So, what are you saying…

Words are a powerful tool. Words can bring peace and launch wars.

So, what are you saying…

The Unseen

I must make a confession. It’s not easy to face the truth.

The Unseen

Wishing for Tomorrow

Don’t wait for tomorrow to invest in those you love.

Wishing for Tomorrow

How do you capture a snapshot of a life well lived? Where do we find the words to explain that which is beyond description. In stories and memories, just as an artist’s brush, a picture forms of a man who seemed almost flawless to those who knew him best. Full of life, joy and incessant humor, he would always give more than he’d take. Meekness with strength, confidence with humility, courage with gentleness, he would love deeply, selflessly and sacrificially. Kind to all, a stranger would always be welcomed and left with a sense of security and nobleness. Simple in life, riches and fame were not his reward nor his focus. Genuine love, faithfulness and patience was the language of our home. Titles were worthless to him, traded for something far greater: husband, father, papa, brother, son. Love was the language he spoke true and without hesitation. Of all the men I’ve ever known, he was by far the greatest! God’s gift. He was and is…my dad.

Richard Gaines Lawrence was born on June 9th, 1932, in a little Alabama town called Fayette. His dad, Floyd was the postmaster and his mom, Bessie Nell was a homemaker and longtime organist for First Baptist Fayette. The gift of music was expressed through the Lawrence family, with extended family members forming a bluegrass band while my grandmother would anchor that gift for its highest purpose – the praise of God! That musical gift was passed on to dad, who loved a good southern gospel quartet – from the Blackwood Brothers to the Statesman Quartet and all the way to Gold City. “Your First Day in Heaven” was a staple in our home – its truth ringing ever clear today.

My Dad was a gifted athlete. Playing both football and basketball, he would serve not only as the quarterback but the captain of the undefeated Alabama State Champion Fayette Tigers football team of 1949. As the story goes, while playing football, he spotted the prettiest and most beautiful majorette on the field. He would date and fall in love with that girl, Helen Norris, whom he would dedicate his life. She stole his heart that day, and he would never look back. He married that girl and made her his wife, Helen Lawrence, on September 3rd, 1950. Faithful he would remain to her for 70 years of marriage. Their love story would produce a lifetime of adventures, struggles and triumphs all the while cultivating a home where we felt safe and deeply loved. It’s astounding to say I never heard my dad raise his voice to my mother – for it would be very rare but all the more true!

Shortly after marriage, Mom and Dad headed to Amarillo Texas where he served in the Air Force as a jet engine instructor. In those days of the Korean War, He would equip American fighter jets & pilots to serve our country & keep her citizens safe. Following his Air Force duty, Dad began his career at Lockheed Martin where, as a part of the Aerospace Industry, he would continue to bring leadership to fighter jet technology, allowing our country to safely target foreign threats and protect American interests. Dad was a patriot who loved his country and served her well.

Without a doubt, family was his priority. He would not seek promotions or accolades if it meant trading precious family time. His daughter, Kim, was his firstborn and the sparkle in his eye. I came along several years later and would, by nature, carry on the mischievous shenanigans inherently built into the Lawrence genes. For dad, LOVE was spelt TIME, which he never withheld from his family. Camping trips, beach trips, baseball games, football (Roll Tide), boating, coaching, family trips were the investment of dad into the lives of his kids. He never missed a game, a piano recital or event. He always greeted my mom with a kiss. I never feared my dad would not come home. He made our home a place of refuge and gave us the strength to face any foe.

My sister and I were quickly upstaged by the arrival of his grand kids. He adored them and would celebrate every milestone. He held the rights to bestowed nicknames and the stories behind each. They were in order: Corri (Boomer), Josh (Bubba), Lane Marie (Blossom), Jake (Lil’ Bud) and finally Kate (Butterfly). To know my Dad was to know his deep love for each of his treasures. He selflessly sacrificed for the needs of his family and gave the gift of presence. And it showed. In a culture where homes are crumbling and marriages failing, he was the stalwart keeper of the gate. A spiritual warrior who protected, prayed, and fought for his family. He was the best papa. That’s my dad!

