0 - 2016 - Jeremiah's Vow

4 Reasons I choose to go to Church… and you should consider

Have you ever heard someone say that they don’t need to go to church to be a Christian? Do you think that that is true? I have begun to see that this is not true at all. And yet, I wonder why so many people believe this.

The other night I was watching a replay of Oprah and there was lady on there talking about the difference between spirituality and religion. I had one thought running through my mind, and it was this woman had no idea what she was talking about.

Paul tells us in Romans 1 that true spirituality is not found in what we do, but in what God has done. John explains God’s activity in people’s lives when He talks about the Spirit going like the wind wherever it chooses to go. I mention all of this because it seems that people have an underlying and a basic misunderstanding of what it means to be a Christian.

I remember hearing a very interesting summary of the history of Christianity. I will paraphrase:

Started as a relationship
Became a movement
Morphed into a philosophy
Was codified into an institution
Finally evolved into a benevolent non-profit organization

CHRISTIANITY IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION. It is not a corporation or a non-profit. Christianity is an organism. Look at what the apostle Paul says to the Corinthians.

1. I go to church because that is where I am supposed to be.

(14) For the body does not consist of one member but of many. (15) If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. (16) And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. (17) If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? (18) But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. (19) If all were a single member, where would the body be? (1 Corinthians 12:14-19 ESV)

The subject for today is “Why Come?” There are too many people who do not understand the importance of being and staying connected to the body of Christ. Many people look at the church and they see a place to find peace, answers, comfort, hope. And, there is nothing wrong with these things. They are true.

There are any number of reasons to go to church. But why should I come? We have to personalize the question. When I look at these and any other reasons that we could chose, I am confronted with one simple reality. These are just ends. These are the benefits of being a part of the body of Christ. They are not the reasons for staying connected. This is why we have to see that if we are going to enjoy them we have to stay connected to the body.

2. I go to church because I cannot be a Christian alone.

(20) As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. (21) The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” (1 Corinthians 12:20-21 ESV)

We should come because it is here, as a gathered people, that we are able to endure the journey of faith. It is not easy to be a Christian and to have to travel that narrow road alone is not what God had in mind. By joining our lives together we are able to help one another. When we forget this we risk putting ourselves in jeapordy.

3. I go to church because I will need a community when life happens.

(26) If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (27) Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Corinthians 12:26-27 ESV)

Whether we want to acknowledge it or not there is no stopping life from happening. We all will go through something. Isn’t it better when you can go through it with someone?

4. I go to church because it will prepare me for when Jesus returns.

The writer of Hebrews helps us to understand one of the main reasons for coming together as the body of Christ. I would like to leave this with you for your consideration.

(24) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, (25) not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

If we want to be ready for when Jesus comes back, we need to be and stay connected with God’s people. The training ground for heaven is in the church. We may forget this from time to time. However, we must work be a part of Christ’s body until he returns.

Originally titled “Why Come?” (04/13/2008). Edited and expanded.

9 Reasons that our Souls can Bless the Lord

I read this today in Psalm 103.

6 The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust.

After I read this I realized that all of what David was saying here were wonderfully clear reasons for my soul to bless the Lord. One reason for each of the verse.

1. God is righteous and works justice for those who are oppressed. (v. 7)

2. God has made his way known. He has communicated with us. We should listen (v. 8)

3. God’s love is steadfast, therefore, we can have confidence in his mercy and grace. (v. 9)

4. God’s anger against sin will not last forever. (v. 7)

5. God does not deal with me according to my sin or iniquities. He knows I would not survive if he did. (v. 10)

6. God’s love cannot be quantified, it can only be experienced. It should cause awe within us. (v. 11)

7. God’s ability to forgive is beyond measure. (v. 12)

I love this song by Casting Crowns. It is a wonderful description of the truth this verse!

