I sure hope you had a wonderful and blessed Christmas! I know our family did and we are enjoying the opportunity to have some downtime together.
This coming Sunday we will commemorate and celebrate the Epiphany, otherwise known as the visit of the Magi, or Wise Men. You can read this account in Matthew 2.1-12. Epiphany occurs on January 6 and marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas. The word, epiphany, means a sudden comprehension or awareness of reality. So when we celebrate the Epiphany and the visit of the Wise Men we are called to realize two distinct things: (1) that Jesus is the Son of GOD and (2) that in Jesus, GOD is for all people.
It is important to bear in mind the image that GOD deliberately gives us at Christmas. Jesus is born in apparent scandal to a poor and unwed teenage girl. He makes His entrance to the world not in the posh comfort of royalty, but in a feeding trough in a stable or cave. Yes, angels announced his birth and a star shone brightly overhead, but it was a group of shepherds and dignitaries from a non-Jewish people who came to pay homage to the newborn King. Where the cries of “no room in the inn” were echoing through the Bethlehem night, GOD was declaring that Jesus was born and sent for all people. And if the Son of GOD can come in such a scandalous and humble fashion, then there is no such thing as a person caught up in the same who cannot come to GOD. Period.
The Bible tells us that when the Wise Men made their pilgrimage to Jesus, they brought Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts were indicative of Jesus’ royalty and the fact that He would suffer for our sins and bring forth salvation. Though Jesus could provide a preeminent case of what-kind-of-gift-do-you-get-the-person-who-has-everything, the Magi knew just what to bring to mark this momentous occasion. For us today, we can turn to the sentiments of the beautiful Christmas song, “In The Bleak Midwinter” and say, “what I can I bring him; bring Him my heart.”
As we prepare to usher in a new year this weekend, I want to encourage you to think about how you will bring GOD your heart to mark this year’s Epiphany. Will you allow GOD to bring you a sudden realization that He is Lord? Will you allow GOD to break into your life and show you that He is for you, despite what you might think or feel? Perhaps you did that a while back and need to recommit to living for Him and His purpose for your life…New Year’s Day provides us that unique annual opportunity to acknowledge GOD’s loving sovereignty in the world and in your life.
May you enjoy this blessed Christmas season and prepare for a very Happy New Year. If you are in town, I hope to see you in worship on Sunday as we celebrate a New Year and learn about how we are taking seriously our call to be Jesus’ witnesses to the ends of the earth.
This IS indeed the most wonderful time of the year, so may we commit, or recommit as the case may be, to living for the Lord!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Change
I saw a list of ten things identified by Forbes magazine that our kids will never have to worry about. The children being born right now are part of what Forbes calls the Information Generation. Here is that list:
(10) No instant connectivity to the Internet
(9) Sending letters
(8) Having to search for content in resources like dictionaries
(9) Sending letters
(8) Having to search for content in resources like dictionaries
(7) Buying and storing music in formats like 8-tracks, records, cassette tapes, or CDs
(6) Renting a movie from a store
(5) Waiting on pictures to be developed from film
(4) Using a pay phone or paying a long distance bill
(3) Buying encyclopedias
(2) Paying bills with checks
(1) Taking a typing class
It is interesting to me that many of the things on this list were actually taught as courses or lessons in school. I can remember going to the library and learning how to research in a library. I can remember learning how to handwrite letters. I have owned recordings by The Beatles in all of the formats listed above, in addition to a digital format on my iPod; and yes, that includes an 8-track! It's pretty funny to me that much of what I learned in school is essentially irrelevant (saying nothing of course about subjects like biology, geometry, political science, or recess).
There is no doubt that the world has changed more quickly and more dramatically in the past 25 years than likely at any other time in history; and some could argue the past five with the proliferation of smartphones like BlackBerrys and iPhones. It is amazing what having seemingly instant access to information has done to change the world. When I think about what we are gearing up for this week, however, I am not so sure that the internet, and instant access to it, is really what ushered the greatest change.
This weekend we will once again celebrate the coming of GOD into our world at Christmas. I love how Eugene Peterson describes it in the Message when he writes that in Jesus GOD moved into our neighborhood (John 1.14). GOD so emphatically wanted us to know His heart, love, and desire for relationship with us that He sent His one and only Son that we might believe and be saved. Friends, this is information that changes the world and it happened over two-thousand years ago! It is information that changed the world and it can change you!
My life has changed pretty dramatically due to technology in this past month. Due to some extreme generosity and some shrewd saving, I have gotten a new iPhone 4S and iPad 2. Let me tell you, I love these new devices! They have definitely changed the way I conduct my business and go about my day, but they have not changed my life...only GOD can do that! And He does that through the saving love of His son, and our savior, Jesus!
May this be the information that changes us this Christmas! Despite what may be wrapped under a tree or being loaded onto a sleigh, may we know that the greatest gift of Christmas came that very first one. There were no tweets, Facebook posts, 4-Square check-ins, or Linked-In connections made, but in Jesus, GOD moved into our "neighborhood" to show us His heart and to let us know He wants us to be saved. It changed the world! May it change your celebration of Christmas. May it change you, too!
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Mark
(6) Renting a movie from a store
(5) Waiting on pictures to be developed from film
(4) Using a pay phone or paying a long distance bill
(3) Buying encyclopedias
(2) Paying bills with checks
(1) Taking a typing class
It is interesting to me that many of the things on this list were actually taught as courses or lessons in school. I can remember going to the library and learning how to research in a library. I can remember learning how to handwrite letters. I have owned recordings by The Beatles in all of the formats listed above, in addition to a digital format on my iPod; and yes, that includes an 8-track! It's pretty funny to me that much of what I learned in school is essentially irrelevant (saying nothing of course about subjects like biology, geometry, political science, or recess).
There is no doubt that the world has changed more quickly and more dramatically in the past 25 years than likely at any other time in history; and some could argue the past five with the proliferation of smartphones like BlackBerrys and iPhones. It is amazing what having seemingly instant access to information has done to change the world. When I think about what we are gearing up for this week, however, I am not so sure that the internet, and instant access to it, is really what ushered the greatest change.
This weekend we will once again celebrate the coming of GOD into our world at Christmas. I love how Eugene Peterson describes it in the Message when he writes that in Jesus GOD moved into our neighborhood (John 1.14). GOD so emphatically wanted us to know His heart, love, and desire for relationship with us that He sent His one and only Son that we might believe and be saved. Friends, this is information that changes the world and it happened over two-thousand years ago! It is information that changed the world and it can change you!
My life has changed pretty dramatically due to technology in this past month. Due to some extreme generosity and some shrewd saving, I have gotten a new iPhone 4S and iPad 2. Let me tell you, I love these new devices! They have definitely changed the way I conduct my business and go about my day, but they have not changed my life...only GOD can do that! And He does that through the saving love of His son, and our savior, Jesus!
May this be the information that changes us this Christmas! Despite what may be wrapped under a tree or being loaded onto a sleigh, may we know that the greatest gift of Christmas came that very first one. There were no tweets, Facebook posts, 4-Square check-ins, or Linked-In connections made, but in Jesus, GOD moved into our "neighborhood" to show us His heart and to let us know He wants us to be saved. It changed the world! May it change your celebration of Christmas. May it change you, too!
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Mark
Thursday, December 15, 2011
"Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room"
Are you getting excited about Christmas? I know I sure am!!! Last week, Tiffany, Ethan, and I had the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World for my birthday. There is little doubt in my mind that this is indeed the “happiest place on earth.” As always, we enjoyed the rides, shows, food, and just the immersive Disney experience. This time of year, however, Disney is extra special as all of their parks are decked out for the Christmas season.
