Sound Of Hope

The tree is lit. Presents are everywhere. The anticipation is palpable. Dinner is being cooked. I am home alone as I type this. I am in a sort of self-imposed bunker mode as I get ready for CHRISTmas Eve worship this evening going over the notes for my message, getting my heart and mind lined up for God, and enjoying some of the most beautiful CHRISTmas praise and worship music. The thoughts that are swirling in my mind are about how CHRISTmas means HOPE -- hope that love conquers all; hope that we have a future with God; hope that my life will mean something in the end. This hope comes to us in the Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us.

While singing a CHRISTmas Carol the other day with my family, I found myself utterly perplexed. We were singing "Away In A Manger," and as we got to the line about how Jesus didn't cry, I really started to wonder if that was true. Sure, I could see how Jesus was capable of transcending the impulse to cry and let his mommy and daddy know what he needed. But I know Jesus was fully divine AND fully human; completely balanced in His dual nature. That being the case, I bet the baby Jesus cried. We know He did when he was older (remember the Bible's shortest verse that tells us "Jesus wept"?), so why would he not cry when he was a baby? This is the natural order of things and exactly what was supposed to happen.

Isaiah 9.6 says, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Jesus didn't just appear on the stage at 30-years-old, he was born. He lived life, experienced life, and learned to love God with His life. Babies cry and Jesus was a baby; therefore, I bet baby Jesus cried.

I recently heard of a book that helps parents interpret their child's cries. Apparently, it is possible to interpret the difference between a hurt cry, hungry cry, tired cry, frustrated cry, dirty diaper cry, bored cry, cry to be held, and a cry for the sake of crying. I remember being a parent and learning those cries from Ethan. It was an arduous task in those days, but a time in my life I relish above most others. As often as I was frustrated with his crying (especially in the middle of the night), the sound meant so much to me. His cries reminded me he was there, and since he’s the apple of my eye, that means a ton! Tiffany and I both yearn to hear those cries again. We trust God in our infertility and still have hope that we will be able to experience the multiplication of love that comes from guiding a young life for God. It might sound strange, but to me right now one of the most beautiful sounds in the world is that of a baby crying. It spurns a physical and emotion response in me. What is noise to some is music to my ears; music I pray I hear again coming from within the walls of my own home.

Last weekend we had the wonderful opportunity to spend the night with my mom celebrating CHRISTmas. My brother, sister, and their families were all there. It was the first time we had all gathered like that since their babies, Charlie Jordan and Drake Houston, were born into the families. We had people scattered everywhere...in every room, on the floor, and on the couches! The place was full of life. And in the middle of the night, as is prone to occur with tiny babies in the place, the stillness was broken with the cries of tiny children in need. Tiffany and I lay in our spot and just listened to the babies cry. To us, it wasn't an annoyance, a frustration, or a cause to get aggravated. Those precious baby boys’ cries were a sign of hope that we, too, can experience the blessings of a new life in our family. Of course the next morning, the babies parents' apologized profusely for the noise and hoped it didn't disturb us. It didn't. To us, it was the sweet sound of hope.

I imagine that as Mary and Joseph, the angels, shepherds, wise men, and everyone else that gathered at the manger who heard the cries of Jesus relished in the beautiful noise. They didn’t likely try to hush him – they were in a barn for crying out loud – because those cries meant something. The cry of Jesus was the sound of hope that God's people had been waiting for over some 700 years from the time Isaiah prophesied that a baby was to be born to bring hope for all the world. God's people were yearning for the sound that would proclaim that not only was hope still alive, but hope was NOW ALIVE. And hope most definitely was alive – it was alive in the person of baby Jesus, Immanuel, Savior of the World.

My prayer as we celebrate CHRISTmas this year that we will keep our ears tuned to the sounds of hope that God has placed in our lives. Hopefully you will be able to find a place of worship this evening or tomorrow to hear the sweet music and the promise of salvation proclaimed. Hopefully you will be able to hear the gleeful laughter of children finding their CHRISTmas wishes granted. Hopefully you'll be able to hear the satisfied sound of moms and dads as they realize they were able to grant the desires of their precious ones' little hearts. And hopefully, you'll be able to pause in the midst of all of our celebrations to again hear the blessed words echo throughout creation that "unto us a child is born and a son given." This, my friends, in the form of a tiny baby crying for the entire world to hear, is the greatest sound of hope. Hope for me. Hope for you. Hope for us all.

Merry CHRISTmas. Know you are loved. May it change your life now and forever!

Merry CHRISTmas!

I have really been working on the true meaning of Christmas this year. For me, it’s something I have to do annually, especially since I love Christmas and always have. I love the trees, lights, presents, music, goodies … all of it! But as I mentioned in my weekly message yesterday, I am someone who is guilty of feeling a little blue after the Christmas celebration is complete. It’s as though once the party is over, Christmas is, too. If I’m going to experience true Christmas joy, then I need to embrace the true meaning of Christmas and how it’s there for me every day of my life. I’m going to take a stab here in the dark, but my guess is I’m not alone in this. We all need to get past the potential trappings of the season to find the real joy God has in store for us.

Christmas is all about Jesus as we celebrate His birth. Remember the saying, “Jesus Is the Reason for the Season”? The Scripture says in Matthew 1.21 that God sent us Jesus (Immanuel, or God with us) to save us from our sins. Sin carries the penalty of separation from God. At Christmas we remember how God sent His love to us in the form of Jesus, showing us that no matter how much distance we’ve put between God and us, we’re never too separated to be saved.

There is nothing wrong with the way we celebrate Christmas -- it truly is what makes the season bright -- but we must remember that as beautiful and fun as our Christmas celebrations are, they are not in and of themselves Christmas. I am coming to learn that the more we celebrate a Jesus-centered Christmas, then ironically, the fun parts of our Christmas celebration garners even more meaning! The trees are evergreen, symbolizing the eternal life we receive from God. The lights symbolize how Jesus came to be the light of the world. The presents we give and receive symbolize God's nature of giving. The music helps us keep the message alive while we’re driving, working, and going about our days. The goodies help us remember to taste and see just how sweet Jesus really is. See, it all has meaning! Focusing on Jesus needn’t negate the fun aspects of our celebrations, but give them even MORE meaning!

So as we embrace the fun of Christmas this year, I want us to use them to help redirect the focus on the true meaning of Christmas … Jesus! As a little way to help remind us about this, I want to invite you to join me in modifying the way we write the word, putting and keeping the emphasis where it belongs: CHRISTmas!

Merry CHRISTmas, my friends!

The Holiday Blues

The holidays (which I am defining as the period of time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day) are supposed to be a joyful time of good cheer and optimistic hopes. Yet it is not unusual for many of us to feel sad or lonely during the holiday period. This has come to be known as “The Holiday Blues” or “Holiday Depression.”

The Holiday Blues may occur at any holiday or vacation time, but most commonly happens during the December holidays when it seems just about everyone in the world is celebrating in some way. There are many causes for the holiday blues, but the most typical are the loss of a loved one, loss of job, separation or estrangement from family, a move away from a familiar home, or even a change in family traditions.

The symptoms for the Holiday Blues mimic clinical depression:
- Sleeplessness or constant desire to sleep

- Loss of appetite resulting in unwanted weight loss

- Binge eating resulting in unwanted weight gain

- Difficulty in concentration

- Difficulty in functioning normally at work and/or at home

- Feelings of anger, ambivalence, or hopelessness

- Slow reaction times and an inability to make decisions

- Over emphasis on the negative

- Low self esteem

- Isolation from others

- Some very real physical ailments such as headaches, backaches, and melancholy facial expressions.

While these symptoms might be intense and unsettling, The Holiday Blues are usually short-lived, lasting for a few days to weeks before the holiday. The good news is the Holiday Blues usually subside after the holiday as daily routines resume. If they do not, however, it is important to find someone who can help you through this difficult time such as a family member, friend, pastor, or other health care professional. Below, you will find a list of recommended DO’S and DON’TS for managing your Holiday Blues. The most important things to remember are: it’s a normal response to a stress-filled time of year, and you don’t have to suffer unnecessarily.

DO:
1. Do follow the three basics for good health (eat right, get plenty of rest, & exercise)
2. Do set realistic goals to organize your time, make lists, prioritize, and set a budget
3. Do let go of the past and find new ways to celebrate
4. Do allow yourself to feel sad and grieve—this is a normal response
5. Do something for someone else and spend time with people who care about you
6. Do enjoy activities that are free (a local church like The Lighthouse!!!)

DON’T:
1. Don’t overindulge in alcohol or fatty and sugary goodies
2. Don’t have unrealistic expectations of self or others
3. Don’t always count on others to remember your loss and pain
4. Don’t focus on what you don’t have
5. Don’t spend money you don’t have

The Holiday Blues can be a very difficult and sometimes unwanted guest at the holidays, but if you follow some of these simple suggestions and remember the words of Jesus, then you will be well on your way to a holiday season that will be merry and bright!

