Thriving Tradition

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (NIV) and Revelation 3:1-3 (Out of the Message translation)

Again, for those of you who don’t know me, my name is Samantha Fomera. I grew up in this church, and I still love coming back to see all of you! As I have been preparing this morning’s message, I kept coming back to this idea of what’s traditional. I guess you could say that I go to one of those “hip” churches now. It’s the United Methodist church that has really loud music, lots of people, including kids, and five services! Most people don’t consider it a very “traditional” church. This made me wonder what exactly the word traditional means. Because I have a quality education, I know that traditional stems from the word tradition. And because I love my giant dictionary of over 1500 pages, I looked it up! So, here’s what I came up with...Tradition is a long-established custom or practice that has the effect of an unwritten law. So I had a general idea that I was going to talk about tradition when I came to speak to you…wasn’t really sure about much else. Because I like being fancy, when Pastor Paul asked me what I wanted to name the sermon, I said the first adjective that popped into my mind that began with the letter “t.” That happened to be the word “Thriving.” This idea of “thriving tradition” stuck with me the past couple of weeks as I’ve been thinking and praying…Now, I never know what God might send my way when I say yes to teaching a group of people…But, I didn’t think He was going to send me a bunch of numbers…turns out, that’s exactly what He sent!

Within my campus ministry, I have a group of college students that meet every week to grow together and in our relationship with God…And recently, we have been talking about what seems to be this post-Christian culture. A culture that doesn’t put God into everything they do…but a culture that separates not just Christianity, but religion as a whole, and puts it into their box…it’s a thing to do on Sunday mornings. So, in this post-Christian culture, a group called the Barna Group did a research study that I found to be really interesting. They asked a large group of outsiders, people who don’t call themselves Christians, ages 16-29, to rate a set of phrases as they pertained to present day Christianity. Some of these statistics may come as a surprise, others may not. Here’s what they found…

87% of these outsiders said that Christians are judgmental.

85% said that Christians are hypocritical – saying one thing, and doing another.

And here are the ones that I really cringed at as I was thinking of thriving tradition…

72% said that we are out of touch with reality,

68% said that we are boring, and

78% said that we are OLD-FASHIONED!

Obviously, outsiders do not see present-day Christianity as thriving. And, I gotta say, that even as a young person in the church…that scares me. Not many pastors preach on Revelation, but I’m going to bring it in this morning…Here are the words from Revelation 3, verses one through three, and verse six out of the Message translation…

“Write this to Sardis, to the Angel of the church. The One holding the Seven Spirits of God in one hand, a firm grip on the Seven Starts with the other, speaks:

‘I see right through your work. You have a reputation for vigor and zest, but you’re dead, stone dead. Up on your feet! Take a deep breath! Maybe there’s life in you yet. But I wouldn’t know it by looking at your busywork; nothing of God’s work has been completed. Your condition is desperate. Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heard with your ears – grasp it again and turn back to God. If you pull the covers back over your head and sleep on, oblivious to God, I’ll return when you least expect it, break into your life like a thief in the night.”

From what I gathered from the commentaries and books I have read, Sardis was a church that is like sooo many churches today. They get busy doing lots of things, or even just a few, and they forget why they are doing it. This church in Sardis had forgotten to keep the main thing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as being number one in their priorities. They forgot about the ultimate tradition that Jesus put in place, to go out and make disciples of all nations.

Ya know, I really don’t like automatic toilets…I’ve always been scared of them. Unfortunately, they are all over campus…especially the over-reactive ones. They are the toilets who go off before you do anything, while you are takin’ care of business, and after you are done! It’s not like they do anything other than flush! They just sit there! People are like automatic toilets too! They do the same thing over and over. Sometimes, they do the same thing over when it isn’t even needed! Now, that’s great if it’s an awesome tradition, right?! Then why do outsiders consider us boring, out of touch with reality, and old-fashioned!? My guess is that we aren’t thriving at our traditions, the traditions of the church. We may even be stuck in the same rut that we have been in for quite some time, like an automatic toilet.

Along with the definition of a tradition, I also found the definition for traditionalism. Traditionalism is the EXCESSIVE ATTACHMENT to a tradition. So, it’s an easy cure…we just have to make sure our traditions are good and thriving! Since we are into the dictionary, to thrive is to be prospering, growing, successful, and effective.

So, what are some traditions worth being excessively attached to? At my church, we have what are called LifeGroups. LifeGroups are small groups specifically designed to work like the early church did, kind of like house churches. They are based off of Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” They gathered together to eat, talk about life including Jesus, and pray. It was effective in the early church, and it has been effective in my church too. LifeGroup has become a thriving tradition that I hold onto as I meet with my group every other Monday night. Traditions of fellowship, prayer, study, and missions are all very important to becoming closer to God. Traditions are meant to bring us closer to God, rather than to keep things the way they have always been!

