see where it went. I was amazed that it recovered enough to fly away!   Recently I had the privilege of officiating at a memorial service for a lady I hardly knew. During the service I invited family and friends to share memories of this elderly woman who was a mother and grandmother. No one from the family shared except one grandson. He remembered that grandma often picked him up early from school and they would go to a movie. Grandma didn’t cook, he said, though she did bake cookies, so one day after school he made mac and cheese for her. He said the mac and cheese wasn’t very good, but she told him how good it was and how much she liked it! Obviously a bright spot of memory for that young man.   Sometimes the greatest blessings are the smallest and seemingly least important. The joy and comfort of a friendship, the encouragement of a phone call or card received; the smile from a stranger; a special song sung just at the right moment; seeing a beautiful flower or butterfly or bird or colorful tree or reading a good book. Remembering someone’s favorite treat! Lives are opened up to God by small things and it is in those small blessings that we find everyday hope.    I Peter 3:15 – ”…sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer with meekness and fear to everyone who asks of you a reason for the hope that is in you.”              A young naturalist captured a male sparrow hawk. As he placed the hawk in a cage he watched the sky for the mate who had escaped, but she couldn’t be seen in the huge expanse of sky.            Next morning the young man gently took the hawk from the cage, but the bird lay limply in his hand. He could feel the heart beating rapidly so he knew the hawk was alive, but his eyes were open and fixed unblinkingly up into the sky.  Carefully the naturalist laid the hawk on the grass where he lay unmoving, eyes still fixed on the sky above. It seemed the bird was so far away in heart that he was near death.  There seemed such hopelessness as the hawk simply lay there in the grass that the young man’s heart was touched and tears filled his eyes.            Then in the next instant, even as the naturalist watched, the hawk was gone. Like a flicker of light he vanished…straight up into the emptiness of sky that the man’s eyes could not penetrate. For a moment there was absolute silence and the light was so intense the naturalist could not see the hawk’s flight. Then from somewhere far above came a cry. The young man’s heart leaped as for the first time he saw the mate. She came hurtling straight out of the sun’s brilliance where she must have been soaring for hours and from her came a cry of unutterable joy!             When he could see them both the male was rising fast toward her and they met in a great soaring spiral that became a dance of wings. Once more their voices joined in a harsh wild medley of question and response that echoed through that remote valley. Then they were gone forever, somewhere into those upper regions beyond the eyes of man. Our churches for the most part have always been safe and comfortable places to come together for worship and communion together. However, as we begin to make our way back into our church buildings some are cautious, some are overjoyed and some are reluctant to re-engage in face to face ministry preferring the safety and comfort of Zoom. It is certainly sensible to take precautions against the virus since some are still at risk, yet we are hungry for contact with each other. We yearn to see and touch.   In Christ we, too, can move into the upper regions of the spirit, because in Christ there is hope; hope which frees our caged spirits. May we find ourselves, as the birds in these stories, cradled in the warmth and comfort of God’s hands so our spirits can once again be freed to soar. Evangelist Glenna Henry, Columbia Fairview

May 25, 2022

Brokenness When Jesus began the journey of his ministry, his eyes were opened to the brokenness. His ears heard the cries of suffering. And yet he did not despair but offered hope and healing. The past few years we have been allowed to separate ourselves from the brokenness of the world because of the restrictions of the Coronavirus pandemic. I have managed to escape as I did when I was a child by reading books. I can escape into the lives of characters in a book whose problems were solved by a hero in a happily ever after ending of the story. I choose to only catch a glimpse of the real world through an occasional news clip. Even my “friends” on social media paint a strong picture of the happy moments of their lives, hiding within the brokenness they may feel. Beauty for brokenness, hope for despair, Lord, in your suff’ring world, this is our prayer. But, God looks beyond social media and sees within our souls with compassion. That is not so easy for me. I become overwhelmed by the pain and sorrow that I see and even tend to turn my eyes. My heart broke when my sister, Mel, committed suicide this year. She had been living in brokenness for many years after her own son’s suicide. I knew the signs. I saw the signs but we could not or did not reach out to her in the way she needed. Even now, I feel myself wanting to crawl into my isolation. This is not compassion; I realize it is only my grief and guilt. Compassion requires the strength to move beyond the clutching grasp of grief and the fear of taking on the suffering of others. It means letting go of the panic of offending others with religious or spiritual help. Do you ever feel hesitant to move beyond your fear and take that step into compassion? God of the poor, friend of the weak, Give us compassion we pray, I have been asked to do my nephew’s wedding in a couple of weeks. Those who were at my sister’s funeral in January will be at the wedding and are still hurting, including myself. My heart has been frozen in grief. It is now that time when we must move forward and share in celebration and joy. I hope that I will be able to help us on that journey during this service.  Don’t live in the brokenness but move forward in compassion to embrace the beauty and hope. Melt our cold hearts, let tears fall like rain: Come Change our love From a spark to a flame. CCS #302 Beauty for Brokenness Evangelist Vera Wetteroff

