Fall Break

Happy Fall Break. It has been quiet around the church today, largely because many of our staff our enjoying time with family. I find myself getting a little restless, as we are caught up on things and I am just waiting to have lunch with some students. It makes me think of the verse that says "be still and know I am God." That is a 911 verse for me that I cling to when my world is spinning a little too fast. But today the world is good and all is well so it should be easier to apply that verse. Have you noticed that in your life? We tend to box in some scriptures for various times. How much bigger could my understanding of God be if I wouldn't do that. How sweet the communion could be! Just a thought.

Über???

Everything seems to be Über these days. Not sure what it means. I guess it is German. What is interesting is that I have heard it a ton in the last few weeks. In conversations, on TV and radio. I wonder if the people saying it know what it means. I ask that because I searched Websters and they don't have a record for the word. Which brings me to my point. How often do we act or think in ways that contradict truth, but we don't know it? I mean we believe something, so that makes it true..right? Not really. That makes truth relative and that is not the truth we profess as Christians. Truth lies in God and his word, not in what we want or wish it to be. Paul told Timothy to do his best to present himself to God as one approved, who has no need to be ashamed, who correctly handles the word of truth. Sounds like good advice for us too. I'd say it is Über important.

QUESTIONS

OK so it has been a busy summer and I have not blogged for a long time. I'll try to remedy that.
You may know that I am a songwriter and spent my early years in Nashville. I had a song called "Saving Grace" that was recorded by Ray Boltz and actually topped the charts in the Fall of 1993. In our youth ministry we frequently use another of Ray's songs, "Jesus Out Loud" as a wake up call for sleeping students. This week I learned that Ray has come out of the closet and acknowledged his struggle with homosexuality. He also announced a brief return from retirement for some limited concert dates at some lesbian/gay churches that he says have helped him with his struggle. While I have not talked to Ray for years and have only had brief conversations at best, I would be assured that we differ on our views on this topic and probably many others. Initial responses, made in jest, had me renouncing my claim to fame and looking for a new "wake up" song. But it has made think about some things.

Should I write off all the great songs and ministry Ray has had in his career as not sincere or glorifying to God? Is his sin worse than my gossip or gluttony? Want the truth!? I wrote songs during that period of my life to honor God, but I am pretty sure some of my behavior at the time disappointed Him. (As it does today.) Sin separates us from God, but it does not diminish our value or worth in God's eyes. My God has never once written me off! For only one Jesus would have suffered and given up his life. Can you argue with that. That is from one of Ray's songs. I'm not condoning or condemning. That is not for me to do. And how about this, what about the thought that some are born gay? If we are born into sin, is that a possibility, or is it the fact that because we arrive into a fallen world, circumstance and environment bring us to places of struggle? I mean, we all have our struggles because our flesh wants nothing to do with the discipline and correction that holiness requires. So we all have a genetic bent to sin. It is our human condition not an excuse. The cross is to be freeing for us. We are to be new creations with the power of Christ in us to defeat sin. We are not supposed to determine what is sin and what is not, that is reserved for a Holy God and no one else.

Situations like this leave me more questions than answers. They also leave me thankful for a loving God whose wisdom is far beyond mine. They leave me feeling sorry for the deception that is in our world. I wonder what the future holds, because the last 50 years have brought us to a broken place where our moral fiber has disappeared like an 8 track tape. Not everything is gray matter and I am convinced that truth is not relative. It is absolute and the Bible is Truth. I believe God disapproves of many things (including this issue), but the love poured out at the Cross can cover it all. And if we are children of that grace then we are to hate the sin but live the sinner. This isn't some tolerance crap, or let's hold hands and get along. It is simply an acknowledgement that I sin, need a Saviour and my Saviour, Jesus only asks me to be responsible and accountable for my behavior, He'll deal with everyone else.

CHIPS IN THE FAN (POWER OF REST)

If there has been one thing that I have learned over the past 20 years is that bodies need rest. For various reasons the past month and a half had been extremely draining. Mix some travel, stress, illness and gas prices and I found a worn down 41 year old. So last week I disappeared for awhile and touched base with my first love, golf. As a Jr. Higher my dad would drop me off at the local course on the way to work and pick me up on the way home. While never, being close to a pro, I do find it relaxing and humbling. It's taught me a lot of lessons, most recently that even the pros hit bad shots and that perfection will always elude us. Mostly though, it is a way to re create. I came away from my respite restored. I know so because on Sunday morning in the middle of the FT01's set I was setting up a fan and crumbling a bag of chips to see how far they would fly when I threw them in the fan. Impromptu and silly, but fresh!

