A couple if years ago, I visited First Presbyterian Church in Downtown Winston-Salem for their “Easter Encounter” experience. I found it to be a simple, yet profound journey through eight scenes, each reflecting different parts of the Easter Story and the way it relates to our life.
The walk was self-directed, much like our own. We can choose how much time we are going to spend on Easter, how much of the meaning we are going to let settle in our hearts. Will you rush through Easter this year, or allow yourself time to really reflect on the resurrection?
The encounter was also meant to be experienced in its entirety. Deciding to only visit the first few stations would leave one with an incomplete picture of what the crucifixion and resurrection are about. For example, at one of the scenes you were encouraged to write down one of your sins on a piece of cloth and then carry it with you through the rest of the encounter. If you stopped there, then you’d never get to the station where you tear up that piece of cloth and lay it at the foot of the cross. Think about that, you’d leave the building, still carrying your sin around with you. What sins are you still carrying around because you haven’t fully accepted the gift of forgiveness given to you on the cross?
In addition, each station of the encounter offered an opportunity to personally respond. At one scene there was a mirror and you were asked to look into it and reflect on the depth of Christ’s sacrifice knowing that it was for you. Truly, the story of Easter does require a response from us. We cannot simply hear the story and then walk away. It forces us to make a decision to either accept Jesus’ sacrifice and forgiveness or reject it. Even people who have heard about Jesus yet do not believe in Him have made a choice.
And, finally, the encounter did not end with the resurrection. Instead, it ended with a reminder that the journey of the Holy week began long before Jesus’ last week on earth and continues today. We are a part of that everlasting journey. A part of His story.
Ask God to help you encounter His love in a real, personal way today, and that He will reveal more of Himself to you as you celebrate Easter this weekend.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Worship!!
I recently attended a church service (don’t worry, I won’t name names) and I have to say, I was really disappointed by the level of enthusiasm, or lack thereof, during worship time.
It wasn’t the worship team’s fault…they were doing a great job of passionately leading worship. But, no matter how hard they tried to stir up that passion among the congregation, the response remained, for the most part, completely flat. Here we stood, singing “I Am Free to Run, I am Free to Dance, I am Free to Live for You, I am Free” and the majority of the people weren’t even smiling as they sang. Based on their facial expressions, they could have just as easily been singing, “Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen.”
It made me wonder how many people at this church really understood what the praise and worship portion of a service is all about. I know that I sure didn’t get it when I became a Christian. But, it’s important to understand that it’s called Praise and Worship because that’s exactly what we’re supposed to be doing at that time… Praising and Worshipping the Lord! When we sing in church, it’s not to fill the room with pretty music, or to fill time before the pastor starts talking. We’re singing to God…he’s our audience of one.
Listen to the description of worship in Proverbs 29:2 “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.”
I understand that people express themselves differently…not everyone raises their hands, claps and/or sways to the music. However, no matter how you choose to show it, when singing praise and worship songs, we are wise to remember that we are singing at the foot of the throne.
It wasn’t the worship team’s fault…they were doing a great job of passionately leading worship. But, no matter how hard they tried to stir up that passion among the congregation, the response remained, for the most part, completely flat. Here we stood, singing “I Am Free to Run, I am Free to Dance, I am Free to Live for You, I am Free” and the majority of the people weren’t even smiling as they sang. Based on their facial expressions, they could have just as easily been singing, “Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen.”
It made me wonder how many people at this church really understood what the praise and worship portion of a service is all about. I know that I sure didn’t get it when I became a Christian. But, it’s important to understand that it’s called Praise and Worship because that’s exactly what we’re supposed to be doing at that time… Praising and Worshipping the Lord! When we sing in church, it’s not to fill the room with pretty music, or to fill time before the pastor starts talking. We’re singing to God…he’s our audience of one.
Listen to the description of worship in Proverbs 29:2 “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.”