And remember what Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” (Matthew 5:4) and “Blessed are you who weep now for you will laugh.” (Luke 6:21)

Resourced from the University of Maryland Medical School and
The Stephen Ministry Training Manual

Open Thanksgiving

Wow! Can you believe the Holidays are upon us? It is unfathomable for me that Thanksgiving is just a matter of hours away. Just think, with just a few turns of the hands on the clock, turkeys will be cooked and devoured; sweet potatoes will be mashed and inhaled; enough dressing will be baked to feed an army; and the spreads of cakes, cookies, and pies will be so plentiful that even the most modest of appetites will be tempted! Thanksgiving is indeed here!

From humble beginnings, Thanksgiving has become a mega-event for many families. I know personally, on a good year, Thanksgiving will be the only opportunity I will have to see cousins, aunts, and uncles clear on the other side of the state (sad, isn’t it?). It will be a day where others who are too separated by distance will spend time on the phone or perhaps even on a videoconference over the Internet—eat your hearts’ out Pilgrims! And then there is the family tradition I have only garnered a glimpse since marrying into my wife’s family: “The After-Thanksgiving Shopping Extravaganza!”

Thanksgiving has practically become synonymous with unbelievable bargains and shopping galore. I have been seeing signs the last several weeks advertising “Unbeatable Sales!” “Lowest Prices of the Year!” “We Won’t be Undersold,” and “Bargains Beyond Compare!” But perhaps my favorite sign of all came from a marquee not too far from my home that read, “Open Thanksgiving!”

I allowed my mind to dance a little after reading that sign. The more I played with the wording in my mind, the further I moved away from thinking about stores, shopping, and extraordinary shopping deals. It was not long before I moved from “Open Thanksgiving” to “Open Thanksgiving.”

If you’ll bear with me a minute, the difference might seem subtle, but I think it’s worth exploring. When we can look beyond even the greatest of deals and back into the meaning of the holiday, I think we do ourselves some justice. You see Thanksgiving is about exactly what it says, giving thanks. Though we do not need to set aside one day a year to be thankful, it makes for quite a special day when we do pause and show gratitude for our blessings and those we love. But when we can “Open Thanksgiving” in our hearts and minds, perhaps we find that we are more thankful than we ever thought possible.

When we open our hearts and minds—just like when we open windows and doors in our homes—all sorts of things can find their way in. Like a gentle breeze carrying the aroma of a fire from a neighbor’s fireplace, if we are open to the things that swirl around us outside of just what our eyes can see, then we will discover there is so much more to be thankful for than what is right in front of our noses. We live in a wonderful creation that nurtures and cares for us. We have people around us who we’ll never see that protect our wellbeing and that of our families. And we have a God who loves us so much He made the greatest sacrifice in Jesus to make us His own!

So I want to encourage you to have an “Open Thanksgiving” this year. Hug your loved ones. Express gratitude for the blessings from those who you might never see. And above all, from the Thanksgiving feast to the very end of the day, remember what life really means and, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)

ReThinking The Storm

We have had a lot of rain lately, haven’t we? While all that rain can really take a toll on us, it’s also the perfect time to think about how we deal with the storms of life. First of all, we must acknowledge the fact that life can be stormy. When the storms come, we often want to hunker down and pray to GOD to either calm the storm or remove us from it so we can be safe and cozy. I have become convinced, however, that we need to change our prayer posture, so to speak. One way I deal with this is to shift my focus from the things that are going wrong to the One who can do something about it. In other words, instead of talking to GOD about my problem, I started talking to my problem about my GOD. For example, instead of focusing on my anger, fear, anxiety, etc., I focusing on how GOD is grace; GOD is mercy; GOD is peace; GOD is love; GOD is forgiving; GOD is present; GOD is peace, GOD is...

Matthew 14.22-34 is the account of how Jesus walked on water and invited Peter out to join Him. We typically equate that story with having the faith to get out of the boat, yet while I was going through my prayer on the qualities of GOD, this story came back into my consciousness. At first I interpreted it as I needed to have the faith to walk on water by getting out of the boat (and that's still part of it) but another truth came to me. In this story, the disciples are in a boat that is in the middle of a storm while Jesus is on a mountain in prayer. From His vantage point, Jesus could see His friends were in trouble and he came to their aid by walking on the water.

Jesus did not allow the storm to separate Him from those who needed to Him, so He literally overcame the physical limitations of this world to go to their aid. What really struck me is the time lapse, though; you see, I know from hearing this story many times in my life that Jesus calmed the storm. What hit me, though, is the fact that this doesn't happen until the very end of this story…don't miss the significance here, my friend! Jesus didn't wait for the storm to end before he came to His friends' aid. He also didn't spare the moment to calm the storm first ... He came to them in the middle of the storm. And the whole episode of Peter getting out of the boat to walk on the water occurs, again, in the middle of the storm!!!

When we wait or expect for GOD to calm life’s storms before we join Him in His work, we're missing a greater truth. Jesus comes to us and asks us to join Him in the midst of our storm. The chaos we experience is opening us up in faith to follow Him. While we're asking Jesus to calm the storm so we can act for Him, He's telling us to act for Him and let Him worry about the storm. This can be scary faith stuff, because it requires us to quit focusing on the storm and focus on Him. Then the storm-calming work Jesus does first and foremost, therefore, is to calm the storm within us.

I want to encourage you to acknowledge your storm, but quit focusing on it. Instead, focus on the person and character of GOD who is walking to you in the middle of your storm and asking you to join Him in the impossible. He might not calm the storm before you, but He wants to calm the storm within you so you can join Him in every aspect of life. When you can embrace this, it will definitely change you as you realize the storm doesn't have any power over you, but the One who is holding you in the storm certainly does.

Click here to see a YouTube video for the Casting Crown’s song,
Praise You In This Storm

How Deep Is Your Trust?

How deep is your trust? Trust is an interesting thing. When I flip a light switch, I trust that light will fill the room. When I put my key in the car ignition, I trust my car will crank. When I set my alarm at night, I trust that it will wake me up at the appropriate time the next day. As human beings, we know what it means to trust in things. But how deep is our trust?

Of those three simple things I mentioned above, our trust was formed by experience. We learn through experience that when we flip a light switch, crank a car, or set an alarm, the desired outcome will almost always occur. But what about those moments that we all have when there is no power in the house, or the car battery is dead, or we accidentally set our alarm clocks for 6pm instead of 6am? These instances tend to change our behavior at some level. We might look around to see if there is any evidence of electricity running through the house. We might look to make sure that we turn lights off in our car to ensure the battery doesn’t conk out on us. Or we might double-check the right time on the clock. The experience of things failing us changes our behaviors, at least for a little while. When that’s the case, our sense of trust shifts; if shifts from trust in the device to trust in ourselves to ensure that we manipulate the device properly. This shift might be subtle, but the effects are dramatic.

We need to consider this aspect of human nature in terms of our trust in God. We believe that all we have to do is ask God and He will provide for our needs according to the plan and purpose He has for our lives. The only problem is we believe we know what’s best. We treat God more like a consultant than the Creator and hope that His will lines up with our own. We often approach trust in God like there’s something we can do to manipulate Him. This, unfortunately, never works, and when it doesn’t, our faith and trust in Him is compromised.

I will admit that there are at least two areas in my life where I have a trust problem. All the lip service in the world cannot change the fact that in these areas of my life, I look at God and wonder when He’s going to sign on to MY plan as opposed to me signing on to His. So this morning as I was spending time in prayer and meditation, both of these issues boiled to the top. As I reflected over them and my trust in Him, I was reminded of how even yesterday, I tried at least one thing to push my agenda upon the circumstances in both cases as opposed to carrying them to the Almighty. This begs the question: how deep is my trust?

As I was praying about the depth of my trust, a scripture passage was given to me that comes from Ephesians. Check this out, “I (Paul) pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3.16-19, NIV, emphasis mine)

When I don’t see things working out the way I want them to, I have the tendency to try doing things on my own. I am not alone … we all do it! But what does this say about the depth of our trust? I’m afraid it says it’s pretty shallow. The scripture says that the power of God’s love is immeasurable. That’s a sizable difference. That’s an eternal difference. It would do us some good to trust God – who we believe only wants the eternal best for us, which is a far cry from what we think we need – more than we trust our own ability to manipulate a circumstance or our God.

So let me ask you again, how deep is your trust?

_______________________

O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things.
(St. Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556)

Turning An "Alexander Day" Upside Down

When I was a kid, one of my favorite stories was Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. This book was such a staple in my house growing up that whenever someone had a bad day, we termed it an "Alexander Day." It still somewhat sticks when I have a conversation with my mom, brother, or sister, but it isn't as prevalent in my everyday vernacular anymore. That is until a couple weeks ago.

I had "An Alexander Day." It seemed that no matter what I did, it turned out poorly. If King Midas had the golden touch... well, I'm not even going to allude to the kind of touch I had. Let's suffice it to say, I wasn't happy.

