I really love church.
I always have. When I was younger, like eight or nine, I like many of the day, brought up in the Left Behind fervor, would often think of where I wanted to be when the rapture happened. I didn't pick home, though the blue house I grew up in will always be special, I didn't choose my grandparents house where I spent countless Sunday afternoons. I picked the front row of Friendship Baptist Church. I wanted to see the green carpet, look at the big pulpit and I wanted my dad to be playing piano.
That sounds a little crazy to me now, but I think it really reveals what I have known all my life, but am only beginning to know now - I really love church. When I have to rehearse my call, or give a intro to my life story (with seminary and camp this happens more often than you would think) I say we weren't at church every time the doors were open, we were ones who were opening the doors. I grew up literally with the church as a second home.
One of the fondest memories of have of growing up in church is of a Sunday night tradition. After the pastor was done preaching we would all join hands around the sanctuary and sing;
"I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by his blood.
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod.
For we're part of the family,
The family of God."
Those are holy words to me now. The sense of community I felt growing up in a rural Arkansas church is a sense of community I long for others to feel. I want four year old little boys to get to ride to Pizza Hut after church with their second parents every Sunday night. I want them to remember staying with close friends from church when their mom has had a baby or had surgery. I want them to see church as a sense of family.
In college I felt that too. It wasn't uncommon the last two years of my undergraduate career to walk in the Anderson house after church and sit for a couple of hours and do homework. I felt welcome. That's church.
Church is messy too, though isn't it? It has been messy from the very beginning. Acts shows us that. In Acts 6 the deacon ministry is established when no one is there to care for the widows. Before that in chapter 5 Ananias and Sapphira are put to death. Church is messy.
While I have never seen husband and wife carried out on stretchers from business meetings I have seen my share of messy-ness in churches. I have seen heated business meetings. I have seen nasty chain letters. I have sat under theological, ethical, moral and social squabbles. Church is messy. And why is that? Because church is full of humans.
Church is going to continue to be messy. History says it will. Great Reformations, Schisms and other things. Labels like evangelical and conservative and liberal and fundamentalist all are going to be placed on name tags and given out. It is going to happen. What do we do with it? What do we do with a church full of all this human-ness?
But that is what Jesus created his church to be - human. But holy. How are we holy, because 1 Corinthians 12 tells us we are the Body of Christ. We are to be him to the world. That has sooo many implications I am just now beginning to understand. We are to be Christ to the world. We are his body. We, together, the church.
When we take communion we are symbolically taking the body and blood of Christ. We are to remember what he did, and thus in doing so remember what we are to do in response. We do this as a Church. One body. One spirit. One faith. One baptism.
Friends, Paul warned the Corinthians we do not preach Apollos or Cephas or James or Paul. We preach Jesus Christ and him crucified. We are the image of Christ, through his church. We are the Body of Christ.
Similarly we don't preach Piper, or Chandler or Beth or Louie. We don't preach Barbara or Fred or Scot or Stanley or whoever. We preach Christ and we him crucified.
Growing up those call and response sections in the Baptist Hymnal were often ignored. In seminary I've learned to appreciate various types of liturgies. I love when we read scripture the reader always concludes with, "this is the word of the Lord." And as a community, as a church we respond, "Thanks be to God." What a great picture that is. One voice.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Dear Pope Francis,
Dear Pope Francis,
I am a fan.
Everything I read about you screams...I follow Jesus. You are literally the most powerful man in Christendom, in fact you are the most powerful man in the religious community period. Well, I mean there is Jesus and those millions of people who follow Mohammed, but hey let's face it, they look to you too.
You care about poor people. You care about living in luxury. You are living with the other people who work in the Vatican, not the papal palace. You are living out what your church, The Catholic Church has demonstrated so well through the years, to take care of people. You tweet. And in those tweets you ask us to pray for you. Pray for you? You and the people of your faith believe that you act "in persona Christi," in the person of Christ for your people. If you wanted to (which it has been done like twice) you could speak from the Bishop's chair and your words would be infallible. Yet, you are asking us to pray for you. That is powerful humility, my friend. Get it, Pope Francis.
Your very Baptist friend,
Will
Protestant friends,
Support his man. Pray for him. Rather you like it or not he represents you to the world. They see him as the face and voice of Christianity, you don't have to like it, but it is reality.
I saw so many things making fun of him during conclave. Making fun of what they do. Stop it. It was all in good fun, but seriously this man could usher in a huge change in the way Christianity is viewed around the world. Please lets join hands and share the gospel instead of dividing further.
Go, be Christ's people. His little c, catholic church. We are all in this together, and not just high school musical style for real.
Again,
Will
I am a fan.
Everything I read about you screams...I follow Jesus. You are literally the most powerful man in Christendom, in fact you are the most powerful man in the religious community period. Well, I mean there is Jesus and those millions of people who follow Mohammed, but hey let's face it, they look to you too.
You care about poor people. You care about living in luxury. You are living with the other people who work in the Vatican, not the papal palace. You are living out what your church, The Catholic Church has demonstrated so well through the years, to take care of people. You tweet. And in those tweets you ask us to pray for you. Pray for you? You and the people of your faith believe that you act "in persona Christi," in the person of Christ for your people. If you wanted to (which it has been done like twice) you could speak from the Bishop's chair and your words would be infallible. Yet, you are asking us to pray for you. That is powerful humility, my friend. Get it, Pope Francis.
Your very Baptist friend,
Will
Protestant friends,
Support his man. Pray for him. Rather you like it or not he represents you to the world. They see him as the face and voice of Christianity, you don't have to like it, but it is reality.
I saw so many things making fun of him during conclave. Making fun of what they do. Stop it. It was all in good fun, but seriously this man could usher in a huge change in the way Christianity is viewed around the world. Please lets join hands and share the gospel instead of dividing further.
Go, be Christ's people. His little c, catholic church. We are all in this together, and not just high school musical style for real.
Again,
Will
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Blessed are the Peace Makers
I was reading my Bible last week and had a particularly heavy heart. Recently I have been asking God what he wants me to do in this thing we call life. I mean, I certainly have my passions. I love kids, I love camp, I love helping those in need but the more and more I learn and grow I have a desire to know what that looks like. It was almost like a brick hit me in the face when the word "peace" was whispered and I could almost hear it. I immediately jumped to Matthew 5 in my Bible and read, "Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the sons of God."
What does that mean? Well, for me it means a lot of things. I am a Southern Baptist born and raised and I go to CBF seminary. I attend a CBF church. I spend my summers working for the second largest Christian publishing company in the world, a SBC affiliate. I really do love both sides. I do. I think they are both full of men and women that love and seek after the Lord, but I don't think both sides see the other that way. I tend to see what they have in common - a magnificent passion for Jesus Christ and his gospel and not how they choose to describe the inspiration of Scripture. Because I see that they both love Jesus.
Today, my facebook wall was filled with red equal signs as people's profile pictures. I read and then hid hundreds (or it seemed like) statuses on the Supreme Courts pending decision on same sex marriage. I heard a lot of things. "Heavy hearts." "Intolerance." "Bigots." And it made me sick. Both of them. I found a lack of grace among both parties. Let me say a few things. First, friends, lets have an opinion. By all means, let it happen. But, let us be graceful in that opinion. Friends that support homosexual marriage, have grace for your friends who don't. They aren't (or shouldn't be) attacking you personally, they are just trying to live out their beliefs. Friends, who do not support it, have grace! Your friends from the other side are warring inside themselves and hurting to try and figure out what God wants of them, shouldn't we all do that?
You see, us Protestants are fixed in on justification by faith alone, no works. But, we fall into the trap so many times, forget St. Paul and Mr. Luther and add things as prerequisites to salvation. You have to believe homosexuality is wrong to be a Christian. You have to believe the Bible is inherrant to love Jesus. We had so much to the Gospel. Some of you are reading this and saying, but the repentance is a prerequisite of salvation, Will. You have to repent to follow Christ. I agree, mostly. I like it better if we say, if we follow Christ, we will repent. Romans 10:9 tells us, "if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead we will be saved." I think if we believe that we will repent.
And the truth will win. What are you so afraid of? Why are you so scared of people believing something different than you? All you need to do is search so hard after truth. You have to run toward it. Dig it out, eat it up. Dwell in it. And the truth will prevail. If you are afraid of different beliefs then you might not be so grounded in the truth to begin with.
I would also like to briefly say that a popular phrase I have heard today is "you can't legislate morality." Well, you can. We have. Should we, that can be a different story all together. I don't think we can force someone who does not follow Christ to live a lifestyle that we live only because we do. That being said, be careful. Just be careful.
Did you notice I got all the way through this post and didn't state my opinion? I didn't say what word I use to talk about inspiration of Scripture and I didn't say where I stand on marriage equality. I will tell you, and chances are if you know me you know what I believe. But, I do want to love and to make peace. Because I think with all our arguing we are hurting the Gospel. And that breaks my heart. My heart is heavy because when people see our arguments and rants at each other they are not seeing Jesus, they are seeing the Evil One. That is completely contrary to the Gospel. It is damaging. It shatters it and tears it apart one thread at a time and I cannot see it anymore. We have to make peace.
We have to get over ourselves. We have to realize there are people all over the world that are dying of starvation and we are arguing over who we can have sex with. We have to realize Jesus is a big, big God and he needs his whole, universal, catholic church to spread the Word. Make peace tonight, friends. Love like Jesus did. Speak truth, yes. But have grace, duh. Go be the sons (and daughters) of God. Go make peace.
What does that mean? Well, for me it means a lot of things. I am a Southern Baptist born and raised and I go to CBF seminary. I attend a CBF church. I spend my summers working for the second largest Christian publishing company in the world, a SBC affiliate. I really do love both sides. I do. I think they are both full of men and women that love and seek after the Lord, but I don't think both sides see the other that way. I tend to see what they have in common - a magnificent passion for Jesus Christ and his gospel and not how they choose to describe the inspiration of Scripture. Because I see that they both love Jesus.
