IT'S FOR THE KIDS

          

          God broke my pride, and in turn, he broke my heart. Every Thursday, my school allows a group to assemble known as the Bible Club. It's not school run, but instead is led by volunteers from the community, mostly pastors and youth ministers. The children choose to attend, and they sing songs and the guest talks about something related to Jesus.

          The enthusiasm I have at Bible Club has been at higher points in my life. For one, the songs are cheesy and the motions are worse. The kids come back to class and they are jacked up to where it's just not funny. In so few words, I dislike having Bible Club duty. There are times where I second guess many things the guest speaker says, criticizing the way he says things and how he does things.

          Alright, I have a bit of a critical spirit. I tend to lean towards the negative. I think that may be why my name is Paul, so that I can work toward being humble about these things. This Thursday, God hit me with something I hadn't realized before: the Bible Club isn't for me. It's purpose is not to grab my attention, to entertain me, to peak my curiosity for Jesus. In all it's cheesy glory, "It's for the kids." For some reason I hadn't grasped this notion before this point. As I looked from the middle-aged man doing hand motions to the kids around me my perspective immediately shifted. The kids were singing the songs, doing the motions, and generally enjoying themselves. Too often I chalk those things up to unnecessary and "extra" and forget that is how kids get engaged.

          I saw some of the worst kids in the school singing a song about Jesus and happily participating with silly hand motions and really getting into the dancing. Kids need to move. They need to play. And they need to know that faith isn't humdrum and boring. That there are times to dance, there are times to sing, there are times to be silly, goof around, and have a good time. I forget sometimes that kids need to be kids. My son is 2 and I keep wishing that he wasn't speaking in small sentences now, that he wasn't potty training, and that he was still a small baby I could rock and hold. That isn't happening. He is growing faster than I can imagine and I've got to give him the best opportunity to be a kid.

          Jesus spoke on several occasions about children and how much he treasures them, and how much of a treasure they are. I think it could be because at their core, children worship more freely than anyone else. When they love, they love with everything they have. When they are honest, they see past all screens, masks, and makeup to the very core of your soul (haha). They are unbounded by culture, tradition, and social cues until the day where we put our ideas into them, some good, some bad.

          I've got to be less selfish, this isn't about me. Honestly, nothing is about me. It's all about Jesus and I am just blessed if I get to participate. Once I was set right about this, I was able to smile and have joy at seeing those students having a good time. The Grinch-esque attitude had been wiped away and replaced with the simple understanding that Jesus is good, children can have joy and enjoy him, and that's all that need be. Thank God for moments like that.

I WANT A MEAL

          Set the scene: A small New Orleans-esque restaurant dimly lit and featuring specials particular to Creole food. A couple sits in the booth across from one another, staring into each other's eyes, thinking about the present and the future. Fast forward to Giordano's pizza in Chicago. A large group of teenagers and adults passing around thick, cheesy slices of Chicago's finest. Come to a stop at today, well actually tomorrow. Tomorrow night, the small group that meets at my house is having Thanksgiving dinner a little early. We will serve a traditional meal of turkey, with ham and dressing, there will be rolls and probably many sweets. Just talking about it makes me feel hungry. But I'm not hungry for the food...

          Food is good. I enjoy it and we spend a good amount of time eating or preparing to eat. We eat on the run, at the table, on the couch, at our desk, just about anywhere we can grab a bite. But food is not the point where a meal is concerned. When I say I want a meal, I want moments like those in that dimly lit restaurant, or Giordano's in Chicago, or what will be experienced tomorrow night.  A meal is more about relationships than anything else.

          Jesus often times shared a meal with his friends. We see this in several places in Scripture. He sat down with the Disciples, with the Pharisees, with tax collectors, and with prostitutes. It wasn't like the Pharisees had the best wine to serve and the tax collectors had the best meat. Jesus sat down with these people to tear down a wall that divided. A meal shared opens the door for conversation. A meal shared opens the door for new friendships. A meal shared opens the door to fix old relationships.

          Too often I'm on the run. Many times I eat it is in the car and it is McDonald's (which is my son's preference, 4 piece chicken nugget happy meal with no sauce and a chocolate milk). I miss meals, I long for meals in which I can sit down with my wife and son and just enjoy the time we have together. Maybe mealtime isn't important to you. Maybe it should be. Your son or daughter could have something they needed to tell you. Your husband or wife might need to see you besides "Good morning" and "Good night." After this current election, I'm not sure who really should have won, but I know that we need more time as family and friends, around a table, breaking bread together.

CAUGHT UP IN THE WHAT IFS

         

          The other day I was having a conversation with a good friend. Sometimes the topics are light and airy, while other times they are intense and challenging. This one was of the latter. I actually stepped into the conversation by accident; don't you love those situations. Hi, how is everyone? BAM. Theology and reasoning discussion opens up.
          The sticking point this particular time was, there are too many what ifs in Christianity to let go of and "follow" Jesus. The reasoning part of the brain forced them to engage their minds and try to sort/reason things out. The difficulty in that is that sometimes God doesn't line up with our formula of rationale. There are some times that God chose to do things in opposition to the culture. There were many times that God used the inferior people to carry out his plans.
          When I was in college I had this big deal about giants in the Bible. I wanted to know where they came from, where they went, and why some of them had six fingers and toes. Still unclear about that one. If you go to certain rural parts of our country, you might find people with six fingers and toes, but it's most likely akin to running into giants with a similar predicament; you are not going to be happy about the outcome. Anyway, for a while, my sole focus was on figuring out about those Anakim and Nephilim and whatever other names they had. You know what I found out? Squat. Specifically Jack Squat. There were some interesting webpages dedicated to it, but I was pretty sure they were not as reliable as Wikipedia.
          In all of that, I came to a conclusion: Giants were there, somewhere, but they weren't the center of the gospel. I also loved thinking about the Ark and the Plagues and the Creation and the Fall. Many brilliant minds have struggled with these stories for a LONG time. And many great men have died without their answers. Does God delight in keeping us in the dark? No! His main focus is for us to tell all the world about Jesus, not necessarily the six-fingered gargantuan than I'm just a little weirded out by.
          Men and women of great intellect have struggled over many aspects of the faith. There are just some hard things to forget about... And I don't think we should. Far too often Christians accept Jesus, get baptized, and then never struggle again in their lives. HUGE conflict with Scripture. Jesus did say that if you love me, the world will hate you. Jesus is polarizing. So, we should struggle sometimes. We need to mull things over in that great mass inside our heads. It could be healthy to delve into Scripture about something you are unsure of. Don't think you're a heretic because you don't have the answer, or are unsure of the answer.
         Believers have what ifs as well, and if they don't, there is some spiritual sickness somewhere. Having a hunger for the word can mean seeking to having your questions answered. Some may come to the conclusion that it cannot be answered and it becomes one of the many mysteries of God.
         The person I was talking to, and I have respect for them and the journey they have gone through, said that it was okay to be caught up in the what ifs, that's just where I am.
         I then said that many believers are caught up in the what ifs as well. What's neat is that God invites us to walk in faith with him, and to bring our what ifs along for the ride.
          For those of you scared to think about what ifs, don't be. Just know that God is bigger than the what ifs, that his plan extends beyond the what ifs, and it can be fun to walk in faith with the what ifs.

