For those of you who might not get that, if you have to ask the question, you probably are. Insecure, that is. I believe that it is the incredibly well-adjusted person -- the exception to the rule even -- who is not at least a little insecure. Am I doing enough to keep my job? Do they like me? Does he love me? Are they laughing at me over there? Our insecurities evidence themselves in so many ways: ego-centric questions, anger, self-pity, worry, ulcers, high blood pressure, headaches, anxiety, bitterness, distrust, heart attacks, stomach disorders, etc. I could go on and on and on and on and on. Any improper behavior and almost any medical disorder could be traced back to our insecurity. Are you overweight? Chances are you eat too much in an attempt to compensate. Do you have problems sleeping? Chances are you cannot stop wondering if people really love you. Do you bite your fingernails? Chances are you are insecure in some way. I'm not a psychologist and I don't remember if I have ever stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, but I have had my share of opportunities to observe human behavior and come to some conclusions that I believe are correct: people everywhere are insecure.
Where does it come from? Childhood? Adolescence? Young adulthood? Yes to all of these. It could be you did not experience unconditional love as a child. It could be that you were never good enough in the eyes of parents, teachers, or friends. It could be that someone hurt you with unkind words or actions. It could be that one of the most important people in your life betrayed you or left you. It could be that you didn't get something you wanted in life. There are probably as many possible reasons as there are symptoms. Counselors everywhere are determined to make people talk about their life experiences in the hope that people will recognize the root cause and overcome whatever imagined deficiency has brought their clients to this time in life. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it seems to work for a little while, and then we find ourselves right back where we started.
So what is the answer? If I wanted to be mean, I would say something like this: "If you deserved to know, I would tell you." But that would probably not help you out. So let me give you the answer: "For God so loved (your name here) that He gave His only begotten Son, that if (your name here) believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life." Do you see it? The Creator of the universe loves you unconditionally. He loves you so much that He sent His Son to pay the price so that you could live forever with Him. Then, on top of that, Jesus says, "I come that (your name here) may have life and have it more abundantly." He says, "If no one else loves you, I do. If everyone else betrays you, I never will. If you cannot trust anyone else, you can trust Me." So stop worrying. Stop overeating. Stop biting your fingernails. Stop stressing out. Stop being insecure because you are good enough. You are worth loving. You are important to the Most Important One in the world.
Merry Christmas! Thank you, Jesus.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Drifting Away Again
What a way to start the week! Thank you, God, for giving us great times of worship on Sunday at Southside and Monday at FBC Hartselle. The choirs were fantastic, and the message by Dr. Frank Lewis from FBC Nashville was right on target. He used the illustration of whitewater rafting to describe the Christian life. I wish I could remember all of his points, but here are just a few:
- If you always listen to your guide, you will make it through safely. The guide knows where all the dangerous spots are. Sometimes he leads you through them; sometimes he leads you around them.
- When you stop paddling and start drifting, you are in trouble because you never drift upstream.
- The longer you drift, the faster you drift and the harder it is to get back to where you need to be.
For the Christian, our Guide is the Holy Spirit. If we would make it a practice to listen to Him, He will always lead us safely home. But too many times, we don't listen. Too many times, we stop paddling and allow ourselves to drift. How do we do that? By not spending time with our Heavenly Father through prayer and Bible study. By not witnessing and worshiping. By not giving of our time, talents, and tithes. It starts slowly, but as we drift, we never drift closer to God -- only farther away. The longer we drift, the faster we move away from God. And the only way back is to "paddle" harder, but it is well worth the effort when you can get back in the raft.
