...I'm getting older.
It hasn't been just tonight. It has been over the past few weeks. I was driving home from work and was thinking to myself about how many time I have driven down that road in my life. I then thought about the old road that went from Wilkesboro to Lenoir. It was less wide, had more curves, but it was a lot more fun to drive.
Then I thought- this car will go over 40,000 miles this week, That is ridiculous. Wait a minute- shouldn't I be driving a Chevrolet Cavalier? What about my Ford Ranger? There was the other thought- that place I was working. Isn't that the mall? Didn't I visit that arcade so many times, that Belk, so many times? How in the world did this become a large office building? What about when I got home- how in the world do I have kids? My baby boy is an unbelievably talkative 5-year-old that only talks about car brands and car makes. That can't be possible, can it? My wife put pigtails in my baby girl's hair. I looked at her and realized- - she's not a baby! She's a girl!
I pass by Hibriten High, and I'm thinking about classmates, band, the football team, realizing am I not supposed to be going there? No- my nephews go there, and one just turned 18! Wait- why am I turning down Hibriten drive? I live this way? I'm not going home to my parents? No, I live this way now. Wait - there's Willard! He always used to walk by my house on the way to town! At least that's familiar! What is he wearing? Oh, goodness, no!
(DISCLOSURE: Willard is a man that walks around Lenoir wherever he needs to go, in an array of disguises and costumes. tonight he was wearing a 2-piece ladies' swimsuit, a bra, and some boots.)
At least some things never change.
The fact of the matter is, life just passes by so quickly. The Bible describes it as a "vapour." James 4:14 says "How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone (NLT)."
This is where I am now. I am an adult. I'll be 34 in a few weeks. Next year I can run for president. No, I am not interested. I am an adult. Now I am living my life in the morning fog, If I have any advice, it would be this- get yourself a good breakfast, and enjoy. Take in the pictures, and hold on to them.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
The definition of entitlement
Merriam-Webster defines entitlement as "belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges." That describes the mindset, sadly of most of us. This also holds the misery of most all of us.
What do I mean?
Take a look at Wisconsin. Unions and Democrats are rioting because they think the state is attempting to take away any privileges they have. "Public" entities are protesting the moves of Congress and state legislatures all over simply because they think any cuts will put an end to their current conditions or situation. Many have decried out of control government spending, yet when someone tries to get it under control, they decry any cut that will affect them, their family, or anything they hold an interest in.
People call customer service lines because they feel the slightest inconvenience. People complain if they were ignored by a person working in a store. People complain because the people in a store were too nice to them. No, I am not making that up. People complain because they have to write a check instead of having it ran through a machine for them.
We have a consumption-driven economy in this nation, and an entitlement society. We have been made to believe that we are entitled to things simply because they exist. It reminds me of a poem by Stephen Crane:
A man said to the universe:
"Sir I exist!"
"However," replied the universe,
"The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation."
"Sir I exist!"
"However," replied the universe,
"The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation."
So many of us now ignore this and believe that we are entitled to have whatever we want when we want it, and if something goes wrong, it is our right to have somebody's head on a platter until we are satisfied.
What am I getting at? Simply this. Take a look at the first part of Lamentations 3:22 : "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed." THIS is what we are entitled to.
Consumption. Death. Hell fire. Separation from God.
When I look at this, I realize that the fact that I am alive is a blessing. When I look at the rest of the verse and the next, I rejoice:
"because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
I am entitled to death, but I have received mercy from a faithful God. What I receive on top of that is a gift from God that I am thankful for every day. Looking at my life from this scope makes for a perspective I wish more people shared.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Shining the Wide Scope spotlight: Love Week 2011
Consider this a special edition of the Wide Scope. Love Week 2011 is the 2nd annual week of simply love poured out on the city of Charlotte. Last year, Elevation Church committed to volunteer 10,000 hours of service to the city of Charlotte. Well, they blew that number out of the water. This year, the church teamed with 25 others in the city of Charlotte to volunteer 25,000 hours from Feb. 26-March 6. It looks like that will be blown away as well. Part of what Love Week is about is shining the light on some of the outreach partners that the church has, and encouraging those that may not know about it of realize that they can help in the work to stand and take notice. Here are some of the partners and the ways you can help:
Samaritan's Purse: Water problems affect half of humanity. 1.1 billion people in developing countries don't have access to water, and 2.5 billion lack basic sanitation. Visit samaritanspurse.org to find out how you can make an impact. Not only that, but they spread the Gospel to over 8 million children in over 130 countries each year.
