I hope you've enjoyed this beautiful whether this week. Thank you so much to all of you that gave to Save Our Seniors. We gave a truckload of supplies to help senior adults in our community. You are making a difference!
This week, we finish up the series "The Early Church" as part of our Journey through the Bible. We'll be talking about the conversion of the Apostle Paul. If you've ever wondered if God could use you (or would even want to), I believe this passage will speak to you in powerful way. Can't wait to see you on Sunday!
Thought for the Week
"On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. " Revelation 22:2-3
The curse of sin is that we don't live forever. Adam and Eve were no longer allowed to eat from the tree of life. Death entered the picture for humanity. We are broken. We are at war with each other. But, in the Kingdom of God, in eternity, the Tree of Life is open to God's children again. And we are no longer at war with one another. Our hurt and hearts are healed. The curse is gone. In one sense, we could simply hopefully wait for that unclouded day, but I also believe that part of God's call on those who call on Him as Lord is to bring His Kingdom. For in Jesus, we have abundant life. Christ has broken the curse of death, and we can bring healing to the nations. We can bring healing to our schools and communities. Healing online. Healing in families. Healing where there is brokenness, hurt and deep wounds. When we pray, "Thy Kingdom come," that's what we mean. We are praying that we could help bring the Kingdom to earth. One way to do that is to be instruments of healing where ever we go.
In Christ,
Carter
First United Methodist Church of Griffin
Friday, April 22, 2016
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Things you don't want to hear God repeatedly say
Be strong and courageous. It sounds so encouraging, right? It's uplifting. We put it on little plaques and put it in our office. I starting reading Joshua 1 again this morning, where that line famously comes from. It's the call of God on Joshua to take the reins from Moses after his death. And God says, "Be strong and courageous."
Three times.
Three.
3.
THREE TIMES!
Then, the people accept his new leadership and they say the same thing. "We'll follow you Joshua, and be strong and courageous."
That's four times.
FOUR.
You know what that means? Joshua was going to need to be strong and courageous. That may seem silly. But really, when God tells you to be strong and courageous, that means He sees some days coming during which you'll need strength and courage. Wouldn't you rather God lead you on a relaxing path to Easy Street? It usually doesn't work that way. We'll have days of difficulty and great challenge.
You'll have those days. It won't always be a cakewalk. You'll need strength, and you'll need courage to accomplish what God has planned for you. And, like Joshua, God will promise to be with you, but that doesn't mean you won't need to be strong and courageous.
Don't think when life hands you opportunities to be strong and courageous that God has left the building. This is what God has prepared you for. You might be facing one of those days today or one might be around the corner, but you can do it. Don't shrink from it. Just because it's not easy doesn't mean you have to turn tail and run. Be strong. Fight through it. Be courageous and bold. God is with you. He never promised this would be easy. He just promised He'd be with you. So, be strong and courageous.
Three times.
Three.
3.
THREE TIMES!
Then, the people accept his new leadership and they say the same thing. "We'll follow you Joshua, and be strong and courageous."
That's four times.
FOUR.
You know what that means? Joshua was going to need to be strong and courageous. That may seem silly. But really, when God tells you to be strong and courageous, that means He sees some days coming during which you'll need strength and courage. Wouldn't you rather God lead you on a relaxing path to Easy Street? It usually doesn't work that way. We'll have days of difficulty and great challenge.
You'll have those days. It won't always be a cakewalk. You'll need strength, and you'll need courage to accomplish what God has planned for you. And, like Joshua, God will promise to be with you, but that doesn't mean you won't need to be strong and courageous.
Don't think when life hands you opportunities to be strong and courageous that God has left the building. This is what God has prepared you for. You might be facing one of those days today or one might be around the corner, but you can do it. Don't shrink from it. Just because it's not easy doesn't mean you have to turn tail and run. Be strong. Fight through it. Be courageous and bold. God is with you. He never promised this would be easy. He just promised He'd be with you. So, be strong and courageous.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Justin Spieth and the Art of Losing
We had Sunday evening worship, but I had set my DVR. I was looking forward to watching the final round of the Master's to close out the weekend Sunday night. As I saw what was happening scroll across my Twitter feed and as I kept updating the leader board, I knew it would be hard to watch. I'm no huge golf fan, but I appreciate the majors. It's when all the stars play, and it offers the highest pressure. You become a legend at the majors.
Justin Spieth, the reigning Master's champion failed under the pressure Sunday. It was hard to watch, especially knowing what was coming. He's only 22. I felt for him. He's closer to my son's age than he is to mine. He is already a two-time major champion, but he experienced what will probably be the most painful loss of his career on Sunday. Very rarely do you have it in hand and lose it so dramatically. And what we found is that he is also a champion in the Art of Losing.
Don't get me wrong. I hate losing. Hate it. H-A-T-E it. Not everyone hates losing, but no one really likes it. When you're three, you learn quickly to not like it when you don't get your way. This is your introduction to losing. Most three year-olds don't handle it well.
And this isn't to say that we ought to become good losers who don't care about winning. It's absurd to think that handling losing with grace and class means you're a good loser and no longer able to compete. But all of us have to decide if we are going to master the Art of Losing. Spieth's post-match interview was awe-inspiring. He was somber but gracious. He was hurt but already healing. I'm impressed by a 22 year-old golfer who took a devastating defeat in stride. Disappointed, yes...but in stride. Here's why this is so important -- it won't be his last loss.