As you could probably imagine, the majority of Disney’s Christmas celebration is what some would call more secular in nature. There is an emphasis on Santa Claus and the fun festive attributes of Christmas. This, however, is not exclusive, though, and that is what helped make the weekend so special. There was a noticeable balance between secular Christmas music and traditional Christmas carols. For every time “Jingle Bells” was heard, there was an “O Come All Ye Faithful.” I often found myself walking through the streets of Disney World singing beloved Christmas carols with enough gusto to embarrass Tiffany and Ethan.
One of the highlights of the trip, however, occurred on Saturday. We had gone to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see their spectacle of dancing lights. If you have not seen it, it is amazing! There are five-million lights on ten miles of wire adorning all of the structures in one area, and when certain songs come on, the spectators are treated to a choreographed dancing performance of the lights. All of this while snow falls from the sky on an 80-degree day. It’s truly magical. But that alone is not what made the experience.
In the midst of this exquisite spectacle of dancing lights, there is a gorgeous nativity that sits at the front of this one building. It might not be front-and-center in the display, but it is by no means minimized or hidden. There in the midst of this gaudy display is a visual reminder of that very first Christmas, where Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus were in the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. It caught my eye and warmed my heart to be basking in the glow of American extravagance and see a prominent display of what Christmas is truly all about!
As it caught my eye from across the way, I found myself light up with Christmas cheer and drawn to that place. Sure, Disney is a world-wide phenomenon that has a vast multi-cultural appeal, but for that one moment in time, the thing that impressed me the most is they include the true meaning of Christmas in their celebration. True, it might not be as “in your face” as some would like, hope, or expect, but when mega retailers shy away from wishing someone a Merry Christmas (despite the fact that nearly 75% of their annual income is earned during the Christmas shopping season), I find it quite encouraging that Disney will still wish someone a Merry Christmas, play sacred music, and proudly display a nativity scene. Could this help make it the “happiest place on earth?” Well, I guess it cannot hurt, can it?
All of this begs the question for me…how are you preparing yourself for Christmas? Are you decking your halls with decorations? Are you filling the air with festive scents and sounds? Is your heart being filled with the true meaning of Christmas? It is easy for us to get sidetracked by the commercial celebration of this season, but in the end, it is still about the fact that GOD so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. Despite cultural cynicism, this truth has the power to melt even the coldest of hearts.
This coming week in worship, we will be asking you to contemplate if you are making room in your heart for Christmas. This Sunday, as we explore the love of Advent, we must seriously, open our hearts to receive the Christ child and the gift that He gives. It is what changes the world and begins with a change in your heart.
I want to leave you today with a line from the famous song, “Joy to the World.” Though this song was not initially intended to be a Christmas carol, it has been adopted as such. In that song, the advice is given, “Let every heart prepare Him room.” As we prepare for the last Sunday of Advent and the glory of Christmas, may this be what orders our prayers. May every heart prepare room for the Lord Jesus, and may it begin with yours!
Merry Christmas!
As you could probably imagine, the majority of Disney’s Christmas celebration is what some would call more secular in nature. There is an emphasis on Santa Claus and the fun festive attributes of Christmas. This, however, is not exclusive, though, and that is what helped make the weekend so special. There was a noticeable balance between secular Christmas music and traditional Christmas carols. For every time “Jingle Bells” was heard, there was an “O Come All Ye Faithful.” I often found myself walking through the streets of Disney World singing beloved Christmas carols with enough gusto to embarrass Tiffany and Ethan.
One of the highlights of the trip, however, occurred on Saturday. We had gone to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see their spectacle of dancing lights. If you have not seen it, it is amazing! There are five-million lights on ten miles of wire adorning all of the structures in one area, and when certain songs come on, the spectators are treated to a choreographed dancing performance of the lights. All of this while snow falls from the sky on an 80-degree day. It’s truly magical. But that alone is not what made the experience.
In the midst of this exquisite spectacle of dancing lights, there is a gorgeous nativity that sits at the front of this one building. It might not be front-and-center in the display, but it is by no means minimized or hidden. There in the midst of this gaudy display is a visual reminder of that very first Christmas, where Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus were in the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. It caught my eye and warmed my heart to be basking in the glow of American extravagance and see a prominent display of what Christmas is truly all about!
As it caught my eye from across the way, I found myself light up with Christmas cheer and drawn to that place. Sure, Disney is a world-wide phenomenon that has a vast multi-cultural appeal, but for that one moment in time, the thing that impressed me the most is they include the true meaning of Christmas in their celebration. True, it might not be as “in your face” as some would like, hope, or expect, but when mega retailers shy away from wishing someone a Merry Christmas (despite the fact that nearly 75% of their annual income is earned during the Christmas shopping season), I find it quite encouraging that Disney will still wish someone a Merry Christmas, play sacred music, and proudly display a nativity scene. Could this help make it the “happiest place on earth?” Well, I guess it cannot hurt, can it?
All of this begs the question for me…how are you preparing yourself for Christmas? Are you decking your halls with decorations? Are you filling the air with festive scents and sounds? Is your heart being filled with the true meaning of Christmas? It is easy for us to get sidetracked by the commercial celebration of this season, but in the end, it is still about the fact that GOD so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. Despite cultural cynicism, this truth has the power to melt even the coldest of hearts.
This coming week in worship, we will be asking you to contemplate if you are making room in your heart for Christmas. This Sunday, as we explore the love of Advent, we must seriously, open our hearts to receive the Christ child and the gift that He gives. It is what changes the world and begins with a change in your heart.
I want to leave you today with a line from the famous song, “Joy to the World.” Though this song was not initially intended to be a Christmas carol, it has been adopted as such. In that song, the advice is given, “Let every heart prepare Him room.” As we prepare for the last Sunday of Advent and the glory of Christmas, may this be what orders our prayers. May every heart prepare room for the Lord Jesus, and may it begin with yours!
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
“Oh hush the noise you men of strife and hear the angels sing!”
I am sitting in my home office as I type this message. I am listening to one of my favorite Christmas carols, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, on one of my favorite Christmas albums and I am thinking about everything that I have to get done before I can enjoy Christmas. Believe me, it’s dizzying, yet, a line in the song jumps out of the speakers and seemingly slaps me in the face: “Oh hush the noise you men of strife and hear the angels sing!”
The overall message of this beautiful song is about how in Jesus, GOD came down to earth to bring us His hope, peace, joy, love, and light – the very things we look to in Advent. As I think about the “men of strife” line, I cannot help but think about all the things wrong in the world. Still, the true essence of that line is captured in my heart when I think about my own strife. I am prone to worry. I am prone to pessimism. I am prone to cynicism. I am prone to the very things that fly in the face of true hope, peace, joy, love, and light, and that is precisely why I need Advent to help me prepare for the blessed glory of Christmas.
All of our worship services this season have been focusing on hospitality. As we consider hospitality, we must remember that in the biblical languages, hospitality means love of stranger. We often think of it as entertaining our friends and family – you know, the people we love, like, and/or tolerate – but to GOD, hospitality is about sharing our lives with everyone so we can introduce them to the love of Almighty GOD. If we commit our lives to a sense of hospitality that includes those who we do not (yet) know, then we are fulfilling the desires of Christ who welcomes us into His holy family even in spite of ourselves.
As I sit at my desk listening to Christmas music and admittedly wrestling with what it means to share love with strangers, I am struck by the significance of the first Christmas present I am to wrap this year – a pair of tennis shoes for a teenager that we picked off of the church’s Angel Tree. When Tiffany told me that we picked shoes, I was actually quite happy. Shoes are seen by many young people as a status symbol. As I thought about providing a pair of new shoes to a young person in need, a smile was brought to my heart, because I knew that with this one simple gift, our family would not only help keep someone’s feet warm and protected, but able to meet a need of a different sort.
Beyond the basic needs of food, shelter, and safety, we humans have another driving need…the need to belong. Think about that and allow it to sink in. With all the harshness in the world, we need to know that we matter to someone and that our life makes a difference. This can come from seemingly trivial things like sneakers, but is found in something far more significant. Friends, this is precisely what GOD wants you to know: you matter to Him and your life can make a difference for Him! Amazing, isn’t it? Even in spite of your own worry, pessimism, and cynicism, you matter to the One who created you for Himself and delights in the very beating of your heart. This is a powerful message and one that has the power to change the world.
