Peter had been walking with Jesus for over two years. He had seen Him do miraculous things. But on the night before the crucifixion, Peter fell. He did the unthinkable. He did what he swore he would never do. He denied his relationship to Jesus not just once, but three times. All of the gospels record his denials to one degree or another. (If I am Peter, this stinks. There are only a few things repeated in all the gospel accounts and I get my mistake recorded four times.)
What got Peter in trouble was the same thing that gets us in trouble. In Luke's gospel, we are given a small detail that gives us big insight to what got Peter to go astray. It seems minor on the surface. But it is the root cause of Peter's fall. Luke 22:54 says after Jesus was arrested and led away that "Peter followed at a distance." This is what got him in trouble. It is what gets me into trouble. I sometimes start following Jesus from a distance. I am like a middle schooler who wants to look independent so I walk a good deal behind my parents at the mall so all my friends might think I am on my own. My parent's cramped my style like Jesus does sometimes. What we fail to realize is that we are dependent on Jesus like a child is with his parents. If we try to make it on our own we usually end up falling into some sin we thought we would never commit. We get ourselves in jams that we can't get out of on our own.
I think it's a principle like this...a little distance can go a long ways. James tells us to draw near to God. That's part of what it means to follow. If you create a little distance by neglecting to stay close to Jesus through disciplines of the faith then it won't be long before you find yourself a long way from Jesus. And that's not good.
So, let's close the gap this week and hang close to Jesus.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Spiritual Birthday
Today is a special day for me. It is my spiritual birthday. I first placed my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord on April 9, 1978. I am happy to be 30 years old in the Lord.
I am thankful to my parents who wrote the date of my salvation in my 1611 KJV Bible. So, I am personally celebrating my second birthday by evaluating and reflecting on what God has done for me, in me and through me for the last 30 years. He has been faithful even when I have not been faithful to Him. He has patiently endured seasons of rebellion and much whining over the years. He has been steadfast in His love toward me. He has taught me in His Word. He has prospered my life. He has allowed me to serve Him. Praise God who through Christ Jesus has given me spiritual life. May He be glorified in me.
I am thankful to my parents who wrote the date of my salvation in my 1611 KJV Bible. So, I am personally celebrating my second birthday by evaluating and reflecting on what God has done for me, in me and through me for the last 30 years. He has been faithful even when I have not been faithful to Him. He has patiently endured seasons of rebellion and much whining over the years. He has been steadfast in His love toward me. He has taught me in His Word. He has prospered my life. He has allowed me to serve Him. Praise God who through Christ Jesus has given me spiritual life. May He be glorified in me.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Project M3
This past Sunday I introduced our new "Project M3". It is based on Micah 6:8. It is an attempt to help GracePointe Church to "do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our Lord." The project will consist of a monthly mission of mercy. We will partner with other ministries to build the Kingdom of God. We want to involve the whole congregation in worship that goes beyond the doors of our worship center.
So, this month we are giving food items to the Mary Hayes Center for Social Change. The work that they do at the Mary Hayes Center is to provide tutoring and Bible Study for at risk children from Pre-K through high school. They currently work with 50 to 60 children four days a week. They need help in providing snacks and meals for these kids after school. We committed to provide one month of food or more for the center. This will help take some of the burden off the shoulders of the workers and volunteers who reach out to the students. MHC has very little funding.
All you have to do is bring your items to worship with you to church as an offering to the Lord. There is a corner designated for these food products in the worship center. There is a list of items you can bring on the sign up table in the foyer. I am excited to see God work through the "Project M3".
Remember...We can't do everything, but we can do something!
So, this month we are giving food items to the Mary Hayes Center for Social Change. The work that they do at the Mary Hayes Center is to provide tutoring and Bible Study for at risk children from Pre-K through high school. They currently work with 50 to 60 children four days a week. They need help in providing snacks and meals for these kids after school. We committed to provide one month of food or more for the center. This will help take some of the burden off the shoulders of the workers and volunteers who reach out to the students. MHC has very little funding.
All you have to do is bring your items to worship with you to church as an offering to the Lord. There is a corner designated for these food products in the worship center. There is a list of items you can bring on the sign up table in the foyer. I am excited to see God work through the "Project M3".
Remember...We can't do everything, but we can do something!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Apologetics
I stepped out the my normal preaching box on Easter. I gave a defense for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I actually got a good deal of feedback and it was all positive. I always love the positive feedback:) ...It's not always helpful, but it feels good. I think a lot of our congregation is just really nice. And I like when people are kind to me:)
Anyway, Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15 that we should be ready to give a defense of our hope in Christ Jesus. I think in general he means that we shouldn't just be believing with our minds disengaged. If something is true it should be reasonable. But I think I grew up for many years just believing some things because I was supposed to or because my Mama said so. Other people fall into the same category as Christian and non-Christians. They believe something cause a prof said it, they heard it on the news or read it some book.
I went to college with the idea that I could learn how to answer the questions about my beliefs and to defend my faith. I don't have all "the" answers, but for most of what I hold I do have a reasonable answer for why I believe the things I believe. There are still some subjects I wading through and studying. There will always be some areas to delve into, which means I am still growing and that's a good thing.
