Hannah Eve Pitts (now Hannah Pitts Rogers) was born on the day of Georgia Tech's Homecoming in 1985. (We had tickets to the game but oddly enough did not use them.) As a good Yellow Jacket, I had her mother "dress her in white in gold," and she has been on the campus for the past few years. (She moved into her first house with husband Rick just a couple of weeks ago--see "Melancholy Moments" post.)
Today, she graduates with High Honors with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. We are having a brunch for her this morning followed by graduation exercises this afternoon.
How proud we are of you, Hannah! Congratulations! We love you and Rick.
By the way, reality hits quickly. Hannah begins her new job on Monday!
We thank God for His work in the lives of our family.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Monday, December 03, 2007
A Family Funeral
My dad's brother--my Uncle Cooke--died late last week. Though he lived in Macon, he died while visiting his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren out in California. Uncle Cooke was 82 years old but had been in good health. He would not have been the next "expected" death in the family. (My dad was the last of nine children; there are now five left--three "boys," including my dad, and the two sisters.)
Uncle Cooke was a fun man and full of life. My dad says he had more "life" than anybody else in the family. He was kind and generous, checking on his sisters every day by phone and bringing some kind of gift to those he visited, even if nothing more than an apple. His three granddaughters spoke at the funeral, and they gave a wonderful glimpse of his life.
Uncle Cooke was in WWII, and he once was hit by a ricochet. The bullet entered through his face and lodged in his brain. Being a ricochet, it went in straight up and down rather than nose first. That likely saved him. They tried on an occasion or two to remove the bullet, but they were unsuccessful. He would not let them try again. That bullet was in his brain for over 60 years!
This interesting story becomes more interesting. My granny was sleeping one night while she had sons serving in the armed forced during the war when she awakened suddenly. She said she knew that Cooke had been shot. My granny was as devout a believer as I have ever known, but she was not given to visions and dreams and the like. Yet, on this occasion, she was sure that Cooke had been shot. And he had been! How or why this occurred is a mystery, but it resulted in many more prayers being sent up in his behalf.
However, I really didn't write this to reminisce about Uncle Cooke. I wrote to think about family. My wife Cindy and I went to my home town for the funeral, and it was nice to see this family reunion. It is amazing how reconizable most people still are, even if you haven't seen them for twenty or thirty years. It is also amazing the way the family resemblances seem to become more pronounced as time goes by. You can see a feature from Granny or Papa in this person or that, and resemblances among cousins, never noted before, stand out in a startling fashion.
The generation ahead--my dad and his siblings and spouses--look so much like they did before, but there is a change. Where there once was great strength, there is now the hint of frailty. Their faces now have added lines and creases. Of course, they range is age from 78 to 90, so you would expect this. But seeing them all together on an occasion like this at once gives a greater appreciation for family and reminds us of the mortality of us all. We all will go the way of Uncle Cooke. More funerals will follow.
Many Christians today focus more on what Jesus can do for us here on earth than what happens after. Part of this is the result of the pendulum swing to the opposite extreme from what use to be a promise to low wage workers of "pie in the sky by and by" for being taken advantage of by unscrupulous and harsh bosses in years gone by; there was a correction to more of an emphasis on the abundant life here. Like many corrections, it has gone too far. No matter how great life in Christ is here, heaven will be better. Another reason, perhaps, we don't focus on heaven anymore: We are afraid of death. Might that be because we aren't as sure in our faith as we ought to be?
Death was once seen as natural and inevitable; medical advances have led us to the illusion that eternal life is nothing more than longer, healthier lives here. But though we may delay it, we cannot prevent it. Death is coming. But we no longer need to fear it. We can, with Paul, mock death: "O Death, where is thy sting?" At least, those who know Jesus can. As Paul goes on: "Thanks be to God! We have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
I will see Uncle Cooke again. I will see Granny and Papa again. I will be reunited one day with all who share faith in Jesus. This isn't merely wishful thinking. It is an assured hope, proven to those who seek by much evidence, the greatest of which is the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Uncle Cooke was a fun man and full of life. My dad says he had more "life" than anybody else in the family. He was kind and generous, checking on his sisters every day by phone and bringing some kind of gift to those he visited, even if nothing more than an apple. His three granddaughters spoke at the funeral, and they gave a wonderful glimpse of his life.
Uncle Cooke was in WWII, and he once was hit by a ricochet. The bullet entered through his face and lodged in his brain. Being a ricochet, it went in straight up and down rather than nose first. That likely saved him. They tried on an occasion or two to remove the bullet, but they were unsuccessful. He would not let them try again. That bullet was in his brain for over 60 years!
This interesting story becomes more interesting. My granny was sleeping one night while she had sons serving in the armed forced during the war when she awakened suddenly. She said she knew that Cooke had been shot. My granny was as devout a believer as I have ever known, but she was not given to visions and dreams and the like. Yet, on this occasion, she was sure that Cooke had been shot. And he had been! How or why this occurred is a mystery, but it resulted in many more prayers being sent up in his behalf.
However, I really didn't write this to reminisce about Uncle Cooke. I wrote to think about family. My wife Cindy and I went to my home town for the funeral, and it was nice to see this family reunion. It is amazing how reconizable most people still are, even if you haven't seen them for twenty or thirty years. It is also amazing the way the family resemblances seem to become more pronounced as time goes by. You can see a feature from Granny or Papa in this person or that, and resemblances among cousins, never noted before, stand out in a startling fashion.
The generation ahead--my dad and his siblings and spouses--look so much like they did before, but there is a change. Where there once was great strength, there is now the hint of frailty. Their faces now have added lines and creases. Of course, they range is age from 78 to 90, so you would expect this. But seeing them all together on an occasion like this at once gives a greater appreciation for family and reminds us of the mortality of us all. We all will go the way of Uncle Cooke. More funerals will follow.
Many Christians today focus more on what Jesus can do for us here on earth than what happens after. Part of this is the result of the pendulum swing to the opposite extreme from what use to be a promise to low wage workers of "pie in the sky by and by" for being taken advantage of by unscrupulous and harsh bosses in years gone by; there was a correction to more of an emphasis on the abundant life here. Like many corrections, it has gone too far. No matter how great life in Christ is here, heaven will be better. Another reason, perhaps, we don't focus on heaven anymore: We are afraid of death. Might that be because we aren't as sure in our faith as we ought to be?
Death was once seen as natural and inevitable; medical advances have led us to the illusion that eternal life is nothing more than longer, healthier lives here. But though we may delay it, we cannot prevent it. Death is coming. But we no longer need to fear it. We can, with Paul, mock death: "O Death, where is thy sting?" At least, those who know Jesus can. As Paul goes on: "Thanks be to God! We have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
I will see Uncle Cooke again. I will see Granny and Papa again. I will be reunited one day with all who share faith in Jesus. This isn't merely wishful thinking. It is an assured hope, proven to those who seek by much evidence, the greatest of which is the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday, November 23, 2007
A Melancholy Moment
Today we helped move our daughter Hannah and son-in-law Rick into their new house in Marietta. My firstborn and her husband closed on their first house last week. He graduated from Georgia Tech in August 2006; she graduates in December. She is going to be working for the same company where he has been working since graduation. It's in the Marietta/Kennesaw area, and their house is just two miles from their workplace. How proud I am for them, and how excited. The house is only 30 miles from where we live; in this day and age, it would be hard to ask for better. They plan to continue to spend Sundays with us in the short run, both for church and for Sunday lunch and fellowship. The amount of time we see them each week will not appreciably lessen, from all indications.
Still, today was a bit melancholy. Although Hannah left home five years ago to attend Georgia Tech (while the rest of us were living 150 miles away in Dublin, Georgia) and that was definitedly a "new chapter of life," and the wedding 15 months ago was another monumental change, there is something still the same about the family when a child is only "off at college." Their continuing to live at Tech in married housing kept that sense intact, I guess.
But their move to a house (and her in three weeks to a career) somehow solidified in my heart and mind today that we have indeed reached a new epoch, another "bend in the road." This is the end of one aspect of parenting, or more correctly, it is the beginning of the end for a phase of parenting since Cindy and I have four more to go.
So while I am so happy for Hannah and Rick and so excited about the house and so proud for them, I couldn't help but feel a little melancholy as I experienced the emotions today of the changes. This is one of our great goals in parenting, preparing our children for the time when they will truly be "on their own," establishing their own homes and households. That day has come, and we could not be happier for the way Jesus is working in their lives. We realize that the change is not a subtraction but an addition--they will still be part of our household!--but it is still a change. Memories flood back from childhood; she is now "grown and gone."
I can still remember the time in my life when I made the similar transition. Is it possible that I am old enough to be on the other end of it? Wow--time continues to march forward. And for those of you snickering that this is happening to me, a word of warning: it will happen to you MUCH quicker than you think!
Still, today was a bit melancholy. Although Hannah left home five years ago to attend Georgia Tech (while the rest of us were living 150 miles away in Dublin, Georgia) and that was definitedly a "new chapter of life," and the wedding 15 months ago was another monumental change, there is something still the same about the family when a child is only "off at college." Their continuing to live at Tech in married housing kept that sense intact, I guess.
