Ordination: The End of One Journey- The Beginning of Another

Posted on June 12, 2013 by

 

 

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Ordination class is prayed over by Bishop Peggy Johnson

Last weekend was the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference- our yearly gathering of clergy and laity to talk all things United Methodist happening on the Delmarva Peninsula. I’ve come to enjoy the weekend of fellowship, worship, and Holy Conferencing- though I would love to see some changes (another blog post).

This Annual Conference will always be special to me because I was ordained an Elder in Full Connection in The United Methodist Church. This is the culmination of nine plus years of work. To break it down- 2+ years of exploring candidacy and getting licensed, 5 years of seminary part-time, 2 years of Provisional Status- which leads up to Ordination. I think throughout the journey of the past 9+ years I wished it would go by faster- but in the end, I am right where I am supposed to be.

Overall, the Ordination service was very moving. Retired Bishop Violet Fisher preached at the service. (And by preached, I mean preached as only Bishop Fisher can- it was a great message!) Bishop Fisher preached on our calling and how before any Bishop can lay hands on us and appoint us- we need to be anointed by God.

I was told by a friend who was ordained years ago that ordination weekend would be a blur- and it was- and that future ordination services would create opportunities to reflect and be thankful for the journey. One that is truly just beginning.

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Bring It Back to Jesus: Eddie DeGarmo Interview

Posted on May 23, 2013 by

I was reading the latest issue of Worship Leader magazine this morning- and in it was an interview with Eddie DeGarmo who is the president of Capitol CMG Publishing who has a roster including Kirk Franklin, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, David Crowder and more. For me, Eddie DeGarmo was also one half of the 80′s/90′s duo, Degarmo and Key. In the interview, Eddie gives a response that I wanted to post here. He was asked, “Is it possible to have a music career and an active ministry at the same time?”

“If you know Christ, having a ministry should be foundational to whatever you do, whether you’re a baseball player or a guitar player. But having a career with a public platform always creates issues. You have to be careful of compromising the way you present yourself. One of the masters of dealing with the media and the public is Billy Graham. Whenever he was interviewed and someone would ask him about abortion or other social issues he would always bring it back to the gospel. That’s a good example to follow. It isn’t your answers on the issues of the day that bring people to Christ. It’s the Holy Spirit.” (Eddie DeGarmo, Worship Leader, May 2013)

Two things that strike me about this quote. First, I really like that DeGarmo says that it is foundational for everyone who knows Christ to have a ministry. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a teacher, a surgeon, a stay-at-home mom/dad, a janitor, or a bus driver. We need to grow where God has planted us. This is our mission field.

Secondly, I love his final sentence. Our answers about the topics of the day do not bring people to Christ- that is the work of the Holy Spirit. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give answers- but that our answers should point people to the Gospel- the Good News that Jesus died for each of us and wants to extend grace and mercy to us. After point people to Christ, the rest is up to the Holy Spirit. (Check out 1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

Where has God planted you and given you a ministry? Have you had experiences of bringing conversations back to Christ? How is God using you where you are to advance the Kingdom? What is your favorite DeGarmo & Key song?

I couldn’t resist posting a video from Degarmo & Key. Can’t tell you how many times I listened to this song as a teenager. Yes, you can judge me now!

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An Adoption Milestone

Posted on May 21, 2013 by
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Our China Dossier Before Sending It Away!

For those who may not know, Andrea and I have been working through the adoption process since last August- and seriously since November. Our prayer is to adopt a young girl with minor correctable special needs from China. Yesterday, we reached a major milestone: our dossier (all the legal paperwork) was cleared by our adoption agency and is being prepared to be sent to officials in China! It’s taken a little while longer than we had hoped it would- but it is probably better to prepare for longer rather than shorter!

What’s next? We will wait for approval from the Chinese government- then wait some more for placement. It seems the earliest we could travel to China for an adoption would be 12-18 months, but it is hard to say. It seems that the timeline and information changes regularly.