Manly Men Retreats | Stuff Christians Like – Jon Acuff

Manly Men Retreats | Stuff Christians Like – Jon Acuff

THE GREATEST AUTHOR

          Some may read this in interest because of my love of books. Who would I pick? J.K. Rowling, Tolkien, Lewis, Riordan, Collins, H.G. Well, Jules Verne? (but for the record, I can't pin it down just yet) There are countless authors who have created epic stories and characters which will resonate through our culture for many years to come. These stories have shaped generations of wide-eyed children seeking adventure in the midst of their humdrum, ordinary lives. I've always been interested in authors. When I read their work, I think about the process behind how the story came to be. How long did they think about this character's back story? How did they get all of the minute details exactly right?
          The answer I have come up with is this; authors know things about the characters that they themselves do not know, authors know things about the story that no one knows until the very end. It's how mysteries are mysteries; things are only revealed when the time is right.
          As with many of my posts, this one turns to the spiritual. Jesus is called the Author and Perfecter of our faith. This gets me excited because from what I know about authors, there are some weighty implications here. God, who exists in all time, has authored history. He has authored the future, and he has authored the end of the story. That final period that rests on the end of the page. What's wonderful is that God knows my character and my story better than I do. He created me as a unique character among a cast spanning all of human history.
          Your story is unique as well. All of our stories are. They may have similar settings, conflicts, climaxes, and resolutions, but the subtle nuances that many do not notice, God does. Because He put them there. I am not claiming at all that I understand fully how God works in situations and why some things are done the way they are, but I do feel that God is a brilliant author who has penned the greatest stories ever to be written.
          Hey, it may be cheesy, it may even sound silly, but my favorite author is THE author, and I am able to visit the meaningful and intentional stories that he has written daily in the bible.
          Most times, the stories are of mistakes the characters have made, or of instances in which the author gets involved in the story (where else can you find that). Stories aren't always clean; stories are most times messy, it's why we have a part of story called conflict. But it's in those messy times that God does His greatest work.
          I'm a bookworm and will always be one, but that is the story God has penned for me. One of an imperfect person striving to be like a perfect Jesus.

FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS IS EASY

          Some things are just simple; you are hungry so you eat a sandwich, you are sleepy so you take a nap, or you are bored so you check out what's not happening on Facebook. But there are other things that are just not that simple. They seem to really throw a wrench in your routine and you just aren't sure what to do about them. You scratch your head, take a step back, phone a friend, talk to the preacher, but you still aren't really sure what to do. 

          I had an experience similar to this last week. It wasn't a call-your-pastor moment, but I did need guidance. I was working in a ladies house and she wanted me to change some electrical switches out. Easy, right? Well, typically it's not that difficult, for someone who is savvy with electrical work. Painting, sheetrock, plumbing, I can deal with, but electrical has never really been an area I've spent alot of time in. Can I maneuver around the basics? Sure. I accepted the challenge, thinking that this would be one of the easiest parts of the job.

          3 trips to Lowes, 100 trips to the circuit breaker, and alot of Google research later, I finally finished changing out the switches. There was a key lesson I learned while doing this; follow the directions, regardless of how you feel about them.

          When I pulled the old switches out and replaced them with the new switches, the lights didn't respond correctly. I looked up the diagrams for the particular configurations of the switches, and they did not match up to what I was seeing in the boxes. At first, and for a long time, I tried to reconcile the new switches with the old way of wiring. It simply would not work. So, swallowing my pride and alot of my confidence, I followed the diagrams exactly. This flew in the face of reason because the original switches were wired differently. This "new" way was throwing me off. But once I submitted to that plan, all of the switches worked correctly and I received a job well done.

           There are countless debates over the bible right now. Things about Creation, abortion, homosexuality, marriage, divorce, children, elderly, leaders, servants, disciples, reprobates, and the list goes on and on. We sit in churches and classrooms and talk about these things day in and day out, most of the time leaving more confused than when we arrived. 

          If there is one thing that I learned from my electrical experience it was this; no matter how odd the instructions are, and no matter how much they fly in the face of the way things have always been, we are called to live by them. The end result is a follower of Jesus who still may not fully understand everything (which it's okay not to) and stands firm in what he does believe.

          "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path, and I will hide its words in my heart, that I might not sin against God." 

          God is polarizing. No, he doesn't make things magnetic, or decide where Santa Claus lives, but he does cause people to make a choice. He very clearly states what He is about in His word, and that forces people, at some time or another, to make a choice about Him. What is difficult about walking with Jesus is when we are asked to go against our longstanding traditions of pride and self-entitlement to become servants of others. That's much harder than baking your neighbor an apple pie. But it's worth it, oh my, is it worth it. 

          There is simplicity in following Jesus that many find too simple and so we complicate it. Like me trying to reconcile the old wiring with the new, we cannot force our old ways, thoughts, behaviors, and actions to mesh with Jesus. It just doesn't work.

          "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”

I NO LONGER BELIEVE IN THE MOMENT OF WEAKNESS

          There are times that I will try to adopt a new way of thinking. Typically it is not a spiritual conviction so much as a social inclination for popularity or coolness. For a while I thought I would look great if I just bought v-neck shirts and wore them exclusively. Farther back I thought that only wearing Converse shoes would make me different. Even farther still, I believed that my eclectic taste in literature would set me apart. All these things are live-and-learn situations. No, my book taste doesn't matter, no Converse didn't make me cooler, and no, v-neck shirts do not make me look great.
          But there are also times in which this funny thing happens that people call epiphanies or revelations. While driving to work this morning, I had one of those. In a moment of confession I realized; there is no such thing as a moment of weakness. This phrasing is used extensively to describe when men slip off their wedding bands after having a few drinks, or when a girl says yes when she should say no, or when we indulge in drink and food to the point of being miserable.
          I no longer believe in this phenomena for one main reason: these "moments" are not isolated vignettes in life, but merely the pinnacle, or better yet, the ravine that we ourselves have been climbing into. I firmly believe that the out-of-control lifestyles and the face-first-in-the-mud moments take time to happen. You don't just wake up one day and decide to cheat on your wife. You don't just snap and start shooting people. There is a chain of events in each case that lead up to that "moment". For example. As a man there are many temptations around that deal with my pride. Some of these are sexual, some of them are not. But any of them that are allowed an audience in my mind or heart will begin to chip away at my resolve, little by little, piece by piece until the day when I no longer have a resistance to that and give in.
          The enemy understands that the battleground for our spirit is not going to be quick; otherwise he would voraciously attack until we gave in. 1 peter 5:8 says that he roams, seeking those whom he would devour. We think Satan is dumb; he isn't. One of his tactics is to slowly take away what we call our witness until what is left is a shell of a person who has no strength left to fight and therefore exits the battle.
          We are quick to point at someone and say, "How in the world could they have done such a thing?" when we really have no idea what they have gone through. My perception of others is focused through my lens, my understandings, my backgrounds, my convictions, my quirks and traits. Your lens may have different filters and so might the next guy. Just remember that the "moment of weakness" isn't just one moment, but several events and possibly a lifetime of being slowly worn down to the point of breaking.
          Think about Jesus in the wilderness. Satan didn't quickly attack and leave, he worked on Jesus for 40 days and nights. What resolve Jesus had! What strength he showed! What an example he left for us! What hope he shares with us! If you've fallen as a result of life, or whatever, know there is hope, know there is forgiveness, know there is strength to be found in connection with the Holy Spirit.
         

