Just A Thought . . .

The Power of Words

2011-03-03T16:38:00.002-05:00

One thing that is vastly underestimated is the power of our words. What we say can make or trash someone’s day. You may have noticed in the news lately that people have even taken their lives because of what people were saying about them. As we begin this series we must know that God wants us to use our words to communicate His truth and grace to others. Consider the following study,

In order to uncover the processes that destroy unions, marital researchers study couples over the course of years, and even decades, and retrace the star-crossed steps of those who have split up back to their wedding day. What they are discovering is unsettling.

None of the factors one would guess might predict a couple's durability actually does: not how in love a newlywed couple say they are; how much affection they exchange; how much they fight or what they fight about. In fact, couples who will endure and those who won't look remarkably similar in the early days. Yet when psychologists Cliff Notarius of Catholic University and Howard Markman of the University of Denver studied newlyweds over the first decade of marriage, they found a very subtle but telling difference at the beginning of the relationships. Among couples who would ultimately stay together, 5 out of every 100 comments made about each other were putdowns. Among couples who would later split, 10 of every 100 comments were insults. That gap magnified over the following decade, until couples heading downhill were flinging five times as many cruel and invalidating comments at each other as happy couples. "Hostile putdowns act as cancerous cells that, if unchecked, erode the relationship over time," says Notarius, who with Markman co-authored the new book We Can Work It Out. "In the end, relentless unremitting negativity takes control and the couple can't get through a week without major blowups."

U.S. News & World Report

Speaking Aptly,

Building A Life of Service

2011-02-24T16:34:00.003-05:00

Some people would see serving others as an obligation or a burden at best and as a curse at worst. Jesus demonstrated and taught that the opportunity to serve others is a privilege and a gift. In fact, Jesus saw serving others as His life’s mission and considered service as one of the top priorities of His life. Jesus built a life of service; one act of service built upon another until serving others became a way of life. How do you characterize your life? How do others characterize you? Spend the next weeks considering and then building a life of service. Consider the following as you do.

Franklin Roosevelt's closest adviser during much of his presidency was a man named Harry Hopkins. During World War II, when his influence with Roosevelt was at its peak, Hopkins held no official Cabinet position. Moreover, Hopkins's closeness to Roosevelt caused many to regard him as a shadowy, sinister figure. As a result he was a major political liability to the President. Apolitical foe once asked Roosevelt, "Why do you keep Hopkins so close to you? You surely realize that people distrust him and resent his influence." Roosevelt replied, "Someday you may well be sitting here where I am now as President of the United States. And when you are, you'll be looking at that door over there and knowing that practically everybody who walks through it wants something out of you. You'll learn what a lonely job this is, and you'll discover the need for somebody like Harry Hopkins, who asks for nothing except to serve you." Winston Churchill rated Hopkins as one of the half-dozen most powerful men in the world in the early 1940s. And the sole source of Hopkins's power was his willingness to serve.

Discipleship Journal, Issue 39 (1987), p. 5.

Called to Serve,

Getting Fit2Serve: Teamwork

2011-02-17T11:34:00.001-05:00

Teamwork—a cooperative effort by a group or team. Notice the word cooperative. That means working together, cooperating, having a common goal. As followers of Christ we have the best of all common interests—our relationship with Jesus! As we conclude this sermon series (but not the emphasis), think about how you will partner with others to be better equipped to serve our Lord. As we work together in this common cause we will bring light into darkness, flavor to blandness and life to a place tainted by death. Let’s allow God to use us to bring life to our city and community!

The following story illustrates the principle of life that comes from teamwork. It is our distinct privilege and responsibility to bring spiritual life as we work together to serve God. Think about how God can use you to accomplish this.

Every year in Alaska, a 1000-mile dogsled race, a run for prize money and prestige, commemorates an original "race" run to save lives. Back in January of 1926, six-year-old Richard Stanley showed symptoms of diphtheria, signaling the possibility of an outbreak in the small town of Nome. When the boy passed away a day later, Dr. Curtis Welch began immunizing children and adults with an experimental but effective anti-dipheheria serum. But it wasn't long before Dr. Welch's supply ran out, and the nearest serum was in Nenana, Alaska--1000 miles of frozen wilderness away. Amazingly, a group of trappers and prospectors volunteered to cover the distance with their dog teams! Operating in relays from trading post to trapping station and beyond, one sled started out from Nome while another, carrying the serum, started from Nenana. Oblivious to frostbite, fatigue, and exhaustion, the teamsters mushed relentlessly until, after 144 hours in minus 50-degree winds, the serum was delivered to Nome. As a result, only one other life was lost to the potential epidemic. Their sacrifice had given an entire town the gift of life.

