Transformers!

Did you hear? The new Transformers movie is coming out and people are so excited that many are camping out in front of the theater to buy the first tickets. Guess what? I will not be sleeping in the parking lot waiting for tickets. I love transformation but I am not crazy about this particular type of Transformers.

But there are a number of transformation sequences that do get my juices flowing. In fact, if I am reading the New Testament correctly, our primary job is the seeking and receiving of transformation that comes through the love of God. We are to "love the Lord" "love our neighbor" and "make disciples of all nations"... those themes are all about transformation.

While I am especially interested in how the love of God can change our spirits...I am also interested in other types of transformation. Let me show you what Sue and I have been doing the last couple of days. Typically I would avoid "bathroom" photos but here goes:

It started out as as a fairly nice bathroom in our new home. It was OK but it needed a bit of help. So, out goes the cabinet, up comes the floor, off goes the sheet rock, but the tub is cast iron! Finally it is down to the studs and ready to be rebuilt. The tub will become a large tile shower with some cool details, the floor will also be ceramic tile, and the cabinet /sink combo will get a fresh look. Before long, it will be transformed.

Isn't that the way it goes? It seems all lasting transformation starts with a bit of tear down before the rebuilding can begin. Not "tear down" like destroy or wound....but "tear down" as in confession, repentance and forgiveness. When those three are in strong connection with each other, the Lord has the opportunity to rebuild with great joy and wonderful results.

In the end, people who once were self focused become servants to others. People who found identity in holding on to everything discover the beauty of generosity. You get the picture! God loves transformation!

I could use a fresh dose of divine transformation myself! How about you

The Beauty of Grand Junction

If you are traveling along I-70 headed west toward the Utah boarder you will experience the beauty of the Colorado River. It sweeps through Glenwood Canyon on the way to the incredible depth of the Grand Canyon. Along the way it provides the fullness of life for everything in it's path. The Grand Valley is just one recipient of that abundance.

It is amazing. The entire valley is surrounded by wonderful mesas that shift from dry of dry to lush and beautiful. Throughout the valley you will find evidence of divine activity. The fruit of the vine, the fruit of the tree, the resources of the earth, and the joy of people. Many of those people are folks of faith and a many are fellow United Methodists. Those fellow sojourners were our hosts for the 2009 session of the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference.

It was a time or renewal and celebration. It was fresh and joyful as our new Bishop led us in worship and encouraged us in the faith. Bishop Elaine has a spirit that shifts from a very easy smile and a quick sense of humor to the seriousness and strength of significant leadership. She will do well and we will be blessed.

The Annual Conference session is one of the significant touch points when it comes to the fullness of the United Methodist appointment system. Each year, the Bishop is charged with the responsibility of making appointments and "setting" them through the formal process of reading the appointments at Annual Conference. I was blessed to stand as my name was called in relation to the Wilson United Methodist Church. It is one more part on our journey of transition.

Rev. Keith Watson was called on to "pass the torch" from the retired clergy community to the newly ordained servants. His service to the church has been (and will continue to be) a very significant part of our United Methodist family. The transition for Keith and Mary Ann is very important and they deserve our faithful prayers and our full support.

Meanwhile, we all continue to move toward a full transition. Typically that transition actually takes at least one full year...often more! It is about moving in, learning the people and traditions, praying for direction, seeking the vision of God, and building trust one relationship at a time.

From a congregational side it is often a time of uncertainty. Who is this new guy? What will happen next? Is this safe? Is it right? Will it all work out? I understand those questions better than ever since Sue and I just completed a term as "congregation members" under the leadership of a new pastor. Here's what I learned...God is in control! And the Lord has a wonderful way of bringing things together under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It will be good and we are looking forward to getting started!

Peace and blessing to you all as you share worship together and honor the ministry of the Watson family. Give them your best, don't miss the opportunity to worship, celebrate the Spirit and join together in a spirit of hope!

The river runs and the vineyard is lush!

It is time for Annual Conference! We are here in Grand Junction Colorado where our Rocky Mountain Annual Conference is being held this year at the downtown Convention Center.

