The Passion Of the Christ
3/1/2004 12:17:32 PM
Everyone who has gone to see Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ," has said the same thing to me. They can't get the movie out of their heads. It moved them all. The movie was very violent, but not like the violence in a slasher movie or even war movies. There are no cheers at the acts of violence...no gratuitous entertainment value. The theaters are deathly silent, except for the sobbing of those who never imagined it could have been like this. I am going to see the movie myself. Not because I need to. I have a picture in my imagination that serves to bring tears to my eyes on a daily basis. But I will go see it because I am unable to stay away. I an enthralled by the entire circumstance. That one of Hollywood's own would produce such a film that the jackals in his own den would devour him. That Jews and non-Jews alike would be ignited to discuss the issue. That media elites would live out their stereo-types and attack the film and Gibson. I simply can't not go.

My Experience
3/4/2004 6:53:16 AM
There is a peace inside of me that I can't explain. There is a joy in my heart of which I can't speak. I know that I have just as many heart-aches and obstacles as the next guy, but I find myself unable to dwell upon those things for very long. I get upset when I see a world spinning out of control, but I am unable to sustain depression over it. Deep down, something keeps telling me that justice is coming...peace is coming...righteousness is coming...that answers are coming. They always have, always do, and always will. This being my experience, how can I not have hope each day.

Speaking From My Heart
3/8/2004 9:04:29 AM
The other day, a friend of mine tried to get me to spend more time with him as I was about to depart because I needed to spend time before the Lord in sermon preparation. He told me, "Just get up there and speak from your heart." Certainly, I could do that. Anyone with a testimony of what Jesus has done for them could do as much. I have a lot to say; it's just that over the years I have learned that what I have to say isn't always the same thing God desires me to say. The forum in those moments when a pastor preaches to the flock belongs to God, not to that preacher. The only way to know God's intent for a particular congregation on a particular Sunday is to spend time in His presence. When I step into that pulpit on a Sunday morning, I am not there to speak my heart...but His. I am not there to discuss what is on my mind...but the mind of Christ. I do not step up in that exalted place to speak about God...but to speak for Him. Preachers who haven't learned that lesson are usually shallow in content. If they are simply re-preaching Billy Graham, or other famous evangelists, their congregations will not receive the freshness upon which revival feeds. I must have my time alone with God.

My Date With The Father
3/11/2004 8:18:19 AM
My Father gave me a bouquet of flowers today, spread all across the neighborhood. He lit the sun and brushed the sky with just enough blue, white, and pink to set the mood. He serenaded me with the sounds of birds, squirrels, and children reveling in the unfolding spring season. We dined on love unfeigned, joy unspeakable, and peace unknowable. What a lovely date my Father and I enjoyed this day.

Passion (Part Two)
3/13/2004 8:31:55 PM
Non-Christians simply don't get it. Anyone who leaves the theatre with controversy on their mind simply does not understand the title of this movie: "The Passion of the Christ." It is not about who was guilty. All of us are guilty, though not responsible. Nobody could have taken His life. He gave it freely. He was born to die. He could have ended the entire experience with a word at any time. But even after being flogged and then scourged, after falling three times, Jesus still has to make it up that hill so He could do what He was born to do. It was His "passion" that forces one foot after another. His "passion" to fulfill His call, His love, that allowed Him to endure the shame of the cross. The pain. The isolation. The complete suffering. His passion for you and me forced Him up that mountain. That's the message of the Bible.

Sitting On The Front Porch Of The Kingdom
3/19/2004 7:07:01 AM
Have you ever thought about what would have happened if the elder brother had reached the prodigal before the father? The story would have been much different. Instead of love, the prodigal would have encountered judgment and condemnation from his sibling. Perhaps, the elder brother may have even escorted him right back down that road and tossed him outside the gates. I wonder how visitors feel when they enter my church. No matter what they look like, how they smell, or what society thinks of them, people are always welcomed in the presence of the Father. That is why the father in the parable is sitting on that front porch, day after day, waiting in hopes his son will return one day. That is why he rocks back and forth in that chair, coffee in his hands, eyes scanning the distant road, praying for grace and mercy upon his son. When the day came and the prayer was answered, the father was the first one down that road to greet him. May my eyes always be looking for those who want to come home.

Humbled
3/20/2004 2:54:11 PM
Today I was humbled to witness the capabilities of the people from the church I formerly pastored...the church my family founded with twenty-plus years of tender love and passion. They reached out to their community today in a program that was absolutely outstanding. Their new pastor harnessed the collective passion of the people and led them to a victorious day in Christ. I stood back, on the outside, watching this amazing day unfold. I felt much like a parent must feel who watches his son hit a home run in an important game. All those years of throwing pitches. All those years of encouragement and teaching. You watch him round those bases and jump into the arms of his team-mates and his coach who gave him that something extra in practices to make this day happen. And you can't help but be so very proud of the team. It’s been over a year and a half, but those people are still very much in my heart and soul. Today, the new pastor and his flock made me very proud.

Resisting The Human Instinct
3/25/2004 6:40:54 AM
Jesus' teaching about taking the lowest place at the feast is hard to grasp on a practical level. The natural human instinct if for self-promotion. For pastors, there is this inner drive to garner the trappings of success because people love a winner. The thought process is that if you are perceived as a huge success it will breed even more success. I must keep remembering that the Kingdom of God isn't like the world. Success as the world would define it isn't so much success in the Kingdom of God. I am tempted to rush to the front of the table...to sit with the big dogs and do a little barking of my own...to get my name out there with the right people at the right time. Yet, the gentle nudging of the Holy Ghost keeps leading me to that abandoned chair at the far end of the table. In His lesson, Jesus says that one day the Master will come and fuss over such a humbled one in the presence of the entire party...that our light will shine in the firmament in these last, dark times. Even though I am tempted to rush to the head of the table, I will remain seated in my place here. I would rather humble myself than be humbled by Him.

The Mystery Of Faith
3/30/2004 6:37:09 AM
There really shouldn't be so much mystery about faith. It is so elusive, so mysterious. It shouldn't be. Faith is simply currency in the Kingdom of God. You need money to receive in the physical world; faith to receive in the spiritual world. Faith is action. You can't have faith and fear at the same time. You can't have faith and hatred in your heart. You can't have faith and whine at the same time. Nor can you have faith and murmur, gripe, or complain. Faith and being unforgiving do not co-exist. You are either walking in faith or you are not. And when you are not, you aren't a horrible person. You are the same child of God you were minutes ago when you were walking in faith. Now, you simply must grab yourself by your physical shoulders; give yourself a little shake; and change your actions. No mystery. No shadows. Just obedience. It truly is as simple as that.