Filling Up

I really try my best to attend continuing education events, or seminars. I do not feel that the expectation of continued learning is a burden in my professional career. I see it as a part of my overall growth personally and professionally.

There are some who find the concept beyond their "need" or responsibility in ministry. I find this attitude misguided. However, there is the other strain of professional that just finds it overwhelming to fit it into the weekly grind.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday I will be attending the Leadership Summit at Orchard Hill Church in the North Hills. I am very excited. Mostly because this is exactly what I need right now, but also because this is the kind of seminar that really revives me.

That being said, I am falling into that previous category of those who find it hard to fit in. No doubt, I am going. But today, I am feeling the pressure of getting things done and prepared for this weekend.

Remote Controlled

At what point do we become ruled by earthly things? At what point do we become captive to the things in our lives? Excellent question you may say. But why the questions, you may ask?

There are points in my life when I realize that I have a relatively firm grasp on things. First and foremost, I strive each and everyday to live not to myself, but for God and Jesus Christ. I like to think that ultimately, God has control over my life and through God’s grace I have control over my life. Because of that grace, things do not lord over me and control me. I like to think that I have a firm grasp of my health. I like to believe that I have a good sense of abiding by rules. I like to assume that debt and consumerism do not control my every action. I do not live in fear, so therefore I assume that the world and everyday circumstances do not dictate whether I go outside. Even after this past week’s tragedy in Minneapolis, I like to think that bridges are safe and therefore I will travel over them. Living in Western Pennsylvania, we have no choice but to cross bridges, even if they are “structurally deficient.”

But just when I think that I have things in control, there are moments when I realized just how enslaved I am to some things.

Friday night, Tracy and I left to go to a rehearsal dinner for a wedding I officiated this weekend. During the day, we knew that the television was used and the remote control was facilitating that use. While we went to the rehearsal, our girls stayed at home for another hour and then went to a date night co-op event that was held at the church.

Later that night when we returned home, we put the girls to bed and Tracy and I prepared to unwind from the evening, watch the evening news and eventually go to bed. When I attempted to turn the television on, I could not find the remote. Upon asking the inevitable question, the answer came, “I don’t know.”

Here’s where the control or lack of control comes into focus. Thirty years ago, it would have been nothing to manually turn the television on and sit back and watch a program. But after 25 years of having a little clicker thingie in my hand, I could not. We checked everywhere for that remote and it was no where to be found. Yes, we even checked between the cushions in the couch.

You would have thought that having a firm grasp on reality would indicate that the remote was indeed in the house. But the enslavement took over and I actually went to the store on Saturday morning to buy a new remote.

I bet you know where this story is going. And you would be in the same camp as my wife who later used a very familiar phrase, “I told you so.” You guessed it! The remote showed its unruly head just as I had completed the complicated task of programming my entire entertainment system into my universal remote.

If you have any sympathy for my situation and my enslavement, you will agree that remote controls do not belong in the toy room, in the craft box, under construction paper. I know some crafty people would have found it there, but remember I have an aversion to crafts – therefore the craft box would be the last place I would look.

I know that I should have just slowed down, taken a deep breath and pretended that it was 1977 again, but I could not. I was totally wrapped up in this remote. Which led me to think about a passage from Colossians 3.

1So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. 5Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.

I have to constantly remind myself about being controlled by earthly things. Yes, I knew that the remote was going to show up sometime – it didn’t have legs, and the girls were absolutely sure that it didn’t leave the house – but I just couldn’t imagine getting up to change the channels until we found it. At that moment, I realized that I was being controlled by a remote control.

So what’s got a hold of your life this day? What do you need to do to remove it, and focus on Christ?

“Gracious and loving God, help me to always focus on you and on your kingdom. Free me this day from the things that control me and allow my life to be more holy each day. Remove all wrath and passion, and the greed that controls me. Replace that desire with a desire to love you more. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.”

This week in worship, we will continue our series on the sacraments, and focus on Baptism. I hope to see you this week.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Weighing in on 755

Saturday night, Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants, tied a longstanding record for career home runs in the Major Leagues by hitting number 755. He tied the great Hank Aaron who broke the record long before I was a baseball fan.

