Second Sunday in Lent

Worship the Lord today. Each Sunday is a day of celebrating our resurrected Lord.

10th day of Lent

I’m preaching tomorrow in Living Waters Worship. God has blessed me with a love for all kinds of worship. I love to preach in our Sanctuary Worship Service which is traditional in nature. I love to preach in Living Waters which is casual and modern in nature. I do love the anthems of choirs and handbells and organs. I love the old hymns of which I have been nurtured and grown in my faith. And I love the newer hymns that are being written and sung anew almost weekly. I love the stringed instruments of acoustical guitar, bass guitar, and the violin. I love the joy in the faces of those who sing in choirs and of those who sing in praise bands. It gives me hope for the future of the church.

What bothers me though is how different traditions, when juxtaposed with each other, can create an unhealthy sense of competition. Those who are drawn to one tradition over another often feel “theirs” is the best and is the only way for those who would desire to be as spiritually mature as they. I guess the longer I live the more I am deciding that God is more of a “both/and” God than an “either/or” God. Why is it that we have this tendency to always compare things and are hesitant to embrace things?

Some of the most mature and wise persons I’ve known have taught me to be open to others rather than shun others. They have taught me to enjoy diversity rather than be threatened by diversity. They have taught me that unity does not equate to uniformity.

Dear Lord, help me to grow in the ways of the mature and wise. Help me to know very quickly when I fall into the trap of unhealthy competition. Help me to learn how to embrace and allow others the same privilege in their lives. May it be so.

Ninth day of Lent

Making this list of the 40 most influential people in my life has been a very insightful Lenten exercise. I have finally caught up and am even working a day or two ahead in sending these notes of gratitude. It is helping me to have a broader understanding of my life. That is helping me not to get so caught up in every moment, but to see my life as a series of moments; all of which are important, but none carry more weight than they should carry. All moments are not equal, and thus God has used a variety of people, in a variety of ways, at a variety of times, to do a variety of things. But it all has been God at work.

It is not that it is all about me, but I must take time to see and know me. If I don’t, then how can I really see and know someone else. It is so easy in ministry to focus on others that one might never focus on their own spiritual needs. It is awkward writing every day about my introspection. It almost feels a bit egotistical, yet isn’t that what Lent is all about - self introspection? I guess the difference is found in what I do with what I see and learn about me. I suppose it could go to my head when I receive affirmation in my journey. And I suppose it could go to my gut and live there too long when I receive conviction of sin and see the weaker parts of me.

Lord, help me to see and know myself. As a matter of fact, that sounds a bit like a Psalm I once memorized. “Search me O God and know my heart. Test me and know my thoughts.” Psalm 139:39. That is my prayer. Help this Lenten exercise not to be just an exercise for exercise sake. Help it to be what you need for it to be so that I can be for others what you need for me to be for them.

Eighth day of Lent

The phrase "building character" is in my mind today. Perhaps that is because I taught from the book of Romans last night and made reference to Romans 5:3-5, which reads, "And not only that, be we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."

I suppose all of our lives we are at work "building character." What is it that we are building? I don’t remember who said it, but someone said, "Character is who we are when no one is looking." Of course, it is implied that we are hopefully building "good" character. That is the role of parents – to build character. And then that role is turned over to us. Hopefully, we will build upon a good foundation laid by our parents and make good character.

The problem is that not everybody gets that good foundation. I was fortunate. I thank God for my parents. Even with their imperfect ways of parenting (there is no such thing as a perfect parent - I really didn’t realize this until I became one), they gave me a good foundation. They instilled in me values of God and Christ. Even at times, they put "the fear of God" in me. And I’m not sure that’s bad either. I feel for those who have not had a solid foundation for building good character.

As I continue to look within during this Lenten Season, I can still see some construction work that needs to be done. It is the little things that can eat away at character like termites at a house. Someone asked me to do something, and I said that I didn’t have the time. That wasn’t true. The truth is I didn’t want to do it so I told a "white lie" to excuse my way out of something I didn’t want to do - a termite to my character.

Lord, help me to continue to be open to your construction of my character. Thank you for the foundation built by my parents and by countless other witnesses of good character that have crossed my life’s path. Be about the business of exposing the termites that might be eating away at the good character you desire for me. Thank you for pouring your love into my heart through the Holy Spirit that has been given to all of us.

