October Newsletter: Covered Bridges

Dear Friends,
Here is my column for the October 2009 issue of the Monroe City/Mt. Vernon United Methodist Churches Newsletter. May you find all the strength you need to travel through life's covered bridges.
Blessings,
Clayton

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From Your Pastor…
I like to look at bridges. Bridges can be quite a site to behold. Not every bridge is spectacular, of course, yet there are numerous beautiful bridges throughout the world: old stone bridges, rustic wooden bridges, and modern marvels spanning distances once thought impossible.

If you were to walk into my office today, you would see at least two pictures of bridges. On one wall I have a 2009 calendar of bridges. Even though it’s not a very fancy calendar, I still find the pictures inspiring. On another wall I have a framed pencil drawing of the Union Covered Bridge that was done by a friend of mine. The Union Covered Bridge is not far away from us [in Monroe County]. It’s located several miles southwest of Paris [Missouri], just off of Country Road C. It is one of only 4 covered bridges still standing in Missouri today.

I’ve long admired covered bridges. They have a special, rustic beauty that harkens back to the early years of our country’s history. I also find a powerful symbolism in the design of a covered bridge. All bridges take you from one side to the other, crossing over water, roads, valleys, and other terrain. But a traditional wooden, all-enclosed covered bridge has a quality that no other type of bridge has. It's dark inside a covered bridge. You can't see your surroundings very well while traveling through the bridge. Some covered bridges have little windows along the side which let in just enough light for you to see where you are going. But that’s about all you can see of your immediate surroundings. You can’t see the river, lake, valley, rocks, or whatever perils might lie below you. The sides and the roof box you in, so you have no where to go, other than toward the light on the other side. When you emerge from the bridge, you emerge into daylight. You are no longer boxed in by the bridge. You are able to move about freely, able to see all around you. And best of all, you’ve made it to the other side of whatever you were crossing.

As we journey through life, from time to time we find ourselves traveling through covered bridges. These are not bridges in the literal sense. Instead of being made out of wood and metal, these bridges are built out of the troubles and sorrows of life. Many things can create such a bridge. It may be the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, family struggles, abusive situations, loss of employment, financial difficulties, health problems, emotional turmoil, or other significant life changes. Whatever the case may be, this event brings us to an impasse. We can’t turn back, so our only choice is to continue through the covered bridge. Just like being inside an actual covered bridge, we can't always see or make sense of what is going on around us as. The difficulties we face box us in. It’s dark and scary; perhaps it’s even lonely. If we look carefully we can a little light coming through the side windows. It’s not a lot of light, but just enough to keep us from stumbling, just enough for us to find our way. We may find ourselves discouraged and frustrated, but there’s no place else to go. So we push ahead. And as we keep moving onward to the end of the bridge, we will eventually cross over the troubled waters and valleys of life. We will exit the bridge and emerge into the sunlight of a new day with bright hope for the future. Our journey may not over, but on the other side of the bridge we can forge ahead with renewed hope and strength.

Covered bridges may vary in length, but they never last forever. No matter how dark, scary, or lonely they may be on the inside, they always lead back out into the open. As we exit the bridge, we can look back to see that we indeed got from one side to the other—which is the whole reason for having bridges in the first place.

May God give you strength and courage for all of the covered bridges you face throughout your life.

Grace and Peace,
Clayton

August Newsletter: Finding Hope

Dear Friends,
Below is my column from the August 2009 newsletter for the Monroe City / Mt. Vernon United Methodist Churches. I am sorry to be running so far behind schedule. I have been wanting to post this for several weeks now, but I didn't get a round tuit until today. I hope you find it meaningful.
Peace and Harmony,
Clayton

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From Your Pastor…
As we enter the eighth month of 2009, I am struck by how different things feel this year compared with a year ago. Last summer there was some economic instability and even talk of a recession, but it wouldn’t be until autumn that the economy would take a serious downturn. Gasoline prices were high, up to $ 4 a gallon or more, but most people figured it was only a temporary increase (which turned out to be true, fortunately). Yes, there were some concerns last summer, but as a whole there was optimism in the air. There were many exciting events that helped take our mind off any worries about the future.

Beijing was host to the 2008 Summer Olympics in August. It was a record year. The United States won a total of 110 medals, more than any other country. Swimmer Michael Phelps broke Mark Spitz’s record for most gold medals won in one Olympic Games. Phelps also broke the record for most career gold medals, and tied the record for most individual gold medals in a single Olympics. Although not a record breaker, gymnast Shawn Johnson captured the hearts of America as she won one gold and three silver medals.

Last summer we were gearing up for an historic presidential election. The Democratic nominee, Illinois senator Barack Obama, was the first ever African-American to be nominated for president by a major political party. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was the first women ever to be nominated for Vice President by the Republican Party. So no matter who would win in November, the 2008 election would be a “first,” either the first African-American or the first woman elected to high office. There was a lot of excitement around the election because people knew it would be “history in the making!”

Of course, not everything was rosy in 2008. There were hurricanes, earthquakes, airline crashes, wars, murders, and (let’s not forget) floods. But for the most part, people were hopeful and optimistic.