Today, my facebook wall was filled with red equal signs as people's profile pictures. I read and then hid hundreds (or it seemed like) statuses on the Supreme Courts pending decision on same sex marriage. I heard a lot of things. "Heavy hearts." "Intolerance." "Bigots." And it made me sick. Both of them. I found a lack of grace among both parties. Let me say a few things. First, friends, lets have an opinion. By all means, let it happen. But, let us be graceful in that opinion. Friends that support homosexual marriage, have grace for your friends who don't. They aren't (or shouldn't be) attacking you personally, they are just trying to live out their beliefs. Friends, who do not support it, have grace! Your friends from the other side are warring inside themselves and hurting to try and figure out what God wants of them, shouldn't we all do that?
You see, us Protestants are fixed in on justification by faith alone, no works. But, we fall into the trap so many times, forget St. Paul and Mr. Luther and add things as prerequisites to salvation. You have to believe homosexuality is wrong to be a Christian. You have to believe the Bible is inherrant to love Jesus. We had so much to the Gospel. Some of you are reading this and saying, but the repentance is a prerequisite of salvation, Will. You have to repent to follow Christ. I agree, mostly. I like it better if we say, if we follow Christ, we will repent. Romans 10:9 tells us, "if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead we will be saved." I think if we believe that we will repent.
And the truth will win. What are you so afraid of? Why are you so scared of people believing something different than you? All you need to do is search so hard after truth. You have to run toward it. Dig it out, eat it up. Dwell in it. And the truth will prevail. If you are afraid of different beliefs then you might not be so grounded in the truth to begin with.
I would also like to briefly say that a popular phrase I have heard today is "you can't legislate morality." Well, you can. We have. Should we, that can be a different story all together. I don't think we can force someone who does not follow Christ to live a lifestyle that we live only because we do. That being said, be careful. Just be careful.
Did you notice I got all the way through this post and didn't state my opinion? I didn't say what word I use to talk about inspiration of Scripture and I didn't say where I stand on marriage equality. I will tell you, and chances are if you know me you know what I believe. But, I do want to love and to make peace. Because I think with all our arguing we are hurting the Gospel. And that breaks my heart. My heart is heavy because when people see our arguments and rants at each other they are not seeing Jesus, they are seeing the Evil One. That is completely contrary to the Gospel. It is damaging. It shatters it and tears it apart one thread at a time and I cannot see it anymore. We have to make peace.
We have to get over ourselves. We have to realize there are people all over the world that are dying of starvation and we are arguing over who we can have sex with. We have to realize Jesus is a big, big God and he needs his whole, universal, catholic church to spread the Word. Make peace tonight, friends. Love like Jesus did. Speak truth, yes. But have grace, duh. Go be the sons (and daughters) of God. Go make peace.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Remember.
I remember talking with one of my friends way back over Christmas break about my life in Waco. We were talking about the church I attend and various things that I like about it. One thing I said was I really enjoy that we do communion on a regular basis. It doesn't happen once a quarter or twice a year, but about once a month. I love it, I told him. Then he said something really profound that got me thinking....he said I understand communion and why we do it, but it has never really been a super spiritual experience for me.
Fast forward to several weeks ago taking communion at church. As the words were read and the bread broken, I asked myself am I getting anything out of this? Is this benefiting me? Is it edifying me? Then, as I prayed I took a step back and realized...it isn't about me it is about remembering Jesus. Remember.
How often do we repeat similar mistakes and failures in our lives? How often do we neglect the things we have been taught and learned from God? The children of Israel did it. When they finally crossed into the Promised Land they set up a stone, an altar to remember. God told them to tell their children so that he could be remembered. They didn't remember. Instead they sacrificed them to idols.
Isn't that what God sent Jesus to do? To remember? Yes, I think it is. We have the Holy Spirit inside of us and he helps me to remember. When I get so bogged down and tempted by this world I need to reflect and remember. Remember smiling faces looking at me from the steps at First Baptist Church. I need to remember little boys crying after they have accepted Jesus as their savior. I remember community and friendship God has used in my life. I remember where I have come from and where I think God is going to lead me in the future.
But, how do we make that a consistent part of our lives? Several things - first, walk with the Lord. Jesus said you would know his children by the fruits they bear. If we are truly seeking after God we are going to bear fruit. It is going to happen. Consistency is the name of the game. I know no one is perfect, but it has to be an everyday thing. Prayer, scripture and reflection need to happen daily.
Lastly, I'd say we need community. We need people that remind us. That are honest with us. That call us back to those times God wants us to remember.
Jesus said it, "As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, this do in remembrance of me."
Fast forward to several weeks ago taking communion at church. As the words were read and the bread broken, I asked myself am I getting anything out of this? Is this benefiting me? Is it edifying me? Then, as I prayed I took a step back and realized...it isn't about me it is about remembering Jesus. Remember.
How often do we repeat similar mistakes and failures in our lives? How often do we neglect the things we have been taught and learned from God? The children of Israel did it. When they finally crossed into the Promised Land they set up a stone, an altar to remember. God told them to tell their children so that he could be remembered. They didn't remember. Instead they sacrificed them to idols.
Isn't that what God sent Jesus to do? To remember? Yes, I think it is. We have the Holy Spirit inside of us and he helps me to remember. When I get so bogged down and tempted by this world I need to reflect and remember. Remember smiling faces looking at me from the steps at First Baptist Church. I need to remember little boys crying after they have accepted Jesus as their savior. I remember community and friendship God has used in my life. I remember where I have come from and where I think God is going to lead me in the future.
But, how do we make that a consistent part of our lives? Several things - first, walk with the Lord. Jesus said you would know his children by the fruits they bear. If we are truly seeking after God we are going to bear fruit. It is going to happen. Consistency is the name of the game. I know no one is perfect, but it has to be an everyday thing. Prayer, scripture and reflection need to happen daily.
Lastly, I'd say we need community. We need people that remind us. That are honest with us. That call us back to those times God wants us to remember.
Jesus said it, "As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, this do in remembrance of me."
Friday, January 11, 2013
A Legacy
Have you ever heard of Jerol Swaim? Probably not unless you are a student of Williams Baptist College or know one. To us WBCers the man is a living legend. He recently retired as the President of Williams after serving at the school for 48 years. 48. What made Dr. Swaim a good president? He knew his students. He could tell me that the college must be stooping to a new low because I'd been picked to be an RA, he could pull up behind me at a gas station in town and demand I pay for his gas, he sent hand written Christmas cards to every student every year and he sent text messages telling you how good you did in the recent theatre production. I learned at CentriKid that "ministry happens in the context of relationships." I don't know if Jerol Swaim ever heard that, but he lived it. He ministered to hundreds of college students for nearly 50 years, his entire professional career spent at a small Baptist college in a corn field. He left a legacy.
I thought about this subject again over Christmas break. My Papa passed away after being very sick for a very long time. As I prepared words to say at the funeral I realized how much of an example my Papa set with his actions. He was a hard worker, he loved fiercely, he was slow to anger and he raised his children to love God and their neighbor. Those are the words I said in a nutshell through tears on the day we laid him to rest. The sad part is those words were criticized. By a pastor that said we did not present the gospel at that funeral. If telling about the life of my Papa and the legacy he left isn't the gospel I don't know what is. Every time I preach a sermon it was because he lived the gospel. Every time Meggin teaches a class full of students its because he lived the gospel. Every time Racheal takes care of a patient, its because he lived the gospel. Folks, if you leave a legacy you are preaching the gospel.
How? Well, I'm 22 years old. I don't know how to "leave a legacy." But I do know it can't be just to leave one. In other words the best left legacies were left by people that weren't full of themselves and they were certainly humble (see yesterday's post). Friends, leaving a legacy isn't about becoming famous. It is about the gospel. It is about relationships and ministry. A lot of people don't know who Jerol B. Swaim is or John Bane. But I do. And that has impacted the kingdom.
I really thought of all of this again this week when I got an email from my church back in Walnut Ridge. Miss Jackie Burton, church member and long time servant of students at Williams Baptist College had passed away. Miss Jackie was a warrior of the faith. She served as BSU director and in several other capacities at Williams for 30 plus years. Each time some BCM director or state convention worker came to chapel to speak they hugged Miss Jackie. She was a pioneer in collegiate ministry in the state of Arkansas. She was a college BSU director when women were barely allowed to go to seminary. I did not get to know Miss Jackie as well as I would have wanted to. She retired for good from Williams (now working in the cafeteria scanning id cards) my freshman year. I do know Miss Jackie left a legacy though. I think of so many WBC alums that have touched my life that were first touched by Miss Jackie. I wonder if Miss Jackie wouldn't have been obedient to God's call, would there have been a Josh Goza in my life? A Josh McCarty? Or Michala Gallup? Or even a Sam Rogers? Maybe not. Because Miss Jackie, she left a legacy. For the gospel. Not for herself.
Go and do likewise.
I thought about this subject again over Christmas break. My Papa passed away after being very sick for a very long time. As I prepared words to say at the funeral I realized how much of an example my Papa set with his actions. He was a hard worker, he loved fiercely, he was slow to anger and he raised his children to love God and their neighbor. Those are the words I said in a nutshell through tears on the day we laid him to rest. The sad part is those words were criticized. By a pastor that said we did not present the gospel at that funeral. If telling about the life of my Papa and the legacy he left isn't the gospel I don't know what is. Every time I preach a sermon it was because he lived the gospel. Every time Meggin teaches a class full of students its because he lived the gospel. Every time Racheal takes care of a patient, its because he lived the gospel. Folks, if you leave a legacy you are preaching the gospel.
How? Well, I'm 22 years old. I don't know how to "leave a legacy." But I do know it can't be just to leave one. In other words the best left legacies were left by people that weren't full of themselves and they were certainly humble (see yesterday's post). Friends, leaving a legacy isn't about becoming famous. It is about the gospel. It is about relationships and ministry. A lot of people don't know who Jerol B. Swaim is or John Bane. But I do. And that has impacted the kingdom.