[insert idol here]

          I'm going to admit this. Today, on my way home from school, Justin Beiber came on the radio. His new song is I believe called, "As Long As You Love Me". It's pretty typical of a poppy love song, catchy tune and lyrics. I am not sure whether it was in a burst of depression that I was listening to this with my windows rolled down, or that I had a sort of epiphany, but my mind jumped to a very solid thought; we all worship.
          Christians do it differently than Muslims, Jews do it differently than Buddhists, Sikhs do it differently than Jehovah's Witness, and Mormons do it differently than Atheists. Yep, even those who don't believe in a god worship. Man has, at the center of his being/heart/spirit/central nervous system, the longing to fixate on something. For some it is "love" in the Justin Beiber sense. For others it's the allure of pleasure; whether it be sex, drugs, or alcohol. For others still it's the draw of power, of fame, of glory.
          Most people won't call it worship because that is a sacrilegious way to think of things. But take the concept of worship and just replace God with your particular thing. I give my money to _____, I spend my time with/for ____, I love ____. Take most love songs, remove the sexual tension from the music, and replace the words focused for a man or woman with God or Jesus and you have a worship song. We worship one another, we worship fame, wealth, health, pleasure, and some even worship pain.
          We are all worshipers, designed to fixate on our Creator in our heart of hearts, giving Him all the glory, all the praise, all the songs, all of us. But being broken at the garden, our hearts have that perpetually discussed vacuum that attempts to force a square peg into a round hole; it just doesn't fit and can't fill the void. I go beyond the design concept in that some stop at gender and roles when thinking about God creating us. He also created hearts that burn to know Him. Our hearts have been tainted by the world, all the while being drawn away from the loving God that created us. We set out in a desert of hopelessness trying to accomplish something ourselves that we could never do.
          But there is hope. The hope that lies within Jesus. We can become those true worshipers we were meant to be through the salvation of Jesus. We all worship, we all praise, we all tithe, we all give. The condition of our hearts decide if a lifeless idol with deaf ears and blind eyes receives our offering, or the God who designed our hearts to worship in the first place.

BLUE LIKE JAZZ:MOVIE

          I assure any readers that this blog is not turning into a movie review. It's just that recently the movies I have watched have rung true to things happening in my life or in the world around me. A recent incarnation of the book, Blue Like Jazz, into a movie has caused me to scratch my head and think. I've read the book, but it has been a while. I've watched the movie, it's been about 30 minutes. There are a few things that I noticed throughout the movie that were very interesting.
*If you plan on watching the movie, there may be spoilers below.
           Donny, the main character, has moved to Reed College to escape life in Texas. Many who grow up in small towns wish to "escape" the environment they have always been in. There are many wild nights for Donny as he begins his freshman year, but one person he meets is unique; her name is Penny and she persuades him to not drink the water. In the first picture above, where the two characters are near a gravestone, Donny begins to seek answers about Penny's life. We get this little vignette into Penny's life that later turns into the point at which Penny is able to open up about herself for the first time. Honestly, the more Donny learns about Penny, the more Donny shuts his own life and history down. Most of the movie is Donny's journey from clean-cut Southern Baptist, to shabby liberal college attendee. Donny loses himself for much of the movie but Penny's convictions seem to shake something awake in Donny that had lain dormant for a while.
          Towards the end, Donny takes the throne as the new "pope" of Reed College, meaning he headed up the anti-religious movement on campus. Also at a festival held each year, the pope would take confession from students for their sins and forgive them. Totally sacreligious I know, but Donny's recent jolt back into his faith leads him to put a spin on the tradition.
          As the pope, he welcomes the first confessor into the confessional, the former "pope". Donny had picked up that this guy had been molested as a child by a priest, therefore his hatred of all things religious. Donny apologizes for all the bad stuff that happened to him, and then proceeds to apologize for how he didn't represent Jesus well. The movie ends with a new confessor entering the booth and saying,"I have a confession", to which Donny replies,"No, let me go first."

Spoilers end
          I believe there are many great ideas in this movie. One being that when our faith is placed in and around the company of nonbelievers or atheists, there are definite challenges. Don't ever overestimate how strong you are. We are influenced in big and small ways, most of the times the little things pile up and knock us over and we are left wondering what happened. The second thing is that I think we should be more open and honest about our sin. Too many people see Christians as perfectionists and not followers. We are seen as "whitewashed tombs" as Jesus stated. Our outsides look  slightly different than the nonbeliever, but our insides are no different. Yet we try to hide this, WHY? God is working on us to the end, as Paul says in Philippians. We have faults, shortcomings, and mishaps just like everyone else. We repent, God forgives, and we continue to ask the Spirit to refine and shape us into the image of Christ.
          I enjoyed this movie and feel that some who would not normally watch a movie like Courageous, or Facing the Giants, or Veggie Tales, or whatever the newest Christian flick is, would watch Blue Like Jazz because it's relatable to the culture of today. For us to make a difference, we have to own up to some of our crazy. We have to deal with the tough issues from a biblical, not a visceral, point of view. We have to reach out the hand of mercy and grace to those who are seeking it through the questions they ask, the debates they get entangled in, and the viewpoints they hold.

NEW TIME AT EJE

          With school being in for about two weeks now, I want to share about how it has been. First, I have been shocked daily with how good kids are, how discipline actually works, and how positive a school environment can be. I am at East Jones Elementary School working as a special education assistant. This is one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever done. Each time I sit with a child, I get to challenge them and see them rise to the challenge. There is something in that when you are able to invest in someone and to see a return. My presence has a dual purpose; I am mainly there to educate students, but I am also there to live as an example. You see, alot of kids, no matter what district, do not come from homes that are supportive, loving, or represent Christ well. 