His faith was real and tangible, for it was expressed and lived out in the everyday grind of our home. He was devoted, faithful and gentle. He would show us the goodness of God through his goodness and quietly model authentic faith. Jesus was the guest at our table, the center of conversations, the one we trusted in hard times and the One we worshiped with heartfelt expressions of praise. Yet his humility would always bear the truth that he was a flawed man in need of a great savior. Jesus was a close companion. And it was Jesus, who, on June 14th, sat down at the foot of my Dad’s bed and gently called his name. His voice was not foreign to dad – he knew it well. A gentle whisper – “it’s time – let’s go home”!

A heart that beat so strong, for so long, gave its last and final thrust of physical life. A body exhausted and poured out, completed its objective. The eyes that glimmered with life and joyous humor, would slowly fade and the hands that held us all so close would finally lose its grip. The physical body had completed its mission.

But that my friend is not the end of the story! No way! It’s only the beginning!

The resurrection of Jesus changes everything. In Christ, there is no death. When Jesus rose with a new and resurrected body, we are offered a glimpse of our eternity. Death is defeated. The sting of the grave is removed – forever! Because of the resurrection my dad is whole, alive and now realizes that greatest gift offered to us all – the very presence of Jesus!

My dad cast a tall shadow. He always did. His presence always sure. His chair is empty and what we would give for one more story, one more smile, and one more laugh. Yet even the deep love for his family would never entice him to return. The weight of eternal glory is his reality and the same for all of us who place our trust in Jesus (2nd Cor 4:16).

I’ve never been one to embrace the regular. An obituary would not do for he is not dead, misplaced or lost. Jesus never preached a funeral – there was no need. So, we celebrate a great man, a giant, who lived a quiet yet profound life. His legacy sown in family and friends and eternity impacted because of Gaines Lawrence. His name will not appear on plaques or honors or awards. His image will not hang in the halls of leaders, or his memory etched in stone. He will not make the history books and will pass from the memory of this world. But don’t be fooled, for you cannot measure his life by the riches of this world. His treasures are stored in another place, another realm of the eternal God (Matt 6:19-21).

He is now part of the grand story of God and His faithful followers. The kingdom of God is forever changed because Gaines Lawrence lived and loved. In God’s economy, dad invested well, and the reward is beyond our imagination. Without question, he is now restored, whole and more alive than those of us left behind. You can take that to the bank.

There once was a man who stood tall and strong, courageous yet gentle. Full of humor, laughter and life. He was one of a kind. A life-giver. My hero. That’s my dad! Well done good and faithful servant. I love you more than words can say.

(Note: for those wishing to send flowers or give in his name – please tithe to your local church to advance the Kingdom or give to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital to help children & families in need.)

Recently I got a call from a worship pastor friend who was befuddled and discouraged. He was deeply hurt.  He had received a hand-written anonymous note after worship one Sunday, attacking him and accusing him of being a “performer”.  That term – “performance” was consistently used, over and over to demean and compare his leadership with that of a polished actor, discharging his duties as a professional musician void of genuine heart and motives.  I felt sorry for the writer of the note.  They had become the handmaiden of evil.

Unfortunately, I’ve heard this before. Everyone has an opinion.  We enter worship every week with assumptions and preconceived notions.  We have preferences.  We know what we like and dislike.  When kept in their proper context, they can be beneficial.  Yet when they motivate us towards prejudice and judgement of someone else’s worship, we are in dangerous waters.  Profoundly dangerous with the risk of losing something precious!

King David was finally restoring the Ark of the covenant to it’s rightful place.  With great and profound worship, he moved the Ark to the City of David.  It was indeed the very presence of God.  The scriptures tells us that David “Danced with all his might before the Lord”.  He did so, in what was basically his undergarments or linen ephod typically worn by the levites or priests.  This picture in 2 Samuel 6: 14-23, tells us that in all this grand splendor, David’s wife, Michal, “looked down from the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart“.