But their move to a house (and her in three weeks to a career) somehow solidified in my heart and mind today that we have indeed reached a new epoch, another "bend in the road." This is the end of one aspect of parenting, or more correctly, it is the beginning of the end for a phase of parenting since Cindy and I have four more to go.
So while I am so happy for Hannah and Rick and so excited about the house and so proud for them, I couldn't help but feel a little melancholy as I experienced the emotions today of the changes. This is one of our great goals in parenting, preparing our children for the time when they will truly be "on their own," establishing their own homes and households. That day has come, and we could not be happier for the way Jesus is working in their lives. We realize that the change is not a subtraction but an addition--they will still be part of our household!--but it is still a change. Memories flood back from childhood; she is now "grown and gone."
I can still remember the time in my life when I made the similar transition. Is it possible that I am old enough to be on the other end of it? Wow--time continues to march forward. And for those of you snickering that this is happening to me, a word of warning: it will happen to you MUCH quicker than you think!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thanksgiving
This morning we had our annual Thanksgiving worship service. My family and I love having a service of Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving. After all, that's what the "holy-day" is for, the giving of thanks to God. What better way to celebrate it than with a gathered service?
What makes the service so special is the time given for expressions of thanks by the people who attend. We know that many families cannot attend because of their own family traditions; we schedule it at 8:30 a.m. so that it will be more convenient for many that will be in town or who won't be traveling more than a couple of hours. Today, we had a bit over 40 in attendance, not as many as I would like to see, but much improved over the 25 or 30 from last year.
Still, it is not a high attendance number that makes the service so special. It is the hearfelt expressions of thanks. It amazes us all to note that those who have seemed to have had the most difficult times in the past year are often those who seem to be the most thankful. I would guess that more than 20 of the participants rose to share a few sentences of thanksgiving to God. One read a poem she had written yesterday. Another expressed his praise in Spanish, his native language. Words of thanks were expressed for husbands and wives, for families and friends, for encouragement and support from the church body, for the guidance and providence of God, for the beauty of nature, for those who sacrifice for our freedom, and more. While that seems rather mundane and expected when I write it down, what is unexpected is the spirit and emotion with which the offering is given and the details that are unique to every individual.
Almost everyone who attends such a service is touched by what they see and hear and want to attend the following year. It certainly sets the stage for the rest of the day. Because so many are unable to attend due to travel and traditions, we have discussed trying to do something like it during a regular Wednesday night service and dispensing with it on Thanksgiving Day itself. It is hard to make such a decision after attending the service, and I was glad to see more there this year than last. Still, it is something we will talk about.
For our family, it is a very special tradition that remains a meaningful part of our lives. We are grateful to be able to gather with our larger family to give thanks--on Thanksgiving--to our wonderful God.
What makes the service so special is the time given for expressions of thanks by the people who attend. We know that many families cannot attend because of their own family traditions; we schedule it at 8:30 a.m. so that it will be more convenient for many that will be in town or who won't be traveling more than a couple of hours. Today, we had a bit over 40 in attendance, not as many as I would like to see, but much improved over the 25 or 30 from last year.
Still, it is not a high attendance number that makes the service so special. It is the hearfelt expressions of thanks. It amazes us all to note that those who have seemed to have had the most difficult times in the past year are often those who seem to be the most thankful. I would guess that more than 20 of the participants rose to share a few sentences of thanksgiving to God. One read a poem she had written yesterday. Another expressed his praise in Spanish, his native language. Words of thanks were expressed for husbands and wives, for families and friends, for encouragement and support from the church body, for the guidance and providence of God, for the beauty of nature, for those who sacrifice for our freedom, and more. While that seems rather mundane and expected when I write it down, what is unexpected is the spirit and emotion with which the offering is given and the details that are unique to every individual.
Almost everyone who attends such a service is touched by what they see and hear and want to attend the following year. It certainly sets the stage for the rest of the day. Because so many are unable to attend due to travel and traditions, we have discussed trying to do something like it during a regular Wednesday night service and dispensing with it on Thanksgiving Day itself. It is hard to make such a decision after attending the service, and I was glad to see more there this year than last. Still, it is something we will talk about.
For our family, it is a very special tradition that remains a meaningful part of our lives. We are grateful to be able to gather with our larger family to give thanks--on Thanksgiving--to our wonderful God.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
The War
I was able to see most of Ken Burns' new series, The War, the past two weeks. It was a very inspiring reminder of the sacrifices of what has been called "the greatest generation." We still have several veterans from the war who are members of our church. I have the privilege of meeting with a few of them each Tuesday morning for prayer, and every now and then we go out for breakfast. During one such excursion a few weeks before the documentary, they spent most of the time relating stories from their war time experiences. Later, one of them apologized to me for taking all of the time up with stories from the war. I assured him it was neither boring nor a waste of time for me; it fact, it was very interesting to hear first hand from these men stories of their individual pieces of the war. I admire them all.
Ken Burns did a great job, I thought, of weaving the story of the war for us through the eyes and ears of citizens from four cities in the U.S., which I am sure were indicative of every city in the nation. What a blessing we have in the sacrifice of so many. We saw first hand the horrors of the war on every side; the first episode, however, was entitled (I think), A Necessary War.
A Necessary War--what a good way to put it. It was simply that--necessary. It is hard to imagine the rationale of anyone thinking otherwise.
Of course, it is impossible to watch such a documentary without considering the current war we are waging. Is it a necessary war? Many people question the motives of the administration. Others point to the lack of evidence of weapons of mass destruction found. Still others bemoan the slow progress of the Iraqi people in seeking to establish a stable and just government.
I know that I personally always hoped we would wait a bit longer before going into Iraq. Certainly, we needed to be in Afghanistan. I felt that the President had more information at his disposal than I did. Previous administrations had also believed Saddam was seeking to make WMD. At this point, however, questions of whether we should have gone into Iraq when we did are moot. We are there, and the enemy has followed us there. Whether that particular bit of geography could have been avoidable, we are in the midst of a war against international terrorism. There are people who want to destroy and kill everything that doesn't look and think exactly as they do. In fact, they likely want to kill people who may share some of their thoughts if their citizenship is in the wrong country.
In my mind, we are in a necessary war against an ideology of hatred. Wherever the battle is fought, it is a necessary war. I would like to think that we as Americans hold ourselves to a higher standard than do others, of course. I am not ready to give up all civil liberties, nor would I ever condone torture. It pains me to see reports that we at times hide behind technicalities to circumvent rules that we helped write and use methods that we would not want used on our troops. Why not show others that we are as different from them as we claim? I hope these reports are false or are rare aberrations. Unfortunately, it is hard to know what sources of news to trust on every occasion.
In the final analysis, war at times may be necessary, but war is still hell. Let us pray that God would have mercy on us. Let us repent of our sinfulness and selfishness so that God will forgive our sins and heal our land. Let us live up to the highest calling of the American experiment, in times of war and peace.
Ken Burns did a great job, I thought, of weaving the story of the war for us through the eyes and ears of citizens from four cities in the U.S., which I am sure were indicative of every city in the nation. What a blessing we have in the sacrifice of so many. We saw first hand the horrors of the war on every side; the first episode, however, was entitled (I think), A Necessary War.
A Necessary War--what a good way to put it. It was simply that--necessary. It is hard to imagine the rationale of anyone thinking otherwise.
Of course, it is impossible to watch such a documentary without considering the current war we are waging. Is it a necessary war? Many people question the motives of the administration. Others point to the lack of evidence of weapons of mass destruction found. Still others bemoan the slow progress of the Iraqi people in seeking to establish a stable and just government.
I know that I personally always hoped we would wait a bit longer before going into Iraq. Certainly, we needed to be in Afghanistan. I felt that the President had more information at his disposal than I did. Previous administrations had also believed Saddam was seeking to make WMD. At this point, however, questions of whether we should have gone into Iraq when we did are moot. We are there, and the enemy has followed us there. Whether that particular bit of geography could have been avoidable, we are in the midst of a war against international terrorism. There are people who want to destroy and kill everything that doesn't look and think exactly as they do. In fact, they likely want to kill people who may share some of their thoughts if their citizenship is in the wrong country.
In my mind, we are in a necessary war against an ideology of hatred. Wherever the battle is fought, it is a necessary war. I would like to think that we as Americans hold ourselves to a higher standard than do others, of course. I am not ready to give up all civil liberties, nor would I ever condone torture. It pains me to see reports that we at times hide behind technicalities to circumvent rules that we helped write and use methods that we would not want used on our troops. Why not show others that we are as different from them as we claim? I hope these reports are false or are rare aberrations. Unfortunately, it is hard to know what sources of news to trust on every occasion.
In the final analysis, war at times may be necessary, but war is still hell. Let us pray that God would have mercy on us. Let us repent of our sinfulness and selfishness so that God will forgive our sins and heal our land. Let us live up to the highest calling of the American experiment, in times of war and peace.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Just for Fun
A couple of Sunday nights ago, we had a "talent" show for our church in conjunction with an ice cream fellowship. It was a night just for fun. We do such things from time to time, for we all need times just to hang out with our friends, laughing with and at each other and being inspired by each other. The evening was a good variety show: we had solos, duets, piano playing, a harmonica player, a "magic" act (for laughs)--even Elvis showed up!