8. God is prodigal in his compassion to his children. (v. 13)

9. God is not confused as to our condition and temperament. He knows us and loves us in spite of our shortcomings. (v. 14)

Lauryn Hill & Tanya Blount | “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”

One of my favorite movies is Sister Act. There was a second installment that was not a good as the first but, still showcased some really good music. One of those songs is performed by two of the students portrayed by Tanya Blount and Lauryn Hill. They sing “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”

It is a remarkable rendition of a beautifully written song. I was listening to it the other night and really paid attention to the words. It is a reflection on the words found in scripture in a couple of places including the following words by Jesus.

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)

It is a wonder that we lose sight of this tender oversight offered to us by God. I was reminded of this this weekend and I though you could you a reminder as well.

Joey + Rory | “A Story of Love and Preparation for Loss”

This past week I saw the call for prayers for Joey Feek circulating on social media. Up until that point, I was not familiar with this bluegrass/country duo.

Joey is dying. She has cancer and it is slowly destroying her body.

As I was reading Rory’s perspective, of a husband losing his wife to cancer, I was struck by the love with which he talks about his bride. He does not shy away from the raw emotions that he feels. He is open and honest about the struggles that have marked their journey together for the last few months. I was touched by this.

As a musical group, much of how they interact with life is through the music they make and sing. It seems that several years ago a friend wrote a song about her own loss. As they considered what tracks to include on their most recent project they picked their friends song, “When I’m Gone.”

As they discussed making a video for the song, they decided to record it from Joey’s point of view. Rory’s reaction to this decision resonated with me.

I didn’t like it.

I told them so. It hit too close to home.

But as they continued to talk and I listened… I realized that “yes, of course. We have to make it that way. It’s the story in the song”.

It wasn’t what I wanted… but it’s what the song wanted. And though it scared me for us to be that vulnerable, it was also what our whole lives and music career was about – being real… being honest.

And so the cameras rolled and both Joey and I let us ourselves imagine what it would be like if she had to leave this world and I was left behind without her… [Source]

I have to agree with Rory, no one wants to have to think about these things. No one should have to. However, life on this fallen planet does not give us that option. I have prayed for this family I do not know. I pray that God gives them peace and comfort in this time of preparation and mourning. We sometimes forget that mourning is a process that can begin long before a person is finally gone from this world.

Family, Community, and the Blessing of Being Connected

Everybody is alright, but yesterday we had a bit of a scare. My sister started feeling ill all of a sudden. We had to call 911 for an ambulance and then she was carted off to the emergency room.

To say that I was a little freaked by it would be somewhat of an understatement. I am not typically an outwardly emotive person. I like to think that I can and do remain composed in difficult situations. However, when your little sister, who is a nurse, is in some medical distress and she does not know what’s going on, you can get flustered. And I did.

I was at the office when my dad left to go check up on her. She had finished her night shift at the hospital and was sleeping at my parent’s house. For those who do not know, I serve as a pastor in the church my father planted in 2007. So, when he goes to the house and I get a call from my mom not to minutes later, alarms start to go off in my head. As I sit in my office, trying to figure out what is going on, I decide to just go over to the house. I knew that is where I needed to be.

As my wife and I were watching our nephews (she had decided to come over as well thank goodness), this thought came to my mind: I am glad that I was close enough to jump into action.

It has been a long time since I lived close to family. These last two years have been especially nice for us as a family. And, it’s when things like this happen that you begin to understand how important family is. But, I also realized how important it is to be and stay connected with those who, while not blood relations, provide a stabilizing effect on your family.

There are three comforts I believe we can enjoy when we stay connected with others in close relationship.

1. When we are connected we are never alone.

The world can be a lonely place. It can be so easy to get disconnected and to miss out on so many wonderful things. Life was never meant to be lived alone. God, from the very beginning, understood that it was not good for people to be alone.

One of the greatest tactics of the enemy of our souls is to tell us and trick us into isolation. When we are separated from one another we are vulnerable. When we are are cut off from the rest of our community we are susceptible to believing lies and half-truths. Our community can provide a counter-measure to our insecurities and doubts and fears. When we are surrounded by others who love us, we can face far more difficulties than we ever thought possible.