What are some traditions you can practice to bring you closer to God? How about the mission…the mission to make disciples...To teach others about the Word of God? Or maybe it’s to help with our tradition of vacation bible school? Perhaps you can become addicted to reading the bible…Or to prayer. Maybe, you can start a tradition for yourself of doing more mission work…or planning a retreat for women, men, or youth or starting a LifeGroup, or similar small group to go through life together and study Scripture and pray. Once you find your niche – what tradition you really love, go at it, and allow it to be molded for God’s purposes…for His work.

I know I didn’t talk much about our 2 Thessalonians Scripture, but here’s where it ties in…God will strengthen us through the process. Verse 16 out of the message: “May Jesus Himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifs of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.” A fresh heart definitely doesn’t sound dead to me!

This week, I have been house- and dog-sitting for a couple at my church. They told me that I only had to take care of the dogs…that the fish, rabbits, bearded dragon lizard, and the house plants would be fine until they returned. But sure enough…a day or two into it, one of the plants started lookin’ pretty droopy! Now, I do not have a green thumb what-so-ever. I tried to grow strawberries once, and I failed miserably. So, I had a choice…I could remind myself that it isn’t my responsibility to take care of that plant to make it grow, or I can see if the one thing I know how to do will help…that is, give it a drink of water. That simple act of giving the plant a drink of water helped that plant to perk up in no time. I did what I could to help it…and God make it grow!

God can do the same thing with our churches and the same thing with our spiritual lives if we let Him. We are partners with God to help others know the changing power of God’s love. We are partners with God to help those in need, including houseplants. We are partners with God for becoming coffee that slowly changes into yummy goodness, rather than over-reactive toilets that sit and do the same thing over and over again. We are partners with God who are to carry out traditions that thrive…always keeping the main mission in mind. To make disciples of Jesus Christ. And to do it until the end.

I encourage you to find a thriving tradition, one that you can become excessively attached to for the kingdom of God, and stand firm. Allow God to change your life, so that you can be a blessing to others.

Let’s pray…

“God, I ask that you would come into our lives today…and show us exactly what tradition we need to hold on tight to. God, allow us to give up any traditions that may be like an over-reactive toilet to us. And show us what new tradition you might have us create. Be in our traditions and help them thrive. For it is in Your name we pray…Amen.”

The Story of the Obie Sign

“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

- John 14:21 (NIV)

The drive to Florida is not exactly a short, easy ride. In fact, it took us 17.5 hours to get there (and the same to get back). I cannot say that the “Obie” sign appeared HOURS upon HOURS down the road. It was about three or four hours away from home. And I know of only one place that has an “Obie” sign - Illinois. And, only “truckers” would notice such signs. Now, once you discover the truth behind the “Obie” sign, you may realize that you have seen many. The “Obie” sign is generally white with black lettering. BUT...not all signs that are white with black lettering are “Obie” signs. “Obie” signs must have the word “OBEY” on them.

Now, you probably are thinking that I am COMPLETELY CRAZY!! I am. And now that the matter of craziness is taken care of...let’s get back to business.

Here’s what happened...We were driving rather fast, and I saw a sign that said “Obey Lane Signals.” I asked my dad what “Obie” meant. He didn’t understand what I was saying. I was convinced that maybe it was something only “truckers” would know about. He asked me what I was talking about...And I said that I had seen a sign that had said “Obie” lane signals.” He laughed. I didn’t understand why. It was a serious question. “You mean O-B-E-Y...obey?” he replied. “Ohhhh...Obey!!!” I said, laughing at myself. “Obie” signs became famous...My siblings went crazy because I wanted a picture of an “Obie” sign and they didn’t know what such a thing was. My dad and I kept the secret away from the sibs for almost the entire trip until we were back in Illinois.

I interpreted the sign to say “Obie” and pronounced it like it would rhyme with “opie.” I figured “Obie” was some fancy word when I was merely interpreting obey as something more complex than it needed to be. I pictured it as so much more than what it was supposed to be. It was merely a sign that pointed towards something that the driver needed to do. Obey something that we already should know to obey. God has told us throughout the entire Bible to obey Him and we would have better lives, but we often get confused and see something more complex than what it is...All He wants is our love and devotion. And as we draw near to Him, His instruction will become clearer to us.

Get what you might from the story of the “Obie” sign, but might I warn you from what I have learned. First off...Don’t ever think that “Obie” signs are just for other people. Learn to understand the things of other cultures. Secondly, if you don’t know something, ask. Even if they laugh at you, you will still know the information! Thirdly, once you’re the expert regarding something...share the fun. Until now, no one outside the four of us on the trip knew what an “Obie” sign is...Now anyone with access to the World Wide Web can know. But, it’s best done in person...Just sayin’!

