Slideshow image

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. Psalms 119:66 (NRSV) [I wrote this epistle in 2010. Still relevant 16 years later.]

To the saints at First United Methodist Church of Beaumont, Texas, grace and God’s peace to each one of you. Amen. Imagine writing a letter to someone, or to a congregation, and years later the letter would be made public, as is the case of the letters of the Apostle Paul, formally Saul of Tarsus. After some eight months of coming together for a Wednesday evening study, we concluded or study on “What Happens after You Die.” We did attempt to study “end times” theology. We may try another day. Last fall, we begin with Justo Gonzales’ book on “The Apostles’ Creed.” This launched us to read further, discuss and argue more on “what do we believe.” We struggled and loved each of the ones present into a new and greater understanding of our diversity regarding the subject.  These last two weeks, we had Rabbi Joshua Taub from Temple Emmanuel in Beaumont, and the Assistant Abbot-Kassapa Bhikkhu, from the Buu Mon Buddhist Temple, in Port Arthur. Great study these past eight months and great conversations with Rabbi Taub and “Reverend K.” I wrote three words on the bulletin board on our last class meeting this spring: “I believe in…”  Listed are the answers from the group present that evening: “Heaven + Jesus as Son of God + This life is part of God’s Kingdom + God + Daily Relationships + grace + forgiveness + prayer + miracles + Sacraments + God is a God of love + indwelling Spirit of God + transformation is possible-immediately [and/or] gradual + resurrection + journey through faith, hope and love + Holy Ghost + Free Will + Life Eternal.” My question: “What do you believe [today]? You have a credo (creed) to live by. Does what you believe influence your daily life at home, work, social and other environments? You know your answer. When we pray, we are sharing what we believe. Many are developing their belief system; however, if pressed when asked, how would we respond? I say, remember the Apostles’ Creed. (UMH 881). There is a reason I have this as part of our Sunday liturgical ritual. One of my Perkins professors would say that we learn by “creative redundancy.” Teachers do this same method. We are entering a season of Lent on Wednesday. A time for introspection as to where we are and where do we need to be in our relationship with God. Remember and never forget:  God loves you!  See you Sunday in church.  Blessings from Pottsboro, Pastor Frank (alegria@lakewayumc.org)