I really thought of all of this again this week when I got an email from my church back in Walnut Ridge. Miss Jackie Burton, church member and long time servant of students at Williams Baptist College had passed away. Miss Jackie was a warrior of the faith. She served as BSU director and in several other capacities at Williams for 30 plus years. Each time some BCM director or state convention worker came to chapel to speak they hugged Miss Jackie. She was a pioneer in collegiate ministry in the state of Arkansas. She was a college BSU director when women were barely allowed to go to seminary. I did not get to know Miss Jackie as well as I would have wanted to. She retired for good from Williams (now working in the cafeteria scanning id cards) my freshman year. I do know Miss Jackie left a legacy though. I think of so many WBC alums that have touched my life that were first touched by Miss Jackie. I wonder if Miss Jackie wouldn't have been obedient to God's call, would there have been a Josh Goza in my life? A Josh McCarty? Or Michala Gallup? Or even a Sam Rogers? Maybe not. Because Miss Jackie, she left a legacy. For the gospel. Not for herself.
Go and do likewise.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Humility and Hypocrisy
You know when you read FaceBook posts or tweets and you see ridiculous grammar errors? You think to yourself can this person spell? Is this person even literate? They should be banned from using social media ever again? I understand, so that's just me. Well, I digress. The truth is not really, you see I was presented with this gem the other day from my friend Hannah. She likes to keep me on my toes, its like her favorite pass time. I understand why she is pretty good at it:
Really? Aloud? Come on, now!
You see sometimes the things that annoy me the most are the things I do so often. It is like the old adage from I don't know...Jesus, that says take the plank out of your eye before judging your friend (or FaceBook friend, though I'm not sure the two are synonymous always). You see, I have a real problem with the word humility. I didn't think I did. You see, I am not the type of person that thinks highly of myself. Really, I'm not. I don't like the way I look. I have ears the size of Dumbo's, I weigh like 10,000 more pounds than I did in high school. I am not good a techy stuff, I am not athletic, I don't like to run, I'm not in a relationship (which negates marriage as well)....the list could go on. This summer God tried to teach me two lessons (well more than that but we will focus on two of them here). First, he taught me as Ellie would say, "Will, you're good at stuff." There are things I am good at, maybe not the proverbial small town Arkansas kind of things but I am good at stuff. I am good with kids, I can write, I can generally preach decently, I love camp, I am organized...those are things God made me good at to use for his glory. But here comes the second lesson God taught me..."Will, be humble."
There were a couple of times when he screamed it in my face. The first I can think of is when I got some type of stomach bug traveling from our first location to the second. I was driving a Ryder and we were in the middle of nowhere Arkansas and had been traveling for about 20 minutes when it hit me. I needed to go to the bathroom stat. Not a good thing to do when you are 20 minutes into a 14 plus hour road trip. That wasn't the last time we had to stop. The rest of the afternoon I slept and woke up and then we had to stop. God said, "Hey Will, I'm in charge...you aren't."
You would think that would teach me the lesson. It didn't so much. You see, I realized for most of my life I had replaced my insecurities with arrogance. I had overcompensated, putting on a front that I had everything together. Why? I don't really know why.
I read this verse recently and it is kicking my rear end (Jesus + Jen Hatmaker = Convicted Will):
"Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgement of their God." Isaiah 58:2
Y'all I have been Israel. So much of last semester I spent time, "seeking God daily." I was seeking God to better myself. To become a better person, a better pastor, a better Assistant Director at camp this summer. I was seeking God to improve me. It kind of has a Joel Osteen ring to it now that I write it down (Lord forgive). But y'all that isn't the goal. Sure, we want to become more like Jesus, thus a better person in the end but that isn't the goal. Self improvement is not at the core of the gospel. The gospel isn't about us. Its about Jesus. It is about denying us. Denying myself. Like Kyle Idleman puts it in Not A Fan, the gospel is about death. Jesus bids us to come and die. It isn't a gospel of self improvement. And when that is what it becomes we are hypocrites.
A hypocrite's fast is useless.
A hypocrite's sacrifice is detestable to the Lord.
A hypocrite's offering is not fragrant.
It is to those people (many of us and certainly me) that God says:
"Behold in the day of the fast you seek your own pleasure and oppress all your workers." Isaiah 58:3b
.....and
"Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice heard on high." Isaiah 58:4b
I'm a hypocrite. Isaiah 58 is just as telling today as when the Israelites first heard it. Repentance is needed. You see, a lack of humility almost certainly leads to hypocrisy. Which often if not always leads to idolatry. Putting ourselves, status, friends, family or whatever else before God.
Will, be humble. Don't be a hypocrite.
Really? Aloud? Come on, now!
You see sometimes the things that annoy me the most are the things I do so often. It is like the old adage from I don't know...Jesus, that says take the plank out of your eye before judging your friend (or FaceBook friend, though I'm not sure the two are synonymous always). You see, I have a real problem with the word humility. I didn't think I did. You see, I am not the type of person that thinks highly of myself. Really, I'm not. I don't like the way I look. I have ears the size of Dumbo's, I weigh like 10,000 more pounds than I did in high school. I am not good a techy stuff, I am not athletic, I don't like to run, I'm not in a relationship (which negates marriage as well)....the list could go on. This summer God tried to teach me two lessons (well more than that but we will focus on two of them here). First, he taught me as Ellie would say, "Will, you're good at stuff." There are things I am good at, maybe not the proverbial small town Arkansas kind of things but I am good at stuff. I am good with kids, I can write, I can generally preach decently, I love camp, I am organized...those are things God made me good at to use for his glory. But here comes the second lesson God taught me..."Will, be humble."
There were a couple of times when he screamed it in my face. The first I can think of is when I got some type of stomach bug traveling from our first location to the second. I was driving a Ryder and we were in the middle of nowhere Arkansas and had been traveling for about 20 minutes when it hit me. I needed to go to the bathroom stat. Not a good thing to do when you are 20 minutes into a 14 plus hour road trip. That wasn't the last time we had to stop. The rest of the afternoon I slept and woke up and then we had to stop. God said, "Hey Will, I'm in charge...you aren't."
You would think that would teach me the lesson. It didn't so much. You see, I realized for most of my life I had replaced my insecurities with arrogance. I had overcompensated, putting on a front that I had everything together. Why? I don't really know why.
I read this verse recently and it is kicking my rear end (Jesus + Jen Hatmaker = Convicted Will):
"Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgement of their God." Isaiah 58:2
Y'all I have been Israel. So much of last semester I spent time, "seeking God daily." I was seeking God to better myself. To become a better person, a better pastor, a better Assistant Director at camp this summer. I was seeking God to improve me. It kind of has a Joel Osteen ring to it now that I write it down (Lord forgive). But y'all that isn't the goal. Sure, we want to become more like Jesus, thus a better person in the end but that isn't the goal. Self improvement is not at the core of the gospel. The gospel isn't about us. Its about Jesus. It is about denying us. Denying myself. Like Kyle Idleman puts it in Not A Fan, the gospel is about death. Jesus bids us to come and die. It isn't a gospel of self improvement. And when that is what it becomes we are hypocrites.
A hypocrite's fast is useless.
A hypocrite's sacrifice is detestable to the Lord.
A hypocrite's offering is not fragrant.
It is to those people (many of us and certainly me) that God says:
"Behold in the day of the fast you seek your own pleasure and oppress all your workers." Isaiah 58:3b
.....and
"Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice heard on high." Isaiah 58:4b
I'm a hypocrite. Isaiah 58 is just as telling today as when the Israelites first heard it. Repentance is needed. You see, a lack of humility almost certainly leads to hypocrisy. Which often if not always leads to idolatry. Putting ourselves, status, friends, family or whatever else before God.
Will, be humble. Don't be a hypocrite.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Chacos in December
In Texas, you can wear your Chacos in December. It is perfectly acceptable, mostly because it is hot. You see what I did there? Instead of complaining that it is December and it isn't cold, thus it doesn't feel like Christmas I found the positive. This time.
I don't usually do that, honestly. I have been finding things lately that I absolutely abhor about my station in life. I am never going to graduate from grad school, I miss my friends, I want to fast forward in life to the amazing summer I know I'm going to have. In the midst of it all I am not grateful, not at all. I recently read Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts everyone go read it, now. It is different. She writes in a way that I haven't seen before, but it is beautiful and honest and revolutionary. In the midst of reading Ann's book, I am amazed at how ungrateful I truly am.
I was on top of a ladder the other night at work, sifting through lay-a-ways trying to find the illusive bag I needed, sweat dripping from my forehead and then my scanner died. On top of a ladder. Didn't know where else to look for this order...anger abounded. It is amazing how amidst the anger and especially in a time when you haven't really been listening to God all that well, he shows up. He said, Will you have a job. You see months earlier I complained to him every day because I didn't. Now I do. Though it may not be a hug career aspiration, I like the people I work with. People may get angry over stupid things, but I get to (or should) show them Jesus.
So, here's to being grateful. Ann says that thankfulness proceeds the miracle, that gratitude is a prerequisite for faith. I haven't had a lot of either of those things lately. I have just been running on fumes, not taking time to let God show up and help me out. My friend helped remind me of that yesterday, read that here. I haven't been grateful and faith has been missing out because of it. Without faith, there is certainly a lack of obedience. Which is required to walk with God.
This place in my life is not fun. It may get there. But, it also isn't horrible. I'm not suffering. God is providing. He will see me through and if something else is supposed to happen, he'll show me that too. Just gotta be thankful and walk with him. Every day. Obey, that's it.
I should go study for finals and be productive.
But first...
I'm going to go put my Chacos on and get some lunch.
I don't usually do that, honestly. I have been finding things lately that I absolutely abhor about my station in life. I am never going to graduate from grad school, I miss my friends, I want to fast forward in life to the amazing summer I know I'm going to have. In the midst of it all I am not grateful, not at all. I recently read Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts everyone go read it, now. It is different. She writes in a way that I haven't seen before, but it is beautiful and honest and revolutionary. In the midst of reading Ann's book, I am amazed at how ungrateful I truly am.
