I believe there's a reason the chief imagery God uses as his relationship to us is that of a parent. I'm learning more about God as a parent. I'm learning what it means to be God's child.
First, if you're not a parent, don't run off thinking this isn't for you. You are a child of God, your Heavenly Father, so this is most definitely about you. And, I hope I can give you a little glimpse into the heart of a parent which might give all of us a glimpse into God's heart.
Being a parent is hard. You have this child and everything they call 'theirs' is because you have either provided it for them or allowed them to have it. Even the gifts from family are only there because you have allowed them. They own nothing, but they think they own everything. They live in your house, and you provide things for them that they don't even think about: water, heat, A/C, electricity and food. You understand these things have a cost. They think they are entitled to them.
You also love them, so this is no big deal. And you love them all the same, no matter how many kids you have. And you appreciate they are different. You love what makes them each unique. Your heart drops to the most bottom pit of your stomach when you think they are seriously injured, sick or that time you couldn't find them at the grocery story for, like, 90 seconds. The thought of them being lost or getting hurt or sick or dying are literally like the worst things you can possibly think of. You just want them to live and be happy.
You think you know what will make them happy. You do. You set up rules to protect them from bodily harm, and you set up parameters to guard their hearts and emotions. You understand they are delicate. You want to shield them from danger. You also have rules that will build the right kind of character they'll need later in life. Some of them are kind of silly, but they'll seem much more important later on when the decisions and relationships get bigger and more important.
But you have a problem: you can't make them do anything. In fact, it takes about six months for their own free will to show up and it only gets stronger. You can't make them be grateful for what they have been given and show that in their actions with gratitude. You can't make them obey you and do what will ultimately be in their best interest. You can't make them to anything. They are free. And your heart breaks for them when they make bad decisions because you know what's best for them and you can kind of see the future if this decision was about something more important, maybe even life threatening.
You could scare them into listening because you are bigger and louder, but you don't want them to be afraid of you. You want them to have a healthy, respectful fear of disappointing you, but not be afraid of you. For you first inclination toward them is love, so you don't want that. So you just keep trying to interject influence. That's all you can do -- influence them. You can surround them with good influences and keep interjecting yourself into their lives. You become ever-present and wait for them to ask you for advice -- finally. And you always forgive them, because they're your kid.
Every single one of us is that child to God. He has provided us with things we take for granted (like, you know, air). He has given us parameters that are in our best interest. And he could scare us to death if he showed us his face and how hurt he was when we don't obey. It's not in His nature. He loves us, and he'll keep seeking to influence us because he can't and won't make us love him. Have you asked him for advice...finally? Do you know that He'd forgive you?
First United Methodist Church of Griffin
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
We Don't Know What to Do
We don't know what to do. We are becoming numb to terror. At least 34 dead in Brussels. At least 16 dead on the Ivory Coast. And we don't know how to to respond. But this is the same with all of life. In the United States, we are in the middle of the most brutal political season ever, namely because of social media. More people are more aware of what is going on because of media coverage and more people than ever are sharing their opinions because of social media. And we don't know how to respond.
When I say 'we,' I mean all of humanity, but I can't ever say 'we' without meaning the Body of Christ. We Christians aren't sure how to respond. We are broken-hearted over lost life and lost innocence in places where terror strikes. We are angry and vengeful to see the terrorist pay. We are remorseful that our world has come to this. We are outraged at political commentary and our friends' contrasting opinions on the candidates for our country's presidency. And we ask ourselves, "Are they really my friend if they see this issue differently?"
And outrage seems to be what the Church does best these days. We Christians are really good at outrage. That's kind of our 'go-to' response, but deep down we know it doesn't feel right. We just don't know what to do, so we're outraged. We're outraged at a religious group killing innocent people. Outraged at this or that government's response. Outraged at that politician comments. Outraged at this politicians lack of comments. Outraged at this governmental policy. Outraged at school board decisions. Outraged at teacher's teaching methods. Outraged at our kids lack of playing time. Outraged our pastor said something political. Outraged our pastor won't say anything political. We're just really good at outrage. I think non-believers have gotten the message: Christians are outraged.
