How To Get Your Brain to Focus

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.

                                                                                                                                            ~Luke 10:38-42

We are beginning our sermon series entitled: TedxJesus where we watch Ted Talks and analyze how they can help our faith. Sunday was the first in our series: How To Get Your Brain to Focus by Chris Bailey. Here is the link if you would like to watch the Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu4Yvq-g7_Y&t=153s

How do we get our brain to focus? I chose this video/topic and that irony is not lost on me. I am the most ADHD, scatterbrained, can't focus person I know. I generally have to have numerous external stimuli going on around me for me to buckle down and focus on things such as bible study, sermon prep, or simple everyday tasks that require my attention and focus. In fact, I wrote the majority of my sermons while in seminary while in my seminary classes so I could focus on the class topic and the sermon. While writing my sermon on this topic I actually had The Wolverine movie playing on the ipad next to me. What can I say? I like comic book movies.

Maybe you are like me and you go from screen to screen all day everyday. Look at your phone before you even get out of bed, then you look at a slightly bigger screen while you are at work, then you wind down from your day by looking at a massive big screen television in the evening (while simultaneously looking at the same smaller screen that started off your day)

I love this quote I found in a commentary I read about the story of Mary and Martha: "The disease of the internet age is "continuous partial attention." Perhaps it is not only the disease of the internet age; perhaps its always been with us and just the cause of our attention has altered.

I would guess that continuous partial attention is a good representation of the daily lives of quite a few of us. In his Ted Talk, Chris Bailey gave up his phone for a month and after about he week he noticed the following: 1) his attention span grew 2) he had more and better ideas 3) he planned and thought more about the future. Where we choose to focus our attention affects the focus on our lives. The research shows that "the state of our attention determines the state of our lives. Reminds me of the verse in Matthew 6 that states " that where your treasure is, your heart will be also."

The story of Mary and Martha gives us a great example of what is and what isn't important. Martha was working in the kitchen preparing a meal for guests and Mary was being lazy and not helping her. Well that's one way of looking at it.

Let me start by saying what Martha has chosen is not bad. She has chosen to focus on some important details: food prep, hospitality, and work. But she is distracted and her focus is not where it needs to be. She is focusing on what she perceives as an justice that is being done to her by her sister, who is not doing what she wants her to do. Martha is focused on her role, focused on herself (she mentions me three times), and her plans-which don't include learning from Jesus. Her own expectation did not include Mary focusing on Jesus and not helping her with the work. She finally reaches her breaking point and cries out to Jesus: "Lord, don't you care?" Newsflash-Jesus does care but not in the way Martha thinks he should. 

Jesus doesn't get on to the work Martha is doing but gets onto how distracted Martha is. Like Martha if we as individuals or we as a church community get bogged down in the details too much we will inevitably be running in place and not making a difference in our community. 

Contrast that with Mary who is sitting and learning at Jesus' feet. Mary understands what it takes to focus and what (or who) she needs to focus on. Mary was eager to be a disciple and has chosen the BETTER part because of her singular focus on Jesus. When we as individuals or as a church learn at the feet of Jesus by reading scripture together and continually listening to what Jesus has to say to us then we are much more effective.

Maybe the ultimate purpose of the story of Mary and Martha is to offer us the reminder that we need to focus on Jesus and give Jesus our full attention. So here's a way to do that. Over the next week when you become bored or distracted allow your mind a chance to wander.  

In the morning make a point to focus on God's word by reading scripture. For example, I read scripture Sunday morning and gained a deeper understanding of the prophet Zechariah's first vision. 

Around lunchtime take a step away from your phone and all other devices and people. Take the time to step outside and wander around and notice the sights, sounds, and smells of God's creation. Like the sky that I noticed after the rain on Sunday:

Then in the evening before you go to bed reflect on where you saw God during your day. I encourage you to take the time to write it down so you don't forget or better yet to tell someone about it. For instance, I felt that it was very impactful that while my friend Margret and I were watching the band Skillet perform in Fort Worth on Sunday night that as a lead in to one of their songs they sang the first first to one of my favorite hymns: Be Thou My Vision. It was unexpected but made an impact on my day.

So my prayer for each of you this week is that you would disconnect from your screens and take the time to focus on what is truly important. And that you would give limit the distractions around you and give your full attention to Jesus.

Grace & Peace

Kevin

Mwanafunzi

I had the opportunity to preach at Mwerongai MCK (Methodist Church Kenya) on Sunday. Here are my notes from the sermon:

22 Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. 23 When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came and he was alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat, fighting a strong headwind, was being battered by the waves and was already far away from land. 25 Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” They were so frightened they screamed. 27 Just then Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” 28 Peter replied, “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.” 29 And Jesus said, “Come.” Then Peter got out of the boat and was walking on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, rescue me!" 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, saying, “You man of weak faith! Why did you begin to have doubts?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind settled down. 33 Then those in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, “You must be God’s Son!”

