Island Christianity?

Islands are great places to visit and relax, but I'm not sure I want to live on one.  I'm not talking about islands like Hilton Head down in Low Country, or Amelia Island, Florida.  I'm talking about islands surrounded by water with no bridges to a mainland.  Mackinaw Island in Michigan is close, but still not as remote as I'm thinking.  Think more along the lines of remote, Pacific Rim, ala "Gilligan's Island".  You get the idea.

When you live on an island like this you are dependent upon others for supplies and resources.  Being "disconnected" has many advantages, but at the end of the day you are still "disconnected".   Many Christ-followers treat their faith like a remote island.  They refuse to connect to the larger faith community and are content to live out their faith on an island.  I call it "Island Christianity".  But there's a huge problem with this kind of theology.  It's not biblical.  It betrays biblical understanding and knowledge.  It denies the total Lordship of Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection to preserve, protect and keep His bride, the church (Eph. 5)

We can't read the Acts of the Apostles, or any of Paul's letters and the rest of the pastoral letters in the New Testament and support "Island Christianity" with a straight face.  The Gospels tell us about a new kind of community God brought through Jesus.  He modeled it with the twelve disciples.  He counseled them about it and how to live in it when He was gone from them.  It previously existed in the Old Testament beginning with Abraham and moving through Moses, David, and more.  At every turn we find community.  A sense of being part of something bigger than self.  Heck, God represents community----Father, Son, and Holy Spirit----The Great Three In One!

So when people tell me, "Oh I'm a Christ-follower, I just choose not to be part of the church, it's so messed up and flawed,"  I really have to hold my tongue.  I think to myself:  "Seriously?  You can stand before the Great Bridegroom and tell Him that with a straight face?"  Hear me.  I'm an adult PK and seasoned pastor.  I, of all people have seen the failings, warts and flaws of the church.  But I have also seen the best she has to offer.  And on her worst day it's better than any island.  Yes, retreat to islands when necessary (even Jesus withdrew), but don't bale on your calling and the commands of Christ.  You have too much to give and you make the body better!

She Loves Me Like Jesus Does...No She Doesn't!

Country singer Eric Church has a song out entitled, "Loves Me Like Jesus".  Here's a line from the song:

I'm a lead foot leaning on a souped-up Chevy,
I'm a good old boy, drinking whiskey and rye on the levee
But she carries me when my sins make me heavy,
And loves me like Jesus does.

My wife and I were driving somewhere when the song came on the radio.  To be honest she tolerates my passion for country music.  Actually I listen to just about everything, but rap.  Just quite never got the hang of that one.  As the song came on she said, "No she doesn't! It's impossible for anyone to love like Jesus!"
While I knew what Eric Church saying, I had to agree with my 30-year bride.  It is humanly impossible to love others like Jesus.  Jesus' love is a perfect love without any conditions.  Human love is not perfect and even the best come to the table with at least some kind of presupposition, prejudice, or bias.  We are incapable of fully loving like Jesus, on our own.

However, we can strive to love like Jesus.  The Holy Spirit enables us to love others like Jesus loves.  The point of the song is that this woman loves a sinful man despite his wayward lifestyle and flaws.  She is a grace-giver and that is something all of us can aspire to be toward others.  Especially those who have hurt, or wounded us!  This is sacrificial love.  The same love Jesus extends to us, despite our sin.  On the night of His arrest and betrayal Jesus challenged the disciples to strive for this kind of love:      

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The Spirit of God living within the human soul is the only way we can attempt to love as Jesus does.  And the ultimate test is our ability to love those with whom we disagree, or those who have hurt, wounded, or offended us.  It's easy to love those who think and talk like us, agree with us, or share our worldview.  But it's harder to love those who don't.  
The ultimate proof of Christ-like love is the ability to acknowledge and suspend our presuppositions, or fixed attitudes and simply love someone because Jesus commands it.  But those of us who claim to have personally experienced Christ-like love realize that loving others as Christ is the only appropriate response when we consider how He has loved us!  

So while the song may present a theological challenge it challenges us to love as Jesus loves.  And that's exactly what Christ asks of every person who calls Him, Lord!

Boston We Hold You in Our Hearts!

Stand tall Boston!  You have been the birthplace and beacon for freedom in America since its inception.  Your historic stands for freedom will not be deterred by this diabolic, cowardice act of terrorism.  We are counting on you and we are with you!

I've made three mission trips to Boston and regretted none of them!  They were fantastic experiences.  Boston is home to some of America's most historic sites: The Freedom Trail, Bunker Hill Monument, The USS Constitution, Boston Commons, Faneuil Hall,  Old North Church, and The Paul Revere House, not to mention Little Italy, Harvard Square and its spectacular harbor.  It is a city rich in history and culture.  It has endured acts of terror dating back to the American Revolution.  And it will endure the 2013 Patriot's Day attack on the Boston Marathon.

