Sticking Out
1/1/2004 12:13:00 PM
My resolution this year is to be less "worldly." I find it very difficult to extract myself from the intricately woven web of culture, society, and entertainment the spiders of this world have created to entangle the pilgrims. At a time when the rage is to be a citizen of the world, I have come to realize that my citizenship in another world, the Kingdom of God, is what I need to pursue. The direction this world is heading is dark and dangerous. Soon, there will be little room for individual, spiritual thought and expression. Anyone who dares to believe in absolutes will simply be dismissed as out of touch, intolerant, or just plain nuts. But in a world gone mad, it is the sane person who will stick out like a sore thumb. Here's to "sticking out" in 2004.

National Champs!
1/6/2004 6:50:51 AM
For as long as I can remember I have disapproved of those who put too much emphasis on winning sporting events. I love sports, especially football, but I find the passion and vigor unleashed by fans at the big-time games reveals something disturbing about our national psyche. Most of these same people would never cheer in a church service nor demonstrate the same passion at work. Is it an outlet for something? If so, what? And doesn't the need for such an emotional outlet speak volumes in itself? I have no fixed answers for those questions. All I know is that the LSU Tigers just won the National Championship in College Football, and I have the undeniable urge to shout, "Woooooooooo Hooooooooo.....Geaux Tigers!!!"

The Benefit Of The Doubt
1/9/2004 6:56:08 AM
Ministers need a solid support system. I can tell you that without those in my life who love me unconditionally I would self-destruct in a short time. I can’t recall how many times I’ve fallen while traversing life’s tightrope only to have the net below me gather me up and make the traversing safe again for another day. Perhaps the most important thing for me is that I have a network of people who love me, pray for me, and give me the benefit of the doubt. That’s the biggest thing: Having the benefit of the doubt. I am always amazed by the ability of others to suspend their disbelief in my call to ministry despite my colossal failures…to look beyond the obvious faults in my life and choose to trust me anyway. Suspending our disbelief in the motives, failures, and shortcomings of others is the only way we could ever build such support systems in our lives. Having a God in which we can absolutely believe makes it possible for us to offer one another the benefit of the doubt.

The Elusive Chase For Success
1/11/2004 8:37:38 PM
This generation of believers is clueless concerning spirituality. It is a product of our religous institutions' failure to make the connection between God and men. The ministry of reconciliation is a lost art these days. We stay so busy in our church soap operas we forget that there are people dying and going to hell all around us. We get so busy building monuments to ourselves that we forget to lift Jesus up. The elusive chase for success that is part and parcel of the American dream has infiltrated the church. Repent, oh Bride! Turn from your selfishness, from your wordliness, from your error! That God may heal you, and the Spirit of God may flow in our churches again!

Free Grace
1/14/2004 12:09:13 PM
A very good friend reminded me today of the "free grace" spoken of in Ephesians 2:8-10. Just in the nick of time, too. I've been under so much pressure trying to force myself into spirituality. The pressure is internal, no doubt, but it is still smothering in its nature. For a moment today I remembered that I am righteous only because my Champion is righteous. I am holy only because He is holy. I am royalty by adoption. He just chose me and made me that way. I intend to relax and let the work of His Spirit wash over me...change me. The good works will come. Though you can have good works without faith, you can never have faith without good works. I'll just continue to believe on Him and the works will follow.

The Simple Life
1/17/2004 10:21:23 AM
I currently pastor a small church in a very economically deprived area of the Mississippi River delta. What little job opportunity that once existed disappeared with the closing of the last two plants in the area. The temptation is to pity these people, but in the last year I have come to admire them, even envy them some. Most of them were either raised on farms or have learned to raise their own crops, chickens, cows, and pigs. Men and women alike take full advantage of the hunting seasons to replenish their meat supplies. Fishing is a birthright. The simplicity of their lives astonishes me. They do not have some of the luxuries that come with sophisticated society. Yet, I can imagine a time to come, if the Lord tarries, when big city life could be worth pitying. This one thing I do know: If the trucks stop running, if some natural disaster strikes, if terrorists or some aggressive foreign power attempts to disrupt the American way of life through nuclear or other means, these people's lives will be least effected. They will be able to take care of themselves just fine with little disruption to their normal routine. I have come to see the comfort, the peace of mind, which comes with living the simple life.

Knuckleheaded-ness
1/20/2004 6:38:49 AM
Any pastor can tell you that one of our frustrations is to see members of their congregation causing misery in their own lives. You try to preach the truth. You try to reach out to them on every level, but they seem to be oblivious to your attempts. Sometimes, you question your ability to get the truth out there in a meaningful way. Anytime I feel inadequate concerning spreading the Good News I remember Moses and his congregation. What a group of murmurers and complainers! Hard headed, too! Moses told them to gather Manna for six days, but to rest on the seventh because no Manna would be falling from heaven. Still, there were knuckleheads out there early on the seventh morning, looking up to heaven for that sweet bread to fall. Knuckleheaded-ness seems to be a lasting, human condition. No use taking full responsibility for it myself.

Coming Storm
1/26/2004 9:42:54 AM
This week I will be facing some troubling obstacles to my faith. I guess that knowing they are coming ahead of time is actually a blessing from the Lord. It's the storm that crashes into your life overnight that takes you by surprise and causes the most damage. The hurricane warnings help us to board up the windows and purchase batteries and bottled water to survive. I know I will survive this coming week, but it will be a struggle. I am confident in my Captain, that where I am weak He will be strong in me. I'm off to find some plywood!

The Heart Of A Christian
1/30/2004 9:07:19 AM
We must become more sensitive...more compassionate. There are hurting people, lost people, strolling down life's busy lanes who have no clue how to find solace, peace, or hope. God has freely given us so much. We can never repay Him. The best we can do is display the true heart of a Christian. We need to have big ole arms for hugging, big ole shoulders for leaning upon, big ole ears for listening, and big ole hearts for understanding. My good friend, Marilyn Rice, reminded me today that a day comes when we all need these things.