All is well after a 5 hour drive from Limon. We went to Limon on Tuesday so Ana could stay with our daughter, son-in-law and their family. Here's the interesting part. Three of our grandkids in Limon are full siblings of Ana's. So, our daughter's siblings are our grandchildren. Strange!

Anyway, even though the focus is on the Annual Conference...it is an unusual time for the two of us. It is has been several years since Sue and I have been together over night on our own without Ana. It feels a little empty but it is nice to have the time together. We will all be reconnected on Sunday but for now ... she will enjoy the time with family and we will enjoy the time with each other.

Since my last post I loaded up a rental truck with my office stuff in Wilmore - drove two days to Colorado Springs - reconnected with Sue and Ana - and unloaded the office stuff at the church. My thanks to Jim, Dennis, George, and Dick for their help with all my stuff. My apology to the class that meets in the classroom right across from Cindy's office. It has become my temporary store room for more stuff than one person should need in a life time. Thanks for being patient with this transition process.

We are looking forward to July 1st when we will officially get started at the church. Meanwhile, we celebrate with you as Keith and Mary Ann wrap up their time at Wilson UMC. July 5 will be our first Sunday together. I have invited Keith and Mary Ann to join us for that worship experience so we can celebrate communion together as we pass the baton.

We are also looking forward to the opportunity to get to know you and your family. The SPRC is working to set up some meeting times when we can gather groups of people so we can have some introductory conversations. It will be good.

Meanwhile, we pray the Lord's blessing upon you and your family. Stay tuned, I will try to add more posts as we get closer to the first of July. Peace!

Father Elias (on the left) is the new Abbot at the Abbey of Gethsemani in central Kentucky. He is the senior temporal and spiritual leader with responsibility for the largest and oldest Trappist monastery in the United States. He is new to the job but a long time member of the monastic community that is located outside of Bardstown.

Over the years I have spent my fair share of time at Gethsemani. In fact, I was there most of yesterday. It is always a delightfully quiet and reflective experience to share worship with the monks and to walk the lush and peaceful grounds. My soul responds to the spirit of the place. I am captured by the commitment of the monks and the desire to know God through worship, work and study. I find peace here.

It is interesting to identify the places that become holy ground for our journey of faith. There are places and people who encourage us, lift us, and provide blessing just by being present. I hope you have some of those people and places that have become marking points for your spiritual life. Maybe a friend, a teacher, a neighbor or a pastor...perhaps a building, a church, a meadow, a cabin, or a temple where your spirit soars when you walk through the door.

I think I enjoy the Trappist community for the same reason I am captivated by the Methodist movement in South Korea. They all expect God to move in the world through the power of prayer. The anticipate the ministry of the Holy Spirit simply because faithful people have expressed their heart through deeply committed prayer. For Trappist communities it happens seven times each day starting at 3:15 in the morning. For the Korean Christians it is all about early morning prayer groups that gather seven days a week to provide intercession for each other, the church, and the world.

Interesting, God moves when people pray. Ministry become effective when it is under girded with prayer. Life becomes connected to the spiritual when faithful believers offer their hearts in consistent communication with God.

It is always a potent reminder to me. It is all about God...it is all about our faith...it is all about the journey that is connected through commitment and obedience.

Monday, Monday!

It is Monday morning and I am back in Wilmore. Sue and Ana are in Colorado Springs where they can look down our street to see a fresh covering of snow on Pikes Peak. For our Colorado friends, that sight is all too normal. But our Kentucky friends will find a bit of awe in seeing the beauty of God's backyard. Happy Monday to all!

Some of you will remember the Mama's and the Papa's and the song Monday Monday. Others will hear John, Michelle, Denny and Cass as just another list of strange first names.

For those who know the tune, you will remember that the "preacher likes the cold...he knows I'm gonna stay." It is a story about a Monday morning journey that finds a lost soul stopping by a church to find shelter. We don't hear the end of the story to find out if the preacher was pleased with the encounter or if a conversation every even took place. We just know that the church became a place of refuge.