Let’s fast-forward one year. The mood doesn’t seem as bright. People are losing their jobs. Others are uncertain about theirs. Concerns about money have caused many people to be cautious about spending. People are taking “staycations” rather than vacations. Fourth of July celebrations, fairs, festivals, and other events have had to be scaled back or even canceled. Political scandals seem to be on the rise. There’s quite a bit of wrangling going on in Washington, DC. And our troops are still fighting overseas.

As I reflect on the mood I sense in people today, I’m reminded of words written in 1854 by America’s great songwriter Stephen Foster:

’Tis the song, the sigh of the weary:
Hard times, hard times, come again no more.
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door.
Oh! Hard times, come again no more.

Yes, these may be hard times, and they seem to be lingering long. But the good news is that we do not have to make this journey alone. God is with us, each and every step. In a recent Upper Room devotional, Anna Georgieva of Bulgaria writes, “Through my struggles I learned an important lesson: We cannot blame God when we suffer. We live in a sinful world filled with imperfect people, but God is perfect and merciful. God is our hope.” What a powerful testimony from someone whose life has been filled with many tragic events. What an inspiration for all of us.

Even though hard times may linger many days around our “cabin door,” we have hope. God is our hope. Christ is by our side, leading us, guiding us, and sometimes even carrying us. The Holy Spirit fills us with power and strength. Let us give thanks for this wonderful good news!

June Newsletter: Words of Hope

Dear Friends,
Because I have received such positive feedback about my pastor's column for the June 2009 Monroe City & Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church Newsletter, I thought I should share it with a wider audience. My June newsletter column makes reference to some specific events taking place in Monroe City, Missouri. Even so, I believe these words can bring comfort and hope to other people in other places.
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From Your Pastor…

In the January newsletter, I unveiled my motto for the New Year:

“Things will be fine In two thousand and nine!”

As we come to half-way point in the year, we may be asking ourselves, “Are things really going fine in two thousand and nine?”

Recent events in our community might lead many to say, “No. Things are not fine.” Pace Industries will be closing its Monroe City plant July 14, putting more than 180 people out of work. Meanwhile, Intermet Corporation will be up for auction on June 22. No one knows yet what the new owners may do with the company in terms of closures and consolidation. And then, as if to add insult to injury, Pete Paris Chevrolet will be losing their General Motors franchise in October 2010.

Wow—what a blow to our community. Pete Paris, Pace, and Intermet have a long history here in Monroe City. Some people have spent most of their careers working at one place or another. What is going to happen when two or perhaps all three of these community pillars come crashing down? Is there any hope for the future of Monroe City?

An old African-American Gospel song goes, “In times like these you need the Bible.” Indeed, the Bible can bring us hope and comfort as we face difficult and challenging days ahead. I especially find the 23rd Psalm to be helpful in times of trouble.

I once heard a pastor preaching on this beloved Psalm. He reminded us that verse four states: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” Notice how it doesn’t say, “Even though I get stuck in the valley” or “Even though I stumble and fall in the valley.” No. The Psalm is clear: “Even though I walk through the valley.” You see, as we face the dark valleys of life, we don’t have to get stuck; we don’t have to stumble and fall. We can walk. We keep on pushing ahead and we will get through the valley. The valley may be dark and treacherous. It may be filled with obstacles. We may have a difficult time seeing the way ahead. But if continue to walk, we will make it through.

As we walk through the valley, the Psalmist reminds us: “I fear no evil; for thou art with me.” We need not make this journey alone. The Lord who is our shepherd will walk by our side. We need not be afraid because the Lord will be with us each step of the way.

But the Lord does more than just walk with us. The Psalm continues: “Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” The rod and staff are important tools for a shepherd. A shepherd uses a rod to protect the sheep by driving off wolves, coyotes, and other dangers. The crook on the end of the staff makes it a valuable tool for rescue. If a sheep gets caught in thorns, or if it has slipped and fallen to a place of danger, the shepherd can grab a hold of the sheep with the crook of the staff, and bring in the sheep to safety. So as tools of protection and rescue, the rod and staff bring comfort to the sheep.

The Lord’s rod and staff bring comfort to us as well. The Lord takes the rod to drive away the wiles of the enemy that would discourage us, bring us down, and even cause us to loose our faith. And if we ever get caught in life’s thorns or stumble off of the pathway, our shepherd will reach out with a staff to catch us and bring us to safety.

So even though the days ahead may be difficult and challenging, we can proceed with confidence knowing that we will get through this valley. The Lord will be by our side, protecting and keeping us, each and every step. And that, my brothers and sisters, is good news!

Grace and Peace,
Clayton

A Good Message

I was flipping through my copy of Eugene Peterson's version of the Bible known as The Message and came across these words:

I, Jude, am a slave to Jesus Christ and brother to James, writing to those loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ. Relax, everything's going to be all right; rest, everything's coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way! Jude 1-2 (MSG)

Not a word-for-word translation, of course, but I really like how Peterson puts it: "Relax, everything's going to be all right...love is on the way!" These are definitely words to live by--words that can help us make it through the ups and downs of our day-to-day life. And in times like these, we can all use some words of hope and encouragement.

Have a blessed day!
Clayton Peak