Here Goes!

So Sunday, May 22nd, 2016 my little boy turns 4.  It's a big day and it's very important to him.  It's an important day to all of us.  It's also the day I am being licensed into ministry.  It's something I have known I needed to do as it is the first step to ordination.  It's a very important step that will hopefully give me the training, time and experience to be an ordained minister.  If you aren't a pastor, it's hard to understand.  It really is a big move and the weight of it is hitting me tonight.  After taking my final exam for public speaking and doing work on my sermon prep class, the weight of what is taking place finally came down.  I'm not even sure I can explain it.

It's extremely humbling to officially be recognized by a body of believers that God has called you into ministry.  It is also very intimidating that you're being trusted with preaching the Word and with motivating people to fulfill the Great Commission.  It is amazing though, how God has shaped my life for this.  I was, and still am in certain instances, very shy.  Through my employment in EMS and the fire service, I learned to talk to people of any age, race, creed, color, sex, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status or socioeconomic status. I hate public speaking.  Hate. It.  At the same time though, I crave to preach and teach the Bible.  Some people say I'm good at it, but I honestly am still figuring out what I'm doing.  I'm afraid of screwing up, yet at the same time, I know I will, that God's mercies are new every morning, and that what matters is what I do after I fall.  Do I stay down like Judas or do I stand up like Peter?

Ultimately though, this is the calling God has placed on my life.  I will obey.  I will pray however You want me to pray, I will give whatever You want me to give, I will go whenever and wherever You want me to go, no matter what it costs, knowing You are my reward.

Attitude and Worship

An emotion and action that go hand in hand.

Anyone who has gone to church more than maybe a week knows what it’s like.  It’s Sunday morning, and the alarm didn’t go off (or half asleep, you turned it off when it did properly function), the kids are fighting, you finally get dressed after finding a stain on the clothes you want to wear, and right as you are walking out the door, you realize no one has eaten breakfast yet.  At least that’s a Sunday we have had.  Every Sunday, it seems something happens to distract us from worship.  And by us, I mean all of us.  It doesn’t matter if you live alone or have 10 kids, something will try to distract you from worship.  These things can range from a dislike of the sermon series, a “bone to pick” with the music minister, a family problem, or you just simply woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  It happens and, since we’re all sin-filled humans, we should expect it.  However, it’s what we do with those trying circumstances that shape how we worship.  I’m speaking strictly on a Sunday morning basis, but this applies to our worship every day.  Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”  That’s difficult to do when life throws you a curve ball and your focus should be on God.

                

That kind of sums up the whole point of worship though.  When life is crazy and all around us falls apart, God remains constant and He is there.  He lifted us up from our brokenness and raised us to life.  Even when we didn’t deserve any of it.  That’s what justifies a change of attitude.  When measured up against hell, what we experience is minuscule.  If we looked at the blessings God has extended to us, it will change our attitude in dealing with circumstances and our hearts will be prepared for worship prior to us arriving at church.  When we’re ready to worship before the service begins, it’s an amazing freedom to worship and enjoy that sermon series that once wasn’t so interesting.  Maybe there is something in there for us after all.  One of my favorite scriptures that I have to constantly remind myself of is Philippians 4:8-9.  They say, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Sometimes our attitude is that of cynicism.  We look at everything through the filter of what we want and what we prefer.  It happens.  As a baptist minister, I see it every Sunday, and most I hear about it as well.  The problem though is that we look at things through our experiences and desires, typically, it equates to what we grew up with, and our background in church.  Think about it for a second, honestly, now you see that I'm correct.  If someone comes from a highly liturgical background, that is their preference.  If someone didn't grow up in church, but came to Christ at an age later in life, you'll see their preference relates directly back to the first church they did attend.  We're creatures of habit and that shapes our attitude in worship.  If something breaks that habit, it's viewed as either incorrect or not for you.  We end up with the tendency to critique it under a microscope until we find something, anything wrong with it no matter how small that something is.  Unfortunately, that is a huge fault, and is sin.  It takes the worship God deserves and desires and we end up worshiping ourselves, our wants, our preferences and not the God who gave His life for ours so we could be blameless.  Philippians 2:14-18 warns us about this saying, "Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me."

