Observing Lent in 2011...

Lent in 2011 will start on Wednesday, the 9th of March and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 23rd of April.

In Western Christianity Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday. The six Sundays in Lent are not counted among the forty days of lent because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter", a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death. The usual practice is to give up something we enjoy to remind of of what Christ gave up for us.

Traditionally The Wesleyan Church has not observed Lent in the manner of the mainline churches. This probably has a lot to do with the Quaker and Pilgrim Holiness influence. However the Church of England did and John Wesley continued the practice. Here are some of his thoughts which would suggest he believed self-denial to be of importance in daily living:

In the book titled, John Wesley the Methodist, it is said that Wesley taught, “God loves you; therefore love and obey him. Christ died for you; therefore die to sin.” Yes, Christ paid the price but it is our responsibility to be intentional in not allowing sin to encroach our lives.

Are you ready honor this time of Lent? Let us do more than “remember”. Let us use this time to make an intentional effort to live a life that truly glorifies the One we worship.

“That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don’t give it the time of day. Don’t even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you’ve been raised from the dead!—into God’s way of doing things. Sin can’t tell you how to live. After all, you’re not living under that old tyranny any longer. You’re living in the freedom of God.” Romans 6:12-14 THE MESSAGE

Quotes from the Past...

"Schism is evil in itself. To separate ourselves from a body of living Christians, with whom we were before united, is a grievous breach of the law of love. It is the nature of love to unite us together; and the greater the love, the stricter the union." - John Wesley

Changing Society, One Person at a Time

By Ronald D. Kelly | Released: Jan. 1, 2010 | In: Magazine

Wesleyan Life Magazine

During election years, Christians often believe their votes will somehow change their society. It is true that the choice of candidates can make a difference in legislation, but politics will never make a country “Christian.” I once heard author and speaker Cal Thomas say, “There will not be a change in America until there is a change in Americans.”

John Wesley, founder of Methodism and great social reformer, believed that the biblical, radical transformation of individual lives was the result of the work of Christ. Because he introduced one person after another to the claims of Jesus, English society was changed in a positive way.

Wesley did not set out to change his society. He set out to see people experience the same heart-warming spiritual experience he had. But as people experienced God’s love in their hearts through salvation and holiness, they were transformed; and as a result their society was transformed. Here are some action steps on how you can affect your culture.

1. Live a Life that Mirrors Christ

Make it your purpose to live a life that mirrors how Christ would live in your circumstances. Bob Woodson of the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise said, “If you want people to come to Christ they have to see what He looks like.” Live a life that incorporates biblical principles. Ask God to make you aware of any blind spots that may hinder your witness and choose to deal with them immediately. Ask Him to help you through a difficult time so that people can see the difference. If you experience success in great ways, don’t change how you relate to those around you.

2. Take Responsibility for Others

Second, take responsibility for those around you. Talk about God in your routine conversations so that telling of His work in your life will seem as normal as talking about the weather. Be sensitive to opportunities for speaking a good word about Jesus. Cultivate relationships with non-Christian friends. Intentionally pray for the lost. Walk through your neighborhood, meet your neighbors and pray for them.

3. Offer Yourself for Service

Next, offer yourself for service to God. Often we are convinced that we have little ability to offer the Lord, but what He is looking for is our availability. My wife and I used to sing, “Little is Much When God is in It.” The song’s message conveys that God will bless what we give to Him in humble service.

4. Immerse Yourself in the Word

Then immerse yourself in the Word. Study God’s Word on a daily basis, praying for understanding and application. Ask your pastor for recommendations on what to read that will assist you in learning more about the Bible. Memorize simple verses that tell the gospel story. Continue to store the Word in your mind and heart so you can tell others about Christ.

5. Acquire Training

Finally, take training to equip yourself to be more effective in communicating your faith. A course in evangelism could help you increase your comfort level in communicating the gospel, help you stay on track while presenting the message, give clarity as to when to introduce Christ into a conversation, and give you opportunity to tell your own story. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, defined successful witnessing as “taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.”

I heard a young man tell how one of his business associates asked if he was sure he would go to heaven if he died suddenly. The young man had no assurance, and before he left his co-worker’s office he had asked Christ into his heart. On the same day I heard him tell his story he also announced plans to enroll in seminary. One person made a difference, and one life was changed. Society can be changed—one person at a time. •

Ronald D. Kelly is General Editor for The Wesleyan Church, Indianapolis, Ind.