Someone took some video and uploaded a few of the acts to YouTube. If you want to get a laugh, click on the title of this blog ("Just for Fun" above), or cut and paste the following into your browser: http://www.youtube.com/user/clairmonthills. (To see me at my best, check out "The Great 'Who Done It'" from the list of videos posted. I might have tried to hide it, but my daughters have already posted it on some of their pages for their friends.)
It was good to have a variety, and I am glad so many people were willing to share their "talents" with others. The truth is, that's what Jesus wants us to do! We have a variety of gifts and talents given to us by God, and He wants us to use them. Sometimes it takes a bit of a risk to get out there and try something new, but when you put your gifts and talents to use, you will find that others usually aren't there to judge and boo you for your failures; they are there to encourage you and cheer you on for trying.
The crowd for our show showed their appreciation for each and every performer; God is also applauding us when we step out on faith to minister to others with the gifts He has given. Let me close this brief post with this encouragement from Scripture: "Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4.10).
So get out there and use your gifts. And don't forget to sometimes do things just for fun!
Someone took some video and uploaded a few of the acts to YouTube. If you want to get a laugh, click on the title of this blog ("Just for Fun" above), or cut and paste the following into your browser: http://www.youtube.com/user/clairmonthills. (To see me at my best, check out "The Great 'Who Done It'" from the list of videos posted. I might have tried to hide it, but my daughters have already posted it on some of their pages for their friends.)
It was good to have a variety, and I am glad so many people were willing to share their "talents" with others. The truth is, that's what Jesus wants us to do! We have a variety of gifts and talents given to us by God, and He wants us to use them. Sometimes it takes a bit of a risk to get out there and try something new, but when you put your gifts and talents to use, you will find that others usually aren't there to judge and boo you for your failures; they are there to encourage you and cheer you on for trying.
The crowd for our show showed their appreciation for each and every performer; God is also applauding us when we step out on faith to minister to others with the gifts He has given. Let me close this brief post with this encouragement from Scripture: "Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4.10).
So get out there and use your gifts. And don't forget to sometimes do things just for fun!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
It's My Birthday...It's My Birthday...
Fifty-one years ago--so long that I can barely remember--I was brought into this world, kicking and screaming! Things have gotten progressively better since that time. I think I am getting the hang of this "living" thing. I have lived through two parents, three siblings, twenty years of schooling (a slow learner, apparently), one marriage (The good news: we've been happily married for 22 years! The bad news: we've been married for 26 years!), four daughters, one son, one son-in-law, and three churches.
Not too bad, all in all.
I have been blessed beyond all measure. Not only do I have a family that tolerates me; they act like they actually love me! They even tell me so every day. Whether they are blind or merely good liars, I don't know, but I like it. It would be hard to have more wholesome pride in a family than I do in mine. Those of you who know me and my family know that this is not bluster--it's the absolute truth.
I am thankful to God for His many blessings. Besides the family, I have a church community who loves me and supports me. They are truly to me a community of faith, hope, and love. I have loads of wonderful friends and family members, many of whom have called or sent cards or emails to me today. A group of elderly gentlemen from our church took me to breakfast; one of my best friends from college days took me to the Varsity for lunch and even bought me a fried apple pie to make up for the lack of cake. My family is going to see the Braves on Thursday night.
Like everyone, I have periods of discouragement from time to time. There are some circumstances of life I would like to see improved. But I truthfully have to laugh at myself when I try to have too long a pity party, for I know deep down in my heart that I have been incredibly blessed.
Thanks, God. Thanks, family. Thanks, friends. Thanks, church. I am so rich because you have given me the treasures of your lives!
Not too bad, all in all.
I have been blessed beyond all measure. Not only do I have a family that tolerates me; they act like they actually love me! They even tell me so every day. Whether they are blind or merely good liars, I don't know, but I like it. It would be hard to have more wholesome pride in a family than I do in mine. Those of you who know me and my family know that this is not bluster--it's the absolute truth.
I am thankful to God for His many blessings. Besides the family, I have a church community who loves me and supports me. They are truly to me a community of faith, hope, and love. I have loads of wonderful friends and family members, many of whom have called or sent cards or emails to me today. A group of elderly gentlemen from our church took me to breakfast; one of my best friends from college days took me to the Varsity for lunch and even bought me a fried apple pie to make up for the lack of cake. My family is going to see the Braves on Thursday night.
Like everyone, I have periods of discouragement from time to time. There are some circumstances of life I would like to see improved. But I truthfully have to laugh at myself when I try to have too long a pity party, for I know deep down in my heart that I have been incredibly blessed.
Thanks, God. Thanks, family. Thanks, friends. Thanks, church. I am so rich because you have given me the treasures of your lives!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Catching Up...
Wow! It's been about three months since my last entry. Time really flies, especially in the summer. We have had a busy time with a mission trip to New York state, the normal special summer activities in the church, and I also went on a two week study break.
The break was particularly helpful. Some friends offered me the use of a house in the Chattahoochee River in north Georgia, and I had a wonderful time of study and solitude--there was no television there! (I had to drive 15 miles to get internet, so I only did that a couple of times, too.)
It was a time for refocusing, prayer, and study, and I certainly came back refreshed! I even lost a little weight, that having to do mostly with having to prepare my own meals most of the time!
I hope to get back in the habit of sharing a few thoughts now and then; I will try to share a bit more about my study break soon.
God bless!
The break was particularly helpful. Some friends offered me the use of a house in the Chattahoochee River in north Georgia, and I had a wonderful time of study and solitude--there was no television there! (I had to drive 15 miles to get internet, so I only did that a couple of times, too.)
It was a time for refocusing, prayer, and study, and I certainly came back refreshed! I even lost a little weight, that having to do mostly with having to prepare my own meals most of the time!
I hope to get back in the habit of sharing a few thoughts now and then; I will try to share a bit more about my study break soon.
God bless!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
ConGRADulations, Abigail!
Well, it is amazing how quickly time flies. That is not only noted by how rarely I seem to get a blog post up, but more so by the fact that our middle of five children just graduated from high school! It seems like just yesterday when we brought her home from the hospital. I have so many memories of her growing up with her four siblings, and it is sobering to think we are "over the hump" as far as high school graduation is concerned.
Since Abigail has been homeschooled most of her life, we had a graduation ceremony at our church facility, just as we did for Lydia two years ago. Also like Lydia, the graduation was combined with a senior recital. Unlike Lydia, Abigail joined with one of her kindred spirit friends, Laura Stewart, to have a combined Senior Recital and Graduation Ceremony. They each did separate presentations and also did a scene from Shakespeare's The Tempest together. (It was during rehearsal for this scene some time ago that they really got to know each other.)
Both also had a video presentation featuring pictures from their lives. While a friend helped put Laura's together, Abigail's sister Lydia did hers, and it was very moving and celebrative. Mrs. Lori Lane of Artios Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, which was attended by both girls, shared words of encouragement. Each parent and each child briefly shared in the graduation ceremony as well.
Each of the others did an exceptional job in what they shared! It was a very meaningful time. While I unfortunately do not have the text of what others said, I do have my brief remarks as well as the blessing I gave to Abigail. Here it is:
Since Abigail has been homeschooled most of her life, we had a graduation ceremony at our church facility, just as we did for Lydia two years ago. Also like Lydia, the graduation was combined with a senior recital. Unlike Lydia, Abigail joined with one of her kindred spirit friends, Laura Stewart, to have a combined Senior Recital and Graduation Ceremony. They each did separate presentations and also did a scene from Shakespeare's The Tempest together. (It was during rehearsal for this scene some time ago that they really got to know each other.)
Both also had a video presentation featuring pictures from their lives. While a friend helped put Laura's together, Abigail's sister Lydia did hers, and it was very moving and celebrative. Mrs. Lori Lane of Artios Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, which was attended by both girls, shared words of encouragement. Each parent and each child briefly shared in the graduation ceremony as well.
Each of the others did an exceptional job in what they shared! It was a very meaningful time. While I unfortunately do not have the text of what others said, I do have my brief remarks as well as the blessing I gave to Abigail. Here it is:
Abigail Susan Pitts
Abigail is our third and middle child. The two before her were girls, and I was prepared for another—until the doctor began making predictions in the delivery room. “This one is bigger than your other two”—and, indeed, she was a full pound larger than any of the others at birth—“I think we have your linebacker here, Dad!” He began to feed that hope that there would be a boy one of these times, and so I perhaps had a momentary disappointment when the doctor himself exclaimed in surprise, “No, it’s a girl!”
Any momentary disappointment was soon quelled as Abigail quickly won my heart. The name Abigail means “a father’s joy,” and Abigail has certainly proven to be a joy, not only to me, but to all who know her. When she was very young, she slept on a top bunk, and every night she begged me to sleep with her for “one minute” at bedtime. I would climb and crawl over the railing to lay with her, and that minute would seem to go by very slowly. When I would raise my head to start to get out of the bed, Abigail would put her hand on top of head, push it back down, and say, “Just one mo-mo-minute, Daddy.”
