Category Archives: Essays

Holy Land 2013 – Day Six – Speechless and Overwhelmed

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Everyone that knows me, even a little bit, knows this about me.  I like to talk 🙂

Today, I was left speechless. Today, I received a spiritual stomach punch of conviction of unworthiness while at the same time understanding just how much God loves me and much grace He has given to me.

I text a few friends today and I told them this – Today may have been the most spiritual day of my entire life.  I’ll have to tell you about it.  I felt the power of God in a way that I am not sure I’ve felt in a long, long time.  I felt convicted, condemned, loved, and forgiven all at once.

Today, I was left speechless by Jesus Christ.  Let me tell you what we did.  I always review the day in these, and they can get a little wordy! But, I really hope you will stick with this long enough to read about what the Lord laid on my heart today.

First, we started our day at Bethpage.  This is the traditional site of the starting of the Palm Sunday processional.  This was the first part of what was an emotional day for me. We heard the story of how Jesus was worshiped, and then we sang. And, as I sang hallelujah to my Lord, while sitting there, I was overcome at the love that Jesus had for us, as He was coming to Jerusalem.

I was overcome at His worth, as His glory, at just, well Him.  He is Lord.

From there we went to the Church of Pater Noster. And this is also when the rain really, really, really started. Today was cold and wet.  It never really felt above freezing and we were wet to our bones. But it was worth it!  Here, we went into the cave that this the traditional spot of where the Lord’s Prayer was given.

dorWe made a quick stop to get our picture taken in front of the Dome of the Rock.  That’s the traditional skyline picture you see of Jerusalem.  You see ours to your left, as we tried our very best not to be blown off the Mt. of Olives.

From there we went to the Garden and the Church of all Nations. The garden was the place where Jesus prayed until sweat drops of blood came. It was the place of His agony, but also where He said, not my will but thine.  garden

There is a church located beside the Garden, and it’s called the Church of all Nations. It’s built around the rock that is the traditional rock on which Jesus prayed.  It is a beautiful church, but different. While the other churches are light and bring, this one is dark. Ominous.  You know that you are in a sacred, holy place.

Later in the day, we went to the traditional site of the Upper Room and Abbey of the Dormition.  What is so cool about this two-fold. First, this upper room site wasn’t the actual Upper Room, but it was very, very close by. This is not the “place” of the Upper Room but it is the site.  Second, underneath it is a synagogue that was built, and this synagogue, instead of facing the Temple, it faces the Church of the Holy Sepulcher  This has led many scholars to believe that this place not just the site of the Upper Room. But is in fact the site of the Mother Church!

roadBut, for me, the thing that hit me, that convicted me, that left me in a puddle of my own tears was the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu.

This is the site, we believe the authentic, actual site of Ananias, the high priest’s home.  This is so, so important, because this is where Jesus would have been taken for the first part of His trial. You can see the road He would have been brought upon there on your left.  His beatings and His mocking would have started here.

And this is also the place where Peter would have denied Him three times.

Here is the thing.  We are fairly certain Jesus judgement was pronounced here.

seatSo, look to your right. That is the seat of Judgement, where the high priest would have sat to pronounce judgement on the prisoner. It’s on that rock, the very top  one right there, that Ananias would have sat. Jesus would have been beneath him on the rocks, on his knees, bound.

holeOk, here below you, that is the hole that Jesus would have been thrown into to be held in “prison.”  This prison would have literally been a dark cave.

He would have been picked up, while bound, and thrown through those holes, into that cave below.

He would have been helpless.

He would have been unable to break His fall.  Many prisoners would suffer broken legs at that point.

This happened. For real. In this place.

And here, right here below that picture, this is the cave that Jesus was held in.

cave

And this is what undid me. This what left me speechless.  As we were sitting the chapel that sits directly above the cave, the chapel that the judgement seat is in, it hit me.  Jesus was judged there.  He was judge for me there.  He went through all of this for me there.

And here is the thing that I was so convicted, so in awe, so humbled by.

I am a high priest.  I am Ananias.  Not in terms of position. But in terms of this.  The hight priests did everything for show. Their religion was an outward religion. Their hearts where not in it. The had the form of religion, bu not the heart of religion.

They were just going through the motions.

That’s me. I’m a preacher. As I say, I do the whole religion thing for a living. One of my mentors told me this, Sunday’s always coming. There things that I have to do.  Whether I want to or not.

