A Great Quote

Pastor Rick Warren is someone I follow on Twitter. You may know of Rick as the Pastor of the Saddleback Church in California and the bestselling author of the books, "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life." Earlier in the week, he tweeted something that strikes me in light of my earlier blog post. He tweeted:

"I believe in the separation of church and hate."

~ Rick Warren*

So do I! May we all as we shine the LIGHT and LOVE of GOD!!!


*You can see Rick Warren on Twitter by clicking here.

Remembering 9/11

I got to sleep in this morning. It was nice. We have a busy day in store for us, as my mom is headed down to Newnan to spend some time with us and to have me help her with some techno-things. I got out of bed, put on my UGA game day gear, and shuffled to the kitchen for my first cup of coffee. Through my overslept stupor, I turned on the TV and was immediately hit with the profound significance of the day ... a day that has forever changed America and the world. Video footage from that day was being replayed, while pictures of those who were lost graced the screen. My stomach turned and I was automatically taken back to that fateful morning.

9/11/2001: a mere month since my dad had died and the time when Tiffany had just learned she was pregnant with Ethan. I was exercising and listening to people vent on sports talk radio about how my beloved Bulldawgs had lost 14-9 to the South Carolina Gamecocks the Saturday before. Once the news started to break, the talk shifted from football Xs-and-Os to what was transpiring in New York. I immediately changed the channel to NBC and the Today Show to watch coverage of this bizarre tragedy. Of course at that time, no one knew the extent of what that day would become.

As the events unfolded, I was glued to the television screen. My heart – which was already conflicted in the grief of losing my dad and the expectancy of welcoming Ethan to the world – began to break for those who had perished. It didn’t take long before the phone rang and it was the senior pastor of the church where I was serving telling me that we were planning a worship service for later that day. He wanted me to begin brainstorming how we would approach this unprecedented (at least in my lifetime) opportunity to shine the light of the Gospel into the lives of a frightened people. The day became very busy from that point, and I can only remember a couple more details, but two things still stand out in my mind.

The first is how after the service, as the sun had gone down for the night, I went out into our backyard and prayed to GOD, just as I had done many times. The oddity of looking up into the sky and seeing no airplanes still makes me cringe.

The second is something from a little earlier in the day, and it was the news of the man who was officially identified as the very first casualty of 9/11 – Father Mychael Judge, the New York Fire Department Chaplain, who was killed by flying debris in lobby of the North Tower as the South Tower collapsed. As news of the attacks reached the emergency responders, Father Judge raced to the scene to offer his help and spiritual support. He was greeted by Mayor Giuliani, who asked him to pray for the victims of the attack and the entire city. He was with other firefighters, helping the victims – many of whom would not survive the day – offering Last Rites as he was killed. His funeral was attended by 3,000 persons, including dignitaries like former President Bill Clinton. In fact, following the funeral, his fire helmet was taken to the Vatican where it was presented to Pope John Paul! This was a man who had given his life to show love in a time and a place where it was practically absent.

Because of the way he lived his life, Father Mychael Judge was known and loved by many, and the story of his impact was shared in our Memorial Service at Saint Andrew UMC in Marietta. You see, I had been scouring the Internet all day long trying to figure out what in the world to include in a service like that! It was then I had found some info about Father Judge and how he died in ministry to the victims of that day. During my simple research, I found a prayer he was known to use to help order his life that we used in our service. I have since used it many times myself, even making it into a bookmark that I carry around in one of my Bibles. That prayer is:

"Lord, take me where You want me to go,
let me meet who You want me to meet,
tell me what You want me to say,
and keep me out of Your way."

Father Mychael Judge

That prayer strikes me today, just as it did then. We are called to give our lives in service to the world, and use every bit of ourselves to make Jesus known, but we cannot do that if we are consumed with hate. That was not how Jesus was, and certainly isn’t how He calls us to live today.

There has been a lot of talk in the news recently that, in my opinion, is giving Christians a bad name. In defense of GOD and the faith, some have fallen into the trap of hating those who aren’t like us. This bothers me! At the time Jesus was being arrested for his mock trial and imminent execution, Peter pulled out a sword to fight off those who were attacking him. Not only did Jesus order Peter to put that sword away, but Jesus healed the man’s ear that Peter had lopped off! (See John 18) The same man who had come to arrest him … now THAT’S grace and love! Jesus had every right to use His cosmic power for defense or retaliation, but He chose a way that strikes us in the heart of our own bent toward hate when confronted with a tragedy, and He did it with love.