4O Days of Prayer

by Pastor Wes McCallum

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. -- Mt. 6:16-18 (NIV)

The season of Lent is the time of preparation for the Holy Week observance of Christ’s death and resurrection. It is a 40 day journey of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and scripture reading. It is a time of repentance and renewal of our minds, hearts and deeds in conformity with Christ and his teachings. It is the time, most of all, of our return to the great commandments of loving God and our neighbors. Ideally, it is not a season of morbidity and gloom. On the contrary, it is a time of joyfulness and purification. We are called to anoint our faces, to cleanse our bodies, and to renew our souls.

It is our repentance that God desires, not our remorse. We sorrow for our sins and mistakes but we do so in the joy of God's mercy. We mortify our body, but we do so in the joy of our resurrection into life everlasting. During Lent, we remember Christ’s baptism as we recall the joy of our own baptism. We recall Christ’s life of prayer and fasting as we also fast and pray. We remember Christ’s victory over temptation as we rise above our own temptations. We recall Christ’s sufferings as we deny our self and take up our own cross. We remember Christ’s resurrection in certain hope of our own resurrection. Biblically, the number “forty” represents a period of testing or trial. On Mount Sinai, preparing to receive the Ten Commandments, "Moses stayed there with the Lord for 40 days and 40 nights, without eating any food or drinking any water" (Ex. 34:28). Elijah walked "40 days and 40 nights" to the mountain of the Lord, Mount Horeb (I Kings 19:8). Jesus fasted and prayed for "40 days and 40 nights" in the desert before He began His public ministry (Mt. 4:2). Moses, Elijah, and Jesus each took the spiritual discipline of fasting to the height of perfection. Separately, they each had a mountain top encounter with God. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah saw Christ’s radiant glory and heard the Father’s heavenly voice (Mt.17:1-2). Other scriptural references include the forty days of rain during Noah’s flood (Gen. 7:4); the forty years that the Israelites wandered in the desert before entering the promised land (Num. 14:33-35); the forty day fast that the Ninevites observed in obedience to the prophet Jonah (Jonah 3:4-5); and the forty days between the resurrection and ascension when Christ revealed himself to His disciples (Acts 1:3). The use of ashes or oil also has biblical significance. Ashes or dust were sprinkled on the head or body as a symbol of mourning or repentance. This was usually a public expression of humiliation or grief. The bible also speaks of oil and fragrances poured on the head or body for consecration, healing, or burial. Anointing with oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s presence and grace. Since ancient times, Christians have practiced a forty day fast to prepare for Easter or “Pascha”. In fact, many early Christians fasted on every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year. Still today, many liturgical Christians observe lent with a strict vegetarian diet. Others limit themselves to one evening meal daily or abstain from eating meat on Fridays.

John Wesley, the evangelical leader, urged his followers to observe a “Friday fast” every week throughout the year. Wesley began his weekly fast after the Thursday evening meal and ended it at “tea time” around 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Many Protestants do not fast but may give up a favorite food or activity, or take on a discipline such as devotions or charity work. Because Lent is Christian tradition and not a biblical requirement, many see fasting as a personal choice and not an obligation. In fact, many Evangelical Christians do not observe Lent or fasting at all. The Lenten season is an excellent opportunity for repentance, restitution, and renewal. Spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, scripture reading, and communion will enhance the experience. Family prayer and devotions will strengthen the home. Outreach to neighbors or the needy will extend Christ’s compassion to others. Fasting will bring our attitudes, appetites, and passions under Christ’s control. Developing new habits requires repetition, time, and discipline. This is a good time to regain control over distractions like TV, internet, and iPods. Elijah heard God gently whisper in a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-13). We also can encounter God when we silence ourselves and pray.

© 2010, Pastor Wes McCallum Permission granted for local church use.
A special thank you to our good D.S. Dr. Mark Eckart for submitting this article...

"Where in the justice of inflicting the severists of evils on those who have done us no wrong?"-John Wesley

Australia, Abortion... and Ota Benga-A Commentary

Australia, Abortion... and Ota Benga-A Commentary

I originally wrote this article last year and posted in "The Circuit Rider." Since "Right to Life Sunday" comes in a couple of weeks, I thought I would post this updated article...

I was reading the Evansville Courier today and found this article on Willie Morse, who served as a "Buffalo Soldier" during WWII. Willie, who you see pictured on the right, is 81 years old now. His mother, who lived to be 101, came to America on a slave ship from Africa. The fact that we gave names like "Buffalo Soldier" to those who fought with us for our freedom is anathema to me.

This past November marked the first time in our history as a nation that we elected an African-American to the highest office in the land. This event shows we have come a long way since the days of slavery, the first time a human being was thought of as property at his owner's disposal in this nation. No, I don't agree with most of the President's social and economic policies. Our teleprompter in chief doesn't quite seem to "get it' when it comes to moral reform. But, we as Americans can be proud we have made some progress.