Sometimes I get the feeling that people place a high responsibility on others (ie, pastors) for their own worship, when in reality, we all have a responsibility for our worship. I believe questions we need to constantly ask ourselves is this; is my heart in the right place? Am I willing to give time to God? Do I have an attitude of praise and an openness to be challenged by the word of God? Am I a spectator or do I join in God's work? 

In conclusion, I think there are three things we can do to keep our attitude in check.  First, the church is the bride of Christ and we should respect it.  Jesus died for the bride He adores and I'm pretty sure He cares how we talk about it.  Second, we should all reject anything that resembles an "us" vs "them" mentality.  Jesus was very honest about truth and spoke confidently to those who challenged it with their hypocrisy and legalism, but He did it without mocking or belittling anyone. He didn’t post open letters on the town gates and He didn’t publicly ridicule those who questioned him, nor did he get on the phone to His pew-mate. He met them with Scripture and self-control. If they felt foolish, it was because they were caught with their foot in their mouth, not from Jesus laughing at them with crowds behind Him.  Finally, we should focus on what is good.  As I previously shared one of my favorite scriptures, it fits nicely here.  Philippians 4:8-9.  In the four chapters of Philippians, Paul tells the church in Philippi to rejoice 15 times.  Paul doesn't focus on why their being negative, but rather, he is very concerned with their choosing to change.  

Next Sunday morning, life will go crazy.  Take a deep breath, think about what the Lord has done, and enter the church with praise, joy, and thanksgiving.  

Christmastime is Here

It's Christmas again, the kids are so very excited.  I am as well.  We have been celebrating the Advent season, the anticipation of the arrival of Christ.  It has been great for my family to do.  I recently watched a video by comedian Michael Jr. It was a parody of sorts titled, "Mark's Birthday."  The video hit home and I hope you get a chance to watch it.  All kinds of people worked hard to prepare for Mark's birthday, and came with gifts and had tons of food to celebrate Mark's birthday.  Their houses were thoroughly decorated and they whole town was filled with the excitement of Mark's birthday.  When Mark's birthday came, everyone celebrated and had a great time.  It was a grand time.  However, Mark was left out of his own party. Even though everyone gathered around to celebrate Mark, Mark wasn't there.

It's a metaphor for Christmas.  The season is to celebrate Christ's arrival on earth.  The creator of the cosmos, star breather, life giver and Savior arrived on earth and we should celebrate that day.  He's the hope of the world, the only hope.  Let's not forget to invite Him to our celebrations and include Him in our celebrations this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Ministry Requirements

Perry Noble posted in his blog earlier today, the photo below. I love this blog, so I took a screen shot so I could share that with you. As a person, called into ministry without a Master's Degree, I have come across these requirements multiple times. I hate reading these statement on post after post on a job board. It frustrates me and irritates me.  I'm not saying I don't like experience or that I don't like education and marriage.  I believe experience is golden, good and bad. I have this nagging desire to email these churches and ask them where people are supposed to gain experience when churches only hire folks with 5+ years of experience. I also want to ask them where all of this comes from biblically. I know it's a preference thing, but what if someone who would grow their church and lead folks to Christ wanted to apply? Their resume would assuredly be file 13'd due to a lack of experience, education, and/or marital status.  I also have issue with the term accredited.  Have you priced an accredited seminary lately? I sure have.  They aren't cheap, at all. So, someone has to take a loan typically to attend this type of school. Ironically, the Bible speaks against being in debt. My favorite part of this blog by Pastor Noble is his attention to the detail that even the Founder, CEO, COO, and CFO of this thing called Christianity, Jesus, wasn't qualified for positions such as these. So I have to wonder, if He isn't qualified, who is? Also if He isn't running the show and sending pastors, called by Him and not us, to lead our churches, who is?

A New Commandment I Give You

Those words the Rabbi spoke. The ears of the disciples perked up as they knew this would be important. Torah was the law, Torah was everything and to add a commandment took authority. Of course, they had the One with as much authority as you will find giving them this new commandment. These words are important. For me, and for you. "Love one another, as I have loved you, love one another. By doing this, the world will know that you are my followers; love one another."  It seems simple and the disciples were probably shocked at how easy that commandment was. Then, they had to actually do it and I'm guessing they soon had an epiphany. It was probably easier for them to obey all of the first 10 commandments than this one. 

