Halloween Anyone?

Every year as a child I dressed up in a costume on Oct. 31st and begged for candy and I didn’t end up as a devil worshipper.  Imagine that.

Some of you believe that Halloween is the “devil’s night” and do not allow your children to participate.  If that is the case, more power to you.  But please do not look down on those who partake of this rite of childhood.

I always enjoyed the process of picking out a costume and finding out what others had decided to dress up as.  My brother and I would get into our Dad’s old Ford Grenada and he would drive us to some of our relatives’ houses to get candy.  That worked wonderfully, except at Aunt Viola’s house.  She was about a thousand years old and smelled of Vick’s vapor rub.  Every year, without fail, she would give us an apple and a banana.  And every year my dad made us say “thank you Aunt Viola.”

My favorite costume ever was when I went as Mork from Mork and Mindy.  When I picked it out, I thought it was a Superman costume.  It wasn’t until I arrived home that I realized that the costume was of the Robin Williams character.  I was despondent at first, begging my parents to take it back.  Unfortunately I had already torn into the package and taken the tag off which in my family was the point of no return.

I came to enjoy that costume, though.  I learned how to do the “nanoo, nanoo” salute and got a few laughs. 

More recently I have participated in my company’s costume contest.  One year I dressed up as a woman and received more compliments that way than I ever have as a man.  Another year I had the letter P written all over my shirt and put black make-up around one of my eyes—”black-eyed peas.”  Ha, Ha.

Anyway, if you are one that dislikes Halloween, please don’t hate on it too much.  We are supposed to have a little fun in life.  Nothing says fun to me like taking candy from strangers.

Hating on Heroes

Alright, Heroes is my favorite television show right now.  Being a long-time geek makes me enjoy the various powers that the characters possess.  Last year was an enjoyable ride with plenty of payoffs in each show.  But this year….

This year there are too many stinkin’ characters, the action is slow and methodical, and we have no idea where it is going.  I watch each episode hoping for clues, but come up empty-handed.  It is beginning to feel a little bit like Lost with very little sense of direction.

I’m not ready to give up, though.  There are very few shows these days that depict the struggle of good vs. evil as well as this one.  So speed it up, already.

A Screw-Up

In looking back over some of my entries, I found something I didn’t really like.  If someone did not know me, they could come away thinking that I am a pompous, self-righteous, bloated-ego jerk.  It sometimes appears that I am in some type of zen-like state and that I have all the answers.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

I am a grade A screw-up, just like almost everyone else.  I don’t know why I write the way that I do sometimes, except to say that it is often late when I post and I am in some of my more philosophical states at night.  But, especially during the day, I am far from the self-confident person that I may seem to be.  Here are ten of mine, in no particular order.

1.  I’m overweight.  Coming out of high school I weighed about 215 lbs.  Now, I weigh 100 pounds more.  I am tall (6′7”) so I carry this better than some others, however, I desperately need to lose weight.  With commuting 2 hours a day, taking care of 4 kids and a pregnant wife, plus trying to fulfull the duties of my secular job and pastoral job, there is not a lot of room for exercise.  This needs to change.

2.  I talk to myself.  No, not out loud.  I’m not that crazy…yet.  But I do say stuff to myself in my head, and it is about 60% negative.  The negative that I say is exclusively about myself.  I’ve improved in this area though.  It used ot be 95% negative and done more frequently.  Now it is more when I am dragged down during the middle of the day. 

3.  I fight hard to keep myself mentally and spiritually pure.  I truly believe that Satan works harder on pastors than on anyone else.  If he can get us to fall, there are many more that will be adversely affected.  I have overcome many struggles, but it seems that there are always new battles to be fought in various facets of my life.  It can be tiring at times, but it is worth it.

4.  I love all my kids the same, but it is sometimes difficult to like them all the same.  There are a couple that are more like me and it is easier to accept them for who they are.  The other two have some traits that aggravate me to no end.  I’m learning to accept their differences, though.

5.  I am a disorganized/messy son of a gun.  Always have been, but I hope I won’t always be.  I’m working on it (slowly).

6.  I rarely am completely open with people.  I come from a long line of hold-it-in type of people.  If I’m upset, angry, confused, etc., I don’t let it show.  This blog has actually helped me in that area.  To be more transparent with those that I love is the goal.

7.  I have a tendency to discount the feelings of others.  People feel the way that they feel regardless of how illogical it is.  I need to better understand that if I want to be a better pastor, father, and friend.

8.  I’m forgetful.  Whether it is because of a packed schedule, disorganization, or poor diet (or a combination of the above pluse others) I often forget…..what was I writing about again?

9.  I procrastinate.  Yet another ingrained trait of mine which is improving.  I am determined to get even better at this one if I ever get around to it.

10.  I get into my own little world far too frequently.  This world is full of ideas and what-ifs.  It is ok to be a dreamer, but I must do better at realizing that dreams will remain just what they are without a little effort behind them.

 I’m not perfect and learned a few years ago that I do not have to be.  God’s grace if sufficient for me.  What do you think?

