Blog entries from Michael Kurtz

Michael's Musings: The Family that plays together, stays together.

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:41:16 +0100

The statement "The family that plays together, stays together," may not be true 100% of the time, but the practice of this philosophy sure can improve the unity cohesiveness and fun for a family and/or a relationship with a significant other. I grew up in a family in which we often played games. Almost no day went by where we didn't play something--Sorry, Life, Monopoly, Candy Land, checkers, chinese checkers, backgammon, chess, ping-pong, shuffle boaRead More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Happy Birthday Aunt Jean

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:17:50 +0100

My wife Karen's great Aunt Jean turns 105 today! Happy Birthday Aunt Jean! What a milestone! And, what a life! Jean made a career out of teaching school in the North Carolina mountains in the small southern town of Andrews. Former students relate that she was tough and she was fair. They also relate that you never....ever....wore a cap into her class. That spelled big troubleRead More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: The Beatitude Attitudes

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:36:55 +0100

Our church family will soon be engaged in a church-wide study titled, "Life's Healing Choices." We will be reading John Baker's book by the same name, and with the subtitle: "Freedom from Your Hurts, Hang-Ups, and Habits." But, more importantly, we will be reading and reflecting upon The Beatitudes, from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. I am asking and encouraging all of us to read Matthew 5:1-12 each and every day August 1st through October 10th (ThRead More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Things we Treasure

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:27:05 +0100

The week before last my Mom and my siblings (3) and I, along with our families, sorted through Dad's stuff. Pop passed away in late April, and Mom is moving in order to down-size since she no longer needs all that extra space and lawn to look after. I must say it was a chore. In some ways it was sad. It was not easy. And, yet, for me anyway, it provided further closure on Dad's death; and, it provided yet another cathartic expeRead More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Lasting Liberty

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:43:49 +0100

As we approach July 4th and Independence Day folks will, rightly so, be gathering and celebrating. As Americans we are incredibly blessed to experience the freedom we enjoy! May we give thanks for this privilege and never take it for granted.
And, as we celebrate political freedom, may we as Christians, take this opportunity to cue us to think about, and give thanks for, an even greater freedom. It is a freedom that is noRead More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Blessed to be a Blessing

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 28 May 2010 18:55:05 +0100

It's amazing the ability and power we have been given by our Creator with which to bless another! Very simple and every day acts and words have within them tremendous potential to bless.

Throughout the Judeo-Christian scriptures are found example after example where God affirms, empowers and blesses humanity - - - us!! As Father Abraham and Mother Sara, and many other followers since, have learned: We are blessed to be a blessing. The bleRead More...

Michael's Musings: Death of Dad

Michael Kurtz — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:56:07 +0100

My Dad died three weeks ago today. I got the call a little past 6PM. He was gone. You are never ready for this call nor for the death of a loved one. I thought we'd have Pop for a number more years. After all, his Dad died at age 98 and his Mom died at age 95. We all just figured we'd have Dad into his 90s as well. But, it was not to be.

The loss is tough and the grief is deep. &nRead More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: The Final Week of Jesus' Earthly Life

Michael Kurtz — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:45:57 +0100

What a week! Holy Week! Have you ever taken the time to reflect upon the events of Jesus' last week on earth? He stopped off at Bethany, the home of his good friends - Mary, Martha and Lazarus - for one last visit. Then, on Sunday, Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey as the crowds cheer and wave palm branches...a sign of military conquest. The crowds don't have a clue that they are cheering on the Read More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Love that is True

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:10:44 +0100

We are fallen people living in a fallen world. Although we are created in our Maker's image, through original and personal sin, that perfect image has been fractured and broken. God offers restoration through Jesus, yet we continue to stand in need of restoration and redemption. This is the meaning of "total depravity" as mentioned by theologians - - that every area and portion of our human life is affected by sin. Not, however, that there is no good Read More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Let Souls Catch Up With Bodies

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:14:28 +0100

The account is related about a group of American explorers who went to Africa, where they hired indiginous folk to be their guides. The first day they rushed through the jungle. And on the second day they were up at dawn, ready to push forward. And likewise on the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth days.