And sometimes, my heart is isn’t in it.  I do them because I must.  I do them because it’s what I do. I do it because it’s my job.

And sometimes, that make me think I’m a good person.  It makes me think that am really good.

Jesus told me, plain as day, I am not.  I am not as good as I think I am.

He despises it when I think that way.  He doesn’t want that.  He doesn’t want show religion.  He doesn’t want those actions. That’s the high priest, doing things out of obligation.

Or doing thing to make me look good or holy.

He doesn’t want that. He wants me. He wants my  heart.  He wants all of me, starring with the inside.

He was judged. And died. Because I’m a high priest.

Because we are high priests. Because we have religion. But do we have a heart change?

It’s not that I’m a “good person.”  I’m not a good person. I am a lowly sinner.  My good works don’t matter. It’s my heart.

I became so convicted today that too often my life can become about my duty. Doing what I supposed to do.  Instead about my heart.  My confession of sin.  My awareness of Grace.  My need for Jesus.

These are not just empty words.  I am nothing without Jesus.  Nothing. May I never become so arrogant to  think that I am.

Today, I was left speechless by what my God did for me. And the only response I can have not the form of religion, or of ministry. But of confession of my sin, and receiving of grace.

The Ghosts of Ole Miss, Race, and the South

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I love Ole Miss sports.  Really.  I do.  I often joke that my top three loves in life are God, my family, and Ole Miss sports. And the Rebels climb the list, based off how they are doing.

Someone once told me that it looks like Oxford threw up in my office I have so much Ole Miss stuff in my office.

When I was ordained into ministry, Holly gave me a framed panoramic view of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (for those that don’t know, Ole Miss’ stadium).

I (half-jokingly) tried to talk Holly into naming our son Thomas “Archie Eli” and then call him Deuce for short.  For some reason, she didn’t like that idea 🙂

So, as you can see, I love the Ole Miss Rebels.

I remember as a high school senior going with some buddies watch Ole Miss and LSU play in Tiger Stadium. I think it was 1993, and both teams were not very good.  Ole Miss was either going on probation, or coming out of it, I’m not sure, and LSU was the not the giant that they should have been, and are now.

LSU crushed us, by the way.  It was fun.  You haven’t lived until you’ve been cussed at by someone granny for bring your Ole Miss stuff into Tiger Stadium.

That’s what we did. We brought our red and blue, our hats, our colors, and our Rebel flags.

Yep, this was before Ole Miss banned the sticks that the Confederate flew on.  Not the actual flag, but the sticks that they flew from.

So, there we were, in the upper deck of Tiger Stadium, watching our Rebels lose, flying our flags, and pulling for the Rebels.

I really do love the traditions associated with Ole Miss.  I love “From Dixie with Love.”  I love Hotty Toddy.  I love hearing the band play Dixie after the game. Those things, even now thinking about them my heart race and make me excited.

But, I also understand the complications of things like the Rebel flag. And Dixie.  I understand it in a “big” picture level. And I understand it on a personal level.

I have many friends that are African-American (usually there is a but that follows that, huh?) and I understand the pain that mane of the symbols cause, even when 9 times out of 10, they are not invokes with any malice in mind.

And, even in my own life, I understand it.  The issue of race is never as it seems.  I am the son of a woman that was half white and half Hispanic.  My grandmother married a man from Ecuador  lived there for several years, and her two children (one of whom is my Mama Sarah) were born there.

After my grandmother divorced her husband, she returned to home, in the 1950s with two children of, yes, let’s say it, mixed race.  And she raised her kids, loved them, and taught them right from wrong.  Her daughter Sarah was my mother, who was murdered, and then I too, was raised by my grandmother, just as my mother was.

Race is a messy subject, isn’t it?  Things are never as they seem.

And so, even in my life, I understand my heritage  and understand where I came from, and understand than in matters of race, thing are often confusing and messy.

And because of my background, I understand, so some small extent, the pain that symbols can cause.  I had a friend that used to forward out racially charged emails about Hispanics, and one day I turned to Holly and said, they don’t realize it, but they are basically talking about me.

Because, my mama was was half Hispanic. And one thing a southern boy doesn’t take to is someone talking about his mama.  So, this friend simply thought he was forwarding on a email.

