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.
Friday, January 11, 2013
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.
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