So as we make our way through this Advent season, focusing on the message that we matter to GOD and GOD’s people should matter to us, I need to ask, how are you living out that message in your daily life? We need to hush the noise of strife that we experience for a myriad of reasons so we can hear the singing of the angels proclaiming GOD’s love and favor for us! In the birth of Jesus, GOD shouts that we matter. As we celebrate Christ’s birth, may our lives also shout the message that others matter, too. May this be the light that we shine this Christmas, the life that is the very light for humanity! (John 1.5) Know you matter and belong to GOD. Go and make it a point to share that with someone else. Do it today!
The overall message of this beautiful song is about how in Jesus, GOD came down to earth to bring us His hope, peace, joy, love, and light – the very things we look to in Advent. As I think about the “men of strife” line, I cannot help but think about all the things wrong in the world. Still, the true essence of that line is captured in my heart when I think about my own strife. I am prone to worry. I am prone to pessimism. I am prone to cynicism. I am prone to the very things that fly in the face of true hope, peace, joy, love, and light, and that is precisely why I need Advent to help me prepare for the blessed glory of Christmas.
All of our worship services this season have been focusing on hospitality. As we consider hospitality, we must remember that in the biblical languages, hospitality means love of stranger. We often think of it as entertaining our friends and family – you know, the people we love, like, and/or tolerate – but to GOD, hospitality is about sharing our lives with everyone so we can introduce them to the love of Almighty GOD. If we commit our lives to a sense of hospitality that includes those who we do not (yet) know, then we are fulfilling the desires of Christ who welcomes us into His holy family even in spite of ourselves.
As I sit at my desk listening to Christmas music and admittedly wrestling with what it means to share love with strangers, I am struck by the significance of the first Christmas present I am to wrap this year – a pair of tennis shoes for a teenager that we picked off of the church’s Angel Tree. When Tiffany told me that we picked shoes, I was actually quite happy. Shoes are seen by many young people as a status symbol. As I thought about providing a pair of new shoes to a young person in need, a smile was brought to my heart, because I knew that with this one simple gift, our family would not only help keep someone’s feet warm and protected, but able to meet a need of a different sort.
Beyond the basic needs of food, shelter, and safety, we humans have another driving need…the need to belong. Think about that and allow it to sink in. With all the harshness in the world, we need to know that we matter to someone and that our life makes a difference. This can come from seemingly trivial things like sneakers, but is found in something far more significant. Friends, this is precisely what GOD wants you to know: you matter to Him and your life can make a difference for Him! Amazing, isn’t it? Even in spite of your own worry, pessimism, and cynicism, you matter to the One who created you for Himself and delights in the very beating of your heart. This is a powerful message and one that has the power to change the world.
So as we make our way through this Advent season, focusing on the message that we matter to GOD and GOD’s people should matter to us, I need to ask, how are you living out that message in your daily life? We need to hush the noise of strife that we experience for a myriad of reasons so we can hear the singing of the angels proclaiming GOD’s love and favor for us! In the birth of Jesus, GOD shouts that we matter. As we celebrate Christ’s birth, may our lives also shout the message that others matter, too. May this be the light that we shine this Christmas, the life that is the very light for humanity! (John 1.5) Know you matter and belong to GOD. Go and make it a point to share that with someone else. Do it today!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
OPEN Thanksgiving, 2011
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)
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)
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Ablaze with Enthusiasm
There was a quote that became important for the group that attended the FOCUS Youth Fall Confirmation Retreat this past weekend. I roughly remembered it Saturday morning before we had lunch and then we were to tour the Methodist Museum at Epworth by the Sea on Saint Simons Island. My paraphrase was pretty much butchering one of my favorite things that John Wesley said. Fortunately, this quote was mentioned during our visit to the museum, so we were able to enjoy it the way Wesley intended it to be. The John Wesley quote: “Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn.”
I used this quote to talk to the students about their enthusiasm for GOD. It is easy to have a blazing enthusiasm for GOD while on an event like a retreat…we’re isolated from the world (truly so on this trip, because the students were not given access to their cell phones during the weekend – they survived, but just barely), spending a lot of time in the Bible and talking about GOD’s love for them. Fortunately, there is a bit of a carry-over that occurs for a day, maybe two, after returning home from such a retreat. But by now (Wednesday), real life has crept back in as the students have likely had to manage stress with, friends, family, school, and for some, work. It is times like now when it is important to remember Wesley’s quote and be encouraged to keep our enthusiasm ablaze in the face of life’s trials and tribulations – both the major and the benign.
OK, pastor, so how do you do that? Well, one thing is to stay connected to GOD and His family, the church. I have observed through my years of ministry that frequently when the going gets tough, we tend to flee our support systems. Some of this is because we need to retreat for a bit and lick our proverbial wounds. Another reason is we lack the desire to have to hear and answer numerous questions about what is going on and how we are doing when in the midst of a struggle. This is somewhat natural to human behavior because we seek to protect ourselves from having to rehash our difficulties every time we turn around. The only problem is that when we pull away from our church and/or our support system, we find it harder and harder to deal with our burdens. The Bible is very clear that those who are stronger at any given time need to use their strength to help those in need (Galatians 6.2). Those who are in need, however, need to allow them! As opposed to isolating ourselves from our struggles, we need to allow those who love and care for us to fulfill their commandment to love and help bear those burdens.
Staying connected to the Body of Christ is essential. As you stay connected through life’s trials and tribulations, the next step is to stay active. You do this by praying, attending worship, participating in a small group, reading your Bible, and serving GOD by serving others – even when you might now want to! The bottom line is that your faith-life blazes for others who see you exercising your faith in the midst of your struggles. Knowing that GOD is the flame power for your life in good times and bad is an enormous example of faith in the midst of struggle…your struggle…your faith!
I hope you have been praying for the students who participated in this past weekend’s retreat. Now is the time when their work will begin to show forth as real life kicks back in. As their church family, it is our responsibility to support them in their faith and in their walk. Should they encounter tough times they thought would not come as a result of their newly found faith, it is incumbent upon us to not let them fall away. So this week, as we see a brand new enthusiasm for GOD, may it rekindle our faith as well, and remind us of the power of enthusiasm. It can change a life, beginning with your own!
I used this quote to talk to the students about their enthusiasm for GOD. It is easy to have a blazing enthusiasm for GOD while on an event like a retreat…we’re isolated from the world (truly so on this trip, because the students were not given access to their cell phones during the weekend – they survived, but just barely), spending a lot of time in the Bible and talking about GOD’s love for them. Fortunately, there is a bit of a carry-over that occurs for a day, maybe two, after returning home from such a retreat. But by now (Wednesday), real life has crept back in as the students have likely had to manage stress with, friends, family, school, and for some, work. It is times like now when it is important to remember Wesley’s quote and be encouraged to keep our enthusiasm ablaze in the face of life’s trials and tribulations – both the major and the benign.
OK, pastor, so how do you do that? Well, one thing is to stay connected to GOD and His family, the church. I have observed through my years of ministry that frequently when the going gets tough, we tend to flee our support systems. Some of this is because we need to retreat for a bit and lick our proverbial wounds. Another reason is we lack the desire to have to hear and answer numerous questions about what is going on and how we are doing when in the midst of a struggle. This is somewhat natural to human behavior because we seek to protect ourselves from having to rehash our difficulties every time we turn around. The only problem is that when we pull away from our church and/or our support system, we find it harder and harder to deal with our burdens. The Bible is very clear that those who are stronger at any given time need to use their strength to help those in need (Galatians 6.2). Those who are in need, however, need to allow them! As opposed to isolating ourselves from our struggles, we need to allow those who love and care for us to fulfill their commandment to love and help bear those burdens.