I was driving to an appointment and I was in a royally bad mood (remember King Midas' antithesis?). I knew I couldn't go into my meeting as a sour puss at best, so I started praying. The only problem was my prayer wasn't all that sincere. I was skirting around the fact that I wasn't happy. One thing about having an omniscient God is He knows when we're not being open and honest with Him. There should be no mystery that my prayers didn't feel like they were going any farther than my steering wheel. I just felt shallow, or maybe even more appropriately, hollow.

I knew I needed to change my prayer if I was going to be worth anything when I arrived, so I focused on God. Novel thought, eh? Instead of focusing on the stuff I was dealing with, I focused on the positive attributes of God that ran directly opposite to what I was feeling. Instead of spewing my negative thoughts as to how my "Alexander Day" was progressing, I began focusing on positive thoughts of God. My prayer then became a series of words that described the personality and character of God. Words like:

Present

Peaceful

Loving

Truthful

Graceful

Merciful

Forgiving

Eternal

Provider

I went on making my mental list as I drove to my next destination. Within just a few moments, I began feeling much better. It was as though the heaviness of my "Alexander Day" was lifting, and so were my spirits. I had been turned upside down in literally just a matter of seconds when earlier I felt as though my whole house of cards was collapsing.

I have been doing this kind of praying a lot more lately. I'm finding that focusing on the person of God is so much more beneficial than focusing on the person of Mark; after all, I get the majority of my attention anyway. When focusing on God, my attention shifts from glorifying myself to glorifying God. Perhaps this is what Paul meant when he wrote, "Set your mind on things above and not on earthly things." (Colossians 3.2)

Changing the latitude of my prayers helped turn an "Alexander Day" upside down. I would like to suggest you give this a shot; you never know how it might change the way you feel and look at the world! Start making your list -- mental or otherwise -- about the character, attributes, and person of God. If you need any assistance, let me know; I'd love to help.

Ethan and the Nightlight

Something struck me this morning as I went to tidy Ethan’s room once he left for school. He has to get up so early to catch the bus, and like so many homes we are in a 30-minute marathon to get him out the door; we, therefore we allow him to literally roll out of bed and come downstairs to get dressed, have breakfast, and enjoy a little family time before the day begins. So each morning, Tiffany or I saunter upstairs to turn off his fan, alarm clock, and nightlight. This strikes me because last night when I went to check on him after he fell asleep, he was doing everything in his power (i.e., covering his face with his pillow) to block out the light from his nightlight.

I am a very light-sensitive sleeper, so I suppose he comes by it naturally. We both prefer pitch-black darkness in order to sleep. This is why I find it strange that he still chooses to sleep with a nightlight. So I simply asked him, “Why do you want to keep using a nightlight when you need to sleep in total darkness?” I take it he has pondered this existential dilemma as well because he was quick to respond. This is what he said, “Dad, it’s because I want to be able to see if I ever wake up in the middle of the night to get to the bathroom.” His answer had a simple profundity that can hardly be argued.

This got me contemplating the need for a light in the darkness. Ethan wants to know the light is there so he can see to get to the bathroom, but I also think there is another reason: he wants to make sure his room environment looks basically the same at night as it does in the day. Let’s face it – things can look different at 3am, can’t they? Strange shadows can be cast and what is a cute cuddly plush toy can appear to be the boogey man in the middle of the night. So using a nightlight helps him know that there is always a light shining in the darkness to guide him to the bathroom, cast away the shadows that play tricks on his mind in the dark, and help him know the truth that he can rest in comfort and safety.

Jesus said in John 9.5b, “I am the light of the world.” The Bible also says in 2 Corinthians 4.6, “For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” God has given us a light to shine perpetually in our lives. I think there is a great parallel with why Ethan continues to use a nightlight: (a) God gave us Jesus so we can see in the times we walk in darkness; (b) God gave us Jesus to cast away the shadows that play tricks on our eyes; and (c) God gave us Jesus so we’ll know the truth of His love even when we feel all alone, comforting us that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4.4 – in other words, “Yeah God, and boo devil!”)

I’m not sure if your eyes still play tricks on you in the middle of the night. I know mine do. And my mind still plays tricks on me in the middle of the day when I see or feel darkness all around me. When I’m not sure where to go, when I think all is lost, and when I’m searching for the truth, Jesus is there as an ever present help in times of trouble to help me know I’m not alone. (Psalm 46.1)

The light is always there. If you feel you’re stumbling around in the darkness, open the eyes of your heart to acknowledge the light that shines the face of God in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1.18) He’s leading the way. (Matthew 4.16) He’s casting out the shadows. (James 1.17) He’s shining light as the truth. He can do this, my friends, because He IS the LIGHT! May He illuminate your life today!

Be blessed and let the light so shine.

The Sweetest Day

I was just perusing our family's wall calendar trying to get my ducks in a row before we take a very happy long weekend next week to celebrate the 15th anniversary of my wife's 21st birthday. I noticed that this Saturday, October 17th, is known as The Sweetest Day. I could not recall having heard of this day before, so I decided to consult the bastion of knowledge that is Wikipedia for my burning question, "What in the world is the Sweetest Day?"

The Wikipedia article says: "Sweetest Day is an observance celebrated primarily in the Great Lakes region and parts of the Northeast United States on the third Saturday in October. Once known as a day to spread love and cheer to the unfortunate, this popular holiday in the northern U.S. is now known as a day to show love to the male in your life. It is described by Retail Confectioners International as an "occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, aged and orphaned, but also friends, relatives and associates whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed." Sweetest Day has also been referred to as a "concocted promotion.” created by the candy industry solely to increase sales of candy." (click here for more)

Even though I was not aware of Sweetest Day, it makes me a little sad that a day started out to help the less fortunate has turned into an occasion to sell candy and greeting cards. I am going to find a way with my family this Saturday to return to the original meaning of Sweetest Day. I want to encourage you to do so, too. For after all this is how God wants us to live our lives -- in concern and service for the world.

Jesus said in Matthew 25.34-40, "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"

May Christ's words help us think about what is truly sweet in this world -- to show others how much they mean to you and God. Have a great Sweetest Day and may it be the sweetest day ever in concern and love for the world.

How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
(Psalm 119.103)

A Reminder I Received from a Coffee Mug

I suffered a tragedy today. It is all relative, of course, but I lost something dear to me nonetheless. You see, I collect coffee mugs—among other things—and I got one on a particularly wonderful family vacation several years ago I loved. This was a special piece of ceramic pottery. It was a strong mug. It was a big mug. It held just the right amount of coffee. And being ceramic it kept it hot for a long time. I loved this mug. Every day, and sometimes a couple times a day, regardless of whatever else was going on in my life, I knew my mug would be there for me. When the days were cold, my mug would be there to warm me up. When I was alone, I could count on my mug not to let me down.

Then it happened! I had enjoyed an afternoon cup of coffee to perk me up in preparation for the rest of the long day ahead of me. I sat it down in the empty sink to wash it next time I needed to use some water. In the meantime, I was cooking something for our small group’s dinner session and had a large baking dish that needed to be washed. While rinsing out the large baking, the soap on my hands made me lose my grip, dropping it on top of my favorite mug. It was doomed.

Now I have pretty good reflexes if you did not know. With my right hand, I attempted to reach under the falling dish to preserve the mug, but to no avail. It was as though the mug was made from powder held together by a seam of glue the way it exploded and disintegrated as the dish landed on top of it. As I watched it crumble and fall in the sink, I saw the mug’s lifetime flash before my eyes. My favorite mug was no more. Despite any valiant attempt on my part, I could not save my mug.

The fact is I am just using the coffee mug as a metaphor for life. Though I loved my mug and when it broke I was upset, it was by no means as precious to me as my relationship with the Lord, a friend, or a family member. Still, there are all sorts of people, places, and things in life where we take their presence for granted. Just as I had placed my coffee mug in the sink as I had many times before, I had no idea I would never be able to use it again. This reminds me that there are times when we hang up the phone for the last time, wave goodbye for the last time, or sign a card for the last time. We never know when any these events will be the inevitable “last time,” so we must cherish any and every opportunity we have while they are ours to enjoy.

Several years ago, my wife lost a young friend to a tragic end. When she got the news, she immediately jumped back in her mind to the last time they spoke and of all the missed opportunities in between. She thought about times when she “should’a, would’a, could’a,” but in the end she knew there was nothing she could do but remember the good times, pray for peace—both her own and the family—and use this as a reminder not to take for granted the blessings of those around us.

When separations occur, they can be quite difficult, even tragic. But I do have good news…endings are not the end of hope! You see, we have a God who has conquered death and promised to never leave us alone in the midst of separation. So when you lose someone, someplace, or something near and dear to you, remember and cherish what they mean and represent. And then remember these words, that they might provide you hope, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)

On A Clean Conscience

I had a great reminder about right living the other day when we were running late to get Ethan to school. I had about five-minutes to get him there before he would be counted as tardy and I was sweatin’ it.