While those minutes might have seemed to pass slowly then, they definitely picked up the pace. Those minutes turned into hours, the hours to days, and the days to weeks, months, and years. And so today Abigail stands here as an adult—a young adult, to be sure—but one who is ready to conquer the world. When I graduated from high school, I remember the excitement I had as I considered the adventure of moving to Atlanta to attend Georgia Tech. My mother once asked, “Aren’t you just a little bit sad about leaving?” Sure, there were things I would miss, but how could I be sad about embarking on a new adventure? Now, I have come full circle. Abigail is graduating, still seeking to know exactly what God has for her, and I find myself wanting to say, “Just one mo-mo-minute, Abigail, just one mo-mo-minute.”
Fortunately for us, like our other children, Abigail will in the short term at least still be in the Atlanta area. She has hopes and dreams, but they are still a little nebulous, not yet fully formed in all their specifics. But while you may not yet know all about it, Abigail, here is what God says to you:
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” [Jeremiah 29]
How can you make sure that you can also hear Him as He reveals His plans? Romans 12.2 says,
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Yes, God’s plan for you is good. It is pleasing—both to you and others. And it is perfect. Many don’t find it because they are too enthralled by the world, following its deceitful pattern. You will find it, though, Abigail, when you let God’s thoughts become your thoughts so that your life is truly changed into His image. You will seek Him and you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart. And I know that is just what you are doing today. We are proud of you, we are thankful for you, and we are praying for you. Come forward today to receive your blessing.
May God bless you, Abigail Susan Pitts!
May you seek Him with all of your heart, and may He reveal His will and direct your paths.
May you continue to live up to your name! May you be a joy not only to your earthly father but, more importantly, to your heavenly Father!
Just as the Abigail mentioned in the Bible is described as a “beautiful and intelligent woman,” one who rescued her family by her quick thinking and gracious manner, may you also be known for your beautiful manner and your godly wisdom. May you beauty come first and foremost from within, as we continue to see Jesus shine through your life; may your wisdom come from close fellowship with the Holy Spirit and by a thorough knowledge of His word.
May God grant you success and prosperity in all that your hands find to do.
May God bless you, Abigail Susan Pitts!
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That's it! BTW, if you want to see some pictures of the event, click on the TITLE of this POST and you will be taken to a Snapfish page with some pictures by a good friend, Nelda Coats. (You will have to register as a Snapfish user, just as you do on many other sites.)
Thanks, and God bless!
Friday, April 27, 2007
What About Homosexuality*?
I guess you noticed the asterisk, huh? To tell you the truth, this particular blog is not about homosexuality. While I may venture to blog about the subject later, this is a more basic blog. It is about the preconceived ideas we bring in our search for meaning and spirituality and—well, God!
You see, often in a conversation about God and the particular community of faith, hope, and love that one enters as part of an authentic discovery of God, there comes a moment when the seeker asks the question, “What do you believe about ____________?” The blank can be filled in with all sorts of words… homosexuality, war, the homeless, riches, abortion, physical healing, the environment, efforts to convert people of other faiths… you name it!
From one perspective, it is quite right to ask such questions about faith. We want to know what God says about different subjects, and we want to know how the community of faith, hope, and love applies that word from God in the day to day of life. So, certainly questions are legitimate, and I welcome all kinds of questions from genuine seekers who want to know more.
However, there is also a sense in which such questions can not only be illegitimate but can thwart the seeker from finding the answer he or she truly seeks. Here’s what I am talking about:
When some folks ask, “What about homosexuality”—or any other subject—they are asking it in a way that it is a “deal-breaker” in the search for God and spirituality. In other words, if the God you are telling them about does not match up with the opinion they already hold, the search ends there.
You may ask, “What’s wrong with that?” If we weren’t talking about ultimate answers—God—it wouldn’t be as important. But think for a moment: if there really is a God, shouldn’t we be looking to Him for the guidance on these controversial questions of life, not judging Him by our little opinion? (I will put a caveat on that later, so stay with me.)
Shouldn’t we be seeking to find out, in the midst of all the different ideas of God or higher powers or cosmic consciousness (or whatever different people might call such things), if one is really true? And if we could somehow come to understand that there is one true God and that He speaks to us, shouldn’t we come to Him without our preconceived ideas of what is right and wrong and start looking to Him to tell us? (By the way, the word “good” comes from the word “God.” What God says, by definition, is what is “good.”) Isn’t it a little absurd to say to the big God of the Universe, if the evidence points to His existence, “I can’t put my trust in you because you have the wrong idea about government”?
Perhaps an illustration would be best. Let’s say that you absolutely love sugary desserts. They are what you live for. You have, however, been having some physical difficulties, so you make an appointment to go to the doctor. He has the reputation as the best doctor in the city. You are waiting for him to come give you the results of some tests, and as he walks into the examination room, you blurt out, “Doctor, I love sugar, and I live for sugar. What do you believe about sugar? I won’t accept any diagnosis that in any way limits my sugar intake.” The doctor says, “I’m sorry to hear that, because you have diabetes, and you absolutely will have to modify and monitor your sugar intake.”
What are you going to do? Are you going to say, “I don’t accept your diagnosis because I have already determined that consuming sugar is right”? Are you going to walk away from the treatment that is going to bring you health?
Well, that’s exactly what you are doing if you say, before you find out if God is real, “Well, if I find, God, that your opinion on homosexuality (or adultery or drunkenness or abortion or anything else) doesn’t line up with what I already believe, I will look for another idea of god who will agree with me and tell me that what I am already thinking or doing is okay.”
If you bring ANY preconceived notion as to what God has to say or do, you are limiting your search for the true God. And if you discover, say, that Jesus is truly God the Son and that God has left for us a book that reveals to us his ideas, we would ask the question we started with (and all others like it), not as a question of judging whether we will proceed down that path in our search, but in a humble attempt to find out what God says so that we can adopt His attitude as our own.
I often say to Bible study students, “We should approach the Scripture today with the attitude, ‘God, if I find today that my opinion is different from yours (after a careful study, of course), I’ll change mine.’” You see, if you would really search for God, you must be open to the fact that you might be wrong in one or two of the 10,000 opinions you currently hold!
I promised a caveat. If your search for God came to the place where, for instance, the one true God ended up being the god of this world (that is, the evil one)— a god who delighted in making us suffer and bringing destruction to our lives rather than loving us and seeking to rescue us from the mess our sins have made of the world—I certainly do not think that I would commit myself to such a god! I would hopefully fight against him tooth and nail.
The Good News for the believer in Jesus Christ is that our God is everything we could hope for and desire—a God of love, a God of justice, but also a God of mercy. And when we discover that, we are ready to put all opinions on the table. We are ready to say, “Teach me, O God, your ways.”
Please don’t let your pet opinion in this slice of history get in the way of your finding out the truth about God. Don’t go the doctor and rule out beforehand the diagnosis that can save your life!
Monday, April 09, 2007
Holy Week
Holy Week has, over the years, become more and more special to me and my family. One of the reasons is that we practice a Messianic Passover Seder during the week. This meal, which Jesus took with his disciples the night before he was crucified, is a commemoration of God's deliverance of the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt through the last of the ten plagues--the death of the firstborn in the families who had not slaughtered the Passover lamb. (For the full story, including God's direction for this to be an annual ordinance to both remember the event and pass it on to the following generations, see Exodus 12.)
It also provides the framework for what Christians today celebrate as communion or the Lord's Supper. Jesus was using elements of the Passover meal--matzah (unleavened bread) and wine--to show us an even deeper meaning, that is, that Jesus body and blood would be broken and spilled as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Jesus would become the Passover Lamb for us so that we might escape the judgment. It is amazing--and I don't use that word lightly; read on!--also how many points of the Passover Seder point to Jesus and to his gospel. Eating a Messianic Passover meal each year has given us greater appreciation for all that God has done, including giving us beautiful foreshadowing of his plan of redemption as well as a better understanding of communion and salvation itself.
(By the way, have you noticed how many images of the Lord's Supper, whether in picture or in dramas put on by churches, have leavened bread in them? I got an online offer the other day for PowerPoint images of Holy Week--with leavened bread! Don't people read the Bible? The alternate name for Passover is the Feast of Unleavened Bread! There are at least two issues here--first, the Israelites were in a hurry and would not have time for the dough to rise, and second, the yeast symbolizes sin in this context, and so the removal of yeast in the yearly commemoration should point believers to a fresh examination of their lives.)
Another part of Holy Week that has become important is the Good Friday service. While not as well attended as I would like, the people who come always seem to be deeply moved as we concentrate on the death of our Lord Jesus. (I can't tell you how many people have come up to me since Friday telling me that it was a truly moving service and the best they had ever been a part of; it was interesting that every year we get similar comments.) While we are not overly fancy on Good Friday, we do try to create a dark mood, emphasize the death of Jesus, and put worshipers in the place of the disciples as we partake of the Lord's Supper and as we walk through the events through Scripture, word, song, and simple drama. In other words, we want worshipers to leave the service sad and confused but convinced of God's love.