I understand that people express themselves differently…not everyone raises their hands, claps and/or sways to the music. However, no matter how you choose to show it, when singing praise and worship songs, we are wise to remember that we are singing at the foot of the throne.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Trashed Trailers
The town council of Pilot Mountain recently voted to ban mobile homes within the town limits. Anyone currently living in a trailer will be permitted to stay, however if they should decide to replace their mobile with a new one they’ll have to move out of town. People in favor of the ban complain that the presence of mobile homes within town limits, particularly those that are not being properly maintained, is an eyesore. They add that these homes are bringing everyone else’s property values down. People opposed to the ban say that the people who live in these homes can’t afford anything else, and that the mobile home ban is just a thinly veiled plot to run lower income residents out of town.
While I think there are some valid arguments on both sides of this issue, one thing missing from the debate is an interest in “loving thy neighbor”. The trailer dwellers, who have not kept up their homes, are being unloving toward their neighbors by allowing their run-down properties to negatively affect the neighborhood. On the other hand, if the people in the stick-built homes were as committed to loving their neighbors as they were to petitioning town council, they could accomplish so much more. As my friend, Derek, pointed out, these folks could reach out to their neighbors by helping them fix their gutters, paint their homes or mow their lawns. They could do some landscaping and replace broken screens and missing underpinning. If the community could, somehow, come together in such a loving, helpful way, imagine the real impact they would have.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to pick on the people of Pilot Mountain. A general lack of interest in loving our neighbors and caring for our communities is prevalent throughout the United States. We do a much better job of complaining about each other than we do of caring for one another. Perhaps that’s because complaining is so much easier. And, while griping may be the easiest way to deal with the people who bug us, it’s certainly not the Godly way. God calls us to be peacemakers. Let’s remember to live out the words in 2nd Timothy 2:24, which says, “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged.”
While I think there are some valid arguments on both sides of this issue, one thing missing from the debate is an interest in “loving thy neighbor”. The trailer dwellers, who have not kept up their homes, are being unloving toward their neighbors by allowing their run-down properties to negatively affect the neighborhood. On the other hand, if the people in the stick-built homes were as committed to loving their neighbors as they were to petitioning town council, they could accomplish so much more. As my friend, Derek, pointed out, these folks could reach out to their neighbors by helping them fix their gutters, paint their homes or mow their lawns. They could do some landscaping and replace broken screens and missing underpinning. If the community could, somehow, come together in such a loving, helpful way, imagine the real impact they would have.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to pick on the people of Pilot Mountain. A general lack of interest in loving our neighbors and caring for our communities is prevalent throughout the United States. We do a much better job of complaining about each other than we do of caring for one another. Perhaps that’s because complaining is so much easier. And, while griping may be the easiest way to deal with the people who bug us, it’s certainly not the Godly way. God calls us to be peacemakers. Let’s remember to live out the words in 2nd Timothy 2:24, which says, “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged.”
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Earning Your PhT
After several years of hard work, my pastor recently obtained his Doctorate Degree in Divinity. He could not attend the Graduation ceremony held by the University where he completed his studies because he was out of the county at the time. So, we held a brief ceremony for him at church. The worship band played “Pomp and Circumstance” and 3 leaders from our congregation who also hold Doctorates performed the ceremony. It was a very sweet moment and we were all very proud of his accomplishment.
The coolest part of the ceremony, I thought, was when they called his wife up on the stage to join him. After they conveyed the PhD to Pete, they recognized his wife Kathy for the hard work and dedication that she had put in to support him. They gave her an honorary PHT…Putting Him Through. She got a standing ovation.
There are so many women and men like my pastor’s wife, who make sacrifices every day so their spouse’s hopes and dreams can be realized. Often, these partner’s efforts go unnoticed and unappreciated because everyone is focusing on the accomplishments of their spouse. My own husband struggles with this…he half-jokingly says he used to be called Alton, but know he’s known as Tami’s husband. But, the fact of the matter is, that I could not do what I do if he was not there to support me.
If your spouse is the one who takes care of the day to day stuff so that you can do what you do…I have a challenge for you. Take time today to write him or her a note of thanks. It doesn’t have to be long, just a few lines to express your appreciation will do. And, if you are not married, write a note to someone else who could use a little appreciating right now.
