Living in the Moment

I read something that stuck with me and cropped up in a couple of conversations since. It said something to the effect of: If you keep putting off today the things you can do tomorrow, then you end up with a bunch of empty yesterdays. Let that sink in a moment.

How many times have you been faced with something to do, but put it off because it might not have been convenient? Maybe you thought you could get to it tomorrow, but by the time tomorrow comes, you’re met with twice as many things as you were the day before. Now it is harder and harder to do the things that you can do to really make a difference in a person’s life.

There are two things I’ve observed about human behavior that get in the way and can lead to some empty yesterdays. First is a sense of feeling overwhelmed. When we feel overwhelmed, we tend to turn away and take on an attitude of avoidance. Though it isn’t a perfect illustration, here’s an example. Shortly after Tiffany and I were married, we enjoyed making fish sticks and macaroni and cheese for dinner…you know, living the high life! I told my mom that we were enjoying fish sticks, and in a trip to our local wholesale club, she bought us a box of something like a gazillion frozen fish sticks. We had a tiny refrigerator in our apartment and that box of fish sticks took up a disproportionate amount of freezer space. Seeing all those fish sticks in the freezer made us feel so overwhelmed, we never even opened the box, wasting enough fish sticks to feed an army. When we feel overwhelmed, we can do some crazy things to avoid that feeling. When we avoid someone or something, turning back to it can create a sense of guilt, and hence my second point.

We will avoid situations and circumstances when we feel guilty about not doing something we coulda, shoulda, woulda done. Take for example making a phone call. You think, “I can do that tomorrow,” then tomorrow comes, and the next day, and the next day, and so on. Within several days, you know you need to make that call, but guilt creeps in and you are reminded that the call should have been made a week ago. Embarrassment turns to guilt and the call never gets made. The Bible tells us there is no condemnation in Jesus Christ, so if there is something good to do, do it! Even if it should have been done yesterday, last week, month, or year, take the opportunity to do something to brighten someone’s day.

Sadly, we all have some empty yesterdays in our past, but they do not have to be the story of our life! By committing to living for GOD today, we can start a whole new direction for living. GOD has a plan and a purpose for your life, so start that awesome adventure with your very next breath.


“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
~ Mother Teresa

Freedom and the Day after 4 July

I sure hope you had a great Independence Day! I got to thinking what it must have been like the days immediately after the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Revolutionary War had been in progress for a little over a year with events like the Boston Tea Party, the Stamp Act, and Paul Revere’s crying that the Redcoats are coming. The American patriots were committed to their quest and the Declaration of Independence was a statement to the world regarding this commitment – “give me liberty or give me death!”

This takes me back to some reflection time I had on Tuesday of this week thinking what it must have been like on July 5, 1776, the day after the Continental Congress declared that the thirteen colonies were now independent states. These words, words that have changed the world, must have been ringing through the minds and hearts of these new Americans: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Independence had been declared to go along with the fight for freedom that was already in process.

Friends, I contend that the fight for freedom did not begin or end right there, because the fight for freedom is an eternal fight! God wants us each and everyone to be free, and this is precisely why He sent us Jesus. As Jesus said in John 8, it is Truth that sets us free. And then again in John 14, that He alone is Truth, sent from God the Father!

Just as freedom did not begin on July 4, 1776, it certainly did not end with the Declaration of Independence either…not by a long shot! The Revolutionary War continued for another 7-plus years, but the struggle for freedom continues today against those who despise the notion that all indeed are created equally. This fight, 235 years and counting, is one that we are continually waging in our nation and across the world. Whether it is fighting terrorism across the globe or disagreeing with a jury’s verdict here at home, we are working and fighting to ensure that we all indeed can enjoy the Rights of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Sometimes we get it right and sometimes we get it wrong. So what are we to do?

I believe we are to continue in the struggle for freedom, remembering those who have gone on before us, and fighting for those who are yet to come. This is the sentiment that was expressed by the writer of the Book of Hebrews who wrote, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12.1-2a) While we are engaged in the struggle for freedom, it is essential that we do not get distracted and keep our eyes fixed firmly upon the One who secured our freedom for God in the first place – Jesus. And as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, remembering those for whom we struggle. This requires us to acknowledge the responsibility we have to live free lives and help others know the freedom that is available in Jesus Christ.

I thank God for the gift of freedom; for the freedom that comes in Jesus; for the freedom we enjoy in this nation; and for the freedom I have to help others realize that freedom is theirs, too. May we all keep our eyes fixed on Jesus! May we all know that He is Truth and it is Truth that sets us free! And from the days immediately following the 4th of July until we are united with the Lord in heaven, may we do all in our might to live and be free for self, God, and others!