See that’s how it works. I’m a guy that’s a quater Hispanic  who’s grandfather (as best I know) is still in Ecuador somewhere. And I consider myself a southerner.

I have often wondered, though, if others would consider me southern, if they knew my family history.

And all that said, I still get misty eyed when Pride of the South Marching Band plays from “Dixie with Love.”  And I still love the heritage of my favorite school. And I hope (against their mom’s wishes I’m sure) that my kids will go to Ole Miss one day and we can all tailgate in the Grove together.

Race in the south is a complicated thing. As Falkner said, “the past is not dead, it’s not even past.”

And watching the Ghosts of Ole Miss brought all this back to me.

I don’t really know if there is a moral to these thoughts, or even a purpose.  I just know that for many of us here in the south, this is our story.  I am 36.  There has never been a time in my life where life hasn’t been fully integrated.  I have always, my entire life, had African-American friends.  I truly believe that my children are being raised by us (and our school, community, and church) not to see race. At Asbury (and all of my churches that I’ve servered) raise isn’t an issue, I truly believe that we do the best to love everyone, as Christ would have us to.

And for me, as a pastor, the issue of race is a hill that I’m willing to die on.

And, I still love “From Dixie with Love.”

That’s life here.  So, let’s love each other with the love of Christ.  Let’s treat each other with respect. And let’s do the best that we can to live by the word of Dr. King, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

A Wesleyan Appreciation of Calvinism

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I am a Wesleyan. There is no doubt about it. While our polity and some things within our United Methodist Church may frustrate me, I am a Wesleyan.

I am a United Methodist.

By family. (I was raised United Methodist.)

And by choice. (I returned to the UMC after college after worshiping in a variety of churches, and after having joined a Southern Baptist Church, and serving as Youth Pastor in a Southern Baptist Church.)

I returned home because of many factors, but mainly because of the Wesleyan notion of grace to all and for all, and the Wesleyan notion of holiness of heart and life.

So, I am a deeply committed Wesleyan.

That said, in today’s theological landscape, I have a growing admiration for many of the dominant evangelical thinkers of this day, who also happen to be Calvinist. I have a deep and abiding respect for Calvinism. While at Mississippi College, probably my most meaningful and enjoyable religious experience was as part of the RUF (Reformed University Fellowship). I actually audited a class at RTS (Reformed Theological Seminary) in Jackson, and worked on staff at Twin Lakes Camp, which is owned and operated by First Presbyterian Church, Jackson.

So, have been exposed in many ways and through many years to Calvinist thought. And while I do not agree with it, I deeply respect it.

In today’s evangelical world, Calvinism is becoming the dominant strain of theology. From such noted preachers and authors as John Piper, Matt Chandler, Tim Keller and Mark Driscoll to large-scale college events such as Passion, and even to Christian artists like Lecrae, Calvinist theology is the one that is being espoused.

And as Wesleyans, we don’t like it. We don’t understand it. Because we feel (and in my opinion, rightly so) that our theology is better. More hopeful. Just a better theology.

So, it’s easy for us to say, well, the only reason why folks like Calvinism is because it gives “easy answers.” It’s easy to lay everything at God’s feet. No work required by us. And while I do think there is some truth that, I think that misses what’s going on. I see my students at Asbury being attracted to it, and frankly, my favorite author and preacher at this point is Tim Keller. I give his book, “The Meaning of Marriage,” to everyone that I can. It’s probably the best book on marriage I’ve ever read.

So, I just wanted to share what I think is happening, and why Calvinism is so appealing to so many folks.

First, I think one of the things that is attractive to Calvinist theology is that they truly take the reality of sin and depravity seriously. Now, do they go overboard? Yeah, they take it too far. But, they stress over and over again that we are each sinful. We are each broken and in need of salvation and grace.

We can’t earn it. And sin affects everything, all of creation, every act of our lives, every thought we take, all of it.

They nail down the fact that we are sinful.

And that hits folks were they are. People, especially teenagers today, are living a life of excess, and they really do understand that all is not right. At the end of the day, they are broken, they are in need. The lives that they live leave them empty. They make wrong choices. They are sinful.

So am I. I am a broken, sinful man in need of God’s redeeming grace. They talk about sin and the reality of its affects on humanity it personal terms. We don’t, or if we do, we do it badly.