2. When we are connected we learn to appreciate those who chose us.

It is true that when things get hard for us is when we know who are friends are. Many people are friendly. Many people can be counted on to offer kind words and even encouragement. But, there are some people in our lives who show up unasked. Who do without being told. Who are ready to enter into the hell of your circumstances and wait with you for it pass.

It is then, at that moment, when you you know you have found a friend. I am not trying to discount what many people do. I am pointing to a specific kind of friendship that we all need. We need to have friends like this but, we should also be friends like this.

3. When we are connected we share life with others.

This is, in the final evaluation, what we should be striving for. We should not only be looking to provide support or help to others. We should be offering ourselves.

This is Christ’s example. Jesus came to serve and not to be served. Jesus humbled himself and became like a servant for our sake. Jesus was not trying to impress anyone, he was trying to impress upon us the importance of forming bonds with others that go beyond the physical to the spiritual. A friendship forged in the fires of faith are destined to last.

I am fortunate to count my siblings among my friends. This may not be true for everyone. However, this does not mean that we can not cultivate deep, meaningful, and enriching friendships with those in our churches. It can be a risk. And, it can be scary. But, in the long run it will most certainly be worth it.

Selah | “Depth of Mercy”

Lyrics:

Depth of mercy, can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear me
The chief of sinners, spare?

Chorus:
Heaven find me on my knees
Hear my soul’s impassioned pleas
Depth of mercy, can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?

Now incline me to repent
Let me now my sins lament
Deeply my revolt deplore
Weep, believe and sin no more

Remembering Col. Kenneth R. Wade | “The Crying Soldier”

July 21, 1945 – February 20, 2016

On Saturday, February 20, 2016, Col. Kenneth R. Wade stepped out of this world and stood at attention before his maker. I will not pretend to know what happened in that exchange. I would like to think, in my mind’s eye, that as Kenny reported for duty, God was ready with orders, for another of his soldiers had come home.

I would like to share some of my recollections of a man who I counted as a friend and some of the lessons I learned because of him.

The Meeting

When I met Col. Wade, I was a young man who had just begun attending Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Bulloch County, Georgia. I will never forget interacting with him in those early months. He had already retired from serving in the U.S. Army National Guard, but I could tell that he was a soldier. As an Army brat, I could see it in the way he walked and carried himself. I could hear it the clear and distinguishable way he spoke. He was man who know how to give orders.

I would later become an associate pastor and would serve that church for two years. During that time, I learned that I could count on Bro. Kenny. He was there to offer encouragement and words of wisdom to a young pastor. I enjoyed getting to know him and his wife, Linda, and his son Brian. I would meet his other son, Jason, later on, and we have now become good friends.

I did not know then, how important a role the Wade family would play in my life. But, God knew and orchestrated the meeting in a small, rural church near Statesboro, Georgia. As is the case, life pulls you in different directions and still, after all of these years, I hold onto the cherished memories made in a time now since past. They flood to the surface, as they often do when we are forced to remember by the tragedy of death.

Col. Wade helped me to navigate the early days of my journey in ministry in ways I did not understand and am still learning and that is debt I can never repay.

The Eagle

For those who may not know, the rank of Colonel is designated by a silver eagle. Sometimes called a “full bird” colonel to distinguish this rank from that of the preceding one, a lieutenant colonel. It marks a remarkable achievment in a military career. One of the results of the military life, if you have ever been around military personnel, is it is difficult to miss the distinct imprint of the military on a life lived by a clear set of rules. Col. Wade was no exception.

What most people do not understand, particularly if you were not a part of a military family, is the effect this has on the dependents. On a couple of occasions, I heard Kenny describe some of his regret for how his career had affected his family. This, too, is something I have seen as common among service men and woman across the branches. As I remember these moments of transparency, I also saw that there was something else, something not quite so easy to detect, that seemed to percolate underneath the surface. There was a growing realization that all of his training had not lent itself well to being a husband or a father—or so he seemed to fear.