I'm outraged, too. I'm outraged that people are killing other people in places like Brussels and the Ivory Coast. I'm outraged at terror. But I'm not surprised by it. In fact, I'm outraged at myself and my lack of courage, compassion, and selflessness. I'm outraged at my own sin and selfishness and hardness of heart. This world is broken. Sin reigns because we've let it. All of us. It's a world that needs Jesus. And I'm convinced my outrage won't help.
I'm convicted by Philippians 1:27, when the Apostle Paul wrote, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Whatever happens. We control how we conduct ourselves. What if 100 people in one church took that seriously in their neighborhood? What if 1,000 from a few different churches took that seriously in their community? What if 100,000 took it seriously in a region? What if millions of Christians took that seriously in the U.S? What if the 2-3 billion Christians took that seriously worldwide? What if we conduct ourselves at work, at the ball field, at home, on social media, in the grocery store line in a manner that is worthy of the gospel of Christ?
We do know what to do -- we just won't do it. Outrage is so much easier than obedience.
When I say 'we,' I mean all of humanity, but I can't ever say 'we' without meaning the Body of Christ. We Christians aren't sure how to respond. We are broken-hearted over lost life and lost innocence in places where terror strikes. We are angry and vengeful to see the terrorist pay. We are remorseful that our world has come to this. We are outraged at political commentary and our friends' contrasting opinions on the candidates for our country's presidency. And we ask ourselves, "Are they really my friend if they see this issue differently?"
And outrage seems to be what the Church does best these days. We Christians are really good at outrage. That's kind of our 'go-to' response, but deep down we know it doesn't feel right. We just don't know what to do, so we're outraged. We're outraged at a religious group killing innocent people. Outraged at this or that government's response. Outraged at that politician comments. Outraged at this politicians lack of comments. Outraged at this governmental policy. Outraged at school board decisions. Outraged at teacher's teaching methods. Outraged at our kids lack of playing time. Outraged our pastor said something political. Outraged our pastor won't say anything political. We're just really good at outrage. I think non-believers have gotten the message: Christians are outraged.
I'm outraged, too. I'm outraged that people are killing other people in places like Brussels and the Ivory Coast. I'm outraged at terror. But I'm not surprised by it. In fact, I'm outraged at myself and my lack of courage, compassion, and selflessness. I'm outraged at my own sin and selfishness and hardness of heart. This world is broken. Sin reigns because we've let it. All of us. It's a world that needs Jesus. And I'm convinced my outrage won't help.
I'm convicted by Philippians 1:27, when the Apostle Paul wrote, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Whatever happens. We control how we conduct ourselves. What if 100 people in one church took that seriously in their neighborhood? What if 1,000 from a few different churches took that seriously in their community? What if 100,000 took it seriously in a region? What if millions of Christians took that seriously in the U.S? What if the 2-3 billion Christians took that seriously worldwide? What if we conduct ourselves at work, at the ball field, at home, on social media, in the grocery store line in a manner that is worthy of the gospel of Christ?
We do know what to do -- we just won't do it. Outrage is so much easier than obedience.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Sunday Preview & Thought for the Week (3.10.16)
Bring on Spring! It's been awesome outside this week, and God's creation is coming to life again. As we head into the Easter season, we're continuing this Sunday with "The Story of Jesus" in "The Journey" through the Bible. We're talking about an event called The Transfiguration in the life and ministry of Jesus, and it's kind of when everything changed for Him. Maybe this week everything could change for you? I hope you'll be there.