         With great and profound worship, he moved the Ark to the City of David.

Later, when David comes home to “bless his household” he is met by Michal who satirically greets him: “How the King of Israel honored himself today!”  She said. “He exposed himself today in the sight of the slave girls of his subjects like a vulgar person would expose himself”.  Michal had looked down on David from her lofty perch and proclaimed his worship vulgar.  She had passed judgement.  In her view, he was offensively performing before the slave girls.  David’s response: “I was dancing before the Lord…I will celebrate before the Lord…I will humble myself even more and humiliate myself”.  His motivation was the joy of the Lord.  And…it was pleasing to God!

As David’s worship was pleasing to the Lord, so Michal’s words were repugnant and pronounced the chill of her heart.  Verse 23 simply says: “and Michal had no child to the day of her death”.  Most Biblical scholars believe this was because of God’s removal of His Spirit and blessings from her life.  Her name was removed from the list of wives and she is not mentioned again.  Ichabod – the glory has departed!

      As David’s worship was pleasing to the Lord, so Michal’s words pronounced the chill of her heart.

As my friend is reading this note to me, I feel the chill and venom of Michal’s prejudice and judgement: “you are a performer”.  Yet little does she know, he has prayed, sought after God, planned, rehearsed and laid his life before his King!  He has stood before the people to point them towards Jesus.  Yet from this modern-day Michal’s lofty perch, she sees a musician who is too polished, too rehearsed and too slick.  Maybe his hair is too trendy and his clothes too progressive.  Maybe his voice is too pure and his musicianship too finely tuned.  I wonder, should he sing pitchy or mess up some lyrics to show his humanity?  Is he too tightly wound?  Too happy?  Too exuberant to be believable?  Does he not pass the litmus test of your own superior worship?  I wonder what the view is from Michal’s elevated & spiritually enlightened perch?

I do know from God’s view, He loves the heartfelt worship of His children.  The Worship Pastor, team, band/orchestra, choir, leaders who spend hours and hours rehearsing their craft do it out of love and devotion.  They wrestle with the tension of good motives.  They come early and leave late.  They are artist, servants, passionate and devoted.  Just like all of us, they are broken people in need of grace.  They are a gift to the church!

     I do know from God’s view, He loves the heartfelt worship of His children.

Remember these 7 things – lest you find yourself like Michal – devoid of God’s presence:

  1. Never, ever, judge someone else’s worship!  God is the judge, not you!
  2. Never, ever again accuse your worship leaders of performing.  This arrogance says more about you, your motives and heart!
  3. Never demean your artist because they’re too good at what they do.  This should really go without saying…
  4. Never, ever assume your preferences, assumptions and preconceived notions are shared or even valid!  Leave them at the door.
  5. Love your worship leaders.  Pray for them.  Support them even when you don’t “get” them!
  6. Always remember: our worship is motivated by God, for God, to God!
  7. It’s not about you!  Never has been…never will be!

Michal called vulgar that which was beautiful to God!  In so doing she made a huge and serious misjudgement.  She became the thief to rob David’s joy.  In the end, God took it seriously enough to remove His presence, retrieve His blessing and leave her barren.  She became irrelevant.  Don’t make the same mistake.  Look into the mirror and allow God to prepare your heart to explode with the same joy, praise, worship and celebration as did David’s.

Recently I watched a video of a man held captive for years, set free and returned home.  When he got off the plane he fell to his knees, kissed the ground and raised his hands in worship…thanking God for his freedom, his family, his home.  No doubt, it was a perfect picture of a heart bursting with gratitude.  He knew he’d been given something he didn’t deserve and all the simple pleasures of life were now magnified.  What once was lost, was now found.