Staying connected to the Body of Christ is essential. As you stay connected through life’s trials and tribulations, the next step is to stay active. You do this by praying, attending worship, participating in a small group, reading your Bible, and serving GOD by serving others – even when you might now want to! The bottom line is that your faith-life blazes for others who see you exercising your faith in the midst of your struggles. Knowing that GOD is the flame power for your life in good times and bad is an enormous example of faith in the midst of struggle…your struggle…your faith!
I hope you have been praying for the students who participated in this past weekend’s retreat. Now is the time when their work will begin to show forth as real life kicks back in. As their church family, it is our responsibility to support them in their faith and in their walk. Should they encounter tough times they thought would not come as a result of their newly found faith, it is incumbent upon us to not let them fall away. So this week, as we see a brand new enthusiasm for GOD, may it rekindle our faith as well, and remind us of the power of enthusiasm. It can change a life, beginning with your own!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
On Perspectives & Priorities
I make no bones about being a fan of the University of Georgia Football Team (pun intended). Both of my parents went to UGA, and in fact met at the Georgia-Florida game in Jacksonville, Florida! Needless to say, red and black runs through my veins!
I have been guilty in the past of letting my football fanaticism play a disproportionately important role in my life. There have been times when I allowed the outcome of a football game to dictate my mood and my willingness to engage others in the world with a smile or a scowl. Becoming a dad has tempered a lot of that, but I still love my Dawgs. I can honestly say, however, that I have left my brethren who ascribe to the notion that college football isn’t a matter of life or death…it’s much more than that. I know, I know…you might not agree with me here. And my position might be a tad different come Sunday when I have to face my fellow football fans should UGA not defeat Auburn “between the hedges” on Saturday, but all-in-all, I strive to make sure I keep my football fandom in its proper perspective.
I am not the only one who strives for this. If you did not happen to catch UGA’s Head Football Coach Mark Richt’s press conference this week in advance of the Auburn game on Saturday, he made some comments that truly inspired me. He talked about the perspective he keeps in life between faith and football. Here is the excerpt to which I refer:
“I know you never know what tomorrow is going to bring, so it's not like we've arrived or anything like that. But we have played well lately and we've won lately so that's a big deal. Quite frankly, I love the game of football. I love my job. I love Georgia. But what I do is not who I am. I've said that before. I think sometimes if we become what we do, and then things aren't going just right, then all of a sudden our entire world falls apart. I've got a faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I know that God loves me and is going to take care of me. I just truly believe that. When all the games are done and all the life is lived, I know where I'll be for eternity. Not to say I don't care about what happens in this world because that's not true. Colossians 3:23 says 'whatever you do, do your work heartily as unto the Lord,' so that's what I was doing on a daily basis. I was doing my job as best I could and trying to do it for His glory and try not to worry about anything else. That's kind of how I navigated that time and there will be more tough times I'm sure. That's the way life is."
It takes a lot of courage to put your faith on display in such a public forum. Coach Richt takes seriously, however, the admonition that Paul mentions in Colossians 3 to do everything as though you’re doing it for the Lord. This is the way he conducts himself with his family, with his players, with his church, with his University, and with his God. Sure, he might run upon some criticism when his team is not winning football games, but I also think that it to be expected. He knows it. You know it. I know it. But one thing Coach Richt did not say that I think bears mentioning is found in the other part of Colossians 3.23. You see, Paul said that we do our work for God and not human masters. Wow! That’s impressive.
I know not everyone who reads this is a fan of Georgia Football like I am. I know you might not proudly display your red and black after the outcome of Saturday’s game, but one thing is for sure, Coach Richt appears to be a man who has in priorities in order. Regardless of what our job or role is in life, we can follow this example to make a true difference for Jesus Christ wherever we are! When life is all we hoped it would be, we can let our light so shine for Jesus. When life gets tough, we can also let our light so shine for Jesus. So whatever you do, and wherever you go, “…work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3.23-24)
I have been guilty in the past of letting my football fanaticism play a disproportionately important role in my life. There have been times when I allowed the outcome of a football game to dictate my mood and my willingness to engage others in the world with a smile or a scowl. Becoming a dad has tempered a lot of that, but I still love my Dawgs. I can honestly say, however, that I have left my brethren who ascribe to the notion that college football isn’t a matter of life or death…it’s much more than that. I know, I know…you might not agree with me here. And my position might be a tad different come Sunday when I have to face my fellow football fans should UGA not defeat Auburn “between the hedges” on Saturday, but all-in-all, I strive to make sure I keep my football fandom in its proper perspective.
I am not the only one who strives for this. If you did not happen to catch UGA’s Head Football Coach Mark Richt’s press conference this week in advance of the Auburn game on Saturday, he made some comments that truly inspired me. He talked about the perspective he keeps in life between faith and football. Here is the excerpt to which I refer:
“I know you never know what tomorrow is going to bring, so it's not like we've arrived or anything like that. But we have played well lately and we've won lately so that's a big deal. Quite frankly, I love the game of football. I love my job. I love Georgia. But what I do is not who I am. I've said that before. I think sometimes if we become what we do, and then things aren't going just right, then all of a sudden our entire world falls apart. I've got a faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I know that God loves me and is going to take care of me. I just truly believe that. When all the games are done and all the life is lived, I know where I'll be for eternity. Not to say I don't care about what happens in this world because that's not true. Colossians 3:23 says 'whatever you do, do your work heartily as unto the Lord,' so that's what I was doing on a daily basis. I was doing my job as best I could and trying to do it for His glory and try not to worry about anything else. That's kind of how I navigated that time and there will be more tough times I'm sure. That's the way life is."
It takes a lot of courage to put your faith on display in such a public forum. Coach Richt takes seriously, however, the admonition that Paul mentions in Colossians 3 to do everything as though you’re doing it for the Lord. This is the way he conducts himself with his family, with his players, with his church, with his University, and with his God. Sure, he might run upon some criticism when his team is not winning football games, but I also think that it to be expected. He knows it. You know it. I know it. But one thing Coach Richt did not say that I think bears mentioning is found in the other part of Colossians 3.23. You see, Paul said that we do our work for God and not human masters. Wow! That’s impressive.
I know not everyone who reads this is a fan of Georgia Football like I am. I know you might not proudly display your red and black after the outcome of Saturday’s game, but one thing is for sure, Coach Richt appears to be a man who has in priorities in order. Regardless of what our job or role is in life, we can follow this example to make a true difference for Jesus Christ wherever we are! When life is all we hoped it would be, we can let our light so shine for Jesus. When life gets tough, we can also let our light so shine for Jesus. So whatever you do, and wherever you go, “…work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3.23-24)
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
An Eternal Cheering Section
Today, the first of November, is All Saints Day. We will celebrate All Saints Day during worship in all three services this coming Sunday, November 6. All Saints is the day in the church when we remember those who have gone to be with the Lord in the past year. Though we most frequently focus on those who we have lost in the past year, it is certainly appropriate to remember all those who have been united with God in heaven.
All Saints services can be quite emotional, but this is a good thing. It causes us to come to grips with our hope in faith as we wait to come face-to-face with our Savior. We call names, light candles, and offer prayers for those we see no more, but still embrace with the beating of our collective hearts. It is indeed powerful to pause in worship and remember the sting of death, but declare with all cosmic authority that death is not the end, and thanks to Jesus, the grave does not get the last word!
There is another aspect of All Saints Day that I will be embracing this year. Though it has been a few years since I lost an aunt, uncle, three grandparents, and my dad, I cannot participate in an All Saints service without thinking of these loved ones in my life. I am even called to think about those who have departed my life that I never got to see their faces or hold in an embrace, and know that God has a place for us all in Heaven. And since we cannot separate our lives today from the loved ones we no longer see, there is a powerful image that the Bible gives us to help us through each All Saints Day and every day in between; I like to call this, Our Eternal Cheering Section!