Getting Fit2Serve - Eating in Moderation

2011-02-10T15:24:00.002-05:00

Perhaps moderation is the wrong word but it communicates our need to choose wisely when it comes to our food. It’s about have the proper quantity of food, but also the proper quality (or variety) that matters as well. We need to understand the importance of our choices and then choose well. The old adage, “You are what you eat” is essentially true. In today’s fast food, prepared meal culture it is easy to choose convenient over quality. Today, decide that you will make better choices and include a variety of foods which includes fruit and vegetables (preferably fresh).

Consider the following story (well, part of it anyway):

A fly was buzzing along one morning when he saw a lawn mower someone had left out in their front yard. He flew over and sat on the handle, watching the children going down the sidewalk on their way to school. One little boy tripped on a crack and fell, spilling his lunch on the sidewalk. He picked himself up, put his lunch back in the bag and went on. But he missed a piece of bologna. The fly had not eaten that morning and he sure was hungry. So he flew down and started eating the bologna. In fact he ate so much that he could not fly, so he waddled across the sidewalk, across the lawn, up the wheel of the lawn mower, up the handle, and sat there resting and watching the children. There was still some bologna laying there on the sidewalk. He was really stuffed, but that baloney sure did look good. Finally temptation got the best of him and he jumped off the handle of the lawn mower to fly over to the baloney. But alas he was too full to fly and he went splat!!, killing him instantly. The moral of the story: Don’t fly off the handle when you are full of baloney.

Or better yet, don’t be full of baloney! Choose well this week!

Getting Fit2Serve - Inspiration

2011-02-03T16:42:00.003-05:00

Hope week one was good for you. Keep taking those baby steps toward becoming Fit2Serve. Find some inspirational person to challenge you and/or partner with you so you can keep going strong!

Inspiration— the quality of being stimulated to creative thought or activity, or the manifestation of this. We all need to be inspired. As God divinely inspires us, we should also be challenged to inspire others to greater efforts for God’s kingdom.

This week begin to read and study and pray about how you can serve Christ by serving others. As they say, “Go whole hog” meaning commit yourself completely to this effort! You WILL feel at times like you are not making much progress but don’t quit and don’t give up! As we make small, incremental changes we will make progress. There may be setbacks but keep pressing on. Don’t give up hope because God did not give up on you. Consider the following story, laugh, and be hopeful! We will make a difference!

Two men went camping in the wilderness and got hopelessly lost. For two days they tried to find their way out, but with no success. Finally they sat down and began to get very depressed.
"It's hopeless," said one. "Hopeless, hopeless."
The other was about to agree with him, when suddenly he had a flash of inspiration. With a quick smile, he declared, "No, it's not! We're going to be rescued!"
The first man looked at him, puzzled, and said, "That's ridiculous."
The second man said, "No, you don't understand. I'm a church member!"
The first man shook his head, and said, "That doesn't make any difference."
The second said, "No, you still don't understand. I make over two hundred thousand dollars a year!" The first man was still not moved. "It's still hopeless. . ."
"No, you REALLY don't understand. I'm a church member, I make over two hundred thousand dollars a year, and I TITHE on that two hundred thousand dollars. MY PASTOR will find me!!" Source: Zeke Moore

Nuff Said!

Getting Fit2Serve - Dedication

2011-01-27T11:09:00.000-05:00

As we begin a new Sermon Series - Fit2Serve I want to challenge you to be involved in the fitness emphasis that began last Sunday. I am attempting to lose 30-35 pounds over the next 12-15 weeks and perhaps more importantly to raise my fitness level to a place where I can serve Christ most effectively. The emphasis revolves around the acrostic D.I.E.T. coined by Steve Reynolds, pastor of Capitol Baptist Church, just outside Washington, D.C. The first letter is D for Dedication. Here is my take on that.

Dedication—the quality of being devoted or committed to something. We give our time, energy, talents, and money to things that we VALUE. We invest our lives into those things we consider to be important and of worth. But dedication to something, by its very nature, means the neglect of other things. We have to choose what is ultimately important to us and funnel our efforts toward the object of our dedication. Jesus has called us and set us apart for His purposes. We belong to Him!

Consider the following story and give God your best, Bertoldo de Giovanni is a name even the most enthusiastic lover of art is unlikely to recognize. He was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time. Michelangelo was only 14 years old when he came to Bertoldo, but it was already obvious that he was enormously gifted. Bertoldo was wise enough to realize that gifted people are often tempted to coast rather than to grow, and therefore he kept trying to pressure his young prodigy to work seriously at his art. One day he came into the studio to find Michelangelo toying with a piece of sculpture far beneath his abilities.Bertoldo grabbed a hammer, stomped across the room, and smashed the work into tiny pieces, shouting this unforgettable message, "Michelangelo, talent is cheap; dedication is costly!" Gary Inrig, A Call to Excellence.