Seventh day of Lent

Why is it so easy, Lord, not to see your presence in what is going on in life? It seems easier to see the negative and thus harder to see the positive. Is it because the negative in someone else tricks me into thinking there is more positive in myself? Is it because there really is more negative in the world? Is it because the "squeaky wheel gets the grease?" Why are the negative so loud and the positive seemingly so quiet? Even your voice has been called the "still, small voice."

I had to work hard at helping myself and my son to see good progress that had been made across several years of dealing with "intimidating personalities." Why couldn’t we see it sooner? It took some effort of reflection and conversation to realize the good growth that had occurred in his life and mine to see how good he was handling an intimidating personality of the present. Why is it so hard at times to see the good in ourselves in a particular moment in time?

It seems that I’m learning that the loud and noisy are not always what need to be seen and heard. I’ve known for some time that extremely loud people are often loud because they are hiding some insecurity in themselves. Maybe this is true in our spiritual walk as well. The loud and noisy might just be that way in order to distract us from the quiet and the necessary. God doesn’t need to be loud. God only needs to be who God is—love. That is enough.

Lord, help me to see you in all people, in all places, at all times. If you are there, then it is always good. Help me see the hope of who you are for the world—which, by the way, includes me.

Sixth day of Lent

Psalm 51 is a Psalm of Penitence. Most scholars believe it is a Psalm of David that was prayed after Nathan confronted him with his terrible sin of having an affair with Bathsheba and thus having her husband Uriah killed. If it wasn’t David’s Psalm, it sure could have been.
I still remember the feeling I used to get when I was ‘found out’ by my mom or dad when I had been ‘up to something’ I shouldn’t have been ‘up to.’ It was a sickening feeling that ran deep in my gut. I was caught, and there was absolutely nothing I could do to weasel my way out of the consequence. No excuse would work. I was done for, and punishment was coming my way. I still remember the feeling. I wonder if that is how David felt when Nathan said to him, "You are the Man!"

Sin is a funny thing. We all think we can get away with it. I don’t know what I was thinking when my mom told me not to go water skiing with my best friend Eddie, and yet I went anyway. Did I not think there would be a price for such behavior? I remember vividly my dad’s gentle voice (and sometimes his voice wasn’t gentle with my sins) as he talked with me about the consequences of my choice to disobey mom. It was almost like he understood my behavior, but for my sake, he could not allow me not to suffer some painful consequence. I remember looking at the floor while he gently talked with me. But you know what I don’t remember? I don’t remember what punishment was given. Isn’t that interesting? I wonder why I don’t remember that piece of the sin?

Maybe I don’t remember, because it was gentleness that took over. I knew I was wrong. Dad knew I was wrong. I think dad knew I knew that I was wrong to disobey mother. Maybe even in that moment grace took over and began to cleanse my memory of punishment. I’m not sure. But it is interesting that the Old Testament states very clearly that when I confess my sin that God takes my sin and remembers it no more (Jeremiah 31:34). If God forgets, then maybe God helps me forget also.

Wash me, cleanse me, purge me, and blot out my transgressions, Lord. Create in me a clean heart. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation. This remains my prayer. Thank you for your grace to me.

Fifth day of Lent

The sermon at church yesterday was on salvation. So I can say this is the day after salvation. That’s an interesting and provoking thought for me – "the day after salvation." As I look deep within, I see a soul that was lifted from the muck and mire of sin and condemnation to life and liberty. But I also see a soul that has not had a straight line of spiritual growth. I have been a wanderer. I would have fit in well with Moses and the wandering Hebrews. Some seasons it seems I take two steps forward only to take three steps backward. But when I look at the long road from salvation to present day, God does allow me to see some progress in my spiritual development. While much of it has come through growing pains, nonetheless it has come. But there is still much more to come. I don’t always know what is coming next in God’s curriculum for me, but I am learning to trust the hand of God in my journey.