On Hope

What does the word, “HOPE,” mean to you? It is covered a lot in the Bible (it’s mentioned 144 times!) and is something we each and everyone have experienced at one time or another. Maybe you hoped for a certain gift at Christmas or a birthday. Maybe you hoped you would pass a class in school. Maybe you hoped something good would happen to you, or that you would avoid something bad. Regardless, we can relate to the experience of hope in life and know that it means we hold on to something in the face of the unknown.

There are two things in particular that strike me about hope. The first is how Hebrews 6:19 defines hope as the anchor of the soul. Think about that for a moment and what a powerful image it provides – your soul being anchored while sailing through the seas of life with all its storms, wind, and waves. Hope is what can steady you and keep you from succumbing to the unknown, because it confirms in you the power of GOD’s loving presence in your life.

The second comes from Romans 5.5 as Paul writes that hope does not disappoint. The context of that statement is that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Hope is what does not disappoint! I guess when you’ve gotten to the bottom of everything else you had, then hope is all that’s left.

Hope has been on my mind a lot lately. We’ve been helping people all over the world who seem to have nothing left but hope. We know from Scripture that our lives of faith are the powerful projections of GOD in the world, so think about how you can reflect the image of GOD to creation with your life. I concede it isn’t always easy and doesn’t always happen according to our timeframe, but regardless, it’s always worth it! Take seriously your call to live a life of hope, both for yourself and for others who need to see it in you, too!

"May The Fourth Be With You"

Did you know that today is Star Wars Day; an unofficial holiday for fans of the Star Wars universe? It is just a fun and nonsensical way to reminisce about the movies that helped to shape a generation.

Star Wars Day is a relatively new phenomenon, actually inspired by a simple mistake. In 2005, a German news TV channel interviewed Star Wars creator, George Lucas, and asked him to say his famous sentence, "May the Force be with You." The translator tried a direct translation of Lucas’ famous greeting and salutation, but it came out mistakenly as, We shall be with you on May 4. This was captured by a comedy show and aired on TV later that month. Since then, the fourth of May has been affectionately known as Star Wars Day because of the play on words, "May the Fourth be with You" and "May the Force be with You."

In Star Wars, the Jedi (the good guys!) rely on the Force to be their strength to help them know what they must do. They meditate, consult with others, and let The Force guide them before embarking on even the most trivial task. And while wielding their lightsabers, Jedi use the Force to combat evil and protect the innocent in their care. Christians might be able to learn a little from the pop culture icon the Star Wars saga has become.

When Luke Skywalker was learning the ways of the Force, Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi described it as the invisible power that "surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds us all together." This reminds me of God, specifically as the Apostle Paul describes God in Acts 17:28 as the One in whom "we live, move, and have our being." Just as the Force gives the Jedi their strength and power, Christians know it is God who gives us the power we need for living.

Paul wrote in Romans 1 that the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ is the power to change the world. This being the case, we do not need to wield a lightsaber, be able to jump incredible distances, or move things with our mind (all traits of the Jedi) to make a difference in the world. All we need is to allow the love of God to surge through us so we may be aware of where there is need and how we can help impact someone with the light and love of Jesus!

So on this Star Wars Day, may God and God alone be your source of power! He definitely wants to surround you, penetrate you, and bind you together with others in His love. And if you might playfully wish someone a happy Star Wars Day by saying, "May the Fourth Be With You," remember that every day is a good day to share God with someone.

May The Fourth Be With You!

Palm Sunday

This week we will celebrate Palm Sunday, which marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Palm Sunday gets its name because as Jesus road into Jerusalem, the people waved palm branches, and some laid theirs on the ground, praising GOD for the salvation they believed was at hand.

The Bible gives us the story of Palm Sunday in all four Gospels, but my favorite is found in Luke 19.28-44. Jesus, knowing the time had come for Him to go to Jerusalem and fulfill his role in GOD’s plan of salvation, rode into the holy city on the back of a donkey. He was sending a definite visual message here – when kings rode in processions during war times, they rode on the back of a steed. During times of peace, however, kings often rode on the back of a donkey. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of the donkey, he was essentially saying He indeed was the King riding into town in peace.

As the story continues, we see that he received a resounding welcome! Luke 19.37-38 says that the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Friends, this is a big deal! Jesus is making a statement and the people are receiving it and praising GOD for all they had seen, and specifically, the witness Jesus Himself had given.

It was a powerful day to be sure, but as you could imagine, not everyone was thrilled. The Pharisees did not like the disturbance that was being created by this display and they told Jesus to make His followers be quiet. As verse 40 tells us, Jesus says that if He were to tell them to be quiet, the very rocks themselves would cry out for the salvation Christ represents! Amazing!!!

We know how the story goes from there that Jesus’ triumphant entry quickly turns turbulent. The same crowds who were clamoring for Jesus to be their king were the same ones who just five days later were clamoring for his crucifixion. It’s amazing how quickly things can turn, isn’t it? So sad, but so true.