Different Levels

In high school, we had 3 boys basketball teams.  There was the Freshman team, the Junior Varisty (JV) team, and the Varsity team.  More was expected of the Varsity than the JV, and more was expected of the JV than the Freshman.  If a player from a “lower level” played with players from a “higher level,” then those on the higher level had to have patience with the lower level.  It was intuitive since everyone knew that there was a difference.

In church, people are on different levels as well.  This occasionally leads to frustration on the part of some who on are a higher level.  Unfortunately, some of them automatically expect others to grow quickly into what they ought to be.

In truth, many people spend years on a very low spiritual plane.  There could be a variety of reasons for this.  Lack of practicing spiritual disciplines (bible study, prayer, evangelism, etc.) or a lack of awareness of where they are in the faith seem to be a couple of the common ones. 

Those on a higher level also have a possibility of being prideful and becoming complacent because there could be few that they could look up to in their circle of friends. 

No matter where we are in faith, we need to realize we are not “there” yet and won’t be until we pass from this life to the next.  Continued growth and faith are needed. 

In the meantime, let us have patience with ourselves and with each other.  God puts us in churches for a reason and it is not to bicker and complain.  We are to help each other in His awesome mission of showing the world His love.  What better way to do that than love each other first.

A Few Words to Gator/Kentucky Fans

Oh how the Mighty, the Mighty have fallen.  Oh how the Mighty have fallen.

 Now, if only Tennessee can keep on going without sabotaging themselves.  That’s a big “if.”

 Go VOLS!

A Good Disagreement

I received several e-mails following my latest column in the Knoxville News-Sentinel (see here http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/oct/07/like-christ/).  Most were positive and in agreement with what I wrote.  However, there were some that did not agree.

I am going to put a copy of some correspendence that I had with someone who disagreed with me and my comments back (with names and other descriptive text deleted).  This is not to show off.  Instead, I feel that even though we did not see eye to eye, we still did it with respect trying to understand each other.  Also, please feel free to critique how I handled it.  I need to grow, as do we all.

 Here is the original message:

Hi,

   I have been thinking about the letter you wrote in the News Sentinel recently and I really felt the need to respond, I totally disagree with your opinion that Kathy Griffins obscene comments on Jesus should be ignored or disregarded.

   It is not a matter of not fighting back when being maligned or even what Jesus would do, it is a matter of standing up as a Christian, surely you are not saying as a Christian you should sit back and not say anything or worse laugh along with the other atheist at her vulgar jokes.

   While I agree with you that Christians and especially the Church is commanded to help the poor, money from Christians as well as non- Christians is used for various reasons, that does not mean that we should not use money to advance the cause of Christ or at least stand up for Him.

    I do not usually write this type of letter and was not sure what to say and how to say it but I really wanted to respond to your letter, I attend a large conservative Church and do not know any liberal Christians and am not sure how to respond to one.

   Not trying to offend or be disagreeable but I definitely disagree with you.

Here is my response:

Thank you for reading and for your comments, even though we disagree.  One of the main reasons that I wrote the article is to get people who love Jesus to think about how we respond to those who would attack our Lord and our beliefs. 

I do appreciate your concern in trying to do the right thing.  However, a few of your comments are disturbing to me.  You state that “It is not a matter of not fighting back when being maligned or even what Jesus would do.”  I feel that being a Christian is always about “what Jesus would do.”  After all, the very word Christian means Christ-like.  When responding to those who aim their venom at what we believe, it is important to respond like Jesus would above all else.

In that line, what do you think Jesus would have done?  What do you think the Bible says about how we should react when we are persecuted and our Lord mocked?  There are plenty of scriptures that talk of turning the other check, loving and praying for those who would do us harm, and counting it all joy when we face trials and persecution.  There are none that tell us to fight back when we are persecuted or when Jesus is mocked.

That does not mean that I think we “should sit back and not say anything or worse laugh along with the other atheist at her vulgar jokes.”  I stated that I was bothered by what she said as well, so I was definately not laughing.  As for doing nothing, I did not say that either.  I suggested doing something better.  Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.”  What we need to do in response to her words and others who would say the same things is to keep doing good in the world in which we live.  By acknowledging what they say, we legitimize them and take our focus off of our real mission, spreading the Gospel by showing the love of Christ to our hurting world. 

So, I agree that money should be used to “advance the cause of Christ.”  How should this be done?  Not by fighting back against the words of someone who is outside the Family of God, but by feeding the poor, preaching to the lost, and doing good to as many people as we can.

I do not believe that we should spend money “standing up” for Jesus.  His word tells me that vengeance belongs to Him.  He knows better how to deal with the Kathy Griffins of this world that you or I.

You state that you attend a conservative church, so do I.  I pastor one.  As conservative Christians, I feel that we should hold a high view of Scripture.  I believe that the Bible is inerrant and we should do all that we can to follow it.  When it says turn the other cheek, I try to do that.  When it says that we should follow the example of Jesus, I try to do that.  I fail from time to time and rely on His awesome Grace. 

You insinuate that I am a liberal Christian.  I do not feel that I am and if you heard me preach, you probably wouldn’t think so either.  I invite you to visit one of our church services.  The name of the church is Cardiff Baptist Church.  You can get here from I-40 West by getting off on the 347 exit, turning left toward Rockwood, going about 3-4 miles.  Our church is a little white church building on a hill on the left. 