Calvinists spend time reflecting on their sin and need for Christ. We spend time talking about how good we are. Calvinists feel as though they are undeserving of God’s grace. We can sometimes act like God is sure lucky to have us on His team. Boy, He sure lucked out when we chose Him.

I’m not saying that we need to hammer sin. But, if we are not really sinful, then what did Jesus come to “save” us from?

Second, closely linked to sin, is their emphasis on Jesus. I really don’t like Mark Driscoll. He’s arrogant and is often in need of a huge dose of humility. But you know what he does time after time after time? He takes it back to Jesus. He takes everything back to Jesus and our need for Him and His grace and salvation. It all comes back to Him.

And as much as I don’t care for Driscoll, he’s right. It all comes down to Jesus. And our Calvinist friends do that so much better than we do. You can come to Annual Conference, and many local churches, and not hear one word out about our absolute need for Jesus. Sometimes we focus on Jesus’ call to us to help others, which is so important. But, as much as we are the hands and feet of Jesus, there are some things (many things, like the problem of human sin) that we can’t fix or really even help. If Jesus is mainly a great moral example and an example of God’s love, then He is symbol that offers no practical hope. If He is the Son of God and the Savior of humanity then He offers hope in every situation.

We don’t talk about how Jesus truly and utterly changes lives. They do. I have put it like this: To the mother of three who’s losing her job and her family, her question is this, can Jesus help this?

We have to be able to answer that question. They can. That’s why they are “winning.”

And last, whether they do or not, it appears to many that our Calvinist friends take scripture more seriously than we do. They tend to approach scripture and let it “speak for itself,” while we tend to come to scripture and an attitude of “yeah, but.” It can seem like we try to explain it away and show our superior intellect, while many Calvinists just say, “It says this. So let’s just try to do that.”

And that is attractive to many, many people.

So, to say that people are attractive to Calvinism because of “easy answers” is, I think, a great misreading of the situation.

There is much that we can learn from Calvinism to spark a revival of Wesleyan thought. My prayer is that with all that we do, we can point folks to Jesus Christ, for He is where life is found!

Chik-Fil-A and Society – Respect, Culture, and Response?

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Been thinking about the whole Chik Fil A controversy this week. One of the things that the church and Christians are having to come to terms with is the change in our society. We are quickly becoming a “post Christian” society. Now, I know we can argue about the levels of morality of the past, i.e. was a society that had forced segregation by race as “moral” as we make it out to be, but every measurement shows that by and by the strength, clout, and effectiveness of the organized church is on the decline.

Even in a town like Petal, MS where we joke that there are churches on every corner, we are at least 50% unchurched, and Walmart is probably the busiest place in Petal on a Sunday.

So, what does all this controversy tell us about the state of things? A few thoughts from my caffeine infused brain.

1. Decline of organized church – this goes to the “post Christian” nature of our society.  In the past, the church, or a preacher, or a Christian could say “The Bible says this” and the discussion was over.  Now, we say that, and the response from the world is “so?”

We as Christians are living in a culture and place where the norms are quickly changing.  And, I think that this has serious implications for the church.

The “institutional, they know what time we start” church is over.  In the past, we as Christians expected folks to look to us as Christians, as the church, for answers.  They know longer do it.  We expected them to stream into our churches. They aren’t. We are expected them to look to as the moral compass of our nation.  They don’t.

I don’t like it.  It hurts.  It’s painful.  It’s scary. But as my Asbury folks here me say a lot – it is what it is.

2. Opposition from society – This leads to our second observation – In our society we are more likely to be mocked than respected.  But, didn’t Jesus say as much?

John 15:18

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

Matthew 10:22

“and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

We are used to being respected. But, our Lord didn’t promise us respect from the world and society.  Never.

In fact, He promised us the exact opposite.  What makes us think that we will fare better than our Lord?

So, if we are part of a society where we will be mocked, what are we do to? What is the response of a Christian to this new age we are living in?

3. The greater need to radically love – I know this is hard.  I know it’s hard when we are mocked, made fun of, everything else. But listen.  Listen to what our Lord said in Luke 6:27-36:

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

I know, know, know the response we want to have is to punch back.  I know.  But as our Lord said, what does it gain us to love only those that are good to us?  Nothing.

We don’t want to.  I get it. But, what does our Lord say?  Love.  Love them. Even those that mock us.  Even those that despise us. He promised us that they would.  He promised.

