"He now showed them the full extent of his love." John 13:1
We had a late night at the Emergency Room last night. Really, with four boys, it's amazing we don't spend more time and money at the ER. Apparently, a wrestling match broke out in my 2 oldest boys' room, which led to the back of my 8-year-old's (Morgan) head on the corner of a cedar chest. So, he and I trucked on to the ER to get a few stitches. He ended up with three. We've been pretty fortunate. This summer we had our first broken bone (shoulder and elbow) and these are the first stitches we've had. There will be more to come, I'm sure.
Instead of a shot to numb the area, they used this liquid that sits on the wound and surrounding area for about 30 minutes. After about 20 minutes with the numbing agent on there, Morgan said, "I kinda think now that we didn't need to come because it doesn't much hurt more anymore." Of course, I explained to him that it was just numb, but they still needed to sew it up so it would heal right. And we often settle in the same way when Jesus wants to give us the FULL EXTENT of His love. We get half-healed from Jesus, we get a little dose of forgiveness, and we get a little distance from the 'injury' and we think, "Oh, I'm okay now, Jesus."
You're not okay. You've grown numb to the pain, you're feeling better, but you're not okay. You're still bleeding because you ran back out to play too soon. And you won't heal right if you won't just be still and let Him work on you. Jesus wants to sit with us a while longer. Jesus doesn't just want to numb you from the hurt in your heart. He wants to sew it up and heal it. There's a big difference. When we don't let Jesus all the way in to heal our hearts and spirits, we end up not healing the way we should and we end up with scars. Don't settle for partial healing. Let the Great Physician all the way into your brokenness. Let Him sew you up. And let the healing begin. Get the FULL EXTENT of His love. All of it. Not just a little. Every last drop. In the meantime, no more wrestling around the furniture.
First United Methodist Church of Griffin
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
For people that are driven
I think I had a revelation last week. It wasn't rocket science, but I did something pretty radical for me. Every day, I turned my computer off at 5:30...and I was done. I answered a few emails on my phone in the evening that needed a simple reply, but at 5:30, I was done. My wife was impressed. She's lived with me every second of starting a church, and that has not been the norm. In fact, I'm a driven perfectionist (which is not a good combo), so I'm constantly working to make things perfect. My office is in my house, so it's easy to work until the wee hours of the morning getting things perfect. And it finally hit me. This is going to kill me – literally. I thought to myself, “I'm going to have a stroke at 40.” And I really don't want to. So I turned my computer off. You know what? The sun still came up. Life still went on. And the church I lead is still trucking along. In fact, the crazy thing was that I was more productive than I've been in a really long time because there was not that thought in my head, “I'll finish that up after the kids go to bed.” No, it was “I've got to get this done by 5:30.”
You need to know a secret about your pastor (whoever that is). He or she probably works really hard. And the job they work really hard at is really stressful...if they love people. If you don't love people, ministry is the easiest job in the world. But, if you love people, it's extremely difficult, painful and stressful. You are motivated by a care and cause that most other people do not experience in their jobs. You are living out a calling that has lit your soul on fire. There has always been a feeling in me that I want to all I can to make sure that I'm living out that call to my fullest. My daddy put a strong work ethic in me, and I've carried that over to every area of my life, especially ministry.
Here's the thing, though. I want to be a pastor for a really long time. More importantly, I want to be a husband for a really long time (like, the rest of my life), and I want to be a daddy for the rest of my life. And I want that life to be long, and killing myself won't fix the greater Church or my local church. It might destroy my family and my health.
I'm a big UGA football fan, and we've got us a pretty special freshman running back named Todd Gurley. Fans are clammoring for him to get the ball more. Problem is, the saying about running backs is “they've only got so many carries in them.” Our coaches get it. They're being judicious about a young player because they want him to be a running back for a really long time. It's a marathon, not a sprint. I want to be a pastor for a really long time.