Finally, if you are the “behind the scenes” spouse, know that your work does not go unnoticed. Even when it seems that no one else sees the sacrifices you make each day, God always notices. And, He is glorified whenever we serve each other with a humble heart.
The coolest part of the ceremony, I thought, was when they called his wife up on the stage to join him. After they conveyed the PhD to Pete, they recognized his wife Kathy for the hard work and dedication that she had put in to support him. They gave her an honorary PHT…Putting Him Through. She got a standing ovation.
There are so many women and men like my pastor’s wife, who make sacrifices every day so their spouse’s hopes and dreams can be realized. Often, these partner’s efforts go unnoticed and unappreciated because everyone is focusing on the accomplishments of their spouse. My own husband struggles with this…he half-jokingly says he used to be called Alton, but know he’s known as Tami’s husband. But, the fact of the matter is, that I could not do what I do if he was not there to support me.
If your spouse is the one who takes care of the day to day stuff so that you can do what you do…I have a challenge for you. Take time today to write him or her a note of thanks. It doesn’t have to be long, just a few lines to express your appreciation will do. And, if you are not married, write a note to someone else who could use a little appreciating right now.
Finally, if you are the “behind the scenes” spouse, know that your work does not go unnoticed. Even when it seems that no one else sees the sacrifices you make each day, God always notices. And, He is glorified whenever we serve each other with a humble heart.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Just to Be With You
I must admit, I’m not much of a Golf fan. Last year, there was some big golf tournament going on in Georgia. I think it was the masters. Normally, I wouldn’t know or really care about who was playing or winning in this event. This past year, however, one player caught my attention. Drew Weaver is a 21-year-old kid from High Point. He attends Virginia Tech and was there the year when tragic shootings killed 33 fellow students. But, the thing about him that peaked my interest the most was has to do with his mother, Cathy.
Apparently, Cathy has suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis for most of her life and her knees had taken the hardest hit from the disease. She was in constant pain, even unable to sleep at night. The disease also had begun to prevent her from being there, at each hole, to cheer on her son, Drew when he played Golf. Last summer, when Drew played in and won the British Open, she could only bear to watch the last three holes. And, I’m guessing that’s when she decided she had to do something.
So, Cathy made the decision have both knees replaced…at the same time. Because of the difficult recovery period from this surgery, most people only have one knee done at a time. But, that was not an option for Mrs. Weaver. Her boy was going to be in the masters and she was going to be there to cheer him on…at every hole. So she had the intense surgery last February and then began the long, hard road to recovery.
Her determination paid off. Cathy made it to the Masters. At each hole, she was there. Drew Weaver’s biggest fan…who did what had to be done in order to be there for her child. How deeply loved he is!
Friend, you are loved even more! You have Parent in heaven who is watching every move you make, cheering you on in your victories and encouraging you when you fall. And, He made an incredible sacrifice because he wants to be with you…forever. For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).
Apparently, Cathy has suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis for most of her life and her knees had taken the hardest hit from the disease. She was in constant pain, even unable to sleep at night. The disease also had begun to prevent her from being there, at each hole, to cheer on her son, Drew when he played Golf. Last summer, when Drew played in and won the British Open, she could only bear to watch the last three holes. And, I’m guessing that’s when she decided she had to do something.
So, Cathy made the decision have both knees replaced…at the same time. Because of the difficult recovery period from this surgery, most people only have one knee done at a time. But, that was not an option for Mrs. Weaver. Her boy was going to be in the masters and she was going to be there to cheer him on…at every hole. So she had the intense surgery last February and then began the long, hard road to recovery.
Her determination paid off. Cathy made it to the Masters. At each hole, she was there. Drew Weaver’s biggest fan…who did what had to be done in order to be there for her child. How deeply loved he is!