I was on top of a ladder the other night at work, sifting through lay-a-ways trying to find the illusive bag I needed, sweat dripping from my forehead and then my scanner died. On top of a ladder. Didn't know where else to look for this order...anger abounded. It is amazing how amidst the anger and especially in a time when you haven't really been listening to God all that well, he shows up. He said, Will you have a job. You see months earlier I complained to him every day because I didn't. Now I do. Though it may not be a hug career aspiration, I like the people I work with. People may get angry over stupid things, but I get to (or should) show them Jesus.
So, here's to being grateful. Ann says that thankfulness proceeds the miracle, that gratitude is a prerequisite for faith. I haven't had a lot of either of those things lately. I have just been running on fumes, not taking time to let God show up and help me out. My friend helped remind me of that yesterday, read that here. I haven't been grateful and faith has been missing out because of it. Without faith, there is certainly a lack of obedience. Which is required to walk with God.
This place in my life is not fun. It may get there. But, it also isn't horrible. I'm not suffering. God is providing. He will see me through and if something else is supposed to happen, he'll show me that too. Just gotta be thankful and walk with him. Every day. Obey, that's it.
I should go study for finals and be productive.
But first...
I'm going to go put my Chacos on and get some lunch.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Sitting on a Fence Post
Politics, theology and the arguments they start. Well, that is about all I can muster in that sentence and not say angry things. I am not talking about taking sides on an issue, I am talking about arguing about an issue at all. When I say arguing I mean being mean, hateful and acting juvenile. When I say acting juvenile, I mean calling people names, like liberal or a fundamentalist or assuming that a political party affiliation sends people to hell. Less you think your side is the good one - I'm here to tell you there is no good side. They are both bad. That's the thing with sides in a battle of any kind, at some point either one will do anything that wins and I mean I guess in the grand scheme of things someone has to be wrong. You are right someone has to be wrong - but what if both sides are wrong? What would that mean?
And I'd like to interject here...we can talk about things and disagree. We can. I do it often with friends. And they are still my friends. I don't doubt their salvation because of it, I just listen. They just listen. Without name calling like an elementary school play ground.
I grew up a big time nerd. Ok, so I still am a nerd. I loved politics and watching CNN as a child. I voted for Ronald Reagan before I was even born. As I got older I learned the world is not as cut and dry as I make it out to be. Both sides of the aisle have valid arguments. Why can't we all just come, hold hands and sing Kum bah Yah? Because we demonize each other. I was told recently in a class that if you put the country on a political spectrum and draw a line right down the middle most of America hovers ever so closely to that line. That is a no brainer, look at the polls. The problem? We elect two candidates that are so far to the right and so far to the left that they need binoculars or a telescope to see that the vast majority of America is in the middle.
And then there is theology. Yep. I went there. Calvinism, Arminianism no middle ground. Women or no women, no semantics. Liberal or conservative. Heretic or fundamentalist. Lord, save us all. The truth is....the Bible talks about both sides of most of those issues. The Bible talks about election and free will (gasp). The Bible tells women to keep silent (hold on) and to prophesy (there you go). Let me go to inherency...what does that even mean? All I'm going to say is take Ken Gore's doctrine class this Spring and let your head explode around that one. But, let's just say we have demonized each other for taking stands that are all supported by the Bible. Now, I know that some of us have to be wrong. There has to be a middle there. Somewhere. I get that. And that's what I argue. Maybe the answer does lie in the middle where most of our congregants, those we preach to and minister to gather. I dare think most of the members of any church in America don't know what a Calvinist is and sure as heck don't care (and I dare say that may not be a horrible thing all together). So what do we do?
We learn to love. We change ourselves first. We change ourselves and commit to working with others. We commit to knowing that different is sometimes ok and it doesn't mean that the other person is going to hell. It just doesn't. I am friends with people that would be labeled all kinds of things Calvinists, Liberals, Fundamentalists, Democrats, Republicans the like. I work with people each summer that have different political opinions, different theological positions and different outlooks on life. None of them are heretics. And each and every one of them love the Lord, have a passion for kids and see the world through the lenses of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Wouldn't that be great, instead of pushing a political agenda, or arguing with each other we put the Gospel between us. Because "it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes." That is what matters. That is the measure of our lives, that is what is going to get God to say, "well done my good and faithful servant." That is what seeks justice for the fatherless, the widow, the alien and the poor. That is what connects a Roman Catholic with a Southern Baptist. That's the Gospel and friends, that is what is important. Who are you going to vote for? That's your choice and does God want you to consult him? I'm going to go with a yes he'd like to know, but does your salvation depend on it? Never. Go, feed the hungry and clothe the naked. Go, be a disciple. And as a very smart man I know put it not to long ago we all get along when we sing the same song. Let's make that song the gospel. Come sing with me. You sing harmony.
And I'd like to interject here...we can talk about things and disagree. We can. I do it often with friends. And they are still my friends. I don't doubt their salvation because of it, I just listen. They just listen. Without name calling like an elementary school play ground.
I grew up a big time nerd. Ok, so I still am a nerd. I loved politics and watching CNN as a child. I voted for Ronald Reagan before I was even born. As I got older I learned the world is not as cut and dry as I make it out to be. Both sides of the aisle have valid arguments. Why can't we all just come, hold hands and sing Kum bah Yah? Because we demonize each other. I was told recently in a class that if you put the country on a political spectrum and draw a line right down the middle most of America hovers ever so closely to that line. That is a no brainer, look at the polls. The problem? We elect two candidates that are so far to the right and so far to the left that they need binoculars or a telescope to see that the vast majority of America is in the middle.
And then there is theology. Yep. I went there. Calvinism, Arminianism no middle ground. Women or no women, no semantics. Liberal or conservative. Heretic or fundamentalist. Lord, save us all. The truth is....the Bible talks about both sides of most of those issues. The Bible talks about election and free will (gasp). The Bible tells women to keep silent (hold on) and to prophesy (there you go). Let me go to inherency...what does that even mean? All I'm going to say is take Ken Gore's doctrine class this Spring and let your head explode around that one. But, let's just say we have demonized each other for taking stands that are all supported by the Bible. Now, I know that some of us have to be wrong. There has to be a middle there. Somewhere. I get that. And that's what I argue. Maybe the answer does lie in the middle where most of our congregants, those we preach to and minister to gather. I dare think most of the members of any church in America don't know what a Calvinist is and sure as heck don't care (and I dare say that may not be a horrible thing all together). So what do we do?
We learn to love. We change ourselves first. We change ourselves and commit to working with others. We commit to knowing that different is sometimes ok and it doesn't mean that the other person is going to hell. It just doesn't. I am friends with people that would be labeled all kinds of things Calvinists, Liberals, Fundamentalists, Democrats, Republicans the like. I work with people each summer that have different political opinions, different theological positions and different outlooks on life. None of them are heretics. And each and every one of them love the Lord, have a passion for kids and see the world through the lenses of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Wouldn't that be great, instead of pushing a political agenda, or arguing with each other we put the Gospel between us. Because "it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes." That is what matters. That is the measure of our lives, that is what is going to get God to say, "well done my good and faithful servant." That is what seeks justice for the fatherless, the widow, the alien and the poor. That is what connects a Roman Catholic with a Southern Baptist. That's the Gospel and friends, that is what is important. Who are you going to vote for? That's your choice and does God want you to consult him? I'm going to go with a yes he'd like to know, but does your salvation depend on it? Never. Go, feed the hungry and clothe the naked. Go, be a disciple. And as a very smart man I know put it not to long ago we all get along when we sing the same song. Let's make that song the gospel. Come sing with me. You sing harmony.
Monday, October 22, 2012
"Present!"
We all know the roll call at the beginning of class. The teacher says, "If you are here say here." There is always that one kid that says, "Present!" Gosh, he was cool. But, I digress from the beginning. I have been thinking a lot about being present. Someone wise (I am too lazy to google it) said, "wherever you are be all there." And the truth is for the last months of my life I have not been all there where I am.
I read a post the last week of camp written by a very wise woman. This lady works(ed) in the CentriKid office at LifeWay and she was writing a post on how to deal with the post camp slump and she said wherever you are do not let your life be wasted. Don't, do not live just for camp. Then, I mean that sums up to don't just live for the next. Don't just live for graduation or the wedding or the ring. Live where you are right now and be all there. And I remember preaching that to my team the last week and using those words the last day of camp and yet I am having extreme trouble having enough faith to practice what I preach.
I had a visit from two wonderful friends this weekend. It was great. We had a lot of fun. As I sat talking to Jon the first night having what is probably the 1000th chat we've had at our "sleep overs" I thought how much things have changed. We are still close, however we are not the same people. I have been pining to live my Williams life too. To go back to where I love. What I call the happiest place on earth. And I realized this weekend my Williams isn't there. It doesn't exist anymore. Because my people aren't there and if they are they aren't what they were. It has changed.
This weekend I also got to skype with some of my favorite camp friends. I cried, there were awkward comments about me wanting to touch them, you know I miss the crap out of those guys. But, that night as I fell asleep I thought about how much God is doing in each of our lives separately. New things. He is stretching us. And yet, we can still join in Christian community and share those experiences together. That's what I call church, y'all.
I am a slow go at making friends here in Waco. It is a long process that is taking forever. I do know God has me here for some reason. He's God and he can use me anywhere if I am willing to be used. Stop thinking about next. Stop thinking about how dang long this grad school thing is going to take and start being present. Not just in body like all those kids that said here, but be that kid who said present, and maybe actually be present and be all there.
Because there are people to meet and people to grow with. There may be no Sam to listen to while he plays guitar. There may be no house that feels as much like home as Steph and Rob's. There may be no cuter kids than Eli and Hannah. I may never have a pastor like Mark Harris. I certainly will not find someone that makes me laugh as much as Caleb McDonald or is as precious as Alli Sewell, or as good at stuff as Ellie Doom. But, God does have new friends. God does have community. Faith is accepting it and watching it take flight. But waiting while it does, waiting as an active participant in God's mission. That's the hard part. But I gotta do it.