          I've known this for a long time, but it is really apparent when you get to work and listen to the kids themselves. They have an honesty that is unparalleled, sometimes wonderfully refreshing, sometimes frightfully revealing. There are many Scriptures that deal with children and I must say that the implications for investing in children are huge. Jesus speaks about mistreating and misguiding children and the Proverbs speak about training children up in the knowledge of God. 

          Society devalues the role of the teacher. I'm a parent and a teacher, and I know that nothing can replace the role of the parent for a child, but when the parent isn't a good model, the child needs someone to look up to. My wife has been teaching for 4 years and the students that remember her best are the ones she used to get onto the most. They needed her motherly way to guide and direct them. She genuinely cares about her students, pushes them to succeed, and corrects them when they step out of line. Some she works on more than others, and those students will remember her forever. Teachers have a huge impact on students and are necessary as societal figures.

          This is part of the reason that the issue with the Jones County board of supervisors bothers me so much. Each person that is employed by the district plays a key role; whether it be custodian, bus driver, principal, assistant, counselor, secretary, or regular ed teacher. There are future (fill in the blank) in each and every classroom. Children have the most potential out of anything in this world. They are moldable and teachable. This is why Scripture tells us to, "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." If we let them know how important faith in Jesus is, then they will pick up on it to. 

          I am honored to be doing what I do. If you have children, or if you don't have children, be active in some child's life. They need you desperately to show them a godly example for living. 

          I recall an old song, "be careful little eyes what you see... be careful little ears what you hear." It's not fair to warn children of the danger of adults. If anything, that song is cautionary for those who spend time in education. A child will absorb alot of what you say and how you feel about things. Even if you aren't in education, you can touch the life of a child. One of my big prayers this year is to make an impact on the students that I have been entrusted with. If that is what I accomplish, then I do believe I have done right. Push beyond a social interaction with students to something more. Show them you care. 

WE BOUGHT A ZOO

          Do you ever watch a movie or read a book and then begin to notice those elements everywhere? No. Just me? I went to a Centrifuge camp as a middle schooler and remember the drama team using the word conglomerate in a game. I had never heard this word before and just assumed I would never hear it again. But the funny thing was, when I got home, this word began to pop up everywhere. Did the stars align and this word become popular? Nope. But I did start to notice the word alot more.

          I recently finished reading Wild at Heart, which is a great book on biblical masculinity, and the main ideas and themes are still vivid in my mind. Tuesday we rented We Bought A Zoo, and Friday night we sat down to watch it. What a great movie! I was drawn in and kept there through the whole film. But I'm not here to do a movie review. I'm here to connect the book I just finished to the movie I just watched. I feel as though God works that way sometimes.

          In WBAZ, the father and son are at odds. The father can't figure it out and they get into it one night. There is about 5 minutes of yelling and screaming at one another, and then they go to bed. The next day, the son approaches the father, they have a heart to heart, and their relationship completely changes. The son goes from dark and depressed to caring and passionate. What happened there?

          If you aren't careful, you will missed what they slipped into the movie. The father had neglected the son for so long, there was alot of pent up frustrations on both sides. The son's hurts needed to be recognized by his father, and the father needed to let his son know that he cared. Once this happened, albeit through the vehicle of a screaming match, their relationship was affirmed. The next morning, the son approached the father for advice about life. Never had this happened before. The father had bestowed masculinity onto his son. He was the only one that could do it. Once that happened, a young man was released. He was now able to pursue adventure, and the beauty.

          I wanted to rewind this moment again and again to see the connection point for dad and son. Dads are important. Real men who stand in the gap are needed. We don't need safety, we don't need the sure thing, we need men who will take the risk for the heart of his family and for his own heart. That's what I feel Benjamin Mee did for his family. Huge risk, huge payoff. God challenges us to push beyond what we know until we reach the unknown, and then trust God for what happens next.

ADAM AND LILY TREST

          I didn't get an actual picture, but if you saw something similar this evening near Pinehurst Park, then you know what I am talking about. It was strange. One of the strangest things I have ever seen in my life. It looked like an oil spill in the sky. Or more appropriately, it looked like some of Adam's paints had been poured out. These are iridescent clouds and are a pretty uncommon occurrence. I am not exactly sure what it meant, but it felt as though this day, and their marriage was blessed. Take that how you will and let it rest where you think it should, but two special people got married today. Two people who are their own, who love God, and came together to share in the journey.
          The pastor began the ceremony talking about Adam and Lily, how they are entering into their own fairy tale and the pages are blank. How their two separate stories end and as one they begin a new story together. He gave them an empty moleskine notebook to write or illustrate their own fairy tale. They will begin a new story today that will continue throughout their time together here on earth. Anytime I attend a wedding I think about God's idea of marriage, my marriage, and if I will get any cake at the reception.
          I guess I will make mention of the Chick-Fil-A situation that has been in the news lately. The company holds to marriage as one man one woman, as stated in the Bible. We are allowed freedom of speech and freedom of expression, the last time I checked. As to whether or not they make a claim to hate gay people, I am unsure. If that's the case then they are wrong, dead wrong. I was shocked to hear of a small church that gave grief to a black couple and would not allow them to get married in their church. What? Confused. That's just backwoods ignorance. One thing I am not confused about; God's definition of marriage.
          Next on the list is my marriage. Many things run through my mind; current state of our union, our wedding, anniversary, and the list goes on. Weddings challenge me, to be honest. I don't want to have a lifeless marriage, I want to know who my wife is, what she needs, and be able to help her when she hurts. That is all a part of being a husband. There are some definite challenges to marriage, but knowing your spouse on that intimate level adds a depth that nothing in this world can imitate or replace. God calls those who are married to much more than just bearing living together.
          Today I was witness to two great people getting married. The ceremony was special, sweet, and intimate. The reception was full of joy, great food, and great cake. And now I am home with my son and wife on the couch, hoping and praying for Mr. and Mrs. Adam Trest as they begin the journey, the fairy tale, and begin filling the pages of their lives together. Congratulations and God bless Adam and Lily!

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

          The title for this post is misleading. I am not talking about a bad time in my life, but actually a good one. This was the only phrase that I could think of that could somewhat accurately grasp what is happening in my life right now. Since May, I have technically been out of a job. My contract went through the summer, but the end goal was a new teaching position for the 2012-2013 school year. All summer I would dress to the nines, go to meet principals, talk to secretaries, fill out applications, and ask everyone I knew, "Do you know of anything?".
          Those who are familiar with the job hunt know the routine. For roughly 3 months, this has been a central part of my life. When the central part of your life is filled with disappointments, it's really hard to stay positive, trust God, and hope for the best. 
          I began to realize this about 3 weeks ago. I had gotten to a point of despair, feeling dragged around by job possibilities and responsibilities as a husband and a father. I really felt like the man that is tossed by every wind and wave of indecision. So, I did the only thing I knew; I picked a book of the Bible, a book off my shelf, and began to go through a time of devotion and study.
          Nehemiah was the book of the Bible I chose, and Wild at Heart by John Eldredge, was the book off my shelf. I wasn't prepared for what happened. I wasn't quite ready for the truths that God was revealing to me through both works. A peace that Paul talks about in Philippians began to take me over and I no longer worried about jobs and money. Read what Paul writes below:

           Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:4-7 ESV)

          Rejoice in the Lord, first and foremost. Why? Because He is taking care of it. As you stress and worry, he is weaving and working His plan out in your life. Just submit to that idea. The time I spent (and am still spending) in study and devotion have really focused my mind towards God and away from the stresses and worries of life.