Since we were running late, I was pushing the envelope as to how far I should maneuver my Toyota through the daily obstacle course of other parents in the same predicament. About half way there, I reached down and patted my pocket, realizing that in my rush to get out of the house, I left my wallet at home. IMMEDIATELY, I slowed down, became more aware of my surroundings, and did my best to get Ethan to school without breaking any driving laws or getting into an accident.

I found it strange that I was willing to drive more maniacally when I thought my license was in my pocket. It was almost as though I thought that little card could justify my driving, when in reality, I knew wrong was wrong. If I had been pulled over for speeding, Ethan would have been late. If we had been involved in an accident, Ethan would have been late at best. I experienced that strange sensation of butterflies in my stomach, knowing I had been in the wrong. This feeling – a strong indicator of my conscience kicking in – helped me know I needed to get back to safe driving! My conscience was telling me to watch what I was doing and be more careful when in reality this is how I should have been behaving all along.

It’s amazing how easily we throw caution to the wind when we think it benefits us. We ease into our own isolated bubble either feeling we’re invincible or oblivious to others. Whether it’s aggressive driving or unwise living, we cannot afford to live as though we are the only ones in this world. This is frankly contrary to how God wants us to live. God wants us to always be aware of others and live in such a way that is consistent with what we say we believe. Our conscience, therefore, helps us avoid compromising situations and lets us know when we’re off the narrow path as we slip.

As Christians, we believe that when we accept Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. The Holy Spirit then informs and transforms our conscience so we can live for God and know when we stray from Him. It is even more important to listen to our conscience then, because it is the power of God within us, helping us to live for Him.

The good news is that with God’s grace, we have the opportunity to turn away from our inconsistent and sinful behavior to return to Him. It’s never too late to turn back to God thanks to Jesus Christ and the confidence we have in God and His amazing grace! God is always willing to welcome us back.

We must be very careful not to take advantage of this, however. There are people in this world who behave however they want with little regard for anyone else and just turn to God when things go badly. Just as in my case, a driver’s license doesn’t provide me license to drive aggressively. God’s forgiving grace doesn’t give us license to behave however we want. The key is to realize God wants us to strive to live right all the time, shining with the glory of His love. It’s because of His love, though, that even when we fall short, we can return to Him and know that there is no condemnation thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The Scriptures tell us this, “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 22.21-23, emphasis mine)

God does love you! God is faithful! God wants you in His family! If you aren’t living that way, listen to your conscience. It will let you know what you’re off course and it will help you get back on the right track.

What Memory Foam Helped Me Remember

Our Walt Disney World vacation this past summer was memorable for many reasons. We had a great time, but strangely enough, one thing stood out to us: the comfort of the bed. Perhaps the beds were so cozy because we were whooped after all the fun and frivolity that is a trip to the "Happiest Place On Earth," but as we investigated the mattresses, we learned they had a memory foam pillow top. After a couple nights of sweet sweet dreams, I knew we needed an upgrade at home.

Upon arriving back home, Tiffany made it her purpose to find us a memory foam mattress topper. She finally found the one she liked best and exemplified patience until the topper went on sale. She brought it home, we unwrapped it, placed it on the bed, and prepared for a good night's sleep.

I'll say this, the memory foam mattress topper is worth the wait and the money (especially after being purchased on sale). I am sleeping so much better. It cradles me just right, isn't too hot, and enables us both to wake up sans the aches and pains with which we had become all too familiar. The memory foam -- and pardon the intended puns and inferences -- is a dream come true!

As my alarm went off this morning, I went through a fairly standard procedure of thinking about all I had to do today and asked God to bless me, my family, my endeavors, and those people with whom I come in contact. In prayer, I was working to remember my role in this world and the sovereignty of God, full of love, grace, and mercy.

I found myself searching the scriptures this afternoon and happening upon a passage that had escaped my consciousness. In Psalm 63, we read these words,

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night. "
(vs.3-6, NIV, emphasis mine)

I don't need memory foam to help me remember how much I need the love of God, but the busyness of life, has a tendency to cause me to lose focus. I need to remember that I am simply not capable of being all I need or want to be on my own ... none of us are. With God, though, we are capable of so much more than we could ever dream.

If you do not have a regular practice of giving your day to God, I want to encourage you to do so. You don't need memory foam to make it happen, just something to help trigger within your mind that you need to stop what you're doing and focus on God. It might be every time you touch a door knob, the steering wheel, or hear a phone ring. Regardless, find some way to help you remember to give God His due take your proper place in this world. And don't beat yourself up if you miss it from time-to-time; it happens to me, too. But do make a point to remember the Lord and how His love is better than life. Give Him the glory and offer Him your praise.

Have a great day!

Wear Your Colors Day

This is one of my favorite seasons of the year, second only to Advent and Christmas. It is the time when football kicks off for both college and pro teams. In preparation for the new football season, today, Friday, September 4, has been declared, "National Wear Your Colors Day."

As I sit here, I am wearing one of my favorite University of Georgia tee shirts. I love my UGA gear: I have a jersey, several other tee shirts, sweat shirts and hoodies, pajama pants, key chains, ball caps, sandals, crocs, a UGA license plate, a static cling window decoration, screensaver, desktop wallpaper, ink pens, lapel pens, and the fight song running through my head on a loop. So when I learned earlier this week that today was "Wear Your Colors" day, I wanted to make sure my favorite shirt was clean and ready to go; except, of course for the one I'm going to wear when the Dawgs kick off the 2009 season tomorrow afternoon.

I have been convicted for several years about the passion and energy I put into my love of sports. Tiffany can attest I am infinitely better than I was when we first married, but I do get pumped up over a big win and deflated over a devastating loss. I have come to put sports into a much more appropriate perspective in my life, though I still have to check myself over how high or low I get in terms of things that mean very little in the grand scheme of things, and mean absolutely nothing in an eternal sense. I don't think God minds us loving sports, but He certainly cares if we allow them to take a god-like status in our lives, becoming an idol that governs our emotions, motives, and actions.

God wants us to live lives of passion for Him as well as those He has placed in our lives. He wants us to share our love and allegiance for Him in a stronger way than we do for our favorite teams. He wants us to wear our love and faith for Him on our sleeves, so to speak, as we seek to share Him with the world.

In Colossians 3.12-14, Paul wrote, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (NIV) In these lines, Paul is giving us an idea of who it looks when we wear our God-colors; clothing ourselves with the light and love of God.

When we wear the colors of faith, the world takes notice! These colors don't tell people where we went to school or which teams we follow, but they do say to whom we belong ... GOD! ... and we wear these colors to share the incredible love and grace of God with others. Unlike the results from a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, these are things that have eternal consequence and will never let us down. If we could only say the same thing about our favorite teams...

It seems we don't have any problem sharing our sports allegiances with the world. We need to have as much pride and conviction in our faith. We need to clothe ourselves in Christian love and share the colors of God with the world. We don't have any secrets to keep, but to share the greatest story ever told!

Jesus said it this way in the Sermon on the Mount, "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill." (Matthew 5.14, MSG)

Have a great "Wear Your Colors Day" and make sure you're dressing yourself in the colors of faith!

Awesome!

Human beings are arrogant. There, I said it! I got it off my chest and feel a little better. Well, sort of. I don’t like the thought of being arrogant, but I cannot escape the reality. I have the tendency to look at the world and think that all I see is all there is. Perhaps this is one reason I enjoy the education process, exploring the world and learning new things. It’s an exciting, and again, humbling experience.

I was scanning the Internet this morning in my daily quest for knowledge and information. I take seriously the advice from well known theologian, Karl Barth, to preach with a Bible in one hand a newspaper in the other. I read an article about how a previously unknown species of crustacean was discovered in an undersea lava tube off the coast of Africa. Friends, this amazed me! I have to admit that it’s almost inconceivable to me that there could be things in this world that have yet to be discovered. With all the advancements humanity has made in terms of science, it amazes me that we’re still making discoveries. And speaking of intellectual arrogance, my guess was if humanity can place lava tunnels under the seafloor, or walk on the moon, it stands to reason that we’ve seen it all. But then the awareness of how little we really do know comes to bear, and I am brought back to the awareness that there are mysteries of life and creation I’ll never be privy to. That’s awesome and it excites me!!!

Let’s face it: we live in a mysterious world. We want to think we know it all, have seen it all and done it all, but the reality is we’ve barely scratched the surface. There is more to this world, and the God who created it than we’ll ever know. I can almost hear the voice of my 7-year-old say when discovering something new and cool, “Awesome!”