I read a post the last week of camp written by a very wise woman. This lady works(ed) in the CentriKid office at LifeWay and she was writing a post on how to deal with the post camp slump and she said wherever you are do not let your life be wasted. Don't, do not live just for camp. Then, I mean that sums up to don't just live for the next. Don't just live for graduation or the wedding or the ring. Live where you are right now and be all there. And I remember preaching that to my team the last week and using those words the last day of camp and yet I am having extreme trouble having enough faith to practice what I preach.
I had a visit from two wonderful friends this weekend. It was great. We had a lot of fun. As I sat talking to Jon the first night having what is probably the 1000th chat we've had at our "sleep overs" I thought how much things have changed. We are still close, however we are not the same people. I have been pining to live my Williams life too. To go back to where I love. What I call the happiest place on earth. And I realized this weekend my Williams isn't there. It doesn't exist anymore. Because my people aren't there and if they are they aren't what they were. It has changed.
This weekend I also got to skype with some of my favorite camp friends. I cried, there were awkward comments about me wanting to touch them, you know I miss the crap out of those guys. But, that night as I fell asleep I thought about how much God is doing in each of our lives separately. New things. He is stretching us. And yet, we can still join in Christian community and share those experiences together. That's what I call church, y'all.
I am a slow go at making friends here in Waco. It is a long process that is taking forever. I do know God has me here for some reason. He's God and he can use me anywhere if I am willing to be used. Stop thinking about next. Stop thinking about how dang long this grad school thing is going to take and start being present. Not just in body like all those kids that said here, but be that kid who said present, and maybe actually be present and be all there.
Because there are people to meet and people to grow with. There may be no Sam to listen to while he plays guitar. There may be no house that feels as much like home as Steph and Rob's. There may be no cuter kids than Eli and Hannah. I may never have a pastor like Mark Harris. I certainly will not find someone that makes me laugh as much as Caleb McDonald or is as precious as Alli Sewell, or as good at stuff as Ellie Doom. But, God does have new friends. God does have community. Faith is accepting it and watching it take flight. But waiting while it does, waiting as an active participant in God's mission. That's the hard part. But I gotta do it.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Let Me Be Man
#Thatawkwardmomentwhen your Dean of Students tells you to be a man in front of an entire class of people. Those were good times. Let me set the stage for you. At the lovely, Williams Baptist College we had to take a class as Freshmen called Higher Learning. In Mrs. Watson's Higher Learning class I was playing a game in front of the room. I had to pick a category to win the game and I was indecisive. What does Susan (sorry Mrs. Watson, I love this lady) say to me, "Be a man, Will, make a decision." If you are an alum or knew me at WBC this is hilarious to you because you know me. I don't often get embarrassed. Everyone knew me at WBC, it wasn't a big deal. It wasn't a big deal to the Will you know and love now, but freshman Will? He was not too confident in a new place, the only new place he'd ever been in. I could have crawled under the table and died.
Another story, you CK friends know what a Ryder is and every time you see one traveling down the road you have the urge to start a caravan. Yep, Ryders are beautiful creations of a loving God. Kind of. When the beautiful Mary Chase Breedlove sent me an email to get my physical to drive a Ryder last summer I could have died. Really, I could have. But I did it and I drove it. And there are stories of stomach problems and break downs that go along with it. But, that's not the point. One long trip (weren't they all long CK7?) I was driving the Ryder and we were having hilarious walky chat. I exclaim over the walky to my team, "Guys, I feel like a man driving this thing." My good buddy and pastor Daniel says to me, "Will, maybe that's because you are a man."
That hit me like a ton of bricks. The truth is obvious. But, the deeper truth rang in my ear. You see, I am a man. But, I don't always feel like I live up to the social stereotype our society has set for us. I don't hunt, go muddin', or like to lift weights. I do like sports but I also have a Pinterest (I pin things for children's ministry so shut it). I struggled for a long time in my life feeling like I wasn't man enough for everyone around me. The Will of 2008 (back in Higher Learning) maybe had 2 good male friends and one of them was married to my sister. The Will of 2012 can name off a whole bunch of guys that I have built community with and broken bread with and now call brothers in Christ that have through action and deed taught me I am a real man. I want the things God has created men to want. You were right Daniel, I am a man. Thanks, brother.
We all know those awesome women's speakers out there or authors. There is Beth Moore (who I often refer to on a first name basis as Beth), Elisabeth Elliot, Jen Hatmaker, Ann Voskamp, Priscilla Shier, just to name a few. The question I kind of want to beg is, "Where are all the men?" In boredom I often read blogs and it isn't often I find one about a man just sharing life with fellow believers. It is all women. Sharing life, sharing advice, getting real. I am not saying there aren't books pertaining to men out there. There are. There are some good ones too (I am reading Wild at Heart right now and it is fantastic), but you see that's not the point of this post. Not really. And there are men that write books and speak (duh). Matt Chandler, David Platt, Francis Chan, oh I can name hundreds of more....but again not my point. You see those women I mentioned up there what they write isn't so much a call for some prescribed set of values for women. No, ya'll they preach the Word of God (I go to a CBF seminary its ok for me to use women and preach in the same sentence). That isn't the point either. The point is Beth for example preaches the Word and builds community for women around that Word. Its deep. It isn't face value - it is intense, life-giving and it is the breathe of God.
You see men need to study the Bible together more. They need to build community. The men's conferences are all about how to be a good husband, how to be a good Father, etc. What if men just studied the Word together wouldn't that show us all those things? What if there were men's Bible studies at church studying something like Beth Moore (or even Beth y'all I told you she brings the Word). You see, there isn't that for men. There is just here is the Word study it on your own time and listen to it preached, but don't get deeper. And there in lies the problem. Men need to dive into and devour the Bible in community. That's what those ladies above do. I am reading (I read a lot of books at the same time don't judge I am in grad school) Jen Hatmaker's 7, a book about giving up excess in life. Jen is a fantastic women's speaker, but she didn't just write this book for women. It is truth for all Christians it isn't just women that should limit excess in their lives its all Christians. What I'm saying is I hope you've gotten it, men study the word together (that's an imperative sentence).
There is a story in Jen's book about a conference she led in Oklahoma. She was speaking on giving up things and giving to the poor. What do the women do as a response? They begin to come leave offerings at the altar to take to these poor and homeless women Jen speaks of. These were good church ladies dressed in their best. They left purses, iPhones (not my iPhone I can't handle it), coats. Thousands of dollars worth of stuff. They responded not to a call to be good wives, mothers and friends. They responded to a call to be good Christians...as women. Together. In community (and I wonder what their husbands said when they got home without that new iPhone 4S).
When's the last time you heard of a group of men doing that? Responding to the Word of God. As men. Together. When? Orphans and homeless people are for women to take care of. That takes nurturing and love. You know, motherly instincts us guys don't have. No friends, that is the Word and Breathe of the Lord Jesus Christ being put into action. (I actually had a guy tell me this week he'd never met a guy enrolled in the MDiv/MSW program at Baylor. Guys aren't often social workers caring for "the least of these.")
We call that Breathe the Gospel. The good news. The saving power of the Savior told in Genesis through Revelation. God told us all to do what's in his Word. And frankly, women are baring the weight of it all. Who prays in your church? The women. Who leads missions efforts in church? Women. Who teaches children? Probably mostly women. Now there is nothing wrong with women doing all that, they should be doing all that. They are responding to God's call they received while living and worshipping in community. Men, go respond with them. As a children's pastor I would have killed for more men to be like Mr. Jack. A man who taught Sunday school, led Awana games, planned father-son camp outs. Because Jack Wolf loved the Lord and responded to his call as a man, yes. But, he responded to God's call as a Christian more. Go be like Jack as he tries to be like Jesus.
Another story, you CK friends know what a Ryder is and every time you see one traveling down the road you have the urge to start a caravan. Yep, Ryders are beautiful creations of a loving God. Kind of. When the beautiful Mary Chase Breedlove sent me an email to get my physical to drive a Ryder last summer I could have died. Really, I could have. But I did it and I drove it. And there are stories of stomach problems and break downs that go along with it. But, that's not the point. One long trip (weren't they all long CK7?) I was driving the Ryder and we were having hilarious walky chat. I exclaim over the walky to my team, "Guys, I feel like a man driving this thing." My good buddy and pastor Daniel says to me, "Will, maybe that's because you are a man."
That hit me like a ton of bricks. The truth is obvious. But, the deeper truth rang in my ear. You see, I am a man. But, I don't always feel like I live up to the social stereotype our society has set for us. I don't hunt, go muddin', or like to lift weights. I do like sports but I also have a Pinterest (I pin things for children's ministry so shut it). I struggled for a long time in my life feeling like I wasn't man enough for everyone around me. The Will of 2008 (back in Higher Learning) maybe had 2 good male friends and one of them was married to my sister. The Will of 2012 can name off a whole bunch of guys that I have built community with and broken bread with and now call brothers in Christ that have through action and deed taught me I am a real man. I want the things God has created men to want. You were right Daniel, I am a man. Thanks, brother.
We all know those awesome women's speakers out there or authors. There is Beth Moore (who I often refer to on a first name basis as Beth), Elisabeth Elliot, Jen Hatmaker, Ann Voskamp, Priscilla Shier, just to name a few. The question I kind of want to beg is, "Where are all the men?" In boredom I often read blogs and it isn't often I find one about a man just sharing life with fellow believers. It is all women. Sharing life, sharing advice, getting real. I am not saying there aren't books pertaining to men out there. There are. There are some good ones too (I am reading Wild at Heart right now and it is fantastic), but you see that's not the point of this post. Not really. And there are men that write books and speak (duh). Matt Chandler, David Platt, Francis Chan, oh I can name hundreds of more....but again not my point. You see those women I mentioned up there what they write isn't so much a call for some prescribed set of values for women. No, ya'll they preach the Word of God (I go to a CBF seminary its ok for me to use women and preach in the same sentence). That isn't the point either. The point is Beth for example preaches the Word and builds community for women around that Word. Its deep. It isn't face value - it is intense, life-giving and it is the breathe of God.