Also, feel free to visit my blog at www.seekingpastor.wordpress.com.  It does not have all the “bells and whistles,” due to a lack of time, but I do the best I can.

If you would like, please continue this e-mail dialog.  I am not offended by what you wrote and I pray that you will not be offended either.  Sometimes in discussing things we find that we are not as different as we initially think.

Here is the person’s response:

Hi,

   Thanks for the explanation of your opinion, even though I still disagree with you I do understand your reasons, if we don’t take a verbal stand when someone attacks Jesus in that way then you are no different than the person that has made the attack, how can people tell the difference between a Christian and non-Christian?

   I really don’t want to carry on a debate about it, I never was very good at debating, so I think we can respectfully disagree

Here is my last response:

Thanks for agreeing to disagree.  I find that type of thinking is tragicially missing among Christians sometimes.  We don’t have to force each other to agree on everything as long as we agree that only Jesus saves people from their sins.

You ask “how can people tell the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian?”  I believe that the Bible says they will know we are Christians by our love (1 John 4:7-8, and other passages).

Sorry that this post was so long, but I felt it important to include all of the e-mails.  I deleted a few things about where the person went to church and other information.

Please comment on this if you would like.  One of the best ways to grow is by being shown where there could have been improvement.

Secular Songs for the Lord

I was on my long drive to work a while back as I pondered the songs that we sing in church.  As I thought about them I began to feel really discouraged.  Most of the ones that I could think of focused more on me and what I get from God rather than simply praising and thanking Him for all He has done. 

Songs like Amazing Grace, I’ll Fly Away, and Victory in Jesus are all good, but they do little in the way of saying “thank you God” or “I love you, Lord.” 

I kept thinking about this as I stopped to get gas and something to eat for breakfast at the Pilot gas station off of exit 355.  It kind of got me in a bad mood as I kept thinking about how little pure praise goes on sometimes in my church.

 Then, as I stepped inside the gas station, I heard a familiar song being played….and I started to cry.  It was a secular song about a man’s love for a woman, but that didn’t matter as I turned the focus of it up to God. 

It was “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” by Rod Stewart.  The words described what I was feeling in my heart better than I could ever have.

“Have I told You lately that I love You?  Have I told You there’s no one else about You?  You fill my heart with gladness; take away all my sadness; ease my troubles, that’s what you do.”

True praise found in a secular song.  How great is that?

Little Blessings

It’s almost 11 pm and the house is finally quiet.  Kristy is asleep in her recliner with Cooking and Biscuist (our 2 chihuahuas) sleeping in her lap. 

I just took an opportunity to look at Noelle, Bradley, Jonathan, and Matthew as they lay slumbering in their beds, their bodies contorted in ways that we make me unable to walk for a week.

The house is not as clean as I would like, work has been tiring, the news is telling of devastating fires in California, and my left ankled is swollen and various shades of blue from twisting/spraining it this past Saturday.

But life is still good.  Not because there is a lack of suffering, but because there is an abudance of blessings.  I would start trying to count all of my blessings, but I have to go to bed soon.  I’m sure I wouldn’t have enough time.

Little Blessings from a Big God. 

He is Worthy of All Praise.

Heading Toward a November to Remember

I’m excited about our church’s “November to Remember” revival services.  We will be having services every Monday Night in November starting at 7 pm with some of the best preachers/pastors in the area.  Here’s the lineup

Nov. 5th, Dr. Hollie Miller, Sr. Pastor of Sevier Heights Baptist Church, Knoxville

Nov. 12th, Rev. Russ Cooper, Sr. Pastor of Watson Chapel Baptist Church, Madisonville

Nov. 19th, Dr. Ron Stewart, Sr. Pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Knoxville

Nov. 26th, Dr. Bobby Mullins, Sr. Pastor of Central Baptist Church, Oak Ridge

We will also be having special singing each night and everyone is invited.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY….

We can say that we want to have a good revival.  When we say this most of the time we mean we want good revival services.  True revival (people getting to where they need to be in their relationship with God) does not come because we schedule a series of services.  I believe true revival is a result of God’s people humbling themselves, praying, seeking God’s face, and turning from the old pattern of life (2 Chronicles 7:14).

We’ve been praying for true revival, not just for our church but for our community, our county, our state, our country, and our world.  Many Christians know the right words to say, but just a few back up the words with actions.  Loving our enemies, meeting needs, giving of ourselves in service,…..basically being like Jesus.

John the Baptist preached before Jesus began His earthly ministry that people needed to prepare the way of the Lord.  That is the message that I have been preaching to Cardiff Baptist Church.  We must prepare the way of the Lord so that He can bless and move in ways that we have not even thought of yet.

I believe that the best is yet to come.  Do you?

Judgement House

Holston Baptist Church’s Judgement House is in full swing.  The church is located in East Knox County on Andrew Johnson Highway.  My parents, brother, and brother’s family are members there.  If you are able to go, I highly reccoment it.  The remaining dates and times are 10/20, 10/25-27 from 7pm until ?.