One way we try to accomplish this is through mood and lighting. We set a somber tone throughout on most years. We try to show the emotion of Jesus. We don't usually print a program so that people aren't as sure of what is next. We also make an effort to end the service in an abrupt way--at least not like the end of a usual service--so that worshipers are not quite sure if the service is over or not. This uncertainty, it is hoped, will help them feel in some sense like the disciples did after Jesus abrupt from turnaround--from entering Jerusalem to cries of "Hosanna" on Sunday, to delighting the crowd with his teaching on Tuesday, to being mocked, ridiculed, and crucified on Friday. We seek to do this to make Sunday all the more sweet!
In fact, we try to take the first few moments of the Resurrection Sunday service to recreate that mood--to remind worshipers what the disciples were feeling on Sunday before the news came to them and before Jesus appeared to them. Then we can truly experience the joy of the resurrection as we hear God's word and listen to words of triumph and sing with overflowing hearts about God raising his Son from the grave! Someone once told me that the word gospel in its original context does not simply mean good news but good news in the face of bad news. In other words, when a policeman is around, I suppose it is good news; when he shows up just as you are being robbed, that is really good news. It is good news to put to right a bad situation. That's what the gospel of Jesus is--good new of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection in the face of bad news--my sins that need to be forgiven!
Hallelujah! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
I should close here, but I want to share the introduction to my message from yesterday, Resurrection Sunday (I know that most of you call it "Easter," but I have a good reason for not, and I may share that some day.) This introduction itself had nothing directly to do with the resurrection, but I used it to share a bit of the difficulty that pastors may have on special days like resurrection because of the way we use words. (Perhaps it might even make you stop and think about the words you use!)
It also provides the framework for what Christians today celebrate as communion or the Lord's Supper. Jesus was using elements of the Passover meal--matzah (unleavened bread) and wine--to show us an even deeper meaning, that is, that Jesus body and blood would be broken and spilled as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Jesus would become the Passover Lamb for us so that we might escape the judgment. It is amazing--and I don't use that word lightly; read on!--also how many points of the Passover Seder point to Jesus and to his gospel. Eating a Messianic Passover meal each year has given us greater appreciation for all that God has done, including giving us beautiful foreshadowing of his plan of redemption as well as a better understanding of communion and salvation itself.
(By the way, have you noticed how many images of the Lord's Supper, whether in picture or in dramas put on by churches, have leavened bread in them? I got an online offer the other day for PowerPoint images of Holy Week--with leavened bread! Don't people read the Bible? The alternate name for Passover is the Feast of Unleavened Bread! There are at least two issues here--first, the Israelites were in a hurry and would not have time for the dough to rise, and second, the yeast symbolizes sin in this context, and so the removal of yeast in the yearly commemoration should point believers to a fresh examination of their lives.)
Another part of Holy Week that has become important is the Good Friday service. While not as well attended as I would like, the people who come always seem to be deeply moved as we concentrate on the death of our Lord Jesus. (I can't tell you how many people have come up to me since Friday telling me that it was a truly moving service and the best they had ever been a part of; it was interesting that every year we get similar comments.) While we are not overly fancy on Good Friday, we do try to create a dark mood, emphasize the death of Jesus, and put worshipers in the place of the disciples as we partake of the Lord's Supper and as we walk through the events through Scripture, word, song, and simple drama. In other words, we want worshipers to leave the service sad and confused but convinced of God's love.
One way we try to accomplish this is through mood and lighting. We set a somber tone throughout on most years. We try to show the emotion of Jesus. We don't usually print a program so that people aren't as sure of what is next. We also make an effort to end the service in an abrupt way--at least not like the end of a usual service--so that worshipers are not quite sure if the service is over or not. This uncertainty, it is hoped, will help them feel in some sense like the disciples did after Jesus abrupt from turnaround--from entering Jerusalem to cries of "Hosanna" on Sunday, to delighting the crowd with his teaching on Tuesday, to being mocked, ridiculed, and crucified on Friday. We seek to do this to make Sunday all the more sweet!
In fact, we try to take the first few moments of the Resurrection Sunday service to recreate that mood--to remind worshipers what the disciples were feeling on Sunday before the news came to them and before Jesus appeared to them. Then we can truly experience the joy of the resurrection as we hear God's word and listen to words of triumph and sing with overflowing hearts about God raising his Son from the grave! Someone once told me that the word gospel in its original context does not simply mean good news but good news in the face of bad news. In other words, when a policeman is around, I suppose it is good news; when he shows up just as you are being robbed, that is really good news. It is good news to put to right a bad situation. That's what the gospel of Jesus is--good new of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection in the face of bad news--my sins that need to be forgiven!
Hallelujah! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
I should close here, but I want to share the introduction to my message from yesterday, Resurrection Sunday (I know that most of you call it "Easter," but I have a good reason for not, and I may share that some day.) This introduction itself had nothing directly to do with the resurrection, but I used it to share a bit of the difficulty that pastors may have on special days like resurrection because of the way we use words. (Perhaps it might even make you stop and think about the words you use!)
Have you noticed how our world today is so given to hype and hyperbole? We can see it in advertising for TV series: “The most shocking episode ever” will be followed by, “The one episode this year you don’t want to miss.” Of course, that will be followed two weeks later by “The most intense episode ever.”
Did they get it from us—or did we get it from them? Have you noticed how many things in this day and age are “awesome”? I’m not quite sure how that differs from “totally awesome” or “amazing,” but terms like that thrown around today about the most mundane of subject.
“I love your shoes. They’re totally awesome!”
“We went shopping today. It was an awesome experience!”
“Oh, the game today was really amazing!”
One of my best friends has the gift of encouragement. That’s wonderful. But everything I do is “amazing.” It would not surprise me if I sneezed in his presence because we are in pollen season if he said, “Fred, that was an amazing sneeze!”
You may ask, “What’s the big deal? You know what they are talking about. It’s just the way language evolves in its usage. And your friend is just trying to be encouraging.”
Yes, I do understand that. But, since you ask, let me tell you the problem that can come from it. When everything is “totally awesome,” how do we describe something that is totally awesome?The Bible says, “Our God is an awesome God.” That means, in the original, that he inspires awe. He takes our breath away when we consider him and all of his creation. It gives rise to deep thoughts of life and love and eternity and the nature of all things.
Today, it means he’s like a pair of new shoes.
When the Bible writers said that Jesus’ teaching was amazing, they meant that people were stunned by how this one with little formal education could bring the truths of God down to their level on a practical basis and show them what God was really like, a God not in love with ritual but with people. A God not concerned as much about outer appearances and with the heart.
When John Newton wrote that God’s grace is amazing, he meant he couldn’t believe God would save someone as wretched as himself, someone who had been a slave, got his freedom, and then turned around and traded others as slaves. Today, to say that Jesus’ teaching and God’s grace are amazing just communicates we think they’re cool.
Here’s my specific problem today: it’s my job to tell you the most totally awesome, the most amazing thing that has ever happened in history, and for you to really
understand that it is not hype nor hyperbole.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
"Who Told You That You Could...?"
[Today is Tuesday of this year's Holy Week. Here is a message based on the events of that day.]
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
It was late February or early March. I was home with the children; Cindy was out for a while. The day was unseasonably warm, but there was still a nip in the air. A child with her friend came up to me in the late afternoon. “Can we put on swimsuits and turn on the hose and get wet?”
I had forgotten to put on my bracelet that morning—my WWMS bracelet. You know, “What would Mom say?” Still, in the back of my mind, I knew what Mom would say: “NO!” And she would have several dozen good reasons for that answer.
My mind was full of deep theological thoughts, though, and try as I might, I could not marshal a single reason to say no. “I guess,” I said, but wanting to prove I was no pushover, I added, “But not one drop of water in the house, and no mud at all. Stay on the driveway or in the grass.” As they ran happily off, I returned to my easy chair in front of a television showing NCAA basketball that I was, of course, ignoring, being caught up thinking deep theological thoughts. But I remember that inwardly I felt a little uneasy and hoped it would be a while before Mom returned. However, it wasn’t long before I heard the van make its way into the driveway and to the rear of the house.
My wife is an excellent musician. She has a beautiful voice. And in that moment I heard her melodious strains wafting through the backyard and on into the house.
“Who told you that you could get wet and muddy?” I froze as I waited to hear the reply, which came rather quickly. “Dad said we could.” And I heard them continue to explain it in such I way that it sounded like I gave not only permission but that it was my idea.
They were off the hook. They had authority. “Dad said we could.” I reluctantly pushed my deep theological thoughts aside and quietly made my way to the front door. I just remembered some errands I needed to run. And since my cell phone battery was not taking a charge very well at the time, I decided I would conserve the power and just leave it off for a while.
“Who told you that you could?” That’s a popular question, isn’t it? Jesus was asked that question on a busy teaching day during Holy Week. He was asked that by the guardians of Judaism who were threatened by his popularity and his power and his very presence.
It was Tuesday of Holy Week. On Sunday the crowd had gone wild with shouts of “Hosanna!” as Jesus entered
Since a crowd of people were around, they were a little more polite than they might have been in private: “‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you the authority to do this?’” (Mark 11.28 NIV)
He could have answered them, and perhaps he would have answered them had they been honest inquirers of what could have been, in my mind, a legitimate question. But legitimate questions seek for answers. And they had already decided in their minds that since they had not given him authority, there was no authority. They were not looking for an answer to consider; they were looking for an answer to entrap and condemn.