And the only, only way that we can hope to change anyone is love.  Only God’s love changes folks, and only God’s love through us changes people.

I know it’s hard.  But it’s the only way.

And that leads to our last point

4. Growth of kingdom based church – if we as the church can do this

1.  Admit our sin and our need for Jesus

2.  Take the attention off ourselves and point to the one that died for our sins and rose for our victory – Jesus Christ.  Radically, totally, and only point to Him as the source of our redemption and life

3.  Proclaim Him through our word AND our actions by radically loving the least of these in our midst, and radically loving EVERYONE we meet

We can change the word. Through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we can.  We can love folks to Jesus.  And change the world for His glory.

Now these are not namby pamby ideals.  We as the church need to stand for what is right. we need to teach our children what is right. As a husband and father, I want to love my children, protect my family and keep them safe at all times. That’s my duty as a husband and as a father.

And I will do so.

But, hear me on this.  Folks will not like it. First, we shouldn’t be shocked. Second, we should stand strong on our beliefs, no matter the response of culture.  And third – we should follow the advice of our Lord. Love them any way. And when they wonder why we love- say this one word.

Jesus

These are just a few of my thoughts. Hope they are helpful.

What Facebook Can Mean for the Church

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Let’s say that you were called by God to be a missionary in a foreign country.  What would you do?  Well, if you were like me, the first thing you’d want to do is learn the language.

If you were a missionary in Mexico, you’d learn Spanish. If you were in Germany, German.  And even if you were going to the United Kingdom, you’d still need to learn the colloquialisms of our friends across the pond.

Maybe you aren’t called to in the foreign mission field.  Perhaps your church is in small American town, like mine, and not in Korea.  Does that mean that you are not called to be a missionary?  No.

All of us, whether we are foreign missionaries or lay people in a local church, are called to be missionaries, or ambassadors, for Jesus each day of our life.  And we need to learn the language. What language is that?  Well, in our current environment, I believe it is the universal language of social media.

In other words, you, and your church, need to be on Facebook!

But Andy, you say, that’s only for teens.  First, if that statement was true, then what we as Christians are saying, and the church is saying, is that teenagers and kids don’t matter to God.  And I don’t know about your Bible, but mine says for God so loved “the world.” Teenagers included.

Second, that statement is absolutely not true. Currently, 86% of all adults 19-30 are on Facebook.  And they are not alone.  According to recent studies, 61% of Facebook users are 35 or older.   In fact, the average age of a Facebook user is 38.  And 47% of all adults between the ages of 50 – 65 are on Facebook. This is a huge section of the population that uses Facebook as a means of connection.

But are they connecting to a local church?

Let’s go back to our missionary example. Some in the Body of Christ are called to the foreign mission field, some are not. However, as we all well know, we are all called to be in ministry. Through our baptism, we are each marked by God and called to represent Him in all that we do.   As United Methodists our mission statement is “Make Disciples for the Transformation of the World.” That’s you. That’s me. That’s each of us. That’s what we are about.

But perhaps that vision of mission isn’t enough for you. Perhaps you need a little more encouragement to understand your role in the world today and to represent Christ in all that you do. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:20:

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

As a missionary or ambassador, you are charged with reconciling others to God. And in order to spread that message, you must know the language, the culture and modes of communication of the people you are trying to reach. Simultaneously, we, as the Church, and as Christians, must be willing to reach and communicate with people however possible.

All of these people – young and old – matter. They matter to God, and they should matter to us to as the church.  And we as the church need to be invested in whatever ways we can to reach and connect with them, including Facebook and other social media and/or networking.

A missionary would never see it as a source of pride or badge of honor that they didn’t speak the language of the place they were called.

Do you, and does your church, see it as a badge of honor to not be connected?  If so, ask yourself, is that really what Jesus wants for His church? I believe, personally, that Jesus wants us to use every means at our disposal to further His kingdom.

The notion of reaching out to the world isn’t the only reason why we as the church and as Christians should be on Facebook.  Social media also can be used as a tool to reach into your church and touch the lives of your congregation.

As a pastor, I use Facebook to be in connection with the members of my church on a daily basis.  Sometimes the connection is just silly stuff, like making Ole Miss/MSU jokes (Go Rebels!), but other times it is quite serious. I’ve been able, as a pastor, to reach out to people in a way that fits into their schedule and helps me stay within mine.