                                                                                                                    ~Matthew 14:22-33

Peter is able to do what Jesus did. He is able to walk on water. What an amazing show of faith. He's doing it, he's actually walking on water. But then he notices the wind and the waves caused by the storm. He allows doubt and fear to creep in and he begins to sink. He doesn't keep his eyes (literally and figuratively) on Jesus and THAT'S when he begins to sink. Doubt and fear can be debilitating if we allow too much into our lives. e doubt as Peter did. We lose focus when doubts and fears come our way. It happens to all of us. 

When hearing the story of Peter walking on water we tend to focus on two things: 1) Peter walks on the water and 2) Peter fails when he walks he walks on water. But there's one other important aspect to focus on that makes Peter look WAY better. He's actually the only one present stepping out in faith before he begins to sink.

I learned a new word in Kenya: Mwanafunzi. Pronounced Mwa-nah (almost like Moana)-foon-zee. It's fun to say-you should try it. It means disciple. And Peter is the only Mwanafunzi that tries to do what Jesus did. Our spirituality is defined by our discipleship and Peter models that here. Now he went down in the water but while he was walking on the water in that moment he was not simply a fisherman, he WAS a disciple. 

How often might each of us not even try at being a disciple? Especially when it's tough.We shouldn't focus on Peter's failure but on the fact that Peter was stepping out in his faith. After Peter is rescued there's no mention of the disciples stepping out in faith and walking on the water. When Peter takes his eyes off Jesus, that is when he begins to sink. And Jesus admonishes Peter for his "weak faith" which I've often thought was harsh because at least he tried to walk on water. But the more I've thought about it the more I believe Jesus is showing Peter love here by telling Peter exactly what Peter needed to hear. Peter was bold but then lost sight of what was important. Yes, Jesus brings up Peter's lack of faith in this moment but the more important aspect in this moment is that Jesus rescues Peter IMMEDIATELY by lifting him up out of the rough waters. When the other disciples witness Peter being rescued they respond by worshipping Jesus and confessing that he truly is the son of God. And they had taken their eyes of Jesus as well by not taking a step out in faith.

There have been times when I have taken my eyes off Jesus and someone else, another Mwanafunzi, has lifted me up. For instance when I was struggling with doubt and self-criticism early on in the ordination process as a new pastor I got a simple message from someone I barely knew at the time telling me not to be discouraged because she wanted we around after she's gone. I hope she knows how much that meant to me (sidebar: she does now because I said it in this sermon in Kenya and she was there). And it's because of who she is as a person, as a disciple, that now she is a mentor and a mother figure in my life. 

And it's because of her that I leaped into uncharted waters and traveled here to Kenya six years ago and that I'm here again today for the fourth time. Coming to Kenya has truly helped me understand God fully on a deeper level and what it truly means to be a witness for Christ to the ends of the earth. You, the Kenyan people, truly know how to welcome us into your community and your church. On behalf of the entire team let me say that we are honored to be here and worship with you because my God do you know how to worship. You're praise of God, your singing, your dancing, and your heart and spirit led worship are truly awe inspiring.

It is clear in the scripture that Peter steps out in faith and we must do the same. When have you stepped out in faith for someone in their time of need? Even in the most troubled water we can be faithful to Christ. It won't always be easy but Christ is with you and will not abandon any one of you. When we step out as disciples-Christ is there to meet us.

It's important to remember what Peter forgot. He had doubts and took his eyes off Jesus. Throughout the storms in life if we keep our eyes focused on Jesus we will get them. Depend on other disciples to help you and help others.

Let's do what Jesus did. Jesus extended a hand to Peter so lets be like Jesus and extend a hand to others. And always remember that we love you simply because God loves you. As was mentioned in the children's Sunday School lesson this morning remember that we are made in God's image so let us love one another as God loves us. 

Bwana Asifewe

RevKev

Good Soil

4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ 11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 
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In this parable Jesus shares that the seeds that were sown represent the word of God. They represent Jesus to the world. Seeds that fall on the path are the people that hear the word but the devil steals it and they don't believe. The seeds that fall on rock are the people that receive the word of God joyfully but have no roots so when tempted they fall. The seeds that fall among thorns are the people who go about their lives and the word of God is choked out by the riches and pleasures of this world. But the seed that falls on soil are those people that hear the word of God and commit themselves to do good and they are able to bear fruit.

