DON’T YOU DARE LEAVE!

⁴³ “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. ⁴⁴ Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. ⁴⁵ Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”

Matthew chapter 12, verses 43 thru 45; from the New Living Translation (NLT)

Don’t you dare leave the United Methodist Church! You heard me right! Don’t you dare leave the United Methodist Church! Did I just upset some of you? Are you thinking: “This Preacherman has either gone bonkers or he’s been drinking the Kool-Aid of the Bishops!” Neither of these are true. My ESPN just kicked in and at least one of you are thinking: “But Preacherman! Aren’t YOU leaving? Then why tell me not to leave??? I’m confused!” Put your hackles down and hear me out. OK? Thank you!

With the slovenliness that is permeating our leadership, it is easy to want to get the heck out of Dodge. And who can blame us Traditionalist/Orthodox Folks for hurrying to abandon this thing that looks more like the Titanic than John Wesley’s vision for the Body of Christ. But then…there’s this parable of Jesus. It’s about a man who got rid of one demon, cleaned up his house, got it in order–but that’s all he did. That demon knew this, so he went back to check things out. Sure enough! It was all clean and in order–but that’s all. So he goes and gets 7 of his friends (who are also demons; I mean, who would be a friend to a demon but another demon, right?) and moves right back in. And that’s when things got a lot worse for that man. Comprende, my friends?

Sure we could just leave the United Methodist Institution and believe—wrongly believe, I might add—that we are finally free from this detritus and onerous thing. We might think we will be better off. But take into your considerations this thought: Where Will You Go? Oh, one more consideration: What are you going to do once you get there? If your only desire is to get away from the United Methodist Institution, you can achieve that desire. But what’s next? If you just leave without knowing the what’s next you are leaving the door open for even worse of the same-ol’-same-ol’. Remember this guy in Jesus’ story. He got out of one mess only to end up in an even bigger mess.

My fellow Wesleyans, this season of discernment is another one of God’s blessings to us. We have the opportunity to do more than just leave, we are being gifted by God’s Grace to become a part of renewal and revival across our land. To use an old term: Another Great Awakening! Whether you choose to become part of the Free Methodist, Wesleyan Methodist, Global Methodist, or become independent–do so with the faith, hope, and conviction that it’s because God’s Kingdom is on the move and YOU get to be a part of this mighty movement! And please understand that it may require you to let go of a lot of ideas, opinions, and other stuff–so that you can step into what God is doing right now.

Friends, not every generation and age has had this rare and beautiful moment of stepping out of the old and into this fresh movement of the Holy Spirit. But we do! Step away from what was–AND step into what God is doing right now! Don’t dream about leaving! Please don’t! Instead, dream about what God is doing and where He is leading us. I am applying to transfer my credentials to the Global Methodist Church–not because I’m sick and tired of the United Methodist Institution; even though I AM sick and tired of it. No, my friends. I stepping into a fresh and new movement of the Holy Spirit! I have been doing more than just discerning about leaving the United Methodist Institution! I’ve been discerning what God is wanting from and for me and where that is going to happen! I’m getting in on the ground level and am excited to be a small part of seeing this movement form and grow! You can just leave, or you can step into another Great Awakening! Your choice!

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SINGING IN THE DUNGEON!

 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 

Acts chapter 16, verse 25; from the New Living Translation (NLT)

Where do you sing? Maybe in the shower? If it’s the shower, then remember that singing leads to dancing, and you might fall in the shower. Then the paramedics will see you naked! Don’t sing in the shower! But seriously, not WHEN do you sing, but WHERE do you sing? Music and singing are necessary for a healthy mind and soul. I mean, look at WHERE Paul and Silas are singing! They are in a dungeon. Not a jail cell. It’s a dungeon. And why are they there? For doing the right thing!

Perhaps this saga describes your life. You are in a dungeon. Maybe you did what was right and you were thrown into that dungeon with mighty force. Or maybe you did what wasn’t right (it’s called SIN!). Maybe it’s the diagnosis of cancer–for you or a family member. Maybe it’s dementia. Or perhaps divorce. The utilities are about to be shut off because you don’t have the money to pay the bill. Or if you are a United Methodist, it’s dealing with the chaos. For whatever reason, you feel like you are in that dungeon; complete with chains and shackles. So, what can you do?

Well, you can moan, whine, and complain. You can moan that you don’t deserve being in the dungeon. And maybe that’s true. You can whine and make yourself into the victim; and throw the biggest pity party ever seen. Or you can complain about those responsible for throwing you into that dungeon. Oh, yes! Complaing about others does seem to be the popular option; but complaining about others leads to hate–and how is that helping us in that dungeon? But there’s another option available.

This option is only for those who trust God implicitly and completely! Do what Paul and Silas did–pray and SING! Some of us are good at the praying part–asking God to get us out of that jam. But don’t overlook what else they did: They Were Singing! Not the blues, but praises to their Savior! And look what happened! NO! Not the part about their chains falling off. That first part–and the other prisoners were listening! It’s not natural to be singing in the dungeon–but It Should Be Normal! Dungeons are dark and stinky places. It’s just not natural to sing in dark and stinking places. But for the followers of Jesus–it’s the normal thing to do!

Sing like no one is listening! But they are! The hosts of Heaven’s Armies are listening. Our Triune God is listening. And even if those chains and shackles do not fall off and the door swings wide open–others in the dungeon ARE LISTENING! So sing, my friends. And don’t worry, you won’t slip and fall thus causing the paramedics to see you naked! And who knows, this may be that powerful testimony someone needs to hear so that they can take their leap of faith–and land in The Father’s arms!