Celebrating the Christmas Miracle!

Christmas is almost here! The excitement is building and it is less than a week away when we will gather to share Communion, light candles, and sing Silent Night, Holy Night! In Christmas Eve worship, we will commemorate the day GOD broke into our human history to tell us that His place is with us on earth (Immanuel!) and we will know Him as Jesus, because He will save us from our sins. (Matthew 1.18-25) Throughout this season of preparation for Christmas, which we know as Advent, we have explored various aspects of how we can prepare for, and experience anew, the miracle of Christmas!

Our December message series, Be Part of the CHRISTMAS Miracle, has sought to explain the miracle as (1) GOD giving us His presence, even though we do not deserve it; (2) GOD’s saving and changing us through His presence; and (3) GOD inviting us to share the miracle with others so they may know of His love and desire for transformation through salvation! In addition, we have explored the miracle of generosity: GOD is generous and wants us to be made into the likeness of Jesus and be generous, too. We understand generosity as doing something for someone without any expectation of reciprocity, and giving to someone who could never repay you. It was during this message that we unveiled our Miracle in Missions offering, where we are hoping to collect $10,000 to be used in mission and ministry across the world. So far we have only collected $1,745, less than 20% of our goal, but you still have time to bring your offering to the church either in worship this Sunday, Christmas Eve, or in our combined worship celebration on December 30^th at 10:55am.

This past Sunday, we explored the Miracle of Celebration. Celebrations are important! They are times when we rally together to celebrate something significant that happens in life. The miracle of celebration is it forces us to shift our focus off of self, where we are prone to want it to be, and refocus where it needs to be…GOD! Christmastime is perfect for this, because we tend to focus too much on our own wishes and dreams and not enough on the fact that this life-changing event is all about GOD saving us and providing the hope we need when life causes us to be discouraged. Then, when we come together to celebrate, we find a synergy is developed with others with whom we are celebrating. This is the essence of Christian community, and is an exclamation point on the need to gather in worship for such high and holy times.

I don’t know about you, but the recent events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT dampened my celebrating spirit. I wept as I watched the news coverage about the evil and hateful atrocities just a week-and-a-half or so from Christmas. As I was praying, though, GOD reminded me that our current understanding of Christmas as sleeping in heavenly peace, is really all about hope, because the peace we seek is not our reality. It wasn’t the reality in the world some 2,000 years ago, and it is not reality today. GOD didn’t look at earth and realize that we had finally learned how to get along with each other and decided it was time to come hang out. The world was dark, dirty, and messy, yet in love, GOD decided to come anyway. We tend to think that we deserve Christmas, making it all about us, but the reality is we did not then, and do not today; still, GOD came to bring the light and show us the way! This being the case, the beauty of Christmas arrives when we realize that the very night the star pierced the darkness to declare that GOD’s home was now with His people on earth was the moment when hope was truly born! This forces us to shift our focus off of self and onto GOD so that we know we can celebrate – even when life seems so scary – the fact that GOD truly is with us!

I want to leave you with a beautiful passage from Scripture that reminds us how important it is to celebrate GOD, even when life does not make much sense in the here-and-now. May these words challenge and comfort you as you put the finishing touches on your Christmas preparations so you may celebrate anew next Tuesday!

“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Philippians 4.4-7, The Message, emphases mine)

 Merry Christmas!

Taking the Miracle to the World!

I hope you are experiencing an awakening as to the miracles that GOD is already at work in bringing to you and your family during this Advent season, the Christmas season, and beyond! We are fully engaged in our Be Part of the Christmas Miracle message series that Pastor John and I have led this month. As a reminder, this is the three-step approach that we are using to describe the miracle of Christmas: (1) GOD gives us His presence even when we do not deserve it; (2) GOD’s presence changes and transforms us; (3) GOD invites us to be part of the miracle by sharing the message of salvation for the transformation of the world.

This past Sunday, we discussed the Miracle of Generosity by exploring Acts 20:35. Luke records Paul saying, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Paul admits that bearing the message of salvation can be hard and sacrificial work, but it is necessary for those who are capable to help others in need; then Paul mentioned the oft heard and used words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Considering generosity from a biblical point of view, we must recognize that it is doing something for another without expecting anything in return, as well as doing something for another who could never repay that act of generosity. We see that GOD in Christ did both of these simultaneously for each of us that we might be changed and enjoy the eternal blessings of heaven as part of GOD’s holy family. So when we view generosity this way, just like Ebenezer Scrooge learned in A Christmas Carol, we come to experience the fact that we are changed when we are generous…a total reorientation of life!

As I wrote last week, we are giving each individual and family an opportunity to Be Part of the Christmas Miracle by flexing our generosity muscles. We have set an ambitious goal of collecting $10,000 that will be given directly to missionaries and mission agencies to be part of GOD’s miracle of transformation by utilizing the global reach of the United Methodist Church. During worship on each Sunday remaining in 2012, as well as on Christmas Eve, we are collecting a special missions offering to help bring the miracle of GOD’s transforming love to people in places across the world that you and I would likely never be able to reach. We hope that you will strive to be part of the miracle of generosity and be generous to people all across the world without any expectation of reciprocity from those who could never repay your sacrificial act. We also encourage this to be something you do as a family, so everyone – young and old – has an opportunity to know that your sacrifice has helped to bring love and relief to someone in need. I guarantee that it will make a difference in the way you experience Christmas this year. In the spirit of Christmas, this is truly something to celebrate!

Speaking of celebration, this coming Sunday, Pastor John and I will explore the miracle of celebration as part of our Advent message series. GOD calls His people to times of celebration to help us move the focus off of self and onto others at times we might be inclined to be too self-centered. I hope you will make every effort to be in worship this Sunday as we strive to Be Part of the Christmas Miracle and share the glory of GOD’s transforming presence in our own lives as we dedicate our lives to joining GOD in the task of transforming the world! I pray you will come and celebrate with us!

The Miracle of Generosity

This past Sunday Pastor John and I debuted our Advent message series, "Be Part of the Christmas Miracle." Advent is the season of preparation for Christmas where we commemorate God coming to earth in Jesus, as well as looking forward to the return of Jesus (see Revelation 21:1-7). During this special season, we also think critically about how we are to live lives of Christian hope, peace, love, and joy to share the miracle of God with the world, beginning in our own backyard. 