May 18, 2022

THINGS I’VE LEARNED       That life is like a roll of toilet tissue. The closer to the end, the faster it goes.     I’ve learned….that the best classroom in the world is a “quiet place.”     I’ve learned that having a baby fall asleep in your arms is the most peaceful feeling in the world.     Finally I’m learning that being kind is much more important than being right.     I’ve learned that when I can’t do anything else for someone, I can (and should) pray.     I’ve learned (the hard way) that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold or a heart that understands.     I’ve learned that I should be thankful that God doesn’t give me everything I ask for and that I don’t realize and am not truly appreciative of what I have now. Sometimes God’s “No” is the highest and best “yes”.     I’ve learned that all the money in the world can’t buy class or love.     I’ve learned that even God didn’t do it all in one day. What makes me think I can or should?     I’ve learned that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.     I’ve learned that love, not time or anything else heals all wounds.     I’ve learned that life is tough, but with God, I’m tougher.     I’ve learned that a smile is an easy and inexpensive way to improve your looks and that I need all the help I can get.     I’ve learned that concrete should be thoroughly mixed up and permanently set, not your mind.     I’ve learned that silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute and its hard to put your foot in a closed mouth.     I’ve learned that the first rule of holes is, when you are in one, stop digging. (or you will bury yourself.)     I’ve learned that in order to be at peace with myself I must first be at peace with God.     ……And the most important thing I have learned is that I have a lot to learn. (and re-learn continually.) Evangelist Sid Faulkner

May 11, 2022

Are we listening?   God reminds us in scripture that we are to listen to him and hear his word. He specifically says in Luke 9:35, “A voice came from the cloud saying, this is my beloved Son, listen to Him.” Are we listening to Jesus? I remember when I was a child my parents would often tell me to listen to them. They would tell me to pay attention to what they were saying. It took me awhile to learn that when they said those words they were trying to teach me something important or to save me from harm. When I finally understood that I found that when I heard their words, understood them and followed them my road of life was much easier. When I became a parent I found myself saying those same words to our girls. When they were about to do something that was not right or unhealthy for them or when I wanted to teach them a real life lesson I would say to them, “Listen to me! Hear what I am saying to you!” I wanted them to learn to avoid the pain of unhealthy choices because I loved them and wanted to protect them. I wanted the best for them. That is the way it is with God. He loves us. He wants the best for us. He wants us to live our lives with joy, hope, love and peace. He has given us a complete manual that will show us the way to have that blessed life but we have to study that manual and we have to be open to and sensitive to the Holy Spirit. We have to listen! We are also reminded in the Book of James that we are to be DOERS of the word and not hearers only. Just imagine what a beautiful world this would be if all people would truly hear the word and then do what the word tells us to do. There is so much negativity and bad news in our world today. The pandemic, racism, the economic downturn, the anger, strife and tribalism, etc. Where will we find the solution to all of this? We know the answer won’t be found in Washington D.C., Jefferson City, or Springfield. The answer is found in scripture. The answer is found by listening to Jesus. The answer is found in doing what He tells us to do. And,,,,,the good news is that even though we may mess up from time to time, even though we may make poor choices, we may stumble and fall, He never leaves us or forsakes us. He stands ready to forgive, to make us whole, to make us new, to give us a fresh start IF we will listen to Him, If we will do what He tells us to do. Are we listening? Evangelist Don Chilton