This got me thinking!  I wondered if I was as thankful for the simple things as this man.  I wondered if I had become entitled, spoiled & privileged.  Maybe grace had become expected, as if I were owed this life of mine.  Maybe I was charging into every day with the demand: “give me a straight and easy path”, “give me luxuries not known by most” and “give me what you owe me”.  Not that I would ever say that or outright embrace this notion, but instead maybe my heart had drifted?  Maybe…

As I watched this man again…it reminded me of my past.  It reminded me of times when I felt the same way.  It reminded me of my youth, when every day was an adventure.  It reminded me of laughter in rain, my gorgeous bride walking the isle towards her awaiting bridegroom.  It reminded me of my newborn sons’ cry and the fresh smile of a little girl always meant for me!  It stirred something in me.  It stirred that sense so vital to knowing the depth of His grace.  It brought an ember of thankfulness!

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.  For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”   2 Corinthians 9:11-12

The doorway to knowing God is absolute.  There is no substitute and no way around it.  Without a heart of gratitude, we can never know much less experience God.  A thankful heart is a heart full.  A person of gratitude is a person who has the very touch of God on them.

Here are the four marks or attributes of those who’ve discovered the journey of thanksgiving:

 

  • A grateful heart is a generous heart

When you understand the nature of grace given to you, you tend to measure out the same grace on others.  You tend to be generous with your money, your time, your praises, your prayers.  You desire to give and not always take!

  • A grateful heart is a forgiving heart

Wounds not cared for become bitterness which then breeds cynicism and sarcasm. Cynicism and sarcasm are markers of a heart grown cold or a grudge held far too long.  A heart thankful will be a heart that embraces it’s own failures and tends to forgive the same in others.  Thankfulness is the antidote to bitterness and fosters deep compassion and charity.

  • A grateful heart is a humble heart

It has been said: “in the south our greatest sense of pride is found in our deep humility”.  We often misread true humility.  We often misread true pride.  Gratitude will unmask our deepest intentions and help us see with clarity.  A heart that seeks God cannot entertain both pride and thanksgiving.

  • A grateful heart is a worshiping heart

A few years ago I was given a small new testament Bible by Lisa’s grandfather.  As a marine, he carried it in his pocket during the battle of Guadalcanal in the Pacific during World War 2.  I was overcome with emotion.  I knew the depths of this gift and the meaning behind it.  The scriptures abound with the pathway to entering God’s presence: through the gates of thanksgiving.  Gratitude reminds of what we’ve been given and the depth of meaning behind it.  Only then can we truly worship!

 

That video of a man set free is our story!  The kiss of sun on our face, the joy & laughter of a house full or the book of memories of days gone by are a sign of God’s incredible gifts.  When we really stop and think about it, ponder His hand in our lives; it doesn’t take long to see we are nothing but ragamuffins and orphans afforded something that was never ours.  How could we possibly complain about another thing…ever!

Be grateful!  Seize this day before it’s gone.  Make the call, hug the neck, forgive and release the hurt.  Choose to be like the man in the video; set free and overcome with thanksgiving.  Then head into Thanksgiving Day and beyond with a heart warmed by the very touch of God.

 

These past two weeks have been interesting at our house.  As I have shared with you, the sudden onslaught of a kidney stone during the middle of the night brought great wailing and gnashing of teeth.  For those who’ve never had one, there are only rumors of the divine sanction this offers to those who’ve been chosen.  Let me assure you, it is not a path for the faint of heart!

Not knowing what was wrong, I just prayed for 2 things: the Lord’s quick return or a powerful trance inducing potion to make it go away!  Seeing that Jesus chose to tarry (for the moment), the second option worked just fine.

Sitting later that day at the urologist, I discovered that this “stone” was an itsy-bitsy, scanty, minuscule, petite, puny stone halfway on it’s journey towards freedom.  How in all of God’s creation could this tiny thing cause me so much agony and torment?  Folks, I do not attempt to bamboozle you when I say – it completely ceased all my normal operations for the sole purpose of survival.  If you’ve had one – at this point your hands are lifted high as you shout “AMEN”!