As we began talking about the miracle of God, we explained it this way: (1) the miracle comes first in God's presence with us, in spite of the fact that we do not deserve it; (2) the miracle of God's presence transforms our lives as we begin to live for Him; and (3) God invites us to participate in the miracle by serving, sharing, and shining the light and love of God for others. Understanding the nature of God's miracle, and how we are invited to participate and share in it, can help us garner a whole new appreciation for Christmas and our need to prepare adequately for it during Advent! 

This coming Sunday, we will continue our "Be Part of the Christmas Miracle" message series as we explore the miracle of generosity. This is perhaps the one time of year when we all palpably know that it is better to give than to receive. The fact of the matter is that God gave us all the love, grace, and mercy, and hope of eternity, and that changes the way we live in the here-and-now! God's generosity greets us in the midst of our own existence, changes the way we see the world, and challenges us to live lives of generosity for the transformation of the world. Let's face it, God is a giver and we are to be givers, too! So as we live generous lives, we not only change the world, but find ourselves changed, too!!!

As part of our Advent series, we will each have the opportunity to flex our generosity muscles, so to speak. We are challenging each individual and family to commit to being generous for the world -- please consider making a special gift (over and above your regular commitment to giving to the church) that will be used in mission and ministry to the world! We have set an ambitious goal of $10,000, but imagine the miracles that can be done in the name of Jesus Christ as we seriously consider our call to share in the miracle of generosity! Every penny will be used to share the love of God with people all across the globe. 

This is indeed a special and blessed season as we consider the amazing gift of God and the implications it has for our lives. I join the Apostle Paul and share his prayer from Ephesians 3: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Eph.3:16-19, NIV) This is the essence of God's generosity and our call to be difference makers in the lives of others as a difference is made in the world for God!

Ready for an ADVENTure?

This coming Sunday begins the season of Advent. This is the season of preparation, including four Sundays, that helps us get ready for Christmas. The term Advent comes from the Latin, adventus, which literally means, coming. It is during this season when we commemorate the first coming of the Messiah in the Christ child while looking forward to the second coming of Jesus and the complete institution of the Reign of GOD. It is a season of excitement, anticipation, and focusing on the adventure of a life lived in GOD!

Advent is not Christmas, even though culturally we see a lot of bleed-over. Just as soon as the Halloween jack-o-lanterns are put away, the Christmas decorations appear and festive music begins to hit the airwaves. We tend to get so inundated with the approaching holidays, that by the time the Thanksgiving turkeys are ready for lunch, the Christmas season has already begun. Then, once December 26^th arrives, we are so over Christmas that we are ready to put away our decorations and the stores are trying to prepare us for Valentine’s Day. The problem is, by then we have just entered into the Christmas season and are to begin celebrating GOD’s gift to us of Jesus. When you think about it, it really is sad.

The church really wants us to be more intentional about our preparation for Christmas, hence the season of Advent. Advent is designed to help us strategically prepare our lives for the miracle of Christmas. This way, by the time the big day has arrived, the excitement and anticipation has built to a fever pitch that we are so ready for the celebration that we do not want it to end! So as we go through these next four weeks of Advent, we will focus on the hope, peace, joy, and love of GOD so that we are almost ready to burst with excitement and anticipation that comes with Christmas. Thinking of it this way, Advent should be much more like an adventure than the motions through which we go to mark the days off of a calendar.

To help us order our preparation for Christmas this Advent, we will refocus on our Be Part of the Miracle ministry emphasis. Since the miracle is GOD’s presence and activity in, for, and through us – despite how little we actually deserve it – Advent is the perfect time to think about the miracle of GOD. For at Christmas, GOD broke into our human history in the person of Jesus, born humbly in a manger in Bethlehem. That birth, with the star, angels, shepherds, wise men, and such began the adventure of salvation that GOD invites us all to participate in and enjoy. So this Sunday, Pastor John and I will introduce our Advent message series: Be Part of the CHRISTMAS Miracle! These are the topics we will cover during our Advent series…

1.      December 2: Be Part of the Christmas Miracle

2.      December 9: Be Part of the Miracle of Generosity

3.      December 16: Be Part of the Miracle of Family

4.      December 23: Be Part of the Miracle of Celebration

5.      December 24: Be Part of the Miracle of New Life...the Miracle of Jesus

This season will also encompass a special mission giving emphasis, so we can help spread the miracle across the globe! One idea is to make a missions gift to the church equal to, or greater than, the amount of money you would spend on a gift for a loved one. We will have special receptacles available to receive your gifts to help be part of the Christmas miracle for others.

I hope you will make every effort to come and be part of this ADVENTure as we prepare for the glory of Christmas! When GOD came in Jesus, everything else was different forever. It was a miraculous event that still causes miracles today. So come, be a part of this series, and make a point to be a miracle for someone else, introducing them to the love and light of GOD in Christ Jesus this Advent, Christmas, and beyond!

Hope to see you Sunday as we begin this ADVENTure together!

Pastor Mark 

A Thanksgiving Tradition

Do you like candy corn? I think I do. I mean I have eaten my weight in it over my lifetime, but in the pantheon of sweets, it isn’t one I crave. It holds a special place in my heart, though, because of a tradition that I first experienced during a Thanksgiving dinner with my family in Cordele. My aunt would place five pieces of candy corn at every place setting, and before we had our blessing, she would recount the story of the first Thanksgiving and offer a symbolic meaning to the candies. That story goes something like this:

During the Pilgrims’ first winter in America, they faced horrible famine. Food was so scarce that most days the Pilgrims only had a daily ration of five kernels of corn apiece. How did they survive this hardship? By giving in to bitterness and despair? No. The Pilgrims chose to trust in the LORD, regardless of their circumstances. They chose to thank GOD for His provision, no matter the size. Those five kernels of corn were a blessing, and it is the blessing of Thanksgiving – from that first one to this one – that we celebrate together in light of our faith in GOD’s goodness and provision.

This Thanksgiving, consider placing five kernels of corn (whether you use candy corn, regular corn, popcorn, etc.) at each place setting. Then spend a few minutes before the meal going around the table and having everyone share five things for which they are thankful. As you do this, here is a guide to remind you of those five kernels of corn and the thanksgiving we give to GOD for His abundant provision, even when things seem lean.