Understand, it wasn't a typical "revival" sermon, but it is exactly what needs to happen if the church is ever going to experience the kind of Spiritual Awakening we so desperately need. So, dear Lord, help us all to keep paddling.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Hear My Heart
Us versus them. Why does it seem that it has always been and will always be so? Gentiles versus Jews. Jews versus Christians. Christians versus Muslims. Religion seems to have a way of creating division. The good news is that Christianity is about relationships – not religion. So at the forefront, let me say that it is all about a relationship with Jesus Christ that brings us into God’s family that makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. Unity, not division, is the cry of our Heavenly Father. And yet the beat goes on. Perhaps it is because like all families, the Christian family has its good points and bad. Perhaps it is because even Christians are human, and human frailty causes us to give in to the temptation to fuss and feud.
In my lifetime, the church has struggled through the turmoil of black versus white, conservative versus liberal, traditional versus contemporary, and young versus old. I’m sure that many of you did not see that last one coming. Most of us are still stuck on that traditional/ contemporary battle. Do we sing the old hymns or praise choruses? Do we use the hymnal or project the words on the screen? When you put it down on paper, it seems kind of silly. In reality most of these battles have been “silly” to some extent. Never should race have been allowed to play a part in determining who could be a member of our churches. Please understand. I love a good, upbeat traditional worship service. I love a well-planned and executed contemporary service that doesn’t necessarily “rock my face off.” I use that descriptive phrase only because it was how a church was described to me recently.
Simply for disclosure purposes, I am the pastor of a very traditional church with a large population of senior adults with a good variety of younger people as well. Recently I shared with a group of men two principles that I firmly believe and know that are equally important to my church family. First, I will never disenfranchise our senior adults by taking away our traditional worship and replacing it with a contemporary service. I’m certain that I will take some heat for that statement from some of my colleagues, but if I have any understanding of scripture, I believe that even senior adults need to worship, and this particular set of senior adults have made great sacrifices to ensure that this church is still in existence. Some even mortgaged their homes to pay the bills during difficult financial times. Perhaps I am just not aware of it, but I have not seen the same commitment from those who are part of my own generation. However, having said this, the second principle is as important as the first. If we do not offer a contemporary worship service, we will lose many of our young families who are attending, and we will not reach the lost of that generation. Just as our senior adults may not be able to worship with the heavy beat of drums and the rhythmic strumming of electric guitars playing behind the singing of the same words over and over, our young people do not relate to organ music accompanying the singing of the first, second, and last verses.
With that said, I come to the point of this story. The ugly beast of division that seems to have reared its head today is the battle between the young and the old. But this battle seems to be raging not in the pews but in the pulpits. Younger minister versus older minister. I feel almost blindsided by this because, until recently, I considered myself one of the younger ministers. Recent events have caused me to reevaluate my position. During the Southern Baptist Convention this year, I was shocked to hear our leaders say that we must be very careful or we will lose our younger ministers. We must give them positions of responsibility within the convention so that they will not feel left out. While I have no animosity toward these “younger” pastors, I am filled with wonder that Albert Mohler and other “convention leaders” would express such sentiments. We have older ministers, more mature pastors and denominational leaders who have given much to the Kingdom of God and to our convention, who are being verbally attacked and ridiculed by this younger generation of ministers, but we are afraid of losing them? I will admit that there were times when I was younger that I felt the older pastors were looking down at me as just a young, immature pastor who was wet behind the ears, but I respected their wisdom because the Bible tells me that I should. But it seems that this new generation of pastors, and perhaps members of our churches, believe that at some point in life the Holy Spirit no longer leads, gives wisdom, or blesses the man of God who has served well for many years. At what age does that happen? 40? 45? 50? It seems to me that godly wisdom is given to all who seek it, and that wisdom should grow greater with age. It seems to me that since the majority of Southern Baptist members and clergy are older that they should have greater representation – not less. It seems to me that since the population of the United States is growing older rapidly that we would not want to disenfranchise this demographic but harness its wisdom and energy by including them in our ministry and ministering to them.