May 4, 2022

A testimony. God is faithful to His word!   If you don’t want to hear about tithing you can tear out Genesis 13-14, Deut. 14:22-25, Malachi 3:1-10, Alma 10:5-10 and D&C 129:8 from your scriptures and don’t bother to read this message. As newlyweds, I (a brand new member of the church) had a year to go in my enlistment. We rented a room in De Ridder, LA, just outside of Fort Polk, LA. It was January 1956. Margaret casually commented, “it is time to figure our tithing.” “What! No way could we afford to give a tenth to the church,” I declared. Our combined income (military and dependent) amounted to about $200.00 per month. Rent for one room was $40.00 plus food, auto maintenance and fuel, etc. etc. Absolutely “NO WAY HOSEA!” I had put my foot down!! We filed our first Tithing Statement as a married couple in January of 1956, but not until I had learned the difference between income and increase. Margaret explained that God is not asking for a tenth of our income but rather of our increase. The scripture explained “the Fruitage Principle” (Lev. 26:4) how the tree (or seeds) must first sustain itself, then produce its fruit, the increase. (Lev. 27:30-32 and Deut. 14:22-25) When my military commitment was fulfilled we returned to St. Louis and to my former employer. I was a commercial artist in the creative sales department of a large printing firm. I loved my profession as an artist (later called Graphic Design). As time went on our family grew and events occurred that required more income to meet the bills. Each time we faced another problem or crisis God was there to bless us:  A better paying position with an ad agency, the opportunity to build our home in Jefferson County, the miraculous healing of our infant son, the loss of my ad agency position during the recession of the 80’s only to result in being led to a still better paying position, still in Graphic Design. God is faithful to His promises….Let us not lose sight, however, that another blessing of equally great joy is to be able to serve Him, to be an instrument in His hands to serve others. Please read Malachi 3:1-10. What a way for God to close the Old Testament! Blessings to all. Evangelist Gordon Parrott

April 27, 2022

As with God’s forgiveness through Jesus, there is an initiative of grace that liberates, amazes and wins with the immeasurable power of love. It teaches us to ask for forgiveness when we have wronged another, and to accept forgiveness when we have been wronged. Sometimes tough to do in the emotionally charged environment we live in today.    We often find ourselves not wanting to forgive; we would rather get even or get back at the person who wronged us. But in spite of our efforts to avoid or achieve forgiveness, it remains our best resource for the healing and health of our strained personal relationships and our everyday encounters. It’s hard to forgive because we have all been let down and injured in the deep recesses of our hearts. Sometimes it is easier for me to cover the hurt and try to move on than to admit the pain and do the work of forgiveness.   A story to illustrate.    I remember that when I was a child there was a river not far from where I lived. One of my favorite things to do was to walk along this river and look for frogs and turtles. It was a slow, winding river. I believed that if I listened closely enough, I could hear the river singing. I sometimes wore my boots. I liked to step into the water and swish my hands in the coolness and pullout river clams.   One afternoon, it must have been in the summer, for I remember the heat and the drooping willows, as I walked along the river I saw across the water another boy about my own age. He was carrying a yellow toy boat. It seemed as if it was made of wood. I could just make out a red smokestack. The boy didn’t notice me until I slipped and fell into the water.   “What do you want?” the boy asked angrily.   His tone of voice startled me, and I was embarrassed that someone had found me out among the frogs and my river clams, so I just stood up and said nothing.   The boy placed his boat on the ground and picked up a stone. The water reached my knees. I shaded my eyes from the sun just in time to see the boy jerk his arm back and fling the stone in my direction. I quickly spun around and began to wade toward the shore just as I felt a sudden pain in the back of my head. I reached up and placed my hand where the stone struck me. I turned to face the boy. He was leaning over, lifting up his yellow boat. That is when I noticed my moist hand. I brought my hand down and saw my own blood smeared between my fingers. The boy slowly leaned over and placed his toy into the water. For a moment we both watched the little boat float peacefully along the edge of the river, and then I walked home.   Which boy does the river sing for? I always believed it sang for me. I still do. But on the other hand, Jesus urges us to believe that, despite the ugliness of the other boy, the river creates music for everyone. Christ does not exclude His gifts and love from anyone. Jesus teaches us to make sure that, in our righteousness, we don’t drown out the singing of the river from the ears of the lost children.   We eventually learn that ugliness can be beaten, not with another rock, but with a forgiving heart and the courage to maintain a desire to see that all people can share at the good river, together.  Evangelist, Jamie Varvaro