1         1.    The first kernel reminds us that GOD loves us.

2. The second kernel reminds us that GOD provides for all our needs.
3. The third kernel reminds us of the friends GOD has given us — just as the Native Americans were  friends to the Pilgrims.
4. The fourth kernel reminds us of all the people GOD has given us who love us.
5. And the fifth kernel reminds us that GOD hears our prayers and answers us.

May it be a blessed Thanksgiving for you and your family! And know that in all ways and all things, GOD is good and His love endures forever!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; His love endures forever!

(Psalm 107.1)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Mark 

Playing Triangle in John Williams’ Orchestra

I am a big fan of movie soundtracks. I love how composers are able to capture and convey the emotion in a scene and give it life with their melodious accompaniment. Being the movie soundtrack aficionado I am, I believe that John Williams set the standard for memorable and powerful themes. You might not know John Williams by name, but I have no doubt whatsoever that you know his work. He composed the unforgettable themes to movies such as Superman, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, Harry Potter, and E.T., just to name a few. Beyond movie soundtracks, he has also scored the themes of NBC Nightly News, NBC Sunday Night Football, and the Olympics. In the annals of bringing imagination and emotion to a visual experience through music, John Williams is at the top!

I was listening to some of my favorite movie themes the other day while jogging through the neighborhood. The soaring themes for movies like Superman and Star Wars helped to give me the extra “umph” I needed to finish my workout. As I tired, I found myself needing to hone in on the music, and it was then I noticed something intriguing: John Williams loves the percussion instrument, the triangle, and I think a lot. I was listening specifically to Darth Vader’s Imperial March theme and was astounded by the heavy dose of triangle throughout. In a song that is intended to well up feelings of fear and foreboding, the triangle might not be the first instrument to which you would turn to accompany the ominously powerful Dark Lord of the Sith, yet if you listen carefully enough, you will hear it over and over again throughout the soaring theme. The triangle serves to accentuate the full spectrum of sound, so that when you see Darth Vader enter the scene, you know he is completely in control.

I can only imagine how auditions must have gone for the role of triangle player in John Williams’ orchestra. Typically as orchestras go, the prized positions are those like first chair violin, or first chair trumpet…the flashy roles coveted by everyone. Yet to audition to play such a role in the orchestra to play what – only I can assume is one of John Williams’ favorite accent instruments, the triangle – must have been a thrill! To know that your timely plinking of the triangle will add just the right amount of pizzazz to fully bring to life John Williams’ vision as Darth Vader appeared on screen…wow, that must have been amazing! It goes to show that even some of the seemingly smaller parts imaginable can play an integral role in bringing a vision to life.

This got me thinking further: how often is it that we feel if we aren’t going to play first trumpet or first violin we might as well not even audition, forgetting the fact we might never have learned to play those instruments in the first place? As humans, we can tend to behave as such that if we are not holding the positions of honor, we would rather sit out the whole shebang altogether. GOD knows this, loves us anyway, and wants us to realize that every single one of us is important to fulfilling the vision of His Kingdom. The Apostle Paul wrote about this in 1 Corinthians 12.12-26 as he gave us the inspiringly powerful metaphor of the body, reminding us that every part is essential for proper health and functioning. To take it to our orchestral metaphor, even playing triangle in John Williams’ orchestra is necessary to bring the full sensory spectrum into reality.

GOD is bringing His vision to reality! Some of it is easy to sense and some of it can only be sensed as we allow GOD to shape and direct our imagination individually and collectively. If you feel like you can’t participate if you aren’t first chair, then rethink that notion! If you’re worried about being tentative around other presumed superstars, perish that thought, too! Because as you listen to the beautiful nuances of powerful songs like Darth Vader’s Imperial March, then you can realize that there is a thrill in playing even the smallest of instruments – the triangle – and it might just be one of the favorites of the famed composer!

I think I can hear the orchestra tuning up right now. The baton is being raised. Are you ready? Take your position, listen for your cue, and watch the conductor. There is something marvelous in store for you, and all of us for that matter, regardless how big or small! 

Election Day 2012

I am intentionally writing my weekly blog early on this Election Day 2012. I participated in early voting, so I will not be making my way to the polls today. I have a very busy day ahead, so I am relieved I do not have to worry about the particulars of managing my schedule and getting to my polling place.

From my vantage point, there is a lot of anxiety surrounding this election. Pre-election polls indicate a toss-up between the two candidates, and some “experts” believe this election is so close that we will not know who has won until Wednesday or even later.

I must say that I am as interested in this election as any since I have been of-age, and there have been times I have struggled to hold back for the risk of appearing partisan. My maternal grandmother once gave me the sound advice of not discussing religion or politics. Since I willingly violate half of that on a regular basis – talking religion is my lifework after all – I have been very careful not to publically discuss politics. I think this is important because I don’t want to alienate anyone for the sake of the gospel – which is paramount – by focusing too much on politics – which frankly is not. Regardless which political party is in power, the Apostle Paul’s advice to us in Romans 13 is to submit to our authorities to keep our conscience – and witness! – clean so we can testify with love to the One who is truly in control!

Pastor John Hagen and I were talking about this election on Monday. We didn't discuss the candidate we support, but we did discuss the greater truth that will greet our Wednesday morning, despite the fact that one or both of us might be disappointed in the election results: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13.8)

However you find yourself on the day after the election, remember that Jesus IS the same! He is the One whose love surrounds us and motivates us forward to serve, share, and shine regardless of who occupies the Oval Office. Though we might personally believe that one individual might be a better fit to lead the country, we are only to place our hope in the One person who is our hope, leads us into eternity, and will not let us down: Jesus Christ!

So here is a good word for you on this Decision Day and for every day following. May it comfort or confirm you with the love and peace of GOD as we prepare to keep on keeping on, despite the results of today’s election:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power
until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

(1 Peter 1.3-5)

Happy Halloween!

Candy & Costumes & All Saints, Oh My!

