God's got it. I know those are simple words but it's critical (for me) that I remember them. As I was talking through my schedule yesterday, my head started spinning. I'm a pastor, filling in as a student minister, preparing to teach a college course, coaching an All-star team, looking for a new student minister, while trying to be a good son, husband and father. In between, there's me...the other parts.
So, this morning I needed the reminder that worry does me no good. (Matthew 6:33-34). More importantly, I needed to be reminded that God desires for me to give Him my concerns and let Him work out the details (1 Peter 5:7).
The funny thing is, I've seen Him do it so many times before. He's cancelled appointments, rearranged schedules and even caused it to rain so I could make my schedule work. He's headed off trouble for me. He's provided financially where I saw no promise of income. He's given me directions when it would have been far easier to let my hard-headed nature take me down a different path.
So, here I am again today reminding myself--full calendar and all--He's got it. He will work it out for His good and His glory as long as I am trusting Him with it...all of it.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Like most of you, I've watched the TV coverage with great interest lately.
Like most of you, I've watched the TV coverage with great interest lately. I was interested to see how the media would handle the deaths of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and even Billy Mays (he's the pitch man who used to scream to you about all the great products on TV). Obviously, there has been report on top of report and news from every possible angle on these individuals. To be sure, their deaths, as all deaths are, were sorrowful. Millions around the world mourned their losses. Each had made wonderful contributions to our culture (though some might be questioned as to their value, they were contributions nonetheless).
So, I was faced with the irony of a much sadder situation that I read about in the news this morning. On Friday, just a day after Fawcett and Jackson had passed, a 12 year old boy in Albany, GA died. That news alone would not be significantly shocking in a world where children die all too often. It's the way he died. According to reports this morning, this young man got into a disagreement with a 14 year old friend who promptly pulled out a knife and stabbed him. In an instant, two lives are destroyed. One will never walk this earth again, the other will forever bear the guilt of murder. Innocence taken, innocence traded.
Where are the mourners now?
I have to ask myself that question. As we continually expose our kids to greater trash, as we watch homes that are shredded by divorce and abandonment, as we continue to lower the standards we have for our culture, who will mourn the loss of innocence when more and more we watch young lives that are shattered. It's happening all across our culture and we miss it...or, worse yet, we wave it off as a horrible event but one that no one could have prevented.
It makes me pray harder for friends like Jessica, who works in a high school filled with gang members in Memphis, or Chris, who for years has lived with his wife and kids in inner city New Orleans so that he could model what it means to be a dad and to love your family. We can't afford not to mourn for Ladrona and Jamal. And the only rightful tribute for them would be this--refuse to let your heart become hard or uncaring. The souls of our children depend on it.
So, I was faced with the irony of a much sadder situation that I read about in the news this morning. On Friday, just a day after Fawcett and Jackson had passed, a 12 year old boy in Albany, GA died. That news alone would not be significantly shocking in a world where children die all too often. It's the way he died. According to reports this morning, this young man got into a disagreement with a 14 year old friend who promptly pulled out a knife and stabbed him. In an instant, two lives are destroyed. One will never walk this earth again, the other will forever bear the guilt of murder. Innocence taken, innocence traded.
Where are the mourners now?
I have to ask myself that question. As we continually expose our kids to greater trash, as we watch homes that are shredded by divorce and abandonment, as we continue to lower the standards we have for our culture, who will mourn the loss of innocence when more and more we watch young lives that are shattered. It's happening all across our culture and we miss it...or, worse yet, we wave it off as a horrible event but one that no one could have prevented.
It makes me pray harder for friends like Jessica, who works in a high school filled with gang members in Memphis, or Chris, who for years has lived with his wife and kids in inner city New Orleans so that he could model what it means to be a dad and to love your family. We can't afford not to mourn for Ladrona and Jamal. And the only rightful tribute for them would be this--refuse to let your heart become hard or uncaring. The souls of our children depend on it.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
People are watching you.
People are watching you. All the time, no matter where you go, there are eyes on you. (no, this is not another GEICO commercial with an animated stack of money and creepy eyes). I've been reminded of this truth many times in my life--as a young high schooler, as an athlete, as a coach, as a minister, and as a father and husband. Somehow, it seems when you choose to follow Christ, the "viewing" becomes more intense as the world watches to see how real this Jesus is.
On many occasions, it is a desperate attempt to catch you doing wrong so that they can shout very loudly, "See, Christians are just like every body else." Let me set your mind at ease. The Bible has already told us that. All of us stand in need of forgiveness and grace. All of us.
On other occasions, though, I find that the people who are watching are genuinely desiring to see if there is something different about this faith we profess and how it changes us. They want to have hope, peace, love and purpose--all of which are found in true Christ followers. So...they keep watching.
I thought about this last night as I re-told the story of David and Goliath to our teenagers at the Youth Bible Study. This thought struck me. Have you ever thought much about this famous confrontation? Did the guys who lined the Philistine hillside that day watch to see how David would act? Young teen boy faces nine foot tall champion with no weapons, no armor, no back up and...NO fear. Were there any Philistines who asked about this God as they watched David's courage? Were there any who were changed because of what they saw that day?