Thought for the Week
" Some men took a man who was not able to move his body to Jesus." Luke 5:18
Who are you taking to Jesus? In one of the most dramatic stories of Jesus' ministry, the star are really friends of a paralytic man who dig a hole in a roof to get through the crowd and let their friend down in front of Jesus. Jesus is inspired by THEIR faith. The man is healed, but he never would have been had he not been taken to Jesus by his friends. So who are you taking? I believe there is great power in the invitation of a friend, whether that's to dinner or to read a book. So there is great power in the invitations of friends to church. We simply never know how much of an impact our invitation will have on a friend's life. There are many ways you can invite friends, but one of the easiest ways is to send an e-vite card. You can check it out here. It's an easy way to send an email with all the details. These friends did it and made all the difference. In fact, we ALL have a story of someone in our lives who helped take us to Jesus. Let us be those friends for others, and Easter is a great time to do so.
In Christ,
Carter
Thought for the Week
" Some men took a man who was not able to move his body to Jesus." Luke 5:18
Who are you taking to Jesus? In one of the most dramatic stories of Jesus' ministry, the star are really friends of a paralytic man who dig a hole in a roof to get through the crowd and let their friend down in front of Jesus. Jesus is inspired by THEIR faith. The man is healed, but he never would have been had he not been taken to Jesus by his friends. So who are you taking? I believe there is great power in the invitation of a friend, whether that's to dinner or to read a book. So there is great power in the invitations of friends to church. We simply never know how much of an impact our invitation will have on a friend's life. There are many ways you can invite friends, but one of the easiest ways is to send an e-vite card. You can check it out here. It's an easy way to send an email with all the details. These friends did it and made all the difference. In fact, we ALL have a story of someone in our lives who helped take us to Jesus. Let us be those friends for others, and Easter is a great time to do so.
In Christ,
Carter
15 years
 |
| March 10, 2001 First Baptist Church - Hamlet, NC |
Today, March 10, is our 15th wedding anniversary. It's hard for me to believe it has gone by so fast. Just yesterday we were newlyweds without a care in the world. We came and went as we pleased, took walks and naps. Now we have children. Lots of them. Four rowdy boys. Going and coming is much more difficult, but the house is a lot livelier. I'm also keenly aware that 15 years from now on our 30th anniversary there will be no boys in the house, and it'll be quiet again -- just me and Em. So, for this season, we spend a lot more time being mom and dad than being husband and wife. But we don't really see it that way. It's kind of all rolled into one.
In 15 years, we've learned a lot about life, marriage, and family. We've learned a lot about ourselves, our faith and our Lord. And we're still learning. Can I tell you something, though, about our marriage that has been such a high value for us and so important in our 15 years? I've never spoken a cross word to Emily. She's never spoken one to me. We've never raised our voices at each other, and I'm not kidding you, we've never had an argument.
Now, that's not to say there haven't been difficult times and seasons. We've had to work through misunderstandings, disappointment and hurt feelings. It happens in marriage. But we have always done it with love and kindness. She's never hurt me on purpose, and I've never hurt her on purpose. We've never said something to intentionally cut each other down to size. And it has made all the difference. She is my teammate, why would I fight with her? Besides, we're outnumbered in this house. We've got to stick together.
We have asked instead of commanded. We've taken a breath instead of reacting. We've spoken softly instead of getting agitated. We've forgiven instead of holding a grudge. We've overlooked flaws instead of being irritated by them. We've embraced each other's quirks.
But, the secret is that we genuinely try to put each other first. I try to fix what she needs fixed around the house. She runs the errands I asked her to run. We respect each other and honor each other. We try to think of what each other would want. We don't push our agenda. We seek to serve each other.
All the time I say that staying married isn't that hard. I guess that's not totally true. It is hard if you're not willing to put your spouse before yourself. Pretty soon, any of us would get pretty irritated living with a selfish person. And that's the root of all marriage issues: selfishness. That's why perhaps the most important passage for a marriage is Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." 15 years in, and we're still learning how to do this, but I think we're better at it now more than ever, and I think we're getting better at it. That's our goal, to get better at laying ourselves down for each other. And that's why marriage is such a powerful metaphor for our relationship with God. Putting down our own interests for the interest of God is what life in Jesus is, ultimately, all about.