Having said that, I must be honest and state that there are still some sins that want to raise their ugly heads from time to time. One I dislike is my tendency to "pigeon hole" people. Why is it, Lord, that when people hurt me or say wrongful stuff about me that I want to put them in the pigeon hole of evil and antagonists FOREVER? I have such a hard time being a person full of grace (isn’t that what you want this preacher/pastor to always be?) while at the same time being a strong and confident person that will not stand for oppressive behavior and oppressive conversation. I sense this is the piece of me that you have in training these days. You’d think by now I’d have all of this down pat, but I don’t. So thanks, God, for what you’re teaching me. Forgive me for being a slow and reluctant learner.

I also see that you continue to work with me on my tendency to take the path of least resistance. Why would I think that this is your way? It never has been, and I suppose it never will be. My desire to please people and to be liked by them tempts me to stay very close to that path of least resistance. This is an area, Lord, where you must be seeing the need for work in me. Sometimes I think I am courageous while at other times, I feel like such a coward. Forgive me for being so wishy-washy with my confidence in you.

This is my "day after salvation." There’s still work to be done even though the best work has been done. I trust that I will look back at this day and see some wandering but also see some progress. Thanks, God, for never giving up on me.

First Sunday in Lent

Worship the Lord today. Each Sunday is a day of celebrating our resurrected Lord.

Fourth day of Lent


I’ve got to get into a better routine of taking care of my physical self. I love to walk, and it always feels great after the journey. Why is it so hard to be disciplined in this area? I am so good at blaming my lack of disciple on this and that. The weather has been a great excuse lately. Then my schedule works well as an excuse. That’s a good excuse because it makes me feel important to be so busy. My entitlement attitude works well as a reason not to exercise. After all I deserve to relax in my chair and watch hour upon hour of the Olympics. I deserve that! (This is a painful blog. It is getting too honest!) And the lamest excuse of all is that if I have any time in the middle of the day to walk, then that might mean I’d have to take a shower and that would mean wasting water and having to change clothes. (What a wimp I can be!)

God, your expectations are just hard to live up to some days. I know that my body is a temple and that your spirit abides there, and therefore, I should take care of it. I do know all of that, but it is difficult. I have an idea. Why don’t you work through some grand chemist and invent a pill I could take every day that would take care of diet and exercise for me? After all, it is all about ME! In some sense your love is all about me. The fact is that it is not JUST about me.

I have a sense that you want me to do more than just send notes to folks during this Lenten season. You actually desire me to take care of my body as well. You want me to give up something for Lent. You want me to give up my laziness (Ouch! That is painful to say.) I’ve got to do a better job of regular exercise and healthy diet. I’ve got to be more consistent. I am tired of whining with excuses as to why it doesn’t get done. Lord, help me today to get out of the chair and love you with the discipline of taking care of me. I am beginning to see that it would be an act of gratitude for you.

Third Day of Lent

I can’t get out of my head the comment that was made by the preacher at our Ash Wednesday worship service. He said, "Our days are numbered." He was talking about these 40 days as a time to reflect on Jesus’ last days because his days were numbered. And then he asked, "You do know that YOUR days are numbered?" I know he is correct, but I don’t like to think about my days being numbered. I just as soon continue to believe that this life of mine will go on forever (I know it won’t go on forever, but I’d sure like to think that it will. I prefer the state of denial.) And then this preacher said, "When people know their days are numbered, they get their lives in order." Of course, he was telling us that Lent is a good time to get our lives back on path and in sync with God.

But this "days being numbered" comment has stuck in my mind. Why? I’m not sure except it has taken me back to my illness last June. That meningitis and encephalitis sure caused me to come out of my state of denial about my mortality. It got me to thinking, but I am too quick to forget. I am too quick to let life get back in routine and forget what lessons have been learned.

Lord, keep my memory sharp with the lessons sent from you. My days are numbered (I hope there are many zeros on the number), and I desire to get my life in proper order. I am watching for what you would have me do to be ready. Help me not to think I have arrived until I arrive with you someday. This day, February 19, 2010, will never be again. I do want to make the most of it. And I do want you to make the most of it in me. I am willing because my days are numbered. I am on my way out of the state of denial.