I promised myself that I would not let ministry (or life) make me bitter when I retire. I wouldn't be mad about all I let it take from me. I'm living it now. I won't let it. Moreover, here's what I know: this isn't exclusive to ministry. Anybody that's driven, a perfectionist, or has a high work ethic can fall trap to killing themselves in the pursuit of success or victory. When you get there, it won't be much fun then. I've got some advice for you: turn your computer off. Go play with your kids. Eat dinner with your family. Read a book in the evenings. Watch a T.V. Show. Go to bed early. Take a break. Success isn't attaining goals, it's being the best you. Then, the best you will get you where you want to be, and you'll be really happy when you get there.
You need to know a secret about your pastor (whoever that is). He or she probably works really hard. And the job they work really hard at is really stressful...if they love people. If you don't love people, ministry is the easiest job in the world. But, if you love people, it's extremely difficult, painful and stressful. You are motivated by a care and cause that most other people do not experience in their jobs. You are living out a calling that has lit your soul on fire. There has always been a feeling in me that I want to all I can to make sure that I'm living out that call to my fullest. My daddy put a strong work ethic in me, and I've carried that over to every area of my life, especially ministry.
Here's the thing, though. I want to be a pastor for a really long time. More importantly, I want to be a husband for a really long time (like, the rest of my life), and I want to be a daddy for the rest of my life. And I want that life to be long, and killing myself won't fix the greater Church or my local church. It might destroy my family and my health.
I'm a big UGA football fan, and we've got us a pretty special freshman running back named Todd Gurley. Fans are clammoring for him to get the ball more. Problem is, the saying about running backs is “they've only got so many carries in them.” Our coaches get it. They're being judicious about a young player because they want him to be a running back for a really long time. It's a marathon, not a sprint. I want to be a pastor for a really long time.
I promised myself that I would not let ministry (or life) make me bitter when I retire. I wouldn't be mad about all I let it take from me. I'm living it now. I won't let it. Moreover, here's what I know: this isn't exclusive to ministry. Anybody that's driven, a perfectionist, or has a high work ethic can fall trap to killing themselves in the pursuit of success or victory. When you get there, it won't be much fun then. I've got some advice for you: turn your computer off. Go play with your kids. Eat dinner with your family. Read a book in the evenings. Watch a T.V. Show. Go to bed early. Take a break. Success isn't attaining goals, it's being the best you. Then, the best you will get you where you want to be, and you'll be really happy when you get there.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Forgiveness
"At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, 'Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?' Jesus replied, 'Seven! Hardly. Try Seventy times seven.'" Matthew 18:21-22 (The Message)
I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness lately. I don't know why. I was reminded about forgiveness a few weeks ago when I heard a line from one of my favorite speakers: forgiven people forgive. Harboring unforgiveness will ruin you like nothing else. If you don't forgive someone, you will find it hard to love anyone. If you don't forgive others, you'll be less likely to seek it yourself. If you don't forgive those who've wronged you, you simply won't be happy.
That's the thing about unforgiveness, it eats away at you. You think it's doing the person you're not forgiving harm, but it's really doing you harm. You think you're really sticking it to them by not forgiving them, but you're really hurting yourself. You're the one still thinking about it. You're the one still tossing and turning through sleepless nights over it. Why won't you just forgive them? Well, unforgiveness makes us feel like we have power.
It's a hard lesson to forgive others because we want revenge and payback. We want there to be a pennance paid. Sometimes we want even more, as Doc Holiday says about Wyatt Earp in the greatest movie of all time, "It's not the revenge he's after, it's the reckoning." There is no room for revenge, payback or reckoning in grace. Jesus got revenge on sin, his blood paid back the debt, and his death reckoned all humanity befor God. He has already forgiving what you just can't forgive. You see what unforgiveness does? It makes us feel like a god. We get to mete our justice and mercy. We hold the upper hand. This kind of thinking doesn't sit so well with God. That's why unforgiveness eats away at us. It is, perhaps, the most wicked of all emotions. Moreover, it slaps Jesus in the face, for if He can forgive us for sinning against Him, how in the world can we have the audacity to NOT forgive others who have sinned against us. If we have truly experienced God's forgiveness, then the most natural thing to do is forgive. Forgiven people realize how much mercy they've received. Forgiven people know how broken they are. Forgiven people forgive. Not just once. Not a bunch. To infinity. They keep forgiving because forgiveness is always - ALWAYS - better than harboring a grudge. And it always feels better. And you can breathe afterward. And smile again. And go on with life.