Happy 15 years, my Love. Can't wait for more!
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Losing an Hour
This week is the week every pastor dreads: Daylight Savings Time. Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm delighted about longer days. It's just that pastors are the major people that have to deal with the stress of Daylight Savings Time. Will folks oversleep and miss church? Will volunteers and staff show up on time? Will everyone be confused?
Why can't we lose and hour in the middle of the workday on Monday?
Life Hack: Eat a light breakfast and change your clocks when you get up on Saturday morning. Get your body eating on the new schedule and you'll go to bed at the right time (which is really an hour earlier) and won't feel so tired on Sunday and Monday.
Anyway, I'm more concerned about the hours I lose on my own volition. I'm more concerned about the hours I'll never get back. Just yesterday, it seems we were holding our firstborn son. He'll be 12 this summer, and he has less time at home than the time he's already spent at home. I can't lose an hour with him or any of my boys.
As they get older, it becomes increasingly apparent that frivolous pursuits that waste time aren't worth it. I need to savor every moment, because we've only got about seven years left with him, eight with my second born. The clock is ticking. It's ticking on the time I have to influence them, mold them, mentor them, shape them, encourage them, discipline them, teach them, do life with them and love them.
They'll go tot college and do life with friends. They'll get married and do life with their wives and kids. But we have to teach them how to do life. For me, it's very important that I teach them what it means to love Jesus. Time is the most precious commodity of a parent, and the hours of carpooling and sitting through ballgames, practices and recitals can be exhausting. But don't lose those hours. Make them count. You only get so many. And you never get them back.
Why can't we lose and hour in the middle of the workday on Monday?
Life Hack: Eat a light breakfast and change your clocks when you get up on Saturday morning. Get your body eating on the new schedule and you'll go to bed at the right time (which is really an hour earlier) and won't feel so tired on Sunday and Monday.
Anyway, I'm more concerned about the hours I lose on my own volition. I'm more concerned about the hours I'll never get back. Just yesterday, it seems we were holding our firstborn son. He'll be 12 this summer, and he has less time at home than the time he's already spent at home. I can't lose an hour with him or any of my boys.
As they get older, it becomes increasingly apparent that frivolous pursuits that waste time aren't worth it. I need to savor every moment, because we've only got about seven years left with him, eight with my second born. The clock is ticking. It's ticking on the time I have to influence them, mold them, mentor them, shape them, encourage them, discipline them, teach them, do life with them and love them.
They'll go tot college and do life with friends. They'll get married and do life with their wives and kids. But we have to teach them how to do life. For me, it's very important that I teach them what it means to love Jesus. Time is the most precious commodity of a parent, and the hours of carpooling and sitting through ballgames, practices and recitals can be exhausting. But don't lose those hours. Make them count. You only get so many. And you never get them back.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Sunday Preview & Thought for the Week (3.5.16)
I hope you're week has gone fantastic. This Sunday, we're continuing to turn the page in "The Journey" through "The Story of Jesus," and we'll be talking about Jesus the Healer. If you've got an area in your life that needs healing, I so hope you'll be there. I believe it's going to be a powerful time, and we're going to have a special time of prayer and healing.
Thought for the Week
"We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:9-10
Spring is springing all around us, and one of the sure signs for me is the pictures of little ones playing softball and baseball all over my Facebook feed and at at local parks whenever you drive by. This is our first season in a long, long time without T-Ball. I love T-Ball because it's bananas. There's loud cheering, there's kids all over the place, coaches all over the place and it's kind of like watching a baseball game in slow motion. Of course, early in the season, there's usually a kid or two that runs to the wrong base, or they just run toward the pitcher's circle. One of the things I love about T-Ball is watching the kids get better as the season progresses. They learn to run the right way, the learn where to throw the ball, they learn when to stay on their base so they won't get tagged. They grow. Their knowledge of the game expands. That is God's intention for us, but too many times we're still running to the wrong base in life. Or, we want to get to 2nd or 3rd base before we've really mastered the basics of the faith. If we're not learning and growing in our knowledge of faithfulness, then we're not on the path God desires. We're like a kid who never gets the rules as the season progresses. God wants more for you. It's okay to make mistakes -- but what are you learning?