April 20, 2022

“LORD, GIVE ME HOPE”   Where do I begin, I asked myself. What is Hope? Can I just say, “Hope” and I have it or can I pick it up at Walmart? In Romans 8: 24-25 we read: “For in this Hope we are saved. But Hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Recently, I went through two surgeries to help control a significant tremor in my right hand, arm and foot that I have had for about 3 years. The first surgery was to implant a “deep brain stimulator” into the left side of my brain. It was a 4 hour surgery in which I had to be awake the entire time. I could not move at all for the entire time as my head was in a vise and yet I had to be conscious in order to respond to the doctors’ commands. Since I have claustrophobia, I prayed ever so much to be able to get through this tough time. I had hope that this procedure would work and give me relief of this tremor. I had confidence in the doctors but my hope was really in the Lord and trusting Him to bless the doctors to do this surgery right. Finally, the surgery was completed and wow, what a relief! We found that the probe was in the right place but I had one more surgery 2 weeks later to hook this probe up to a wire that would be attached to a pacemaker inserted above my heart. At least I could be asleep for this surgery! With God’s blessing, this surgery was also a success and I am feeling very thankful as I continue to recover. In order to have HOPE we need to step out in faith asking and expecting God’s gracious blessings! Easter is a time of HOPE! Hope for life eternal with our Creator. Some think we are essentially a body and some think that we have a body that happens to have a spirit. Where in reality, we are a Spirit that temporarily inhabits a body. The scriptures say that we were created spiritually before being created physically on this earth.  Praise be to God for the Hope that we have through God’s love and promises. We are so much reminded of that during this wonderful hope-filled season of the year! As I am growing older and have begun to lose several close friends and 2 dear brothers in the past 2-3 years, I have found this Hope in Christ to be a great comfort. Praise be to God that in our times of grieving the loss of those near and dear to us that we can experience the Hope of Christ and the Peace of a loving Savior! “Lord, give me Hope”…..Lord, give us Hope….. for the challenges that lie ahead that we can live each day as it comes fully trusting in You.   Evangelist Rodger Howell

April 13, 2022

BE HERE TOMORROW                                These 3 simple hand written words are posted on the front of my refrigerator. The words may be simple and few, but their meaning is large and significant. What they mean is don’t kill yourself, don’t commit suicide. If today has been a terrible and awful day please hang on for the next 5 minutes, the next hour, the next two hours, and then through the night. I have struggled with suicidal thoughts all of my life. Most of the time the thoughts are submerged just beneath my conscious awareness, but I know they are there. They can quickly surface when life becomes painfully difficult. I believe that suicidal thoughts surface when I am feeling hopeless about my future ability to cope with a painful or traumatic situation. That is where I found myself 10 years ago on April 26th. My husband, Barry, died at home that morning. He had been ill for a couple of years, and had a lengthy hospital stay of 77 days in Barnes Hospital. He was released just before Christmas and I had cared for him at home during the next few months. He wasn’t on Hospice care, so the morning he died it was a surprise, but not what I had anticipated would happen that day. After Barry’s death my family gathered around me and we made it through the funeral events. I was having a very difficult time and my grief was (and is) deep. My heart felt broken, and 6 weeks later it was “broken”. I was at my doctor’s office for my annual check-up. When the nurse and doctor tried to get my blood pressure reading they were having trouble getting it. I remember hearing the doctor say, you are passing out on us. That brought me to consciousness. An ambulance was called and I was taken to the near-by hospital. In the ER they started doing routine tests of blood and urine. The assumption was that I was having strong grief reactions. Their tests revealed that two days earlier I had suffered a heart attack.   So my heart was broken emotionally and physically. I started cardiac rehab. By August of that year I realized that I was also coping with serious suicide thoughts. I knew that I needed therapeutic help to get me through this painful time. At an earlier time in my life I had also needed the guidance of a therapist. I was dealing with a great deal of trauma and often felt overwhelmed. She made me promise to call her first if I was seriously contemplating suicide. I asked her why I needed to call. Her answer surprised me. She said that while a part of me was feeling hopeless and depressed, there was another part of me that wanted to live. If I took the time to call her, then that gave time to the part of me that wanted to live. So, if you are feeling suicidal, make a call to a safe family member, a friend, a doctor, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. You can also call Emergency 911. Give yourself that extra 5 minutes, an hour, two hours, and then through the night.  I’ll share the message on two other magnets on my refrigerator door. “Life always offers YOU a second chance. It’s called TOMORROW.” And the Mission Prayer: God, where will your Spirit lead today? Help me be fully awake and ready to respond. Grant me courage to risk something new and become a blessing of your love and peace. Amen.” [bold added] Please – BE HERE TOMORROW Jeanne Murphey