          I'm not a believer in mysticism or magic words, but when you are obedient to God, things happen. The job situation I stressed about all summer? It is now resolved, not in my own idea or way, but in God's way and His time. I cannot put into words how these things came about except that God has orchestrated it all according to His plan. We are the ones making it difficult on ourselves. 

         

Crazy, Stupid Love

          Tonight, Sara and I watched Crazy, Stupid Love. A really good movie. Not to be watched around the kids, but a good movie nonetheless. The whole plot revolves around a marriage in trouble. Without giving away too many details, I want to explore one theme that ran throughout the whole movie.
          In our culture, 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. This is tragic. Coming from a biblical perspective of marriage being a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman before God, there is something amiss that our country, with In God We Trust as our motto, has such a high statistic. Other countries see marriage as a contract, as a commitment, that both partners commit to for life. This doesn't necessarily mean love, but their divorce rates are lower. When we look at love as an abstract, arbitrary thing that is fleeting, then we lose the bid idea.
          The main theme found in Crazy, Stupid Love was that true love, soul mates, are worth fighting for. That you never stop fighting for your soulmate. The main character got to a point in his life where he no longer fought for the love of his wife. Many guys see marriage as the kill shot and then the hunt is over.
          I say nay, nay, the hunt has just begun. Love is a commitment, and sometimes you don't feel the huggy, lovey, butterfly moments. In the movie, the male lead addressed his wife to a crowd. He said he loved her when they first met, when they had their first child; he loved her when he HATED her, and he would love her even if it didn't work out. He professed a working definition of the love that we should have in marriage.
          I love my wife. She is a wonderful woman who loves her family and for some reason, loves me. But there are times, very few times, when our attitudes clash or we catch one another in the wrong moment. Am I feeling the same feelings that I had when we were first dating? Probably not. But my commitment to God to preserve and nurture our marriage is stronger than a fickle, fleeting emotion brought on by circumstances.
          *If your relationships fail, if your marriage sucks, then you need to take a step back and examine yourself first. I always default to this action; look at myself in a mirror first to shed light on what my problems are. I can't really ask my spouse to change if I am in sin.
          Marriage and relationships make sense according to how God ordained them to be. When God is removed as the establisher and initiator, those types of relationships become fluid and feeble. Crazy, Stupid Love had a good idea with saying that your true love is worth fighting for, but make sure you understand exactly what you are fighting for.
          Take a moment to read Song of Songs and Ephesians 5:22-33. There are some great things to inspire and instruct about relationships and marriage.

I HAD TO LISTEN WELL

          Do you see this? This is a lot of money saved. Monday morning, Sara and I were getting ready for the day. She was brushing her teeth and I was getting Ben dressed, when the water abruptly turned off. I assumed the city was working on the line somewhere. It happens. We finished getting dressed, went downstairs, and had a city worker knock on my door. Scared the daylights out of Sara because no one just comes up to the house. Once I opened the door, he informed me that I had a leak and that I had to get it fixed by a plumber before the city would turn my water back on. 

          Did I mention that at 2 I had a job interview? Getting ready for the day  meant wearing my good clothes. You know, what most people refer to as Sunday clothes. So, I first called the city of Laurel to make sure I didn't have to have a licensed plumber to do the repair. Check. Then, I got some old clothes on, one of Ben's blue sand pails with a pink shovel, and proceeded to the meter to discover where my leak was. Check. 

         The leak really wasn't that bad, so all in all the repair cost about $30. A while back, someone told me that a plumber's going rate was about $40 an hour. An hour? I could not have done that at all. There is someone I can thank for sharing with me how to fix things, and that is my father. Philip Leslie Anderson Sr. spent many hours teaching me how to hang sheetrock, paint walls, weld, build, plant, harvest, plumb, construct, and for that I am grateful.

          There is a going trend for young people (20s and below) to ignore and even refute the wisdom and teachings of those older than them. It may not be intentional, but surely prideful. Stroll through Proverbs and you will see verses such as, "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old." Also, "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." 

          I have been guilty of this myself. "Why are they telling me what to do? What right is it of theirs to give me advice? They are just old and dumb. Things are different now." The sad thing is, when I reflect back on the situation, they are right. Would we be ahead as a society if we took what the generation before knew and applied it? If we learned from their mistakes? If we learned from their successes? Israel never seemed to get this. Wandering for 40 years in the wilderness was a result of indiscretions made by the older generation. Did the younger generation learn? Nope. Not long after Joshua became leader, Achan stole things devoted to God. 

          Scripture speaks of listening to wisdom, of seeking wise counsel, and I feel that sometimes people the same age as me just cannot offer the wisdom of the ages. Sometimes, I need to go to someone older and wiser than me. Sometimes I need to push down my pride (because I graduated and went to college) and listen to those who have learned, not from a book, but from life. Those are the answers we seek, those are the questions we long to have answered.

          So, find an older person, dad, mom, neighbor, grandpa, great aunt, uncle, professor, deacon, regular at the coffee shop, and sit down with them. You would be amazed at some of the places they have been, some of the things they have seen, and some of the wisdom they can impart. 

          