We throw that word, ‘awesome,’ around quite easily these days. We describe toys, games, movies, music, sports plays, and all sorts of other things by saying they are awesome, but that word has an entirely different meaning. The word, awesome, literally means, holy. I’m serious. It really does. When we discover something nifty and new, and declare that it’s awesome, we are, in a sense, acknowledging the awe of God. Our task as God’s children, therefore, is to share God’s total awesomeness in the world and with the world. We need to step aside and allow our hearts and minds to be filled with the awesome mysteries of God and share them with others.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians, “Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.” (Ephesians 3.8-9)

God’s world is indeed a mystery and isn’t it a beautiful thing!?!? There are so many things we do not know and so many things we won’t be able to know until we are united with Him in heaven through the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ! Paul also wrote in his letter to the Colossians, “[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (1.15-17)

Despite all the things we don’t know and likely will never be able to learn, we can place our faith and hope in Jesus, the most awesome person who has ever lived and lives today. He is holding all things together; not the least of which being you and me! It’s awesome to think about and awesome to share! As we have seen God create, and acknowledge his presence and activity in daily life, we, too, can see just how awesome it is.

Be awesome and have an awesome rest of the week!

A Thought On GOD & Love

I ran across a thought-provoking quote this morning regarding GOD and love (the topic for this week's Sunday's message).

"We become truly personal by loving God
and by loving other humans...
In its deepest sense, love is the life,
the energy, of the Creator in us."
~ Kallistos Ware

In essence, we come closer to reaching our potential when we love ... loving God and others. This love becomes our life, giving us God's energy, which we desperately need if we are going to continue living lives of love.

Let's face it, love under our own strength becomes tiring. It requires us to give, and give, and give. If we are only living for self, then we have the propensity to get a little selfish and wonder, "What's in it for me?"

This is contrary to GOD's nature and it needs to be contrary to ours, too! GOD wants us to live lives of love and service, helping others know of GOD's eternal love. GOD is also giving us the opportunity to participate in creation -- and re-creation -- as we acknowledge who we are and our role in the world.

So how are you living? Is GOD's love the energy for your life? Is it the motivation for what you do? Is it the essence of how you relate to God and others? This love is how we come to fulfill our humanity and become who we are created and called to be. This cannot be done under our power, for we are called to live in the flow of GOD!

Dear friends, since God so loved us,
we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God;
but if we love one another, God lives in us
and his love is made complete in us.
(1 John 4.11-12)

Birthdays Are Fun, But They're Meant For More Than One

Birthdays are fun, aren’t they? Well, at least for most. I remember being a kid and counting down to my birthday, which is in December, just a couple weeks before Christmas. The magic and excitement of that time made me want to pop as I thought about all the toys and surprises that awaited me. I loved the attention and couldn’t wait until “my day!”

As I became older, however, my anticipation for my birthday began to change somewhat. It isn’t so much about getting older, that’s never really been an issue for me, but I think now it has more to do about the attention. I enjoy it, don’t get me wrong, but I also realize that my birthdays aren’t just about me.

I remember when this new mindset came to bear; I was a freshman in college and turning 19 years old. The girl I was dating at the time broke up with me (ON MY BIRTHDAY) and I was devastated. As my parents were determined not to let it ruin my day, they ended up calling my closest friends who came over with just a few hours notice to help me celebrate “my day.” What started out to be a wretched evening turned into one of the finest days of my life.

As I processed what my friends and family did for me, it occurred to me that my birthdays aren’t really just for me. They are an opportunity for the people who have loved me, nurtured me, cared for me, and attended to me throughout my life to celebrate the common bond we share.

This coming Thursday, The Lighthouse UMC celebrates its 3rd Birthday! I am excited as I think about how far this church has come in three years time. It has certainly had its ups and downs, but as we prepare to throw the church a party, it isn’t about bricks and mortar (and that’s a good thing since we don’t have any!) as much as it is about the hearts that have been touched and lives that have been changed – I count myself in that number many times over. As we gather on Sunday to celebrate, we will do so joyfully for the common bond we share in Jesus Christ! I am reminded of the words from 1 Peter 2.9-10a, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God…”

As we gather for a wonderful party this coming Sunday, commemorating what has been accomplished and what lies ahead, we aren’t just celebrating an entity’s birthday…we are also celebrating the lives of those who make Lighthouse the church that it is past, present, and future. I cannot wait to be in worship on Sunday, singing, praying, worshipping, meditating, and I’m sure shedding a tear or two for all that God has done and is doing. But as we gather, I acknowledge this isn’t just about a church with a name, as much as it is about the people that make it so special. And as we gather, may we also commitment to stand together for many more years of ministry, impacting the world beginning in our own back yard. For God’s people gathering and joining together for a celebration of life is the best way I can think to celebrate three years of ministry – serving, sharing, and shining in Coweta and Fayette counties and abroad!

Happy Birthday, Lighthouse!

Back To School With The Golden Rule

The dog days of summer seem to get shorter and shorter, don’t they? Since the local school systems made adjusts to the calendar, students get out earlier but go back earlier, too. This really hit me one day last week while doing a little grocery shopping.

I was passing by the stationary and office supply aisle when my attention was caught by a noticeable buzz. There was a sort of feeding frenzy taking place as parents and children were rustling through bins and baskets to pick out the best folders, pencils, crayons, and paper. It brought back all sorts of memories of picking out the tools that would accompany me into a new campaign in the classrooms of my local school. I wanted to be well equipped.

There was one year in particular as I prepared for a new year by perusing the school supply list when I got excited. The math teacher had asked every student to come prepared with a ruler. To me, that meant we were going to be getting into some cool stuff where I would need to be able to measure and draw a straight line. It was not until later in life that lesson really began to hit home.

School is a vital aspect of young people learning to become adults. School is so much more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic; it is about facing challenges, persevering, making friends, and accomplishing the seemingly impossible. So when we think about measuring up and keeping a straight line, a ruler is a huge help! Beyond the centimeters and inches, we need to make sure we are sending our children and their teachers in to a school year with the best possible chance for success. They need a standard, a “ruler” if you will, to help provide an answer in a world that is slow to give them.

Jesus gives some timeless advice that I am sure you have heard before. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6.31) Many know this as the “Golden Rule” and work to live their life by this timeless principle. It helps when we think of the potential consequences of our actions and how we might personally be impacted if those same consequences were to come our way. Thinking this way can help prevent quick tempered and shortsighted reactions to very real circumstances.

If we were able to completely follow this golden rule, the world would be a different place, let alone our local schools. Treat others like you would want to be treated whether you are in the classroom, lunchroom, bathroom, locker room, music room, or art room. Wherever you might come face to face with someone else, remember Jesus’ timeless advice. You could do much worse than to arm yourself with this powerful piece of wisdom and advice to make a difference in the world around you.

We are not but just a few days from a new school year. There is no doubt it will present all sorts of challenges. But if we can remember to treat our neighbors as we would want to be treated ourselves, then we are making great strides toward a wonderfully constructive and educational experience. We need all the help we can get to measure up and keep a straight line. So as you pack your backpacks and briefcases for another day, remember to pack one item you can stand to have in abundance: The Golden Rule!

Have a great school year.

On MapQuest & Life's Direction

Our family was driving home from visiting Tiffany’s parents the other day when we had to make a detour for Tiff’s job. We had MapQuest directions and were following them, but suddenly the name of the road we were traveling changed. We were supposed to be on this one country road for 16 miles and were barely half way through it. We knew that to backtrack was going to cost us a lot of extra time, but going forward might get us crazy lost. I decided to forge ahead until we got to a fork in the road that was not mentioned on MapQuest. Egad, what to do?!?! I paused, thought for a bit, and considered my direction; I knew how I was supposed to go and let that be my guide, trusting my resource. It turns out that within a mile or two, we saw a familiar landmark and realized we were right where we were supposed to be all along. All the anxiety had passed and we made our way home without incident.

As I think about this driving adventure, it makes me consider life and how this is something we might face quite often. Even if we consider last week’s message Hero in Abraham, God told him He had a plan and purpose for His life, but that didn’t mean He gave Abe every last detail. God placed Abraham in the right direction and asked Abraham to trust in Him. God often does the same thing with us. When we’re be-bopping through life, we might not think about all the details, but certain times arise – particularly when we face crossroads – when we need to pause, think on God and remember the direction He’s placed in our lives.

This can be frustrating because most of us prefer lists over adventure – we’d prefer to know every zig and zag of life so there’s no question as to where we’re going. We don’t have anything to worry about because we know exactly where we’re supposed to go and when. Yet for some reason, God doesn’t often operate like this. God wants us to trust Him and follow His leading. If we had all the details and knew exactly what to do when, then we might be deceived into the thinking that we have all we need to function in life. God would rather us trust in Him, for as the Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3.5)

What is going on in your life that God is asking you to simply trust Him? Where might God be asking you to simply pause, place your focus back on Him, and trust the direction He’s placed in your life? How have certain events when you have or haven’t trusted God changed your life? God is there to give you the direction you need, but is also asking you to trust Him as life unfolds. God is trustworthy and true, so trust in Him, the direction He has placed in your life, and look forward to the adventure ahead of you!!!