April 6, 2022

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS……HOW IS MY FAITHFULNESS                             “Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All of my blessings thy hand hath provided —- Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! So reads Hymn 11 in our hymnal as it recounts just a few of the ten thousands of blessings that come our way. Most of these come without our request – even before we thought of our need for them. They come from a God who loves us unconditionally, and has promised he will never leave us. But what about our faithfulness to God? We can’t make the same claim, you and I. No matter how perfect we aspire to be. We’re still no further ahead than the rich young ruler who had kept all the commandments and loved his God and neighbor from his youth up —- but could not walk away from his wealth to follow after Jesus. We are, after all, mortal and subject to temptations and failures of the human condition.  I believe Matt 5:50 which says … be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect … is not humanly possible. However, it is still our goal, and the challenge we are to strive for throughout our life journey. So how do we measure our faithfulness to God? Are we making progress? What steps can we take to improve? Jesus demonstrated faithfulness as he walked upon the earth, but he was divine; he achieved perfection. Who should we look to as mortal mentors? Where can we observe human faithfulness to God being lived out? What demonstrates human faithfulness to God? God called David a man after my own heart; even though David had committed murder and adultery. I believe it was because David had the ability to repent and return to God in praise and service. He was especially gifted as a spokesman for God and a leader for the people. He was faithful to God. Mother Theresa was unable to sleep after she passed a woman in need lying in the gutter. She returned to help and vowed to never let another person suffer alone while she could offer presence. She was faithful to God. Hubert Case was an ordained RLDS minister who preached the Sunday sermon at the age of 100. I doubt that he missed church very many times over his lifetime. He was faithful to God. Paul confessed a thorn in his side (temptation). He said what he wanted to do he could not focus on, and what he did not want to do he could not forget. Yet Paul did many acts of ministry in service to God right up until his death. He was faithful to God. Abraham obeyed in offering his son for sacrifice when God asked. Jonah would not go to Ninevah until a whale swallowed him up and delivered him to shore. Job suffered thru loss of wealth, health and family and still did not doubt God’s existence and plan for him. They were faithful to God.  From these testimonies and thousands more we have heard we fashion our own pattern of faithfulness to God. Likely our pattern will  include — Keeping the commandments of Jesus — church attendance — Generousity — Sharing our belief in God — Kindness — Care for all creation — Presence in time of need — Daily prayer — Honesty — Desire to be helpful — Reading Scriptures daily ———- Winston Churchill once said “Never, Never, Never Quit”. Perhaps that is the best definition for human faithfulness to God. Do good things like those mentioned above, but especially “Never Turn Away From God”.   May our song become “Great is my faithfulness, Lord unto Thee” Evangelist Jerry Henry, Columbia Fairview

March 23, 2022

LIVE THE MESSAGE OF HOPE   When our children were small we made Christmas cookies and candy each year much of which was given away. Then when grandchildren came along we tried to involve them in the tradition. One year when they were with us for Christmas a big batch of sugar cookie dough was mixed up and the kids were invited to decorate cookies. The older kids enthusiastically started decorating as soon as the cutouts were ready, but two year-old Matthew was downstairs playing. I called to him and asked if he wanted to decorate cookies…to which his response was an emphatic ‘NO’! However, grandmothers sometimes know a little more than two-year-olds, so I went and got him. When I carried him into the kitchen the response was instantaneous! With wide eyes and an O-o-o-h! he wriggled out of my arms and made a beeline for the table where he climbed onto a chair to get into the midst of the action!   Adults are kind of like that, too! Sometimes we respond with ‘NO’ when asked if we want to be part of something then when we finally, albeit reluctantly, do become involved we find ourselves caught up in the action! In our reluctance God sometimes has to guide us to where the action or need is and remind us that even when we are part of something we really didn’t want to be part of, we are not alone. He is right there with us!   That is what happened in the past two years! The Pandemic was certainly NOT what we wanted to doing in 2020-21, yet we continued to live our lives and tried to find ways to be useful and productive.  We opened our arms to the bruised and brokenhearted and to those enmeshed in sin; we went the second mile and we reached out to touch the lives of others whether in a physical sense or through the medium of prayer. We have gone about the business of being and the process of becoming…because we believe we are God’s children! We’ve done good things because we are a good people…God’s people!   With all that’s happened our lives won’t ever be quite the same as before Covid19, but that doesn’t mean hope is lost! Hope is embodied in our belief and trust in Jesus who was born, died and rose again as a symbol of God’s eternal love for us.            Romans 8:24-25 – For in this hope we are saved; but hope that is seen is not hope.         Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we        wait for it patiently.   The past two years are behind us. We can’t go back to change those years and to a great extent we can’t control the future, but what we do have some control over is how we live within the increment of time we are in. When God spoke to Moses He told him He was “I Am”…notice He didn’t say “I Was” or “I Will be”…but “I Am”. He is the God that is with you all your earthly life no matter what you do or where you are. He has loved you always not because of who you are, but because of who God is! He is with you always, in this life and into the next!          Romans 8:38-39 – For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels or demons,        neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else        in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  My prayer is that we will be willing and able to live the message of hope that is in Christ today.   – Evangelist Glenna Henry, Columbia Fairview