Facing the Challenges of Dysfunctional Families

2008-06-30T07:25:00.000-04:00

There is a tangle of interstates near downtown Birmingham, AL that is affectionately known as “Malfunction Junction.” If there is a place where wrecks, traffic snarls, or any other type of traffic dysfunction is apt to happen, this is it. Every day on the local news, traffic cameras and helicopters focus on this one section of highways to look for problems.
The truth is that every family is dysfunctional, we are just dysfunctional in different ways. What is your family’s “malfunction junction?” We all have a place where we are more prone to be dysfunctional. It may be one particular issue that continually rises up to create conflict. It might be personality conflicts where two or more personalities just don’t seem to mesh. Perhaps it is the presence of strong-willed individuals who insist on having their way rather than seeking compromise on certain issues. You can be sure that there is at least one area where problems can and will arise. The good thing about dysfunctions is that they can be overcome.
Jacobs family got off on the wrong foot and hopped around on it for thirteen years before Joseph finally steadied them during a time of crisis. In the end they were able to move past the past and toward a brighter future. But not without a great deal of heartache and pain.
The Psalmist states in Psalm 127:1, Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Perhaps it’s time to begin building upon a different foundation than that of our dysfunction. If we build our families upon the surety of God’s truth and Christ’s love they will certainly be able to stand and function as God intended. What better time to start being functional. Let’s start now!

The All-Season Father

2008-06-15T14:23:00.000-04:00

We hear a lot about things being seasonal. If fruits, vegatables, or even animals are not available to be eaten or hunted they are deemed to be out-of-season. If a sport is not currently being played the term off-season is liberally used. People’s age determines what season of life they are in (I refuse to enter the winter season of life, I’ll just repeat Autumn twice!)
If something’s usefulness spans more than one season (Spring season, summer season, fall season, and last but not least, winter season) it is called Multi-Season and if it by some chance is able to span all the seasons it is called (go figure) All-Season. I want to explore what an All-Season Father would look like.
The first Psalm is one of my favorite psalms. Let me share it with you.
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Now I know that this Psalm is not talking just about fathers, but I think there are some traits that a father would do well to emulate.
How about you? Does your life add value to the world in which God has placed you. Does your character bear witness to the life-changing power of God? How will your children remember you? What will they say characterized your life? These are tough but important questions that all of us (especially fathers) need to answer as we continually evaluate what is most important to us and what molds and shapes our lives. Are you an All-Season Father (or person) who can impact this world for God?

Living @ the Next Level: Lifestyle

2008-06-09T06:21:00.000-04:00

Our lifestyle is dictated by our core values. The choices we make in life arise from what we consider to be important and valuable. We choose to do those things which we sense benefit us. Some people even choose what is known as an alternative lifestyle.
I’m all for an alternative lifestyle. It’s just that my alternative is not more of the same old flesh-driven, sinful-nature prone activities that just give me more grief and conflict. My alternative is a fruit-filled, Spirit-directed lifestyle which enables me to bring maximum glory to God and good to others. Lifestyle does matter!
What I find, however, is that my attempts to overcome my sinful nature are generally futile. When I make a self-directed attempt to radically change some aspect of my lifestyle I usually succeed, but only temporarily. Lasting change never seems to last. But there is good news.
When we chose to respond to God and to accept Christ and turn from our way to His way, He gave us a resource to help us become more like Him.
Over the last three weeks we have learned about the resource Jesus gave us— the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces supernatural change in those who will give Him that opportunity. As we grow in our knowledge of God and our experience of trusting Him more, the Holy Spirit will produce lifestyle changes in us that will last. They last because He performs the change in our inner core. He changes us from the inside out. I trust that you will allow God to produce fruit in your life. Jesus said, “by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matt. 7:20). Do people recognize God because of your lifestyle? Maybe it is time for you to bear some fruit.