I know that this article will be viewed as a rant of an older minister against the younger ministers. I know that I will be criticized as being one who wants only to slap down these young “whipper-snappers” and put them in their place. I have already been accused of that, but I am not that kind of person. I believe in inclusion for all true believers. I believe the best church is the church that has a wide representation of all age groups. So to the younger ministers I say this: I will respect your opinion, but I ask you to respect mine. I will not complain about you wearing blue jeans and flip flops when you preach, but don’t complain about my coat and tie. I will not question the way you do ministry as long as you are doing ministry, but please don’t question the way I do ministry as long as I am doing ministry.
Finally, to all Southern Baptists, let me say this. Let us hold firm to the things which make us unique. First, let us renew our undying commitment to reaching the lost world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Second, let us cherish the genius of the Cooperative Program that has allowed us to send missionaries around the world and provide theological education to our ministers that is second to none. Third, let that spirit of cooperation and fellowship guide our discussions and our ministries in the future so that the world will see that Christianity is about a relationship of unity amidst great diversity that makes us stronger.
In my lifetime, the church has struggled through the turmoil of black versus white, conservative versus liberal, traditional versus contemporary, and young versus old. I’m sure that many of you did not see that last one coming. Most of us are still stuck on that traditional/ contemporary battle. Do we sing the old hymns or praise choruses? Do we use the hymnal or project the words on the screen? When you put it down on paper, it seems kind of silly. In reality most of these battles have been “silly” to some extent. Never should race have been allowed to play a part in determining who could be a member of our churches. Please understand. I love a good, upbeat traditional worship service. I love a well-planned and executed contemporary service that doesn’t necessarily “rock my face off.” I use that descriptive phrase only because it was how a church was described to me recently.
Simply for disclosure purposes, I am the pastor of a very traditional church with a large population of senior adults with a good variety of younger people as well. Recently I shared with a group of men two principles that I firmly believe and know that are equally important to my church family. First, I will never disenfranchise our senior adults by taking away our traditional worship and replacing it with a contemporary service. I’m certain that I will take some heat for that statement from some of my colleagues, but if I have any understanding of scripture, I believe that even senior adults need to worship, and this particular set of senior adults have made great sacrifices to ensure that this church is still in existence. Some even mortgaged their homes to pay the bills during difficult financial times. Perhaps I am just not aware of it, but I have not seen the same commitment from those who are part of my own generation. However, having said this, the second principle is as important as the first. If we do not offer a contemporary worship service, we will lose many of our young families who are attending, and we will not reach the lost of that generation. Just as our senior adults may not be able to worship with the heavy beat of drums and the rhythmic strumming of electric guitars playing behind the singing of the same words over and over, our young people do not relate to organ music accompanying the singing of the first, second, and last verses.
With that said, I come to the point of this story. The ugly beast of division that seems to have reared its head today is the battle between the young and the old. But this battle seems to be raging not in the pews but in the pulpits. Younger minister versus older minister. I feel almost blindsided by this because, until recently, I considered myself one of the younger ministers. Recent events have caused me to reevaluate my position. During the Southern Baptist Convention this year, I was shocked to hear our leaders say that we must be very careful or we will lose our younger ministers. We must give them positions of responsibility within the convention so that they will not feel left out. While I have no animosity toward these “younger” pastors, I am filled with wonder that Albert Mohler and other “convention leaders” would express such sentiments. We have older ministers, more mature pastors and denominational leaders who have given much to the Kingdom of God and to our convention, who are being verbally attacked and ridiculed by this younger generation of ministers, but we are afraid of losing them? I will admit that there were times when I was younger that I felt the older pastors were looking down at me as just a young, immature pastor who was wet behind the ears, but I respected their wisdom because the Bible tells me that I should. But it seems that this new generation of pastors, and perhaps members of our churches, believe that at some point in life the Holy Spirit no longer leads, gives wisdom, or blesses the man of God who has served well for many years. At what age does that happen? 40? 45? 50? It seems to me that godly wisdom is given to all who seek it, and that wisdom should grow greater with age. It seems to me that since the majority of Southern Baptist members and clergy are older that they should have greater representation – not less. It seems to me that since the population of the United States is growing older rapidly that we would not want to disenfranchise this demographic but harness its wisdom and energy by including them in our ministry and ministering to them.
