Love God Love People

Some churches teach that all you need is a relationship with Jesus. We've even sung "He's all I need."

That is true regarding my salvation. Jesus, and Jesus alone, is my source of salvation. Jesus, however, said there are TWO great commandments. It would be difficult to call yourself a follower of Christ unless you live by both.

The first one is a bit easier than the second. We can't see God. He's easy to love from a distance. But, people? Now, that's a different story. We actually have to deal with their quirks (and our own) when we engage in relationships.

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
Luke 10:27

Can you say that you love God?

What about his people? Do you love them?

I Stll Get Nervous

You may not believe this, but I have always had stage fright. My first stage appearance was a month after I turned three years old. There I was being pushed onto the stage of my parents' little church to recite my Christmas poem - in a diaper! I will let you make up your own story about that, but you can believe what really happened was probably worse that what you imagine.

All through school, from first grade through college, I hated having to speak in front of an audience. Then, I went into ministry where I have stood before a congregation nearly every week for the past 32 years.

It doesn't matter if I'm speaking to a handful of people or thousands, I still get nervous if I am in a new environment. My hands grow numb and cold, my heart rate increases, I get short of breath, and feel like I could faint dead on the spot! Every time I feel that anxiety begin, I use it for an opportunity for prayer while reminding myself that it's not about me. I am weak, God is strong. I am insufficient, He is all-sufficient.

Yesterday, was one of those days. I was driving across town to speak at a Christian school's weekly chapel service. While researching the school a bit online, I had come across a statistic for South Carolina's private schools and found that I was on my way to speak at the state's largest private school (school's entrance is pictured above). I assure you that no pride rose up in me at that point, only fear. So, as I drove, I prayed asking God for peace in my heart and mind, for clarity of thought, and mostly that he would speak to the students through me. As I flipped on the radio hoping for some soothing Christian music, they were in the middle of a break from music and I had to endure several minutes of blah, blah, blah. This church is having the event, this other church wants you to come hear this singer, on and on.

Finally, a song came on, and tears came as Matthew West started singing a song that I had only vaguely heard before. Oh, I knew that catchy hook lines, but had never actually listened to the song all the way through. He sang,

You must, You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through
Well, forgive me, Forgive me if I'm wrong
But this looks like more than I can do on my own.

I couldn't believe they were playing what my heart was crying!

I know I'm not strong enough to be everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up, I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be strong enough, strong enough
For the both of us

Then I realized this wasn't just a "right now" song, this was really the song of my life. Matthew and my heart kept singing.

Cause I'm broken, down to nothing
But I'm still holding on to the one thing
You are God, and you are strong when I am weak

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be strong enough.

I suspect that the next time I stand in front of a new crowd, I will still feel weak and less than able. But, I'm ok with that. The only reason I am ever standing on two feet is because Jesus is holding me up. Works for me.

It Could Be Me

After you watch this video, you may be inspired to make a difference in someone's life. If so, let me know. I could use some help as we work in our city to help one person at a time change their destiny.

I'm Going to Die

Death is not a pleasant subject, but it’s one I have encountered a lot this week.  I am preparing for the graveside memorial service of a friend - the fourth memorial service I’ve attended this week. 

Let me share some observations I’ve made this week:

·         All funeral homes and mausoleums stink. You can dress them up with flowers or spray them down with insecticide, but they still stink.

·         In the Bible belt, church folk pull out their Sunday clothes and Sunday masks for funerals.  They’re often in shock when a real person speaks of real pain and has real questions.

·         Knowing your dead friend is “in a better place” doesn’t take the pain away.

·         There are people all around us with holes in their hearts and we don’t even know it.  I want to know it.

·         Don’t invite an angry preacher to speak at my funeral.

·         Don’t invite anyone who doesn’t know me or my family to speak at my funeral.

·         Don’t play a cd of your favorite song at my funeral.  I will come out of my casket and scare you if you choose any song about Grandma, or flowers, or a train, or a river.  If there’s going to be singing, I want to hear everybody sing something about how great God is and how much He has loved and changed me.  Great is Thy Faithfulness would be a good choice if you leave out the middle, fluffy verse.  Be sure to sing loud the parts about “Thy compassions, they fail not” and “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”

·         My belief in what Jesus taught about the afterlife is stronger than ever.

·         I am going to die.  I don't know when, I don't know how, I don't know where.  When I die none of what I’ve listed above will matter to me except the last one.

What about you?  Any thoughts on death recently?

Perfect People

Judy tells me this needs to be our theme song.  Yes, ma'am.



Transformation House