Today is Halloween – a day that carries many mixed connotations and feelings. For many in the USA, it is a day of dressing up in silly costumes and for getting candy while trick-or-treating. For others, however, it is a day to glamorize the occult and place undue focus on the spiritual forces of wickedness. I imagine that if you sit firmly ensconced in one camp, you likely find it hard to believe anyone could be in the other. Personally, I’m not a big fan of Halloween. I have never liked scary things and I’m uncomfortable with haunted houses and things that go bump in the night. I am, however, a big fan of two prominent aspects of the day in the USA: costumes and candy! I probably don’t need to say much about candy – just look at my waist line – but costumes, well that’s definitely something about which I can wax poetic.

The costume hunt was an annual rite of passage for me. I can remember going to Thrift Mart, a local one-stop-shop near where I grew up, to select my costume of choice. You might remember the plastic kind in the 70s and 80s that you wore like a smock and had that unusually smelling mask with an elastic band going around your head. I also remember when I outgrew those and my mom and dad took it upon themselves to help me make my own. I had a homemade Ghostbuster costume made from a jumpsuit and an old vacuum cleaner; a homemade King Arthur Tunic and Excalibur; and the crown jewel of my homemade costume collection: a Darth Vader mask my dad crafted out of an old plastic police helmet, cardboard, and copious amounts of black spray paint. Yes, Halloween can be fun and a great opportunity to make lasting memories. I am eager to escort Ethan through our neighborhood this evening in his cool 80s dude getup from what will likely be one of our final trick-or-treating jaunts of his childhood. But once all the trick-or-treating and silly childhood costumes are in our past, Halloween will still be something that will have significance in my life.

How about a brief history lesson as to the origin of Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve? Though it definitely has some roots in pagan rituals, many scholars believe it has roots in Christianity. Halloween is observed on the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints Day. All Saints was introduced on May 13^th of the year 609. In 835, it was switched to November 1 under Pope Gregory IV to coincide with the same date as a Celtic observance called, Samhain, as a way to teach of GOD’s love, grace, and preeminence.

In its earliest origins in connection to Halloween, All Saints Day was the day it was believed the souls of the departed made their transition from the physical world to the next. The night before their transition, it was thought that the spirits would roam the earth for one last hoorah. Some of the spirits were feared to be nasty, so people would wear costumes to disguise themselves from those that might seek revenge on the living. This gave rise to the tradition of wearing costumes on Halloween.

Today, the connection between Halloween and All Saints is practically nonexistent, but in some Christian traditions, All Saints is still celebrated as the day when we remember the saints who have passed away and the spiritual bond between the living and those who are in heaven. Traditions of All Saints Day include reading the names of the deceased while ringing bells and/or lighting candles (we will do this in each of our worship celebrations on Sunday at Cokes Chapel UMC). Taking us back to Halloween, though, there are two other quite familiar modern traditions that connect these two ancient days of observance.

In the 12^th Century, the custom of “souling” emerged where poor people and children in Great Britain and Ireland would go door-to-door and offer songs and/or prayers in exchange for cakes, fruit, and other food items. The custom of souling in costumes, also known as guising, is believed to have its origins in Scotland in the late 1800s, where costumed people carried hollowed out lanterns made from turnips. This tradition continued in North America, but shifted to using pumpkins because of their size and softness, making them easier to carve. They were more difficult to carry, however, and as a result, began to serve as jack-o-lanterns and were used as a way to ward off the nasty spirits that were gallivanting around on Halloween. Trick-or-treating, as it is known today, is more of an Americanized tradition from the original souling, allowing all children to enjoy the fun of costumes and sweet treats, with the jack-o-lanterns informing kids and families that a particular home is open to passing out candy.

I hope you find a little Halloween history helpful in connecting our modern day fun traditions with the All Saints celebrations we will experience in worship on Sunday. There is no doubt that Halloween should mean more in light of the Christian connections to our faith in salvation and life eternal as we add an exclamation point to the belief that death is not the end. This means even more to me this year while I remember the loss of family and friends who are gathering with the great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12.1) at the throne of Jesus in heaven! So as we prepare for however we will mark this evening, may we do so remembering what Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11.25-26)

Remembering...

I lost my grandmother, affectionately known as GaGa, on Monday (October 22, 2012). She had just turned 91 in September and had been in failing health for a while. She had dementia and lost control over her mind and body, and it was so sad to see…so sad and I must confess I didn’t handle it as well as I should have. I did not call or visit anywhere near as frequently as I should have. I miss her terribly, though I have closure after telling her goodbye shortly before she passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Since then, our family has engaged in the profound experience of sharing lasting memories in stories and experiences, and it has been so helpful. Many of these stories are of events that we all witnessed or experienced first-hand, but there is something cathartic about sharing, laughing, and shedding tears – because of our grief and also laughing so hard – as a way to grapple with our love in light of our loss.

I have many memories of my grandmother; in fact, some of my favorite childhood memories are of being at my GaGa’s home with my brother, sister, and cousins who were my heroes as a child, but that’s a blog for another day. GaGa lived on Lake Blackshear in Cordele, Georgia and had a property right on the water. Our visits always included boat rides, fishing, grand fish suppers, attempts at skiing (still can’t get up on skis to this day), hunting for fossils and arrow heads, and keeping an eye peeled for swampy wildlife. It was a kid’s dream, and even though I am more of an insufferable city boy today, those are cherished memories of times that have helped shape and form me into the person I am. And even though I am guilty of allowing the busyness of life to prevent me for visiting as often as I should, I love taking Ethan down to GaGa’s and sharing my memories and stories while teaching him to bait a hook, eat a fish and hushpuppy, and drive a boat while navigating the waters.

Someone asked me earlier today about my favorite memory with my GaGa. I didn’t have to think at all, because this was the story I told on my grandmother’s beloved porch overlooking the water surrounded by family and friends. I was about seventeen and my brother and I had gone down for spring break. She allowed us to bring a friend, so the four of us were on her dock fishing and having fun. In the midst of fishing and teenage frivolity, I remember my grandmother calling out to us from the house, “Boys, just stay right where you are.” I remember turning around and there was GaGa, running down the hill and firing off three or four shots from a .38 pistol. Needless to say, the four of us were shocked until we saw a huge water moccasin – a very poisonous snake – bob up and down in the water until it died from grandmother-inflicted gunshot wounds. It turns out that snake had been swimming toward us and she would not let it get close to her precious grandchildren and their friends. Now I could go on-and-on about what a great aim she had, and how impressive it was that she, at approximately 70 years old, shot a snake from thirty to forty yards out while running mid-stride down a hill, but what strikes me is how she was lovingly watching us enjoy ourselves while keeping an eye out for danger. That is a memory-creating experience that I will carry my entire life!