Through Facebook, while I’m in my office and my congregation is at home or at work, I’m able to be a part of their day.  I’m able to share in their happy moments.  I’m able to be a part of their joys, their achievements and their victories.  Yet, at the same time, and through the same medium, I’m also able to reach out to people who are struggling, who are having a bad day, or who need encouragement and let them know that I love them and care for them.  And so does their church.

And as the pastor of a church that is experiencing dramatic growth, I’m able to connect to visitors quickly and keep them in the loop of what’s happening at Asbury.  I’m able to interact with people not just on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights, but throughout their entire week, keeping them connected not just to me, but to the church as a whole.

And it isn’t just me, as a pastor, who can do this. Daily I see messages of members wishing each other a happy birthday, or offering prayers, or giving encouragement. As the people called Methodist, we treasure our connection above most everything, save for God’s grace. Facebook and other forms of social media are, for many people today, just the newest form of connection. And as a people of connection, this is our calling.

And that’s why I, and Asbury Church, are on Facebook.

My Take on May 21, 2011 Not Being the End of the World

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It looks like the world will not end today.  Jesus told us that no one knows the hour or day, but for some reason that doesn’t “sell” as much as guessing about when it will all happen.

Now, I’ve had as much fun as the rest of you with laughing at the claims that the world was going to end today, May 21, 2011.

I’m not going to work on a sermon, since we won’t be here!  I’m going to go and load up the credit cards!  Start trouble!  All the same jokes.

I’ve retweeted some of the funnier statements today. I’ve laughed, I’ve smirked, I’ve poked and I’ve prodded. It’s been kind of funny.

But as I was reading about how the world didn’t end today, something happened. I got a little sad. And a little angry.  I was thinking about how the church has been portrayed by all this the past few days, and it’s not been pretty.

Now, first, why do I say “the church?”  This is why. Inside the church, we make distinctions.  You’re Baptist.  You’re Methodist.  You’re evangelical.  You’re liberal.  You’re whatever label we put on each other.

To the world, though, that’s not the case.  We are all a mass of Christianity. They don’t see our “labels.” They simply see us as Christians. And while we can make distinction amongst ourselves, they don’t.  And when something like this happens, it shames all of us.  It makes us all look foolish in the eyes of the world.

But Andy, doesn’t the Bible say that God uses the foolish to shame the wisdom of the world.

Yes it does.  But, this is not what it’s talking about.  The foolishness of God is that we are saved not be “being” good or by “doing” anything. We are saved by grace through faith, so that no one can boast. And then that belief and that faith MUST change our life.

It is foolish to love and forgive and to charge into the darkness unafraid. That is the foolishness of God.  Not what we’ve seen in the past few days.  I believe that the work of Harold Camping has greatly harmed the cause of Christ because:

1.  Mockery of the church.  We will be scorned; our beliefs may be seen as out of step.  Sure, that’s fine, that’s ok.  But, that’s not what this is. All through out scripture, the people of God were not seen as embarrassing or as jokes. Radical yes.  Passionate, sure.  But, never as a joke. Paul was beaten and thrown out of town. But He was respected.  Jesus taught with authority and people followed Him.  David, while not “looking” like a king was a man after God’s own heart. The people of God, while always being different and scorned, they lived lives above reproach and were respected for the integrity by which they lived their lives.

That has not been the case with this situation.

Now the opinion of the world, is not my primary concern. But, it does matter.

On one hand I don’t care what the world thinks of me. I don’t. But on the other, I must use everything at my power, all that I am, all that have I have to live, love, and proclaim the grace of God to all that I meet.  I want to honor Jesus with all that am.

So, all of this, did it honor Jesus?  Did it bring glory to His name?  Did it draw people to Him?

No.

And because of that, His cause in the world was harmed.

2. Harm caused to people.  People sold all that they had.  Not to follow Jesus, but to follow Harold Camping. And he let them.  He didn’t stop them.  That is wrong.

Families were separated. Not to follow Jesus, but to follow a man.

This is wrong.

John Wesley had General Rules for Methodists in his day, and they were: “do no harm, do good, stay in love with God.”  The first rule was “do no harm.”  This movement did not abide by this rule.  Harm was done.  To well meaning people that just wanted to do what they felt like God wanted.