I remember an adult talk at one of our youth Discovery weekends about a decade ago where the adult youth leader gave a talk on this scripture. She did not want to do it but I #voluntold her she was doing it. (Sorry Suzy-I stole the word voluntold from you) I know it was a great talk because I remember parts of it all these years later. Suzy had a great relationship with all these youth and the volunteers. She's also one of the few people in my life who can tell me to do something and I actually HAVE to do it-no questions asked. Love you Suzy!! Suzy gave an impassioned talk about each of the youth being this good soil that Jesus was talking about in this parable. She looked across every corner of the worship center and told each of the youth that they were this good soil that Jesus talked about. It was very impactful. These youth hear the word of God and commit to spread the word of God and by sharing they bear good fruit. The more people that share about Jesus-the more people hear about Jesus. It's simple math, really. 

I love this excerpt from The Making of Methodism I have: "Worship is a gracious encounter between God and the church. God speaks to us, especially through scripture read and proclaimed and through symbols and sacraments. We respond, chiefly through hymns and prayers and acts of dedication. Worship is the work of the whole people of God: a congregation is not an audience or a group of spectators."

For something to grow it has to be cultivated. Whether it is in worship, in service to others, or in inviting others to church. In the church the word of God must be cultivated by the pastor AND the lay people-in fact the lay people can be more impactful in this because there are more lay people than pastors and research shows (or at least the facebook meme tells us) that people are more than ten times likely to come to church when invited by a friend than by a pastor. John Wesley understood the importance of the lay people and empowered them to lead effectively alongside the pastor. United Methodist pastors are itinerant then as they are now. But in Wesley's time it was different because pastors would travel from church to church on foot or on horseback so the church members would have to lead in the time between when a pastor would be present. 

In order for each of us to grow in our faith where we can influence and help reach others for Christ we must commit to being this good soil. It's a big part of our discipleship process. We can be taught by the pastor. Even as a pastor I am taught by other pastors and lay people alike so that I can improve as a Christ follower. It's past time that we all step up and show others that we are that good soil that Jesus talks with the disciples about: that we all hear about Jesus and we commit to doing good and sharing about Jesus.

Grace & Peace
Kevin

Nothing Else Matters

Today we visited the River Jordan, the place of Jesus’ baptism. I had the opportunity to remember my baptism thanks to Lisa being willing to go in the water with myself and Steve. 

There were a lot of people there and we were a little pressed for time before going to our next destination. We quickly put on the robes and went straight down to the river Jordan. It was busy and chaotic and we had to rush. There were people of many nationalities present to remember their baptism or be baptized. They were all disciples of Christ-as Tim so eloquently pointed it out in our devotion time. Did I mention there were a lot of people there? 

As we got into the water and Lisa said words for us to remember our baptism, everything else went away. As Steve put it at devotional tonight, in that moment nothing else matters. And it was true. We didn’t notice a small child sitting and watching at the edge of the water the whole time. We didn’t notice others taking pictures. We weren’t thinking about how we would have to rush and change and be back on the bus in ten minutes. In that moment it was simply the three of us and God. I’m not surprised that being in such a meaningful place that we were able to block everything else out.

Such an amazing experience to be in the presence of the God we serve. I know many others have had a similar experience in such a special place. 

Grace & Peace

Kevin

Magdala

Sometimes I go into something with preconceived notions and expectations of what I think is going to happen or what I’m going to experience. I try my best to not have have these expectations when I venture to places I have never been. But as I journeyed to the Holy Land I couldn’t help but look at the itinerary and see what sites we were visiting each day. I looked at the first day and got excited about visiting the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Beatitudes, and the church of the fishes and loaves-which is the traditional site of the feeding of the 5000. The site on the itinerary about visiting the town of Magdala was really an afterthought when up against those other powerhouse locations from scripture. Well I should have known that it would be the most powerful because i didn’t think it would be that meaningful.     

Don’t get me wrong, all the sites were amazing but Magdala really stood out for a variety of reasons. We saw the ruins of a relatively newly discovered first century synagogue which included a rectangular stone from when the temple was standing. The chancel area in the chapel had a boat (yes-a not) that was uniquely positioned with a view of the Sea of Galilee behind it so it looked like the boat was on the water. It’s almost like it was placed that way on purpose. And the church on site was made in honor of Mary Magdalene, Old Testament women, New Testament women, and most importantly women of today. What a powerful message and representation of such a magnificent church.

My point is that sometimes we need to simply let go of our expectations and simply BE. Be in the presence of God and hear what God has to say through us through creation.

As Psalm 46:10 says: “Be still and know that I am God.” Do that and you might be surprised how God will speak to you.

Grace & Peace

What is Your Value?