I know that this article will be viewed as a rant of an older minister against the younger ministers. I know that I will be criticized as being one who wants only to slap down these young “whipper-snappers” and put them in their place. I have already been accused of that, but I am not that kind of person. I believe in inclusion for all true believers. I believe the best church is the church that has a wide representation of all age groups. So to the younger ministers I say this: I will respect your opinion, but I ask you to respect mine. I will not complain about you wearing blue jeans and flip flops when you preach, but don’t complain about my coat and tie. I will not question the way you do ministry as long as you are doing ministry, but please don’t question the way I do ministry as long as I am doing ministry.
Finally, to all Southern Baptists, let me say this. Let us hold firm to the things which make us unique. First, let us renew our undying commitment to reaching the lost world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Second, let us cherish the genius of the Cooperative Program that has allowed us to send missionaries around the world and provide theological education to our ministers that is second to none. Third, let that spirit of cooperation and fellowship guide our discussions and our ministries in the future so that the world will see that Christianity is about a relationship of unity amidst great diversity that makes us stronger.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Father's Day Weekend 2009
What a weekend it's been so far. Even though my wonderful daughters and their husbands can't be here, they have blessed me with gifts and the knowledge that they love me. Thank you, Jennifer and Rob and Jon and Ashley for being so great. And thank you to my wonderful wife for being such a blessing. She is absolutely the best. Thank you, dear friends, for an evening of good food and fellowship. You know who you are. Conversations about speed dating while driving in a car with "extra weight" causing the breaks to do weird things made my night. Thank you, God, for the blessings of life and ministry! Of all men, I am most blessed!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Great Things!
Sorry it's been so long since my last post.Things tend to get busy this time of the year. But God is doing great things at Southside and in my life. Church is going well -- new members, great Spirit/spirit, people excited about what God is doing, VBS, youth missions.... As a pastor, there aren't many things that could make me happier. Well, maybe a few. But this is not the place to talk about those. I will say that in the last few weeks I have witnessed some of the most supreme acts of Christian love, witness, and service of my entire ministry. Thank you to the greatest church I've ever had the privilege of being a part of -- thank you for allowing God to use you in the ways that you do.
On a personal note, God is blessing, too. I am going to be a grandfather. I know. I know. I am much too young and good looking to be a grandfather, but I have always been an early achiever. Sonya asked me to marry her at age 12, and the rest is history. I'm just kidding. I was 19 when we got married, and I didn't know Sonya until I was 18. And just so you know, I was 21 when my first lovely daughter, Jennifer, was born. She is the one gifting us with this grandchild. I'm told that her husband Rob had something to do with it, too, but let his father write about him on his blog. Just kidding, Rob. You are a great son-in-law. I am so excited that we got to spend the weekend with this fine young couple as they went from store to store to store to store to store signing up for their "Baby Registry." Actually, it was just Target and Babies R Us, but it seemed like sooooooooo much more. It was a chore to keep Rob from scanning things like barbecue grills and quesadilla makers, but he made a good argument that he needed to provide healthy food for the child. Anyway, we are excited. The big date is in the first part of December. Pray for us all, especially me. If these first few weeks are any indication, I'm going to have to take on a second job just to afford this pregnancy. Who knows what it will cost after the next great future "whatever he or she is going to be" is born. So just call me Grampy.