March 9, 2022

“What Should I Fear?” I used to live in perpetual fear of losing things I had; or never having the things I hoped to acquire. What if I lose my hair? No longer a worry. What if I never get a big house, or lots of money? What if I become overweight, out of shape or unattractive? What if I lose my job? What if I’m disabled and cannot play ball with my child? What if I get old and frail and have nothing to offer those around me? But life teaches those who listen and now I know: If I lose my hair, I will try to be the best bald guy I can be and I will be grateful that my head can still stimulate ideas, if not follicles. A house does not make a person happy. The unhappy heart will not find contentment, no matter how big the house. The heart that is merry however, will make a happy home. If I spend more time developing my emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions, rather than focusing solely on my physical self (my temporary self) I will be more beautiful and lovable with each passing day. If I cannot work for wages, I will work for the Lord – and his benefits package is unmatched. If I am physically unable to teach my child to throw a curve ball I will have more time to teach him to handle the curves thrown by life and this shall serve him better. And if aging robs my strength, mental alertness and physical stamina, I will offer those around me the strength of my convictions, the depth of my love and the spiritual stamina of a soul that has been carefully shaped by the hard edges of a long life. No matter what losses or broken dreams may lie in my destiny, I will meet each challenge with dignity and resolve. For God has given me many gifts and for each one that I may lose, I will find ten more that I never would have cultivated were the course of my life to always run smoothly. And so, when I can no longer dance, I will sing joyfully; when I haven’t the strength to sing, I will whistle with contentment; when my strength is shallow and weak, I will listen intently and shout love with my heart; and when the bright light approaches, I will pray silently until I can no longer pray. Then it will be time for me to go to my Father and what then should I fear? In closing I’ll share a Japanese Proverb: “Be not afraid of going slowly. Be afraid of standing still.” Evangelist Sid Faulkner

March 2, 2022

“Paid in Full”   One of my prized possessions is a small piece of paper showing a balance due of $147.00 and across the front is written these words: “Paid in Full, May 28, 1968”.  When I was in high school I worked for my brother in a service station. As soon as I got my drivers license I bought a car and learned a lesson in financial management. I was spending more money than I was making just to keep that car going. When the car needed tires I did not have the cash to pay for them so my brother generously allowed me to buy the tires on credit. I struggled to pay my obligation to him but I just couldn’t seem to get ahead of that bill. After high school I decided to go to college but I had this debt and no way to pay it. I approached my brother and told him I wanted to go to college but if I did, I wouldn’t be able to pay that debt for a long time. He told me that if I would go to college and if I would graduate he would mark that bill paid. But he said, “if you don’t finish you will owe every dollar of this bill. Those four years went by and on graduation day my brother and his wife came to celebrate that day with Sue and me.  When he walked into our apartment the first thing he did was lay that bill down on the table. “Paid in Full, May 28, 1968.” I never really expected him to do that for me. I planned on getting a job and paying that bill. But he loved me enough that he kept that promise he had made four years earlier. I have thought a lot about that over the years. He extended grace to me. He gave me forgiveness. He kept his promise. That is how it is with our relationship with Jesus Christ. We make errors in judgement, we make mistakes and we make poor choices from time to time. Yet Christ, in his love for us, extends his grace, gives us forgiveness and he always keeps his promises. When we choose to follow him and obey his commandments he marks our bill “Paid in Full.”  Evangelist Don Chilton

February 23, 2022

“GOD HEARS AND ANSWERS PRAYERS ” There was this kid, just turned 12 and had been confirmed a member of a big protestant church in  St. Louis. He loved his pastor and teachers. He’d been warned about judgement and heaven or hell. One night while waiting for his basketball teammates to arrive he decided to sit in the darkened sanctuary. The only light was a lighted cross, high on the wall above the organ pipes. Quietly, in his mind he asked God, “How do you draw the line between those who go to heaven and those sent to hell?” Six years later he met a girl (his uncle’s sister) who had come to visit him during summer break. She was sixteen and quite attractive. His uncle asked him if he’d mind taking her to a show or something while she was in town for two weeks He dated her nearly every night and when she returned to her home, a farm near Buckner, MO, he drove to see her almost every weekend and they grew in love. Arriving about midnight Friday, Saturday was movies, skating, swimming and lounging under a shade tree on the farm. Her dad was an electrician and also a minister for the R.L.D.S. Church. Sunday was church, lunch and on the road back to St. Louis. They were growing in love and talked of marriage. He was nineteen and she seventeen.   Her dad was having some meetings with a family that was interested in learning about the church and invited him to help show some slides to them. He opened the meeting with prayer and then asked him to show the first slide. The title was “Life After Death”…….And there before his eyes was the answer to his question about heaven or hell. Words right from his own bible. Why didn’t his church share that? At nineteen he was drafted into the Army. She sent letters, books (Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants) and others and he learned and believed. While on leave from the Army he was baptized on Wednesday night, December 27, 1955, in Buckner, MO. Margaret and I were married Saturday December 30, 1955. Praise be to God who hears and answers prayers. Evangelist Gordon Parrott