A21: The second largest organized crime in the world today is trafficking. 1.39 million victims of commercial sexual servitude worldwide are part of a $12 billion industry. A21 is working to get this practice abolished. To see how you can help, visit thea21campaign.org .
Compassion International: 130 million children in developing countries have lost one or both parents. More than 75% of the deaths of children under the age of 5 are preventable. To see how you can help sponsor one of more than 1 million children in 26 countries, visit compassion.com .
A Child's Place: As of June 2010, 4,453 children in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were identified as homeless. It's estimated 1,600 more have not been identified. They face a graduation rate of 25%. These children go hungry twice as much as others, and are sick 4 times more often. Visit achildsplace.org to see how you can help.
Crisis Assistance Ministries: Over 220,000 families with children under 18 live under the poverty level. Over 46,000 single mothers in Charlotte live under that level. Last year over 70,000 people received financial assistance thanks to donors and volunteers at Crisis Assistance. Visit the group in Charlotte, or look for one in your area to see how you can help them.
WISH Program: Wish is a program designed to rapidly re-house homeless families in safe and decent apartments. They empower people with resources they need to become self-sufficient. Visit wishprogram.org to see how you can get involved.
BlessBack Worldwide: BlessBack stepped into action in Haiti to assist some of the millions of families that were affected by the earthquake and recent cholera outbreak in Haiti. They exist to provide medical and spiritual blessings to hurting people around the world. To see how to join them, visit blessbackworldwide.org .
The good thing about this is that you don't have to live in Charlotte or even go to church in Charlotte to help these groups out. You can help them right there at your computer screen. If you want to know more about Love Week, visit loveweekcharlotte.com . If Charlotte is not where God has you, maybe this will inspire you to start spreading the love of Christ where you are. Whatever the case, take the time, and help take care of "the least of these."
Samaritan's Purse: Water problems affect half of humanity. 1.1 billion people in developing countries don't have access to water, and 2.5 billion lack basic sanitation. Visit samaritanspurse.org to find out how you can make an impact. Not only that, but they spread the Gospel to over 8 million children in over 130 countries each year.
A21: The second largest organized crime in the world today is trafficking. 1.39 million victims of commercial sexual servitude worldwide are part of a $12 billion industry. A21 is working to get this practice abolished. To see how you can help, visit thea21campaign.org .
Compassion International: 130 million children in developing countries have lost one or both parents. More than 75% of the deaths of children under the age of 5 are preventable. To see how you can help sponsor one of more than 1 million children in 26 countries, visit compassion.com .
A Child's Place: As of June 2010, 4,453 children in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were identified as homeless. It's estimated 1,600 more have not been identified. They face a graduation rate of 25%. These children go hungry twice as much as others, and are sick 4 times more often. Visit achildsplace.org to see how you can help.
Crisis Assistance Ministries: Over 220,000 families with children under 18 live under the poverty level. Over 46,000 single mothers in Charlotte live under that level. Last year over 70,000 people received financial assistance thanks to donors and volunteers at Crisis Assistance. Visit the group in Charlotte, or look for one in your area to see how you can help them.
WISH Program: Wish is a program designed to rapidly re-house homeless families in safe and decent apartments. They empower people with resources they need to become self-sufficient. Visit wishprogram.org to see how you can get involved.
BlessBack Worldwide: BlessBack stepped into action in Haiti to assist some of the millions of families that were affected by the earthquake and recent cholera outbreak in Haiti. They exist to provide medical and spiritual blessings to hurting people around the world. To see how to join them, visit blessbackworldwide.org .
The good thing about this is that you don't have to live in Charlotte or even go to church in Charlotte to help these groups out. You can help them right there at your computer screen. If you want to know more about Love Week, visit loveweekcharlotte.com . If Charlotte is not where God has you, maybe this will inspire you to start spreading the love of Christ where you are. Whatever the case, take the time, and help take care of "the least of these."