As a pastor, I have to do right by my people. What bothers me about Harold Camping was that people followed him. And he didn’t have their best interest at heart.

And that hurts the cause of Christ.

We, as Christians, and as the church, exist to draw people to Christ and let them know His great love for them.  This entire episode damaged the cause of Christ by focusing on something that we have no control over. I long for the return of Christ. I long for God’s kingdom to be completed. I long for our redemption.

I believe in the return of Christ. But that’s out of my hands. I have no control over it.

You know what I do have control over?  Loving my enemies.  Praying for those that curse me.  Helping the poor, the least, the lost.  Growing closer to Jesus.  Falling in love with Him. Teaching others of His love.

And that, more than guessing about the end of the world, gives honor to Christ.

That’s what Harold Camping didn’t focus on. That’s what we, as the church, must focus on.

Whether Jesus returns today, or a 1000 years from now. We need to live, love, serve, and worship until He calls us home. All in His due time.

What Can We Learn from Acts 15, or the Institution of the church actually matters

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Working through Acts 15 today.  Just a few thoughts that I’d like to share.

First, go check out this passage.

1.  Church matters. Everything in Acts happens in the confines of church. We see folks converted and plug into church. We see discussions and arguments within the church and the church say – we will go this way, this what we will do.

We see the church pray over and send folks out. We see church structure established.  We see leaders emerge.

In short, even though we live in an age where the growing edge of the evangelical world loves to critique and  criticize the church for not “doing” more or not being perfect, church is a good thing.

Yes, I said it.  Church is a good thing. Church matters.  It’s important.  The actual church matters.  Yes, the institution of the church matters.

It’s not just “me and Jesus.”  We as Christians are called to be part of something, part of this body.

Yes.  The institution of the church is a good thing.  Is is perfect.  No?  But it matters.

Even though it is fashionable to beat up on the institutional church, it still matters. I agree with Bill Hybals, the local church is the hope fo the world, because in the local church people meet Jesus.

Church matters.

2. There are moments of disagreement – Conflict is ok.  We see the church argue over what to do, where to go in regards to the Gentiles being converted.  There were arguments.

The church is also made of people. That means we are going to have disagreements.  That’s ok.  What do we do then? Can we stay focused on Jesus and His mission for the church?  Our will we love our opinion and “getting our way” more than we love Jesus and His mission for His church?

Conflict is not avoidable. It will arise. How will we handle it.

3. Leadership requires courage.  Peter had to speak. There was silience. Folks were looking, waiting. Peter stepped up to the plate. He spoke and gave leadership.

To be a leader means you have to make the hard call sometimes. Make the hard choice. Speak when no one wants to.  It ain’t easy. But, it’s what you have to do, if you lead.

These are just a few thoughts.  Hope they are are helpful to you!

April 16, A Remembrance – No Greater Love

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I don’t normally read from the King James.  I read from the NRSV normally because it’s the standard pew Bible edition for most United Methodist Churches.  I also like the TNIV, even though they are no longer making it, the NIV, the Message, and most all of them.  I always tell folks read the Bible that speaks to them.

But, when I quote scripture off the top of my head, I quote the King James.  Why?  Because it’s what I grew up reading and hearing, and it’s what scripture still “sounds” like to me.  Especially the Psalms, or John 14 (in Father’s house were many mansions).

And the passage I’m thinking about this morning. When I think of John 15: 13, I always hear it in the KJV

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

I always think of that verse on April 16.

See it was on April 16, 1978 that no great love was shown to me.

On April 16, 1978, my mother was murdered.  She was killed as she was walking out of our house, with me in her arms. She was walking out of the house because she did not want me raised in an abusive situation, in a situation full of drugs and destruction. She was walking out of the house because she wanted me to have a better life.

She was walking out of the house because she loved me.

And in that, she laid down her life for me.  Literally.  I sometimes tell folks I have the burden and blessing in my life of having had two people lay down their life for me, Jesus and Mama Sarah.

And, every day I wake up and know that I am here, I give thanks for no greater love.

And every time I look at my daughter Sarah and mourn over the fact that she will never know the grandmother she was named for, I give thanks for no greater love.

Every time I look at my grandparent that adopted me, even though they had raised their kids already, and had other plans for life, I give thanks for no greater love.

And every time I get the chance to teach my children about what love looks like, I give thanks for no greater love.