SUIT UP: HE CALLED ME MICKEY MOUSE

      
The reason Neil Patrick Harris is here is because he plays a character on How I Met Your Mother who enjoys playing laser tag. Barney Stinson says to suit up, and even wears a suit while playing laser tag. That being my lead-in today, here we go.   
         Today was one of those days in which a deep part of my character was revealed; I don't like being picked on or at. I'm 24, almost 25, and this is still a problem? Yes, and it gets worse. Much worse I am afraid.
          Sara decided that we should play Space Tag in Ellisville with her brother and our niece and nephew. In addition to them, there was also a birthday party there to join in with. And there was a little boy in a Star Wars costume, just by himself. Once it was our time to play, we all gathered in the debriefing room for an employee to give us a break down of the rules. About mid-way through, Star Wars kid yells, "We've already heard this." I immediately follow with a shhh and decide I don't like this kid. He is loud and needs to know his role.
          Once the lady finished explaining the rules, we chose sides and fortunately, Star Wars kid was on the opposite team. We were led into the next room to get our vests and guns, and I was on the blue team. When I walked in, I grabbed the nearest vest and put it on. Star Wars kid singles me out. "You're going down." he says. "I doubt it," I shoot back. He then grabs my gun, twists it to where he can see it, and says, "Haha, you're Mickey Mouse." My target was selected. Star Wars kid was singled out. Needless to say my gameplay had a rather tunnel vision feel to it. Where was the Star Wars kid, how many times have I shot him, how many times has he shot me? At the end of the round, I felt I had accomplished alot.
          When I think back to this kid that grated on my nerves, I realize that I could have responded better. Maybe he didn't have a great home life and acted out for attention. Maybe he lacked friends and was trying to force a friendship, maybe he just wanted someone to notice him. But instead, I quickly became irritated and put up a shallow wall of sarcasm that kept me from potentially sharing the gospel with this kid.
          This made me reflect on my time at Mount Olive. Many of my kids were behavior problems and most times I would shut them out before they had a chance to even get started. It's really easy to talk to the people who are enjoyable to talk to, but it's really difficult when the person is a challenge:

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

(Luke 6:32-36 ESV)

          Ah! Why does Scripture hit us in the face like that? We don't get a pass on our enemies, or the people we don't like. It's just not there. Do you think Jesus liked some of the people he was around? Maybe not, but he did treat them right. He did give them attention and address their needs.

          Whew, we are called to a great thing. Many do not understand this, but it's not easy to practice what Jesus did. It's easy to say it, but not to practice it. I hope for the people who hate their enemies and seek wrongdoing on those who offend them, that they would allow the truth of the Word to penetrate their hearts and be convicted about the ways they are acting. 

          So, Star Wars kid. I could have really impacted his life, instead I only focused on impacting my laser beam into his vest. We are called to something higher than ourselves, to put away selfishness for selflessness. Christ lived the example, we've got to simply take it seriously. 

AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE

        
          If you have seen this picture, it was and probably still is, hanging somewhere in your nana's house. The cross-stitching may or may not have been better than this, but the focal point was always the last portion of Joshua 24:15.
         
          I was recently reading through the book of Joshua, thinking about his influence as a leader, and some of the other men and women that God used during that time. God was moving big for the purpose of fulfilling a promise he made to Abraham many years before. A promise to make his descendants as many as the stars in the sky and the sand in the desert, even when Abraham's wife was barren and old. It was a time during which Israel seemed unstoppable, their army tearing through all opposition. After many wars and conquests, Joshua led the people to the Promised Land that God promised them. Joshua apportioned the land to each tribe, and then gave his farewell speech.

          Joshua reminded the people of what God had done since His presence came down on the nation of Israel. How He chose Abram (Abraham) to be His man. How Jacob and his family were led into Egypt for so many years, eventually becoming slaves. How Moses led the enslaved nation out of bondage. How they crossed the Red Sea. How they defeated so many others. God's presence was big for Israel, yet Joshua still chose to say this.

                   “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the  gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

(Joshua 24:14-15 ESV)

          We commonly only see that last snippet hung in frames over mantels and above doorways in houses. We commonly misunderstand the intent. Joshua was giving them an ultimatum: you either worship the gods of the river that your fathers worshiped, or you worship Jehovah God. There was no debating, no critical thinking, just people deciding who they would follow. Some people do not see this so easily. It's not simply a matter of God or Satan. Today, it's typically God or Science, God or Reason, God or Logic, God or Self. But I simply see it this way; will you serve God or Science, God or Reason, God or Logic, God or Self? 

          

          That is what it all boils down to. We wrestle with God like He is a being to be wrestled with. Does anyone remember God on the mountain in Exodus? Does anyone remember God in response to Job? Does anyone remember God's love come to Earth and handed over for execution? I'm not per se scared of God in a frightful boogie-monster way, but I fear God because I am small. I fear God because He is good, and I am not, and He has the right to enact justice on me. I love God because I am small and He is big. I love God because He is good and I am not, and He does have the right to enact justice on me. Yet through Jesus I avoid what I have deserved. Grace...

         

          "As for me and my house" is not a bumper sticker term for me. It's the understanding that I choose God over all the other gods of this earth. I serve Him because He is worthy of being served. That is all. Let it be.

PRIDE IS BIG

I've always heard that "pride goeth before the fall". In college, a professor corrected all of the wrongly taught Southern Baptist children and directed us to Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Falling and destruction are a little different I do believe. Ironically, he was being prideful about his knowledge of this bit of Scripture. It seems funny to me that when pride rises up in a person, they very rarely see it as such.
          I need to share a story about two people, but I will respect their privacy and rename them. My story is about Billy and Jeff. These two guys have known each other for a long time, and really understand each other. So, Jeff decided he wanted to get a different job. This job would take him halfway around the world, away from his family, friends, and any known environment he had ever been in. Billy, his friend, told him that he might get homesick and regret this decision. Jeff decided Billy was a butthead and went anyway. Two weeks later, Jeff got a job putting in vending machines. He doesn't talk to Billy anymore.
          What's the moral of this story? Billy was speaking truth to Jeff, but Jeff didn't want to hear it. So, he did what he wanted to anyway, haughty spirit before a fall, and wound up in a different place, not talking to his friend anymore. Why? Because his pride was hurt. His buddy was right and he hated it. Instead of admitting Billy was right, Jeff hardened his heart and ignored him.
          Pride can be a very ugly thing because it deals with how we view our selves. If anything directly affects us personally, then pride steps in to challenge and set self as the king on the throne. Jeff felt like Billy questioned his manliness by saying he couldn't handle the new job. Billy was just trying to give his friend some good advice. Care must be taken when dealing with pride. Pride raises you up above everything else: it could be in relation to your intellect, work ethic, clean record, or notoriety. Regardless, God never intended for you or I to be the center of attention. We are not in the spotlight, but are rather the clowns that everyone laughs at because they are silly and foolish.
          Humility is hard. If God has granted you a natural physical talent; singing, dancing, athletics, academics, or arts, then it is easy to ride the wave of self and raise yourself above others. It is much harder to lay that aside and allow others to use their gifts. But, we are daily called to die to the flesh, deny ourselves, and follow Christ.
          We play with Scripture like a child plays with matches. Intrigued by its flame, but really unaware of the power that lies within. Where the analogy breaks down is flames cause destruction that devastates, while Scripture causes destruction that restores.

GO TIL IT HURTS

          Do you see the blue guy in this picture? The one playing catcher. That is my nephew, Jackson Earl Fortenberry. Saturday, Sara, myself, and Ben traveled to McComb, MS to watch him play. Can I tell you that after going to Atlanta for 4 days I really did not want to go across Mississippi? Least of all for a baseball game. Now, before I draw fire from anyone, let me explain.