All throughout Scripture, God calls His people to pause, remember and reflect, and allow those memories to shape the rest of their lives. One of my favorite stories in the Scripture comes from Joshua 4 as Joshua led the Israelites through the Jordan River. The Lord then commanded the people to set up an altar to remind them of what they had seen as GOD acted on their behalf. What I particularly love is in vs.6 and again in vs.21-22 as GOD makes a point that the children will have questions about the things that the Lord has done, and the people are to share those stories and teach them about how GOD loves us and looks out for us. Much like my grandmother did for my brother, my friends, and me that beautiful spring afternoon.

Memory is a powerful gift given by GOD. The Lord has also equipped us with our five senses that connect with memory and help us experience past events in such a real and heart-level fashion. Sometimes those memories bring us joy, sometimes they bring us pain, and sometimes they bring us a mixture of the two. Through it all, however, our memories help us connect our past, present, and future while maintaining the perspective that we have a GOD who is always watching us, caring for us, and helping us navigate the tricky waters of life.

What is it you are being called to remember? Who are you being called to remember? Remembering is a powerful and poignant tool that helps us know that we are not alone, even when times might be tough. So wherever it is that your life has carried you to the very moment where you sit down to read this message, know that your memory is a gift from GOD, as well as a calling to remember your life and the legacy of those who have gone on before you.

I love and miss you, GaGa. Thank you for helping provide some of the favorite memories of my life. And while I must admit that tears are dripping on my keyboard as I type this blog, I remember the promise of GOD that death is not the end – that the grave is absolutely NOT our final resting place – and the time will come when we all will gather in heaven and share the memories and stories of our entire lives with a complete perspective. But until then, I’ll be remembering…

Three Steps to Help You Find Your Strength

Last week I wrote about My Strength vs. GOD’s Strength. This week, I want to delve a bit deeper into the concept of inner strength. Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott wrote a wonderful book on this subject, and in their book, they discuss three important techniques to truly tap into one’s GOD-given inner strength. Below is a summary of their teaching.

"How content are you with your life? Do ever feel like you’re waiting on life – real life – to begin? Do you ever feel like the stress and strain of your daily routine, the pressures and fatigue of it, are keeping you stuck while you continue to hold out hope for the adventure of your life to start – someday? Down deep you know there is more to this life than merely making it. You know your future holds promise. And yet the uncertainty and powerlessness you sometimes feel causes you to question your ability to rise above your current circumstances. It keeps you from doing what you need to do. Here’s the good news: you’re stronger than you think. Here are the internal wells where your strength is most likely to reside. But be forewarned. They are found in counter-intuitive places.

Think simply – there’s strength in clearing your head. Few experts would dispute the fact that the beginning of renewed strength starts with how you think. Our mind is where we analyze, figure-out and plan. It’s where we hold our knowledge and understanding. We’ve all heard about the undeniable power of our attitudes. But I propose a new way of drawing strength from your mind. It has to do with simplicity. It has to do with finding strength by clearing your head to discover what should have been obvious all along. Too often, we make life more complicated than it needs to be and we get bogged down as a result. It makes us sluggish and exhausted. It’s time to travel light and think more simply, and in turn, find a fresh resolve and a new tenacity.

GOD wants to help you clear the clutter in your mind to think more simply. The Bible says, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2.2) Simplify your mind and begin with the purest knowledge that GOD loves you and saves you through the love of His Son, Jesus.

Feel vulnerable – there’s strength in owning your weakness. While the cognitive part of you may be a starting place for strength, your heart holds a wealth of power when you know where to tap it. And that, paradoxically, begins by finding the strength that comes through owning your weakness. Of course, I realize this goes against common knowledge. It runs against the grain of anyone who is trying to appear powerful. But that’s the point. I’m talking about authentic strength that comes from the inside out. It’s not about building a strong façade. And that’s why vulnerability is instrumental in finding the emotional power in your heart. Vulnerability begets vulnerability. It builds connection and comradely.

Jesus made Himself vulnerable by accepting death and painful separation from GOD so we would not have to. This vulnerability, rooted in His incredible humility, gave Him the power to meet us where we are, even in the face of our own weaknesses. The Bible says, “Who, being in very nature GOD, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2.6-7)

Be emptied – there’s strength in surrender. The ultimate source of strength resides deep in your soul. The secret is to empty yourself of your striving for strength. It may sound incongruent, maybe even absurd, but this deeply spiritual surrender, when done properly, is the only means to finding the abiding strength your soul desires. And it’s in your soul that you will discover a new boldness that will likely surprise you. It is in your soul that your faith, no matter how feeble, can conjure up courage. It is in your soul that you will discover a power greater than you ever imagined.

The Bible tells us that GOD “emptied” His love out into us so that, we can benefit from His strength and use that strength to benefit others. “...God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”  (Romans 5.5b) This means that the strength we have comes from GOD and is given so that we can be strength, not just for ourselves, but also for others.

Too often, we bide our time with the routine of a life that we hope will one day take us across the chasm. Our days become stacked upon other days. And as time moves forward, we think about the great abyss in our quieter moments. We wonder if we should take the leap soon. But the busyness of our days pulls us back from the edge and we perpetually postpone it. Why? Because we are afraid we do not have the strength to make it. Don’t let that happen. You’re stronger than you think.”

In Christ, we do have strength! Strength is not just for ourselves, but also for the sake of others. Use that strength to keep going, even when times are tough. You can be the change you want to see in the world. (Gandhi)

Parrott, Les and Leslie. You're Stronger Than You Think: The Power to Do What You Feel You Can't. Tyndale House Publishers, August 2012.

Based on article posted on FoxNews.com, published September 9, 2012.

My Strength vs. GOD’s Strength

I was studying the concept of inner-strength the other day. This is something that has often times intrigued me. As a person of faith, I truly believe that my strength comes from the LORD. Where I struggle, however, is when I think I am responsible to act, lead, and serve in my own strength. When I live in such a way, I am invariably tired, ornery, stressed, and wimpy. This is not good for me, and certainly not for those who have to spend time being around me. It can be hard to admit at times, but this is sort of an inner struggle for me to draw upon GOD’s strength as opposed to counting on my own. After all, GOD’s strength is limitless where mine is safe to say, well short of limitless.