REACH WRAP

We had an awesome time this weekend with REACH. It is hard to believe that we have done it 9 years now!!! Manna gets the credit as it was her project and she did an awesome job! We worked for two wonderful ladies in South Knoxville and two families in the Sutherland area. we are so blessed to be in connection with the Knoxville Leadership Foundation, who provides our projects. A double blessing are the adults who help us in so many ways. As team leaders, drivers, food preparers... they are all awesome and we appreciate them greatly. Here's to 9 great years. May we continue to serve, and may you desire to be a servant like Christ when you read this.

SALT & LIGHT TOUR WRAP

It has been a great week. Wrapped up yesterday by a neat performance at the Truetlin House, a place I'm sure we will return to. The day also had a sprint (literally) to get to Paula Dean's restaurant so we wouldn't lose our reservation. Some beach time for pics, followed by our traditions and the now famous Clary room Dance Party were a great cap off to a wonderful week of service. Despite a desire for some make believe vigilante justice to a blond kid on a bike, we have had an awesome week. But, as always, there is no place like home, so we return with new memories and new things to pray for: Jakori and the other kids and families at the RMcDH in Charleston, the people at the Trinity Assisted Living, the kids at Morning Star and Truetlin House, their programs and funding, those in the Missions and training centers who are battling addiction or mental illness, for the new church being started by our waiter at Lady and Sons, and for our kids that the lessons would stick and that they would lead their lives in a new way upon return.

As we celebrated communion on the beach last night I was reminded how peculiar we are to be as passer by after passer by looked with questions written on their faces. They saw salt and light and it was strange to them. Our world needs to see more of it.

A Powerful Serve

The value of service is an incredible thing. Last night I had the privilege of one of our seniors sharing some old stories of lives touched by the choir tours he has been a part of. Yesterday, alone we prayed with the parents of Jacori, who was rushed to the hospital after his appendix broke. Other students ministered to other families who were at the Ronald McDonald House in Charleston. We witnessed in song and in conversation to the residents of Trinity Assisted Living in Charleston. It was great to see the kids reaching out to an older generation, but even better to here them processing the experience later that night. We realize our purpose in Christ when we get away from the thought that is all about us. One more great day then home, but hopefully the change will stay. I can see it on some faces, they are getting it!

Trinity Mission and a great Burger

We had an awesome morning at the Trinity Rescue Mission in Jacksonville, FL. It was way more than sing and get out. Our students toured, sang and then served lunch to about 60 people at this great mission. They were definitely into the performance and we had a lot of great conversation whole they ate. The dish washers (our kids) learned a new song form a resident, we loved on babies and men going through detox. It was an awesome day and a testament to the fact that the Love of God is a wonderful and powerful bonding agent!!! also had a chance to witness and hang with Jamie & Demetrius at the Cafe at the oldest drug store in the US. Cool guys, great cooks and I pray that they will come to know Jesus.

SONSHINE TOUR 1

MONDAY... Had some fun at Fort Frederica this morning. Ready to sing this afternoon and hit Walgreen's. Thanks Dr. H for calling it in; hopefully my tooth won't abscess and I'll be able to quit obsessing with pain. Kids are great. More later BR

WHAT THE HECK IS TWITTER

It has been a while since I have blogged, because I did not even know Carter jumped ship for some twitter thing. I went to his and to be honest it is way too much info for me. It seems to be some kind of cyber-voyeurism deal. It gives me an update on him for every five minutes it seems. I'm afraid if I look too close it will tell me how often he goes to the bathroom! Kids these days!!!! Well, we are in the midst of summer and we can use your prayers that God will have His way with our ministry. I'll check in from our choir tour this week if you are interested.
Peace.
PS where is the patter?