          There are things that we begrudgingly do. It may be visiting a mean uncle, or going to all of your little cousin's games and recitals, or hanging out with people that aren't your closest friends. Some people enjoy these things, granted, but for argument sake, this is the list. From an overall perspective, it is very easy to turn  away from these things and just have a bad attitude (which I am guilty of). But when I look closer at the situation, especially my nephew Jackson's ballgame, I realize that, like most things, it's not about me or how I feel. 

          Earlier that week, Jackson's dad, my brother-in-law, had to be admitted to the hospital. He stayed in the hospital for several days and was actually in the hospital at the time of this game. What Jackson needed most then was for people from his family to be there to support him. His grandmother and grandfather were there, along with his sister, and cousin, and 2 aunts and uncles. This helped him "keep his chin up" to play his best during the game, because whether we admit it or not, we look for the approval and watchful eye of others. Ultimately, our approval should be derived from God, not man, but I don't think an "atta boy" every now and again is bad.

          I think about Paul in writing to the church at Thessalonica, he wasn't able to be there at the time, so he sent Timothy on to give them a letter and see how they were doing. Timothy may not have been the exact person they wanted to see, but Paul's letter of admonition and encouragement probably lifted their spirits a good deal. 

          So, when you have to attend that event, visit that person, or do anything that you might not be super hyped about, think not of yourself, but think of others. Philippians 2:3-4 speaks of thinking about others, what they are going through, what they might need, and that Jesus Himself had this mindset, especially when He went to the cross on our behalf. 

"Do  nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves, and look out not for your own personal interests, but also the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourself which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, being made in the likeness of man. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

          Jesus set the ultimate example by putting his own interests aside and following through with God's plan. For Him it meant death on a cross, for us it could mean being supportive, showing up, talking to others, changing our plans. I definitely think we got the easy end of the deal. Be there for others, you just don't know how much they  might need it.

IT'S NOT A TRIP UNTIL SOMEONE GETS ARRESTED

          Today was our last day in Atlanta, and wow was it packed. We went to White Water Atlanta, The Varsity, and to see the new Spiderman movie. Full day, I would say so. There was a small bump in the road that occured in the morning at White Water Atlanta, that potentially could have derailed the entire day.
          Earlier, before we left the hotel, Ryan had us all turn to John 13 and read the account of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. (There was something I observed while reading this passage this morning. Jesus was about to return to God, sit at His right hand in glory, yet he chose to spend some of His final hours on Earth serving and washing other's feet. He also said this was an example for his disciples to follow and they were not above any type of service. If the High King of Heaven stooped down and washed feet, then I can surely find some people to serve). 
           He asked us to think about ways we could serve today, or to find someone to serve. A couple of youth said they could serve by helping around at the water park when people needed it. Good responses. Because we had a few students to back out of the trip, there were 4 extra tickets to the water park. Ryan figured this would be an awesome way to bless a family.
          When we got to the park, we were all hyped up about giving the tickets away, and riding the water slides. Before you can enter the park, there are two security guards posted to check bags. So, we thought to catch a family before they entered. Our first few attempts were unsuccessful because alot of people had season passes or had already purchased their tickets. Trying not to get bummed out, we tried harder. After several minutes, there was a family who accepted our offer of FREE water park tickets, when all of a sudden, one of the security guards came up to us.
"Sir, this is illegal, this is scalping. I have called my supervisor and your group needs to wait right here."

"Ma'am, we are a church group who has too many tickets. We are just trying to give them away."

"It doesn't matter, that is scalping and it is against the law. Just wait right here."

Uhhhhhhhh. So we waited. Sara broke out her phone and looked for the legal definition of scalping, while I searched the tickets we had. 1000 dollar fine and up to 90 days in jail, great youth trip CrossPointe. But, only the resale of tickets is considered scalping. After about ten minutes of calming my wife and Ryan, the supervisor came out to speak with the security guard. The supervisor quickly told the security guard that they were our tickets and as long as we didn't trade money for them, we could do as we wish. Wow, glad to know that.
          Once this was settled, we found a different nice family to give the tickets to, (they made the other family go into the park), and we had a fine day. All of that to say this; serving, being nice, being kind, can sometimes run you into awkward and frustrating situations. But it's what we are called to do. If serving was convenient or easy, everyone would do it. But it's not. Jesus calls us to look past overzealous security guards to a family that needed a blessing. Maybe they didn't think too much about it, but maybe they did. That simple, "We want to bless you today with these tickets, have a great day, God bless." may mean something to them.
          In one of the lines for a ride, Lindsay T and Summer D. suggested we play a game. At first I was hesitant. These people are going to take us for fools. Once we started playing, there was no longer a concern for that, but many people did enjoy watching us play and laugh. At one point, Ryan and Charles were playing Bullfrog (a little girl's game) in the line for the ride. I think that could be a service as well. To bring laughter and joy to places and people that may not have any, or just might need some. 
          Rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty is definitely service, but sometimes spreading joy is a great service too. Try it sometime, brighten someone's day, sing a joyful song, make a joyful noise.
          I have enjoyed my time in Atlanta with CrossPointe youth, there are some great young people here and we are blessed to have them. I count it an honor to serve this group and this church.

KID IN PLAY

          What have we as adults accomplished in our 20, 30, 40, 50, years of life? We have learned how to walk properly, some of us to talk properly, take general care of ourselves, how to work, how to pay bills, how to drive, and how to put on a face that lets people know we are busy and don't want to talk. 

          Yesterday, we were in Perimeter mall letting the kids shop for a little while. I was sitting at lunch just watching people as they passed. Most were in a hurry obviously, it was lunch time. But I looked at their faces. None of them seemed happy, all of them NEEDED to go as fast as they could and not stop til they got there. 

          I realized something then, adults have forgotten how to play. All of the movies and stories about kids losing the magic and imagination of childhood once they grow up is true. In The Last Battle, Susan has "grown up" and no longer believes in Narnia but treats it as childhood games and made up stories. I hate this. From the bottom of my heart, I hate this. So, I did what anyone who feared they had grown up would do.

          There was an interactive display that projected onto the floor from the ceiling. The mat the projection was on was broken up into grids. When you stepped onto the display, your movements changed the projection, allowing you to basically control the display. And it was there that I just played for a little bit. Moving my arms and body to make the water ripple, or the flowers bloom, or the picture change. 

          Did I accomplish much? Not really. Did I prove a point? Probably not. 

          But I did show myself that I haven't quite grown up yet. 

          Some parents need to grow down. Get down in the floor with your child. They will learn more, I promise. Children are the greatest mimics and mirrors in this world. Showing them how to play and how to have fun will really help them, I promise.

MAKE YOUR NEXT MOVE

          In the middle of Woodruff Park there is a small patch of grass that tonight was occupied by a small group of people. Although it didn't look like it, there were big things going on tonight. Earlier, we came across a giant chess board, as seen above. There were also several other games going on off to the side. Apparently chess is a hot game in Atlanta. We continued walking, looking for a place to hang out and get something to drink. 