Darwinism and the "theory" of evolution have fueled many of the racist movements over the past couple of centuries. Just look at Hitler and others and all the evil associated with their ideas. I agree with Ken Ham,of Answers in Genesis Ministries. Race is actually a word favored mostly by evolutionists. I like his choice "people groups" far better. After all, unless we are from another planet, we all belong to the human race.

One of the most extreme examples of Darwinist racism is the story of Ota Benga. Ota Benga was a Congolese pygmie caught in the Congo and placed in a New York Zoo in 1906. He was placed in a cage for everyone's amusement. The movies "Quigley Down Under" and the recent "Australia" give an excellent portrayel how the Congolese and Aborigine people have been treated over the years.

As Wesleyans we can be proud that we were among the first to admit women and African-Americans to our colleges and universities. Wesley summed it up best in his qoute you find under his picture on this blogspot,"Where is the justice in inflicting the severist evils on those that have done us no wrong?"

Yes, we have made some progress and should keep striving for that ideal of equality among everyone. In the process, let us not forget those living among us in their mother's womb. The Bible makes it quite clear how God feels about all human life, born and unborn. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..."Jeremiah 1:5. Science and medicine leave no question about the matter either. It is interesting that the same political party who resisted equal rights for African-Americans until 1964, (don't believe me, Click here)do not want to extend equal rights to the unborn. We hear the usual sad argument about choice and the mother's right to her own body. Sadly the unborn child, brought into this world through no choice of his/ her own, have no say in the matter. If this argument made any sense, then why not increase the age until two years old?Sound crazy? Is partial-birth Abortion any less brutal? Upcoming "healthcare" being shoved down our throats by politicians would probably even pay for these "procedures." History will tell you that in any civilization where life is not sacred for some, it is then not sacred for anyone. We only need to look back to Nazi Germany to refresh our memories.
As Wesleyans, we historically have not been strangers to political activism. Our pulpits were not silent during the slavery issue. While some pulpits tried to justify slavery, our's relentlessly preached that all were created equal in God's eyes. We can not be silent any longer. The blood of millions of children are crying out to us from the ground... As George Santayana wrote in Reason and Common Sense,"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."...God bless, keith 1 Cor 13

The Manhattan Declaration

The Manhattan Declaration

Randy Alcorn

Today marks the public release of the Manhattan Declaration, which Chuck Colson invited me to sign several weeks ago. After reading it, I gladly agreed to do so.

I am posting only the Preamble below, as well as a part of the Declaration about life, in the hopes that it will interest you in reading the full statement, posted at www.manhattandeclaration.org. If you read and agree with it, you may sign on with us if you so choose.

I do not participate in many things like this, but both the content and the tone of this statement is something I wish to affirm. It expresses truth, but I believe it does so with grace. May God use this statement to help galvanize the Church to walk in a spirit of bold humility, full of grace and truth, as we face the critical issues of our culture.

Preamble

Christians are heirs of a 2,000-year tradition of proclaiming God’s word, seeking justice in our societies, resisting tyranny, and reaching out with compassion to the poor, oppressed and suffering.

While acknowledging the imperfections and shortcomings of Christian institutions and communities in all ages, we claim the heritage of those Christians who defended innocent life by rescuing discarded babies from trash heaps in Roman cities and publicly denouncing the Empire’s sanctioning of infanticide. We remember with reverence those believers who sacrificed their lives by remaining in Roman cities to tend the sick and dying during the plagues, and who died bravely in the coliseums rather than deny their Lord.

After the barbarian tribes overran Europe, Christian monasteries preserved not only the Bible but also the literature and art of Western culture. It was Christians who combated the evil of slavery: Papal edicts in the 16th and 17th centuries decried the practice of slavery and first excommunicated anyone involved in the slave trade; evangelical Christians in England, led by John Wesley and William Wilberforce, put an end to the slave trade in that country. Christians under Wilberforce’s leadership also formed hundreds of societies for helping the poor, the imprisoned, and child laborers chained to machines.

In Europe, Christians challenged the divine claims of kings and successfully fought to establish the rule of law and balance of governmental powers, which made modern democracy possible. And in America, Christian women stood at the vanguard of the suffrage movement. The great civil rights crusades of the 1950s and 60s were led by Christians claiming the Scriptures and asserting the glory of the image of God in every human being regardless of race, religion, age or class.