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
My Book Report on Honor
Our church is doing a series on honor. We have not been given any true homework assignments, per se, but it is important if a person is going to grow in their walk with God to actually get something out of the lesson that is taught. It is vital as a follower of God to show honor where it is commanded. In the scriptures we are asked to show honor to our wives, wives are asked to honor their husbands, children are asked to honor parents, subjects are asked to honor leaders. This includes presidents, congressmen, senators, pastors, bosses, and others that you may have difficulty honoring in your daily life. This does not just mean former presidents or pastors, either.
Don't get me wrong- I'm not saying you have to agree with them. You are free to disagree with any of the people I have mentioned. I am simply saying that according to scripture, you are to give honor to them. God has put them in authority over you. But here's a question- how do I do it? Do you have any examples?
Of course I do. Why else blog about it? Turn to I Samuel and read about David and Saul.
Saul was the first king of Israel. He had difficulty doing what God said, and as a result, God renounced him. His anointed replacement was David. As a result of God's sense of humor, David ended up playing the lyre for Saul to calm him when he was tormented. As it became evidently clear to Saul that David was chosen to be king, and it became equally evident that Saul was trying to kill David- he did that more than once. He chased him all over the country. He even tried to kill his son when he defended David.
So when David had two opportunities to get the drop on Saul, what did he do?
He honored the person that God had anointed.
I Samuel 24:6 : "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed." I Samuel 26:11 : The LORD forbid that I should put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go."
He was faithful to God, and followed His heart. He honored the authority over him, and he was honored by God because he did. I can assure you that your boss probably has not tried to kill you, and neither has your pastor, at least I hope not. What you can learn from this is that when you give the honor due, you honor God, because He put them in that position of authority.
That's a lot to chew on. Get a glass of water, and ponder it for a while.
Don't get me wrong- I'm not saying you have to agree with them. You are free to disagree with any of the people I have mentioned. I am simply saying that according to scripture, you are to give honor to them. God has put them in authority over you. But here's a question- how do I do it? Do you have any examples?
Of course I do. Why else blog about it? Turn to I Samuel and read about David and Saul.
Saul was the first king of Israel. He had difficulty doing what God said, and as a result, God renounced him. His anointed replacement was David. As a result of God's sense of humor, David ended up playing the lyre for Saul to calm him when he was tormented. As it became evidently clear to Saul that David was chosen to be king, and it became equally evident that Saul was trying to kill David- he did that more than once. He chased him all over the country. He even tried to kill his son when he defended David.
So when David had two opportunities to get the drop on Saul, what did he do?
He honored the person that God had anointed.
I Samuel 24:6 : "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed." I Samuel 26:11 : The LORD forbid that I should put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go."
He was faithful to God, and followed His heart. He honored the authority over him, and he was honored by God because he did. I can assure you that your boss probably has not tried to kill you, and neither has your pastor, at least I hope not. What you can learn from this is that when you give the honor due, you honor God, because He put them in that position of authority.
That's a lot to chew on. Get a glass of water, and ponder it for a while.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Give THOUGH it Hurts.
Too many people have used the phrase in the years "give until it hurts." Most of time these people are preachers that are a little nervous because the offering into the church is not what they hope it would be. (Oh. I wasn't supposed to say that out loud.)
I am thankful for the place I currently go to church. Elevation declares openly that they do not need your money, yet at the same time leads the way in generosity. They celebrate giving every week, and the people give. Not only that, but story after story pour in about how God has blessed them after they committed to give to what He is doing.
What has me on this tangent? It is simple. I started reading this morning in I Samuel. I read the story of Hannah. If you haven't read it, DO. Synopsis: She is one of two wives to Elkanah. In fact, she is the barren wife. She prays every year at the temple at the time of sacrifice, begging for a child. She asks God for a child, and promises that she will return the child to God's service. Finally, her request is granted, and she has Samuel. After she weans him, she presents him to the temple for God's service.