I understand why people are up in arms about Bibles being burned, Christians being persecuted, and GOD being forced out of the public awareness, but friend – and this is a growing burden in my spirit – we aren’t doing Jesus any favors by fighting fire with fire! The greatest response we could possibly have is to love with the love of Christ in spite of the problems in the world. This, to me, is a much stronger statement, than falling to the level of others who do hateful things. Love is our only tool and weapon in this fight – loving like Jesus!

Here, on this 9th anniversary of 9/11, and considering all the unrest around us, it is evident to me in a powerful way that love is the answer for the world. It isn’t in burning books or shouting hateful things to people who aren’t like us, it’s about showing love to others in the face of all the reasons we should not. It’s a day we will never forget, and we never should. This isn’t the time for hate, this is the time for love … and LOTS of it!

I want to leave you with words from the Apostle Paul, as paraphrased by Eugene Peterson in The Message, “Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.” (Romans 12.9-21, MSG)

Have a great day, remember 9/11, and find a way to love like Jesus, for this is how we’ll change the world!

You Are Scent

You might have heard that the sense of smell is the strongest sense tied to memory. This essentially has to do with how we store information. When our brain remembers something, it tries to take in all the sensory information around us. As time goes by, however, only the strongest sense associations’ stay with the memory and that usually is the sense of smell. Think about it ... just a whiff of a certain aroma can transport you through time and space to a certain event or place. Maybe freshly baked goodies, a particular cleaning product, cologne or perfume, or any other fragrance can help you recall something meaningful and important. It really is extraordinary if you think about it!

The Apostle Paul must have known about this phenomenon, too. In II Corinthians 2.14-16 he wrote, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?" (emphasis mine)

Paul is making a direct connection here between the sense of smell and memory/knowledge! He is saying that as we impact the world, the sweetness of GOD's love lived out in the lives of GOD's people creates an indelible impression on the lives of those impacted. So in essence, when we serve, share, and shine to others for GOD, it is a total sensory experience that impacts this person's life for eternity!

Paul asks in verse 16, "And who is equal to the task?" This is quite a question, isn't it? Living for GOD can seem daunting at times, can't it? We might struggle with loving others, working with and for the poor, getting out of our comfort zone to welcome a stranger, or make sacrifices to be generous. When first faced with such a question we might think we can easily raise our hands and say, "Me, me, me!" but when we really count the cost, we might run the risk of thinking we just can't put ourselves out there like that. It seems pretty easy on the surface, but it becomes quite a challenge in reality, doesn't it!?

Make no mistake about it, our world is in trouble. It doesn't take a lot for the stench of death to remind us of all the struggle and suffering in our midst. You name it, turn on the news and you'll be confronted with enough famine, pestilence, and violence to make you think there isn't any hope. But the promise of the Gospel says that the sweet smell of life is stronger than that of death. The world, my friends, needs GOD's aroma, and every single one of us has been especially selected for the task of being the sweet fragrance of Jesus (NEW LIFE!!!) in the world.

We are called to spread GOD's light, love, and fragrance with the world. Jesus said, "...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5.16) We are, in other words, GOD's aromatherapy candle shining in the darkness and adding the Lord's sweet fragrance to a world in decay. Are you up for this task, being sent to be GOD's scent in the world?

So let the light of GOD shine brightly in you today and spread the sweetness of GOD's love with the world around you! You are sent to be GOD's scent -- the aromatherapy of new life -- so others can know of GOD's love and remember GOD's promises even when surrounded by the decay of the world.

Shine brightly and smell sweetly, my friends!!!

THE FACE OF JESUS

There is a story about a father and his son that I used in worship this past Sunday. The father had come home from a long day at work and was eager to get in his easy chair and read the paper. In this story like in many homes across this world, the little boy interrupts his father’s quiet time as all little children have a tendency to do. Wanting his father’s attention, he begs, requests, asks and demands until his father comes up with a clever idea. He flips to the weekly magazine section he had already read and tore out a page. It was a picture of the earth.