          As we were waiting for some of the group to come back, several of us were approached by a homeless lady. Ayisha Patrice Lovette. She was charismatic, energetic, funny, and entertaining. By the time it was all over, we had heard her story. She was in need of help for her family. This is a common thing in Atlanta, and we were prepared to help as need be. 

          But John was not satisfied with simply handing out money or food to homeless people and going on about our business. Ministry can sometimes become like a social exchange; as meaningless and fruitless as the exchange between a clerk and a customer. So we spent the next 20 minutes talking with Ayisha about her life, about how the streets work in Atlanta, and about how God can really change her life. After, we prayed for her and went on our separate ways. 

          Once this was over, we all gathered in a small patch of grass in Woodruff Park and began to talk about what was going on in our lives; as related to the youth group and personally. There were a great many things brought to light that were necessary.

          One thing that Ayisha kept telling us was to take care of our family. In the moment, she was speaking to John's kids, but later the context changed to mean that of the youth group at CrossPointe. And I think this also applies to the church body as a whole. We are meant to deal with things, not make excuses, and search for healing from hurt so that whatever function we may be serving in will be to its highest potential.

          Even though this is just our first night in Atlanta, I am so excited at what God is doing already. What could the next move of CrossPointe youth be? Where can we go from here? Where or what is God leading our youth to do? This week, please pray for God to move in mighty ways within our youth group. May He touch hearts and lives so that those returning will, "do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly." Micah 6:8.

      Above is a picture of Ayisha Patrice Lovette. We only met one person tonight on the streets, but the experience from tonight will resound in the hearts of our youth for a long time to come. 

          

ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS A PARENT CAN DO

          The above picture was taken when Ben was first born. There were alot of emotions that I did not understand at the time, and many others I will not understand for longer still. Featured in the picture is my father, Philip Anderson Sr. My brother is the junior, not me. On that day, I didn't know what being a father meant. My dad helped raise 3 boys, so he kinda understood a little about how it worked. 

          That being said, tomorrow me and Sara leave for Atlanta with some of the youth from CrossPointe. We are going for street and food mission ministry, and also see a Braves game and go to a water park. I am pumped. More pumped than I have been in a long time about anything actually. This is an opportunity for me to really engage with some of the younger people in church. Here's the crux. We are leaving Ben behind. This is for several reasons: we don't want our attention drawn away from the work of ministry, from the students who need our attention, and in public my son can be a handful; albeit a cute handful, but a handful nontheless. 

          Tomorrow morning there will be weeping, and I don't mean cute weeping. We love that kid and he loves us. It's going to be tough to part for 4 days. Non-parents won't get this, and I really didn't until it was time to go through with it. Being separated from your child is hard. Whether it's a willful separation or not, distance causes an ache in the heart.

          I thought about God when I began to process leaving Ben at home. God is my heavenly father. Since birth, I have been separated from Him because of sin. 

          For 13 years I was away from my Father... I'm going to be away for 4 days from Ben and it stresses me out. For 13 years my Father in heaven has been waiting on me to come home. In the prodigal son, the dad wasn't sitting at the kitchen table rubbing his palms together saying, "Yeah, that old sorry son of mine will come crawling back here one day." He was anticipating his son's return, waiting at the porch, searching the horizon for a glimpse of a familiar face, or the stride of his son's steps. God is often taken to be heartless, cruel, and cold towards us. Scripture doesn't show me that. Scripture shows me that God is eagerly awaiting our return to Him. He is the good father that misses His children and wants to be in communion with them.

          Tomorrow I am leaving my son behind in Laurel out of a desire to move in the direction God has called me to. It is tough, but I think about God who waits patiently for some to come to Him that may never. How heart wrenching is that thought? 

          If you are a believer, rest assured that your HEAVENLY father is good, that He loves you, and that like the father from Luke 15, he waited on us anticipating the day that we would return to Him. We say God loves you, but the love of the Father is absolutely above full comprehension. All we can do is receive His grace, obey His words, and live by faith. I think that's what any good father would hope from their son.

        

G-O-D FOR THE WIN

The picture I wanted to include was a giant-sized Scrabble board with G-O-D in the center taken today at the Children's Museum in Jackson. I did not stage this photo, but found it as Ben was running around (he was really interested in the rock climbing wall, for a second). When I saw it, my first reaction was, "Really? Is God only worth 5 points in Scrabble? I'd have assumed more."  That will seem cold to some people but this is one thing that I see alot, and am tired of (get ready for a rant).
          Facebook, have you heard of it? It is the stomping ground for those who are semi-religious to seem super holy. Every time I look at FB, someone is posting things about God doing you favors for reposting a message, or you going to hell if you don't, or you don't love Jesus if you don't share the poem/pretty picture.
          Can I just say that the sentiment is nice, but is absolute boo boo? The thing that gets me about this is most of the time the people doing it seem to be trying to make penance for something they have done. Maybe if they post enough pictures of Jesus on the cross or blessing posts then they will be pardoned. I'm just not seeing this when I look into Scripture.
          There is nothing wrong with using social media to share your faith, it's actually one of the easiest, cheapest venues by which Christians can spread the good news. The only drawback to this is that we have made our attempts the easiest and cheapest as well. If it won't fit under 140 characters, then it need not be said, right?
          Next week, Sara and I are accompanying CrossPointe youth to Atlanta, Georgia. There, we will be doing some mission work, along with some fun things. Can I tell you that I am more excited about this than I have been about anything in a while? Not only is this a chance to tell strangers about Jesus, that's going to be great, but I also get to be with the young people who are our future. I am excited about hearing where they are now, I am excited about hearing where they want to go. I am excited about how excited they are.
          What they are about is not to make a move through cheesy posts and guilt-trip theology, but instead to know the people around them. Instead of throwing out a blanket invitation or accusation to people, they sit side by side, one on one, and share life together. To me, that sounds  much more appealing than a post, message, or card that has no person attached to it.
          When I think about spreading the Word, that is what I think of. That is what excites me. Moving beyond the normal boundaries to experiences that only God Himself can orchestrate. That, to me, is much more exciting than a secret game of Scrabble.
          Challenges do not come along often; at least ones that are difficult. This is a most difficult one. There is a clerk, a long-lost high school friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, an enemy, a brother, a boss, a father, that maybe you haven't talked to, or have avoided for some reason. Maybe you are in a hurry, maybe that person doesn't mean much to you, maybe they get on your nerves.
          Challenge: Identify 1 person and start praying for them. Pray for their life, that they might share it with you, pray for their heart, that Jesus might touch it, pray for the day that you will interact with this person on a deeper level.
Mighty movements begin with prayer for specific things.

*Note: If you do this, please post a comment about the experience you had.