Love or Hate

I spent a majority of the weekend at the Franklin Graham Festival in Knoxville. It was a great event and we saw God call many into relationship with Him. There was great music. I was a part of a 1800 voice choir. That is pretty cool! and Loud! But probably 2 things stick out. First, George Beverly Shay is 99 years old and still sings with great fervor and passion. Cliff Barrows is 89 and still has it too! I believe that is because they have never retired. They are still called and pursuing that calling. Retirement is not in the Bible by the way. Second, Sin is sin. No matter how tolerant we want to be, their is still stuff that God hates and separates us from Him. I believe we often mask the problem of sin in the name of loving. True we are supposed to love God and people, but scripture tells to hate sin because God hates it. We are not allowed to hate people. So, which carries more weight or impact in our world today, hating sin or loving people? I get caught between the two some days. Thank God for his grace and the fact that I don't have to make one more important than the other. We are called to do both and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can.

A GLIMPSE

I called my mom the other night to check in. She asked what I was watching, because she was watching the Democratic Candidates talk smack at Messiah College in Pennsylvania. She wasn't really interested in what they had to say, she was just trying to catch a glimpse. You see, my sister is on the Board of trustees for Messiah, and she and her husband had prime seats at the debate, so mom was watching to see if she could see my sister. I have thought for years that if God were to come to town, you'd be unable to find a parking place because everyone, (probably some atheists too) would be there to catch a glimpse. The awesome thing is that we have one. Colossians 1:15 tells us that Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. Want to catch a glimpse of God? Read the Gospels and check out Jesus. Then go live your life so that when people see you, they see a glimpse of God.

SHIRT SIGNER

It has been a great weekend around here. Friday night, Find the 01 and I headed to Kingsport to lead worship and speak at the Refiners Fire Event held at Rock Springs UMC. It was a great night and there hospitality was wonderful. The band was asked to sign some shirts of some attendees. I know one thing for sure, we need to work on the signatures. It made me think of the fact that we have a name written on us too. We bear the name of Christ, and belong to Him. He wrote His name on us when we first believed, and we are his property. We talked about the Second Coming of Christ this weekend at Fusion. Peter urged us to live our lives in a Holy way so that we may speed up Christ's return. To do that we need to know what sin is, but more importantly we need to know and seek the heart of God. To make it a list of dos and don'ts, simply returns us to bondage and we lose the freedom we found in Christ. But we also can not let the world determine right and wrong. God sets the standard of Holiness, not man. since his autograph is on our soul, let us learn through the Spirit what saddens our Father (sin) and live in a way that points others to get their soul signed.

Thank Therapy

I have had a small case of the blahs this morning. I spent time in God's Word, Luke 21 precisely. Spent time in prayer. My commute was filled with spontaneous singing of praise and prayer, no radio or CD, just my voice and God's ear. Once in the office I prayed through our staff list. And while my mood lightened, I feel compelled to do some thank therapy right here.

I'm thankful for: God who loves me and desires relationship w/ me, Traci, my wife whom I cherish and adore, my church, its staff and mission, my family, birth and in-law who love me despite my strengths and weaknesses, the work I have for the kingdom, the friends and volunteers who share it with me, for the students God brings in our path, for the fact that God designed me to be a huge dreamer, for coffee, random soft drinks that the masses don't know about, sugar cake, well lets just say food, for my home and pets, for Scrabble, for my mistakes and the grace that God has used to mold me, for four seasons, for.....

Okay, I feel better now! Every time I take a look at the many blessings God has given me my spirit soars. I guess that is why the apostle Paul said to give thanks in all things. What are you thankful for today? Ultimately it is not the blessings that should cause us to thank God, but the truth that while we were yet sinners, He sent His son, Jesus to go to the cross for us that we would gain relationship with the Father and live forever with Him. That is the blessing that we have, Jesus. All else pales in comparison to that. In Jesus alone is the world is blessed. I'm a sinner and I am blessed.