You see men need to study the Bible together more. They need to build community. The men's conferences are all about how to be a good husband, how to be a good Father, etc. What if men just studied the Word together wouldn't that show us all those things? What if there were men's Bible studies at church studying something like Beth Moore (or even Beth y'all I told you she brings the Word). You see, there isn't that for men. There is just here is the Word study it on your own time and listen to it preached, but don't get deeper. And there in lies the problem. Men need to dive into and devour the Bible in community. That's what those ladies above do. I am reading (I read a lot of books at the same time don't judge I am in grad school) Jen Hatmaker's 7, a book about giving up excess in life. Jen is a fantastic women's speaker, but she didn't just write this book for women. It is truth for all Christians it isn't just women that should limit excess in their lives its all Christians. What I'm saying is I hope you've gotten it, men study the word together (that's an imperative sentence).
There is a story in Jen's book about a conference she led in Oklahoma. She was speaking on giving up things and giving to the poor. What do the women do as a response? They begin to come leave offerings at the altar to take to these poor and homeless women Jen speaks of. These were good church ladies dressed in their best. They left purses, iPhones (not my iPhone I can't handle it), coats. Thousands of dollars worth of stuff. They responded not to a call to be good wives, mothers and friends. They responded to a call to be good Christians...as women. Together. In community (and I wonder what their husbands said when they got home without that new iPhone 4S).
When's the last time you heard of a group of men doing that? Responding to the Word of God. As men. Together. When? Orphans and homeless people are for women to take care of. That takes nurturing and love. You know, motherly instincts us guys don't have. No friends, that is the Word and Breathe of the Lord Jesus Christ being put into action. (I actually had a guy tell me this week he'd never met a guy enrolled in the MDiv/MSW program at Baylor. Guys aren't often social workers caring for "the least of these.")
We call that Breathe the Gospel. The good news. The saving power of the Savior told in Genesis through Revelation. God told us all to do what's in his Word. And frankly, women are baring the weight of it all. Who prays in your church? The women. Who leads missions efforts in church? Women. Who teaches children? Probably mostly women. Now there is nothing wrong with women doing all that, they should be doing all that. They are responding to God's call they received while living and worshipping in community. Men, go respond with them. As a children's pastor I would have killed for more men to be like Mr. Jack. A man who taught Sunday school, led Awana games, planned father-son camp outs. Because Jack Wolf loved the Lord and responded to his call as a man, yes. But, he responded to God's call as a Christian more. Go be like Jack as he tries to be like Jesus.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Oh, Hey Seminary
Well, here I am three weeks into a four year graduate program (Lord, y'all, Lord). I can honestly say I love school. In every aspect. I can also honestly say, its been rough. Not the school part, I had rockstar professors in undergrad that totally prepared me for this place. I mean, its a lot of work...but work I am totally capable of doing. You know if you read my blog how excited I was about two things all last semester camp and seminary. Elated might be a more accurate picture. But, three weeks ago when I moved here I wanted to be anywhere else but here.
But let me tell you how I miss the familiar. I miss WBC. I miss the chimes of Addie Mae. I miss chats in Grace's office, talks on Jon's futon, play practice, First Baptist Church, hugs from precious kids, cooking with Hannah and Saturdays with the Anderson's (ok, every night of my life with them). I miss all that. I miss being comfortable.
I miss camp. I miss ten hugs from Caleb everyday. I miss doing grids with Ellie and bank runs. I miss Daniel preaching the Word, pro with Evan and Hannah, talking to Alli about relationships (you know that boy she likes), I miss hard work. I miss 6:30 rec row and late nights counting money. I miss store inventory. I miss leading children to Christ. I miss seeing my friends do the same. I miss late nights and early mornings. I miss familiar. I miss hard work yes, but I miss comfortable.
And here I am without all those people, with really no people. I am meeting people slowly. But its not like I live in a dorm. I am not the RA anymore. I miss community. Community is good right, its a 21st century Christian buzz word. And then it hit me....Can you worship community?
Well, duh. Community I have discovered has been my collegiate idol. I knew that but it really sank in this week. Time alone has been good for me. It has meant reflection and dealing with sin, it has meant learning to be satisfied in God not other relationships. It has meant learning the difference between emotion and reason (we'll talk more about this in another post). God has taught me I need him. Community is something he gives as a gift. And are we called to live in it? Yes. But do we worship it? No.
So, saying all that Waco is warming up to me. I have made threats to flee to Nashville or Kentucky or back home where people I love are, but I won't. I will be right here where God has called me. I will build community. He will build community, that's more like it. But, I won't worship it.
I am going to go do my new favorite past time, searching jobs on the internet.
But let me tell you how I miss the familiar. I miss WBC. I miss the chimes of Addie Mae. I miss chats in Grace's office, talks on Jon's futon, play practice, First Baptist Church, hugs from precious kids, cooking with Hannah and Saturdays with the Anderson's (ok, every night of my life with them). I miss all that. I miss being comfortable.
I miss camp. I miss ten hugs from Caleb everyday. I miss doing grids with Ellie and bank runs. I miss Daniel preaching the Word, pro with Evan and Hannah, talking to Alli about relationships (you know that boy she likes), I miss hard work. I miss 6:30 rec row and late nights counting money. I miss store inventory. I miss leading children to Christ. I miss seeing my friends do the same. I miss late nights and early mornings. I miss familiar. I miss hard work yes, but I miss comfortable.
And here I am without all those people, with really no people. I am meeting people slowly. But its not like I live in a dorm. I am not the RA anymore. I miss community. Community is good right, its a 21st century Christian buzz word. And then it hit me....Can you worship community?
Well, duh. Community I have discovered has been my collegiate idol. I knew that but it really sank in this week. Time alone has been good for me. It has meant reflection and dealing with sin, it has meant learning to be satisfied in God not other relationships. It has meant learning the difference between emotion and reason (we'll talk more about this in another post). God has taught me I need him. Community is something he gives as a gift. And are we called to live in it? Yes. But do we worship it? No.
So, saying all that Waco is warming up to me. I have made threats to flee to Nashville or Kentucky or back home where people I love are, but I won't. I will be right here where God has called me. I will build community. He will build community, that's more like it. But, I won't worship it.
I am going to go do my new favorite past time, searching jobs on the internet.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Tell God's Story
I was reading today in 1 Samuel 4:7b-8: "Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before. Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these might gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness."
The scene is the Israelites are marching into battle with the Philistines, they are losing BIG time. When I say big time, I mean there are about 4,000 Israelite men who have died already. So, they take the ark of the covenant out into battle and the Philistines say what is quoted above. They have heard of the power of their God dating all the way back to the Exodus. But, you know what? They still win the battle? Why? Keep reading, "Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you be men and fight." You see, I don't think the Israeli entourage was convincing. Sure, they had heard the stories of the God of Israel, but the problem seems to be the people in the present day didn't have that story in them. They weren't living out the the story of God and they weren't letting God weave his story into their own lives. So, he was beginning to do it for them.
When I read that this morning, I was taken back to a conversation I had this week with a precious little boy. He wanted to know if the things like the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego can happen today, why they don't happen today, and if they were even true. I was sadden. You see because in this child's day, we don't proclaim the story of God's work in the world. We don't take the time to see the deliverance he gives us from the firey furnace. We are all too self absorbed and selfish to God's miraculous hand working. We don't tell God's story.
Every week at CentriKid we share the Gospel with children. The good news about Jesus that starts with creation and weaves through the fall, and to Jesus' free gift of salvation. The Gospel, is God's story. But, you know what? If we are proclaiming to people that the Gospel ends when you close your Bible we are doing to a great dis-service to the good news of salvation for all people. Because the saving power of the gospel, the story of Jesus Christ should be expanded and lived out more and more every day in each one of ours lives. Here are some faces to show you how God has been telling his story to me lately. The gospel is:
Those are just a few of the ways God has been showing me his story lately. That is how he is using me to be part of his story. How is he using you? Go tell some people. And if you want to hear more about how he has been using 20 twenty-somethings to spread his word this summer, continue to check back here.
The scene is the Israelites are marching into battle with the Philistines, they are losing BIG time. When I say big time, I mean there are about 4,000 Israelite men who have died already. So, they take the ark of the covenant out into battle and the Philistines say what is quoted above. They have heard of the power of their God dating all the way back to the Exodus. But, you know what? They still win the battle? Why? Keep reading, "Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you be men and fight." You see, I don't think the Israeli entourage was convincing. Sure, they had heard the stories of the God of Israel, but the problem seems to be the people in the present day didn't have that story in them. They weren't living out the the story of God and they weren't letting God weave his story into their own lives. So, he was beginning to do it for them.
When I read that this morning, I was taken back to a conversation I had this week with a precious little boy. He wanted to know if the things like the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego can happen today, why they don't happen today, and if they were even true. I was sadden. You see because in this child's day, we don't proclaim the story of God's work in the world. We don't take the time to see the deliverance he gives us from the firey furnace. We are all too self absorbed and selfish to God's miraculous hand working. We don't tell God's story.
Every week at CentriKid we share the Gospel with children. The good news about Jesus that starts with creation and weaves through the fall, and to Jesus' free gift of salvation. The Gospel, is God's story. But, you know what? If we are proclaiming to people that the Gospel ends when you close your Bible we are doing to a great dis-service to the good news of salvation for all people. Because the saving power of the gospel, the story of Jesus Christ should be expanded and lived out more and more every day in each one of ours lives. Here are some faces to show you how God has been telling his story to me lately. The gospel is:
Men who loves Jesus and pursue him each day. Men who, challenge me to do the same thing every single day.
Kids that smile. Tell me you can't see the joy of the Lord on these precious faces?
Energy. That can come only from the Lord, especially when you think you have absolutely nothing else left to give.
OMC. Need I say more?
Showing Christ love to kids who have never heard of it.
Getting a little messy for Jesus when we need to.
Being the leaders God has called us to be.
Teaching spiritual truths through games.
God raising us beautiful people to teach and serve the next generation and to show them the Lord.
Learning to find our rest in the Lord.
Finding God in the midst of chaos...even chaos back stage managing boys....with egos (or tight jeans which ever)
Kids giving sacrificially each week to missions.