So Jesus offered them a deal. If they would answer a question about the authority of John the Baptist, he would answer the question about his own authority.
John’s baptism… was it from heaven or men? “Tell me.” (Mark 11.30)
They got together in a holy huddle…
31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn't you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘From men’....” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
They were caught in just the kind of trap they had been laying for Jesus (and would again with the question about taxes.) Unlike Jesus, they couldn't come up with an answer.
“We don’t know,” they replied. (Mark 11.31)
“If you are the experts on religious authority and cannot determine the authority of John’s message…” Jesus seemed to be saying as he uttered the words:
“Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” (11.33)
To add insult to injury, Jesus told a parable that cast them in the roles of thieves and murderers. This made them more angry than ever. So they regrouped and tried to come up with a way of putting Jesus in a bad light with the people or making him look foolish.
It was April – that’s tax time for everyone, I guess – so they asked him if it were okay to pay taxes to Caesar. He said, in essence, “Yes, but it is even more important to give God his due.”
And what is God due? What is God’s? We would like to know that this Holy Week, wouldn’t we? Good news! Jesus answers that question for us after a slight detour.
The Sadducees, a group that didn’t believe in life after death, first throw out a riddle trying to show the absurdity of the resurrection. Jesus uses the Scripture to say firmly, “Yes, there is life after death. This is not all there is.” And if they didn’t believe the Scriptures, all they had to do was hang around town just a few more days and they could see it for themselves.
But then, in the last question anyone dared ask him publicly, someone asks that day a question that Matthew implies may have started out as kind of a setup, but ends up with the questioner becoming impressed with Jesus, and that, in turn, impresses Jesus.
Mark 12 (NIV)
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
This last question is the most important. Essentially, “What is the most important thing in life?” “What is life all about?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Essentially, Jesus said, “I can’t give you just one, though there is one that is most important. I will give you two that are closely related.” After sharing them, he says, “There is no commandment greater than these.” Does that statement sound like something we need to underline in our lives—that we need to order out lives around these words?
The most important thing in life: Love God. But how must we love God?
Look down at verse 30. There are four words mentioned: heart, soul, mind, strength. I began to wonder if one of the words in the verse was the key to loving God correctly. What would you judge as the key word or concept in that passage? I once did a word study of these concepts mentioned. I understood this was perhaps the most important verse in the Bible (since Jesus said so!). I wanted to understand how to love God . There were secrets here to the meaning of life! I was disappointed, though, as I tried to understand these words in the original language. The meanings were not as concise and unique as I had anticipated. Their meanings overlap. One commentator used this phrase about the four words: he said they are “semantically concentric.” In other words, they pretty much have the same center of meaning and differ in breadth of meaning. I discovered that the key word here for loving God is not heart. It’s not soul. Mind? Nope. Not even strength.
But upon further reflection, I did discover that there was indeed a key word in that passage in teaching us how to love God. It just wasn’t one of the ones I was initially drawn toward.
What is the key in how to love God? It’s the word all.
If we were honest, some of us might admit that we are half-hearted in our love for God.
Some of us are of a divided mind…we are too enamored with the entertainment of this world that focuses on the sensual and decadent rather than the spiritual and the good.
Love with all. Jesus is saying that we are not to approach God with only parts of ourselves. If we want to love God, it must with our total being.
Here’s our last question of the day: Is Jesus right? The questioner thinks so: 32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
This man evaluates Jesus. And Jesus, after being evaluated, evaluates this man. He, in essence, wants the man to know that he is not judged by this man, but he himself is the judge. Look at Jesus’ answer:
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
Which brings us back to the original question:
By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you authority to do this?
“Who told you that you could make such pronouncements?”
What gives you the right to pick out these two as the greatest commandments?
Jesus didn’t give these guys the answer that day, but he gives it to us:
Matthew 28 (NIV)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Who told you that you could do that?
Jesus says, “Daddy told me I could.” And in the way he explained it, he lets us know that it was his Father’s idea all along. “I do only what the Father tells me to do.”
He proved it by going to the cross.
This Holy Week, attending worship opportunities is a good thing. But what is most important is to love God with all that you are, and to love one another as you love yourself.
Love on God this week through prayer, praise, the Word…
Love on God by being intentionally obedient to his commands.
Remember, Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Love your neighbor today, whether that is your spouse, your child, your parents, your roommate, your classmate, your co-worker, your acquaintances. Remember that Jesus would say to love on somebody, to help somebody who can’t do anything for you in return.
Love God with all you are. Love your neighbor as yourself. And we love, because he first loved us.
And the Father has told me to remind you that this is what will make this week—and every week—a Holy Week.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Time to Disband the Church?
It is, if the information presented by James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici in The Lost Tomb of Jesus is true! This docudrama, presented by the Discovery Channel on Sunday night, March 4, purported to show overwhelming statistical evidence that Jesus, his mother, his siblings, and--shades of the DaVinci Code!--his wife, Mary Magdalene were all buried in Jerusalem. If you watched it, as I did, you were certainly amused by the train of details offered as evidence. It's amazing how facts that argue against the case are turned into facts that help prove it. "True, no one by that name is recorded in the family records of the Bible, but--get this--there is a great, great, great grandfather and a great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather by that name in the family records, so that proves that a person by this name was really all in the family and the fact that he is not mentioned anywhere is inconsequential!" Well, you get the idea.
I am glad that so many archaeologists and other experts who are not even believers have thoroughly called into questions not only the methods but also the conclusions. That means I don't have to waste time debunking another annual (or more often) "Jesus is a fake--or at least the church turned him into one" campaign! I hope you have checked some of them out if you were in any way intrigued by the program.
Actually, what bothers me is more subtle. Have you noticed that some people--so-called believers--tried to downplay the damage that would be done to the faith even if Jesus' bones were found? Some said such things as, "We should expect to find his bones somewhere" or "Some see the resurrection as spiritual, not physical, so this kind of discovery would not affect us at all."
Let's make this clear and make no mistake about it: if Jesus did not physically rise from the dead, as the Bible clearly claims, then our faith in dead. It always amazes me to discover that some people who preach and teach "Christianity" actually believe the story is untrue--or at least, to them it doesn't matter if it is true. All that matters to them is that the story has the power to inspire and to make people feel better psychologically. They may not believe there is really a heaven for people to go to, for instance, but they think the idea of heaven is a nice, sentimental story that may comfort those who are dying, and it is psychologically reassuring to people who have recently lost a family member or a close friend to death. They also may think to help other people believe in Jesus will make them nicer people and inspire them to do better things in life. How noble they are!
But I would not want to be counted among that number. I want to know the truth, even if it not pleasant. I don't want to believe a lie, even if it makes for a more pleasant psychology. And I especially would not give my life to the propagation of a lie. Can you imagine devoting your life to telling people about how the Easter Bunny can change their lives? That's what pastors like me would be doing if Jesus were not still alive. Sorry, I think I could find better (and more honest) things to do. (I might even actually use my degree from Georgia Tech!)
The apostle Paul, among others, would agree with me. (Or, obviously it would be more accurate to say that I agree with him.) Here's what he wrote about the reality of the resurrection and the implications if Jesus was not actually raised bodily and later ascended into heaven (and therefore we could find his bones in a tomb):
1 Corinthians 15.12-32 (NIV)
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.... If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
Without the resurrection of Jesus, Paul says compellingly, there is no faith, and we are are wasting our time. But the resurrection is real. Over 500 eyewitnesses saw him. And how else can you account for the changed lives of the disciples, who hid behind closed doors from fear right after the crucifixion but boldly stood up to the same folks who killed Jesus after the resurrection? How do you account for their willingness to die for their faith--when they knew for sure whether Jesus appeared to them or not? (Would they die for what they knew to be a lie? Or were they willing to die because they knew they would be raised from the dead, too?)
Paul was certain. That's why later in 1 Corinthians 15 he writes:
"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (verses 54-58)
Yes, let us stand firm. Our labor is not in vain. Jesus was really raised from the dead, and he really is alive today. Oh, and we can keep the church together--for now!
I am glad that so many archaeologists and other experts who are not even believers have thoroughly called into questions not only the methods but also the conclusions. That means I don't have to waste time debunking another annual (or more often) "Jesus is a fake--or at least the church turned him into one" campaign! I hope you have checked some of them out if you were in any way intrigued by the program.
Actually, what bothers me is more subtle. Have you noticed that some people--so-called believers--tried to downplay the damage that would be done to the faith even if Jesus' bones were found? Some said such things as, "We should expect to find his bones somewhere" or "Some see the resurrection as spiritual, not physical, so this kind of discovery would not affect us at all."
Let's make this clear and make no mistake about it: if Jesus did not physically rise from the dead, as the Bible clearly claims, then our faith in dead. It always amazes me to discover that some people who preach and teach "Christianity" actually believe the story is untrue--or at least, to them it doesn't matter if it is true. All that matters to them is that the story has the power to inspire and to make people feel better psychologically. They may not believe there is really a heaven for people to go to, for instance, but they think the idea of heaven is a nice, sentimental story that may comfort those who are dying, and it is psychologically reassuring to people who have recently lost a family member or a close friend to death. They also may think to help other people believe in Jesus will make them nicer people and inspire them to do better things in life. How noble they are!