February 16, 2022

Many of us celebrated Valentine’s Day this week. A day drenched in love. We can all agree that love is a good thing and I’m pretty sure we can also agree that it’s much more than cards, and candy, and flowers. A lot more. Jesus has commanded us to love. He commanded us to love our neighbors, which often is no easy task. Gosh, sometimes it is difficult enough to love our spouses, our boyfriends and girlfriends, family and friends. How can we live out this command to love in the way that Jesus loved? In the Gospel, Jesus has called for us to commit humble sacrifice for those who are also in the Christian community. Over time and through reflection we have learned how to apply the ethic of love to those not only in the community but those outside the community. How do we apply humble sacrificial love to those who are our enemies? This is a serious and difficult question. Perhaps it’s an admission that this ethic of love does not come naturally for us, that we have to learn it and develop it, an admission that we need to learn it within the context of a community of faith and hope. The community helps to give us the courage to live the life of love. The goal is to create peace and reconciliation. As such we are to work at creating a “beloved community,” which clearly resonates with the image portrayed in the Gospel. Jesus is calling us to the greatest kind of love — the kind of love that risks on behalf of others. It is not a love that is weak and sentimental. It is a love that is active. It is the sort of love that calls for courage. We don’t often speak of courage and love together, but I think they are intertwined virtues. To truly love someone calls for risk. You make yourself vulnerable to pain and hurt. You also make yourself vulnerable to great joy. To love someone is scary. I’m not talking about the aspect of love that is simply natural affection. I’m talking about the act of will to keep loving someone despite all the particularities of that person. To keep loving a child who hasn’t turned out exactly the way you expected them to. To keep loving a spouse through the better and the worse. To keep loving a friend who has wronged you. To keep loving a sibling as the person that they are. And especially, to love an opponent. To love that person as a child of God, no matter what about them you might object to. All of these sorts of love require an on-going act of will. You must decide to keep loving these people. And to make that decision and follow it through, takes courage. I’ll readily admit that I’ve failed at all of these types of love on many, many occasions, and I will again. It is easy to comprehend that love is the most important thing for us as Christians, but it is so difficult to put into practice. That’s why engaging with our church family is so important. We need encouragement from each other to keep loving. We need the support of the community. We need to learn from our mentors and role models. We need the church. Jesus calls us to love as he has loved. It is the sort of love that washes the dirty feet of the disciples and the sort of love that leads to the cross. Jesus gives us a promise. He says, “because I live, you also will live.” No matter how difficult it may be to love as Jesus has loved, we are promised that we too will live even as he now lives. May you help build communities that at their very foundation give us the courage to live a life of love … is my prayer this day. Amen.   Jamie Varvaro Evangelist

February 9, 2022

God, Where Will Your Spirit Lead Today? Apostle Ron Harmon asked the question, “How do you pick a house?” He asked this question during a recent Zoom session of Living the Mission Prayer. I don’t remember the discussion that led to his question, but I made notes about my answer. My answer was that our new house (1977) was in an integrated neighborhood, in what had been a “sunset” town. A “sunset” town is a town where a black person is not safe or welcome after sunset. My neighbors across the cul-de-sac are a black family. The neighbors next to me on the cul-de-sac are Asian.  Of course we picked our new home for a variety of reasons, but it was very important to us that the neighborhood be inclusive. We were moving from an all-white neighborhood where prejudice ran deep in some people. We had black friends visit us and that troubled the neighbor at the end of the street. He thought we were trying to integrate the neighborhood, and that we might sell to a black family. The big reason we eventually sold our house was because of the white next door neighbor. The father was a violent man, and he had two sons following in his footsteps. In time the father made death threats against our family, and I was very frightened. The sons had already done damage to our home and pets. A brick was thrown through a bedroom window, a fire was set by the side of the house, and our kittens were killed. After we had moved away the older son killed the younger son. The younger son had been in Pere Marquette’s detention center for a period of time. After release he tried to burglarize his brother’s home, and that is when he was killed by his brother. In 1977, when we bought our new home, prejudice and racial violence were common occurrences in the United States. Today, the situation is both better and worse. Today we have come a long way toward inclusive relationships, but we still have so far to go. This is Black History month. I’m hearing news reports of how common it was in St. Louis to have racial restrictions in home deeds. A NPR [National Public Radio] story reported “that more than 70,000 St. Louis County homes, or about 80% of those built by 1950, have a racial covenant within their chain of title”. We are constantly hearing of increasing violence, especially gun violence. And only recently are we seeing more white people being held accountable for crimes against black people. At the beginning I referred to the Mission Prayer and Apostle Harmon’s question, “How do you pick a house?” I think the first line of the Prayer is applicable to our response, even though this prayer hadn’t yet been written in 1977. “God, where will your Spirit lead today? Help me be fully awake and ready to respond. Grant me courage to risk something new and become a blessing of your love and peace. Amen.”  Evangelist Jeanne Murphey