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE

Here we are on the cusp of Independence Day, and I was thinking about what it means to be free. As a young man, I was prone to choosing the path of least resistance. This might have kept me out of trouble, but I was not truly free. This 4th of July I am thinking more about personal freedom than national liberty, and it is important to think about times when we come to experience true freedom of heart and soul.

My elementary school sponsored an annual trip for 4th and 5th graders to the Rock Eagle camp in Eatonton, Georgia. There was a nominal registration fee ($30 I think) and my parents’ stipulation was that if I was going to Rock Eagle I had to come up with half the money. If I did my chores and stocked away a percentage of my allowance, there would be no problem whatsoever in earning the necessary $15 by the registration deadline. But as the case with most free spending nine-year-olds, I became enamored with the latest toy or sweetest candy, thinking I would be able to make up the money spent with an extra chore or two. As the day of reckoning approached, I went to my piggy bank to get my share of the fee, but to my great surprise, there was only $10; considerably short of the $15 I needed. Then my diabolical mind began to turn. My younger brother had recently enjoyed a birthday and there was little chance, I thought, he would miss a measly $5. So I went into his bank, took the bill, and proudly presented my Mom my share of the registration fee.

Days and weeks went by and my brother never noticed his cash was missing until it was time to fork over the dough for this shiny new remote-controlled boat he wanted. He was $5 short, a conspicuous amount to be sure, since he was certain he had the money. My conscience caught up with me in a mighty way and I confessed my moment of weakness and indiscretion, hoping for leniency in my honesty, but my penalty was severe. First, my dishonesty forfeited me the opportunity to go to Rock Eagle while I stayed at home, grounded. Next, I had to tell my teachers why I had to stay behind. Then, I had to pay back the registration fee out of my allowance. Boy did I think this penalty was stiff because it caused me a financial setback as well as personal humiliation as I watched the bus pull off. One thing is for sure, however, I never stole again and my Mom and Dad instilled within me a deep appreciation for the truth.

In John 8:31-32, I am reminded of a word from the Lord as, Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” As I reflect over how that moment shaped me as an individual, I cannot help but think there are areas in all of our lives where we need to face the truth and allow ourselves the freedom that comes from living in a right relationship with God and our neighbor. Perhaps, we have been selling our partners short and not giving them the love they deserve. Perhaps we are guilty of stealing from ones we love or faceless folks in the community. Perhaps we have even cheated God and ourselves trying to get ahead at the expense of others. But if we hear the words of Jesus, then we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is no substitute for doing the right thing. And when we do, we can experience a great freedom for living…freedom from conscience, guilt, and shame.

So this Independence Day, might I impress upon you the importance of discovering a personal freedom by freeing yourself from the trapping of guilt and shame that comes from not living a life according to love, honesty, and a higher truth. So may you be blessed this Independence Day into living a life of true freedom and hope for a better life according to the wishes of God. Happy 4th of July and may you have a truly free Independence Day!

Being Still & Going With God

I have really been chewing on the scripture I used for this past week’s message at Lighthouse UMC. As I began working on the message, my intent was to focus on Moses parting the Red Sea, enabling the Israelites to cross the riverbed on dry ground. The more I worked on that story, however, three verses (well before the sea was parted) stood out, practically screaming at me for a closer look. Take a gander at Exodus 14.13-15, “Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.’ Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.”

I’m not sure if you caught that, but in successive verses, we read, “be still” and “move on.” The Israelites were fleeing Egypt after the plague that killed all of the first-born in the country. Suffice it to say, Egypt wasn’t too happy with God and His people. Pharaoh’s anger was getting the best of him, so he pursued the Israelites to kill every last one of them. As terror gripped the Israelites, hearing the Egyptian charge, God reminded them that they would be delivered. As this is taking place, Moses tells the people to be still.

When we perceive a potentially perilous situation, our bodies experience the physiological condition known as “fight or flight.” This means that we go through a conscious and subconscious deliberation to find out if it’s wiser for us to stand and fight or run away. Our pertinent senses become keener. Adrenaline rushes. It often happens in a split second, and while we’re at it, we’re gauging our own well-being. It really is amazing to try and comprehend what our brains can do, and this was happening to anywhere from 20,000 to 2,000,000 individuals hearing the Egyptian battle cries, horse hooves and chariot wheels bearing down on them. Some, I’m sure, wanted to run where some wanted to fight. Through it all, Moses says, be still. What!?!?!

God wants us to be still, but He doesn’t necessarily want us to stay that way. For in Exodus 14.15, He tells the Israelites to move. Is this a contradiction or a mistake? It’s neither. The people – even in the middle of the crisis with Pharaoh – needed to stop, regroup, and focus on God. He had done so much for them to that point, He wasn’t about to leave them at the water’s edge to meet their demise. He did want them to move, but he wanted them to move in His direction under His purpose.

The same is true for us today. It isn’t that God only wants us to be still … He does want us to go … He just wants us to go His way. When “fight or flight kicks” in, God wants us to know that if we are to fight, He is there with us. If we are called to flee, then He is leading the way.

How good are you at standing still? We don’t do that very well anymore, do we? From our hyper-active culture to the rapidly emerging reliance on up-to-the-second technology and media, standing still seems like a need for ages past. Yet, we can see that Scripture tells to be still and know who is God* – not a smart phone, day planner, laptop, or any other modern convenience. Let’s face it, God has been telling us for millennia that we need to be still and we’re making it harder and harder in the name of advancement and convenience.

I want to invite you to join me in a little exercise today and for the remainder of the week. Take some time to be still, and while standing still, look to the Lord to see where He wants you to go. He will show you; He might even be screaming it at you, but the loudness of the world is making you oblivious to His call. Once you know how and where to go, then go; but make sure you are going with God.

The Lord is delivering you. He is fighting for you. He is also leading you to safety. Let’s go with Him and make sure we are going with God!

*Psalm 46.10

Happy Father's Day

About 12:03am this morning, just as Tiff and I were getting ready to go to sleep, she looked at me and said, "Happy Father's Day." With a smile, I said, "thank you and I love you for making me a father."

As I wrote in my posting, 25 Things About Me, "Being a dad is the coolest thing I've ever been blessed to do." I remember the day Ethan was born (I wore a Superman tee-shirt given me by Tiff's mom at the baby shower!) and having that profound sense of awe knowing my life would never be the same. How true! As I watched my little guy swim yesterday at a friend's house (I've also blogged on teaching him to swim), I could not help but think about how proud I am that he is who he is and the incomparable love I feel for him and his mother.

I am also grateful this Father's Day for the fatherly love in my life. I have been blessed with a loving father, grandfathers, and now step-father. Their examples in my life have helped me consider how to handle situations with my own son as what to do. From dealing with simple life-lessons to how to handle bullies, I can draw upon my own life experience with the father-figures in my life for how I should love and lead my own son.

I say these glowing things about the father-figures in my life, but they were not perfect. I also realize I am not perfect, either. I strive to be perfect and do the best I can, but I need divine help to meet me where I cannot go. On this Father's Day, I know I must draw upon the love of God to fill in the gaps of my own experience and that in my relationship with Ethan. I turn to God -- though not often enough -- for help in doing and being the best I can be for my family. It can be scary to think of how far I have to go, but it's also inspiring to see how far I've come. It more or less falls into the category of elephant-eating instructions, I take it one bite at a time.

Though I only have a linear sense of time, I know that God has a vertical sense of time that is grounded in love. He does not want us to fear and he does not want us to worry. He has given us the supreme example of love that we might know his eternal concern and desire for us to know Him as our heavenly father. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

Regardless of your life's impressions of father, may you come to know just how deeply God loves you. Dads aren't perfect, but our Lord is. He can, and will help you, if you give Him the chance. So if you never have before, allow this Father's Day to be one of a new and profound awareness of God's presence in your life.

“Every father should remember that one day his [child] will follow his
example instead of his advice.”
~ Source Unknown.

Happy Father's Day!

Today Is National Doughnut Day!

I used to love doughnuts! I still think they're tasty, but I got burned out on them. You see, when I worked at Six Flags, and shortly thereafter when I entered the ministry, doughnuts had a perpetual presence in my workplace. Let me tell you, I ate plenty. I repeat, plenty. I ate so many I'm not much of a doughnut eater these days. I learned something today, however, that might lead me to eat a doughnut, or at least make some kind of charitable contribution: Today (Friday, June 5) is National Doughnut Day!*

Here is a blurb regarding National Doughnut Day from http://www.holidayinsights.com/.

"National Doughnut Day honors the Salvation Army "Lassies" of WWI. It is also used as a fund raiser for needy causes of the Salvation Army.

The original Salvation Army Doughnut was first served by Salvation Army in 1917. During WWI, Salvation Army "lassies" were sent to the front lines of Europe. These brave volunteers made home cooked foods, and provided a moral boost to the troops. Often, the doughnuts were cooked in oil inside the of the metal helmet of an American soldier. The American infantrymen were commonly called doughboys. Salvation Army lassies were the only women outside of military personnel allowed to visit the front lines. Lt. Colonel Helen Purviance is considered the Salvation Army's "first doughnut girl".