“How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire”!  How can a puny small tiny spark cause a blaze that consumes an entire beautiful forest?  But it does!  That is exactly what James says.  But he’s not talking about a kidney stone.  Instead, something small which can also inflict great sickness:

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,  but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.  Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?  Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. James 3:5-12

James is telling us the dangers of the tongue when used for evil.  But notice, the fire is set by hell and there is no human who can tame the tongue.  Just like a kidney stone – its’ on fire and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.  Instead, I must rely on my Doctor to break it up and remove.  So – only the Holy Spirit can tame our tongue and use it to bring glory to God and build up the body.

A couple of thoughts here:

  • Consider this Biblical truth through a spotlight that shines only on you!  God’s instruction is first and foremost for you.  Or me!  In other words, when I read this, I should NEVER see another person and think “I wish they would practice that” or “I wish someone would tell them that” or “I wish they’d practice what they preach”.  God’s instruction is meant to shine a light on me.  Not him, her or they!  Me Lord…show me!  David understood this as he penned Psalm 139:

                    Search me, O God, and know my heart!
                    Try me and know my thoughts!
                         And see if there be any grievous way in me,
                    and lead me in the way everlasting!

  •         Always use the wisdom and instruction of God’s Word as an invitation to the Holy Spirit to show you grievances.  As it applies to the tongue – you cannot control it, only He can.  That means you have already allowed it to defile your offerings and bring disunity to your family, your home, your church.  Trust me – just like a kidney stone, it has set a blaze to your world and only the Holy Spirit can show you this.
  • My kidney stone is not hurting you!  Aren’t you glad?  Some of you have winced, patted me on the back, offered your prayers.  Some of you have just chuckled and offered a “good luck” while wondering what kind of good stories are forthcoming.  But understand this – your tongue will set a blaze, but it’s first victim is YOU!  But unlike a kidney stone, it is a slow moving cancer that consumes you, changes you, rescinds the power of God in your life, and obliterates your testimony.  It will, with time, reduce you to a bitter, angry and caustic soul.  Now as a reminder – I hope you don’t see another face than your own.  That would be missing the whole point!
  • Own it!  My kidney stone is not yours to bear.  It is mine, all mine.  Every ounce of it was created by me.  Something I drank, ate and consumed over time has transformed into a painful and unwanted journey.  But I can not, in any way, blame my kidney stone on Lisa…or you! (while it might be fun trying – I must admit).  I made it, I must deal with it.  The same is true with our tongue and our actions.  Don’t blame that which is a creation of your own on others.  Although the blame game is rampant in our culture, God’s Word does not give you an option.  Don’t buy the deceit of my pain is your fault, his fault, their fault.  This blaze that has set afire to my world was started by him/them.  Nope!  It’s your fire – own up to it and allow the Holy Spirit to show you how to squelch the pain of it’s flames.

The realty is this – we all share the burden!  Built into everyone of us is this tool (the tongue) which affords great praise and adoration to the Father and our brothers/sisters.  But it’s also a time bomb, just ticking and waiting to inflict astonishing misery.  In reality – we all need Jesus!  My Doctor is the only one who can help me deal with this stone (my stone – whom I’ve fondly named “Rocky”)! So it is also true: only Jesus can bring healing to the freshly burned embers of our lives.  So – I offer this corporate prayer:

“Father – your grace is always sufficient for me.  You offer your mercy and kindness to me when I am so undeserving and wayward.  Search me Lord!  Show me Lord!  Forgive me Lord for any way that grieves you or impedes your power and plan for my life.  Fill me up with your Spirit and send me to live a life that shines brightly in a dark world.  Help me to walk in unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Allow me to walk in peace and use my tongue for your glory alone!  In Jesus name – amen!”