This same devotion to human dignity has led Christians in recent decades to work to end the dehumanizing of human trafficking and sexual slavery, bring compassionate care to AIDS sufferers in Africa, and assist in a myriad of other human rights causes – from providing clean water in developing nations to providing homes for tens of thousands of children orphaned by war, disease and gender discrimination.

Like those who have gone before us in the faith, Christians today are called to proclaim the Gospel of costly grace, to protect the intrinsic dignity of the human person and to stand for the common good. In being true to its own calling, the call to discipleship, the church through service to others can make a profound contribution to the public good.

Life

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Although public sentiment has moved in a pro-life direction, we note with sadness that pro-abortion ideology prevails today in our government. Many in the present administration want to make abortions legal at any stage of fetal development, and want to provide abortions at taxpayer expense. Majorities in both houses of Congress hold pro-abortion views. The Supreme Court, whose infamous 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade stripped the unborn of legal protection, continues to treat elective abortion as a fundamental constitutional right, though it has upheld as constitutionally permissible some limited restrictions on abortion. The President says that he wants to reduce the “need” for abortion—a commendable goal. But he has also pledged to make abortion more easily and widely available by eliminating laws prohibiting government funding, requiring waiting periods for women seeking abortions, and parental notification for abortions performed on minors. The elimination of these important and effective pro-life laws cannot reasonably be expected to do other than significantly increase the number of elective abortions by which the lives of countless children are snuffed out prior to birth. Our commitment to the sanctity of life is not a matter of partisan loyalty, for we recognize that in the thirty-six years since Roe v. Wade, elected officials and appointees of both major political parties have been complicit in giving legal sanction to what Pope John Paul II described as “the culture of death.” We call on all officials in our country, elected and appointed, to protect and serve every member of our society, including the most marginalized, voiceless, and vulnerable among us.

You can read the rest of the statement at www.manhattandeclaration.org


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Boonville Wesleyan Now on Facebook

Boonville Wesleyan Church now has a Fan Page on Facebook. For those of you familiar with Facebook, a fan page shows up on your page when you follow it. This allows those who choose to follow news, prayer requests, and other events going on at church. There is also a topics section where you can post or discuss already posted topics. The first one is,"Will our pets be in heaven?" This provides yet another witnessing tool as millions view facebook daily. I'm reminded of the words of the Rev'd John Wesley, who was always looking for new ways to reach the lost.

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”

Check out our page and let me
know what you think...God bless...keith 1 Cor 13

Birthday Celebration!

Birthday Celebration!

Just a quick note to say, "Happy 306th Birthday" to John Wesley! - Wesley was born on June 17, 1703 to the Rev'd. Samuel & Susanna Wesley. He was either the 13th or 14th of their children; no one is quite sure. In any case, he was only the seventh to survive the first year of life. Oddly, he was the third Wesley child to be named "John" (the previous two had died). (cf. The Elusive Mr. Wesley, Vol. 1, Heitzenrater).

(From Rev'd Dr. Todd Stepp's blog http://wesleyananglican.blogspot.com)

New Wesley Movie Trailer

Movie Trailer

INTERNET EXPLORER USERS: Internet Explorer 7 has an issue that prevents the Flash 9 player from working in some situations. We are testing a different player solution below which so far has tested fine in current versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Opera. If you cannot view the trailer, please CLICK HERE and report the problem.

You can also download the WMV version at the bottom of the page. Apologies for any inconvenience!

Thanks for your patience while the trailer loads...

Score for Trailer composed by Joel Steudler

This Month in Church History-Thomas Cranmer

Thomas Cranmer (July 2, 1489 – March 21, 1556) was the Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of the English kings Henry VIII and Edward VI.^[1] He was an influential theologian who, with Richard Hooker and Matthew Parker, was a co-founder of Anglican theological thought.

He helped build a favourable case for Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon and guided the English Reformation, which denied papal authority over the English Church, during its earliest days. Following Henry's death, Cranmer became a key figure in Edward's regency government.^[1]

Scholars credit Cranmer with writing and compiling the first two Books of Common Prayer, which established the basic structure of Anglican liturgy for more than four centuries. Many phrases from its services passed into the English language, either as deliberate quotations or as unconscious borrowings.^[3]

Cranmer was executed in 1556 for heresy after Queen Mary I reunited the Church of England with the Roman Catholic Church. Anglican culture, particularly the literature of John Foxe, later celebrated Cranmer as a martyr. His impact on religion in the United Kingdom was profound and lasting.<sup>[1]

John Wesley was part of the Church of England, which was Anglican in nature.Our church, The Wesleyan Church, has in roots in Methodism was was founded by John Wesley...keith 1 Cor 13</sup>