Living @ the Next Level: Relationships

2008-06-02T08:20:00.000-04:00

Relationships . . . you can’t live with them, you can’t live without them. If the truth was known, we all have a love-hate relationship with our relationships (pun intended). We hate some relationships, tolerate others, and cultivate those we really value.
Our worst and best relationships all can be improved. God wants us to better all our relationships and provides the necessary tools to do so through the fruit of the Spirit.
The difficulty we have is that we think that the best way to go about this is to change the other person in the relationship. We think that if we can get them to think, speak, act, or react differently that our problem will be solved. While that is true, what we forget is that we can’t really change anyone but ourselves. We are not the masters of others destinies. The good news is that with God’s help we are the masters of our own.
So, what are the factors involved in establishing or maintaining vibrant, growing relationships in which we can live out God’s purpose for our lives?
First, we have to value every relationship which God has given us. Sure, there are some that will be more important and vital than others but every person we know is someone who God loves and values greatly.
Second, we must be willing to change. The relational dynamic is increased in its value in direct proportion to our growth. If we add value to the relationship then its overall value increases. Sometimes we can be the catalyst who takes the relationship to the next level.
Third, our efforts to bring about peace where conflict exists means that we have to take a pro-active stance and meet conflict head-on so that we can “nip it in the bud” before it escalates.
The fruit of the Spirit will bring fruitfulness to our relationships. Let’s give it a try!

Living @ the Next Level: Perceptions

2008-05-26T00:18:00.000-04:00

Over the next three weeks I will be talking about how God wants us to have the best possible life. His desire is that we live life to the fullest and be fulfilled as we carry out the work of the kingdom. Since God designed us, He knows what’s best for us and gives this information to us, in great detail, through His word, the Bible.
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul describes how to live at a higher level. As we give ourselves over to God, He will produce fruit in our lives through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s activity will help us have— different perceptions about what life is all about, stronger relationships with those God brings into our lives, and lifestyles that fulfill God’s purpose.
This week we will look at different perceptions we have about life and how sometimes we need to change how we perceive life because our take on life does not match the view that God intended.
Perceptions are weird. We are so easily fooled by circumstances or appearances. Our views are tainted by our sin and the influence of our culture, whose values are usually polar opposite to those of God. We look through the lens of history in a vain attempt to see clearly, only to discover that we usually repeat the same mistakes over and over.
How we view life, death, people and possessions is vitally important. Our worldview communicates to those around us what we deem to be important, significant, and eternal. What do your perceptions say to others about Jesus and the transformative power of the gospel? Is your witness helped or hindered? Do you live a fulfilled and fulfilling life or just eek out an existence day by day? We’ll try to answer these questions as we explore how to live at the next level with regard to our perceptions.

Developing A Healthy Soul

2008-05-19T09:17:00.000-04:00

Just where is our soul and what does it do? These might be questions a child might ask but by the time we reach adulthood we’ve given up on such quandaries. We’ve settled for ill defined terms regarding our soul. If God wants us to love him with all our soul, we should make a valiant effort to discover just what one is.
The word “soul” is used 129 times in 125 verses in the New International Version. The New Bible Dictionary defines it as follows. “The use of the word ‘soul’ may emphasize his individuality and vitality with emphasis on his inner life and feeling and personal consciousness.” In other words the soul is what distinguishes us as individuals in our inner life. But how does that explain how to love God with our soul.
We must realize that although the text distinguishes between heart, soul, mind, and strength that what Jesus is trying to get over is that we are to love God with the totality of who we are and not to compartmentalize our spiritual lives. Having said that, it is important to distinguish our, “psyche” as a tangible part of who we are. Although we may never be able to ascertain exactly where our soul is located we can see expressions of it in our personality traits, the twinkle in our eyes, the joy in our laughter, and various other aspects of our life. Our soul is the life giving force which animates our body.
We must do everything we can to make sure it’s healthy.
There are elements of the soul which we may not be able to define but we can sure detect when they are diseased with fear, doubt, guilt, depression, bitterness and a host of other maladies.
As we consider our soul’s health, maybe a checkup is in order. Have we lost our zest for living, for relationship, for God. Let’s get on the road to recovery by reestablishing the health of our souls.

The Value of a Godly Mother

2008-05-08T12:15:00.000-04:00

You never get too old to be your mother’s child. There is something about the connectedness between a mother and her child that never ever fades. Perhaps it is due to the physical connection which provided our nurture for the first 9 months of our lives. Whatever the cause your mother’s life will always impact you in a special way.
What does God have to say about a mother’s role in the life or her children. Isaiah says that a mother should have compassion for her child and should comfort her children (49:15, 66:13).
A mother treasures the things about her child (Luke 2:51) and has a vital role in influencing a child in his/her faith in Christ (2 Timothy 1:5). A mother also demonstrates tender care for a child (1 Thessalonians 2:7). There are many other scriptures which mention the word mother but usually they communicate how a child is to act toward his/her mother. In fact, I was a little surprised that there wasn’t more said about how a mother should rear children, act toward them, etc. I know that God’s principles for living a life that honors Him are applicable to all genders and that as mothers follow those it will help them to be a better mother, but I think that God has instilled into the life of moms certain intuitive traits which prepare them for the role of motherhood. Their actions define them! When Solomon was trying to ascertain which woman was the true mother of a child claimed by both, it was a mother’s love for her child that helped him decide the case justly
(1 Kings 3:16-28).
My mother has been with the Lord for over five years now, but the love, faith, and hope she poured into me will last a lifetime. Be sure to spend time with your mother if you still can. Thank her for the values she lives out before you and the love she gives you. You won’t ever regret it!