So let it be!  I join you in this prayer and walk with you in asking God to do the uncomprehensible and miraculous for His glory!

Thou Oh Lord are a shield for me!  The GLORY and breaker of my stone!  Wait…it’s The GLORY and the tamer of my tongue.  NO – actually I believe it’s: The Glory and the Lifter of my head!

 

The devastation from Hurricane Michael is a reminder of just how quickly a storm can turn our world upside down.  The worst of nature can bring out the best in people.  I watched as the fear of devastation caused the people of Florida to reach out to one another without regard to race, ethnicity, culture or economic status.  It’s a beautiful thing with pictures and stories celebrated on the evening news.  Our nation is hungry to see unity.  A devastating storm can do just that!  It reduces us to a place of helplessness in the shadow of a mighty storm.  It’s a reset button; a re-calibration of our compass.

It reminds me of a story found in the Gospels:

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.  But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”  And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”  And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”     Mark 4:35-41

You know this story.  The scene: Jesus and the disciples on board a fishing boat, at night in the middle of the Sea of Galilee.  Note: the Sea of Galilee lies 700 feet below sea level surrounded by highlands & Mount Hermon to the northeast rising to 9,000 feet above sea level.  The cold highland air meets rising hot air from the sea to create huge storms.

The Greek term for “furious squall” is used here to describe a fierce windstorm which literally means “sea quake”.  It was like a hurricane.  The sides of the fishing boat were low and the boat is taking on water.  For the disciples, this was not something they were going to survive.

And of course, Jesus is laying on a cushion, sound asleep.  He is exhausted from a full day of ministry.  With all that’s happening, he’s sleeping like a baby.  Until, of course, the disciples wake him to ask a poignant question: “Don’t you care that we’re going to die”?

God – where are you when I need you?  Don’t you know I can’t pay my bills, keep this marriage together, survive this diagnosis, overcome this depression & anxiety, reconcile with my brother, beat this addiction?  Don’t you see my enemies surrounding me, hear their insults?  Why are you sleeping when I’m on the verge of death?

Fear replaces faith, even when God is so close you can hear him breathe and feel his heartbeat.

Then Jesus, speaks: “Silence!  Be Still!” or literally “be still, and stay still” and nature responds immediately with a great calm.  The fear of the disciples refers to timidity and lack of confidence in God.  But even so, Jesus transformed the great storm into a great calm with a single breath.

But don’t miss the real gut punch here!  After Jesus had calmed the storm and rebuked them for their lack of faith, this happened:

THEY WERE TERRIFIED – literally “they feared a great fear”.  The great storm that Jesus turned into a great calm now led to great fear! “Who is this that even the wind and sea obey him?”

This is the fear which brings a reset and re-calibration.  It’s me and you eclipsed in the sheer magnitude and power of Almighty God.  It’s a fall on your knees and worship kind of fear.  It’s a fear that brings unity, without question or regard.  It’s a fear that melts away all our other fears.

If you find yourself faced with a hurricane, remember: God is in the boat.  But even more so, when He melts the storm away with a word, concede your flesh and ambitions for a place of humility, subjection and submissiveness before the magnitude of who He is!

There’s never been a better place to be before a Holy God!  And just like those scenes from Florida of help, caring and selflessness in the wake of a storm; choose gentleness and kindness as you lead unity in His Church!

Routine often dulls us to the majestic and beautiful.  That which we see and enjoy on a daily basis succumbs to the certainty that it/he/she will always be there.  We often take for granted those who are closest to us until it’s too late.

This summer, while at the beach, I played in the sun until I got burned.  And then I sat in the shade complaining about the heat and sunburn and wishing I had a little respite from the singe of the sun’s rays.

But the past February, I longed for just a flicker of warmth and the feel of the sun on my face and it’s steady warmth to sooth my pale soul.  I was homesick for the very thing in the summer which I wished would wane.

Every day we’ve had on this earth, the sun has risen and set in it’s path.  We set our clocks by it’s course and we live out our schedules completely tethered to the sun’s timetable.  We just take it for granted.