This is a story of that scripture being lived out. I'm very proud of Isaiah, my oldest. Yesterday, he told me he gave his snack to another boy at school who didn't have a snack because he never has snacks and was hungry. This morning, while I was packing his lunch, he asked if I could put an extra snack in his lunchbox so he could give it to the boy at snack time. I told him bring me another one and he did. He was so excited that boy would have a snack again today. It reminded me that loving people is what it's all about. It may not be easy, and sometimes you would rather throat punch them. You may miss out on your own snack and it may inconvenience you. But not only does it have an impact on them, it impacts you just as much. That is why Christ gave us the commandment to love one another, just like He loves us. With mercy, compassion and grace. No strings attached, arms wide open kind of love. John 13:34

"Love Those Who Hate You" Matthew 5:44 In Action

Recently on their newest tour, the band Switchfoot has been catching a lot of flack from people who seem to put their preference as commandments.  In the first video, they even call them "Ditch-foot."  Not an example of Christ to the world folks.  Don't do that.  Ever.  Put the bullhorn away and never, ever call Switchfoot "heavy metal".  They're not.  One of my largest struggles is dealing with folks like that.  I generally want to take the Bible and show them why they are wrong, and where preference goes wrong with what Christ taught us.  However, I have a difficult time doing that out of love, so I typically refrain.  I formerly loved the study of Apologetics, and defending my faith.  I still love it, but I loved a chance to debate someone because I "named and claimed" 1 Peter 3:15 which says, "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,".  I would always miss the "gentleness and respect" part of it and I hurt people as well as hurt myself.  (I apologize and ask forgiveness to any people that I may have hurt and have not personally asked forgiveness from due to location, or other reasons.)  I also, ignored the scripture in it's context and the rest of the passage which reads, "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.  Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.  For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.  For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water." (1 Peter 3:8-20 ESV)

My goal is to now treat others through love, putting my preference aside along with my pride.  My preference is to never minister and love on people who aren't like me.  It isn't any of our preference.  However, Christ was surrounded by people who were not like Him and He loved them to death.  Literally, without condition.  I read an article this morning about Switchfoot and their protesters.  There are some videos within the article, which I will link to this post.  Jon Foreman, the lead singer, shows an act of grace, mercy and love to these protesters who have appeared at their shows multiple times.  His quote on twitter about it said "So stoked the protesters are here again-treat em with love and respect y'all! Love is the only response. #LoveAloneIsWorthTheFight"  The hashtag being a reference to their newest single, which is awesome.  I've always heard Switchfoot called the "nicest guys in rock".  This title comes from their many crossover hits from Christian charts to rock charts.  Everyone who has met them has always said they're extremely friendly and always looking out for the people at their shows, and always being very humble.  Foreman also said regarding the protesters, "They're morons just like I'm a moron, but we're loved by this extravagant God and I have but one debt, which is to love them."  Which leads me to Christ's teaching in Matthew 5:43-47, "“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers,i what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?"

My point and my prayer for myself is simple, love others, even the ones who hate you and wish bad ju-ju on you.  Also, don't allow your preference to hold your worship back.  God is our audience, not the people sitting in seats or standing in an auditorium.  They are only our co-worshipers.

The article link can be found here.

Jarrid Wilson's Letter to Miley Cyrus

I love the stuff Jarrid Wilson posts and his blog is just great. Following the VMA's, and the outcry about the performance of Miley Cyrus, he posted a letter to her. I totally agree with every word of the letter. The Bible tells us as Christians to not point out the speck in someone else's eye, when we have a log in our own.

Matthew 7 begins like this: “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

A lot of Christians have been bashing and throwing judgmental remarks at Ms. Cyrus, and to her I say, "I'm sorry". We have no idea what she has gone through in her life and what she is currently dealing with. We, as Christians, should not waste our time condemning her and everyone else present. As our example is Christ, here is what He has to say in John chapter 3: 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

We are the hope of the world! The problem is, we don't act like it. Rather, we spend our time debating each other and debating people who don't share the same views we do. However, it is all trivial unless we are acting like the hope of the world is in us and we are sharing the Good News of the Gospel.

It pains me to see people treat others according to their mishaps and mess ups. As Christians, we should treat every person as a soul with an eternal destination. If we concerned ourselves more with that and making sure their destination was with Christ through love and grace, then we would then see a culture shift.

I leave you now with a link to Mr. Wilson's blog. I want you to read it there. I don't want to take credit for anything he has written, so here it is.

An Open Letter To Miley Cyrus