While there may be a short supply of many commodities, one thing you can depend on is that there will never be a shortage of opinions. No matter where you are, the decision you are facing, or the choices you have already made; someone will be glad to let you know what they think about it. From what you are wearing, to your career choice, to how you are raising your children; it seems that there are always people who just can’t wait to let you know what they think about it.
These days not only can you count on a endless supply of opinions from your family, friends, and total strangers at the mall; you can turn on the television and anticipate an endless parade of personalities sharing their “expert” opinions on everything from the global economy to school lunches. And perhaps you have noticed that most of the news networks have adopted the policy these days of inviting at least two “experts” to share their opinions at the same time. When they are not talking at the same time, you learn they often have completely different opinions about the subject they been asked to comment on.
If that is not enough opinions for you, the steady stream turns into a torrent when you go to the internet. More than 800 million people are on Facebook, and about half of them log in everyday to share something about their life or comment on something one of their friends has posted. Many people regularly post their views about everything from recycling to fiscal policy on their blog. If you are wondering whether you should buy a particular automobile, appliance, or new electronic device; there may be dozens—if not hundreds—of reviews scattered across the web.
So many opinions may not be a problem for some people. In fact, some people seem to make a hobby of shopping around for opinions that support their own. It’s the way they choose their friends, decide which news programs to watch and which politicians they will support. Sometimes, it’s the way they decide where they will worship.
Let me admit that much of what you may hear in a church—even from the pulpit—is not much more than someone’s opinion. The truth is that has not changed much over time.
When the people came to the synagogue in Capernaum the day Jesus showed up, they were expecting to hear from one of their local teachers (see Mark 1:21-28). They had heard many of them speak before. They shared lots of interesting opinions. It gave the folks something to talk about for the rest of the week. This time Jesus spoke; but it was different. He spoke with authority, and then he acted with authority. It amazed the people then; and I believe that when the church puts its words into action, it will still amaze, excite, and transform those who witness it.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Now’s the Time
Thanks to the careful planning, clear direction, and hard work of a great group of folks, our congregation can celebrate the success of our chicken barbecue. It is so encouraging to see so many people willing to do their part to make a project like this a success. This is just one more reason I am pleased to serve as their pastor.
Things went pretty well last year, and overall the event was a success; but a few members of the team remember how embarrassing it was to have to tell people that their chicken was not ready. It was lunch time. They had purchased a ticket. They had shown up at the time they had been told we would have something for them to eat; but somewhere, somehow, we had miscalculated. It was tough to ask people to leave and come back later.
I have a bad habit of waiting until a deadline is closing in before I really get serious about some projects. I usually guess pretty well how much time it’s going to take; but every once in a while, something unexpected happens. It throws a monkey wrench into my schedule and leaves me scrambling. I usually get by, but I feel bad that I have not done my best. Sometimes I also find that I need to go back and apologize to someone who “got in the way” as I was sprinting toward the finish.
As Jesus began his ministry he announced, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom!” (Mark 1:15, CEB). A few men heard his call and responded to his invitation to follow him and learn from him. There were lots of other things they could have done. There were lots of reasons they could have put off their decision. Instead, they immediately left what they were doing—and who they were doing it with—and followed him.
The writers of the New Testament do relate a few occasions where Jesus invites someone to follow him and that person makes his apologies for why this is not a good time for him. Sometimes I wonder how many other people were also invited to follow Jesus and did not accept the invitation. We know Jesus spoke to some crowds that numbered over five thousand. It is left to our imagination to wonder how they felt when they realized the opportunity they had missed by failing to recognize that “now is the time!”
It is a privilege to thank everyone who responded “on time” to the invitation to help with the preparation of the meal we served on Friday. As you move into this new year, let me ask you to listen carefully for God’s invitation, and encourage you to be ready to respond immediately to the opportunity to be a part of the great project God has planned.
Things went pretty well last year, and overall the event was a success; but a few members of the team remember how embarrassing it was to have to tell people that their chicken was not ready. It was lunch time. They had purchased a ticket. They had shown up at the time they had been told we would have something for them to eat; but somewhere, somehow, we had miscalculated. It was tough to ask people to leave and come back later.
I have a bad habit of waiting until a deadline is closing in before I really get serious about some projects. I usually guess pretty well how much time it’s going to take; but every once in a while, something unexpected happens. It throws a monkey wrench into my schedule and leaves me scrambling. I usually get by, but I feel bad that I have not done my best. Sometimes I also find that I need to go back and apologize to someone who “got in the way” as I was sprinting toward the finish.
