Blessed Are The Peacemakers

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Steve LaMotte

I’m sharing this brief reflection this afternoon as part of a prayer service for international peace at Wesley College- where I serve as campus minister.

As I sat at my desk and read through the news- there are attacks happening between Israeli’s and Palenstinians; conflict in Syria, continued conflict in Afghanistan; and the threat of war and violence in many other places.

In the wake of last week’s election- there is unrest amongst our own citizens. No, it hasn’t been violent, but it has been divisive. Many of us had to edit our Facebook or Twitter feeds because of the divisive rhetoric online.

In just a few short days- many of us will be joining together with extended families- while we have an idyllic vision of family holiday gatherings- many go back to families that are filled with pain, anger and brokenness.

This afternoon, we gather to pray for peace. From the international world down to our families- peace can often be something that is very hard to find.

In the Gospel of Matthew, the fifth chapter- the longest sermon of Jesus is recorded. It is the sermon on the mount. In the teaching- he turns conventional wisdom and understanding on their heads and redefines how people of faith should live. In Matthew 5:9 Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.”  Blessed are the peacemakers. Not the warriors. Not the winning politicians. Blessed are the peacemakers.

I think it is interesting that Jesus does not say “Blessed are the peacekeepers.” Peacekeepers are widely ineffective. I think of UN Peacekeepers in the Somalia, Kosovo, and Rwanda in the 1990’s and their impotence to make any difference. Peace keepers are appeasers and people pleasers. A peace keeper does whatever is necessary to avoid conflict and keep people happy.

What Jesus teaches is “Blessed are the Peace-Makers.” Blessed are those who actively pursue peace- who seek to end hostilities and bring the quarrelsome together. Being a peacemaker means taking a sometimes uncomfortable stance. Being a peacemaker means finding a third way, a win-win situation of working out a solution. Being a peacemaker is not passive, weak, or impotent- but it is intentionally and courageously working for the cause of peace. Being a peacekeeper is a position of offense- moving forward for the cause of peace. Our world needs more peacemakers.

In our United Methodist Tradition – we often sing a song around Christmas called “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” It’s #431 in your hymnals. It reads:

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be
With God our creator, children all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Friends- God has given us responsibility and purpose in our lives. Peace begins with you and me. In our relationships and in our families. Peace begins by loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. Peace begins by listening to those different than us rather than judging them. Peace begins when we advocate for those who have no voice- the most vulnerable in society and in our world. As we pray to God for peace on earth- let us hear the answer to our prayer- It begins with you and me.

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Quotation Friday

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Steve LaMotte

“Theology is hence the critical reflection about this essential practice in the light of the gospel. It does not merely aim to understand the world differently; it wants to change the world as well.”  -Jurgen Moltmann (The Trinity and The Kingdom)

Not sure about you, but I know too many people doing theology separate from any desire to change the world. Our study of the scripture and longing to know God should move us to not only see the world as God sees it, but have the same hunger and longing for the redemption of creation that God has.

 

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Take Hold Of…

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Steve LaMotte

At Hope Church, where I pastor, we just finished a six week series called Not A Fan which was based of the book by the same name. I know in my LIFEgroup, we had great conversations around what it means to follow Jesus- to deny ourselves, carry our cross daily, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). Ultimately, we talked about the need to submit every second of every day to Jesus- that God’s will would be done in our lives and not our own.

In preparing for this Sunday’s message- I’m preaching from 1 Timothy 6:17-19. In the passage, Paul writes:

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

What struck me in the passage is the phrase “take hold of the life that is truly life.” It’s actually the second time in the chapter that Paul encourages someone to “take hold of” eternal life. In the language that Paul chooses in the text- the phrase “take hold of” is an ongoing event rather than a one time deal. In other words, we are to actively take hold of the life God has given us- both this life and the life to come- each day.

There are many in the church (and outside of it, too!) who accepted Jesus as their Savior, or confessed they believe in Jesus as a one time event. The said it, got the fire insurance, and can go on with the rest of their lives. But being a disciple, a follower of Jesus is ongoing commitment. We work each day to take hold of the life that God has given us. Certainly, that life that is truly life is a free gift from God- we have to get out of our own way and cling to Jesus who is our Savior and Lord.

What areas of your life is God working on you to “take hold of life that is truly life?

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Obligatory Election Post

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Steve LaMotte

Last night, we re-elected Barack Obama for a second term as President of The United States of America. Some are joyful about this, while others are, well- not happy. One thing to remember, regardless of which end of the political continuum we find ourselves on is this- we are blessed to live in a country where we can freely vote for who our leaders will be. I went to the polls and did not see any security, no guns, no fear of being killed for my opinion or belief on who our Commander-In-Chief should be. Eugene Cho posted this on twitter last night and in the process of an election, I think it is important to remember (especially for us born as citizens and taking our democracy for granted).

As a Christian, I think there are several things to remember- and Scriptures to guide us when we think about politics.

  1. God is still God and Jesus is still King. Romans 13:1 says that “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” The election did not sneak anything by God.
  2. We are to pray for our leaders. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of truth.”