Today is a bittersweet day.  I have no doubt that I am and have been loved.  I just wish the price weren’t so high.

But, greater love hath no man (or woman, mother, or father) than this, that they lay down their life for their friends.

I give thanks for no greater love.

Being a Pastor versus Being a Son

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I’ve had the chance the past few months to put on some different shoes.

As a pastor I’ve very used to the hospital.  I’ve spent time visiting in Jackson, in Memphis, in Tupelo and in nearly every every major hospital in Mississippi.

But, in past few months, I’ve had a different perspective.  My mom has had to undergo a couple of surgeries.  Nothing major, thankfully, but she’s been in the hospital more the past few months than at any point in my life.

And, mama is also 80.  I was raised by my grandparents (long story) and they are in great health. But, 80 is 80 and when she is put to sleep, I’ll be honest if you don’t start getting nervous.

So, for the first in my life, I’ve come to the hospital in a different position.  Not as a patient.  Not as a pastor. But, as a son.

I like being a pastor much, much better.

Maybe it’s just want I’m used to.  Now, there are advantages in being just a son. For instance, I didn’t shave today. Also, I’m wearing blue jeans and my favorite Ole Miss pull over.  I forgot my hat at home, or I’d be wearing a hat too.  So, I’m pretty comfortable.

And, there is that feeling about not worrying about others. When you are pastor, your concern is your church member. How are they?  Do they need anything?  Do you need to lift their spirits?  Pray?  Quote scripture?

Today, I’ve watched part of the Cotton Bowl, read the paper, checked my email. Blogged (what I’m doing right now).

I haven’t had to worry about providing care to anyone.

And, that’s the problem.  As a pastor, I have something to do.  A job.  A purpose.  I can be helpful.

As a son, I feel helpless.  Sure, I can pray like I always do.  I can stay busy.  I can do lots.  But, it’s different.

As a son, I wait.  I fret.  I worry.  I pace.

As a pastor, I’m calm and relaxed. Confident.

As a son.  I worry.

I really do love what I am called to do and who I’m called to be.  And, I know as a son the things that I know as a pastor.  I know God is at work, God is here, God’s grace is always there.

But, I get so busy taking care of others that I don’t have to worry about things myself.

And, perhaps, it’s not just preachers that do that. Perhaps we get so busy living life that we can forget to remember things we know.

God is good. God is at work. God is here, even know.

So, the pastor and son are not that different. And maybe, just maybe, we all have that same battle within us.

And, maybe, just maybe, God understands, knows, and loves us anyway.

Dry Spells and Voices

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I’ve been going through a dry spell recently. Been really busy. I was a play a month or so ago, and that took a lot time. Of course church always keeps you pretty busy. And responsibilities within our Annual Conference. Family. Etc, etc, etc.

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? We’ve all had those moments in life where our souls just feel dry. Those times where we just don’t hear. Don’t see. Feel alone. I just have felt like my soul has been a little dry these past few weeks.

I’ve been watching the kids tonight. Holly is working late and I’ve just been hanging out with them. It’s been fun. We’ve been to McDonald’s and eaten more McNuggets than really anyone should eat. In a life time.

We’ve played. We’ve had fun.

As I watched the kids play in our small sandbox, I just started praying. God, I need to hear you now. I just need to hear your voice. I know you’re there. I believe. I have faith. But, I need to hear. I need a drink of water. My soul is dry.

And then I look at my kids. And I realized how lucky I am. How all I’ve been through in life, all the ways God has literally spared my life, all the ways He has given SO much more grace than I deserve, even at my best moment. And my life, like every one’s is not a collection of my best moments. I guess that’s why it’s grace. We could never deserve it.

And it just hit me. God has shown His love to me every moment of life. Every instant I’ve been alive, God has poured out grace upon grace. And the reason my soul has been so dry is because I haven’t taken time to water it.

Dr. Frank Pollard, former pastor of First Baptist Church, Jackson, MS may have been the greatest preacher I’ve ever heard. He used to say that prayer is the oxygen that feeds our souls. There is abundant oxygen for our souls. There is abundant water for our drought. There is amazing grace for this time.

We just have to allow God open our hearts. We have to allow Him to calm us, slow us, speak to us, and breathe in us. And fill us.

Today, the water is ready. The drought is over. Drink in. Nourish your soul. Life awaits.