The father, thinking he was very clever, tore this picture of the world into many tiny pieces. As he handed his son the handful of confetti, he told him it was a puzzle and to put it together. His son went into the kitchen and sat at the table. With a little peace and quiet the man reclined just a little more into his chair, when suddenly, his boy came bounding into the room!

He jumped into his daddy’s lap as he asked how in the world she could have finished so soon? His son replied, “It was easy! On the back was a picture of Jesus’ face. When I got Jesus’ face all right, the world came out just fine.”

There is no doubt that the world is in chaos right now. Between the fluctuating economy, the threat of terrorism, and a changing political climate, it is easy to get concerned. After all, when it seems everything in which we place our faith is in flux, it is easy to feel unstable. This is not how we were designed to live, however.

Throughout history, things have seemed uncertain for God’s people. From the days of Noah on the ark, slavery in Egypt, being lost in the wilderness, and awaiting the Messiah’s arrival, God’s people have wondered if life could ever get worse. Still, God was there and never left His children alone. Sure times got tough—sure God got tough—but through it all, the Lord was there.

The same is true today. One cannot help but turn on the television or radio and wonder if Chicken Little might be on to something (The sky is falling! The Sky is falling!). We hear reports all of sorts of atrocities and we fall to our knees feeling our worldly home is in a shambled wreck. “When will enough be enough?” we think and pray. We hope in God but our faith wavers. What can happen next? Allow me to make a proactive suggestion…people of faith unite!

It’s time to stand up and show that the answer is found in the loving face of Jesus, praise the Lord! Let’s stand up and shout aloud that this is the message to change the world. Not some political platform. Not some economic policy. Not even the creation of another government office, but the loving face of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the One who knows our fears. Jesus is the One who knows our voice. Jesus is the One who has calmed the storms and is sure to calm them again. He just needs faithful folk like you and me to get the word out and share the love in His eyes with the world.

Burt Bacharach had it right when he sang, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love,” and there is no sweeter love than Jesus’. So let’s share it and change the world around us, one soul at a time. Because I am convinced when everyone sees the face of Jesus and recognize it as Lord and Savior of all life, the puzzle will be solved and the world will come out just fine.

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day, Everyone!

This is a very meaningful day for my family and me. I have many friends and family members who have, or are, serving in the US Military. In fact, as I sit in my "man cave," I cannot help but see the US flag presented to our family during my maternal grandfather's burial for serving in the Navy during WWII. It is a cherished piece of national and family history, and I know there are many many more like it adorning living rooms, offices, etc. throughout this great land of ours. And even if you do not necessarily agree with all of this country's politics and policies, the brave men and women who have and are sacrificing so much are worthy of our pause.

Memorial Day, like any of our holidays, seems to be better known for the things we do as opposed to the reason we celebrate. It has become synonymous with the end of the school year, time off from work, vacations, grilling, baseball, swimming, etc., but its meaning is so much deeper. I do not think there's anything wrong with enjoying our freedom and liberty on days like today; in fact, this is precisely why those who gave their lives served in the first place! There are a few things we can do, however, to get the most out of this day, and I want to offer these mere suggestions as a way to truly enjoy Memorial Day.

1) Remember: Remember why we have this day to begin with. While we are enjoying our time away from the monotony of everyday life, there are people who awake this morning with a void in their lives as a result of the loss of a loved one who paid the ultimate sacrifice. While you remember your freedom, remember those to whom this day is a reminder of loss.

2) Pause & Pray: Remember to pause and pray to thank God for those who heeded the call to serve. This can be done before getting out of the bed, before the cookout, or while kneeling at your bedside tonight. The bottom line, though, is to pause and remember that sacrifice is an extremely biblical concept, and even God paid it all in Jesus to secure our freedom and way of eternal life.

3) Display: Remember to find a way to display your patriotism, pride, and/or need. I was in a neighborhood the other day that draped small American flags over the mailboxes, as an example. I myself am wearing red, white, and blue today. I also am wearing one of my favorite cross necklaces near my heart to remind me that Jesus paid it all, too, for my freedom and liberation from sin and death.

4) CELEBRATE: Not everything has to be solemn, and I think it's critically important to remember to CELEBRATE!!! After all, like I said previously, we need to celebrate the freedom we enjoy because these brave men and women paid it all, or are currently in harm's way to protect and preserve our freedom. Even with God, we have been granted liberation from the sting of death and are called to enjoy His love and creation. Memorial Day celebrations provide unique opportunities to do that with friends and family, too, so let's celebrate the sacrifice as well as the fun we can enjoy as a result!