Take a look at the picture of currency from different countries. They are from the United States, Kenya, New Zealand, and Fiji. Notice a couple things about them. First, the money has pictures of well known people on them such as presidents, gold medal winning rugby players, and of course-cool animals. Second, you'll notice two different looking Kenyan schillings. The 200 bill is almost out of circulation so it will have no value and is being replaced by the newer, fancier, cooler looking bill (which is shown by the 500 bill). Third, as awesome as the $7 Fiji bill is-it has no monetary value here in Texas. Likewise the Kenyan schillings have no value here. By the same token (pun intended)-the $2 bill would hold no monetary value outside of the United States. The $2 bill is worth two bucks but I value it more than someone else would because it includes a stamp on it that is the logo of a musician friend of mine. Years ago when I ordered one of his cds he sent the stamped $2 bill in the shipment as a thank you. Now the bill is my favorite bookmark. It begs the question, what is the value of money? It's all in the eye of the beholder. Here's a scripture that helps me understand value.

"Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, "Show me the denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?" They said, "The emperor's." He said to them, "Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's and to God the things that are God's" And they were not able in the presence of the people to trap him by what he said; and being amazed by his answer, they became silent.    ~Luke 20:21-26

When Jesus is questioned about taxes he places value on the money but not much value on it. He recognizes something far more valuable than money. The people are trying to trick him into saying something that can get him arrested. When asked if it is lawful to pay taxes to the emperor (who was viewed as God by some) Jesus seemingly has two ways to respond. If he says yes it is lawful to pay to the emperor then he will lose credibility with his followers because as the son of God why would he be paying someone else who claims to be a God. If he says no it is not lawful then he could be arrested for going against the emperor. So naturally, Jesus cleverly comes up with a third better option. He simply asks whose face is on the coin and they respond by saying "the emperor's." Jesus then says to give the things to the emperor that are the emperor's and give to God the things that are God's. He has cleverly subverted their expectation with his answer and we all learn from it.

But what exactly does he mean when he says give to God what is God's? It's in direct opposition to giving money to the emperor. So what are we to give to God? We are to give ourselves to God. We are to give every fiber of our being to God. God doesn't want us to offer all the money and materialistic things we have, God wants us to offer ourselves and all that we are. And God values each and every person more than anything else and none of us can ever be replaced. Just my read on what Jesus is trying to say here.

Grace & Peace

Kevin

Why I'm United Methodist

I have been United Methodist since I was a child and I plan on remaining United Methodist. My experience in the United Methodist Church interacts with scripture and informs my understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ. I appreciate the connectionalism of the UMC. There's a great metaphor from a book called The Lego Principle that speaks to this: 

"While LEGO bricks are so varied, they all have one purpose: to connect at the top and at the bottom....This is the LEGO principle: Connect first to God and then to one another." (The Lego Principle, page 3) 

I feel like sometimes we focus so much on connecting with God we forget to focus on connecting with others. As I said on Sunday, as a youth and college student I drifted away from attending church on a regular basis. During that time in the wilderness, I never missed an opportunity to go to summer camp at Ceta Canyon Methodist Camp. I struggled with the local church but unbeknownst to me-going to the Ceta Canyon kept me plugged in to my faith as I struggled with my own local church until a mentor invited me back. My struggle is more of a reflection on me than on the church I attended but being able to stay connected through conference camp ultimately helped keep me in the fold. I connected with other youth and other camp counselors and that helped to sustain my faith. I witnessed this as a youth director when busy schedules and excuses got in the way of youth regularly attending Sunday and Wednesday activities but they wouldn't miss a chance to go to summer camp or on a summer mission trip with youth they had met from other churches.

My reason informs me that I don't know or understand everything (as much as I might like to) and that I must witness and live out the gospel in a way that is thoughtful and respectful to everyone. I appreciate the diversity of the United Methodist Church. Not just a diversity of of race, and culture but a diversity of opinions. This diversity and difference allows for discussions with those different than ourselves. These discussions and relationships are how we learn and come to appreciate other people and other points of view. Although we are different "United Methodists as a diverse group of people continue to strive for consensus in understanding the gospel. In our diversity, we are held together by a shared inheritance and a common desire to participate in the creative and redemptive activity of God." (BOD paragraph 105) We don't have to be of one mind but can and should be of one heart and that heart is to lead everyone to follow Christ. We learn and grow when we are in conversation with those who are different than us. The church should be the model we see at the birth of the church in the book of Acts and that church is a church of diverse people.

Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love God and the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor. And our neighbor is everyone. One of our foundational beliefs as United Methodists is our believe in grace. We are given grace as a gift from God-it is undeserved and unmerited. God gives us grace before we even know God and God loves us so much that God sent Jesus to die for us to atone for our sins. This grace is something we need to extend to everyone. Jesus didn't shut people out and neither should we. Jesus even gathered with his betrayer Judas knowing that Judas was responsible for his death. If we are to be like Jesus then we must show grace to everyone-even those we don't agree with.

Grace & Peace

RevKev