Those are just a few of the ways God has been showing me his story lately. That is how he is using me to be part of his story. How is he using you? Go tell some people. And if you want to hear more about how he has been using 20 twenty-somethings to spread his word this summer, continue to check back here.
Friday, July 20, 2012
I'm at Camp Y'all!
This has truly been the most rewarding, crazy, God-filled, challenging, and overall best time of my life. CK 7 as we often say has been through the valley. We have been missing equipment, attacked by killer ants, arrived at a location at 4:30 in the morning the day we were suppose to start camp, had broken down Ryder trucks, lost power for over a week, and a host of other things. However, God is shining bright and accomplishing great things through this beautiful summer.
For example, one week we had 70 reported salvations, another 30, and the whole summer has been that way. Response time often starts before Daniel even prays and asks kids to come forward. God is moving like crazy. I had the awesome opportunity to lead three precious little boys to Christ last week. God has used our team to minister to children with Buddhist parents and broken homes. Several weeks ago we had two little girls whose mom died while they were at camp. They were able through their loss and joy in Christ to minister to so many kids and to us, the staffers of CK 7.
The devil doesn't like it either, y'all. I know the devil is not omniscient, he is not omnipotent, and he is not omnipresent. But, he is attacking my team. I believe and have for a good while God is stirring and starting a revival in the generation of children rising up. Though they live in a broken world, they have beautiful hearts that want to change the world they live in. And Satan does not like it when 70 of 650 campers cross over from death to life in one week. God's Spirit is moving in this generation and he is using my team to be catalysts to that movement. God is strong. He is big and he is making a big move. I am honored to be a part of his work.
And on a side note, he is using me and so many broken people to do it. Y'all CK 7 is not perfect. We are a bunch of sinners. Me being one of the worse. If you are close to me, you know that the past two years of my life have been intense in spiritual struggle. God has brought me so close to him this summer and I cannot wait to continue to run after him and I hope and pray I can do just that.
I sat last night manning the decision room watching my team bring child after child to have conversations with. I was in tears as my friend Caleb led five little boys to Christ as they prayed and cried and rejoiced with each other. I was in tears as I saw my friend AK lead a precious girl to Christ. I was in tears as a group leader led my little buddies Brady and Hunter to Christ. And I was in awe. You see, I kind of expected the out pouring of God's spirit to maybe slow a little (that sounds horrible), but he as already used us so much this summer. And I pray the Lord forgives me because he is still using my sinful broken team to bring to him new children and to guide them as they decide to truly believe in him.
Pray for us. We have three weeks of camp left. We are experiences some weariness, some tired spirits. Ask that we find our rest in God (thanks Ellie) and that we deny ourselves daily and take up our cross and follow Jesus. Not just in our words, but in our actions too.
Here are some of my favorites from this summer:
Caleb leads the Green Machine like a champ.
This is just Austin. Don't let his face fool you, he has a great heart.
You know we were just roommates.
Ladies and gentlemen, this lady is in charge. Be afraid.
Looking all pretty and sassy.
Worship outside with no power.
She's wearing her sunglasses, but does she know were they are right now?
We are kind of the dynamic duo. Kind of meaning we are. Be afraid. But, not really.
Pastor Daniel playing a little OMC.
She's precious.
"Will, will you run up and down the hill five times?" Yes, Ellie and Mary Chase I will. But, really I would do anything for these girls. Awesome leadership.
O Squad. Blessed to serve with these leaders.
Grids....its what I do.
A little Fly in the Soup
I told you she was precious.
Monday, May 28, 2012
I leave for camp...tomorrow.
Y'all I have been waiting for that for almost two years. I am so pumped about returning to the camp world. It is so exciting to live in community with other young adults, share the gospel with kids, build relationships, encourage the mess out of each other, and just plain do the Lord's work. But, honestly I have been overwhelmed with not feeling ready. I am not physically ready. I will probably die the first week, because I am in the worse shape of my life (good thing Jesus beat death huh). I don't feel emotionally ready. Because, you see when I get back in August my whole life will have changed completely. I will be away from my friends. I'll be in a new place frantically searching for a job while starting a graduate degree. I am overwhelmed majorly. I don't feel spiritually ready. I feel dry. Used up. After four weeks at home. I haven't been pouring into anyone and no one has poured into me. For four weeks. I feel like I am in a hole. But, it is my choice to crawl out. Those are my apprehensions about all of this. I can't just wait for someone else to be ready, I have to decide. Because, my God....he can move the mountains. He is might to save. And y'all....I am ready to tell the world about him. With his help. I need it. Pray for me.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Home?
I have been living in my house, my home (you know that place I lived for eighteen years before I shipped myself off to college) for almost a month. To be honest, it is weird. My room...is not my room. My stuff is huddled into a corner. My camp trunk is packed waiting to go on a wild adventure in about fourish days. Life is good. No complaints. A little antsy about post summer life and jobs and rent and bills and school and a new life. Excited yes. Nervous, perhaps a little. Not to horribly bad though. I love life. I like mine. I like where I am headed. I like the outlook. But, what exactly do I want out of this journey I am on? Where do I want to end up? There are a million scenarios but let me tell you a few.
- In one, I find a girl at seminary soon. I marry her. We fall in love. We have seven children. We move somewhere cool. I have a cool job at a cool church, or some hipster social justice nonprofit, or placing African babies and poor American babies in homes of loving parents. I live in.... Nashville, Colorado, maybe even Walnut Ridge and go to my favorite church and hang out with my favorite people. Clinton. Perhaps, let's be honest, I was always a big fan of C-Town, and its home, but I am not sure I have an exclusive relationship with it anymore.
- One I stay single until I am 30. Travel the world, get a million degrees. Run a cool non-profit or pastor a really awesome new church. I live life, on my terms and well, God's as much as I can. I'll try real hard...I hope.
- One I am destined to be alone. Well, in the spousal category. Which doesn't depress me. Sure, I want a brood of children and someone to love and to be loved by. But, if it doesn't happen....I'll still be content. I will roam the world. Defending the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the sojourner. Maybe I'll work for the U.N. or the president. Who knows really.
They say you can't go home again. And the proverbial they, would be right. But, ladies and gentleman...home is what you make it. My house, my family, my life will never be the same as I left it four years ago or a month ago when I graduated from college. They won't always be like they were....but home is what you make it and so is family.
Home is....
- When Momma cooks anything.
- Seeing my Nana
- Church
- High school memories. Good and bad.
- Reading a book all day in my room.
- Lunch with Maggie and Kaysha.
- Sitting in that green chair that occupied my dorm room.
- Laying on my futon
- The upstairs at the Pucik home.
- Stephanie's kitchen.
- My FBC office.
- Sitting in the chair across from Janet's desk.
- Chilling on Jon's bed talking about life
- Williams walks
- The Library
Home is where you make it. Home will be Waco, and home will still be Clinton. Home will still be Walnut Ridge. Home will still be were the people I love are. Home will be in my heart not a location in my GPS.
Not to be clique but home...is where the heart is.
- In one, I find a girl at seminary soon. I marry her. We fall in love. We have seven children. We move somewhere cool. I have a cool job at a cool church, or some hipster social justice nonprofit, or placing African babies and poor American babies in homes of loving parents. I live in.... Nashville, Colorado, maybe even Walnut Ridge and go to my favorite church and hang out with my favorite people. Clinton. Perhaps, let's be honest, I was always a big fan of C-Town, and its home, but I am not sure I have an exclusive relationship with it anymore.
- One I stay single until I am 30. Travel the world, get a million degrees. Run a cool non-profit or pastor a really awesome new church. I live life, on my terms and well, God's as much as I can. I'll try real hard...I hope.
- One I am destined to be alone. Well, in the spousal category. Which doesn't depress me. Sure, I want a brood of children and someone to love and to be loved by. But, if it doesn't happen....I'll still be content. I will roam the world. Defending the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the sojourner. Maybe I'll work for the U.N. or the president. Who knows really.
They say you can't go home again. And the proverbial they, would be right. But, ladies and gentleman...home is what you make it. My house, my family, my life will never be the same as I left it four years ago or a month ago when I graduated from college. They won't always be like they were....but home is what you make it and so is family.
Home is....
- When Momma cooks anything.
- Seeing my Nana
- Church
- High school memories. Good and bad.
- Reading a book all day in my room.
- Lunch with Maggie and Kaysha.
- Sitting in that green chair that occupied my dorm room.
- Laying on my futon
- The upstairs at the Pucik home.
- Stephanie's kitchen.
- My FBC office.
- Sitting in the chair across from Janet's desk.
- Chilling on Jon's bed talking about life
- Williams walks
- The Library
Home is where you make it. Home will be Waco, and home will still be Clinton. Home will still be Walnut Ridge. Home will still be were the people I love are. Home will be in my heart not a location in my GPS.
Not to be clique but home...is where the heart is.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
A Good Friend
I have been told a lot lately that I am a good friend. I am loyal, dependable, and loving. I don't judge. I pray for you. And frankly, if we are close I would give my right arm for you. In fact, one of my friends recently told me (as a compliment) that if my relationship with God was a good as it is with my friends than he knows that I am extremely close to God. It made me tear up a little. I was really honored. Because, you know what? I am a good friend. I am loyal, honest, pretty trustworthy, and I am a dang good listener. But, this post isn't to tell you how great I am, it is the opposite, it is about confession. Because, later that night, I was thinking about what this friend said and I thought, O crap. O crap is right. I am a great friend to him. I really am, but I think I am a better friend to other people than I am to God. I know I am. With God I am wishy washy. I have public convictions, but I don't often translate them into private action. Y'all I think I might be a hypocrite. I have been reading Kyle Idleman's fantastic book, Not a Fan. It is his chilling and truth filled work on how to be a follower of Christ, not just a fan of him. To really believe in him, a belief that breeds action. I have sold myself out into preaching a Christian life of suffering - but joy thorough contentment and then I let toxic thoughts and actions invade my life.