We may never know the answer to that question this side of heaven but I can tell you this--people can be changed by watching you. And not always in a good way. Your life has the power to attract people to God as well as the ability to drive them far away. Make no mistake, they are watching you. What they see depends on the true condition of your heart.
On many occasions, it is a desperate attempt to catch you doing wrong so that they can shout very loudly, "See, Christians are just like every body else." Let me set your mind at ease. The Bible has already told us that. All of us stand in need of forgiveness and grace. All of us.
On other occasions, though, I find that the people who are watching are genuinely desiring to see if there is something different about this faith we profess and how it changes us. They want to have hope, peace, love and purpose--all of which are found in true Christ followers. So...they keep watching.
I thought about this last night as I re-told the story of David and Goliath to our teenagers at the Youth Bible Study. This thought struck me. Have you ever thought much about this famous confrontation? Did the guys who lined the Philistine hillside that day watch to see how David would act? Young teen boy faces nine foot tall champion with no weapons, no armor, no back up and...NO fear. Were there any Philistines who asked about this God as they watched David's courage? Were there any who were changed because of what they saw that day?
We may never know the answer to that question this side of heaven but I can tell you this--people can be changed by watching you. And not always in a good way. Your life has the power to attract people to God as well as the ability to drive them far away. Make no mistake, they are watching you. What they see depends on the true condition of your heart.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Asking for a little prayer today.
Asking for a little prayer today. Most of you know that we have had a vacancy in our student ministry position since the spring. We are moving forward with our search and have really narrowed our choices to some really good, very capable candidates. Here's where the prayer need intensifies. These guys are really sharp. They are experienced, talented, passionate and well worth the consideration. I need someone to stand up above the others.
In order for that to happen, God is going to have to speak very clearly to those involved with this decision. I'm excited about who this person will be. I am excited about what he will offer to our kids. So I don't want to dare take a chance that God may speak and I may be too busy to hear. So, as I jet out the door to meet with one of our guys, I ask that you would bring peace and clarity to my heart so I may hear His.
God's got amazing things ahead for RCC. Can't wait to watch it happen.
In order for that to happen, God is going to have to speak very clearly to those involved with this decision. I'm excited about who this person will be. I am excited about what he will offer to our kids. So I don't want to dare take a chance that God may speak and I may be too busy to hear. So, as I jet out the door to meet with one of our guys, I ask that you would bring peace and clarity to my heart so I may hear His.
God's got amazing things ahead for RCC. Can't wait to watch it happen.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
I had an interesting thought this morning.
I had an interesting thought this morning. (Some might find that shocking or comical but I do have these every now and then). Looking through my devotionals, I was recalling some of the miracles Jesus performed. Specifically, I was reading about the raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead in Mark 5 but this applies to most of the miracles that involve healing. Follow me here...
Maybe this thought comes from watching too many TV shows or movies but I think it makes sense. When encountered with physical problems in the Scripture, you never catch Jesus asking the usual "medical questions": what are their vital signs? what caused this injury? are there any other symptoms? do you have insurance? (okay, the last one wouldn't apply to 1st century Jerusalem but you get my point.) He doesn't go through any of the normal procedures for restoring health. Why? The answer seems painfully obvious--He's God, not just another physician--but I wonder if we really understand the underlying premise.
Here it is...God does not work in ways we expect under the limitations we know or with the concerns that we have. This applies to every problem we face, not just the physical. When you pray to God to help you sell your house, He doesn't ask what is the price per square foot or the comps in the area. When you ask God to find you a new job, He doesn't check the unemployment rate or the present status of the economy. When you ask God for healing from addiction, He doesn't ask you if you are in a support group or if you've "quit" before. All those questions are important...to us, not to Him. He doesn't work in the parameters we do. He's not limited by the information we have. He's bigger than all of that.
Here's the kicker, the only thing that limits God is our faith and the only thing that limits our faith is our fear. Fear wars against our faith. It questions God's goodness and His power. But, when fear is conquered, faith abounds and where faith abounds, God's desired outcome is always achieved.
Maybe this thought comes from watching too many TV shows or movies but I think it makes sense. When encountered with physical problems in the Scripture, you never catch Jesus asking the usual "medical questions": what are their vital signs? what caused this injury? are there any other symptoms? do you have insurance? (okay, the last one wouldn't apply to 1st century Jerusalem but you get my point.) He doesn't go through any of the normal procedures for restoring health. Why? The answer seems painfully obvious--He's God, not just another physician--but I wonder if we really understand the underlying premise.
Here it is...God does not work in ways we expect under the limitations we know or with the concerns that we have. This applies to every problem we face, not just the physical. When you pray to God to help you sell your house, He doesn't ask what is the price per square foot or the comps in the area. When you ask God to find you a new job, He doesn't check the unemployment rate or the present status of the economy. When you ask God for healing from addiction, He doesn't ask you if you are in a support group or if you've "quit" before. All those questions are important...to us, not to Him. He doesn't work in the parameters we do. He's not limited by the information we have. He's bigger than all of that.
Here's the kicker, the only thing that limits God is our faith and the only thing that limits our faith is our fear. Fear wars against our faith. It questions God's goodness and His power. But, when fear is conquered, faith abounds and where faith abounds, God's desired outcome is always achieved.
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