Second day of Lent

What am I giving up for Lent? People give up chocolate or diet cokes or dessert or some such kind of food. I’ve never done anything like that. But this year I think I’ll give up beets. That’s it! I’m going to give up beets. That is silly of me to say but it does speak to the temptation to give up something that really isn’t that hard to give up and thus trick myself into thinking that I’m REALLY giving up something. I do like beets but to give them up would simply mean I would refrain from eating them at Wednesday Night Supper when they show up on the salad bar. So my ‘sacrifice’ is rather cheap.

That is why people give up things for Lent. It is to honor the sacrifice of Christ on their behalf and a personal sacrifice draws their memory to Christ’s sacrifice over and over again throughout Lent. I understand and perhaps I should try it, but I think I’m going to be intentional in another way. I want to add to instead of take away. Jesus has added so much to my life. I’m going to try and add something to my witness for these remaining days of Lent.

Now I must decide what that addition needs to be. I think I will write a note to 40 different people who have significantly added to my life. I am going to send a gratitude note on each day (which means two for today to catch up) to a person who across my 54 years has added something special to my life. I am going to do this every day. The challenge will be the days that don’t fall into regular routine. I don’t want to fall behind for that will mean days that I didn’t remember how God has added to my life through an individual.

Lord, help me to remember (every day) just how much you have added to my life. I thank you for your addition of abundant living to my life. I thank you now for the journey of remembering those who have been your blessing to me along the way.

Ash Wednesday

"Be still, and know that I am God!" (Psalm 46:10)

I guess I have heard these words for most of my life. I’m sure dad preached a sermon or two on them during my childhood and teenage years. I have read them for devotional times and have heard others use them for their devotionals at various occasions. The bottom line is that I have heard these words a lot, and yet I have to wonder why I haven’t learned to live according to this directive. Why do I find it so hard to "be still?" Is it because I have a case of undiagnosed attention deficit disorder? Perhaps. Is it because my Meyers-Briggs Personality trait is ESFJ (with a focus on the "E"-extrovert)? Why do I struggle to "be still?"

Here I am living through another Ash Wednesday. Here I am beginning another journey of Lent. Will it make a difference in me? Will I be able to "be still" long enough to "know that God is God?" Why don’t I like to "be still?" Maybe it is because I am afraid of what I might learn about myself. Maybe it is because I am afraid of what more I may learn about God. Maybe it is because of the irony that I’m tired of growing and changing so I like to be busy so I don’t have to address the growing pains of my human and spiritual journey. Maybe my "busyness" is an indicator of my fear of letting go of everything and letting God be really in charge.

"Be still, and know that I am God!" I do know it is true. It has to be. Lord, help me to be still. And yet asking you to help me be still is even scary. Because I suspect that if I’m not still you will find a way to make sure I am still because you really want me to know you in a deeper and fresher way. Honestly, Lord, I am a little afraid of this Lenten journey. So…

"Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light: take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home."

My name is Terry Walton, and I have been honored to be the Senior Pastor of Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Gainesville, Georgia, for the past 51/2 years. I have been married to one of the sweetest ladies on this earth, Sharon, for 33.5 years. We have three adult children and one very perfect and most definitely precious granddaughter. I asked Jesus to live in my heart as a child and have grown (not in a straight line) to understand God’s love for me and for all people across my 54 years of living. I can hardly imagine the many things God has yet to teach this hard-headed preacher, but I look forward to the adventure. I have served as a United Methodist Pastor under appointment by a Bishop since 1978. The smallest church I served had a membership of 121 with an average of 44 in worship. The largest church had a membership of just over 3300 with an average worship attendance of nearly 1500. I have served in rural settings, suburban settings and town settings. It all has been a privilege. I love Atlanta Braves baseball and the Georgia Bulldogs. I enjoy the outdoors especially hunting and golf.

My hopes for this blog entitled “Very Terry” are to offer my very real and reflective thoughts as I move through the season of Lent (one more time) this year. It is not that my thoughts are profound or even unique but perhaps my thoughts will help add to what you experience during this reflective and somber season of the church year. One thing for sure is that these thoughts will be my thoughts and if nothing else is accomplished you can read my mind as I deal with this Lord who suffered and died for me. I covenant to be real and very much me in my writing. I suppose some days will be more reflective than others. Therefore some days will be brief while others will be like the long-winded reputation of some preachers (this one included) very wordy—but it will all be ‘Very Terry.’

Thanks for sharing in my journey.