February 2, 2022

There are 6 characteristics in every person. They can be used in a positive or negative way. You choose….. Lazy Selfish Greedy Vain Ignorant Ambitious Jesus had these same character traits as all people do yet He chose to use them in a positive helpful way with others. On his last night before His crucifixion, he went further away from the others to be by himself to pray. He became upset with them because they repeatedly went to sleep when he needed them to be with him while he prayed. He had needed their support. He chose to control himself in not acting greedily. Each of us have choices on how to express ourselves in a positive or negative way. We are all capable of either expression and are often dismayed how easy it is to express these qualities in a negative way and end up hurting others. My Dad often told this story about when he lived in a boarding house in Roodhouse, Illinois. There was a man who would sit at the supper table waiting for the prayer to be finished. As soon as it was said, he would lick his fingers and immediately reach out to touch the biggest and best piece of chicken, the largest potato, etc. Of course, no one would want to eat those after he had touched the food in this way.  This man was very greedy and selfish and cared about no one but himself. He never expressed concern for someone else receiving the food items that they wanted or needed. He chose to consistently act in this manner exhibiting selfishness in a worse possible way. As we take time to draw closer to Christ and open our hearts and minds to Him, these innate qualities within us can be transformed into kindness, generosity and compassion as Jesus lived. Through Christ’s transforming power in our lives, we can truly become humble and full of love. Knowing this has caused me to be more aware of my weaknesses and how God’s influence can work in and through us in spite of ourselves. I have felt very humbled of how God’s grace can work through us to bless others. Your brother in Christ, Rodger Howell

January 26, 2022

PUT  ON  THE  WHOLE  ARMOR  OF  GOD Ephesians 6:10-18 (read it for yourself) bids us to put on God’s armor because we’re wrestling not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities and rulers of darkness. They have vastly more power than we, but even the powers of darkness cannot stand against Jesus (God incarnate).  We have been given Agency to choose our pathway through life. Agency is both a Gift and a Responsibility. If we choose God, we grow in Him and create with Him even unto eternal life. If we do not choose God, then the powers of darkness enter in to deceive us and destroy our life leading us away from life eternal. The breadth of Jesus teachings warn us of temptations of darkness and advise us of choices that will lead us to God instead. The Word of God (Jesus) bids us to Knock and the door will be opened, Ask and ye shall receive. We are the Temple of God, the place where the Spirit of God is intended to dwell. Yet God will not force himself on us, we must take the initiative to open our door and invite him into this Temple, and also knock and let him open His door to invite us into eternal life.  When a house sits empty for a time invariably unwanted intruders come in and take over. They aren’t invited explicitly, but by emptiness, and they enter deceitfully. We SIN when we turn from God or ignore God, and create emptiness in this Temple that is our body. Thus are the powers of darkness allowed to enter us. Twice in my lifetime I have witnessed demons possessing a human body causing it to writhe and jerk and utter guttural sounds. In both instances ministers placed hands on the head of the person and commanded by the Power of Jesus Name that the demons come out of the person. After they departed one by one, the individual relaxed and a prayer of invitation for Jesus Spirit to fill this Temple was offered. The account of the Lepers shows what happens when some of us Shun individuals, while the individuals feel Shame and do not ask for help. Shun and Shame are tools of darkness that isolate us and cause us to be vulnerable. Knock and Open are tools of light and unite us in God. Unity in Diversity calls us to pull together while appreciating differences. As the larger community of Christ we must feel free to share our needs and strengths with each other. Sharing prayer for one another is a powerful tool of God. Many are suffering from addictions that are destroying a life God has need of. Tobacco, alcohol, drugs, gambling, gaming, etc. are taking over lives and emptying Temples of God. All who believe and vow to serve God are called to reach out in whatever way possible to those who suffer. Let us not forget that no individual is without need in some way. Each of us can offer presence and prayer as a minimum. In that way we can be a good Samaritan. So how do I put on the armor of God? —- Prayer, Praise, Read the Word, Interaction with believers, witness by word & example, Kindness, Generosity, Honesty, Invite Jesus in, Care for needy.  All these are fruits of the Spirit, and keep the Temple of God (you) occupied by light so that darkness cannot enter in. Praise ye the Lord. Evangelist Jerry Henry