I am reminded of a great story where a father and son were walking on a trail and passed a large boulder. The dad told his son, “I bet you can move that rock if you use all your strength.” The little tike stressed and strained against the rock, but it did not budge. Embarrassed and exasperated, the boy looked to his father and said, “I guess you were wrong; I used all my strength and I couldn’t move it.” The father lovingly knelt down beside him and said, “Son, you didn’t use all your strength, because you didn’t ask for my help.”

The Bible tells us that GOD wants to help us learn to allow His strength to be our strength. When we insist on doing things our own way, regardless of the task, we run the risk of emptying our strength reserve. Let’s face it…our strength is limited whereas GOD’s is limitless! But when we rely on GOD’s strength first, we are capable of things we cannot possibly imagine!

I love the exchange that GOD had with the Prophet Isaiah, talking about this very subject: strength. GOD had charged Isaiah with sharing His message and helping to inspire His people to change. Isaiah began this work in His own strength and he found himself worn out and burned out. Sound familiar? Check out the conversation between the LORD and Isaiah: “‘[Isaiah] replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.’ And now the Lord speaks—the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The Lord has honored me, and my GOD has given me strength.  He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49.4-6, NLT, emphasis mine)

I love this passage, because it teaches that GOD wants to infuse us with His strength for living out our lives, the tasks great and small. When we do that, then GOD adds purpose to our endeavors and transforms them to achieve goals that we likely cannot even conceive…even to help bring salvation to the ends of the earth! These are lofty goals to be sure, but it all begins when you allow GOD’s strength to enter, empower, and transform you in little and big things alike!

We are mortal beings—there’s no way around that! Even in our best times, we will tire out if left on our own. So as you seek to live anew, calling upon and counting on the strength of GOD to be your power, remember the words of the Psalmist: “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but GOD remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” (Ps.73.26, NLT) 

May GOD indeed be the strength you need now and forever!

"Lectio Divina"

Recently I have been recommitting myself and encouraging others to delve into the Word of God for personal study and reflection. The Bible isn’t just a cool book (it certainly is that!), but the actual Word of God given to us to help us not only navigate life, but make a difference in it! Paul wrote, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3.16-17) Since we strive to be God’s servants, it is good for us to know what God wants to say to us, and the best way to do that is to read His Word and pray upon it regularly. I know that it can be a daunting task to get started, so let me share with you a system I use to dig deeper in the Word of the Lord.

I participated in a pastors’ conference last month that taught me an ancient model for reading Scripture and praying over it to consider and discern the heart of God. This model is called, Lectio Divina, which is Latin for holy reading. Lectio Divina has its roots in the 3^rd Century and is the practice of scriptural reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation intended to increase the knowledge of God's Word and promote communication with God.

There are four steps to the Lectio Divina holy reading that I would like to share and encourage you to incorporate into your own personal Bible reading and prayer. Of course, if you do not have one, this is a GREAT way to start. Before you begin, however, you must prepare yourself by carving out a time, finding a quiet comfortable place, and removing distractions – real or potential – so you can enjoy some uninterrupted time with the Lord.

The first step of the Lectio Divina begins with reading the Bible! You could start with a Psalm, a favorite passage, or maybe just a section within a chapter. The key is to make it manageable, so don’t try to do too much, especially in the beginning. Read through the passage in order to gain a grasp as to what God might want to say to you. You might want to read through it a couple times, but the key is to get familiarized with the text.

The second step of the Lectio Divina is to hone in on a word, phrase, concept, or verse(s) that jumps out at you and meditate upon it. The term meditation comes from a Latin word which literally means to chew as a cow chews its cud. Meditation in this sense is thinking and listening to the Holy Spirit for what God wants you to consider and going over it and over it and over it to hear from the Lord and find a deeper meaning. Once you feel like you have chewed upon and savored the sweetness of the Lord, it is time to move on to the third aspect of Lectio Divina.

The third step of the Lectio Divina is prayer. You have listened to God speak to you, so now it is time to speak to the Lord. Tell God what you think. Tell God where you struggle. Share your heart, your pains, your ideas, and the needs of your life…not just the simple things, but those that exist below the surface and perhaps no one else is even aware. In the Christian tradition, prayer is understood as dialogue with God – as a loving conversation with God who has invited you into an embrace – so embrace God and feel God embrace you, too! After you have said your piece, and feel you have allowed God time to speak as well, then it is time for the last part of the Lectio Divina.

The fourth and final step of the Lectio Divina is to contemplate your time with God. In contemplation, you are essentially reviewing the previous three steps before embarking upon the rest of your day. You might want to read through the passage again in light of what you have experienced. Meditate and chew on what you have discovered that the Lord revealed to you. Reflect over your prayer and how God might – nor might not! – have answered you in that moment. Once you feel like you are done, you are!

After going through this process, it will undoubtedly shape or reshape your day. Some days might be more enlightening than others, but this is an exercise and a process that will help you deepen your understanding and appreciation of your life in God and God’s life in you. If you would like to practice this further, and could use some help, please, let me know! I would love to hear from you and share in your experiences. Also, the small group that I help facilitate will be working through some of the Psalms using this Lectio Divina process. We will begin meeting next Wednesday (Sept.12) from 6:30-8:30pm at Bob and Debbie Johns’ home in Senoia and you are welcome to join us!

God bless you in your work to grow in the Lord. There is absolutely no substitute for reading scripture and praying to the Lord allowing Him to speak to you, too. Give this Lectio Divina process a try and see what happens. As always, I would LOVE to hear from you about your experiences and epiphanies as you dedicate time to spend with our loving and amazing God!

Calming the Storm

I have been riveted by the coverage of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac. I have always found such coverage fascinating as experts try to predict the unpredictable. Of course, the fact that within this week we mark the anniversaries of Hurricanes Andrew (20 years) and Katrina (7 years), keeping an eye on Isaac seems to be even more essential in light of our historical knowledge. Isaac might not have packed quite the wallop of an Andrew or Katrina, but it definitely has and will impact landscape and lives forever. The bottom line is, after such a storm, we are forever changed!

