PastorBlastor

The vine! - John 15:1-8 By Pastor Lee Hemen October 18, 2015 When I grew up in the orchards of Leavenworth, Washington they were mainly older trees that were quite tall, but now many of the orchards have gone to a newer style of tree where they are a lot smaller and pruned to be more one dimensional and they look more like a vine. Here in John's gospel when Jesus teaches about being the vine he is of course referring to grape vines but being raised in one of the largest apple growing areas in the world, I think of apples. The vine Jesus is referring to of course is him and the importance of remaining in him is likened to being cultivated on a vine. Jesus' followers are to be correctly connected to Jesus; no false claims can be tolerated and must be cut off and discarded. Jesus' disciples are entrusted with three duties: 1) to remain in Jesus, 2) to love God and one another, and 3) to witness concerning who he is. He is the vine, let's see what this means for our lives… ...

The peace of Jesus! - John 14:27-31 By Pastor Lee Hemen October 11, 2015 From the harassed parent to national concerns people have wanted "peace in our time". Some have declared it only to be later disappointed by those who thwarted the peace process and who wanted war, disruption, or not sharing their favorite toy. World peace is more than green veggies whirling around inside of a blender and it is difficult to make happen. The reason is obvious to those of us who actually read the Bible; humans are sinners by nature and by choice. We will not enjoy real peace until we know the Prince of Peace Jesus. Here in John's gospel we discover Jesus teaching his disciples some final thoughts before his illegal trial, horrendous death, lonely burial, and glorious resurrection. He has taught them that after he heads back to his Father he would send them the Holy Spirit to live in them forever. When this occurred, they would experience a peace they had never known before, the peace o...

The gift! - John 14:15-26 By Pastor Lee Hemen October 4, 2015 Gifts can be very personal things depending upon the giver, the getter, and the gift. We are entering the season where folks begin to think about gifts, with the celebration of Christmas just around the corner. Some gifts last past their original giver and receiver and are handed down from generation to generation. Generational gifts can carry with them not only the significance of the original gift but the memories of all those it was given to as well. Jesus left all of his followers an indescribable gift. One that never fades fails, is out of date, grows old, or breaks. In fact it lasts a lifetime! John has been giving us clues to this gift all along in Jesus' ministry and teaching and now during the Last Supper, Jesus reveal what this gift is and what it means for his disciples and future followers. Let's take a look at the gift… READ: John 14:15-26 It is always good to have someone who supports you no matter what...

Jesus is the Father! - John 14:7-15 By Pastor Lee Hemen September 27, 2015 We live in a society that does not value parenthood as past generations did and we suffer from its effects. The percentage of fatherless homes has risen dramatically. It affects learning and study habits, daily nourishment, and societal interaction. It is the outcome of a distorted view of what marriage is the definition of family and our disconnection in murdering the unborn. When living together is seen as the same as marriage, that marriage is defined as anything, and unwanted pregnancies are disposed of through harvesting, it is no wonder our view of fatherhood has faltered. It is therefore getting more and more difficult for folks to understand the spiritual concept of God the Father and even more disconcerting for folks to understand Jesus is the Father! Here in John's gospel he relates that Jesus wanted us to understand that he is the Father, let's discover why… READ: John 14:7-15 Some father'...

The way, the truth, the life! - John 14:1-6 By Pastor Lee Hemen September 20, 2015 In the book Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a "trilogy" of five books published between 1979 and 1992, relates the story of a race of hyper-intelligent pan-dimensional beings who built a computer named Deep Thought to calculate the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. When the answer was revealed to be 42, Deep Thought explained that the answer was incomprehensible because the beings it was speaking to didn't know what they were asking. Of course this was nonsensical science fiction, but the question of what the secret to life has often been discussed. There are those who look for some secret or mystical sign from God or anywhere in order to discover for themselves what this might be. There are folks who think that the secret to life is in unwrapping the hidden god in you, finding some esoteric teaching that will bring everything together in one cosmi...

True Love - John 13:31-38 By Pastor Lee Hemen September 13, 2015 Recently those who study such things declared that Facebook can be detrimental to a relationship or a marriage and in fact more and more divorces are being done because of Facebook. Some suggest that a Facebook relationship status for some is the equivalent of a high school promise ring! Left over photos of old relationships is another problem. Also a photo that you may think as completely harmless, may make her cringe, cry or call it quits. Not constantly posting every wonderful little detail of your last date might bring her wrath as well. Plus, if you get too many nice comments from old flames, she may feel threatened and throw your ring at you. And it is worse when her old flames keep telling her how sexy she looks. Then there is the number of friends, if for some reason she has half the metro area befriended you may struggle where her interest really lies. Face it; Facebook is not the best place to try to nurture you...

Betrayal! - John 13:18-30 By Pastor Lee Hemen September 6, 2013 Treason used to be such a dirty word, but in our day and age some folks who betray their countries are seen as heroes and adulated by the mainstream media. I suppose it depends upon what your government is doing, but how do you feel when you are personally betrayed by someone you trust? What an awful feeling to have someone who is nice to you publically, but stabbing you in the back privately. As a pastor I have incredulously watched as folks tell me to my face that I could count on them no matter what and immediately do the opposite. And sadly actually think they are doing the will of God in their betrayal. This is nothing new, even Jesus faced betrayal by one of his disciples, one of the men he had chosen to follow him. Can you imagine being a friend, being seen as a confidant, doing the work of God, and then betraying the one God has sent into your life? This is exactly what occurs in the verses John shares with us next...

Humility! - John 13:1-17 By Pastor Lee Hemen August 30, 2013 There was an old country western song by Mac Davis called, "It's Hard to be Humble." The chorus went, "Oh Lord it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror. Cause I get better looking each day." I wonder if our world today truly understands what it means to be humble. Humility is more than being nice or acquiescing your moral standards to be liked by others or being soft-spoken.  Jesus was humble but he was not weak or effeminate. He willingly displayed his strength in his personal humility. Here in John's gospel we find Jesus actively displaying for his inner circle of disciples what real humility is all about. He would teach, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35 NIV) and that "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted....

Believe! - John 12:44-50 By Pastor Lee Hemen August 23, 2015 There are those who try to tear apart the theology of the Trinity, but when they do they do so at their own spiritual and eternal peril. While there are spiritual concepts we may never understand until we are face-to-face with Jesus in heaven, there are those that we must appreciate in order to realize who God is, why he sent Jesus, and how he acts in his creation that includes his relationship with us. When I was little I thought that girls were gross; when I was a bit older I was tongue-tied and embarrassed to even speak to the opposite sex; when I got even older I knew I wanted one; and now that I have been married for forty years to the best of the best, I realize I could not live without her. All of this is to say that when I was younger and more immature I did not fully understand the relationship between guys and gals. Not that I fully understand it now, but I can honestly say I am a whole lot more informed than when I...

The Praise of Men - John 12:37-43 By Pastor Lee Hemen August 16, 2015 There's a saying that states, "Different strokes for different folks and some folks need a lot of strokes." I have always found it disconcerting people need constant affirmation for every little thing they do. The need for constant affirmation has created a self-indulgent and narcissistic generation. Of course this is nothing new; there have always been those who love the accolades of the adoring crowds, even if it is forced. It has been likened to a narcotic and those who become hooked need their fix often. Starlets, politicians, dictators, and now even the more common folk look for ways to be recognized, adulated, revered, and remembered. Instagram and Facebook postings that record our every waking moment, and the regurgitation our lives on the Tweetersphere are all part of this self-absorbed lifestyle. We love the praise of others, the praise of men. In fact, many of us live in fear of losing the pra...