My hope is, that whatever you are feeling post-election, that you will commit to praying for President Obama, VP Biden, and leaders throughout our country and world. In our prayers that God will lead us, the Church, to be the hands and feet of Jesus when they are so desperately needed.

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Keeping Things In Perspective

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Steve LaMotte

Did you see this tweet from ESPN’s Pedro Gomez at the end of last week? It’s a picture of David Ross, catcher for the Atlanta Braves, overseeing a race with his two children shortly after the Braves loss to the Cardinals in a Wildcard Playoff Game. A game that was controversial because of a bad call by the umpires- and because of the reactions of the fans in Atlanta.

Ross, on the losing end of the game, went out a made time for his children. I imagine he was upset and disappointed. He had just played an entire season and it ended much more abruptly that I think he would have liked. I have no idea what he did when he went home. But what a great picture of priorities and keeping life in perspective.

The Braves fans, on the other hand, forgot what it appears that David Ross knows- It’s a game. It’s entertainment. It’s a diversion. It looks bad for the city of Atlanta when their fans shower the field with trash like the tantrum of a 3 year old.

There was a similar fan response this weekend in Kansas City when the Chief’s quarterback, Matt Cassel went down with an injury. While on the field hurt, the hometown fans cheered that he was injured. Again, showing a lack of class and a lack of perspective on the things that matter. Teammate, Eric Winston, called out the hometown Chiefs fans for cheering the injury of Cassel- and he was right on. It is sickening.

Our response to life comes down to our ability to keep things in perspective. Baseball and football are just games. They are to be enjoyable- but not to the point of bringing misery or completing our lives. The same can be said about other diversions in life. Perspective helps us remain content with our lives and not spending too much time in dreamland wishing we had a different life. I think the Apostle Paul set a good example for us to follow when he writes:

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content inane and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can to all things through him [Christ] who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)

Paul found contentment in every situation- through Christ who strengthened him. Contentment is found by keeping life in perspective- focusing on what is really important.

How do you keep life in perspective? Especially when life gets crazy? What helps you do this?

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Would You Pay for Church Attenders?

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Steve LaMotte

Yesterday, Matt Miofsky, pastor at The Gathering in St. Louis, MO linked this article from the New York Times on his Twitter account about Jewish Communities around the country offering financial incentives for families to relocate to their community and worship in their synagogue. It seems that some areas with a dwindling Jewish population are encouraging families to move to their areas- especially since the idea of moving back to Israel is becoming less and less an option.

Transferred to a Christian context- would a church (would your church?) consider paying families to move to your community and worship in your church? Is this such a far-fetched idea?

For this to truly work in the Church- I think it would have to be done for missional purposes (when I say missional, I’m talking about a move to a community to intentionally and incarnationally live out the mission and ministry of the church and of the Kingdom- and yes, I know every church should be doing that, but can we agree that not every church does?). I can imagine something like this working in an urban church where there is a congregation with some vitality left or leadership with vision for a new ministry the emerging generations to offer incentives to attract people/families to live missionally in the city with their neighbors. There are families and systems in place to provide families and leadership in church plants where families commit to a year or two of worship/leadership in the church to help get it established and then they can return to their home church or stay at the plant. This is not that much different. (Of course, this conversation depends on a church having financial ability to offer incentives, or business men/woman who can help provide jobs or other incentives)

What do you think? Should churches offer incentives for families to relocate and join their community? Would you consider relocating to be part of a church community to further the ministry there? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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Growing in Community

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Steve LaMotte

This past Sunday at Hope Church, was the second week of our three week series called “Core Training.” In the series, we look at worship, community, and service as core areas or pillars in our discipleship process as a church. Sunday, we talked about developing Christ-centered community in our church and living it outside of the four walls of the church. (You can listen to the sermon here)

I think we’ve all encountered people and “community” where relationships exist to be manipulated, abused, taken advantage of, and where there is little to no transparency or authenticity in relationships (I’m probably guilty of this in some way). We hang out with someone because of what they can do for us- or how they make us feel- or because we believe we’ll get some reward. Especially in our churches, we put on a squeeky clean, “everything is under control” veneer because we’re afraid about what people would think if we didn’t have everything under control.

Christ-Centered community, the kind of community I hope we can cultivate at Hope Church, sheds the fake veneer and takes risks to put the needs, wants, desires, and dreams of others ahead of our own. We want to love and care others because God first loved and cared for us- and we want to reflect that love to others.

One of the best examples I can think of community in my life has been the various mission teams that I’ve been on and led. People sign up for a mission trip for a variety of reasons, but often towards the middle or end of the trip, the veneer begins to shed; hearts are broken; and a common ground is established that takes relationships to a new level. A culture of community begins to take shape that often continues once coming back home.

This won’t be easy, it will be risky- but as we seek to follow Jesus, it will be rewarding as we experience a life-giving community marked with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

What has been your best experience of Christ-Centered community? Where have you seen the Holy Spirit at work in community?