Now, my friends and my family are important. I want to be good to them. I want to be loyal and all that jazz. But, ya'll Jesus says we are to hate our family. Hate our friends. In comparison to him there is no second. He is first, and he is only. He was the only one in the race because no one else qualified. I am sorry I am a hypocrite. Thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it. But, all of you please help me be a better friend to the best friend I have ever had. His name is Jesus.
Now, my friends and my family are important. I want to be good to them. I want to be loyal and all that jazz. But, ya'll Jesus says we are to hate our family. Hate our friends. In comparison to him there is no second. He is first, and he is only. He was the only one in the race because no one else qualified. I am sorry I am a hypocrite. Thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it. But, all of you please help me be a better friend to the best friend I have ever had. His name is Jesus.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
I'm Going to Miss This....
Let's face it. Williams Baptist College might just be the greatest place on earth. There may be more love here in the middle of this rice field than I have ever seen or even dreamed of feeling. I am going to miss it like crazy. It is not many places that you meet friends that pray for you, pray with you, sing songs with you, laugh, cry, and act like idiots with you. Ah, but I can't stay here forever. I can't. It just isn't possible. But, in memoriam here are some things I am going to miss:
Theses guys are pretty great. I love them a whole lot. Who knew you could have that much personality at ten or eleven. If I could pick out someone who has taught me the most in the past year it would probably be these kiddos. They have so much passion. Talk about from the overflow of the mouth the heart speaks...these guys and some other pretty great kiddos I know have the most amazing hearts I have ever seen. I am going to miss them like crazy, but I am going to pray for them everyday because if anyone is going to change the world, it'll be them.
Freshman year we wrote a letter to ourselves that asked a bunch of questions about the future and about now. When it asked who my best friends were....I wrote these ladies. Duh! They are pretty great and I love them with everything I am. I am going to miss seeing them on my trips home. And most of all? Well, Maggie the one with the big smile there in the middle...she's making me an uncle (again). Uncle Will is going to not be happy about seeing that precious little girl growing inside of her....but you better tell me about her! And you best send pictures.
Talk about seeing Christ in others? Jesus shines so brightly through these fellas that you almost miss how darn good looking they are. Gosh, they have absolutely beautiful hearts. They speak endless amounts of truth and love to me. I don't know what I am going to do without them. Well, thank God for modern technology, because I am not going to have to go too long without talking to them. They are wonderful. And will all be famous. You will be reading there books. I will get advanced copies....because well, I knew them when they were little people. I love you, brothers.
Gosh, this guys is pretty great. He is well, one of my very best friends. I couldn't lie to him if I tried and you know what I wouldn't have to, because I can't think of anything I could do that would make him stop being my friend. I may meet new friends in Waco....but we are skyping. And you best answer your phone every once in a while.
Hannah Kate this cutie and her little bro Eli Carter are going to make me sad. They are going to grow so much in the next few years. I am going to miss a lot. But they are phone talkers and there mommy better send me some pictures of them.
Oh my gosh I love these people. They are freaking hilarious. I love getting to be hilarious with them. And I wouldn't be the Will you know, love, and may hate today if it weren't for them. They are some kind of wonderful. And whether I was Charlie Brown or a beat up or paralyzed man getting stepped on I will miss all of your faces and laughing at you and with you.
This girl is pretty special. She is one of my favorite people in the world. No matter what, I can talk to her. She shows so much love to so many people. She is passionate, she loves Jesus and shows it. She is just simply precious and I also place that title best friend on her. She's getting married this summer. And she is going to be an awesome wife and minister. Did I mention her husband to be is a soccer coach, rock that minivan, soccer mom.
Want to meet some really cool church ladies? I know four of them that are awesome! I seriously might have died of too much cafeteria food and might have had to sleep on the streets during breaks if it weren't for these ladies (and their families) and how well they've take care of me. Notice also, Lori, Steph, and Chrissy are rockin some OMC shirts...best camp moms ever. Hannah is going to follow soon!
These people are special because two of them gave me life. Two of them lived in a house with me for eighteenish years and one of them married my sister (he is a saint :) ) I am going to miss them. They are really the best family a guy could ask for. They love me, I love them. We are pretty good looking too if I might add. I love you guys.
This girl is pretty special. She is one of my favorite people in the world. No matter what, I can talk to her. She shows so much love to so many people. She is passionate, she loves Jesus and shows it. She is just simply precious and I also place that title best friend on her. She's getting married this summer. And she is going to be an awesome wife and minister. Did I mention her husband to be is a soccer coach, rock that minivan, soccer mom.
Want to meet some really cool church ladies? I know four of them that are awesome! I seriously might have died of too much cafeteria food and might have had to sleep on the streets during breaks if it weren't for these ladies (and their families) and how well they've take care of me. Notice also, Lori, Steph, and Chrissy are rockin some OMC shirts...best camp moms ever. Hannah is going to follow soon!
These people are special because two of them gave me life. Two of them lived in a house with me for eighteenish years and one of them married my sister (he is a saint :) ) I am going to miss them. They are really the best family a guy could ask for. They love me, I love them. We are pretty good looking too if I might add. I love you guys.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Keeping My Head Above Water
I am just keeping my head above water theses days. Simply trying to to you know get the next thing on. Things like singing in front of people, preaching a sermon on Sunday morning, and picking up my cap and gown haven't made me sad, nostalgic, or induced vomiting. I am just doing what I know to do. And what is that? Certainly, to keep going. To live for right now and do what's next when it happens. WHO AM I? I am not even incredibly sad at the moment to leave Williams. I love here. I am WBC's biggest fan. I freaking love it. It is just time for next. It's not like I am losing friends. I have great ones, they will still be great we will just not see each other every day (and some of them are getting married). I need to get a meningitis vaccination. Random, but I do. I am very tired. I just want to rest. Then, 10 weeks of crazy awesomeness awaits. Then, rent. And a job, that I don't have yet. And graduate school 120 hours of it. And all that...it doesn't scare me. It makes me incredibly happy to see what's next.
Grace blogged about girl stuff. Go read it. She's funny.
Jon didn't blog. He needs to.
On the CK blog there are some fun games I am going to try out this week with my kiddos.
I have found all these hilarious blogs that all these moms write. I need a witty and funny dad to write a blog about his family. Maybe I'll do that someday.
Grace blogged about girl stuff. Go read it. She's funny.
Jon didn't blog. He needs to.
On the CK blog there are some fun games I am going to try out this week with my kiddos.
I have found all these hilarious blogs that all these moms write. I need a witty and funny dad to write a blog about his family. Maybe I'll do that someday.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
I Sin Too
Yep. In case you didn't know already....I am a sinner. Like a class A sinner. I pretty much suck at life a majority of the time. I mess up. The same junk over and over again....and you know what? My God still loves me. Even though a majority of the time my prayers are thrown up to him in desperation and times of need instead of daily and in the mundane. I am self absorbed a majority of the time and even try to mold my relationships and friendships to gratify and please myself. I am the most undisciplined person in the world. I have had the idea to start working out and running....for four years. Now I am fat and have love handles...good. I read my Bible consistently for you know about a week sometimes two and then forget it exists for about three. I am a major, major screw up.
Saying that, I was pretty ticked at Mr. Bobby Petrino. He messed up big time. You know the details. He cheated, hired his mistress, gave her money, lied about it afterward. Honestly, the man deserved to be fired. But, I beg the question...who of us deserves the same fate? Y'all I may not be shacking it up with some engaged chick, but I do some pretty awful things. I was really convicted of that last night when my good friend Jon wrote a tweet about how he forgives Petrino and his sins are no worse than the one's he commits. I'll be honest, Jon, if you are reading this....I thought come on, buddy the guy screwed up. He deserved it. I screw up though....what punishment do I deserve?
This is a cry for discipline and spiritual growth. For accountability from friends. For a return to the joy of my salvation. I am sinking. I am content with the sinking now....which is sad, but very soon I won't be. I'll be in a bad place. It will probably happen you know early June when I will be charged with teaching a gospel to children that I haven't been living out.
Saying that, I despise hypocrites. I hate them even. Well, I guess I hate myself then. Because I live lies everyday.
Lord, forgive me. Give me clean hands and discipline your child.
Amen.
Saying that, I was pretty ticked at Mr. Bobby Petrino. He messed up big time. You know the details. He cheated, hired his mistress, gave her money, lied about it afterward. Honestly, the man deserved to be fired. But, I beg the question...who of us deserves the same fate? Y'all I may not be shacking it up with some engaged chick, but I do some pretty awful things. I was really convicted of that last night when my good friend Jon wrote a tweet about how he forgives Petrino and his sins are no worse than the one's he commits. I'll be honest, Jon, if you are reading this....I thought come on, buddy the guy screwed up. He deserved it. I screw up though....what punishment do I deserve?
This is a cry for discipline and spiritual growth. For accountability from friends. For a return to the joy of my salvation. I am sinking. I am content with the sinking now....which is sad, but very soon I won't be. I'll be in a bad place. It will probably happen you know early June when I will be charged with teaching a gospel to children that I haven't been living out.
Saying that, I despise hypocrites. I hate them even. Well, I guess I hate myself then. Because I live lies everyday.
Lord, forgive me. Give me clean hands and discipline your child.
Amen.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Washed
A verse that has impacted my life so much in the last year came up in class today. 2 Corinthians 6:11: "And such were some of you, but you have been washed, you have been sanctified, you have been justified in the name of Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." I get so caught up and enslaved to sin. I get caught up in justifying my sin. I get caught up in the struggle of what it means to do right and what it is to do wrong. You see, this verse tells me that Christ is bigger than all that. You see, 1 Corinthians 6 says that everything is permissible for us, but not everything is beneficial. In other words, we can do whatever in theory because it has already been forgiven, but that is rubbish Paul says. You see because we are different than that. We don't want to be part of that slavery. We are free. We are not fornicators, homosexuals, or swindlers.....we are washed. We are being washed. So, a new desire should come into our hearts not to please or gratify self, but rather to please and gratify Christ.
More later.
Four weeks.
And I graduate.
7ish weeks and I will be at camp.
Time flies.
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