On National Doughnut Day, look to see if your local doughnut shop, or other organizations, are offering free donuts to solicit donations for the Salvation Army or for another needy cause. If you find them, please be generous."

If you are a doughnut eater, make sure to think about today's significance. If you're like me and not a doughnut eater, find a way to give thanks for your freedom and consider doing something nice for the less fortunate.

Shine On!

*National Doughnut Day is always the first Friday in June

Swimming Lessons Can Change Your Life

Ethan and I made our first trip to the neighborhood pool the other day. While we were swimming together, he asked me about my teaching him how to swim when he was just about three-years-old. He picked it up pretty quickly, but remembering those days – and one afternoon in particular – made me reminisce fondly.

He had always been a water bug of sorts, the only problem was, he couldn’t swim on his own. He had water wings, noodles, and float suits to aid him, but the time was quickly approaching for him to learn how to truly swim. So one afternoon, our family ventured out to the neighborhood pool. We started by putting him in his float suit. After splashing around a bit, we then put him in his water wings. Shortly thereafter, we took the water wings off and I held him up while he got the feeling of kicking his feet and using his arms without any swim aids. He was getting the hang of it well enough and his confidence was beginning to soar. The time had come for my amphibian-in-training of a son to spread his fins and swim!

We started by standing on the steps to the pool in the shallow end. I stood at arms length from him and coaxed him into swimming to me from the step. After he made it back and forth a couple times—proving to himself he could swim without floats—he was ready to add a little distance. So I stood in front of him, still at arms length, and told him to swim to me. The closer he got the further back I would walk. As he realized what was going on, his eyes widened to the size of saucers and he began to truly swim. I started cheering him on, telling him he not only could do it, he was swimming all on his own.

I kept my arms held out to reassure him he was still within his father’s reach. Then at the moment he could no longer go on, I grabbed him, held him tightly, and gave him all the praise my body and soul could muster. Suddenly, I looked around and realized he swam the entire width of the pool! Just knowing his father was close gave him all the confidence he needed to reach deep down in his heart for strength greater than he could realize!

What a lesson we can glean from my son’s first swimming lesson. Sure he was intimidated and a little scared, but knowing his father was there gave him all the confidence he needed to face the challenge at hand and accomplish something perhaps he never thought possible. We all have a tendency to get comfortable and rely on “life preservers” to achieve things in life—particularly when faced with challenges. But these life preservers often keep us from tapping into the inner strength given by our loving Creator and having the faith to rise above the nearsighted low expectations we set for ourselves. For no matter what challenges lie before us, the hands of our heavenly Father are stretched out, offering us the assurance of His presence and infusing us with divine strength.

Isaiah 59.1 tells us, “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save...” What an image as we consider just how swimming lessons can change a life! When we realize the Lord is as close as breath, we need not fear the unknown. Knowing the Lord’s power and drawing upon it gives us the strength we need to face life’s challenges with complete confidence. Sure, life preservers can give us peace of mind, but the power of God can steady your heart. Press on, know the Lord is with you, and do not fear the unknown. For God said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1.9b)

Remember: It's Memorial Day

I am a patriotic person. I even considered going into the military as a chaplain following 9/11, but decided against it as Tiffany and I started our family. Patriotism and military pride has been instilled in me from a very young age as both of my grandfathers served during World War II (one in the Army and the other in the Navy). For this reason, among others, Memorial Day is very special to me.

Memorial Day was first declared at the end of the Civil War in 1865, and established as a national holiday by the US Congress in 1971 to honor those who have given their lives in service to the country. It is one holiday, therefore, that is born from our loss and pain. We are blessed that we have the freedom and ability to take a day off, fire up the grill, and take a dip in the pool, but Memorial Day is about so much more.

One thing that has always inspired me about American history is the fact that the founders of our nation strove to set a foundation based upon the Judeo-Christian principles of love, grace, sacrifice, and justice. They believed that God cared about human freedoms and we would do well to consult with the Creator in all of our affairs, big and small. In fact, Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying at the Constitutional Convention, "I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?"

Now before I go too far and wax poetic, let me assure you that I am aware that the US is not perfect—far from it. Our current situation has us worrying about the environment; industry and the economy; debating over torture vs. enhanced interrogation; and what will come of our personal liberties amidst the threat of terror. When we think about our current state of affairs, it would be easy to wonder if we've lost our way and forgotten the eternal truth espoused by Benjamin Franklin.

If we have indeed lost our focus, I think Memorial Day provides us a marvelous opportunity to return to our roots. Though we are an imperfect nation governed by imperfect people, we would do well to remember just how much God loves ALL his children and the opportunistic responsibility we have to engage the world with the light and love of God. So this Memorial Day, I want to ask you to remember three things:
1) Remember God's desire for us individually and corporately
2) Remember our nation and leaders, regardless if you agree with them politically
3) Remember those who have fought and sacrificed to secure and preserve our freedom

We would do well to remember these truths of life. So on this Memorial Day, may you be thankful for the many blessings in life and remember the source of all things, God! For this holiday is a celebration of memory and allowing it to shape where we go from here.

Happy Memorial Day,
Pastor Mark

Dirty Words

I remember the first time I learned a dirty word. I was standing in the kitchen of the house where I spent the first seven years of my life. My parents had allowed me to have a spend-the-night guest and we were doing what most little boys would do at that age: splitting time exploring the outdoors and running back inside scouting for snacks. At some point in that back-and-forth, I heard my friend utter a word that had never before graced my innocent ears. I went to ask my dad what that word meant and I was instructed never to say it again. Perhaps you had a similar experience yourself, with a friend, or a child...

While surfing the World Wide Web yesterday, I stumbled upon a story that took me back to that day in the late 70s. I saw where the Christian Children's Fund has decided to drop the word, Christian, from its name for (get this) MARKETING REASONS! The powers-that-be over there have decided that it's better to sacrifice their identity for the potential to raise more money. We must remember that when we sacrifice our core, we are sacrificing everything!

The term Christian was first used at a place called, Antioch, in the years shortly following Christ's death and resurrection (see Acts 11.26). Throughout history, it has carried a number of different connotations, and strangely enough, many negative. From persecution in the early days, to the crusades, to today's wars on political correctness, and every day in between when people who follow Jesus behave in such a ways as to discredit their witness and the ONE they follow, it carries unfortunate consequences to the Faith as a whole.

Let's face it, Christianity has always been controversial! From the days of Jesus himself to this very moment, the very mention of Christ brings joy to some and consternation to others. Jesus knew this; in fact, he said, that he didn't come to bring peace, but a sword. (Matt. 10.33-35) This is a strange thought, but it makes sense, because making a commitment to Christ requires us to make a decision: will we follow or not? Whichever choice we make, we are saying ‘yes’ to one side and ‘no’ to the other. This will thrill some and disappoint others, but unfortunately, we cannot have it both ways.

What causes me pain, however, is to see those who follow(ed) Jesus abandon Him because they are afraid of how it might look to non-Christians, or because they think they can benefit (i.e., make more money) by distancing themselves from the Savior of the world. It’s as though the word, Christian, is a dirty word. As an aside, I was talking with a pastor friend of mine the other day who told me his/her mission in the church he/she serves is to convince them that the word, Christian, is not a dirty word!

In the face all the controversy that His name stirs, we as Jesus-followers need to remember that this has been the case throughout the history of our faith. People – even those closest to us – might turn their backs on us and shun us for our beliefs, but this has been transpiring for millennia! It's time for those who place their faith in Christ to also stake their reputation in Him! For as the Scripture says, "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2.10, emphasis mine)

Someone Is Looking For You

I have been leading a Bible Study this spring called, R(edemption) Rated. The basis of this study is to view some films (many of which I could not use in my teaching during worship due to thematic elements or pure length) and see how God's Truth shines forth. Our small group has viewed movies from all genres, providing unique opportunities to explore the Scripture and see how God might just be working in our own lives.

Last week we were watching scenes from the 1991 Billy Crystal comedy, City Slickers. During one scene toward the end, one of the characters said, "We're lost, but we're making great time." It got some chuckles, not because it was a terribly funny line, but because it dripped with truth.

So many of us, if not all, know exactly what that line is all about. In life, we are all searching for something: significance. We try to find it in so many different arenas, we find ourselves sounding like Eddie Murphy's impersonation of Buckwheat from a classic episode of Saturday Night Live, "Wookin' Pa Nub In Aw Duh Wong Pwaces." Looking in such wrong places leaves us feeling empty and lost until we find what we seek. Unfortunately, we cannot find significance in anything we can own, possess, or manipulate, but when we turn our lives over to the One Thing we were created for: a relationship with God.

Saint Augustine said it well at the start of his Confessions, "God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you." We can only find the significance in life we seek when we realize that we need God. So often we look elsewhere hoping against hope it's something we can do or achieve on our own, but we just can't. This leaves us feeling like Phil from City Slickers saying, "We're lost, but at least we're making good time."