As Jesus made the statement that the very rocks would cry out for GOD’s gift of salvation, I believe it also played a metaphorical role in describing the hearts of the people. Often in Scripture, you’ll read about how people’s heart’s were hardened due to various circumstances in life. Jesus knew what awaited Him and He knew their cheers would quickly turn to jeers. But what He also knew is that despite a human being’s fragile heart condition, we all have this powerful and innate need to be loved, comforted, and cared for. Sometimes we have to endure hardship before we can enjoy victory. Jesus was not riding into town to be praised; He was going to Jerusalem to provide the ultimate example of the love and grace of GOD.

As we prepare for this Palm Sunday, I want you to think about the condition of your heart. I know there are things going on in your life that make you want to celebrate and cheer the Lord. But I also know that there are so many difficulties we each and everyone face that could easily turn your very own cheers into jeers if it were not for the victory that Jesus has already sealed. I also know that there are some of us – if not many – who are somewhere in between being able to jeer and cheer Christ in the powerful and calming love of GOD due to life’s calamities. If that is where you are right now, allow GOD’s Holy Spirit to intercede for you and let you know that salvation is at hand for GOD has already won the victory.

Check out this awesome passage from Romans 8.22-30 which speaks to this very truth: We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Saint Patrick's Day

Today is Saint Patrick's Day…are you be wearing your green? Saint Patrick is known as the Patron Saint of Ireland, and his feast day has become a popular secular celebration, much like Valentine's Day. It is a day when we wear green, add green food coloring to our favorite foods and beverages, and have fun with silly things like pots of gold at the end of a rainbow.

Little is known of Patrick's early life, though it is known that he was born in the 4th century into a wealthy family and his father and grandfather were deacons in the Church. At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken captive to Ireland as a slave. It is believed he was held somewhere on the west coast of Ireland, possibly Mayo, but the exact location is unknown. According to his Confession, he was told by GOD in a dream to flee from captivity to the coast, where he would board a ship and return to Britain. Upon returning, he quickly joined the Church and studied to be a priest.

In 432, he again said that he was called back to Ireland, though as a bishop. Irish folklore tells that one of his teaching methods included using the shamrock to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. The idea behind this is the shamrock is one plant with three connected leaves. Looking at this from a Trinitarian point of view, you have one GOD with three manifestations - Father, Son, and Spirit.

After nearly thirty years of evangelism, Saint Patrick died on March 17th 461. Although there were other more successful missionaries to Ireland from Rome, Patrick endures as the principal champion of Irish Christianity and is held in esteem in the Irish Church.

Originally, the color associated with Saint Patrick was blue, but over the years, the color green and its association with Saint Patrick's Day grew. Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of Saint Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century and are still prominent today.

So now you see that Saint Patrick's Day, with all of its fun and silly customs, actually originated as a religious holiday! Like Saint Patrick, May you use this time - wearing green and shamrocks if you so care - to think about the love and presence of GOD in your life. And also like Saint Patrick used the green shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, find a way to use today to share your relationship with GOD with someone else. If you have any questions, or would like some ideas, feel free to contact Pastor Mark.

Have a Blessed St. Patty's Day!
Pastor Mark

(This blog post comes from this week's church e-newsletter)

What Does a White Polar Bear Have To Do With Victory In Jesus?

In the message I delivered this past week in the 10:55am Contemporary Service, one of the concepts I taught on was being aware of the things that anger and/or attract you. Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount about anger and attraction gets to the heart of placing things in life above our relationship with GOD. And the cold hard truth is that when we allow something to consume and dominate our hearts and minds, we allow that thing(s) to become a god in our lives. The temptation to allow these angering and attracting people, places, and things to dominate us is very real, and we must claim victory over them.

I ran across an interesting story during my quiet time earlier this week about the time when Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian novelist, was a boy, he reportedly started The White Polar Bear Club with two of his friends. In order to become a member, you had to stand in the corner and for thirty consecutive minutes not think of a white polar bear.

Have you ever tried to intentionally not think about something? The more you think about not thinking about it, the more impossible it is to keep it out of your mind! Yet, this is how we handle temptation; when it comes, we try as hard as we can to not to think about it: If I just don't think about it, then I'll have victory over this temptation

Victory over temptation (anger and attraction) is attainable, my friends! As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15.57-58: "…thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." As you face all kinds of temptations, burdens, stresses, struggles, and strain, know you have already achieved victory in Jesus Christ! Pray to GOD, invite His Holy Spirit into your life, and know beyond the shadow of a doubt that GOD is for you and has a purpose for your life.

(This blog comes from the weekly email sent out from Cokes Chapel UMC.
It was inspired by Jon Walker's daily Grace Creates devotion from 2/16/11.)