May we hold this grand city in our hearts and prayers!  Pray for the victims, first responders, family members, medical personnel, children, investigators and leaders.  Pray for the free and the brave to return to their normal routine as soon as possible so as not to give an inch to the perpetrators of evil who count on casting perpetual fear that disrupts normal life.  Pray for justice and pray for peace.

This is the result of living in a fallen world.  It is not what God had in mind at creation.  Rest assured this sinful act didn't take God by surprise.  Christ-follwers lets take our cue from Jesus who never bowed, or cowered to oppression and evil, but faced it with quiet strength, great resolve, unconditional love and hope upon God.  Let us live as people with hope!  

The Big Three

Thursday three men I have admired since childhood started the 77th Masters Tournament at historic Augusta National.  Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have 13 green jackets between them!  The honorary starters teed it up on the first tee to start the tournament.  I didn't start seriously playing golf until I was in my 30's, but I've followed the game since I was a kid.  These three men with feet of clay were as close as you could get to human heroes for me.

On the course they epitomized what golf is all about: etiquette, respect, honesty, character, composure, physical coordination, the ability to focus and joy.  They made it look too easy for the average hacker.  Truth be told they would've played if there were no prize money and they had to pay greens fees.  Long before Tiger or Rory were even on the radar, "The Big Three," were racking up titles and championships in record fashion.  No one has more green jackets than the Golden Bear at six! King Arnie is 83, Player, "The Black Knight," is 77, and the Golden Bear is 73.

Their relationship hasn't always been one of smiles and cooing.  They were fierce competitors on the golf course, but there was an unsurpassed level of respect that formed the foundation for their lifelong friendship.  Seeing these three yesterday reminded me all that is good about the game of golf.  Today's players are great, but even among the best of them something is lacking in the presence of The Big Three.  Their shadows are huge and they loom from Amen Corner to Hogan's Bridge at Augusta.  All three have experienced the highest reward at Augusta multiple times, but they have also been party to great crashes.

Something that has always stood out to me about these three was how they took off their caps after finishing the 18th hole, looked each other in the eye and offered a handshake of respect.  They weren't caught up with their publicist, agent, foundation, swing coach and an entourage tagging behind to tell them how great they just played.  In fact, Nicklaus was famous for leaving his swing coach behind in Florida instead of traveling with him to a tournament   Mere mortals among men, but almost like gods on the golf course they maintained a sense of who they were among the rest of us.  And here's just one example:

The story is told that early in his career, Phil Mickelson was paired with Arnold Palmer for a practice round at Augusta.  Sometime during the round Palmer left the course and walked into one of the hospitality tents that sells the best egg salad and pimento cheese sandwiches you've ever had.  Apparently the place went silent in the presence of King Arnie.  A young, impressionable Mickelson was by his side as he heard the King thank the volunteers working the tent for taking time off to serve the public, which made it possible for them to play golf.  It is said that story has had a huge part in shaping Phil Mickelson's well known affection for fans and those working tournaments.  I don't think he knew it that day, but Arnold Palmer put our clay pedestals into perspective for the rest of us.  He noted that we all have a part to play and each person is dependent upon someone else and none of us is better or bigger than anyone else!  

Perhaps I'm waxing nostalgically for something from childhood, but as great as these phenomenal young players are today, they don't evoke in me the same sense of awe and respect as names like: Palmer, Nelson, Nicklaus, Watson, Player, Miller, Floyd and Trevino.  Maybe I'm just getting older and as these mortal heroes age I'm realizing that I am also getting older.  I only hope, like these greats have done that I am also getting better as a person, husband, father, and friend.

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann)

Our Second Breath of Heaven

April 2, 2013 just after 4:30 p.m., Miss Gentry arrived from heaven into the arms of her Mom and Dad in Greenville.  She is our second breath from heaven in 14 months following big sister, Nolynn!  She weighed in at 8.3 lbs, and was 19.5" long.  

We prayed and waited for her all these months and now she is here!  A slight scare in the evening as they discovered she had some fluid in her lungs that should have been aspirated at birth.  Her breathing rate was too high to allow her to eat because of the fluid so after inserting a feeding tube she started to aspirate some of the fluid and we are hoping by Thursday she will be cleared to have the tube removed and go home with her parents.  

We are absolutely bowled over by God's grace and gift of Gentry!  We thank you Father for this precious gift and simply ask that You receive all glory and honor from her birth and life to come.  Help us to be worthy parents and grandparents as we raise her in Your love!