But I would not want to be counted among that number. I want to know the truth, even if it not pleasant. I don't want to believe a lie, even if it makes for a more pleasant psychology. And I especially would not give my life to the propagation of a lie. Can you imagine devoting your life to telling people about how the Easter Bunny can change their lives? That's what pastors like me would be doing if Jesus were not still alive. Sorry, I think I could find better (and more honest) things to do. (I might even actually use my degree from Georgia Tech!)
The apostle Paul, among others, would agree with me. (Or, obviously it would be more accurate to say that I agree with him.) Here's what he wrote about the reality of the resurrection and the implications if Jesus was not actually raised bodily and later ascended into heaven (and therefore we could find his bones in a tomb):
1 Corinthians 15.12-32 (NIV)
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.... If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
Without the resurrection of Jesus, Paul says compellingly, there is no faith, and we are are wasting our time. But the resurrection is real. Over 500 eyewitnesses saw him. And how else can you account for the changed lives of the disciples, who hid behind closed doors from fear right after the crucifixion but boldly stood up to the same folks who killed Jesus after the resurrection? How do you account for their willingness to die for their faith--when they knew for sure whether Jesus appeared to them or not? (Would they die for what they knew to be a lie? Or were they willing to die because they knew they would be raised from the dead, too?)
Paul was certain. That's why later in 1 Corinthians 15 he writes:
"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (verses 54-58)
Yes, let us stand firm. Our labor is not in vain. Jesus was really raised from the dead, and he really is alive today. Oh, and we can keep the church together--for now!
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Mrs. Irene's World Famous Pecan Pies
We buried Mrs. Irene Orr in Sugar Hill, Georgia, yesterday, almost four years after the death of her husband, Mr. Joe Orr. Joe and Irene were simple people. They were probably not well known outside of the Buford/Sugar Hill area. But that's okay. They touched deeply those who were blessed enough to know them. I was one of them.
The most wonderful thing I can say about Joe and Irene is that, despite their relative anonymity in the world, they surpassed most everyone in the world by truly living up to the purpose for which they were created. Jesus told us that we all share a two-fold overall purpose in life: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Joe and Irene Orr both accomplished these in a magnificent manner.
And that's not all. They accomplished more on top of that. One of those accomplishments, which both of them participated in, was Mrs. Irene's World Famous Pecan Pies. I had the honor of giving the pies that moniker, and I don't think it is an exaggeration in the least! I wish I could capture for those of you who didn't know them the essence of their lives, but, again, they were simple people. It wouldn't sound very exciting to hear their lives described in a world that is fixated on who gets to bury Anna Nicole Smith and on so-called "reality" shows that are anything but!
But perhaps you can get a small sense of their lives through the words I shared at Mrs. Irene's funeral. Here it is:
The most wonderful thing I can say about Joe and Irene is that, despite their relative anonymity in the world, they surpassed most everyone in the world by truly living up to the purpose for which they were created. Jesus told us that we all share a two-fold overall purpose in life: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Joe and Irene Orr both accomplished these in a magnificent manner.
And that's not all. They accomplished more on top of that. One of those accomplishments, which both of them participated in, was Mrs. Irene's World Famous Pecan Pies. I had the honor of giving the pies that moniker, and I don't think it is an exaggeration in the least! I wish I could capture for those of you who didn't know them the essence of their lives, but, again, they were simple people. It wouldn't sound very exciting to hear their lives described in a world that is fixated on who gets to bury Anna Nicole Smith and on so-called "reality" shows that are anything but!
But perhaps you can get a small sense of their lives through the words I shared at Mrs. Irene's funeral. Here it is:
Funeral Service for
Mrs. Irene Orr
Died, Sunday, February 25, 2007
Service, Wednesday, February 28, 2007
I remember the first time I met Irene Orr. I had come home to Georgia for Christmas holidays right after graduating from seminary in 1984, and Mickey Mayfield asked me to come preach for the new mission church that was being started by Sugar Hill Baptist. I met Tubby Cronic at the Anitox office, where the mission was meeting. He was showing me around, and he pointed to Mrs. Irene as she entered the room and said, “That’s Irene Orr. She’s the finest Christian woman you’ll ever meet.” I have met a lot of fine Christian women over the course of my life, and I have found that Tubby Cronic was often given to wild exaggeration, but I have yet to be dissuaded from the truth of his statement. Irene Orr certainly was and is the finest Christian woman I have ever met.
I hope that she would approve of me being here today—that is, with a beard. I grew my first beard while I was her pastor. I grew it so that I could play the part of Jesus and recite the Sermon on the Mount. She still didn’t like it. She said, “I don’t like my pastor to have a beard.” Mrs. Irene was always so supportive of anything we did that it surprised me that she would find something like a beard to complain to me about. Struggling to reason with her, I finally blurted out, “But Mrs. Irene, your own son has a beard.” She didn’t miss a beat. “He’s not my pastor.” I am just wondering if she has already asked Jesus when he’s going to get rid of that beard.
In the last chapter of Job, it says, “Job saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so he died, old and full of years.”
Mrs. Irene Orr saw her children and their children—and some of their children. And she died, old and full of years at the age of 91. Not only was she old and full of years; the years she lived were incredibly full years.
I know that there are many ways of expressing her full life. I know that whatever I say will seem empty compared to the reality. I mean, how do you sum up a full 91 years in a matter of moments? But I will try.
Mrs. Irene’s life was full of food.
I’m sorry. I can’t think of Mrs. Irene without thinking of food. In my mind’s eye, I can still see the gardens she and Joe worked there in the yard. I remember how she and Joe offered to share the garden with our family. I can see Joe and Irene and Cindy and our little ones going from row to row, planting corn and other crops, watching them grow, weeding, picking and preparing. I remember the many wonderful meals that she shared with us. I hope that you will forgive me for remember most of all the desserts.
There was always a cake or two—including a pound cake, which is my personal favorite. She made the most wonderful fried apple pies. She got to the place where she would only make them once a year. But when she did, I would get a dozen—because I was her pastor. Above them all were Mrs. Irene’s World Famous Pecan Pies. I can’t tell you how many of those I have eaten. She gave me one just about every time I came over. And I came over a lot. When we would have a dessert auction to raise money for youth trips at church, she would send us a dozen. That’s when the bidding would really get serious. The bidding sometimes reached $50 for one of her pecan pies.
In the early days of starting Bogan Road church, before we had a building, we would meet together at Joe and Irene’s on Tuesday nights for outreach. Irene and Joe would keep the children while the adults would visit people, talking to them about Jesus and inviting them to church. When we returned to Irene and Joe’s, there would be all kinds of snacks, from cheese and crackers to cakes and pies with sweet tea. And we would sit around for a while just talking and laughing and praying and having a great time. Baptists learned a long time ago that good food sets the table for good fellowship. And Irene Orr made it into an art. Life with her was full of food.
More importantly, Irene’s life was full of family. There are many of us that Irene treated so special that she made us feel like family, but, oh, how she loved all of you. Children and grandchildren, I hope you know—and I’m sure you do—just how proud Joe and Irene were of you in life. Every time I visited—and I have already told you that was a lot—there was news of Gordon or Stanley or Glenda or David or an in-law or a grandchild and one of you was going to be visiting soon or had sent something or was doing this at work or that at school. Her love for all you was evident in her countenance and her tone of voice.
You all have your memories of Mrs. Irene. One of you told me yesterday that your mother was the strength of the family and that she taught you to be strong in life. All of you have wonderful memories. I just want to encourage you to treasure them and ponder them and learn from her life. Write some of the stories down and pass them on to the next generations. Her life was too full for the memory of her to stop with you. Remember the story of her and Joe’s courtship? How they met but were interrupted by war? How they married within a week after Joe returning home from England? How they created a loving home environment? How they were hardworking folks? All the crafts and baby items that Mrs. Irene created? How they worked together on quilts in the last season of life? How she fought hard in these last couple of years after the stroke? How many memories you must have!
Family, if there is any one special thing that I would say to you, I would remind you that the number one hope and dream of Irene was that each one of you would have a personal, vital, growing relationship with the Lord, because she had discovered that to be the most important thing of all in life, and she didn’t want anyone—but particularly anyone in the family—to miss it. She would say it this way—she didn’t want the circle to be broken. She wanted everyone to discover the joy of life with Jesus.
And that’s the last thing I want to mention about Irene’s full life. It was full of food, yes. More importantly, it was full of family. But most importantly, it was full of faith.
I saw that illustrated through her commitment to Jesus and his church. Several middle age and older couples came over from Sugar Hill to help us start Bogan Road. Most intended to and did return after we got on our feet. But Joe and Irene felt called to stay. They loved Sugar Hill and everyone there. But they sensed a call to be missionaries with us, and they took that very seriously. Now, I was 28 when Bogan Road was started, and most everyone else was below 45, so Joe and Irene became surrogate parents and grandparents for the rest of us. I mean, my children grew up calling her “Grandma Irene.” And when my firstborn was married this past summer, Irene was there in her wheelchair to bless her. Thank you, Glenda, for bringing her. But it wasn’t just us that felt so loved and blessed by Joe and Irene. It was everyone else, as well.