All this searching can leave us tired and weary, so I have some good news – stop. Stop right where you are and ask the Lord to help. The reason this works without fail is because of a great mystery of faith: God is actually seeking you! Jesus said in Luke 19.10 that he came to seek and save what is lost.

I remember being a child and going to Six Flags with my parents. It was a crowded day and my folks gave me a lesson I'd never forget. If for some reason we get separated, don't go looking for them; just stop and know that they will be looking for me. They will find employees, security guards, and anyone else possible to help them in their search. So if I got lost, all I needed to do was stay right where I was and let somebody know I needed help.

This same lesson can apply to our spiritual life as well. Just like Jesus said, he is out looking to find and save those who are lost. He has rallied together those who believe in Him to help in the mission. If you are lost, stop running in circles trying to make sense of it all. Wait on God and allow His love to bring meaning and significance to your life. It can happen. It will happen. While we might be "Wookin' Pa Nub In Aw Duh Wong Pwaces", God knows just where to find you.

So slow your pace and rest your restless heart. Allow yourself to be found, because God is actively looking for YOU!

“Be Water, My Friend”

I can remember being a small boy and watching Kung Fu Theater with my dad. It was then I developed an admiration for one of my favorite action movie stars, philosophers, and all-around Hollywood heroes, Bruce Lee. A couple of years ago, I received his book, The Tao Of Jeet Kune Do, as a gift.

In the book, Lee Writes these words, “Be like water making its way through cracks...Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend.”

Lee’s comments regard having a warrior’s attitude, but not just in the martial arts. Lee is suggesting how to approach life by going with the flow, not letting circumstances dictate one’s mood, and being at peace. If we can learn to be water, we can live life according to where we are led and use our unique gifts and abilities to make a difference for the world in which we live.

God has given us each a great task, and that is to share what He has done for us with others. Testifying to God’s grace and glory is not something for the clergy to do alone. After all, preachers, ministers, pastors, and priests can only go so many places and do so many things. But if we each took the glory of God in our lives and spread that where we already live, work, and play, things around us will change!

We are like cups, bottles, and teapots. Without accepting Jesus and having the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are nothing but empty vessels. This is not how we were created to live, however. By accepting Jesus, God gives us the Holy Spirit to fill us and empower us to live according to the plan and purpose for our life. None of us want to be empty vessels; we want to do what we are supposed to do. We need living water! And to receive it, we need the Spirit to fill us and change us from the inside out.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, ‘“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” (John 7.38-39a) Just as water changes the properties of an empty cup, bottle, or teapot, the Spirit changes our properties and we become partakers of God’s nature.

With the Spirit inside us, living water flows, changing the spiritual landscape of the world. We then become cups, bottles, and teapots able to fulfill their purposes because they are full and ready for action. And as the water from within flows, thanks to God’s Spirit, we are now able to positively change the properties of the people, places, and things around us with faith, hope, and love.

We have the ability to change the world as we fulfill God’s purpose of our lives. So accept Jesus and God’s Spirit as God’s gift. Accept God’s plan for your life. Allow the Spirit to fill you and shape your mind, body, and soul. And get ready for living water to flow! Hang on, and “Be water my friend.”

Safety

I had the opportunity to witness a S.A.F.E. (Students All For Education) graduation this morning at one of our local schools. A group of 5th graders had been learning about making wise choices and keeping good habits to benefit them throughout life. This program was taught by the county sheriff's department and sought to teach about drugs, alcohol, violence, anger, stress, and other issues that can be so troubling. The idea is to help students learn how to keep themselves safe in a treacherous world.

Safety is one of our primary needs. We all know how anxious it feels to be placed into a situation where we do not feel safe. Though the officers were teaching about things like drugs, gangs, and the like, there are all kinds of places where surprisingly we don't feel safe. This might be due to another person, environment, event, or some other situation.

This really came true for me a couple years ago when I had done something in church that rocked the boat. I thought it was a great idea but for some reason, it didn't work in my setting at the time. I remember going to one of my mentors and pouring out my soul about it. His words were something to the effect of, "It might have been a good idea, but was it safe?" Safe? It was a church activity of all things! He went on to say that one of the first things people will discern when entering into a new situation or environment is if it is safe or not.

The more familiar we are with something will dramatically improve our location on the safe meter. We cannot, however, take this for granted for those who are not as familiar with our church, home, school, business, hangout, etc. We simply need to be mindful about creating an environment, and giving folks the opportunity to answer for themselves, "Is this safe?"

The S.A.F.E. program was all about helping pre-teens make good decisions, but this is something from which we all can learn. Proverbs 28.18 says, "He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall." May we live our lives in such a way that we stay in the realm of safety. For those who have the power to help shape environments and experiences, may we do our part to practice meaningful hospitality to help make people feel as safe and comfortable as possible. And when we find ourselves feeling uncomfortable, may we remember, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18.10)

In God we can always feels safe and comfortable. May we live our lives in faith trusting Him and knowing there is always safety in Him.

From the hymn, Leaning On The Everlasting Arms:

What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

On Being A Pin-Head

During my message in this morning's worship service, I challenged the Lighthouse congregation to spend some quality time today with someone who needed it. I hate to say it, but for my family, that referred directly to us. Tiffany, Ethan, & I have been so busy with a myriad of things (all positive, mind you) that we haven't been able to spend a lot of quality time together. Between both of our jobs, school, church activities, karate, and cub scouts, we have been like Toyotas passing in the streets. So today, as soon as we got home and I got the pertinent Sunday afternoon work put to bed, the three of us went out for a fun-filled family afternoon, sans my second brain, AKA, my Blackberry.

We went to Junction Lanes in Newnan for some bowling and arcade games. Since we're making some necessary ch-ch-ch-changes in our eating, we snacked before we left. When we got to the bowling alley, we each got our shoes, picked out a ball (something was wrong with mine, it was lopsided; that's the only explanation I can come up with for how often it landed in the gutter), and went to our assigned lane. We bowled til our heart's content, leaving me with a smile as Ethan learned that real bowling isn't quite as easy as it is on the Wii. But I digress.

After bowling, and hoping to erase the sting of getting pounded so completely by my wife (who took bowling as a PE elective in college; that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it) we headed over to the arcade game to blow those last few dollars I had in my pocket.

Ethan took his tokens and proceeded to carefully pick out the games he wanted to play. Bear in mind he is quite deliberate when making such choices -- he isn't one to just blow through his tokens. He ended up settling on skee ball. He spent virtually all of his tokens on the skee ball machines.

As he was on his last token, he looked at Tiffany and me, and then invited us to take turns with him throwing his last round of skee ball. It touched my heart deeply. We were taking time out of our insanely crazy schedules to spend time with him and him alone. He rewarded us by sharing the precious last several throws at the skee ball machine with his last token. It was sweet.

He racked up quite a few tickets. Once we counted them all up, we went to the redemption center to see what kind of junk my pocket money was going to turn into, compliments of the Junction Lane Arcade machines. There was this one item he really wanted and was jumping up-and-down with glee at the thought of acquiring this little toy. The only problem was he was one short. ONE lousy ticket!

Tiff and I both went through our pockets hoping against hope we could come up with another quarter so Ethan could get that last ticket he needed, but to no avail. I then began formulating my plea in hopes that the man behind the counter would be so gracious as to grant a generous little 7-year-old his heart's desire. I don't like doing that kind of thing, but desperate times call for desperate measures. The look in my son's eye, thinking he would not be united with that piece of plastic and paper, was enough to motivate any calloused heart to action. And then it became unnecessary.

I spun in a circle there at the redemption counter as though I would find the words to what I needed to say on the walls, ceiling, or anywhere else for that matter. And then I heard the squeal of my one-and-only as he realized I was standing on one lonely renegade ticket. I don't remember seeing it before, but it was there then. As I moved my foot totally out of the way I could not recall seeing that ticket there before, but it was there then. He squatted down, one knee practically touching the floor, and picked up the ticket with a hand full of excitement and wonder.

I looked at Tiffany and said, "manna from heaven", referring to God's promise to Moses in Exodus 16 that He would provide for the Israelite's needs on their wilderness journey. Exodus 16.4 says, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions."

I could not help but draw a parallel to my practicing what I preached, Ethan's generosity in including his parents in his last skee ball token, and the mysterious arrival of that last necessary ticket, but I'll tell you this: it is 100% true.

When we get so caught up in our daily activities that we neglect those who need us the most, we certainly are being pin-headed. But when we take some time -- in our case less than two hours -- to invest in someone who really needs it, well, that's a gift that has a way of multiplying itself.

My bowling score was putrid -- Tiffany beat me by some 40 pins (did I mention that my ball must have been lopsided and she took bowling for college credit?) -- but the afternoon was a resounding success because we were together, free from interruptions and distractions. I really want to impress upon you to do the same. It's time, and in our specific case, money well spent. And you never know when you might just be paid a visit by the Divine.