In Hebrews 11 and 12, the writer talks about how many faithful people have gone on before us, names like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, David, and Samuel. Hebrews talks about how these faith heroes persevered through good times and bad, remaining true to the plan and purpose God had for their lives. Hebrews then goes on to talk about how we, too, must complete our journey, using the image of a road race to help us visualize something beautiful taking place. Hebrews 12.1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Think of it this way: as you are running your life race, there is a great cloud of witnesses standing on the sidelines cheering for you! Think about that for a moment – saints like, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, David, and Samuel are standing on the sidelines of life, cheering your name, and urging you on to the finish line. And standing there with them are saints of a more modern vintage, calling your name, clapping their hands, and encouraging you to keep on going, even when it’s tough. So your parents, children, spouses, friends, neighbors are joining ranks with the heroes of the faith to cheer you on so you will not lose heart. And at the end, you have our greatest cheerleader beckoning you home…Jesus Christ!
Friends, I know personally just how hard it is to lose a loved one. I have grieved terribly and cried the loudest and longest tears, but there is something stabilizing to know that those who have gone on before us are standing side-by-side with other saints and our very own Lord to encourage us to not lose heart or sight of what lies before us. So on this All Saints Day, may you be encouraged by knowing none of us are alone – we have a loving church family, urrounding us and supporting us through our loss. And our loved ones who have gone on before us have joined your eternal cheering section, standing just down the way from Jesus, calling your name, clapping their hands, and cheering you on until you reach your finish line. We are indeed surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, so keep your eyes fixed firmly on Jesus standing at the finish line, even if it’s hard to focus through all the tears.
Your eternal cheering section is shouting your name. Can you hear it?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Living in the Moment
I read something that stuck with me and cropped up in a couple of conversations since. It said something to the effect of: If you keep putting off today the things you can do tomorrow, then you end up with a bunch of empty yesterdays. Let that sink in a moment.
How many times have you been faced with something to do, but put it off because it might not have been convenient? Maybe you thought you could get to it tomorrow, but by the time tomorrow comes, you’re met with twice as many things as you were the day before. Now it is harder and harder to do the things that you can do to really make a difference in a person’s life.
There are two things I’ve observed about human behavior that get in the way and can lead to some empty yesterdays. First is a sense of feeling overwhelmed. When we feel overwhelmed, we tend to turn away and take on an attitude of avoidance. Though it isn’t a perfect illustration, here’s an example. Shortly after Tiffany and I were married, we enjoyed making fish sticks and macaroni and cheese for dinner…you know, living the high life! I told my mom that we were enjoying fish sticks, and in a trip to our local wholesale club, she bought us a box of something like a gazillion frozen fish sticks. We had a tiny refrigerator in our apartment and that box of fish sticks took up a disproportionate amount of freezer space. Seeing all those fish sticks in the freezer made us feel so overwhelmed, we never even opened the box, wasting enough fish sticks to feed an army. When we feel overwhelmed, we can do some crazy things to avoid that feeling. When we avoid someone or something, turning back to it can create a sense of guilt, and hence my second point.
We will avoid situations and circumstances when we feel guilty about not doing something we coulda, shoulda, woulda done. Take for example making a phone call. You think, “I can do that tomorrow,” then tomorrow comes, and the next day, and the next day, and so on. Within several days, you know you need to make that call, but guilt creeps in and you are reminded that the call should have been made a week ago. Embarrassment turns to guilt and the call never gets made. The Bible tells us there is no condemnation in Jesus Christ, so if there is something good to do, do it! Even if it should have been done yesterday, last week, month, or year, take the opportunity to do something to brighten someone’s day.
Sadly, we all have some empty yesterdays in our past, but they do not have to be the story of our life! By committing to living for GOD today, we can start a whole new direction for living. GOD has a plan and a purpose for your life, so start that awesome adventure with your very next breath.
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
~ Mother Teresa
How many times have you been faced with something to do, but put it off because it might not have been convenient? Maybe you thought you could get to it tomorrow, but by the time tomorrow comes, you’re met with twice as many things as you were the day before. Now it is harder and harder to do the things that you can do to really make a difference in a person’s life.
There are two things I’ve observed about human behavior that get in the way and can lead to some empty yesterdays. First is a sense of feeling overwhelmed. When we feel overwhelmed, we tend to turn away and take on an attitude of avoidance. Though it isn’t a perfect illustration, here’s an example. Shortly after Tiffany and I were married, we enjoyed making fish sticks and macaroni and cheese for dinner…you know, living the high life! I told my mom that we were enjoying fish sticks, and in a trip to our local wholesale club, she bought us a box of something like a gazillion frozen fish sticks. We had a tiny refrigerator in our apartment and that box of fish sticks took up a disproportionate amount of freezer space. Seeing all those fish sticks in the freezer made us feel so overwhelmed, we never even opened the box, wasting enough fish sticks to feed an army. When we feel overwhelmed, we can do some crazy things to avoid that feeling. When we avoid someone or something, turning back to it can create a sense of guilt, and hence my second point.
We will avoid situations and circumstances when we feel guilty about not doing something we coulda, shoulda, woulda done. Take for example making a phone call. You think, “I can do that tomorrow,” then tomorrow comes, and the next day, and the next day, and so on. Within several days, you know you need to make that call, but guilt creeps in and you are reminded that the call should have been made a week ago. Embarrassment turns to guilt and the call never gets made. The Bible tells us there is no condemnation in Jesus Christ, so if there is something good to do, do it! Even if it should have been done yesterday, last week, month, or year, take the opportunity to do something to brighten someone’s day.
Sadly, we all have some empty yesterdays in our past, but they do not have to be the story of our life! By committing to living for GOD today, we can start a whole new direction for living. GOD has a plan and a purpose for your life, so start that awesome adventure with your very next breath.
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
~ Mother Teresa
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Freedom and the Day after 4 July
I sure hope you had a great Independence Day! I got to thinking what it must have been like the days immediately after the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Revolutionary War had been in progress for a little over a year with events like the Boston Tea Party, the Stamp Act, and Paul Revere’s crying that the Redcoats are coming. The American patriots were committed to their quest and the Declaration of Independence was a statement to the world regarding this commitment – “give me liberty or give me death!”
This takes me back to some reflection time I had on Tuesday of this week thinking what it must have been like on July 5, 1776, the day after the Continental Congress declared that the thirteen colonies were now independent states. These words, words that have changed the world, must have been ringing through the minds and hearts of these new Americans: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Independence had been declared to go along with the fight for freedom that was already in process.
Friends, I contend that the fight for freedom did not begin or end right there, because the fight for freedom is an eternal fight! God wants us each and everyone to be free, and this is precisely why He sent us Jesus. As Jesus said in John 8, it is Truth that sets us free. And then again in John 14, that He alone is Truth, sent from God the Father!
Just as freedom did not begin on July 4, 1776, it certainly did not end with the Declaration of Independence either…not by a long shot! The Revolutionary War continued for another 7-plus years, but the struggle for freedom continues today against those who despise the notion that all indeed are created equally. This fight, 235 years and counting, is one that we are continually waging in our nation and across the world. Whether it is fighting terrorism across the globe or disagreeing with a jury’s verdict here at home, we are working and fighting to ensure that we all indeed can enjoy the Rights of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Sometimes we get it right and sometimes we get it wrong. So what are we to do?
I believe we are to continue in the struggle for freedom, remembering those who have gone on before us, and fighting for those who are yet to come. This is the sentiment that was expressed by the writer of the Book of Hebrews who wrote, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12.1-2a) While we are engaged in the struggle for freedom, it is essential that we do not get distracted and keep our eyes fixed firmly upon the One who secured our freedom for God in the first place – Jesus. And as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, remembering those for whom we struggle. This requires us to acknowledge the responsibility we have to live free lives and help others know the freedom that is available in Jesus Christ.
