Rainy Days and Mondays

"Rainy days and Mondays always get me down" crooned The Carpenter's in their classic song of the 70's.  Yes, I will confess to most likely being the only guy in my high school with a collection of Carpenter's 8-tracks in my crushed-velvet lined storage case!

It's raining and it's Monday... and yes, it's hard not to feel "down."  In north Georgia it sometimes seems as if the sun itself has gone south for the winter... rain only makes it worse. After a weekend change of pace Monday seems full of unfinished business. Uggh!

Some friends from my college days sang another song about days (weeks... months?) like today- it went "I get growing pains when it rains." Rick and David's song was a reminder that God is at work... even in the rainy days.  Yes, there may be some carryover, but Monday is also a reminder of a new week full of new opportunities.  And the rain, though inconvenient today, offers the promise of a bright spring and refreshing water for the summer beyond.

"Rainy Days and Mondays" or "Growing Pains," which will I sing today?

2013 Wardrobe

I don't normally re-hash sermons in this blog but by popular demand- well, a couple of people asked at the door- here are the key points for "A 2013 Wardrobe" from Colossians 3:12:17-

Whenever we feel isolated or dismissed by others we should remember that we are "God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved."

Paul follows this affirmation with an instruction to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; that we should forgive one another, and above all, put on love."

My challenge was that we use these seven virtues as guides for prayer in the new year- that each day we could ask God to help us grow in each characteristic:

• Monday- Lord, help me be more compassionate
• Tuesday- Lord, help me be more kind
• Wednesday- Lord, help me be more humble
• Thursday- Lord, help me be more gentle
• Friday- Lord, help me be more patient
• Saturday- Lord, help me be more forgiving
• Sunday- Lord, help me be more loving

Wouldn't it be incredible if we were as easily recognized by these Christ-like characteristics as we are by the clothes we wear!

I closed- and close- with Paul's beautiful prayer in vv. 15-17:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Confessions of a Pastor

One of my favorite aspects of this calling is the opportunity to plan and lead worship.  Jonnia, Chris, and I approach worship planning with the genuine desire to create a service that will honor God and help people experience God. Many others assist in making this possible- accompanists, choir members, sound and graphics coordinators, ushers, and extended session volunteers- by sharing their gifts and time.

Unfortunately, planning and leading worship can make it difficult for me to actually worship. I am constantly aware of "all the moving parts."  As I scan the crowd I making mental notes of who's present... and who's missing.  My attention is drawn to last minute notes handed in the hallways or distracted by a look of concern on the face of a worshiper.  For me to get "lost in worship" can mean missing my cue!

But, this last week, in a darkened gym on the Third Sunday of Advent, I worshiped. My moment came as we sang a song we don't often sing.  The words of the song were moving, but I've sung them scores of times over the years.  This time it wasn't the words or the music that led me to worship... it was the voices. With each successive stanza I found myself blinking away a tear and my voice faltering as we united our voices with the voices of the ancient church and the prophets of old to sing, "Rejoice!"

It was as if together we sensed the promise of advent, the promise of  joy was ours. No matter the challenges, no matter how great the disappointments, no matter how crazy things seemed, we, as God's people could "rejoice!"  And I worshiped the One we call Emmanuel, Dayspring, Wisdom, and the Desire of nations.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

Thanksgiving

Though we observe Thanksgiving Day, I prefer to think of this as a "season of thanksgiving." One day shouldn't be able to contain our gratitude!

I am thankful for family.  We'll travel this week to see my parents in Florida for a couple of days and I am reminded of the example Pop and Granny have given me and my children.  I remain thankful for the family where I am husband and Dad- what a great wife and children God has given me!

I am thankful to be called "pastor" by this church family. It is overwhelming to consider the love and encouragement we so generously share. There aren't many churches that could remain open to God's leadership in the ways we have encountered in this last year.

And yes, this week as I am thankful for family and faith, I am thankful for food, football and freedom! This is a great land we call home.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Election Day Decisions

I've always had an interest in politics... but boy, am I glad this election will be over today.  The ads, the hype, the misrepresentations, the general nasty tone of the campaign has left a sour taste in my mouth.  Whoever wins the election there are decisions that remain:

• As a Christian I have a responsibility to pray for those involved in positions of leadership- whether or not I voted for or "like" them
• As a citizen I have the right to remain involved- not just to vote, but to call write letters, attend meetings, give money, and let my voice be heard
• As a Christian citizen I gladly recognize that God is neither a democrat nor a republican and that His kingdom is bigger and better than the agenda of any political party