On a personal note, God is blessing, too. I am going to be a grandfather. I know. I know. I am much too young and good looking to be a grandfather, but I have always been an early achiever. Sonya asked me to marry her at age 12, and the rest is history. I'm just kidding. I was 19 when we got married, and I didn't know Sonya until I was 18. And just so you know, I was 21 when my first lovely daughter, Jennifer, was born. She is the one gifting us with this grandchild. I'm told that her husband Rob had something to do with it, too, but let his father write about him on his blog. Just kidding, Rob. You are a great son-in-law. I am so excited that we got to spend the weekend with this fine young couple as they went from store to store to store to store to store signing up for their "Baby Registry." Actually, it was just Target and Babies R Us, but it seemed like sooooooooo much more. It was a chore to keep Rob from scanning things like barbecue grills and quesadilla makers, but he made a good argument that he needed to provide healthy food for the child. Anyway, we are excited. The big date is in the first part of December. Pray for us all, especially me. If these first few weeks are any indication, I'm going to have to take on a second job just to afford this pregnancy. Who knows what it will cost after the next great future "whatever he or she is going to be" is born. So just call me Grampy.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Already Loved Follow Up
I sent this out by e-mail to our church family, but I thought it made a great blog post, too. So here it is.
I received this e-mail yesterday and asked permission to share it with you. I was given that permission on the basis that I preserve the anonymity of the sender. I have done my best to do this because I believe this summarizes what Already Loved is about. Thank you to all of you who made this such a wonderful event. If you have other stories, please send them to me.
"We had 3 deliveries last night and three good visits. Actually two of the visits were great. I am a bit confused though -- this program is supposed to be an outreach program for our community. It seems to be working, but there is a greater impact that is taking place with our own church body. Wow! A real win/win opportunity.
Our first visit was to a mom with two small kids who were sick and running fever. She was very appreciative of the gift and plans to attend when she is able.
The second visit was to an older black gentlemen named Mr. Nelson Goodloe. Mr. Goodloe invited me in and apologized for his work clothes as he had just finished mowing his lawn. The point of inviting me inside was so that I could meet his wife. His wife was in a hospital bed in the living room, partially clothed and obviously suffering from dementia or cancer or both. She was asleep and unable to communicate. Mr. Goodloe is the primary caregiver which must take incredible effort on his part as he is an older gentlemen. He said that he has a couple of ladies who sit with his wife a few days a week but I could tell it was a job that consumed him 24 hours a day.
I explained why I was visiting and he immediately remembered the phone calls and conversations. He immediately mentioned that he was very interested in our men's disciple group and that he would love to be a part of such a group. I was completely humbled by his statement. Mr. Goodloe also told me how much it meant to him that people were praying. In my opinion, Mr. Goodloe will probably never get the opportunity to be away from his wife long enough to attend. I will never take for granted the opportunity that we have to meet on Sunday afternoons at 5:00 and the camaraderie and study time that we share is so easy to take for granted.
Before I left we had prayer. Mr. Goodloe stated that they were making it just fine. This would be a great mission opportunity if I just knew how we could help. I think we already helped by just communicating and praying. I know that it helped me to look beyond my own woes and see a picture of strength and gratitude in a frail older gentlemen.
Lastly, we visited a couple who lives in a neighborhood where time has passed and the neighborhood changed. They are on an island. Living in a house surrounded by cars with loud radio's and people walking in the streets whose intentions are probably not good. Mr. Kindread has worked at Lynn Layton as a mechanic for 44 years. He has plans to retire next year. The Kindreads have antique tractors which are a strange sight in this neighborhood in the middle of town.
We shared that we are a "country church" in the middle of town and that they should visit. I believe these folks will visit and they will feel comfortable in our church.
Three very good visits. Thank you for leading me to get outside of my comfort zone and practice some of the principles that are so clearly defined in God's word."
Just so you will know, we had 38 people to attend our Already Loved Sunday. Many of them have expressed interest in continuing to come to Southside. Through our Follow-Up, we are identifying others who were unable to attend but who are still interested in coming. Only eternity will reveal the total impact of what has taken place here, but in the present, I can see the impact it has had on our church family. 40 different families have taken part in delivering the follow-up gift bags. Over 150 people were involved in the actual campaign. Thank you for all of your hard work. Thank you for following my leadership in this. Thank you for taking on leadership positions. Thank you for being the body of Christ. I am proud to be your pastor.