My lasting encounter with the church didn't happen on a Monday morning but it was definitely a place of refuge. In my journey, the church shifted from a place to be avoided at all cost to a loving home were hope and transformation had been waiting all the time.

It started at the First Methodist Church in Golden, Colorado where my parents attended and were I was confirmed. My confirmation commitment didn't last long. In fact, I physically, spiritually, and emotionally left the church the evening of my confirmation banquet. From the ripe old age of 13, through the turbulence of teenage years, on into young adulthood...I was an active and intentional non-believer. I was an "evangelistic" atheist with a mission of discovering personal identity through the lens of the contemporary self-actualization and the life style of a mental health professional.

Then came March 22, 1975 when Sue and I were married in a small ceremony at my parents home. Things changed! We left the mental health community and set out on our own to find the world. We actually found it (the whole world!) in a small town on the Eastern plains of Colorado. The 'city' of Genoa came on our radar. Little did we know that Genoa would become our new residence and our life long spiritual home.

In good mid-70's tradition (read: left over 60's) we sold everything and started over. We bought a building in downtown Genoa on the corner of Main and Kunkle Streets and started a new life. 'Monday Monday' was catching up with us!

Our building became the home of 'Jessen's Sunshine Market' (name after Sunshine On My Shoulders by John Denver). The back of the Main and Kunkle property provided a small living area while the second floor featured a 60 X 60 hard wood floor ballroom. Rumor has it that Glenn Miller (from the University of Colorado) and his big band played in the Genoa ballroom years ago! It was a beautiful building even though the roof leaked a bit. As it turns out, all 'Monday Monday' experiences require a reasonable amount of unexpected water!

Ultimately, we found spiritual water and the joy of new life through the ministry of the Genoa United Methodist Church that was just down the street on Main past the Post Office. It became our home and the epicenter for an earth shaking transformation. God had been preparing the way!

It was the first Sunday after Easter when we entered the doors of the Genoa church. I remember looking around thinking that everyone knew I did not qualify to be present of Sunday morning. I could read their minds...I knew that they knew that my motives were not pure. I was searching for something but my mind was focused on feeding my family by inviting people to buy bread and mile at the Sunshine Market. We needed to make a living and these people were potential customers. I didn't realize that they were seeing me in a different light. They didn't see the customer relations staff from the Sunshine Market down the street, they saw someone who just needed to be loved. So they did. They loved us right into the Kingdom! We owe our lives to the Lord and to the Christian community at the end of Main Street in Genoa, Colorado!

It all happened fairly fast from that point. Commitments were made, the waters of baptism were applied, and the journey began. The first stop included a quick trip to Metropolitan State College to finish my undergraduate degree. Step two called for a move to a place called Wilmore Kentucky were we spent three formational years at Asbury Theological Seminary. Step three (these are big steps) provided an encounter with Bishop Melvin Wheatley who appointed us to serve at the Fort Mogran United Methodist Church where we would test drive our faith, enthusiasm, and life journey with a wonderful group of young people.

From there it was on to Longs Peak UMC in Longmont, nine years in Broomfield, service at First UMC in Colorado Springs, and then back to Wilmore to serve as the Dean of the Beeson International Center on the Asbury campus. Now the journey continues as we prepare to serve the people of the Wilson United Methodist Church.

The church is still our refuge. It is still the call of God that motivates our foot steps. And it all started (if you don't count the eternal journey of previent grace) with a little group of ultra loving people at the end of Main Street in Genoa, Colorado.

The Monday Monday theme might leave you wondering when it comes to "don't trust that day" ... for Sue and I ... Monday Monday is always a day to trust, discover, and grow under the loving guidance of the Lord.

How's your Monday going?

On The Road to Wisdom?

OK, I have a confession to make. No, not that kind of confession. I need to confess that this is a really strange world and that unusual things have been happening. I am guessing you could make the same confession on some Sunday morning when you are trying to get the kids ready for church or when you are applying the brake while a red light flashes in your rear view mirror. Strange things happen.