In Christ,
Carter
Thought for the Week
"We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:9-10
Spring is springing all around us, and one of the sure signs for me is the pictures of little ones playing softball and baseball all over my Facebook feed and at at local parks whenever you drive by. This is our first season in a long, long time without T-Ball. I love T-Ball because it's bananas. There's loud cheering, there's kids all over the place, coaches all over the place and it's kind of like watching a baseball game in slow motion. Of course, early in the season, there's usually a kid or two that runs to the wrong base, or they just run toward the pitcher's circle. One of the things I love about T-Ball is watching the kids get better as the season progresses. They learn to run the right way, the learn where to throw the ball, they learn when to stay on their base so they won't get tagged. They grow. Their knowledge of the game expands. That is God's intention for us, but too many times we're still running to the wrong base in life. Or, we want to get to 2nd or 3rd base before we've really mastered the basics of the faith. If we're not learning and growing in our knowledge of faithfulness, then we're not on the path God desires. We're like a kid who never gets the rules as the season progresses. God wants more for you. It's okay to make mistakes -- but what are you learning?
In Christ,
Carter
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Do we get to vote about what "Christian" means?
It's Super Tuesday, and Americans are heading to the polls to vote. And this election seems more important than ever. The candidates are about as different as possible. The stakes are high for the Church, and let me explain why.
Let's all be honest with each other, our next president will be one of five people: Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump. All but Sanders identify as Christian, who identifies as Jewish by birth. Over America's 240 year history, we have never had a Jewish president, so that would be a particularly big event. All but Kennedy (who was Roman Catholic), identified as Protestant. What does that tell me? History says our next president will be one of the other four. But rest assured, they will all carry the Christian banner on the campaign trail for one reason: if you are Christian, they want your vote.
But they also want your vote if you are Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Atheist, or Agnostic as well. They just want your vote. Now, I've never met any of these candidates, and even if I had, only God knows the condition of the human heart. I have no idea if they are genuine Christ-followers or what they are thinking when their head is on the pillow at night?
But all of this scares me. You see, when they say they are Christian, they become front line faces for our faith, and I'm not sure, based on what I've seen from all the candidates, that's entirely accurate. Now let's put it all out in the open here. None of us Christians are entirely accurate representations of what a disciple of Jesus is supposed to look like. But I'll bet you've got a grandma, uncle, friend, small group leader, pastor or niece whose walk with Jesus looks a lot closer than these candidates. I'll bet you know someone that you'd like to show your non-believing friends and say, "Hey, y'all, THIS is what a Christian looks like." Maybe that person is even you.
I hope you vote and vote your conscience, but for those of us that are believers, let us be careful not to parade these candidates around as representations of what a Christian is. I'm afraid it will fall terribly short of what a Christian is supposed to be. Full obedience obedience to the Heavenly Father usually doesn't get you elected -- it gets you crucified. Following Jesus doesn't mean picking up electoral votes, it means picking up your cross daily. Making decisions based on your discipleship usually doesn't win you a nationwide popularity contest, it wins you crowns in heaven.
Most importantly, believers must do two things in this season:
1. WE need to be the ones who display what genuine faith in Christ looks like. We need non-believers to see in Christian friends and acquaintances a true representation of discipleship. No candidate is going to usher in revival. Let's actually BE the Church in our communities.
2. We need to PRAY for all candidates. Pray for God to lead them, convict them, and to search their hearts. Pray for them to be faithful to God and serve ALL the people of the U.S. I believe you can do both with integrity.
