Awesome!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be awesome and have an awesome rest of the week!

A Thought On GOD & Love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Birthday, Lighthouse!

Back To School With The Golden Rule

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a great school year.

On MapQuest & Life's Direction

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

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

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

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

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE

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

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

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

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

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

Being Still & Going With God

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Psalm 46.10