MILENNIAL MADNESS

Maybe you saw it, maybe you didn't, but CBS' 60 minutes had a feature about the millennial generation recently. The angle was how this generation is impacting the work place and the management shift they require. It noted how the parents of this generation will call employers to voice their dissatisfaction with their child's employment evaluation. Some "helicopter parents" have even hounded college professors because their child didn't get an A on a paper. The blame for it all is placed on the fact that in this day and age every kid is special, gets a trophy, and is stroked from birth to build their self-esteem. While most of us over 30 are tempted to think that nothing like this ever happened prior to the millennials, maybe we should examine Matthew 20:20-23. Mrs. Zebedee, proud mother of James and John, asks Jesus to let her little boys sit on his left and right in His Kingdom. While we may laugh at the audacity of a new generation, the truth is that there is a sin nature that is as old as the world in all of us that wants to be treated with privelege. The challenge for all of us, no matter our generation, to get of our self important high horse and die to our selfish bent. The person who loses his life will find it!

A RICH LIFE

You may have heard about the plane crash in Riverside CA last week. A small plane crashed into a neighborhood street not far from the airport. among the three lives lost, was my cousin's son whom I never really knew. Zach Ronald was 23, a recent college grad with the desire to be a fighter pilot or a military medical doctor. The loss is tragic! But I have found comfort in many things as I have searched the web for info. His friends set up a website for people to post pictures. As I looked through the 400+, it was obvious that he had a rich life. Pictures of friends, family, adventure and general goofiness all found him with a smile. (the book Acts reminds us the early church grew because people gathered to eat with glad and sincere hearts.) His mom, Nancy, was quoted in a CA paper saying "he loved the Lord, we all do and that's what's helping us all through this." What a witness to the peace and purpose that comes from being in relationship with Jesus! I can't answer the "why" questions of events like this, but I can say that I'm sure there is a bigger picture that we are not painting, and God will use this to draw some to Him and his love for them. Jame's epistle reminds us our lives are like a mist in the spectrum of eternity. I believe Zach's mist will leave a wake. May we all live in such a rich way that shows our love for God.

JESUS IN HD

Well if you haven't been filled with panic yet by all the "Your TV may not work a year from now" ads, you probably have nothing to worry about. And since I'm on the technology trail, is there anyone else out there who could care less about seeing things in HD. Let's be honest, do we really need the Brady's, Gunsmoke, or anything really in HD? My friend Mike, assures me there is a definite quality advancement, and when you can A/B the channels with your remote, you see it. Must be the mirrors! While I'm sure there is a difference, seriously how important is it? When I think of HD or High Definition, I think how awesome it would be to see Jesus in HD. To be so lazer focused that I knew his thoughts and words before he said them. Imaging the miracles that up close and in person. And how cool would it be if when others saw, met and related with us that they saw a high definition of Jesus. That's the goal of the faith and the desire of our father that we be molded and shaped into the image of Christ in HD. I'm working on it, but that doesn't do it; so I'm trusting God for it. The beautiful thing is: I'm a "BIG SCREEN"!!!!

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

At our church we are in the middle of a financial sermon series. While most growing believers understand that everything belongs to God, putting that into practice is a tough thing to do. We Americans love our comfort, and simplifying is no easy task. Our property is really God's. But the topic has got me thinking, what about our intellectual property? I've heard it said of people that they are fine with anything as long as they think it was their idea. As a somewhat creative person with ego, I'm sure that can be said of me. But if everything is God's, then my thoughts must be too. So He should get the credit. Want more? It reasons then that our thoughts should honor, glorify and bear witness to Him 24/7 I believe God is calling us to a simple lifestyle with our material goods and our mental goods. HE DOES NOT WANT US TO BE DUMB OR IGNORANT! Knowledge and Wisdom are His gifts. But His word warns us to not think more highly of ourselves than we should, and the more I learn and surrender; I believe he wants me to dwell and think about Him and his kingdom. It is His intellectual property. May you meditate on Him today.

Unstoppable Light

I've been a slacker this week, but I noticed something on Wednesday morning as the storms that had ravaged our state made their way into Knoxville. Though the wind whipped and the rain poured from the dark clouds, morning broke. It reminded me that no matter how dark it gets the light God made to govern the day cannot be hidden. It wasn't pure sunlight mind you, but it was light to see by. Nothing can hide the light of our God and his truth. Hallelujiah! So many times I let fear come when the storms come and how often does his word say "Fear Not!"? I'm learning. Thy word is a light unto my path and a lamp unto my feet. May His light shine brightly on you this day.