And most importantly, learn how to read, or else you will learn more than a spelling lesson...

Memory Blank

Psalm 119: 11 (NIV) - “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

As I was getting ready for church this morning, I pulled out my handy dandy iPhone. I opened it to the Bible app and scrolled through the book of Psalm. Now, I am definitely not the expert on where is what in the Bible…but as I scrolled I tried to remember what verses of hope I could find in each chapter.

Here’s the first few…

Psalm 1 - it’s always used at funerals. Still not sure why.

Psalm 22 - Good Friday anyone?

Psalm 23 - I think I memorized that one in Sunday School when I was five.

Psalm 46 - There’s a verse in there that I have on a plaque setting on my desk…oh, what was that verse?!

Pitiful, isn’t it. Ha. It’s like I have gone memory blank, rather than stored up a memory bank. Now, it isn’t like my brain hasn’t been memorizing things. Since the last time I can remember memorizing a verse of God’s Word I have also memorized…

Not only the states and capitals, but also the states and capitals of Canada AND all the countries and their capitals for the entire globe!

The twelve major scales…as well as the natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales…and intervals, chords, and other musical things like that.

A list of history terms.

A long list of elements and where they are on the periodic table. (Thanks, Mrs. Heitman!)

And lots of other “really useful information.”

Now, I gotta say that in the past three months…I have used one of those useful things that I memorized…AND THAT’S ONLY BECAUSE I DID COLLEGE BAND!!! Ha. It’s horrible. How many of us say that we want to know God and that we want to stop sinning, but we can’t even remember what God classifies as a sin!? God wants us to know His Word backwards and forwards because within it…that’s where knowledge about Him lies.

I know as a college student, I still cringe at the thought of reading another BIG book. Nonetheless, the Bible is God’s gift to us. I heard in Sunday School as a kid that the Bible was a big guide to living. (It’s like the manual that no one ever reads, until something goes wrong…And even then, you just look on the back to see the customer service number that you call, hoping that they would fix your problem!) If it’s our guide to living, don’t you think we should at least read it? From my past knowledge, it tends to be an interesting read…with wars, adventure, romance, death and dying, yet it has an EXCELLENT ending…

Go ahead this morning, and give it a try! Open it up…and melt away in God’s never-ending love for His people…Melt away in His love for YOU…

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© Copyright 2010, Samantha Fomera

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.

One Question

Today’s Scripture:

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’

‘Yes, Lord’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’

Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’

Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me?’

He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’

Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’

The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’

Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’”

- John 21:15-17 (NIV)

I am currently searching for a job. A part-time job. A job that I can work and go to school with. A job that can use my past experience. A job that is only about 20-25 hours a week. A job that is preferably not flipping burgers. Just sayin’. Do you know how many questions you are asked when applying for a job??? It is a ridiculous number!

For example, today, I went to apply for a front desk position at a hotel. The worker at the desk not only had to ask me to fill out a two page application on my entire life, but also made me repeat at least half of what was already on there…Part-time or full-time? How many hours? What kind of work have you done in the past? Have you already received your Bachelor of Arts? And not only that, she had an accent that made communication fairly difficult! Now, I held on pretty well for the long list of questions, but as I left, I felt extremely tired.

As I drove back home, I was reminded of the story of Jesus and Peter above. (Here, Peter is called by his “official” name – Simon son of John.) Jesus continually asks only one question…Do you love me? That’s it. The magical question isn’t “Do you read your Bible every day?” “Do you pray often?” “Do you take up space in a pew every Sunday morning?” No…Jesus doesn’t ask those questions. Yes, those practices are important to being a disciple of Jesus…but those acts come out of our love for Jesus and our longing to know Him more.

Jesus asks only one question – “Do you love me?” So, do you love Him? Do you love what He did for you and me? I must say that Jesus was the only one that has ever died for me and all my mistakes! Do you answer the question like Simon Peter, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you”?

After answering one question…not twenty-five, as well as an interview process, as well as…well, you get the point. After that one critical question of “Do you love me?” we are given our job description – “Feed My sheep.”

Are you in need of answering the one question Jesus asks us? If you have, are you fulfilling your job description as a disciple of Jesus? It’s one of the most fulfilling jobs out there! (And the eternal benefits are GREAT!) Answer the question…and join the rest of us who said…YES LORD; You know that I love YOU!

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© Copyright 2010, Samantha Fomera

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.

The Camping Trip

The Transfiguration

“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!’
When the disciples heard this, they fell face-down to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ he said. ‘Don’t be afraid.’ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.”
-Matthew 17:1-8 (NIV)

So, Jesus took three of his disciples on a camping trip…but, it was definitely a trip that they would remember for a life time! Sometimes, it isn’t about “doing”!!! The disciples tried to make this experience last…they wanted to put up the tents. They didn’t realize that the experience would be gone in an instant and that they would have to go back to living their everyday life! They took some time out of their life to re-focus and see who Jesus was. We too have to take time out of our life to re-focus and enjoy the time we have with Jesus. (Because in a 24-hour day, we may only get 5 minutes to relax and listen to Jesus.)