On the seventh day, the American explorers were up again, anxious to get started. But they noticed that their guides were lying very quietlRead More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Giving Thanks

Michael Kurtz — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:39:03 +0100

As we approach Thanksgiving I encourage us all to take some intentional time to count our blessings and give thanks to God. In the words of an old gospel song, "Count your blessings name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done. .....". What a great idea! I suggest you take a pen or a keypad and list the many blessings in your life. You will be astonished by the results. Go ahead, carve out a block Read More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Big Time Encouragement!

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:35:05 +0100

It is always a blessing to be around a person who has the gift of encouragement. Persons who have this God-given gift walk into a room and the mood brightens up. They have the unique ability to speak life-giving words! The words of affirmation they share can keep you going for days.

The word "encourage" in French literally means "to put the heart in". While to discourage is "to tear the hearRead More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: All Saints Sunday

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:59 +0100

The writer of the Book of Hebrews (chapter 11) lists a litany of those who faithfully followed God - Abraham and Sarah; Moses, David, Rahab, etc. And, then, chapter 12 begins with these awesome words relaying a glorious truth: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a large crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endRead More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Extravagant Generosity

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:18:24 +0100

This Sunday at ORUMC we wrap up a series entitled "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations" by looking at EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY. In the Bible we are told about the poor widow who donated two pennies to the offering at the Temple. Just two cents! How could this be an account of extravagant generosity? Jesus tells us that because this poor woman gave from her heart - the right motive, which Jesus could see, and because shRead More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Risk-taking mission and service

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:54:56 +0100

We continue the series "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations" this weekend with our topic this week being "Risk-Taking Mission and Service." Congregations and individual Christians that are vibrant and healthy engage not only in "in-reach" but also outreach in Jesus' name. Like the Dead Sea - that only receives water and has no channel of outflow - churches and Christians spiritually die without engagning in outreach and service for Christ's sake.Read More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Radical, Christ-like Hospitality

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:31:53 +0100

This weekend ORUMC begins a series based upon United Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase's book FIVE PRACTICES OF FRUITFUL CONGREGATIONS. Our topic this week is radical hospitality, or as we at ORUMC call it "Christ-like Hospitality". Radical, Christ-like hospitality is inviting, welcoming and caring for people in Jesus' name. It is offering a gracious welcome and showing acts of mercy to the stranger/guest because we have received the very same by Jesus Read More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Remembering 9 - 11

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:04:49 +0100

Today marks an unimaginable tragedy in our country. The mere mention of two numbers - 9 - 11 - and immediately everyone is on the same paragraph of the same page. No doubt we all remember where we were and what we were doing on that fatal morning. I was gathered with a group of community pastors for Tuesday morning Bible study at Rudy Hardy's home. As soon as I returned from Bible study and walked into the church office I was informed of tRead More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS: Work a Gift from God

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:39:50 +0100

This Monday we observe Labor Day...a time to give God thanks for work and thanks for those who work faithfully and consistently to make this country and the world a better place in which to live. Let us also this Labor Day be mindful of those who are without work - those amidst the unemployed and underemployed ranks. We also pray that God will lend them strength and encouragement as they are in this waiting period of their life and living and that appropriaRead More...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS Singin' Methodists

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:59:10 +0100

It is customary for us at Oak Ridge UMC to have a "singing Sunday" every 5th Sunday. That is, we do a lot of extra singing during the worship services on these particular Sundays, and the sermon is in song (after some scripture reading we sing more hymns/songs). I think this provides a nice variety for our congregation and for all who attend and participate. In fact, many of us look forward to the 5th-Sunday-Singings so that we can spend additionRead More...

Michael's Musings: ORUMC Where Are We Going?

Michael Kurtz — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:49:37 +0100

Our God-given ORUMC VISION (See vision statement on this website) has directed us down some exciting and God-honoring paths as we seek to make followers of Jesus Christ! As one of the pastors of this congregation, I am so thankful for and proud of the family of Christians known as Oak Ridge United Methodist Church! We are experiencing some grace-filled and Holy Spirit ministry momentum days. For instance, even in the midst of an economic downturRead More...