What she has wanted her entire life, she willingly gives up. Her reaction? Highest praise to God. Read her prayer in I Samuel 2. What had to be the hardest possible thing to do was the easiest to do in the sight of a great God that had provided the impossible. God rewarded her faithfulness and her sacrifice, and gave her more children.
What we lose here in the New Testament is the notion of sacrifice. Sacrifice is hard. Ask Jesus. We do not have to give up one of our animals every year. We give a little money in a plate every week (or two, or month, or whenever we visit the church), and think we've sacrificed. Hebrews 13 asks us to offer the "sacrifice of praise" and to share what we have as sacrifices.
Thanks to Jesus, our sacrifices need not be as drastic as in Hannah's day. We no longer have to sacrifice for our sins. It is easy to praise, or to give a couple of dollars. When you do what is hard- give what God is actually telling you to give, or going and doing something that you would not normally do to help someone you would never say hello to on the street, even though it might not be easy- that is when you honor the God that is worthy of the praise. When you find you have survived the pain, it becomes easier to do it again. Feel free to give it a try...
I am thankful for the place I currently go to church. Elevation declares openly that they do not need your money, yet at the same time leads the way in generosity. They celebrate giving every week, and the people give. Not only that, but story after story pour in about how God has blessed them after they committed to give to what He is doing.
What has me on this tangent? It is simple. I started reading this morning in I Samuel. I read the story of Hannah. If you haven't read it, DO. Synopsis: She is one of two wives to Elkanah. In fact, she is the barren wife. She prays every year at the temple at the time of sacrifice, begging for a child. She asks God for a child, and promises that she will return the child to God's service. Finally, her request is granted, and she has Samuel. After she weans him, she presents him to the temple for God's service.
What she has wanted her entire life, she willingly gives up. Her reaction? Highest praise to God. Read her prayer in I Samuel 2. What had to be the hardest possible thing to do was the easiest to do in the sight of a great God that had provided the impossible. God rewarded her faithfulness and her sacrifice, and gave her more children.
What we lose here in the New Testament is the notion of sacrifice. Sacrifice is hard. Ask Jesus. We do not have to give up one of our animals every year. We give a little money in a plate every week (or two, or month, or whenever we visit the church), and think we've sacrificed. Hebrews 13 asks us to offer the "sacrifice of praise" and to share what we have as sacrifices.
Thanks to Jesus, our sacrifices need not be as drastic as in Hannah's day. We no longer have to sacrifice for our sins. It is easy to praise, or to give a couple of dollars. When you do what is hard- give what God is actually telling you to give, or going and doing something that you would not normally do to help someone you would never say hello to on the street, even though it might not be easy- that is when you honor the God that is worthy of the praise. When you find you have survived the pain, it becomes easier to do it again. Feel free to give it a try...
Monday, February 21, 2011
I Surrender none?
Picture this scene in your mind:
It is April 1865. General Robert E. Lee has left the house in Appomattox, VA, where he has surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. He says his farewell to his tired and hungry soldiers, turned his horse Traveler, and headed home.
The next day, he changes his mind. He decides to race Traveler back to Appomattox and fight again. His soldiers have already been given rations from the US Army, their primary weapons have been taken, but they have weapons for hunting. Some have already headed home. Yet the General wishes to fight.
Wouldn't that be a stupid decision?
Of course it would.
Follower of Christ, how many times have you sang that you surrender all of your life to Him? How often do you say that "I have given Him everything?" Then how often do you immediately take the issue that you have committed to Christ and obsess over it?
If you think it would have been foolish for General Lee to fight without his army, how much more foolish is it to fight against the Creator of the universe who wants to help you achieve a victory that He already won?
Check out 1 Peter 5:6-8-
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (ESV)
He wants you to surrender your cares to Him. His desire is not that you struggle, but that you overcome. Lean on Him. He is greater than the true enemy that is in the world (I John 4:4). Pastor Steven Furtick said a couple of weeks ago: "God always refers to the battles that we are about to face in the past tense."
When you surrender something to God, let go of it. Do not go back after it. If you have given it to Him, trust Him in the circumstance. It is not easy. In that time, lean on Him even more. He will complete the work.