For me, the heart of the confession has to do with wisdom. The Book of Proverbs draws a strong focus on the nature of wisdom. "Wisdom calls aloud in the streets...how long will you simple ones love your simple ways?" (Proverbs 1:21-22 condensed). Wisdom has do do with complex things, mysteries, relationships, and knowing the heart of God. Sometime we catch a glimpse of grace and in that moment we grow in our understanding of Godly wisdom. The pursuit of Godly wisdom becomes a potent goal for the individual and for the Christan community gathered as the Body of Christ.

But my wisdom story is a bit different. You see, in late may my lower right wisdom tooth started to talk to me. You know the story. It talks loud, then soft, but mostly at night. I went to the friendly local dentist who knew that I was getting ready to pack a truck and make a cross country move. He said, 'wow, that should come out!' But there was no time so he gave me some meds, offered a blessing, and sent me on my way.

By the time we were driving 1200 miles from Wilmore to Colorado Springs...it was a talking, no it was providing a running commentary on the nature of temptation. The pain was like trying to give a Great Dane a bath in the kitchen sink...it is bearable but it always leaves a huge mess, lots of anxiety and a few choice words. Thank God I was driving alone!

Bottom line, I finally got an appointment with an oral surgeon and as of 1:00 today I am now short two lower wisdom teeth. The pain is now different but it is still a reminder that there is much more to wisdom than just knowing the right thing to do. Wisdom is about patience, a loving family, and people who are skilled at a wide variety of skills.

Back to Proverbs--- Chapter two reminds us that the Lord loves wisdom. The Lord especially loves those who love wisdom. The Lord loves us all but there is a special relationship that begins to grow with new insights into the nature of wisdom. "Then you will understand what is right and just and fair - every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul." Proverbs 2:9-10

I am still learning about Godly wisdom. I am grateful that the Lord used the skilled hands of an oral surgeon to teach me patience. More so I am eternally thankful for a wonderful family who demonstrated grace upon grace. They are my teachers and I am doing my best to learn.

I pray that the Lord is teaching you something new today as you walk the path of faith and continue your journey of hope.

Stuff, Stuff, and more Stuff

Why would one family have a whole truck load of stuff to move around the country? It beats me, but I plead guilty as charged.

The truck came yesterday, loaded up all our stuff, and is now on the road somewhere between Lexington Kentucky and Colorado Springs. With any luck at all the Lord will find a way to connect all the dots so we meet our stuff at our new home next Friday.

What an adventure. We now are officially homeless. The Wilmore property closed this afternoon but we will not close for another week in Colorado Springs. For now, we live in a car that apparently is going to be traveling through Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and into the great state of Colorado. Pray for us!

Actually, being homeless is not an accurate way to describe our situation. It would not be fair or just to think that we understand anything about what it must really be like to be without a home. We don't live in cardboard or sleep in the park. We don't wonder if our next meal will be today or two days from now. We don't even have to worry about is we have enough money to care for our needs. Being truely homeless in a land of plenty is a unique experience even though this night it is the shared journey for thousands of people across our nation. Pray for them, work for them, love them, and create a pathway that might provide a pathway to a new promise.

For Sue, Ana and I...we will spend this night in Wilmore and then be on the road. We are looking forward to the adventure!

It seems like forever since I last shared a thought or two. The past two weeks have been a whirl wind...selling a house, buying a house, packing up the office, getting the house ready to load...that's just what Sue has been doing!

Meanwhile, I have been working through a group of doctoral dissertations as we prepared for graduation. On Saturday May 23rd, 196 students graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary. 36 members of the graduating class of 2009 were Doctor of Ministry students. Out of those 36 DMin students, 26 were students within the Beeson Center programing where I have responsibility.

The group you see in the photo represents our 2009 class of Beeson International Leaders. This particular group started their course work back in September of 2005. They came to campus each year for six weeks so they can maintain the flow of ministry in their home country.