I love baseball and have ever since I was a kid. I love going to the ball park to watch games, and I really do love to see a great game. The Long Ball makes games exciting, and so being in the presence of some great players and watching them crush a ball can be a thrill.

I'm not a baseball purist, that is to say, that I do not mourn the breaking of records. Records, as they say, are meant to be broken. They are great milestones in history and it can be exciting to watch it happen.

That being said, I can't really say that I'm all that concerned with this one. Yes, it's too bad that the controversy surrounds it and it has to happen this way, but normally I would like to see history in the making. I don't feel that way with this one. I guess I'm ambivalent!

I would, however, like to see Bonds' record be broken. That may actually happen very soon.

Then maybe we will have something to celebrate in Baseball.

Getting Close to the Fire

The secretary of the church just returned from a week of vacation in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Her extended family went away for a week of camping and relaxation.

For all intents and purposes, it was a great week to go camping. There were no major storms that hit their area and the weather was generally cooperative. However, the expectations of warm temperatures were met by the unexpected cooler temperatures that we experienced last week.

The secretary was telling me all about the week and how it was just nice to be away. It was a nice relaxing week away. But, she explained, the evening temperatures were much cooler than they expected. They had a bonfire each night, and some in the family even pulled out some heavy coats.

She continued, “But you can imagine what it was like with 27 people all huddled around the camp fire. By the end of the week we couldn’t get close enough to get warm. By Friday night, we had to build three separate camp fires.”

Have you ever had the experience of talking to someone and get stuck on one thing that the person said to you? You think about what they said, and you don’t hear much of what they said after that? That’s what I experienced when I heard that statement about the fires.

I know that I am probably unlike other people. I sit and hear stories and think about the theological implications. I go to movies and look for the Christ figure. I think about everyday situations and conversations, and look for God.

So back to the conversation; I was struck by the theological significance of that one statement. “Try to imagine 27 people huddled around the camp fire. By the end of the week we couldn’t get close enough to get warm. By Friday night, we had to build three separate camp fires.”

There is a message in that statement. I think the message is about the church and about our relationship with Christ. Often our relationship in church happens in a group. We grow and we grow in our relationship, that sometimes we grow so close that we can’t help but split up into separate groups. Our relationship with Christ is the same way. We are attracted so much by the fire of Christ that burns within us, that we can’t help but to want to be closer to the light, the fire. Sometimes, the only way that we can get closer is to divide.

Last’s week’s E-pistle was about small groups. I called them accountability groups. This is another way of thinking about a small group. It is a group of people getting closer to each other and to Christ. At some point, however, small groups can only get so close – and they need to make more fires.

This campfire made me think of the early church and how it grew. Acts Chapter 2, with which many of you are familiar says,

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. . .Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

We are getting closer to camp fire season; the program year is about to begin. As we move closer and closer to the end of summer and the beginning of what you might call the church calendar year, we will have more and more opportunities to grow closer together and to Christ. One of those opportunities will be in October when the whole church will be studying together, “Treasures of the Transformed Life” as we look at how God is calling us to be the church. You can look at it as time around the camp fire. I hope that you will find those opportunities to get warm and to invite others to the fires of Life and Hope.

Remember, It only takes a spark . . .

“Dear Lord, we thank you for all that you have given to us, and for the message of your love and grace. Help us in these summer days, to grow closer to you and to those we call brothers and sisters in Christ. Give us the opportunities to open our circles to others, to share the message and to multiply those who are being saved. You are such an awesome God. Amen.”

This week, I will begin a two part series on our Sacraments in the church. This week we will be discussing and receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Have a blessed week, and I hope to see you in worship.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.

Greg

Back to Normal

For the past several days, our house has been dramatically quiet! And for that matter, Tracy and I were able to relive a day when we only had one child. Sarah went to the Children's School of Christian Missions at Grove City College on Sunday and we took Bekah to Mini Camp on Tuesday.

Elisabeth was an only child at least for a few days. She enjoyed her time with mommy and daddy. She even enjoyed proclaiming, "Whose the onlyest chiuld" from the back seat of the van.

Sarah returned late last night and this morning we picked Bekah up from Jumonville. We enjoyed our time with Elisabeth, but we are happy to be back to normal.

