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.

Spongey Mirrors

          Last Sunday, my pastor was talking about how what we watch influences us. For the most part, I had a general understanding of this discipline. I try not to listen to music that is vulgar and try not to watch movies that contain violent and crude elements (I'm not perfect at this, but I try). 

          Overall, I didn't feel really convicted by that part of the sermon. There were some things to bring in for sure, but I didn't see many failings. Last night, we were watching a program on tv about people with Tourette's syndrome. I initially wanted to watch this because of a bit about a person with narcolepsy, it was interesting. During the segment about Tourette's, the man that was focused on would have an episode, blabbing obscenities and making wild gestures. His story was truly sad because he had 4 children under the age of 6, and he could not help when he would say things he didn't mean in front of his children. This was heart wrenching to say the least, but what really got me was what Ben did.

          While watching the program, Ben began to imitate the man on the screen. Some might think this funny but it really got to me and Sara. We realized that Ben is watching and listening to everything we say, and everything we watch.

          My pastor drew a very important point: What you watch and listen to, what you allow into your mind, is also what those around you are exposed to. I really do not want my son repeating some of the stuff he sees and hears, so I must make a pledge as a father to protect his mind as much as possible from things that are inappropriate for him.Will I shelter him, not allowing him to experience life? No, of course not. But I will take it as my responsibility to expose things to him, in its right time.

          This past year at Mount Olive, I had students who had watched movies and played games that were extremely inappropriate for their age. To those parents who think this doesn't effect their children, you are wrong. Whether it surfaces now or later, it will come about.

          So, words of warning to individuals, parents, and anyone responsible for little ones. Be very careful what you expose them to, for they are spongey mirrors; they absorb everything and reflect what they see.