Finally, if you're not a church person, I don't know where these candidates really stand on their faith in Christ. I've seen enough in debates to make me curl my nose and say, "Don't do/say that." They might very well be Christians and feel badly for some of those very things. But know this: just because they are upfront and on-stage, they don't represent the totality of what it means to be Christian. They are not our savior. Jesus is our Savior. Visit a local church in your area, and I promise you you'll meet some fine Christians. You'll meet people who will love you no matter what, who want what's best for you, who will cook a casserole for you and hug your neck when you need it. You'll meet people who will pray for you and cry with you. You'll meet people who care about you and your soul. You'll meet the real deal. They won't be perfect either, but they'll be authentic. That's the whole point. You'll meet broken people who know they are sinners but have put their faith in the grace of Jesus. People who believe Jesus died for their sins and forgave them. People who believe He did the same for you. And whatever path you choose, I hope you'll know that THAT'S a lot closer to what we believe it means to be Christian.
Let's all be honest with each other, our next president will be one of five people: Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump. All but Sanders identify as Christian, who identifies as Jewish by birth. Over America's 240 year history, we have never had a Jewish president, so that would be a particularly big event. All but Kennedy (who was Roman Catholic), identified as Protestant. What does that tell me? History says our next president will be one of the other four. But rest assured, they will all carry the Christian banner on the campaign trail for one reason: if you are Christian, they want your vote.
But they also want your vote if you are Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Atheist, or Agnostic as well. They just want your vote. Now, I've never met any of these candidates, and even if I had, only God knows the condition of the human heart. I have no idea if they are genuine Christ-followers or what they are thinking when their head is on the pillow at night?
But all of this scares me. You see, when they say they are Christian, they become front line faces for our faith, and I'm not sure, based on what I've seen from all the candidates, that's entirely accurate. Now let's put it all out in the open here. None of us Christians are entirely accurate representations of what a disciple of Jesus is supposed to look like. But I'll bet you've got a grandma, uncle, friend, small group leader, pastor or niece whose walk with Jesus looks a lot closer than these candidates. I'll bet you know someone that you'd like to show your non-believing friends and say, "Hey, y'all, THIS is what a Christian looks like." Maybe that person is even you.
I hope you vote and vote your conscience, but for those of us that are believers, let us be careful not to parade these candidates around as representations of what a Christian is. I'm afraid it will fall terribly short of what a Christian is supposed to be. Full obedience obedience to the Heavenly Father usually doesn't get you elected -- it gets you crucified. Following Jesus doesn't mean picking up electoral votes, it means picking up your cross daily. Making decisions based on your discipleship usually doesn't win you a nationwide popularity contest, it wins you crowns in heaven.
Most importantly, believers must do two things in this season:
1. WE need to be the ones who display what genuine faith in Christ looks like. We need non-believers to see in Christian friends and acquaintances a true representation of discipleship. No candidate is going to usher in revival. Let's actually BE the Church in our communities.
2. We need to PRAY for all candidates. Pray for God to lead them, convict them, and to search their hearts. Pray for them to be faithful to God and serve ALL the people of the U.S. I believe you can do both with integrity.
Finally, if you're not a church person, I don't know where these candidates really stand on their faith in Christ. I've seen enough in debates to make me curl my nose and say, "Don't do/say that." They might very well be Christians and feel badly for some of those very things. But know this: just because they are upfront and on-stage, they don't represent the totality of what it means to be Christian. They are not our savior. Jesus is our Savior. Visit a local church in your area, and I promise you you'll meet some fine Christians. You'll meet people who will love you no matter what, who want what's best for you, who will cook a casserole for you and hug your neck when you need it. You'll meet people who will pray for you and cry with you. You'll meet people who care about you and your soul. You'll meet the real deal. They won't be perfect either, but they'll be authentic. That's the whole point. You'll meet broken people who know they are sinners but have put their faith in the grace of Jesus. People who believe Jesus died for their sins and forgave them. People who believe He did the same for you. And whatever path you choose, I hope you'll know that THAT'S a lot closer to what we believe it means to be Christian.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)