Measuring Life

2008-05-05T11:05:00.000-04:00

We measure all kinds of things. We measure time, distance, mass, density, height, weight, light output, volume, temperature, speed, wealth, education, circumference, just to name a few. But how do we measure life? What gauge do we use to determine our core values and morals?
Some people will contend that Jesus actually said that we should not judge people at all (being interpreted means that we should never say that something is right or wrong in someone else’s life). If that is true then I guess we can throw out all out standards of Judeo-Christian ethics and shut down our entire justice system. We can also forget about any sense of truth or fairness for anyone and just accept the rule of the strongest to all things. This throws out the window any concept of equal rights for all people based on their inherent God-given rights and reduces us to the barbarism that at times plagues the human race.
I don’t hold to that interpretation at all. Jesus was not proposing some type of moral relativism where everyone determines their own truth. What Jesus warns us about is that our standard of measuring others (the critique of how and why we live) must be one which we are willing to be measured with. The truth is we all evaluate people. Some means of evaluation is necessary. As we judge and establish benchmarks for living we must not condemn people (that’s God’s responsibility). We are to be determinative according the measures of grace, mercy, and love which God has extended to us. The question really is, can I treat other people like God is treating me? When I adopt this measure then certainly I will be willing to be measured by the same standard.

Dynamics of Spiritual Formation #2

2008-04-28T10:55:00.000-04:00

I love sequels. A sequel means that the original story was good enough to warrant a second part. With regard to spiritual formation, according to God’s word, nothing could be more true. Spiritual formation is at the heart of the Christian journey. As we follow Christ, we should be in the process of becoming more like Him.
In last weeks message we explored the basic components of spiritual formation. Our focus was primarily on the “why” and “when” involved in our spiritual maturation. We saw the dynamics of spiritual growth as being a partnership between us and God where He does His part as we do ours. We determined that sometimes it was difficult to gauge when spiritual formation would occur but that growth “spurts” were inevitable if we continued to live as we should. Our last dynamic was the absolute necessity of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our spiritual vitality was contingent upon the Vine/branches relationship described in John 15.
This week we will continue our journey as we consider the “how” and “where” of spiritual formation. Our exploration will delve into where spiritual growth begins and how it continues.
Paul’s admonition to the church at Colosse was one which challenged them to change their focus from angelic emanations to the glorious Christ. Paul reminds them that the glorious riches of the mystery that they are to be sharing with others is, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Are you sharing the mystery still? Can others see Christ in you? He’s all the hope anyone has. May He be formed in us all!

Dynamics of Spiritual Formation #1

2008-04-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

I like the word “dynamic.” It just sounds powerful. With its roots firmly entrenched in the same Greek word from which we get our word dynamite, the word exudes power and energy.
Something that is dynamic is also defined as vigorous and purposeful. That sounds like something God would do. We’ve talked a lot about the Spiritual Disciplines over the past weeks and I decided that one last general emphasis on spiritual transformation was a good way to provide closure before moving on to our next series.
Today (and next week) we will explore the pathway to spiritual formation (how the life of Christ is formed in His followers) and examine where we are along that pathway. As these are general truths they are applicable to everyone who would follow Jesus—from the new believer to the seasoned saint.
First, we will address the issue of personal responsibility versus the grace of God. Just who does what with regard to spiritual formation? Is it all God or all us or somewhere in between?
The second issue we will address is the growth rate of believers. How can we gauge when someone will grow and by how much? What are the indicators (if any) that spiritual formation is about to take place?
The third element we will address concerns the one vital element that is absolutely necessary for spiritual formation. Can you guess what it is?
As we move forward over the next two weeks give God your undivided attention. Focus intently on what you want to say to Him and on what He is saying to you. Allow God full and free reign in your life. I believe you’ll be blessed by the outcome.