Friend, you are loved even more! You have Parent in heaven who is watching every move you make, cheering you on in your victories and encouraging you when you fall. And, He made an incredible sacrifice because he wants to be with you…forever. For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Missing the Messiah
The Old Testament of the Bible is filled with prophecies of a coming Messiah. Jews living at the time of Jesus’ birth had long been anticipating the coming of their savior. Hundreds of years before his birth it had been predicted that the Messiah would: be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14a), in Bethlem (Micah 5:2), from King David’s bloodline (2 Samuel 7:12-16). It was also foretold that He would be: Anointed by God’s Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2), a worker of miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6) and that he would ride a donkey into Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9). The way Jesus would die was also accurately predicted by the prophets, who said He would: be rejected (Isaiah 53:3), be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12), have his Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16), and that he would rise from the dead (Psalm 16:10) and ascent into heaven (Psalm 68:18).¹
In fact, Jesus fulfilled every one of the hundreds of messianic prophecies in the Bible. So, I just cannot fathom how or why the Jews of his day who spent their whole lives learning and studying the scriptures did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah. How could they have missed it?
The truth is that 2000 years later we are still missing Him. Some miss the invitation to enter into a relationship with Him, even though he keeps knocking, waiting to be let in. Others miss the opportunity to grow closer to him by allowing our busyness to replace His presence. We also miss him when we neglect serving those in need….after all, He is most easily found among the least of these.
As we join together with family and friends to celebrate Christmas…let’s not miss Him, especially since this is His party after all. And, throughout the year, let’s keep looking for Him with determination and vigilance. Let’s also make sure we continue to train our children and grandchildren to look for and find Jesus, each and every day.
1. http://www.messianic-prophecy.net/
In fact, Jesus fulfilled every one of the hundreds of messianic prophecies in the Bible. So, I just cannot fathom how or why the Jews of his day who spent their whole lives learning and studying the scriptures did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah. How could they have missed it?
The truth is that 2000 years later we are still missing Him. Some miss the invitation to enter into a relationship with Him, even though he keeps knocking, waiting to be let in. Others miss the opportunity to grow closer to him by allowing our busyness to replace His presence. We also miss him when we neglect serving those in need….after all, He is most easily found among the least of these.
As we join together with family and friends to celebrate Christmas…let’s not miss Him, especially since this is His party after all. And, throughout the year, let’s keep looking for Him with determination and vigilance. Let’s also make sure we continue to train our children and grandchildren to look for and find Jesus, each and every day.
1. http://www.messianic-prophecy.net/
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
What are you saying...really?
I was recently visiting someone in the hospital when I noticed an inconspicuous sheet of paper hung on a wall near the nurses station. The note was apparently a weekly exercise for the nurses to work on, meant to help them improve their job performance. The lesson this particular week was, “I will let my patients know that they are important to me by my body language and my words”.
As I read this message, I thought to myself, “Wow! What a great lesson. We could all stand to work on the message we send to others with our body language and words.” I felt ashamed, too, when I thought about how often I have made the people important to me feel like they were anything but.
So, I read the statement again and again, but this time personalizing it with each read. “I will let my husband know how important he is to me by my body language and my words”. “I will let my children know that they are important to me by my body language and my words”. “I will let my mother know that she is important to me by my body language and my words”.
I’m sure there will still be plenty of times that my body language and words do not send the message, “You’re Important to Me”, but this little exercise sure did bring things into better perspective for me, serving as a good reminder to think about the way I treat the people in my life.
Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:36-37? "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Careless words, I have spoken so many of them. You probably have, too. Let’s pray today for forgiveness for these words we will be judged by. Let’s also pray that God will give us n the discipline to guard our hearts, minds and tounges.
As I read this message, I thought to myself, “Wow! What a great lesson. We could all stand to work on the message we send to others with our body language and words.” I felt ashamed, too, when I thought about how often I have made the people important to me feel like they were anything but.
So, I read the statement again and again, but this time personalizing it with each read. “I will let my husband know how important he is to me by my body language and my words”. “I will let my children know that they are important to me by my body language and my words”. “I will let my mother know that she is important to me by my body language and my words”.
I’m sure there will still be plenty of times that my body language and words do not send the message, “You’re Important to Me”, but this little exercise sure did bring things into better perspective for me, serving as a good reminder to think about the way I treat the people in my life.
Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:36-37? "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Careless words, I have spoken so many of them. You probably have, too. Let’s pray today for forgiveness for these words we will be judged by. Let’s also pray that God will give us n the discipline to guard our hearts, minds and tounges.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)