Life is losing. You are constantly losing something:
Justin Spieth, the reigning Master's champion failed under the pressure Sunday. It was hard to watch, especially knowing what was coming. He's only 22. I felt for him. He's closer to my son's age than he is to mine. He is already a two-time major champion, but he experienced what will probably be the most painful loss of his career on Sunday. Very rarely do you have it in hand and lose it so dramatically. And what we found is that he is also a champion in the Art of Losing.
Don't get me wrong. I hate losing. Hate it. H-A-T-E it. Not everyone hates losing, but no one really likes it. When you're three, you learn quickly to not like it when you don't get your way. This is your introduction to losing. Most three year-olds don't handle it well.
And this isn't to say that we ought to become good losers who don't care about winning. It's absurd to think that handling losing with grace and class means you're a good loser and no longer able to compete. But all of us have to decide if we are going to master the Art of Losing. Spieth's post-match interview was awe-inspiring. He was somber but gracious. He was hurt but already healing. I'm impressed by a 22 year-old golfer who took a devastating defeat in stride. Disappointed, yes...but in stride. Here's why this is so important -- it won't be his last loss.
Life is losing. You are constantly losing something:
- Every one of us is losing our youth, daily.
- Parents are slowly losing control and influence over their growing children.
- As we age we are losing our ability to be hired or ability to earn income.
- Sometimes we lose jobs.
- We will all lose loved ones to death.
- We lose relationships and routines when moving.
Yes, life is full of beautiful and joyous victories (like sports) and humbling losses (like sports). If you do it long enough, you can't avoid the losses. And we all know people that have handled aging, retirement, becoming empty nesters, death of loved ones and change poorly. That usually means we haven't masters the Art of Losing. The Art of Losing really is just about maturity. It's the realization that I don't always get my way and things don't always go how I predicted or wanted them to go. I just don't always win.
And this matters greatly in our walk with God. Jesus said, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:15). If you can't handling losing, you're going to have a hard time following Jesus. Something tells me Spieth will do alright aging, retiring and dealing with the losses that come with life. How will we handle it when God asks us to lose for God's purposes?
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Sunday Preview & Thought for the Week (4.7.16)
I hope you're having a fantastic week. I'm excited about the next three weeks as we begin a new series in "The Journey" this week called "The Early Church." We'll be talking about the beginning days of the Church and what we can learn from it. This week, we'll be focusing on the birth of the Church.
Also, don't forget to bring supplies for 'Save Our Seniors':
• Paper Towels • Mouthwash • Laundry & Dish Detergents • Lotion • Size Med. & Large Assurance Diapers • Long Pads for Women • Body Wash • Shampoo
Thought for the Week
" The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." 1 Corinthians 2:14
For years, I have had a quote that hung in my room or office from William Franklin, the son of Benjamin Franklin. He was actually a Loyalist during the Revolution and never sided with his father. But I loved the quote: "Controversy, however, is really disagreeable to me; and tho' I never seek it, yet I never avoid it where it is necessary to my Character, let the Consequences be what they may." We live in a time when would like to believe that everyone will like everything we do. We crave likes (now loves) and re-tweets. We want people to agree with us. Those that have courageous faith must understand that the world will not always understand what God is calling us to do, and it's not always as straightforward as we think. God's will and calling on our lives will not align with worldly ideologies or political platforms. God doesn't fit neatly into those boxes. Even good people won't always understand the 'God thing' we're doing. I believe we live in a world in desperate need of Christians living out in courageous faith. What would that mean for you? Helping someone in need? Standing up for the hurting and those on the fringes? Loving someone that is nearly unlovable? Living by your values? Speaking truth in love? If you do this, don't be surprised if others don't understand...but do it anyway.
In Christ,
Carter
Also, don't forget to bring supplies for 'Save Our Seniors':
• Paper Towels • Mouthwash • Laundry & Dish Detergents • Lotion • Size Med. & Large Assurance Diapers • Long Pads for Women • Body Wash • Shampoo
Thought for the Week
" The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." 1 Corinthians 2:14
For years, I have had a quote that hung in my room or office from William Franklin, the son of Benjamin Franklin. He was actually a Loyalist during the Revolution and never sided with his father. But I loved the quote: "Controversy, however, is really disagreeable to me; and tho' I never seek it, yet I never avoid it where it is necessary to my Character, let the Consequences be what they may." We live in a time when would like to believe that everyone will like everything we do. We crave likes (now loves) and re-tweets. We want people to agree with us. Those that have courageous faith must understand that the world will not always understand what God is calling us to do, and it's not always as straightforward as we think. God's will and calling on our lives will not align with worldly ideologies or political platforms. God doesn't fit neatly into those boxes. Even good people won't always understand the 'God thing' we're doing. I believe we live in a world in desperate need of Christians living out in courageous faith. What would that mean for you? Helping someone in need? Standing up for the hurting and those on the fringes? Loving someone that is nearly unlovable? Living by your values? Speaking truth in love? If you do this, don't be surprised if others don't understand...but do it anyway.
In Christ,
Carter
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