From left to right:
Alfred Kalembo from Zambia / Director of International Leadership Training
Randy Jessen from Wilmore / Colorado Springs
Fernando Lua from Philippines / Professor with Asia School of Theology in Manila
George Weagba from Liberia / Professor with the oldest theology school in Liberia
Stephen Hance from the UK / Anglican Vicar in South London
Dr. Ellsworth Kalas: President Asbury Seminary
Sergiy Golovin from Ukraine / Founder of faith and science institute
Andrea Baare from Germany / Work place pastor
Dr. Tom Tumblin: Director DMin
Fohle Lygunda from Democratic Republic of Congo / Denominational leader
Hwai Teik Ong from Malaysia / President (Bishop) Trinity Methodist Conference
Reniel Nebab from Philippines / President (Bishop) Christian and Missionary Alliance Church

These students along with our North American pastors make up an incredible student body within the Beeson International Center here at Asbury. They are world class leaders who impact the global church every day.

We send them home with great blessing and our strongest congratulations!

Now for our personal schedule... Sue, Ana and I will welcome a big green truck from Mayflower on Thursday morning May 28th. It will load, depart, and meet us in Colorado Springs the following week. We will remain in Wilmore to close on our home here before we start the trek to Colorado on Saturday morning. If my "move memory" is correct, there is more cardboard on the other end of the rainbow.

I hope your day is blessed!

Housing Search and Search and Search!

Our travel week is now in the rear view mirror but the task is not complete. We are in the search for a new home. It is a big task. Our new home will be a place where our family will live day by day ... but it will also be a place of ministry, sacred gatherings, meals with friends, commotion of all sorts and joy that abounds.

By the way, for many who are kind enough to read this...you are also becoming a part of our family prayer support. In that light, I say a huge "thank you" for two reasons. First, my thanks for your prayers. Second, I am grateful that you take a few minutes from time to time to read these strange ramblings.

Now, back to the search! Sue and Ana arrived in Colorado Springs last week armed with a notebook full of potential homes that were gathered with thanks to our agent an to the Internet! They faithfully started the search with the hope of narrowing the field. They were semi-successful. That means that they looked at a lot of houses, narrowed the possibilities, and came up a exhausted and a bit dry.

I flew in on Thursday evening, had a great meal at my favorite restaurant with my favorite people and we started section two of the search on Friday morning. By evening, we were in the car, headed east in preparation for a two day drive back to Wilmore. The drive was filled with talk about this house and that house along with the occasional call from our faithful agent who was shifting to real estate by long distance.

In the end, we are still praying for the right place to pop up in a way that works for buyers, sellers, and the fullness of the future.

We arrived back home in Wilmore on Sunday evening after two full days on the road. How it is back to daily life with lots of decisions to make and a plate full of things that must be done.

Whew, moving is exausting! From your end, waiting and wondering is likewise a great way to get very tired. At this point our prayer is simple. We do not want to let the decisions of the world invade the sacred space of relationship and compassion for one another. A wise person once (and still does!) invited us to cast all our cares upon him and to remember that his burden is light and filled with joy.

That's where we are. I hope you are well and that your burdens are located approprately in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Peace!

Travel Day!

Today is a day for travel in our family. In fact, this whole week has been about travel. Sue and Ana started the trek to Colorado Springs on Monday morning. They have been in the area searching high and low for a house that will soon become our new home.

While they have been on the road and in the search...I have been taking care of details here in Wilmore. But today is different, I will be engaged in a doctoral dissertation defense with one of our students from the Philippines and then I will catch a plane for DIA. Our son David will pick me up and we will make our way south on I-25 to connect with the rest of the family.

You all know that buying a "house" is different than purchasing a "home" where a family will take root and find peace. It is quite a process. It is an important process. Some may say "where ever I lay my hat is home" but it may not always work that smoothly. That image is a great way to say I am comfortable with myself and my place in the world. But there is still a great difference between a house and a home.

Home is where you can be who you are with the people you love. Home is where you can sit back, laugh, cry, discover and share your life with a spirit of intimacy that you may never find in any other setting.

With that in mind, we are looking for a home. At the same time we know that there are many people who never find a home. They may have a place to live but they long for a home. Others search daily for a place to sleep or a meal to sustain their life. They too need a home. In fact, wouldn't you agree that all God's children need a home? The world would be a better place is the average house simply became a home.

Peace to you and your day. Safe travel, wherever you are going!