I needed that today. Anyone else?
It is April 1865. General Robert E. Lee has left the house in Appomattox, VA, where he has surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. He says his farewell to his tired and hungry soldiers, turned his horse Traveler, and headed home.
The next day, he changes his mind. He decides to race Traveler back to Appomattox and fight again. His soldiers have already been given rations from the US Army, their primary weapons have been taken, but they have weapons for hunting. Some have already headed home. Yet the General wishes to fight.
Wouldn't that be a stupid decision?
Of course it would.
Follower of Christ, how many times have you sang that you surrender all of your life to Him? How often do you say that "I have given Him everything?" Then how often do you immediately take the issue that you have committed to Christ and obsess over it?
If you think it would have been foolish for General Lee to fight without his army, how much more foolish is it to fight against the Creator of the universe who wants to help you achieve a victory that He already won?
Check out 1 Peter 5:6-8-
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (ESV)
He wants you to surrender your cares to Him. His desire is not that you struggle, but that you overcome. Lean on Him. He is greater than the true enemy that is in the world (I John 4:4). Pastor Steven Furtick said a couple of weeks ago: "God always refers to the battles that we are about to face in the past tense."
When you surrender something to God, let go of it. Do not go back after it. If you have given it to Him, trust Him in the circumstance. It is not easy. In that time, lean on Him even more. He will complete the work.
I needed that today. Anyone else?
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Give me faith
I really had promised myself that I would blog every week this year.
Yeah- that didn't go so well.
I will say that one of my best-laid plans has gone better than expected. I promised myself that I would read more, and so far, I'm keeping that up. What's most impressive is what I'm reading.
Yeah- I'm reading my Bible more!
Now don't get that thought in your head- I'm not bragging by sharing this. All I am saying with this is that I have made a commitment, and I am sticking to it. The weird thing about it is the the way I decided to approach this.
I had told myself that I would be reading more. Period. This included a variety of items. So I started with Pastor Steven Furtick's Sun Stand Still. I got to a chapter, and I read the words "Saturate your faith with the Word of God." I was convicted. I appreciate all I had learned up to that point in the book. But when I got to that point, I felt I needed to stop reading about faith, I needed to start reading and increase my faith.
Since then, I read the New Testament from Hebrews to Revelation. My new job started on January 17th, and at the end of week three, I was discouraged and ready to give up. In the two days of that weekend, two separate people talked to me about Joseph. So I studied Joseph in Genesis. What I saw was faithfulness and the favor of God shining down on someone in an unfavorable situation.Now I have moved on to Moses.
I have learned so much about faith. Most importantly, I have begun a new habit that I intend to continue. I am growing closer to my Best Friend. All this because of an unintended lesson learned from another book. Pastor Steven, I hope you don't mind.
Until next time, which I hope is in less than a month...
Yeah- that didn't go so well.
I will say that one of my best-laid plans has gone better than expected. I promised myself that I would read more, and so far, I'm keeping that up. What's most impressive is what I'm reading.
Yeah- I'm reading my Bible more!
Now don't get that thought in your head- I'm not bragging by sharing this. All I am saying with this is that I have made a commitment, and I am sticking to it. The weird thing about it is the the way I decided to approach this.
I had told myself that I would be reading more. Period. This included a variety of items. So I started with Pastor Steven Furtick's Sun Stand Still. I got to a chapter, and I read the words "Saturate your faith with the Word of God." I was convicted. I appreciate all I had learned up to that point in the book. But when I got to that point, I felt I needed to stop reading about faith, I needed to start reading and increase my faith.
Since then, I read the New Testament from Hebrews to Revelation. My new job started on January 17th, and at the end of week three, I was discouraged and ready to give up. In the two days of that weekend, two separate people talked to me about Joseph. So I studied Joseph in Genesis. What I saw was faithfulness and the favor of God shining down on someone in an unfavorable situation.Now I have moved on to Moses.
I have learned so much about faith. Most importantly, I have begun a new habit that I intend to continue. I am growing closer to my Best Friend. All this because of an unintended lesson learned from another book. Pastor Steven, I hope you don't mind.
Until next time, which I hope is in less than a month...
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