Here's the kicker. When we do forgive, only then are we like God, but in the right way. And that feels good because it is good. Is there someone you need to forgive today?
I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness lately. I don't know why. I was reminded about forgiveness a few weeks ago when I heard a line from one of my favorite speakers: forgiven people forgive. Harboring unforgiveness will ruin you like nothing else. If you don't forgive someone, you will find it hard to love anyone. If you don't forgive others, you'll be less likely to seek it yourself. If you don't forgive those who've wronged you, you simply won't be happy.
That's the thing about unforgiveness, it eats away at you. You think it's doing the person you're not forgiving harm, but it's really doing you harm. You think you're really sticking it to them by not forgiving them, but you're really hurting yourself. You're the one still thinking about it. You're the one still tossing and turning through sleepless nights over it. Why won't you just forgive them? Well, unforgiveness makes us feel like we have power.
It's a hard lesson to forgive others because we want revenge and payback. We want there to be a pennance paid. Sometimes we want even more, as Doc Holiday says about Wyatt Earp in the greatest movie of all time, "It's not the revenge he's after, it's the reckoning." There is no room for revenge, payback or reckoning in grace. Jesus got revenge on sin, his blood paid back the debt, and his death reckoned all humanity befor God. He has already forgiving what you just can't forgive. You see what unforgiveness does? It makes us feel like a god. We get to mete our justice and mercy. We hold the upper hand. This kind of thinking doesn't sit so well with God. That's why unforgiveness eats away at us. It is, perhaps, the most wicked of all emotions. Moreover, it slaps Jesus in the face, for if He can forgive us for sinning against Him, how in the world can we have the audacity to NOT forgive others who have sinned against us. If we have truly experienced God's forgiveness, then the most natural thing to do is forgive. Forgiven people realize how much mercy they've received. Forgiven people know how broken they are. Forgiven people forgive. Not just once. Not a bunch. To infinity. They keep forgiving because forgiveness is always - ALWAYS - better than harboring a grudge. And it always feels better. And you can breathe afterward. And smile again. And go on with life.
Here's the kicker. When we do forgive, only then are we like God, but in the right way. And that feels good because it is good. Is there someone you need to forgive today?
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
My 9/11
It was fascinating and awe-inspiring to watch some of the specials on TV about 9/11. It will always be a day to remember, and there is a somberness that accompanies the day. There are still families without loved ones because of the evil acts of that day. There is still heartbreak because of that day.
9/11 means something different to me, though. Four years later, we started Church of the Way on Sunday, September 11, 2005. Many people told me that I was crazy for picking that date. It made sense to me. It was the first Sunday after Labor Day, and the heart of the Fall is the great time to launch a church. But, to me, it was more than just about the time of year. September 11 would always be easy to remember. No one would ever forget our Launch Day. Moreover, I believe in a redeeming God. 9/11 is a dark day in history, but the launch of Church of the Way would be a day of light for our community. It would become a date that we remembered with positive feelings instead of negative feelings. And that's the way it's been for me.
It has been the greatest joy of my ministry to lead this incredible church. I've had the honor of marrying people, baptizing babies, baptizing children, teens and adults. I've seen lives change, addictions broken, and families healed. I've cried over it and gotten chills over it. And, many people have been impacted because a group of dedicated disciples decided that 9/11 would be about something else. I'll never forget 9/11/01. But I'll also never forget 9/11/05. Happy Birthday, Church of the Way!