Jesus had shown them His “real” self! When has Jesus been real to you? What do you remember about that experience? Do you give Jesus time everyday to change you into the person He wants you to be? If not, do you want to change?

Originally written on Sunday, March 28, 2010.

The Four Friends Challenge

The Mission is simple:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

At the beginning of the semester, I was challenged to bring four friends and get them connected to the Green Room Ministry on Missouri State's campus. Last night’s worship completed the challenge. I have connected four people to the ministry...but what I've gotten from the experience and what they have received has been so much more than a number, or a completion of a goal!

I brought them one by one. They were never random strangers. They were people I go to class with, or friends from down the hall! I learned who they are, and what they love, and what they care about the most...and somehow God moved in me to invite them to get involved in Green Room. Three are in Life Groups, one in a Bible study; one is even in the band! I feel like all have found a place where they can make friends with others, as well as with God! It's something that each can look forward to in the week...with friends to have fun with in-between! Friendships have been made, and forever will be! Long talks on Facebook, and over pizza, have led me to believe, that this has never been about me. It's all for Him. God alone is moving in these people's lives! There were others who were asked, but these four were the ones who came!

This Easter season has brought a reminder of God's love for me and the fire it sets within my soul. I want to bring each and every person I know to know this great, incomprehensible love! It's a love that no one can ever understand, but it's available to every person. I don't know about you, but I've only had one person ever die for me and all my screw ups!!! (PS…His name is Jesus Christ!!!) I am not the perfect person, and I don't know everything, but what I know can change the world one person at a time - starting with me. God loves me...this I know...but I know something else too! God loves each and every person on this earth! He created everyone! :-) As Shelby put it: “We are awesome…but everyone else is awesome too!”

It's remarkable to think that Jesus had three close friends…but I have four because I took a challenge, let God work through me, and help me realize, that while I am awesome, so are these four people! :D

I don’t plan on stopping here…because everyone on this campus (and in this world) needs to feel the love of God. So, take the challenge and connect four people to a ministry that you love…and be amazed at what God can do! But…don’t stop at four! Keep going! Because the whole world needs to know…

Originally written on Monday, March 29, 2010. 12:01am.

Only as Much as a Mustard Seed

“When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. ‘Lord, have mercy on my son,’ he said. ‘He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.’

‘O unbelieving and perverse generation,’ Jesus replied, ‘how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.’ Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’

He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’

When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.’ And the disciples were filled with grief.”

-Matthew 17:14-23 (NIV)

I love Jesus’ reply when the disciples come to him asking why they couldn’t heal the boy…“Because you have so little faith…” Have you ever prayed…asking God for things that you think you may need or want, and after waiting for a few minutes, take care of them yourself!? Did you think that God wasn’t going to do anything about it?!

Sometimes, we as humans doubt in what God can do or what He will do. And sometimes, we even underestimate His power. Remember that He was the one who rose from the dead and triumphed over every evil! Remember that He saved every person on this earth from death by making a way to God for us! Remember what it felt like to know that you were forgiven. To know that you were healed. Remember what it feels like to have Him working in your life to make you the best person that you can be.

It doesn’t take much faith to believe in what God will do…only about as much as a mustard seed...

How much faith do you have???

Originally written on Friday, April 9, 2010

Dusting the Grass

Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 (NIV)
“‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!’ What does a man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?”

As I was driving home with my sister more than a week ago, she tells this story: “So my grandma calls, and she says, “Hi! Can you come dust?” So, I say “NO!” An hour or two passes and my grandma calls again and she says “Can you come dust?” Again, I say “no.” One last time my grandma calls and says, “Can you come dust?” and I say ‘Fine.” So I go over there and I see her dusting. But she isn’t dusting the furniture, she is dusting the grass. I yell, “Grandma, what are you doing?” Grandma replies, “Company’s coming and this place is sooo dirty! Just thought I’d spruce up a bit.” I exclaim, “By dusting the grass?!” (As told by Morgan Fomera)

How often do we get caught up in the meaningless details of life, rather than looking at the big picture?! I know I’m guilty of it! Now, some things are necessary to carrying out the day’s work…but do you get caught up in the business of the work and forget that it’s all about relationships with others? Do you get so caught up in “doing” that you forget that it is an actual relationship with God that your Spirit longs for? You can figure out what this eleven yr-old’s story means for you, but remember: it’s the relationships in your life that count…definitely not the status of the grass – whether it be dusty, or just long!

Originally written on Tuesday, May 25, 2010

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© Copyright 2010, Samantha Fomera

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.