Storms of any kind remind us of our vulnerability. Regardless of the knowledge and/or strength we might be blessed with, all we can do in the face of the storm is prepare then sit back and wait. Still, no matter how hard we try and no matter what we do, we are unable to manipulate or change the weather.

During such times, I cannot help but reflect over Jesus. In Matthew 8.23-27, we read about an instance when a storm came upon the Lord and His disciples. The disciples – many of whom seasoned seafarers – were terrified for their safety. Jesus, on the other hand, was fast asleep. The disciples incredulously roused Jesus from his slumber, which prompted Him to speak to them about their faith. Afterwards, and it is important to note that this takes place after his brief mention of faith, Jesus calmed the storm. The lesson to be learned in this is that though Jesus has the ability to calm storms, He is far more concerned with calming those who are enduring the storm.

Enduring and surviving storms changes us. Sure we might have some scars (both real and metaphorical), but as we know from medicine, we are stronger in those areas where we have scars. We might be stronger, sure, but it is also true that we are even more aware of our vulnerability, and that epiphany is rarely fun. Still, this has the potential to help us change our misplaced sense of indestructible self-confidence to a true faith and trust in GOD Almighty! This is no minor shift, my friends! That being said, seeing and sensing a storm on the horizon gives us the opportunity to praise the Lord, because it is in such times that we can see firsthand how He is hard at work!

Are you enduring a storm today? Are you feeling vulnerable by the fact that you cannot control your life circumstances? If you answered yes, then there is no better time to turn to the Lord and allow Him to calm the churning in you, regardless of the churning in nature. If you find that you need help in calming the storm within, I invite you to prayer this prayer with me:

Dear Lord,

I recognize that I cannot control all of my life circumstances, let alone the power of nature. Help me to experience your presence and power and embrace the fact that you are more concerned with calming the storms within me than the storms outside. When I am anxious, give me your calm. When I am restless, give me your peace. When I am lonely, give me yourself. I also pray for those who are living in the midst of life’s storms right now…those actual and those metaphorical. And for those truly in harm’s way, I ask for protection. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Have a great week!

Pastor Mark

Back to School

It's been a busy week so far in the Jordan household. Not only are we trying to get re-acclimated from enjoying some vacation time, but we are back in the rat race as school resumed for Ethan this past Monday. It really can be dizzying going from one week of fun in the sun to the next with alarm clocks, bed times, and homework. We certainly are not alone, however; many families are working to adjust to new routines and responsibilities, and many more will next week as Fayette and other counties join back in with the school fun. 

Something that occurred to me in seeing some of the things that have come home the first couple of days this new school year is that teachers are working to catch the children back up from two-plus months of summer bliss. This is necessary, because no matter how you slice it, review is important. When we are not as engaged in reading, writing, and arithmetic, those skills need to be fine tuned. According to Dr. Harris Cooper, Professor of Psychology at Duke University and the director of the program in education, test scores were, on average, at least one month lower when students returned to school in the fall than when they left in the spring. So over the next couple weeks, as students return to the world of classrooms and textbooks, they will spend some time reviewing the foundational things they will need to remember in order to build upon for the new academic year.

Never having been an educator in the academic sense of the word, I can imagine there are certain advantages and disadvantages to having to spend precious time in reviewing older material. On the other hand, when talking about foundational material, there are some things we will always need to remember, like 1+1 will always equal 2; 'i' always comes before 'e' except after 'c'; and that there are always exceptions to every rule. 

The Apostle Paul was a very intelligent and well educated man. This was an advantage for him as he sought to bring the good news of Jesus to people all over the world. This education could have been a stumbling block for him, however, if he expected everyone to know everything that he knew. Instead, Paul dedicated his life of sharing Jesus to one not-so-little fact, and that is that it all comes back to GOD. In 1 Corinthians 2.1-5, Paul wrote, "When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God."

Paul would never be one to promote forgetfulness, but what he would say is that we need to remember to "keep the main thing the main thing." This is something we all will do well to remember. We must remember that we are called to serve GOD by serving others; to share the love of GOD wherever we go; and shine the light of GOD wherever we are. So while trying to get back into the swing of new routines (even if that is just adjusting to morning or afternoon traffic with school busses), may we remember what Paul told us we must never forget, and that is that GOD so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son -- Jesus -- that whoever believes in Him will never perish but have life everlasting! (John 3:16)

May this season of new beginnings and new opportunities begin by remembering that it all comes back to the love of GOD. When we build our lives on the knowledge of Christ's love, then we will see the world differently, as well as the opportunities that life presents. 

Have a great rest of this first week of school, and if it's your last week of summer, enjoy! Regardless, I hope to see you in worship on Sunday!

Galatians 5.13-15 & True Freedom

The Apostle Paul wrote the following about true freedom: "It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?" (The Message) How does this speak to you on this Independence Day?

Freedom

The 4th of July is upon us; a time for fireworks, parades, water games, and cookouts! As we get together with family and friends, we might not think about it, but it is because of our freedom we are able to celebrate. God has always intended for us to live in freedom; it was how we were created. Unfortunately, we all too often lose sight of what a wonderful gift freedom truly is. God with all His infinite power, wisdom, and influence could easily have programmed us like a computer to live according to His plan and purpose. But God felt we would better understand the nature of love when we freely come to Him on our own. We might think we live according to our own power and authority and captain our own ships, but in the end, we are living in God’s love. Sometimes we take advantage of our freedom to make our own choices but we can never run too far away from God’s. So how can we live to better experience this awesome gift that enables us to live in a special way? One simple way is to turn to Scripture and seek out God’s heart. The Psalms have this to say, “Oh, I'll guard with my life what you’ve revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever; and I'll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom; then I'll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.” (Psalm 119.44-46, The Message) This Scripture encourages us to guard these freedoms now and guard them forever so we may live freely in search of God’s wisdom and truth. When we are confronted with injustice and a threat to our freedom, we guard it ferociously, both as a nation and as individuals. I know one thing that irritates me greatly is when I feel another is infringing upon my personal liberties. So I fight to maintain my own freedom through God’s love allowing me to make my own choices. But there is something else very important here. God gives us freedom so we can seek out truth and wisdom for ourselves. Just like love, our discovery of truth and wisdom means so much more when we come to it on our own. Sure, it would be much easier and far less painful at times if God would have just programmed us, but the sweet reward of the journey comes to us when we discover just how wonderful living freely can be. It is a wonderful gift to discover how awesome God’s love is, but there are others who are lost in the oppression of their own poor choices. That’s where we must come in. According to that passage from the Psalms, God wants those of us who have found freedom in wisdom and truth to go and share that with the world and to speak out boldly and without embarrassment. Then we can reflect that love to the world and show everyone what a blessing life can be when we turn to God. I want to leave you with a quote from William Havard who once said, “The greatest glory given to a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to [others].” So as we celebrate this 4th of July at the lake, around a grill, and watching the sky for the glory of lights, may we not forget that greater glory rests in our freedom and ability to share it with the world.