I thank God for the gift of freedom; for the freedom that comes in Jesus; for the freedom we enjoy in this nation; and for the freedom I have to help others realize that freedom is theirs, too. May we all keep our eyes fixed on Jesus! May we all know that He is Truth and it is Truth that sets us free! And from the days immediately following the 4th of July until we are united with the Lord in heaven, may we do all in our might to live and be free for self, God, and others!
This takes me back to some reflection time I had on Tuesday of this week thinking what it must have been like on July 5, 1776, the day after the Continental Congress declared that the thirteen colonies were now independent states. These words, words that have changed the world, must have been ringing through the minds and hearts of these new Americans: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Independence had been declared to go along with the fight for freedom that was already in process.
Friends, I contend that the fight for freedom did not begin or end right there, because the fight for freedom is an eternal fight! God wants us each and everyone to be free, and this is precisely why He sent us Jesus. As Jesus said in John 8, it is Truth that sets us free. And then again in John 14, that He alone is Truth, sent from God the Father!
Just as freedom did not begin on July 4, 1776, it certainly did not end with the Declaration of Independence either…not by a long shot! The Revolutionary War continued for another 7-plus years, but the struggle for freedom continues today against those who despise the notion that all indeed are created equally. This fight, 235 years and counting, is one that we are continually waging in our nation and across the world. Whether it is fighting terrorism across the globe or disagreeing with a jury’s verdict here at home, we are working and fighting to ensure that we all indeed can enjoy the Rights of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Sometimes we get it right and sometimes we get it wrong. So what are we to do?
I believe we are to continue in the struggle for freedom, remembering those who have gone on before us, and fighting for those who are yet to come. This is the sentiment that was expressed by the writer of the Book of Hebrews who wrote, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12.1-2a) While we are engaged in the struggle for freedom, it is essential that we do not get distracted and keep our eyes fixed firmly upon the One who secured our freedom for God in the first place – Jesus. And as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, remembering those for whom we struggle. This requires us to acknowledge the responsibility we have to live free lives and help others know the freedom that is available in Jesus Christ.
I thank God for the gift of freedom; for the freedom that comes in Jesus; for the freedom we enjoy in this nation; and for the freedom I have to help others realize that freedom is theirs, too. May we all keep our eyes fixed on Jesus! May we all know that He is Truth and it is Truth that sets us free! And from the days immediately following the 4th of July until we are united with the Lord in heaven, may we do all in our might to live and be free for self, God, and others!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
On Hope
What does the word, “HOPE,” mean to you? It is covered a lot in the Bible (it’s mentioned 144 times!) and is something we each and everyone have experienced at one time or another. Maybe you hoped for a certain gift at Christmas or a birthday. Maybe you hoped you would pass a class in school. Maybe you hoped something good would happen to you, or that you would avoid something bad. Regardless, we can relate to the experience of hope in life and know that it means we hold on to something in the face of the unknown.
There are two things in particular that strike me about hope. The first is how Hebrews 6:19 defines hope as the anchor of the soul. Think about that for a moment and what a powerful image it provides – your soul being anchored while sailing through the seas of life with all its storms, wind, and waves. Hope is what can steady you and keep you from succumbing to the unknown, because it confirms in you the power of GOD’s loving presence in your life.
The second comes from Romans 5.5 as Paul writes that hope does not disappoint. The context of that statement is that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Hope is what does not disappoint! I guess when you’ve gotten to the bottom of everything else you had, then hope is all that’s left.
Hope has been on my mind a lot lately. We’ve been helping people all over the world who seem to have nothing left but hope. We know from Scripture that our lives of faith are the powerful projections of GOD in the world, so think about how you can reflect the image of GOD to creation with your life. I concede it isn’t always easy and doesn’t always happen according to our timeframe, but regardless, it’s always worth it! Take seriously your call to live a life of hope, both for yourself and for others who need to see it in you, too!
There are two things in particular that strike me about hope. The first is how Hebrews 6:19 defines hope as the anchor of the soul. Think about that for a moment and what a powerful image it provides – your soul being anchored while sailing through the seas of life with all its storms, wind, and waves. Hope is what can steady you and keep you from succumbing to the unknown, because it confirms in you the power of GOD’s loving presence in your life.
The second comes from Romans 5.5 as Paul writes that hope does not disappoint. The context of that statement is that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Hope is what does not disappoint! I guess when you’ve gotten to the bottom of everything else you had, then hope is all that’s left.
Hope has been on my mind a lot lately. We’ve been helping people all over the world who seem to have nothing left but hope. We know from Scripture that our lives of faith are the powerful projections of GOD in the world, so think about how you can reflect the image of GOD to creation with your life. I concede it isn’t always easy and doesn’t always happen according to our timeframe, but regardless, it’s always worth it! Take seriously your call to live a life of hope, both for yourself and for others who need to see it in you, too!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
"May The Fourth Be With You"
Did you know that today is Star Wars Day; an unofficial holiday for fans of the Star Wars universe? It is just a fun and nonsensical way to reminisce about the movies that helped to shape a generation.
Star Wars Day is a relatively new phenomenon, actually inspired by a simple mistake. In 2005, a German news TV channel interviewed Star Wars creator, George Lucas, and asked him to say his famous sentence, "May the Force be with You." The translator tried a direct translation of Lucas’ famous greeting and salutation, but it came out mistakenly as, We shall be with you on May 4. This was captured by a comedy show and aired on TV later that month. Since then, the fourth of May has been affectionately known as Star Wars Day because of the play on words, "May the Fourth be with You" and "May the Force be with You."
In Star Wars, the Jedi (the good guys!) rely on the Force to be their strength to help them know what they must do. They meditate, consult with others, and let The Force guide them before embarking on even the most trivial task. And while wielding their lightsabers, Jedi use the Force to combat evil and protect the innocent in their care. Christians might be able to learn a little from the pop culture icon the Star Wars saga has become.
When Luke Skywalker was learning the ways of the Force, Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi described it as the invisible power that "surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds us all together." This reminds me of God, specifically as the Apostle Paul describes God in Acts 17:28 as the One in whom "we live, move, and have our being." Just as the Force gives the Jedi their strength and power, Christians know it is God who gives us the power we need for living.
Paul wrote in Romans 1 that the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ is the power to change the world. This being the case, we do not need to wield a lightsaber, be able to jump incredible distances, or move things with our mind (all traits of the Jedi) to make a difference in the world. All we need is to allow the love of God to surge through us so we may be aware of where there is need and how we can help impact someone with the light and love of Jesus!
So on this Star Wars Day, may God and God alone be your source of power! He definitely wants to surround you, penetrate you, and bind you together with others in His love. And if you might playfully wish someone a happy Star Wars Day by saying, "May the Fourth Be With You," remember that every day is a good day to share God with someone.
May The Fourth Be With You!
Star Wars Day is a relatively new phenomenon, actually inspired by a simple mistake. In 2005, a German news TV channel interviewed Star Wars creator, George Lucas, and asked him to say his famous sentence, "May the Force be with You." The translator tried a direct translation of Lucas’ famous greeting and salutation, but it came out mistakenly as, We shall be with you on May 4. This was captured by a comedy show and aired on TV later that month. Since then, the fourth of May has been affectionately known as Star Wars Day because of the play on words, "May the Fourth be with You" and "May the Force be with You."
In Star Wars, the Jedi (the good guys!) rely on the Force to be their strength to help them know what they must do. They meditate, consult with others, and let The Force guide them before embarking on even the most trivial task. And while wielding their lightsabers, Jedi use the Force to combat evil and protect the innocent in their care. Christians might be able to learn a little from the pop culture icon the Star Wars saga has become.
When Luke Skywalker was learning the ways of the Force, Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi described it as the invisible power that "surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds us all together." This reminds me of God, specifically as the Apostle Paul describes God in Acts 17:28 as the One in whom "we live, move, and have our being." Just as the Force gives the Jedi their strength and power, Christians know it is God who gives us the power we need for living.