He was not a bad man, by all accounts he was a good man. I don’t even think most people, if any, would have agreed with him on his alleged failures, and I remember wondering to myself, if such a good man struggled to be a good man, then I needed to be ready and willing to fight for my own family as well. I recognize now that this was a personal and internal struggle. One that I better understand today and only observed then. One that could be seen in and through everything he did. He had not failed his family. It seemed to me like he was overcoming some perceived failure in his own expectations of himself. His journey toward the eagle had taught him how to persevere and how to fight for what he loved and believed in.

I am not sure that he would have described it in this way. These are more my reflections on those conversations and his example over the years.

The Tears

If there was one thing that astonished me about Col. Wade, it was that the man could start crying at the drop of a hat. If you knew him for any length of time you would know this to be true. When he talked about his wife and family. When we talked about his cadets. When we talked about his faith. I have known passionate people. But, Col. Wade was one of the most compassionate men I have ever known.

When Kenny cried as he talked about those things important to him, it was not weakness. It was resolve. It was the physical expression of the depth of his conviction and faith and love. When he spoke about these things I wanted to listen. I wanted to glean as much wisdom as I could because I knew he was speaking from a depth of experience. There was so much truth. Not the kind of a philosophical nature. It was the truth of experience. The truth that comes from having walked life out in the real world.

As is the case with all instances of death, I am saddened by the loss. I do not feel the weight of this as deeply as those closest to Kenny. I can only offer these reflections and these words as a sign of solidarity in mourning.

I find hope in the fact that Kenny’s faith and my faith in Jesus can bridge the time between his departure and our reunion. I will miss the stories and the voice. I will miss the passion and compassion. But, I think most of all, I will the tears from the crying soldier.

Movie Review | “Risen”

The movie Risen started playing in theaters on Friday. Yesterday, our church went to go watch it. After a day of thinking about it, I decided I would write a few words about the movie.

I will say this, you should definitely go watch it. I enjoyed the story. I was telling my wife, I am surprised that no one has ever made (to my knowledge) a movie with this as its primary story arc.

For those who may not know, the story follows a Roman Tribune named Clavius, played by Joseph Fiennes, as he searches for the body of the crucified Jesus. It is really that simple. As he searches for the body of Jesus, he is confronted with the possibility and eventual reality that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead.

After talking to a couple of people after the movie, there are three aspects of the movie that stood out. Now, I know that, for some people, these may actually be considered as “negatives,” however, for me they are what made the movie work.

The Point of View

There are several times throughout the movie where you find yourself thinking, “That is just silly.” The main reason for this is that the perspective is that of a Roman, polytheistic, career soldier. The movie is told from the point of view of Clavius. Therefore, you are witnessing his skepticism, his disbelief, and his surprise at the behavior and claims of the followers of Jesus.

There are a couple of times when you agree with Clavius that the disciples and all who believe the resurrection has happened are in fact out of their minds. They are crazy and look and sound the part. It is almost comical at points because you share the disbelief of Clavius. This is very well done, and if you don’t understand that the movie is from his point of view, you will miss the transformation that takes place.

This point of view is important. The movie is not preachy, and it is not evangelistic because of this. You are seeing the world after the crucifixion and resurrection through the eyes and experiences of an unbeliever.

The Pacing

It is best to describe the pacing as steady. However, this does not mean the movie is slow. It is deliberate. Because we are seeing the events unfold through the eyes of a soldier, there is urgency but no hurry. Clavius is a professional and goes about his duties in an organized and orderly way.

You see this as Clavius investigates what has happened and interrogates all of the principle players in the events. Clavius does not take anything for granted. He has a job to do and he will do it right because he has his own aspirations that could be jeopordized if he fails.

This even rhythm throughout the movie keeps you in the moment. You are mulling over and considered the evidence right along with Clavius. You are right there with Clavius as he tries to make sense of what he is discovering. In spite of the pacing, the movie, and the story, move rather quickly as the search intensifies and we get closer to the conclusion that the unimaginable and preposterous has, in fact, happened.