The Heart of a Servant

2008-04-06T15:22:00.000-04:00

The author of Proverb 23 states it this way, ““As he thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7 KJV).
The reality behind this proverbial quote is that we eventually and inevitably become what is inside us. If we are transformed by the saving power of Christ then that new creation will undoubtedly begin to work its way into our lifestyles.
Being a servant means having a servant’s heart. You can try to do a good deed every day but until your heart is in it you’ll never be able to serve effectively for the kingdom. In order to lead effectively one must learn to serve effectively. We must model a lifestyle which emulates the life Jesus lived.
Servant leadership is an ancient concept which has been recognized in the last few decades. Wikipedia shares these facts about it. “Robert Greenleaf is recognized as the father of servant leadership. Greenleaf (1977) described servant leadership in this manner: "It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead…The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: do those served grow as persons, do they grow while being served, become healthier, wider, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?"
Through extensive work with Greenleaf, Larry Spears, the director of the Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, identified ten characteristics, which describe the essence of a servant leader. The characteristics are listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of others, and building community.
How many characteristics of a servant leader do you have? Perhaps the better question would be, “How many do you want?” If we are to represent Jesus, it is vital that we learn to serve others in His name. We serve Him by serving them.

Worship

2008-03-09T19:54:00.000-04:00

What exactly does it mean when we use the word worship? Is it simply attending a Sunday service at church, singing some songs, praying, hearing a preacher? I think worship is something far greater than that. Worship is connecting with God in a way that changes us.
Over the years there have been multiple attempts which have tried to define worship. My favorite is by William Temple, who states, “worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His beauty; the opening of the heart to His love; the surrender of will to His purpose -- and all of this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin.”
What I love about this definition is that it is so comprehensive. It addresses worship as that which changes our mind, will, and emotions. The ultimate outcome of worship is a life submitted to the will of God which lives out His principles wholeheartedly everyday.
Worship is not simply what we do on Sunday (and hopefully every day) but ultimately shapes how we live. Basically, worship is an encounter with God. You cannot meet God and not come away changed. If we gather together but don’t encounter God then we haven’t worshipped but only met with one another.
Make it your goal to worship everyday. Encounter God in His word, in nature, and in our culture. After you meet with Him go out and demonstrate God’s presence for the people in your sphere of influence.

Service & Submission

2008-02-24T14:52:00.000-05:00

Last week I witnessed something that only happens once in a blue moon (ok, a copper moon). I observed a total eclipse of the moon. Here’s the official explanation. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the full moon passes into Earth's shadow and is blocked from the sun's rays that normally illuminate it. During an eclipse, the sun, Earth and moon line up, leaving a darkened moon visible to observers on the night side of the planet. The moon doesn't go black because indirect sunlight still reaches it after passing through the Earth's atmosphere. Since the atmosphere filters out blue light, the indirect light that reaches the moon transforms it into a reddish or orange tinge, depending on how much dust and cloud cover are in the atmosphere at the time. Well, enough of astronomical precepts—the moon went dark.
After pondering on this I began to realize the parallel between this occurrence and service and submission (we preachers can draw analogies from just about everything).
We are called to reflect God’s glory. Jesus said that while he was in the world he was the light of the world (John 9:5) but also told his followers, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) Well, which is it? Actually, it’s both. We are to continue Jesus ministry of being a light in the darkness. Now, to my lunar eclipse analogy. When anything gets between us and our source of light we aren’t able to shine in the darkness like we were meant to. It would be great if this only happened once every few years but the truth is that it happens with almost daily regularity. Jesus characterized his ministry time and again as one of serving others. If we’re not serving the purpose for which we were created we’re eclipsed. Let’s serve God and submit to His authority. Then we’ll serve others and shine for Jesus.

Bible Study & Prayer

2008-02-18T13:51:00.000-05:00

Bible study & prayer. I wonder how many times I’ve repeated or had repeated to me those words. They go together like peanut butter & jelly, like milk & cookies. They are so intertwined that they are like two sides of the same coin.
The sheer necessity of knowing God and what He is about demands that these two elements be a regular part of my life.
Regular—that’s putting it mildly. They should be like breathing. Inhaling—taking in God’s truth and allowing it to spiritually oxygenate my life. Exhaling—breathing out prayer to God; Admitting my sin, presenting my requests, interceding for others.
There are three questions that come to mind when I’m pondering the concepts of Bible study & prayer. The first question “Why?” deals with my motives. Am I studying my Bible and praying as a perfunctory matter. Is it something I do as an end in itself, just to say I have done it as a my duty required. This is a danger with any of the Disciplines. They can become the end rather than the means. I should be studying God’s word because it tells me the truth about life (and consequently gives me the fullness of life which God has for me). The second question “When?” deals with my practice. Am I making these disciplines a priority in my life by allotting time for them regularly? The third question, “How?” deals with my methods. What am I doing and using to learn and grow from the disciplines.