I also saw her faith illustrated through prayer. She and Joe both believed in the power of prayer. And we saw their prayers in action. Hannah, our oldest child, was struggling with asthma when she only four or five. One day out of the blue, Mr. Joe and Mrs. Irene just showed up at our house and told us they wanted to pray for Hannah. Hannah stood on the coffee table as we gathered around and prayed. The reason this stands out so is because, while all prayers are not answered in such a dramatic fashion, Hannah has never had a significant respiratory problem since that day.
We also saw her belief in prayer during the sickness of the last couple of years. One day a year and a half ago everyone was called to Gwinnett Medical to say goodbye. It looked like it was time for hospice to be brought in. Mrs. Irene asked for prayer, even asking that a church with a television ministry be called to join in the effort. The next day, there was no talk of hospice, only of rehab.
This coming Sunday I am preaching on Philippians 1.21, where Paul said, “To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Many of us don’t fully understand that. Mrs. Irene did, particularly in these last months. She often wondered why God would not allow her to go ahead and die and go to heaven. But she would always know that there was someone to encourage, someone to love. Like Paul, life here was fruitful labor. But death is gain! Mrs. Irene is in heaven right now!
Some think that the idea of life beyond the grave is silly sentimental foolishness—just wishful thinking. But it is true. Jesus said, “Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus is a lover of truth. He said, “If it were not so, I would have told you.
His resurrection from the dead that we will shortly be celebrating is proof of life over death. But Mrs. Irene’s life is also proof of the truth of God. How can you argue with a life that was so full—lived that way absolutely because of the love of God in her heart?
I want to give Mrs. Irene herself the last word about her life and her faith. Listen to her own testimony:
When I was twelve years old, we went to a revival meeting at Mount Tabor Church. I realized after the preacher preached that I needed to give my heart to the Lord. I wasn’t saved right then but asked the Lord to come into my heart later at home when I was almost thirteen.
My sister was sixteen years old and took sick with a headache which ended up that that she had diphtheria. She was buried on my fourteenth birthday.
Alice Neal was saved at a prayer meeting at a house. Back then, they had revival services morning and evening and prayer meetings in the afternoon. Alice Neal was saved and baptized about one month before she died with diphtheria.
This is my testimony that if any of my family doesn’t know the Lord and have not asked Jesus into their life that they won’t put that off because life is so short. Alice Neal passing away at age sixteen is an example of that. I hope and pray that my Family Circle won’t be broken.
I’m looking forward to seeing Joe again and being with him forever. Whether you all know it or not, your Grandma prays for every member of this family.
Gordon and Martha, Stanley and Norma, Glenda and Mac, David and Catherine, grandchildren, other family members: You know how true this is—how she prayed for you. She wanted nothing more than she wanted all of you to walk with Jesus. She wouldn’t just want you to say you believe in Jesus. She wants you to love Jesus. She wants you to live Jesus. That’s what Mrs. Irene did. And that’s why she truly lived a full life. You can live a full life, too, by placing your trust in Jesus and by walking with him day by day.
Irene saw her children and her children’s children. And she died, old and full of years. And those of us who share her faith in Jesus will see her again!
Let’s pray.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Hearing the Word
The response from the congregation was illuminating. While some seemed to marvel simply because I was able to do this from memory—not so hard since I had memorized most of it as a devotional exercise while in college—most went beyond that to sharing the impact it had on their understanding of Paul and his relationship with Christ as well as with the Philippian church. Not only did they receive the immediate context of some of their favorite verses—such as “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” and “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”—but they were able to hear someone give his interpretation of the letter through such things as voice inflection, mood, gestures, and posture.
This response is not new to me. I have also on several occasions presented the Sermon on the Mount (from Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7) in a similar manner. Most times I have dressed as Jesus—I have a nice wig to wear as part of that—although sometimes I have presented it simply dressed in the common garb of today. Either way, I have received comments such as, “I felt like I was there,” or “It seems different—and more powerful—when spoken rather than simply read.”
And it is that last comment that prompts this blog today.
The Bible says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” We rightly interpret that to include the preaching of the word of God, but I am convinced that there is great power in hearing the word itself from the Bible.
We think of previous generations (when most people could not read) as being uneducated. However, we fail to appreciate the fact that many of them had a different kind of education—an oral education. Consider how important stories were passed from generation to generation not so much by the written word as by the spoken word. Think how many people memorized the words they heard so that they could faithfully pass it on to others. Uneducated people? Hardly! Witness the many people who marvel that I could memorize a few pages of the Bible, saying such things as, “I could never do that!”
And with the memorization and recitation came an oral interpretation of the stories. There are times the word is spoken loudly—and times when it is spoken as a whisper. Some of it goes fast, while other parts are presented more slowly. You get the picture. This is what we often miss from the word of God today. It would be great to have more and more of this going on.
Don’t get me wrong. We are blessed today to be able to have copies of God’s word to read, and we would be foolish to leave it unread! (This year, many of our church members are joining me in another “Read through the Bible in a year” challenge, one that I have done, I guess, over a dozen times over the years.) And reading allows us to make connections—by perusing the text over and over and looking forward and backward—that we might not make otherwise.
But I am now—because of the many comments I have received over the years—convinced of the great power of hearing (and experiencing) the word! I have never listened to the Bible all the way through in a year—I have listened to the New Testament on cassette tapes—but it is an idea that perhaps should be pursued. Some make a big deal of selling Bible tapes with celebrities reading the text. That doesn’t interest me. I would not be impressed with who reads the text but how they read it.
Paul told Timothy to give attention to the “public reading of Scripture.” It doesn’t always have to be an entire letter or sermon. It can be as simple as having a Scripture portion read as part of each week’s service (and not just as part of the sermon, though we need to have the Scripture central to the teaching ministry of the church.) In your family, you can read the Bible to each other as part of the practice of your faith. We have for years done that at a meal time. You can, too.
There are other ways to achieve this as well, I’m sure. We are creative people. So let’s put that to use. Want to grow in your faith? Remember what the word says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God!”
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Happy New Year!
Well, after a busy holiday season--Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and New Year's--it is time to settle down to a more normal pace. Perhaps I will even blog a little bit more! Or, if that doesn't become a reality, maybe I will pull the plug on it altogether.
A lot has happened in the last few months that I would have liked to comment upon, but I did not because of the lack of time to do so. It is a little frustrating to have something to say or at least the desire to think more clearly about a subject by writing about it and not find--or make--the time to do so.
Our family had a wonderful time this Christmas sharing gifts and goodwill and seeing family. I hope your Christmas season was joyous also. Several years ago, because of the need to travel early on Christmas morning, causing us to rush too much, we moved our gift-giving in our own family to Christmas Eve morning rather than Christmas morning. While the move was a logistical success in its own right, it had a byproduct that was even more meaningful to our family: it helped us worship Jesus more effectively.
How so? We have a tradition of a special Christmas Eve afternoon meal that is followed a little later by our Christmas Eve Candle Lighting and Communion Worship with our church. Before we instituted our change, there was always the allure of Christmas morning and the gift receiving that would serve to take the minds of especially the children away from the worship experience. When we moved the gifting time to Christmas Eve morning, we had the joy of giving and receiving then, and that resulted in the ability of us all to focus more on the Child of Christmas both in our family traditional meal and then in the worship service.
Our Christmas Eve Worship has always been very special to us. Retelling the story of the darkness and the light always seems fresh and powerful. I hope that you also have learned to understand what a wonderful gift we have from God in His sending Jesus, the Light of the World. We have all walked in darkness, but through Jesus, we now have the light of life, and we can even be light for others. May each of us seek to let our light shine in 2007 in such a way that others may see our good works but be drawn, not to us, but to the Father of light.
God bless you in 2007!
A lot has happened in the last few months that I would have liked to comment upon, but I did not because of the lack of time to do so. It is a little frustrating to have something to say or at least the desire to think more clearly about a subject by writing about it and not find--or make--the time to do so.
Our family had a wonderful time this Christmas sharing gifts and goodwill and seeing family. I hope your Christmas season was joyous also. Several years ago, because of the need to travel early on Christmas morning, causing us to rush too much, we moved our gift-giving in our own family to Christmas Eve morning rather than Christmas morning. While the move was a logistical success in its own right, it had a byproduct that was even more meaningful to our family: it helped us worship Jesus more effectively.
How so? We have a tradition of a special Christmas Eve afternoon meal that is followed a little later by our Christmas Eve Candle Lighting and Communion Worship with our church. Before we instituted our change, there was always the allure of Christmas morning and the gift receiving that would serve to take the minds of especially the children away from the worship experience. When we moved the gifting time to Christmas Eve morning, we had the joy of giving and receiving then, and that resulted in the ability of us all to focus more on the Child of Christmas both in our family traditional meal and then in the worship service.
Our Christmas Eve Worship has always been very special to us. Retelling the story of the darkness and the light always seems fresh and powerful. I hope that you also have learned to understand what a wonderful gift we have from God in His sending Jesus, the Light of the World. We have all walked in darkness, but through Jesus, we now have the light of life, and we can even be light for others. May each of us seek to let our light shine in 2007 in such a way that others may see our good works but be drawn, not to us, but to the Father of light.
God bless you in 2007!
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