Paul wrote in Romans 1 that the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ is the power to change the world. This being the case, we do not need to wield a lightsaber, be able to jump incredible distances, or move things with our mind (all traits of the Jedi) to make a difference in the world. All we need is to allow the love of God to surge through us so we may be aware of where there is need and how we can help impact someone with the light and love of Jesus!
So on this Star Wars Day, may God and God alone be your source of power! He definitely wants to surround you, penetrate you, and bind you together with others in His love. And if you might playfully wish someone a happy Star Wars Day by saying, "May the Fourth Be With You," remember that every day is a good day to share God with someone.
May The Fourth Be With You!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Palm Sunday
This week we will celebrate Palm Sunday, which marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Palm Sunday gets its name because as Jesus road into Jerusalem, the people waved palm branches, and some laid theirs on the ground, praising GOD for the salvation they believed was at hand.
The Bible gives us the story of Palm Sunday in all four Gospels, but my favorite is found in Luke 19.28-44. Jesus, knowing the time had come for Him to go to Jerusalem and fulfill his role in GOD’s plan of salvation, rode into the holy city on the back of a donkey. He was sending a definite visual message here – when kings rode in processions during war times, they rode on the back of a steed. During times of peace, however, kings often rode on the back of a donkey. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of the donkey, he was essentially saying He indeed was the King riding into town in peace.
As the story continues, we see that he received a resounding welcome! Luke 19.37-38 says that the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Friends, this is a big deal! Jesus is making a statement and the people are receiving it and praising GOD for all they had seen, and specifically, the witness Jesus Himself had given.
It was a powerful day to be sure, but as you could imagine, not everyone was thrilled. The Pharisees did not like the disturbance that was being created by this display and they told Jesus to make His followers be quiet. As verse 40 tells us, Jesus says that if He were to tell them to be quiet, the very rocks themselves would cry out for the salvation Christ represents! Amazing!!!
We know how the story goes from there that Jesus’ triumphant entry quickly turns turbulent. The same crowds who were clamoring for Jesus to be their king were the same ones who just five days later were clamoring for his crucifixion. It’s amazing how quickly things can turn, isn’t it? So sad, but so true.
As Jesus made the statement that the very rocks would cry out for GOD’s gift of salvation, I believe it also played a metaphorical role in describing the hearts of the people. Often in Scripture, you’ll read about how people’s heart’s were hardened due to various circumstances in life. Jesus knew what awaited Him and He knew their cheers would quickly turn to jeers. But what He also knew is that despite a human being’s fragile heart condition, we all have this powerful and innate need to be loved, comforted, and cared for. Sometimes we have to endure hardship before we can enjoy victory. Jesus was not riding into town to be praised; He was going to Jerusalem to provide the ultimate example of the love and grace of GOD.
As we prepare for this Palm Sunday, I want you to think about the condition of your heart. I know there are things going on in your life that make you want to celebrate and cheer the Lord. But I also know that there are so many difficulties we each and everyone face that could easily turn your very own cheers into jeers if it were not for the victory that Jesus has already sealed. I also know that there are some of us – if not many – who are somewhere in between being able to jeer and cheer Christ in the powerful and calming love of GOD due to life’s calamities. If that is where you are right now, allow GOD’s Holy Spirit to intercede for you and let you know that salvation is at hand for GOD has already won the victory.
Check out this awesome passage from Romans 8.22-30 which speaks to this very truth: We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Saint Patrick's Day
Today is Saint Patrick's Day…are you be wearing your green? Saint Patrick is known as the Patron Saint of Ireland, and his feast day has become a popular secular celebration, much like Valentine's Day. It is a day when we wear green, add green food coloring to our favorite foods and beverages, and have fun with silly things like pots of gold at the end of a rainbow.
Little is known of Patrick's early life, though it is known that he was born in the 4th century into a wealthy family and his father and grandfather were deacons in the Church. At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken captive to Ireland as a slave. It is believed he was held somewhere on the west coast of Ireland, possibly Mayo, but the exact location is unknown. According to his Confession, he was told by GOD in a dream to flee from captivity to the coast, where he would board a ship and return to Britain. Upon returning, he quickly joined the Church and studied to be a priest.
In 432, he again said that he was called back to Ireland, though as a bishop. Irish folklore tells that one of his teaching methods included using the shamrock to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. The idea behind this is the shamrock is one plant with three connected leaves. Looking at this from a Trinitarian point of view, you have one GOD with three manifestations - Father, Son, and Spirit.
After nearly thirty years of evangelism, Saint Patrick died on March 17th 461. Although there were other more successful missionaries to Ireland from Rome, Patrick endures as the principal champion of Irish Christianity and is held in esteem in the Irish Church.
Originally, the color associated with Saint Patrick was blue, but over the years, the color green and its association with Saint Patrick's Day grew. Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of Saint Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century and are still prominent today.
So now you see that Saint Patrick's Day, with all of its fun and silly customs, actually originated as a religious holiday! Like Saint Patrick, May you use this time - wearing green and shamrocks if you so care - to think about the love and presence of GOD in your life. And also like Saint Patrick used the green shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, find a way to use today to share your relationship with GOD with someone else. If you have any questions, or would like some ideas, feel free to contact Pastor Mark.
Have a Blessed St. Patty's Day!
Pastor Mark
Little is known of Patrick's early life, though it is known that he was born in the 4th century into a wealthy family and his father and grandfather were deacons in the Church. At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken captive to Ireland as a slave. It is believed he was held somewhere on the west coast of Ireland, possibly Mayo, but the exact location is unknown. According to his Confession, he was told by GOD in a dream to flee from captivity to the coast, where he would board a ship and return to Britain. Upon returning, he quickly joined the Church and studied to be a priest.
In 432, he again said that he was called back to Ireland, though as a bishop. Irish folklore tells that one of his teaching methods included using the shamrock to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. The idea behind this is the shamrock is one plant with three connected leaves. Looking at this from a Trinitarian point of view, you have one GOD with three manifestations - Father, Son, and Spirit.
After nearly thirty years of evangelism, Saint Patrick died on March 17th 461. Although there were other more successful missionaries to Ireland from Rome, Patrick endures as the principal champion of Irish Christianity and is held in esteem in the Irish Church.
Originally, the color associated with Saint Patrick was blue, but over the years, the color green and its association with Saint Patrick's Day grew. Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of Saint Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century and are still prominent today.
So now you see that Saint Patrick's Day, with all of its fun and silly customs, actually originated as a religious holiday! Like Saint Patrick, May you use this time - wearing green and shamrocks if you so care - to think about the love and presence of GOD in your life. And also like Saint Patrick used the green shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, find a way to use today to share your relationship with GOD with someone else. If you have any questions, or would like some ideas, feel free to contact Pastor Mark.
Have a Blessed St. Patty's Day!
Pastor Mark
(This blog post comes from this week's church e-newsletter)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
What Does a White Polar Bear Have To Do With Victory In Jesus?
In the message I delivered this past week in the 10:55am Contemporary Service, one of the concepts I taught on was being aware of the things that anger and/or attract you. Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount about anger and attraction gets to the heart of placing things in life above our relationship with GOD. And the cold hard truth is that when we allow something to consume and dominate our hearts and minds, we allow that thing(s) to become a god in our lives. The temptation to allow these angering and attracting people, places, and things to dominate us is very real, and we must claim victory over them.
I ran across an interesting story during my quiet time earlier this week about the time when Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian novelist, was a boy, he reportedly started The White Polar Bear Club with two of his friends. In order to become a member, you had to stand in the corner and for thirty consecutive minutes not think of a white polar bear.