Secrecy & Sacrifice

2008-02-11T23:47:00.000-05:00

Do you remember the television show, “I’ve Got A Secret?” The contestants on the show usually did something odd or were obscure and answered questions in hope of fooling the panel with regard to their secret. The problem with the show is that it should have been entitled, “I HAD A Secret” For even if the panel did not guess their secret it was ultimately revealed to everyone. A secret spilled is a secret killed!
There are two types of secrets. There are those elements of our lives which shame or devalue us that we feel we must hide. This can be a good thing. There are some things that should be kept just between us and God. However, if these “secrets” become obstacles to our spiritual growth because we cannot rid ourselves of their influence or they stunt our relationships, then we must take appropriate actions to reveal them (confession, repentance, faith, renewal).
Another area of life where secrets are valuable is one where we serve others in Jesus name. We do this not for our glory or recognition, but for His. In this realm, we must learn the value of keeping a secret. In doing so we will begin to experience the freedom of doing something without any thought of human approval or commendation. We trust God to reward us accordingly and are willing to defer gratification until Christ who gave His all for us with no thought of reward says, “well done, good and faithful servant!” Matt. 25:23 NIV.

Fasting & Frugality

2008-02-04T13:19:00.000-05:00

Okay, I feel like Lucille Ball on the Lucy Show. As Ricky would say, “You’ve got some splaining to do.” How can I explain fasting and frugality? To tell you the truth, it’s much more simple to explain than to do.
Fasting and frugality have to do with denying oneself the physical aspects of life to sensitize our spiritual lives. In short, we do without one thing to gain another. There, all done. Well, not quite.
The best way I can explain the principle behind both fasting and frugality is to use an analogy. When we go to the beach one of the things I enjoy doing is just sitting in the beach chair right at the water’s edge, soaking in the rays (boy that sounds good in January, doesn’t it?), and rubbing my feet in the sand. I’ve noticed that if I move the sand, leaving a hole, that the water which comes in will fill it and remain. If I do nothing the water just rushes in, moves some sand, then returns to the ocean. When we remove something from our lives by abstaining from it (food, possessions) it does leave an empty spot. Then when we encounter God, He fills that void ( I know it’s not a perfect analogy but it helps me understand). By abstaining from food or things we intentionally create the possibility for God to fill us. When we go about the same old routines nothing seems to happen.
I challenge you to try fasting and frugality. Remove those physical comforts and watch how God fills you with something so much better.

Be A Man

2008-01-27T15:16:00.000-05:00

We sometimes have an inauthentic picture of who men are. God created men with special abilities and responsibilities.
God has called us to represent Him as followers of Christ. Baptist men have the opportunity to demonstrate to the world what it means to be a “Real Man” The Bible gives us several truths we need to heed. Let me focus on two.
1. Real Men Pray - the Bible teaches ( in word and by example that men should and do pray) Prayer is tuning in to the God channel and figuring out what life is all about. We see Abraham, Moses, and a host of other Old Testament characters staying in touch with God through prayer. In the New Testament, Jesus modeled the difference a life of prayer could make. Paul counseled Timothy by saying, I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. Try praying rather than fighting.
2. Real Men Love – we are taught in the New Testament that one of the best, if not the best, way to bear witness to Jesus is to love others. Now, I know that men are somewhat reluctant to let their feelings show, but not Jesus. He genuinely loved other people and wanted God’s best for them. He still does. His words in John 13:34-35 tell us that we should do the same. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." While I know that this is not a gender specific verse we men need to hear it again.

“Man Up” for Jesus.

Silence & Solitude

2008-01-20T18:55:00.000-05:00

Shhhh is a universal term for “be quiet” when we hold our index finger to our lips and utter the “be quiet” sound we usually get compliance with our request. But how many times do we say to ourselves, “be quiet?” Do we observe times and seasons of silence?
Then, there’s the issue of solitude. Silence and solitude go hand in hand. It’s hard to be quiet when you’re in the midst of constant noise from others. Donald Whitney writes, “there are moments in our pressure-cooker days when years of escape to some hidden place sounds wistfully compelling to the Christian spirit.”
So how does one practice the disciplines of Silence & Solitude? Here are a few suggestions.

Every Day- set aside 5-10 minutes then find a place (home, office, car) where you can shut out most if not all distractions and noise. Spend time with God there regularly.
Weekly- schedule an hour or so somewhere where you will not be disturbed. Spend this time in prayer, reflection, and meditation on God’s word.
Monthly-calendar a half-day or day when you can be alone. Find an empty room at church, walk in the woods, rent a room at a cabin. During this lengthier time evaluate your life, your goals, your service. Prepare in advance for this time by reading a book on life-change. Set aside longer times quarterly and yearly.
We must plan and calendar these times. If you don’t fill your days, someone else will.