It is God, who at the beginning of the age of this earth created the sun and set her course:

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars.  And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.  And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.  Genesis 1:14-19

Yet today she will go dark.  That which we have grown to rely upon and take for granted will be momentarily snuffed out.

This time, we’re expecting it.  We have our certified viewing glasses.  NASA has given us the forecast schedule and it’s a big party.

Next time, it will be unexpected.  That which we have taken for granted will be darkened as a sign in the heavens:

“The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.”  Joel 2:31

“I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood;”  Revelation 6:12

Today, as we enjoy the total eclipse of the sun, remember to pause and give thanks for it’s light – for it is a gift from God.  When she peeks her head back out from behind the moon, pause and give thanks for His grace that gives us a second chance.

And finally – do as the scripture says:

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!
Psalm 133:3

Praise Him for this day, for the Word tells us His day of judgement which will darken the earth will surely come!

So let your LIGHT shine!

 

 

This year, Concord Worship is doing something we’ve never done before. We’re bringing back some old but familiar friends. Familiar to many who grew up with them and new to those who might not have grown up in the church. And of course brand new to this current generation.

In the race to be relevant and fresh in our worship, we sometimes overlook classics; if freshened and renewed, can once again bring impact to our worship and encouragement to our congregations.

And so it is with today’s sample – premiered on Easter Sunday at Concord and made available as a free download.

With a new arrangement by the Concord team, we revived an old acquaintance, dressed him up and brought him back to the table. We found it to be a powerful moment, almost like welcoming home a good friend you haven’t seen in a while.  Plus surprisingly, it had a multi-generational impact.

Here are 3 major ways we accomplished this:

  1. Add a new arrangement.  We gave it a fresh treatment that feels different.  A new melodic motive in the accompaniment adds more appeal.

  2. Don’t complicate the vocals.  We didn’t add layers of complicated parts.  We also didn’t mess with the original melody.

  3. Add a new chorus on the end.  This takes it to a whole other level and creates the final punch it needed.

Take a listen above and see what you think. Then go to this link and following the instructions for a free download: www.fbconcord.org/music

In a sea of change and a season of political headliners, most of us are legitimately concerned about our country and where our culture is headed.  Politics have become really nasty, bitter and causes great dissension in our nation.  If you eat from that plate, you will dine on a constant diet of poison.

But we should engage and we should be an element of change.  That’s what we’re called to do.  So we pray for revival in our nation.  And we pray for revival in our churches.  We come on Sundays asking God to “fill this temple”.

Yet I believe we’re missing an important point.  God doesn’t desire to send revival or fill the temple.  He desires to bring revival to me…to fill me up as His Holy Temple!  He desires to see His Church on fire for Him with you and I filled with the Holy Spirit.  That’s it!

Galatians 5 is a pretty clear picture of what a follower of Jesus looks like.  They bear fruit.  That’s it!  Fruit – tangible and obvious.

Signs of a Spirit-filled life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control.

Signs of a flesh-filled life: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,envy,drunkenness

It’s time we stop praying for God to send revival in our nation or church and ask God to send revival in me.  Me…not him or her or them.  Me!  It’s time we bear good fruit and hold each other accountable then call out the bad for what it is.

You ready for that?  It’s our choice…Spirit-filled life is the way of Jesus.  It’s what we were made for!

Recently, while trying to be a good husband, I’ve watched (endured) an HGTV show with Lisa called Fixer Upper.  Lisa loves the show and really wanted to share it with me.  Although I’m in amazement of how they do what they do, for the most part, I end up drooling through half the show and eventually falling unconscious until I get an elbow in the ribs.

The stars of the show take a run down dilapidated house and restore it.  They basically take a piece of junk and make it new.  It’s amazing.  The end result seems almost impossible.  How in the world could you begin with something in such bad condition and end up with a masterpiece.