I received this e-mail yesterday and asked permission to share it with you. I was given that permission on the basis that I preserve the anonymity of the sender. I have done my best to do this because I believe this summarizes what Already Loved is about. Thank you to all of you who made this such a wonderful event. If you have other stories, please send them to me.
"We had 3 deliveries last night and three good visits. Actually two of the visits were great. I am a bit confused though -- this program is supposed to be an outreach program for our community. It seems to be working, but there is a greater impact that is taking place with our own church body. Wow! A real win/win opportunity.
Our first visit was to a mom with two small kids who were sick and running fever. She was very appreciative of the gift and plans to attend when she is able.
The second visit was to an older black gentlemen named Mr. Nelson Goodloe. Mr. Goodloe invited me in and apologized for his work clothes as he had just finished mowing his lawn. The point of inviting me inside was so that I could meet his wife. His wife was in a hospital bed in the living room, partially clothed and obviously suffering from dementia or cancer or both. She was asleep and unable to communicate. Mr. Goodloe is the primary caregiver which must take incredible effort on his part as he is an older gentlemen. He said that he has a couple of ladies who sit with his wife a few days a week but I could tell it was a job that consumed him 24 hours a day.
I explained why I was visiting and he immediately remembered the phone calls and conversations. He immediately mentioned that he was very interested in our men's disciple group and that he would love to be a part of such a group. I was completely humbled by his statement. Mr. Goodloe also told me how much it meant to him that people were praying. In my opinion, Mr. Goodloe will probably never get the opportunity to be away from his wife long enough to attend. I will never take for granted the opportunity that we have to meet on Sunday afternoons at 5:00 and the camaraderie and study time that we share is so easy to take for granted.
Before I left we had prayer. Mr. Goodloe stated that they were making it just fine. This would be a great mission opportunity if I just knew how we could help. I think we already helped by just communicating and praying. I know that it helped me to look beyond my own woes and see a picture of strength and gratitude in a frail older gentlemen.
Lastly, we visited a couple who lives in a neighborhood where time has passed and the neighborhood changed. They are on an island. Living in a house surrounded by cars with loud radio's and people walking in the streets whose intentions are probably not good. Mr. Kindread has worked at Lynn Layton as a mechanic for 44 years. He has plans to retire next year. The Kindreads have antique tractors which are a strange sight in this neighborhood in the middle of town.
We shared that we are a "country church" in the middle of town and that they should visit. I believe these folks will visit and they will feel comfortable in our church.
Three very good visits. Thank you for leading me to get outside of my comfort zone and practice some of the principles that are so clearly defined in God's word."
Just so you will know, we had 38 people to attend our Already Loved Sunday. Many of them have expressed interest in continuing to come to Southside. Through our Follow-Up, we are identifying others who were unable to attend but who are still interested in coming. Only eternity will reveal the total impact of what has taken place here, but in the present, I can see the impact it has had on our church family. 40 different families have taken part in delivering the follow-up gift bags. Over 150 people were involved in the actual campaign. Thank you for all of your hard work. Thank you for following my leadership in this. Thank you for taking on leadership positions. Thank you for being the body of Christ. I am proud to be your pastor.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Already Loved Update
We started our confirmation calls last night. Remember, we had 75 households representing 199 people who said they would attend this coming Sunday. We had 184 households that said they were interested. Last night, we completed 72 phone calls basically asking if they were still planning to come. 65 people said they would be here Sunday morning. We still have 191 calls to make. Statistically, by the time we finish the calls, we will have 25o people saying they will come. According to the statistics provided by Harvest Unlimited, only 30% (I have been quoting the wrong percentage on this) of those who confirm their attendance will actually attend. If that holds up, we will have 75 guests on Sunday. I can live with that. I will keep you posted.
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