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A Letter to Hope: Kick-Off

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Steve LaMotte

What a great weekend of ministry and worship! It was awesome to see a very full room on Sunday morning- and even more awesome to consider the time and energy that went into an amazing kick-off Sunday!

-Not sure how many individuals, but we hand-addressed 5,000 letters
-Over 30 people of Hope labeled, stuffed, and stamped the 5,000 letters
-Prayer accompanied those letters.
-Sunday- over a dozen people came an hour and a half (or more) to Hope to set up and prepare for our Kick-Off.
-We had 134 in worship and over 150 people who stayed outside for the kick-off celebration.
-Seeds were planted as the Gospel was shared and the challenge to surrender our lives to Jesus and live out passionate worship on a daily basis.

As I went around and spoke with our guest and our regulars- there was a buzz and an excitement in the air and in the conversations about what God is doing at Hope Church. In sports, the word momentum is used a lot. And a the momentum in a game can change on a single play.

Hope- we were presented with our game changing play. The Kick-Off was an opportunity for us to celebrate, to invite, to worship God, and to connect with our neighbors. We need to keep the momentum going. Who are you praying for this week that God can use you to impact? Who can you invite to church that may be looking for a church- or just looking for God? How is God going to use you in a powerful way? How are you living out passionate worship in your daily life?

It’s Monday (as I write) and I cannot wait for Sunday! I’m excited for what God is going to do in my life and in yours! I’m praying for you- and for Hope, that we might encounter God in powerful ways!

Live Out HOPE:

Pastor Steve

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Thinking About Death (and Resurrection)

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Steve LaMotte

I spent part of the weekend at our local hospice facility with a family who ultimate lost a husband, father, and grandfather. It was sad, gut wrenching, and sacred at the same time as we shared prayers, stories, tears.

Which leads me to my daughter, Abbie. Abbie has been praying daily for healing for the person that ultimately died. While Abbie is five, we try to explain most of life in ways that she can understand. This morning in the car, Abbie asked about 10 questions in a row about death and what happens when we die. I answered her questions the best that I could (attempting to answer on a 5 year old level). But there is a reason that death is a great mystery. We just don’t really know.

Sure, we have faith as Christians that while we die- we have life (even eternal life) through Jesus. We cling to passages like 1 Corinthians 15 where Paul speaks of Jesus’ resurrection as evidence of our future resurrection (Christ is the first fruit of the resurrection). 1 Corinthians 15:51 says

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raise imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe istelf with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

Death is a mystery- but our hope is this: Through Jesus’ resurrection that death has been swallowed up in victory. We who are in Christ share in that victory.

There is more that I could write and ponder on the subject- but I’m thankful that Jesus has defeated life’s final enemy death- and I cling to the hope of resurrection.

If you’re a parent- how have you talked to your children about death? If you’re a parent of a young kid, do you avoid the subject? What’s worked? What hasn’t? How do you ground it in discipling your kids and teaching them scripture?

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5 Reasons To Be Excited About LIFEgroups

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Steve LaMotte


Hope Church will be launching LIFEgroups in September as the foundation of our disciple-making process. LIFEgroups are small communities of people who regularly gather for study, fellowship, prayer, and service as part of Hope Church. As we prepare for LIFEgroups- I want to share with you 5 reasons to be excited about LIFEgroups.

5. Guacamole Taste Better With Prayer– One of the best components of a LIFEgroup is the relationships that you have the opportunity to build. LIFEgroups give you the opportunity to connect in a relationship with others who share interest- and share a desire to grow in their faith. As your group grows, guacamole becomes secondary to living life together!

4. It’s Time To Do Something For You- How often do you do something for you? If you’re like me, I’m keyed into helping other people and rarely take/make time for myself. A LIFEgroup is designed to help you grow in your faith. It’s designed to help you find others who are on a similar journey to encourage and cheer you on in that journey.

3. Life Is Best Experienced In Community- While a LIFEgroup is designed to help you grow in your faith- it’s also designed to help you live life in community. A LIFEgroup will cheer you on in your successes, mourn together when appropriate, and encourage each other through the trials of life. You’ll read and study the Bible together- and you won’t have to wonder alone what it means- as you’ll have dialogue around a passages meaning and the best way to apply it to our lives. We are designed for relationships with God and with others- a LIFEgroup makes time for those relationships to develop.

2. Adult Conversation- If you have children at home, you don’t need any other explanation. If you have yet to have children- or never have- then bless a parent by engaging them in a conversation about something other than t-ball, poop, princesses, dinosaurs, or sleepless nights.

1.Growing and Living Your Faith LIFEgroups will give you an environment to engage the Bible is ways you may not have done before. It will provide opportunities to grow in prayer and in faith as you relate with God and your fellow LIFEgroup members. It will also create opportunities to live out your faith as each LIFEgroup will have a service component to it. It will be a chance to get out in the community and to love our neighbors as God loves us.

Interested in getting involved in a LIFEgroup? You can contact me through email(hopeumc(at)gmail.com) or sign up at church!

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