9/11 means something different to me, though. Four years later, we started Church of the Way on Sunday, September 11, 2005. Many people told me that I was crazy for picking that date. It made sense to me. It was the first Sunday after Labor Day, and the heart of the Fall is the great time to launch a church. But, to me, it was more than just about the time of year. September 11 would always be easy to remember. No one would ever forget our Launch Day. Moreover, I believe in a redeeming God. 9/11 is a dark day in history, but the launch of Church of the Way would be a day of light for our community. It would become a date that we remembered with positive feelings instead of negative feelings. And that's the way it's been for me.
It has been the greatest joy of my ministry to lead this incredible church. I've had the honor of marrying people, baptizing babies, baptizing children, teens and adults. I've seen lives change, addictions broken, and families healed. I've cried over it and gotten chills over it. And, many people have been impacted because a group of dedicated disciples decided that 9/11 would be about something else. I'll never forget 9/11/01. But I'll also never forget 9/11/05. Happy Birthday, Church of the Way!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Fist Fight
I think my wife is beautiful. In fact, I think she's smokin' hot. If you tell me that she's ugly, I'm probably going to ignore you, consider you an idiot and jerk, and choose not to be your friend. If you tell me she's ugly twice, you and I are going to have words. If you keep insisting that she's ugly, you're going to find yourself in a good ol' fashioned fist fight. Of course, no one has ever told me such things.
However, I'm amazed at how many people think it's okay to tell Jesus his wife is ugly. You didn't think Jesus was married? Sure he is. The Bible says that the Church is the bride of Christ, and you better watch calling her ugly.
It's popular to poo-poo the Church these days, and she's got her flaws doesn't she? One of our sister churches in our local denomination is going through a split, and there are a lot of ugly things being said about the Church through it all. It's one thing to point out my wife's flaws. She's got some. It's one thing to call her out for her mistakes. She makes them. It's another thing to call her ugly. The Church is not perfect. She makes mistakes. She's got her warts and scars. She's hidden things she shouldn't have, said things she shouldn't have and not done a lot of things that she should have done. She's made up of people. She's gonna be hard pressed to ever be perfect because of that. People make mistakes. It's necessary that we call the Church out for her mistakes from time to time. I do that. Leaders should do that. But be very careful about calling her ugly. She is the Bride of Christ and the vehicle through which Jesus has chosen to connect with the world. You might get frustrated with her, you might get disenfranchised with her, but watch what you say about her. I'm amazed at the number of people who call themselves Christians who keep telling the Church that she's ugly. A long time ago, when I was first coming into ministry and several young clergy were sitting around complaining about everything that was wrong with the Church said, "You call my wife ugly, you got yourself a fight on your hands. Be careful about calling the Bride of Christ ugly or you might end up picking a fight with Jesus." I think that's one dude I don't want to fight with.
However, I'm amazed at how many people think it's okay to tell Jesus his wife is ugly. You didn't think Jesus was married? Sure he is. The Bible says that the Church is the bride of Christ, and you better watch calling her ugly.
It's popular to poo-poo the Church these days, and she's got her flaws doesn't she? One of our sister churches in our local denomination is going through a split, and there are a lot of ugly things being said about the Church through it all. It's one thing to point out my wife's flaws. She's got some. It's one thing to call her out for her mistakes. She makes them. It's another thing to call her ugly. The Church is not perfect. She makes mistakes. She's got her warts and scars. She's hidden things she shouldn't have, said things she shouldn't have and not done a lot of things that she should have done. She's made up of people. She's gonna be hard pressed to ever be perfect because of that. People make mistakes. It's necessary that we call the Church out for her mistakes from time to time. I do that. Leaders should do that. But be very careful about calling her ugly. She is the Bride of Christ and the vehicle through which Jesus has chosen to connect with the world. You might get frustrated with her, you might get disenfranchised with her, but watch what you say about her. I'm amazed at the number of people who call themselves Christians who keep telling the Church that she's ugly. A long time ago, when I was first coming into ministry and several young clergy were sitting around complaining about everything that was wrong with the Church said, "You call my wife ugly, you got yourself a fight on your hands. Be careful about calling the Bride of Christ ugly or you might end up picking a fight with Jesus." I think that's one dude I don't want to fight with.
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