When we, as a TV audience, are given a glimpse of the house in the “before” condition, there is no way most of us could visualize a pathway where this out of date, run down, aged, tired, used house becomes a work of art.

But it does!

And you know why?  Because someone with the power to transform sees potential.  When everyone else says “tear it down” these architects of renewal say “we’ll make it new”.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and gazed at a reflection that feels out of date, run down, aged and tired?  Or maybe you feel useless and valueless.  You just can’t see the potential anymore.  Regardless of your age you might just feel like the house that simply is what it is: worn, weary and spent.  Your soul is tired and your heart has lost it’s passion.

From Psalm 23:3 falls a small nugget of truth that cracks the foundation of lies with a bold and beautiful truth: “He RESTORES my soul.”

God is the architect of transformation.  He sees you as you are and offers you a full renovation.  A transformation.  A restoration!

It’s more than paint and spackling.  It’s not cosmetic but foundational.  He longs to rebuild your walls, shore up your foundation and add some new features.  He sees you as a masterpiece, even before the work has begun.  He sees the end result way before the job has broken ground.

If this is you, then you need a restoration.  It all begins with a view of what He sees.  The journey begins with a tiny glimpse of the plan from the Grand Architect.  See you as He sees you!

You are a pearl of great worth.  You are a masterpiece under construction.

Completion date sometime after your spirit escapes the bounds of this life!  Make sure you’re there for the unveiling!

It’ll be a moment you won’t want to miss!

A couple of weeks ago I put an amazing article of technology on Jake’s jeep.  To his great dismay, wailing and gnashing of teeth – I connected a little thing called HUM. This amazing contraption gives me his exact location, speed and alerts me to reckless driving (strong braking and so forth).  Isn’t that brilliant?

I am so (heavy emphasis on SO) glad my parents had nothing remotely like this when I was 16!

As a parent, I want to control the circumstances around my son’s driving.  I desire to protect him…even when I’m not around.  I feel like it’s an extra level of safety and a defense from the things I can’t possibly control.

And there’s the word: CONTROL

Let’s just be real honest here; we are control freaks.  We live under this veiled assumption that we have dominion over our lives.  We like to believe we control the circumstances surrounding us by the way we interact with it.  By pure influence, tactical reasoning, situational response and stealth we can control our footing or position in this ever changing world.

We say we believe God’s sovereignty and lean towards faith.  But just in case God falls asleep or forbid it that His will is different from ours, we place a tracking devise to make sure He’s headed where we want to go!

“Lord bless me and my family” (as long as you give me the salary, retirement account, the house and boat I want).

“Lord, show me your ways” (as long as I don’t have to compromise my comfort).

“Lord, win our community for Christ and His Kingdom” (as long as I don’t have to engage in awkward hallway conversations about you).

“Lord bless our church” (as long as that preacher gives me my kind of sermon, my kids think it’s hip, and the music doesn’t lull me to sleep).

A really hard and often uncomfortable truth for me is this: I control absolutely nothing except the choices I make. My very heartbeat is subject to the quantity of days given by God before it’s first beat.  My only control: the choice for whom it beats!  This world and all it’s charms or His pleasure.

Jesus asks us this question: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Luke 6:46

So I sit here looking at this HUM app on my phone.  I’m checking to make sure my son is safely where he’s suppose to be.  Just information really.  Not that I can do anything about it.  But it makes me feel better.  I’m in control.

All the time the Spirit is whispering: “he’s not yours, he’s mine.  I love him more than you ever will and I will send my angels to protect him.  His righteousness is my work.  His obedience is my work.  Don’t call me Lord and not trust one of your greatest worldly possessions to me.  I am shaping His heart for those things that are eternal.”

My choice is in the Lordship of Christ.  He really is Lord!  Over it all…every little bit of it!  It’s actually true. And it’s worthy of your deepest surrender and choice too!  As only a faithful father can, He is shaping you for the eternal.

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