As Jesus began his ministry he announced, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom!” (Mark 1:15, CEB). A few men heard his call and responded to his invitation to follow him and learn from him. There were lots of other things they could have done. There were lots of reasons they could have put off their decision. Instead, they immediately left what they were doing—and who they were doing it with—and followed him.
The writers of the New Testament do relate a few occasions where Jesus invites someone to follow him and that person makes his apologies for why this is not a good time for him. Sometimes I wonder how many other people were also invited to follow Jesus and did not accept the invitation. We know Jesus spoke to some crowds that numbered over five thousand. It is left to our imagination to wonder how they felt when they realized the opportunity they had missed by failing to recognize that “now is the time!”
It is a privilege to thank everyone who responded “on time” to the invitation to help with the preparation of the meal we served on Friday. As you move into this new year, let me ask you to listen carefully for God’s invitation, and encourage you to be ready to respond immediately to the opportunity to be a part of the great project God has planned.
Friday, January 6, 2012
In the Beginning
When a new movie is released, are you one of those people who line up for the midnight show on the opening weekend? If you received an invitation to a preview night at a new restaurant, would you feel special? Have you ever “preordered” a book so that it would be in your house the same day it went on the shelves at the bookstore?
There is something fascinating—even exciting—about being a part of the beginning of something new. I have to admit that one of the reasons I decided to run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon was because it was the “inaugural” race. If it had already been going on, I might have made a different choice. Being able to say I was there when it all started is something that can never be taken away from me (and I was in Johnson Square for the public announcement that Savannah would be hosting the race. . . and months later at Fleet Feet for the unveiling of the course).
If you are one of those people who like to be there at the start of something new, then that is one thing you share in common with God. All four gospel writers agree that Jesus’ public ministry began with his baptism by John. Even more significantly, they all note that when Jesus was baptized God spoke and the Holy Spirit showed up.
If that sounds familiar, perhaps it is because you remember hearing the Genesis story about the creation of the heavens and the earth. As the story opens, nothing much is going on. It is chaos and darkness. But the Holy Spirit is there and God speaks and, well, as they say, “the rest is history.”
It is a history that is marked by the continuing presence of the Holy Spirit. It is a history that reveals God’s continuing conversation with the people he created. Through the Spirit’s presence and with God’s gentle voice, it is a history that is full of new beginnings and limitless possibilities. Furthermore, it is the history of every believer.
It is no accident that Jesus told his disciples to baptize those who believed in him. Baptism is a sign that God is present as a person begins their life as a member of the community of faith. Whether we see it or not, we affirm that each person receives the Holy Spirit even as the water is applied.
God wants to be a part of all of your new beginnings. As you continue to move into this new year, open your heart to him. Invite God to speak into your life. Listen for God’s voice. Recognize the Spirit’s presence. Prepare for great blessings.
There is something fascinating—even exciting—about being a part of the beginning of something new. I have to admit that one of the reasons I decided to run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon was because it was the “inaugural” race. If it had already been going on, I might have made a different choice. Being able to say I was there when it all started is something that can never be taken away from me (and I was in Johnson Square for the public announcement that Savannah would be hosting the race. . . and months later at Fleet Feet for the unveiling of the course).
If you are one of those people who like to be there at the start of something new, then that is one thing you share in common with God. All four gospel writers agree that Jesus’ public ministry began with his baptism by John. Even more significantly, they all note that when Jesus was baptized God spoke and the Holy Spirit showed up.
If that sounds familiar, perhaps it is because you remember hearing the Genesis story about the creation of the heavens and the earth. As the story opens, nothing much is going on. It is chaos and darkness. But the Holy Spirit is there and God speaks and, well, as they say, “the rest is history.”
It is a history that is marked by the continuing presence of the Holy Spirit. It is a history that reveals God’s continuing conversation with the people he created. Through the Spirit’s presence and with God’s gentle voice, it is a history that is full of new beginnings and limitless possibilities. Furthermore, it is the history of every believer.
It is no accident that Jesus told his disciples to baptize those who believed in him. Baptism is a sign that God is present as a person begins their life as a member of the community of faith. Whether we see it or not, we affirm that each person receives the Holy Spirit even as the water is applied.
God wants to be a part of all of your new beginnings. As you continue to move into this new year, open your heart to him. Invite God to speak into your life. Listen for God’s voice. Recognize the Spirit’s presence. Prepare for great blessings.
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