SHIFT HAPPENS

My friend Greg just sent me a link to a you tube video entitled "Shift Happens." It is about the globalization of the world we know. It invites people to a discussion. My 70+ mom got a computer for Christmas. Last week she got invited by her congressman to be a part of a group discussing how her region can be more competitve technologically. Mom can email, surf and write a letter and probably print it. Go figure. She gets a congressional appointment!! 33 days ago she did not know how to turn it on. Which brings me to my SHIFT HAPPENS response. We live in a shrinking world, so tuned to the future, that it doesn't have a clue that it needs the ancient. How will we show the world Jesus? Will we live our lives so they notice? Truth? It is God's job to draw them to him, but we are tools in His hand. Be Sharp, alert, tuned in. The world is watching.

WHERE I WORSHIP

I was challenged by a blog last week. As a person who ministers to youth, the challenge was laid out by a person with the same calling as he questioned "big" ministries. One of the questions he posed was "What happens when the kids of your ministry grow up move to another church that is 'technologically retarded', will they be able to worship?" It is a good question. But to me worship is not about computers, screens, projectors, bands, themes or even sermons. Worship is giving something worth. Granted, singing will open your heart to God. It can bring you to a place where you are able to listen without distraction. Videos and messages may teach me God's word or the history of a passage. But as I grow and try to give God all of me, by confessing and asking God to show me my sin, repenting and walking in the spirit, I have learned that worship happens when I leave the church service. It is there, in the living of life in a world that is set against my God and his ways, that I learn what I give worth. What I value most. Is it stuff of the world or love and calling of my shepherd? There are no bands, or videos there. Just me and my God who I value most, walking together. That is worship, bowing to your king, no matter where you are.

TWO FACE BOOK

I don't have a face book account, there I've admitted it! But as I was browsing with my wonderful and gorgeous wife, who has one, I came away with feelings of disappointment. You see we were looking at profiles of students present and past, who were or are deeply involved in our ministry and I saw content that made me wonder...do they really get it? I'm not the judge and I have to remember that, but I have to wonder why we as humans have so many faces. My thought is, if you don't have it all together then don't act like it on Sundays. Be yourself and soak up the grace and mercy God wants to give. Hopefully the body of Christ will extend that to you. I believe the kingdom is better served when we are transparent. It sure makes it easier to mourn with those who mourn and laugh with those who laugh! Don't say one thing in your profile and another with the content on your page. Scripture lays it out, you are for God or your not. To be honest, a lot of days I'm stuck somewhere in between, but I know the goal is to be for Him and I cherish the grace when I have two faces.

King of Bling

My wife and I are doing a study of David together, and the other day I noticed something I had never noticed. In reading about Goliath, I realized the he was the King of Bling. Go to the story and check it out. (1 Sam. 17) The description tells us that he was bronzed and shekeled so much that I'm sure he had a rhinestone belt buckle that said something dumb like "Tall drink of Water" (He was 9 feet tall) Of course we know how the story plays out, but in our world don't we see a lot of shiny stuff that really isn't that good? Temptation draws us in with things that look cool or fun. They're shiny and blingy. But the consequence of their allure is hurt, pain, and separation. Goliath was there to take on any Israelite who would dare. He struck so much fear into opponents that he probably never through a spear. If the stuff that tempted us looked like crap, then Satan would never entrap any of us, instead he makes the sin look so cool. Like everyone else is doing it. Or maybe he makes us feel entitled. Like we have the right to complain or gossip behind someones back. Peter warned us long ago that the lion was waiting to devour us. But the lion is hiding, none of us would walk down the trail if we saw the danger. The danger, the lie, the hurt... their all out of view, so we better look through the lens of Christ who has our best interest in mind. Don't let the bling fool you or worse yet impress you, it wants your life. GO fight some giants, and remember your battle is already won in Christ.