Spiritual Disciplines

2008-01-19T23:32:00.001-05:00

Experts say that warming up is one of the most important parts of an fitness regimen. However, many disagree about when the muscles should be stretched. One group advocates stretching the muscles prior to exercise. Another says after exercise is the optimal time. Perhaps doing both would suffice.
The most important part of warming up occurs in the gray matter between our ears. We must stretch ourselves mentally to prepare for dramatic (yet beneficial) life change that comes with starting any fitness program. If we aren’t prepared mentally then usually we don’t reach any sustainable level of fitness.
We’ve entered a new year so it’s time to get fit—spiritually fit that is. Some of us have further to go than others so let’s begin with a warm up. What better way to prepare for spiritual fitness than to explore the classic spiritual disciplines which have proved so effective for hundreds of years.
As we warm up and exercise our spiritual muscles, we will get more spiritually fit through an ongoing effort to allow the life of God to flow through us as we remain in Christ and He remains in us.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

2008-01-17T15:05:00.000-05:00

I love snow (well for about 24 hours, then I get cabin fever). Snow always reminds me of God's covering for my sin. The world may get dingy, dirty and bleak but a blanket of snow covers it all up. Isaiah wrote that, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;"(1:18 NIV).

The uniqueness of snow also fascinates me. Every flake has a unique pattern which no other one possesses. Snow's uniqueness reminds me of the creativity of God. Each of us has unique qualities but we're all human. God's desire is to use our unique humanness to bring Him glory.

The third thing about snow that astounds me is its power. One flake can do nothing but when they "stick together" they can paralyze an entire city or state. What an individual flake cannot accomplish a group of flakes can (reminds me of the church since we're all kind of flaky in one way or another).

Well, I'm watching the forecast for the next round of "white stuff" In the meantime I guess I'll try to be a little more a little bit more like snow - pure, unique, and a little flaky (but trying to stick with others to do accomplish great things for God).

Resolution Busters

2008-01-08T21:22:00.000-05:00

Well, here we are 8 days into 2008 and all is well. I trust you're still committed to transformation in this new year. Let me share with you the greatest resolution buster of all time - quitting. As long as we're sold out to life change, nothing else matters. So what if you haven't exercised a single day yet. Start tomorrow. Never mind that you kept overeating all the wrong stuff. Start eating right now. Though you said you were going to spend time with God everyday, you haven't. Well, don't quit. Get out your Bible and then get on your knees. Surrender yourself every day and follow God's plan for your life. Follow solid principles of truth to accomplish those things which will make your life better. I think if we don't give up but get up and get going, we'll be amazed how we've changed for the better at the end of this year.

Happy Old Year - Happy New Day!

2008-01-02T20:18:00.000-05:00

This funny thing about new years is that they wear out so quickly. The newness wears off after the second day and we seem to lapse back into the same old patterns of thinking, feeling, and living. The old has come the new is gone (seems to be the polar opposite of biblical thought). This year why don't we just celebrate every day that God has given us. Rather than trying to make year-long resolutions that last about a week, why don't we simply live every day to the fullest and make daily decisions that allow God to transform us.

Happy New Day every one!

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T10:48:00.001-05:00

I'm hoping God's best for you both in the New Year and forever. I pray for your spiritual growth and kingdom effectiveness so that Christ my be glorified in your life and you can receive and give away God's blessings. Be faithful. Be available. Be teachable. Be a servant.

BAMA BOWL Finale

2007-12-31T11:17:00.000-05:00

The Crimson Tide morphed from an elephant to a racehorse as they sprinted to a 27-0 lead over the Colorado Buffs. It's a good thing, too. The sprint must have left them winded as they limped to a 30-24 win; but a win nevertheless.

Roll Tide Roll!

BAMA BOWL

2007-12-30T17:06:00.000-05:00

Well, it's almost time! Bama will be playing tonight in the PetroSun Independence Bowl against Colorado. They have identical 6-6 records and are pretty evenly matched. I'm sure I'll be on the phone with my brother talking over the details. I predict the Bama offense will show up tonight and the Tide will roll to a 28-14 win over the Buffaloes. ROLL TIDE!

First Things First

2007-12-29T15:30:00.000-05:00

First of all, this blog is not intended to be focused only on me. It's just a place where I can celebrate my relationship with God and my family and friends who He has given me. It's also a place where I can record God's activity through the ministry He has entrusted to me as I equip the people of First Baptist Church, Staunton for the work of ministry. Join me for the journey of a lifetime as we follow Christ together and serve Him by serving others. Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone be the Glory).