Pastor's Perspective - Connecting with God? NO SWEAT!

So you want to connect with God? No sweat!

I was saddened to hear about the needless deaths of three people involved in a sweat lodge ceremony in Arizona earlier this month. The three victims were among sixty others attending a five-day retreat held by new age millionaire guru James Arthur Ray. Each person paid the $9,000 registration fee, subjecting themselves fully to a variety of life-expanding and spiritually stimulating experiences hosted by Ray and his staff. During one of these experiences, the sweat lodge, people vomited, passed out, became critically ill and even died. This tragedy is currently under investigation. Apparently, the sweat lodge ceremony was the culminating event after days of physically and mentally strenuous exercises, which involved fasting and one game in which Ray himself played God.

Sweat lodge ceremonies are closely linked with the religious practices of certain native American groups. Sometimes referred to as a ‘medicine lodge’ or a ‘medicine house’, a structure is built to facilitate a type of ceremonial sauna. In isolation and under extreme heat, the participants engage the process through drumming, chanting, and offerings to the spirit world.

God, through His Word, the Bible, has made it abundantly clear how we can and should engage Him.

First of all, we don’t need another human being to connect with God. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Simply put, our direct connection to God and unlocking the full potential of the spiritual you is through Jesus Christ exclusively – not through a guru with manipulative ideas and deep pockets.

Second, we don’t need to connect with God through physical manipulation or sensory stimulation. So many sadly rely, and are led into believing, that achieving a certain euphoric emotional state (oftentimes manipulated) is their way of ripping the veil separating us and the Almighty. Jesus told a rejected woman in Sychar, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:23).

James, a brother of Christ and leader of the Jerusalem church, wrote something so beautiful, “Come near to God and he will come near to you..” (4:8a). Friends, the cross of Christ is proof that nobody wants to connect with you more than your heavenly Father! No one paid a higher cost to forge such a precious and necessary relationship. Scripture reminds us that while we were still God’s enemies, Jesus died for us. In other words, we don’t have to torture ourselves and subject ourselves to false teachers to get it!

So, how do we authentically connect with God? The answer is simple – Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

So, if you are hungry to connect with the Highest Power available, I’ve got good news for you! Put the self-help book down. ‘Void’ your $9,000 check. And, save yourself from a whole lot of physical and emotional exertion and manipulation.

God is wanting you to connect with Him today – right where you are – through the Lord Jesus Christ.

No sweat!

Pastor's Perspective - The Power of Sloppy Kisses

I wish all of you could meet my Oma!

The endearing name ‘Oma’ is a German slang for grandmother. Recently Oma was hospitalized in Reading, Pennsylvania, so she has naturally been on my mind and in my prayers. Indulge me as I share just a few things about this amazing and unforgettable 92-year-old.

Oma raised three children in the middle of WWII, while my grandfather (‘Opa’) was off fighting for the bad guys. She kept her family together in the midst of chaos in a battle-torn, dictator-led country, surviving under the harshest conditions. Following the war, she left her family and homeland for America. By way of Canada, she and Opa eventually settled in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York. It was there that my then teenage parents (Klaus & Sandy) met as neighbors, and fell hard for each other. Mom was a pretty, gregarious, brown-eyed brunette; while my Dad was a hard-working, blue-eyed foreigner, bent on destroying the English language single-handed! After a long sweetheart courtship and eventual wedding, I came along in a blinding Lake Erie snowstorm in January 1963.

I always adored my Oma. From my earliest recollection, she has always been old! After we moved to Tampa as kids, we would beg to go see her every single vacation. As a child the hardest moment was saying goodbye to her. Several days before our departure, she would already be saying things like, “In four days you go home, so far away. I hope I see you again.” She had us weeping days in advance! I laugh at that now as a 46-year-old man – crying that I’d never see Oma again - back in 1970! I still think she’s going to outlive us all.

Oma never mastered the English language, speaking only German with Opa. Oma also never drove a car, because Opa drove everywhere. Oma was a ridiculously amazing cook and housekeeper. She was a ‘hausfrau’ through and through, and wore that title with great pride and honor. She adored all her kids and grandkids (still does) and lavished us with crazy lavishing love.

Oma is my only living grandparent. Opa died several years ago, as did my wonderful grandparents on my Mom’s side (Albert & Mattie Lou Watson). Several years ago, Oma asked me to do something I’m already dreading. Oma asked me to preach her funeral someday. Naturally I’ll keep my promise, but I don’t have to like it.

With her last emergency hospitalization, I thought about the reality of keeping that promise. My mind raced back over a lifetime of priceless memories – the parties, the meals, 6-weeks in Germany with her in 1974 at age 11, the endless laughs, the hospitality, the culture and pride of heritage she instilled. Then it hit me. My favorite thing I love about Oma is this – before kissing me, she always licked her lips – big, pink, Euro lips! As grandkids, we would literally inhale when we saw her coming with a smooch. There was no escaping those drowning, smothering, lip-locks. When Oma loved you, she did it openly and all the way. Dry kisses were absolutely unheard of at Oma’s place!

Today, she would remind all of us to love your family madly and affectionately while there is time to do it, withholding nothing when it comes to love. Let’s be honest. Your kids when they grow up will most likely forget everything you buy them this Christmas. However, they will never forget the love they experienced through positive consistent physical touch. So, honor my Oma tonight when you kiss your kids goodnight. Run your tongue over your lips and get em good! Sure they’ll think it’s gross. But they’ll doze off knowing that sloppy kisses can be wiped-off, but the love gets down deep.

Thanks Oma. I love you.