Whatever your day has in store for you, I hope it is blessed for you and yours. I, myself, will be remembering those who served (like both my grandfathers, great uncle, and childhood best friend among others); pausing and praying several times today, especially before I devour the burger I'm gonna grill; displaying my pride and faith; and celebrating the freedom that has been secured at such a great price. These freedoms and blessings are first and foremost in my mind today, and I'm going to remember all that was given to make it possible. Will you join me?

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Easter!

I am reminded this Easter morning of a hymn that I sang in the church where I grew up each and every Easter Sunday. It is not in the setlist for worship at The Lighthouse this morning, but I guarantee it will most likely be the song I sing the most through out the day. Here are the lines from the first verse and chorus of "He Lives"*:

I serve a risen Saviour,
He's in the world today;
I know that He is living,
Whatever foes might say;
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him
He's always near.

Chorus:

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and He talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He live, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives:
He lives within my heart.

I pray you have an A-mazing Easter with your loved ones today. I know I'm especially excited this year, because directly following the conclusion of worship today, Tiffany, Ethan, and I will join our ENTIRE family on my dad's side in Cordele, GA for Easter dinner. To the best of my recollection, it will be the first Easter dinner I will have ever had with my paternal grandmother. While we're down there, Easter baskets will be opened, eggs will be hunted, and the things that make Easter fun will be celebrated. But my prayer is that while we all enjoy family and some play time, that we remember that this day is as special as it is for one reason, and one reason only: He Lives!

Happy Easter!

*He Lives was written by Alfred Ackley, 1933

BE the Doodle

Tiffany and I were watching FOX News earlier today while enjoying our morning coffee. During the newscast, they made the observation that the web search giant, Google, did not have a reference to Good Friday in the “doodle” on their homepage. The Google Doodle is the name given to the drawings incorporated in the Google name as a heading for their search page. Despite Google’s practice of honoring birthdays of significant people and major holidays with their doodles, they decided it was best to glance over Good Friday in deference to the 205th anniversary of Hans Christian Anderson’s birth. I’m not kidding.

The people at FOX really wanted to make this a big deal. It even got my dander up or a few minutes, but then I calmed down. Would I like it if Google made a big deal about one of the most significant days in the course of eternity? Sure! Is it sad how political correctness in our culture seems to be taking on the role of a religion? Absolutely! But in the end, will it make that big of a difference? Nope; not at all.

People have tried to quiet or ignore Jesus and His Movement ever since the days He walked the earth in His bodily form. The societal powers-that-be have always tried to squelch His message and downplay His significance. Yet, despite all their efforts, Jesus is STILL the most significant person who ever has – and ever will – live. While a Google Doodle would be a nice way to honor Him, it isn’t by any means the best way to shine light onto Jesus.

So if not a Google Doodle, then how might we best honor Jesus, you might ask? Well the answer is simple and as old as the Jesus Movement itself: use your life! The most profound witness for Jesus always has been, and always will be, the story of a transformed life. Though I don’t have any empirical evidence, my gut tells me that people seeking meaning in this life get turned off by our holy wars on political correctness. The real passion and power behind the Jesus Movement has always been the light and love shared with those in need. The shining light of Christianity has always been when Jesus’ followers engage the world by feeding the hungry, giving the thirsty something to drink, showing hospitality to complete strangers, taking care of the sick, and visiting the imprisoned, all in the name of Jesus. (Matthew 25.36-41) In other words, the tools of proclaiming God’s love in Jesus are in compassion and personal witness inspired by the power of God’s love for us in Jesus.

This does not let us off the hook for shouting Jesus’ love to creation, though…quite the contrary! But in a world that seeks to keep Jesus’ followers quiet for the sake of political correctness, the loudest way to proclaim Christ’s love is to live out loud and let your life be the doodle! Don’t count on Google to do your work for you while you go about passively doing your thang; let your living and loving actions speak as you serve, share, and shine for the Lord!

Since today is Good Friday, it’s the perfect time to start. Let God’s love for you overflow into your life so you can go into the world and proclaim the power and passion of Jesus. Have a great day and BE the Doodle!