Have you ever tried to intentionally not think about something? The more you think about not thinking about it, the more impossible it is to keep it out of your mind! Yet, this is how we handle temptation; when it comes, we try as hard as we can to not to think about it: If I just don't think about it, then I'll have victory over this temptation
I ran across an interesting story during my quiet time earlier this week about the time when Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian novelist, was a boy, he reportedly started The White Polar Bear Club with two of his friends. In order to become a member, you had to stand in the corner and for thirty consecutive minutes not think of a white polar bear.
Have you ever tried to intentionally not think about something? The more you think about not thinking about it, the more impossible it is to keep it out of your mind! Yet, this is how we handle temptation; when it comes, we try as hard as we can to not to think about it: If I just don't think about it, then I'll have victory over this temptation
Victory over temptation (anger and attraction) is attainable, my friends! As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15.57-58: "…thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." As you face all kinds of temptations, burdens, stresses, struggles, and strain, know you have already achieved victory in Jesus Christ! Pray to GOD, invite His Holy Spirit into your life, and know beyond the shadow of a doubt that GOD is for you and has a purpose for your life.
(This blog comes from the weekly email sent out from Cokes Chapel UMC.
It was inspired by Jon Walker's daily Grace Creates devotion from 2/16/11.)
It was inspired by Jon Walker's daily Grace Creates devotion from 2/16/11.)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Happy Groundhog Day!
I must confess, I always found Groundhog Day to be a little silly. Even the most expensive computers and highly trained meteorologists have a hard enough time knowing what the weather will do tomorrow, so I don’t put much stock in what a groundhog thinks will happen in a couple months. Regardless, Groundhog Day has taken on somewhat of a different meaning in our culture the last several years thanks to the 1993 Bill Murray movie. If you aren’t familiar, with the movie, it is about a weather man who is reluctantly sent to cover a story about a weather forecasting "rat" (as he calls it). This is his fourth year on the story, and he makes no effort to hide his frustration. On awaking the 'following' day he discovers that it's Groundhog Day again, and again, and again. First he uses this to his advantage before coming to the realization that he is doomed to spend the rest of eternity in the same place, seeing the same people do the same thing EVERY day.
It might just be a humorous fictional movie, but there is a lesson in it for us. All the time we see people doing the same thing over, and over, and over again, reminding us of the old definition of insanity – repeating the same behaviors and expecting results. Some might think doing something new is impossible, but the Bible tells us that with GOD all things are possible (Matthew 19.26)! On this Groundhog Day, think about how you might be able to do something NEW for GOD thanks to the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Revelation 21.5 tells us that GOD makes all things new, so let Him begin today with you! Open up your heart to receive the Lord’s invitation to follow and believe!!!
It might just be a humorous fictional movie, but there is a lesson in it for us. All the time we see people doing the same thing over, and over, and over again, reminding us of the old definition of insanity – repeating the same behaviors and expecting results. Some might think doing something new is impossible, but the Bible tells us that with GOD all things are possible (Matthew 19.26)! On this Groundhog Day, think about how you might be able to do something NEW for GOD thanks to the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Revelation 21.5 tells us that GOD makes all things new, so let Him begin today with you! Open up your heart to receive the Lord’s invitation to follow and believe!!!
(This blog was written for our church's weekly email)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Belief Beyond The Tightrope Of Life
There once was a tightrope walker who was going to walk across the Grand Canyon blindfolded pushing a wheelbarrow. On the day he was to do the feat, people from all over came to witness the stunt. Whether they were hoping to see him succeed or the carnage of his failure, they lined up from all around.
When the time came, the tightrope walker made it successfully to the other side! Upon his victory, he turned to a reporter and asked, “Do you believe I can do it?” The reporter responded, “Of course I do, I just saw you do it.” This answer did not satisfy the stuntman as he asked again, “Do you believe I can do it?” Again, the reporter answered, “Of course I do, I just saw you do it.” The tightrope walker asked a third time, “But do you believe I can do it.” Again, the reporter answered, “Of course I do.” With this response, the tightrope walker said, “Get in the wheelbarrow.”
Life is full of challenges. There are times when we only believe we can succeed after we have. Be it a task at work, a test at school, or a confrontation at home, we might think we are doomed to failure until the surprise of finding firm footing at the other end of the tightrope. And there are times when we think life will be much easier than it has been, only to find ourselves gasping for air at the end. Regardless of the tightropes we must walk, in order to succeed, we must first believe that we can! The Little Engine That Could was on to something here.
But when we peer out over the Grand Canyon of doubt we might think the task at hand is utterly impossible. That is where faith comes in! Hebrews 11.1 tells us this about faith, “[Faith] is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.” (NLT) We might never think we’ll get to the other side, but the Bible tells us that if we believe it, we can achieve it.
There is an awesome story in the Gospel of Mark about the power of faith and belief. A father whose son had been possessed by an evil spirit comes to Jesus asking for help. The man pleads with Jesus saying, “‘if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ Jesus said to him, "If you are able! — All things can be done for the one who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’(Mark 9.23-24, NLT, emphasis mine)
All too often, we find ourselves in the place of the father—wanting, needing something to happen. We have faith that Jesus can do it, but we do not believe anything can be done. We fear the unknown. We fear a lost cause lost. We fear the inaccurate inevitable. Yet Jesus tells us that all things can be done for the one who believes. What’s left is unbelief! And when we surrender our unbelief to the One who can do something with it, then Jesus says, “I AM able. I can work with that!” I’ll not only help your child, your spouse, your parent, yourself, but I’ll help your unbelief. That, my friends, is where the miracle begins.
So in the midst of life’s tightropes, do not forget that with God nothing is impossible. Do not forget that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. Turn in prayerful faith to the One who can cure any ailment, ease any heart, and even conquer the grave. And believe Him when He tells you, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11.24, NLT)
When the time came, the tightrope walker made it successfully to the other side! Upon his victory, he turned to a reporter and asked, “Do you believe I can do it?” The reporter responded, “Of course I do, I just saw you do it.” This answer did not satisfy the stuntman as he asked again, “Do you believe I can do it?” Again, the reporter answered, “Of course I do, I just saw you do it.” The tightrope walker asked a third time, “But do you believe I can do it.” Again, the reporter answered, “Of course I do.” With this response, the tightrope walker said, “Get in the wheelbarrow.”
Life is full of challenges. There are times when we only believe we can succeed after we have. Be it a task at work, a test at school, or a confrontation at home, we might think we are doomed to failure until the surprise of finding firm footing at the other end of the tightrope. And there are times when we think life will be much easier than it has been, only to find ourselves gasping for air at the end. Regardless of the tightropes we must walk, in order to succeed, we must first believe that we can! The Little Engine That Could was on to something here.
But when we peer out over the Grand Canyon of doubt we might think the task at hand is utterly impossible. That is where faith comes in! Hebrews 11.1 tells us this about faith, “[Faith] is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.” (NLT) We might never think we’ll get to the other side, but the Bible tells us that if we believe it, we can achieve it.
There is an awesome story in the Gospel of Mark about the power of faith and belief. A father whose son had been possessed by an evil spirit comes to Jesus asking for help. The man pleads with Jesus saying, “‘if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ Jesus said to him, "If you are able! — All things can be done for the one who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’(Mark 9.23-24, NLT, emphasis mine)
All too often, we find ourselves in the place of the father—wanting, needing something to happen. We have faith that Jesus can do it, but we do not believe anything can be done. We fear the unknown. We fear a lost cause lost. We fear the inaccurate inevitable. Yet Jesus tells us that all things can be done for the one who believes. What’s left is unbelief! And when we surrender our unbelief to the One who can do something with it, then Jesus says, “I AM able. I can work with that!” I’ll not only help your child, your spouse, your parent, yourself, but I’ll help your unbelief. That, my friends, is where the miracle begins.
So in the midst of life’s tightropes, do not forget that with God nothing is impossible. Do not forget that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. Turn in prayerful faith to the One who can cure any ailment, ease any heart, and even conquer the grave. And believe Him when He tells you, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11.24, NLT)
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