The Perspective

As I left the theater, the one thought that stood out to me was how remarkably ordinary the movie was. By this I mean that there was nothing sensational in the movie. It was not about the flashy miracles or any over the top display of divine intervention. The move is about one man’s journey.

Because of this, as a viewer, I was left struggling with the same question Jesus left with Clavius (which I paraphrase): “If you, having seen me, have a difficult time believing, imagine all those who have not/will not see and will believe?”

This struggle, between believing what is inescapable or refusing the irrefutable, is wonderfully dramatized in the movie. Risen is a well told story and one you can enjoy watching more than once.

The hidden treasure that lives with me

One of the many wonders of the world is why one person would stay with another in marriage through the years. I know me. I know the kind of person I am. I know that there are several aspects of my personality that probably drive my wife (and some friends) up the wall. And yet, she is still here. With me.

There are many who would argue that they are the luckiest men in the world. That they have the most amazing wives. That God himself made for them that special someone. And to some degree they could, reasonably make the arguments. So, I will not be comparing. That is both silly and irrelevant.

What I will do is acknowledge that I have been the beneficiary of the love of one woman for more than half my life. She has loved me in word and deed. She has cared for me in mind, heart, and body. She has willingly fought for our marriage with me. And sometimes we have just fought.

I have no doubt in my mind that I do not deserve to be loved this way. That is why I know it’s true and genuine. I am thankful for the woman, wife, and mother that she is. She encourages me and supports me. I know I am blessed.

I could buy a card. But I would rather tell others, from the heart without the help of Hallmark, about the hidden treasure that lives with me. Her shyness sometimes obscures the wit and humor, the tenderness and compassion. But I get to see it all. I get to enjoy her beauty inside and out, unfiltered. It is one of the great pleasures of marriage. And for this I am thankful this Valentines Day.

I love you Miranda! You haven’t killed me, so I must be doing alright.

Faith is NOT Blind

One of the most difficult things in the Christian faith is learning how to bring out entire lives into conformity with God’s commands and purposes. I think the reason I struggle with this is because I cannot see into the future. If I could see how the decisions I was going to make right now were going to impact future events I would have greater confidence in what I was doing.

This may be wishful thinking. It may even be naive to think that we could have this kind of foresight. I do not have a problem with that. What I have learned is that I do not have to see into the future to have a good idea of how a present decision with impact future events.

For better or for worse, people and the circumstances that we find ourselves in do not change all that much. Sure, there are issues of language and culture but, people still have the same basic needs and desires. We all desire to be loved and accepted. We all have fears and anxieties. We all have a longing to live a life of meaning and purpose. I do not believe that people wake up every morning hoping to live a meaningless existence. This kind of hopelessness and ambiguity is something we learn because of what we choose and, to a greater degree, what we go through in life.

We cannot deny that the choices of others affect us. They may even cause us to stumble. I do not ever want to minimize this reality. What I have come to believe is that when we do not have something sure, constant, and immovable in our lives this tendency toward existential angst goes unchecked.

As a believer in Jesus, my faith provides me with a mooring to hope that, even when I fight against it, reminds me that there is someone who is calling me back from the brink. For me, hope is not just an idea. Hope is incarnated in the person of Jesus. He is my hope. He is the one who calls me back to the light when the world grows dark.

Faith in Jesus is not easy. Not because it is difficult to understand what is being asked of us. This life is difficult because we see what is being asked and we have to decide if we are genuinely willing to surrender our desires to those of God. Are we willing to trust that the steps God is calling and leading us to take are safe and sure?

In the end, there is only one way of finding out. That way is to take the first step. We have to begin to walk by faith and in faith before we will ever know. Faith is not blind. It is bold. It looks at what is in front of it and decides to proceed.

Faith is NOT blind. But it is not careless either. It must be thoughtful and measured and, most importantly, courageous.