On Mother Teresa & Life

The life of Mother Teresa is one that fascinates me. You might know her as a great champion for the poor and disenfranchised in Calcutta.  She has often been held as someone who persevered in faith even in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances. Where this is certainly true, it was revealed several years ago following her death that she knew what it meant to struggle in her faith like many of us do. As she observed the suffering and felt the hopelessness of the conditions in which she served, she asked the same kinds of questions you and I have likely asked from time to time; questions about suffering, pain, agony, helplessness and hopelessness. Through her perseverance, however, Mother Teresa continued to find GOD in and through her opportunities to make a difference in a person's life. Things should be no different for us.

When faced with my own questions, doubts, and dilemmas, I like to turn to others who have faced similar struggles. Being able to turn to someone who has made it a few more steps down the path of life's journey can be extremely helpful to remind us that despite how we feel, we are not alone. These experiences can be so beneficial for me personally as I realize that I am not the only one who struggles to make sense of life every now and then. And to learn such a lesson from Mother Teresa? Well, it just goes to show that all of us can be left with little more than our questions even when heeding the call of GOD.

I thought I'd share a great thought from Mother Teresa that she wrote about the duplicitous nature of life. Check this out and see if you might be able to find some new insight as to how to live, persevere, and follow GOD even when life throws all sorts of conundrums your way.

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.”

                             ~ Mother Teresa

Have a great week and I hope to see you in worship on Sunday!

Pastor Mark

Pentecost Brings The Winds Of Change

This past Sunday, Pentecost was celebrated in many Christian churches. It is the day we commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit. You can read all about it in Acts 2.

It was on Pentecost that Jesus fulfilled His promise that he would send another Counselor—the Spirit of Truth—to come to the disciples. (John 14.15) It was this Spirit that would give them the ability to stand up in the face of persecution with the same gumption and character as Jesus did. And on that fateful morning, just a little more than a month past Easter, a mighty wind swept across the hearts of those who believed in Jesus and brought forth life. The winds of change had blown!

And did the winds of change blow! Looking at Acts 2, we read about a particular disciple named Peter. You might remember Peter. He is the one who swore that wherever Jesus went, he would follow—even to death. This is the same Peter who denied knowing Jesus three times. Well, on Pentecost, this impetuous cowardly Peter stood up and proclaimed, “Salvation comes no other way; no other name [Jesus] has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.” (Acts 4.12, MSG) Peter was infused with the Holy Spirit’s power and the change it brought in his life brought about a change for the rest of the world!

The Spirit’s winds of change can blow in our lives, too. The Spirit fills us with God’s power enabling us to stand in the face of persecution; to go places to spread God’s glory we otherwise would not go; and to give us glimpses of glory divine, eternal in the heavens.

“Lutheran pastor Dan Mangler tells the story of a Shetland sheepdog his family owned named, Amber. He recalls that Amber loved windy days, and no matter how windy it was she would stand on their front lawn, face the direction that the wind was coming from, put her nose up in the air ... and immediately enter doggy heaven.

She was oblivious to anything else going on around her, and Mangler thinks he knows why: It was the smells that the wind brought her. Her movements were, for the most part, confined to the house or yard, so the wind was, for her, a sumptuous blessing.

The wind brought her experiences of a world beyond her powers to visit, including the smells of a dozen kinds of trees and hundreds of wildflowers, of squirrels and rabbits, of pigs and cows. ‘There is in that example, I think, a picture of Pentecost,’ writes Mangler. ‘Pentecost is the wind that brings us experiences of a world beyond our powers to visit.’ May we all experience such a visitation!”[i]

How are the winds of change blowing in your life? Are you finding yourself infused with power to stand against the naysayers of God? Are you finding yourself with the powerful desire to go places and share the glory of God where you otherwise would not go? Or are you like Amber, finding yourself given glimpses of glory divine, outside of yourself in places where only God can lead?

The winds of change are blowing! Where are they blowing you? Happy Pentecost and may the power of the Spirit be with you always!

---

[i] The Spirit Scale, Homiletics Online, May, 15, 2005. www.homileticsonline.com

Einstein On Miracles

The concept of miracles is one that has been very important for me lately. After doing some study, research, and prayer, I am convinced that GOD is still very much in the miracle-working business. We might be inclined to think that GOD is not working miracles like He did in the days of parting seas, raising the dead, and helping the immobile move, but I know for a fact in thinking about GOD's presence and power that gets manifested in my own life, that He is still very much in the miracle-working business! 

Albert Einstein once said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” This begs the question for me: how are you living? Are you living as though everything is a miracle, or are you living as though nothing is a miracle? In order for us see everything as a miracle, we need to acknowledge the miraculous love of Jesus Christ, and consider that in light of what Paul wrote as recorded in Acts 17:28, that in Him we live, move, and have our being. This is talking about a perpetual acknowledgement of GOD's presence and power and striving to apply that knowledge to every aspect of our lives. This is not to say that life will always be perfect...far from it...but that we can sense GOD's presence and activity regardless of what is currently transpiring.

Life can be a real challenge sometimes, but understanding that GOD's desire is to prepare us for Heaven and not make us comfortable in the here-and-now makes a HUGE difference. This can provide some serious faith inducing hope to give perspective for all of life foibles...the ones of our own making and the ones over which we have no control. Having that kind of knowledge can transform us not just today, but for eternity as well. What is important is perspective and viewing life itself as a miraculous gift from GOD Almighty!

So how are you living life today? Are you viewing it as a miracle or just some random accident? How do you think GOD wants you to see your life in Him? My guess is as the miracle that it is!

Have a great rest of the week and live miraculously!