Anyway, Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15 that we should be ready to give a defense of our hope in Christ Jesus. I think in general he means that we shouldn't just be believing with our minds disengaged. If something is true it should be reasonable. But I think I grew up for many years just believing some things because I was supposed to or because my Mama said so. Other people fall into the same category as Christian and non-Christians. They believe something cause a prof said it, they heard it on the news or read it some book.
I went to college with the idea that I could learn how to answer the questions about my beliefs and to defend my faith. I don't have all "the" answers, but for most of what I hold I do have a reasonable answer for why I believe the things I believe. There are still some subjects I wading through and studying. There will always be some areas to delve into, which means I am still growing and that's a good thing.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Energized
I apologize for not blogging for a couple of months. Both of my readers have been really upset with me over my lack of discipline.
My thought for today is about what gets you energized. There are two options. Some people are energized by being with people. Other people are energized by being alone. If you are energized by being with people then you are a person who is exergized. If you are energized by being alone then you are innergized. I am not sure who coined these terms, but I like them a lot. I first came across them in my search for a new ministry opportunity. I took some personality tests and came to find that I am exergized.
A broader definition of exergized is that I get my energy from being with others. I think about things by discussing them with others. I need to share ideas and problem solve with others. In order to re-charge my batteries, I need time with people.
Those who are innergized are those who re-charge by being alone. They need time to internally reflect and process life. They need their office door closed. They need quiet time.
If you know me then you can easily guess how I get re-charged. My score was 93 out of 100 percent in my need for social interaction. It is really high. It's the reason my office door is rarely closed. It is why I like vacations with people. I don't like to be alone. The thought of being alone for extended period of time is burdensome to me. Many pastors will say to me that you need to go on week long sabbatical where you are all alone. They do this and love it. I do it and feel like I am dying on the inside.
What about you?
My thought for today is about what gets you energized. There are two options. Some people are energized by being with people. Other people are energized by being alone. If you are energized by being with people then you are a person who is exergized. If you are energized by being alone then you are innergized. I am not sure who coined these terms, but I like them a lot. I first came across them in my search for a new ministry opportunity. I took some personality tests and came to find that I am exergized.
A broader definition of exergized is that I get my energy from being with others. I think about things by discussing them with others. I need to share ideas and problem solve with others. In order to re-charge my batteries, I need time with people.
Those who are innergized are those who re-charge by being alone. They need time to internally reflect and process life. They need their office door closed. They need quiet time.
If you know me then you can easily guess how I get re-charged. My score was 93 out of 100 percent in my need for social interaction. It is really high. It's the reason my office door is rarely closed. It is why I like vacations with people. I don't like to be alone. The thought of being alone for extended period of time is burdensome to me. Many pastors will say to me that you need to go on week long sabbatical where you are all alone. They do this and love it. I do it and feel like I am dying on the inside.
What about you?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Old School
Over Christmas I bought a some old school sermons by Martin Luther. I started reading a sermon this morning before I came to the office. It was an excellent read. It is amazing how relevant a sermon can be that was preached in 1532.
The Old School catalyst of the Reformation said in summary that we cannot serve God and money. He quoted the Master teacher Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount as his reference. What was really good to me was the simplicity of how Martin Luther defined service. He said that to serve simply means to do what someone has commanded. In other words, I do what my Master commands.
In explanation, Luther explained that sometimes we think serving is some mystical call to vocational ministry. But he said that it is not this at all. It simply comes down to things like serving your spouse, obeying your boss and taking care of your children. He said you must serve where you are placed. You must do what you have been asked to do. If you are told to get your Master wine, then don't bring Him apples. Do just as He says.
Serving God is not that complicated. It's just old school.
The Old School catalyst of the Reformation said in summary that we cannot serve God and money. He quoted the Master teacher Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount as his reference. What was really good to me was the simplicity of how Martin Luther defined service. He said that to serve simply means to do what someone has commanded. In other words, I do what my Master commands.
In explanation, Luther explained that sometimes we think serving is some mystical call to vocational ministry. But he said that it is not this at all. It simply comes down to things like serving your spouse, obeying your boss and taking care of your children. He said you must serve where you are placed. You must do what you have been asked to do. If you are told to get your Master wine, then don't bring Him apples. Do just as He says.
Serving God is not that complicated. It's just old school.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Investing Into People
I got one of the most encouraging emails this morning from a former student in my youth group. Her name is Catherine. She is heading to do mission work in Guatemala in a few weeks in an orphanage. I remember when I first got to First Bible Church of Decatur, AL. She was in the 6th grade. She thought that I was kinda weird and wonder why does this guy keep bugging me to come to youth group. Over time she came to trust Christ at a lock in. She grew into a wonderful godly young woman. God is using her tremendously in the lives of kids. God's grace is at work in the lives of those you invest in.
I am so thankful for her encouraging words. I have added her blog site to my blog list...it is Isaiah 25:1. Please keep Catherine in your prayers.
Investing into people is investing into the kingdom.
I am so thankful for her encouraging words. I have added her blog site to my blog list...it is Isaiah 25:1. Please keep Catherine in your prayers.
Investing into people is investing into the kingdom.
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