Accountability

Thursday morning, I went to the dentist for my semi-annual check-up. Ever since I was a little kid, I remember going to the dentist twice a year. There was a routine involved and little changed from visit to visit. The dentist was quite familiar, and the dental assistant was always a familiar face. While I have a new dentist now as an adult, there are things that just don’t change.

I sit in the chair and I’m greeted warmly. I’m asked if anything has changed since my last visit. We go over my current medications, I sign my name on a dotted line, and away we go!

Light is on, chair reclined, open mouth, general observations with a sharp instrument; let the pickin’ begin.

Well that’s not too bad. At this point in my life, I can almost guarantee which teeth will need more attention than others. I’ll spare you the details. All is well (most of the time).

Then comes the cleaning. I lament over the fact that as a kid, I was given the choice of some nifty flavors. I don’t get a choice of bubblegum, grape, or mint anymore, but I guess that’s OK. Regardless of the flavor, it’s all gritty toothpaste! The hygienist tells me to open and close; I am almost lulled to sleep by the whir of the instrument.

When that’s over, out comes the dental floss. By this point, I know what’s next and this is actually the part that I hate the most.

“How are you doing with your flossing?” she asks.

“Darn it! I hate this question!” I don’t actually verbalize that part, but I’m thinking it anyway.

“Well, . . . I’m always good about flossing right around the time that I get my teeth cleaned. Then I start to slack a little.” This is always the answer, and the response is always the same. “Try to pay attention to flossing a little more. It is important. Your brushing is good, just try to floss regularly.”

At 36, I’m relegated to being 8 years old twice a year!

But, if I am completely honest with you, I need that in my life. I need someone holding me accountable for my flossing. I know that it should just be part of the routine in the morning, but sometimes I get out of the habit for a while and it’s hard to get back into the swing of things. It’s always the hygienist who reminds me – “how are you doing with your flossing?”

All of us need to be held accountable in one way or another. Some people need it in order to lose weight. Some need it to adhere to a deadline. Some need it to simply make their bed in the morning.

For that matter, all of us need to be held accountable for our Christian walk. Oh, I know that there are some that say that they don’t need it, but you do. You need to be held accountable for your Christian walk.

In the early Methodist Church, there were groups that were called classes and bands. There were people who held the group accountable for their daily walk, they were called class leaders. In one way or another, they would ask the members of the group if they were spending quality time with the Lord.

I am in an accountability group. We meet regularly to just check-up on each other. But most importantly, we hold each other accountable for our Christian walk, and for our leadership responsibilities within the church. There is a routine involved. We don’t ask if each one is flossing regularly, but we do ask how each is doing. I need that in my life.

But it is not just pastors who need that accountability. We all need that in our life. Without that regular check-up, we fall out of routines, and it is easy to forget how important regular disciplined study, prayer, and worship is in our lives.

“How is it with your soul?” That’s another way of asking if you are flossing regularly or for that matter if you are spending time with God. Are you held accountable for your actions and your thoughts, for the things that build up in your life, and the things that weigh you down? Do you have anyone like that? For that matter, have you ever asked someone close to you that very question?

“Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.” Hebrews 4:1

How is it with your soul? And while we’re checking – How is your flossing?

Gracious and loving God, I thank you for this day and everything that you have given to me. I pray that you would bring wholeness and healing to my life, and that others would hold me accountable for the things that I do and say. Help me also, to reach out to others; to listen when I ask, “How is it with your soul.” Bring us into account with you, O God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This week, we are going to be sharing a message on prayer. I hope that you have a blessed week, and I look forward to seeing you in worship.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.

Greg

The World Is Flat

One of the books that I pick up every so often but have yet to finish is entitled, The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman. "What Friedman means by "flat" is "connected": the lowering of trade and political barriers and the exponential technical advances of the digital revolution that have made it possible to do business, or almost anything else, instantaneously with billions of other people across the planet."

How true this is. Last night, Tracy told me that Preachercox has readers in North Carolina. While I am flattered, I am also somewhat embarrassed. Not only to the readers in NC, but to all, thank you for putting up with my mindless tripe. While I'm at it, apologies for that of my fellow bloggers.

But since you are out there in the blog-sphere, let me put a shout out to you and say welcome! Don't be afraid to post responses. But also, can you please have a Goodberry's Concrete for me? Thanks