Clean Your Room

We had a great night at our church last night. A night of parent and youth interaction, where not once did I here the phrase "clean your room." Truthfully, though, I probably implied that when I talked about avoiding sin. God, through his grace and mercy, has provided us with this new live (or room) and now it is our task to submit to Christ and let the Holy Spirit work so it stays clean. The key is not trying to do it on our own. I have learned recently that there are a lot of things I can do in my own strength. My profession is one of them. My dad coached football and my mom was a piano teacher. I'm a people person. I can be goofy. Natural progression to youth ministry for me, right? But when I try to do this ministry deal in my own power, by relying on my talents or abilities, then the ministry suffers. But when I am weak and let God be strong, I notice a huge difference in my life and my work. My devotion this morning pointed me to the fact that struggle, disappointment and hurt help us grow. They show us we are weak and that we need God. Too often things get going well and I get complacent and I fail to spend the time with God that I should. My days are blessed when I clean my room!

Agony of Defeet

If you know me and see the date of this post, I'm sure you are expecting an expression of agony concerning my beloved Buckeyes! While that may be good therapy today, I don't believe it has much eternal consequence at all. Actually my foot is in agony. I had a callous on my toe and last week I decided it had bugged me enough, so I started to pick at it to remove it, unfortunately I removed too much and now my left and only big toe is real sore and is healing too slow!

The wound is not that big, but the discomfort is. It is kind of like what James wrote about the tongue. It is small but has great power. Like a rudder that steers a ship or a spark that starts a fire. Small stuff can have huge influence on us. Think back to grade school when someone teased you...you may still carry a scar from that. But the truth is that we can decide what we let bother us. We do have a choice! So why do we choose what we choose? Because every one of us, whether we sense it or not has a sort of compass; a value system that determines our reaction to what life throws at us. It may be a sore toe, a bad job, a recent break up, a bad diagnosis, or a BCS loss, but I propose that we respond based on what we value most. When what we value most is all powerful, all loving, and everlasting it puts everything into the proper perspective. Knowing who I am and what I mean to the God of the universe trumps anything this world can dish out. God didn't write it but I think he dwells in this phrase: "Don't sweat the small stuff!"

If I think about, I brought my sore toe on myself. How often is our hurt brought on by ourselves? When our value system is not based on TRUTH, I'd say 100% of the time. Because, when someone hurts our feelings, it is because we value their opinion or acceptance more than God's. No one can choose a value system for you. And the beauty of it is, there is a God who loves you more than you know, even when you get side tracked and value Him less than you should.

THE POWER OF THE UNEXPECTED

If you are a fan of college football then you have no doubt heard the word heard the word "parity" a great deal this year. Webster calls it "the quality or state of being equal or equivalent." Parity has been has been used to describe the indescribable. Upsets abounding every week beginning with Appalachian State beating Michigan and ending with Pittsburgh defeating West Virginia. (Pitts' quarterback is my sisters next door neighbor by the way- like you care) There is a power in words. When we use a word like "parity" every week, then we write off the power of the unexpected. It is probably a part of our human condition, to want things to be equal. It may be a reason tolerance is such huge deal right now. But I have to wonder I when we expect the unexpected every day what is left to blow our minds? Like skin becoming calloused from daily toil, so is our mind or spirit when parity is the norm. The beauty of the season just passed is that we celebrate a miraculous thing. God in human form, not as expected... a military leader or emancipatory rebel...but in the most humble and inhumane to us. Imagine our social service response if we had babes being born in cow crap today. There is power in the unexpected. It is the extraordinary that jolts us from complacency. May your life never suffer from parity.

NEW YEAR CHANGE

Happy New Year
So what marked '07 for you? Think with me for a minute. Are you more in love and in deeper relationship with your maker than you were last January? How long will it take you to write 08? It usually takes me a week or two, which means that something inside me wants to hold on to the past. You may say that is it is just a mere habit, to keep writing '07, but maybe there is more to it. I know many don't embrace change. Some of us fight it with much resolve, but without change there could be no growth. Time itself is continual change. I was listening to an mp3 mix that I created for our holiday travels, when I was reminded by a Russ Taff song that say that God is always here and now. The irony is that we must change to be in deeper relationship with a God who is unchanging. The God whose love for us all is so great and His power unfathomable that He exists beyond our understanding to be Emmanuel (God with Us here and now) no matter where we are in life. Less of us more of Him. We are expected to change and grow, so at the minute of our belief in Him, he planted himself through the Holy Spirit in us to be the Change agent. We change through his power and our surrender to it. May '08 find you open to the change God wants to accomplish in you.