How can you help? First and foremost, keep us in your prayers- and keep a little girl (who may not be born yet) in your prayers. Pray that she would have what see needs to be healthy; that she would be filled with God’s grace and love. Pray that Abbie and Chloe (who know a little of what we’re doing), would receive a new sister and love her like they love each other. Pray for God’s provisions as there are a lot of expenses remaining to cover for our adventure to continue!

Thanks to everyone who has been an encouragement and inspiration to us in this journey! I can’t wait to share more about it with you!

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What Is Love? (Baby Don’t Hurt Me, Anymore)

Posted on April 22, 2013 by

The final message in our “Make Your Mark” series came from 1 Corinthians 13- also known as “The Love Chapter.” It is one of the most beautiful pieces of scripture (or any writing for that matter). 1 Corinthians 13 has found acceptance outside the church and finds its way into weddings, wall hangings, and all sorts of other places.

Couples will have the scripture read in weddings, and while it does talk about love, the chapter is not about marriage. In fact, Paul writes the chapter to explain what Christian love looks like to the churches at Corinth who are struggling to live in Christian love with one another and the community around them. They are clueless when it comes to love.

For the purposes of this post- love is an action and a commitment to put the other in front of ourselves. It is a lifestyle where model our lives after Christ who said, “Greater love has no one than this- to lay down one’s life for one’s friend (John 15:13).” If we are to make a mark as Christians and as a church- then our lives should be characterized by love; a sacrificial love that puts the other ahead of ourselves because God’s heart and love is turned towards the other (this includes us!!).

One of the most challenging parts of this message and preparation was the events that transpired in Boston, MA this week. As I sat, with many across our community and world, stunned about the bombing and the manhunt to catch the accused perpetrators, it became interesting to see some of the social media feeds and our attitudes towards our “enemies.” One of my college friends (@mattswaim) posted a tweet while the manhunt for the second suspect was nearing an end that captured what I was feeling- and praying others felt as well.

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While I had emotions and wanting to see some sort of justice carried out, I also wrestle with trying live out the example of Christian love that is contained in the scriptures. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:43-44, “You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

This is a hard text to live into during an emotional week like the past one has been. It is a hard text when we have people who come against us at work, in our churches (yes, even there), or in our families. But the highest living that we can aspire to is to love as Jesus loved. To not just love our friends- but to be active in loving our enemies by extending them grace, mercy, prayers, and our words and actions that point them to the love that we’ve received through Jesus.

As we are midway through a new week, the encouragement is to love- to love our neighbors, our brothers and sisters, our co-workers, our waitresses and servers, our bus drivers, professors- and yes, even our enemies. In a world filled with violence and hate- living in and living out the divine love of God is the best weapon we have been given to repel the darkness of evil and sin.

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Promises in Times of Tragedy

Posted on April 16, 2013 by

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In the wake of the yesterday’s Boston Marathon Bombing, December’s Newtown, CT shooting and tragedies that have filled the news everywhere, I wanted to list a few brief promises or encouragements from Scripture. The bottom line is that tragedies will happen- and they will happen to us, whether on a large public scale or the tragedies that occur in our personal lives that very few people ever see. The question becomes how we respond to tragedies- or how our faith prepares us to walk through these times of trials.

  1. God is with us: In Isaiah 7:14, a passage that the NT views as a prophecy of the Messiah, we are told, “Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign; The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will cal him Immanuel.” Immanuel means, “God with us.” We can be encouraged that God is with us regardless of what we’re walking through.
  2. God Never Leaves Us: Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” In the midst of trials, tragedies, and difficulties we have a promise from Scripture that God does not leave or forsake us. It may sometimes feel that way, but we must have faith that God is there-even at our lowest points. This is reason for courage!
  3. God Leads Us Through Death Valley: In the 23rd Psalm, the Psalmist writes, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley (Valley of Death in KJV), I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Again, we have a promise that God is with us, protecting us- and leading us through the most difficult of times. The Psalm doesn’t say that God will lead us around, over, or under- but right through whatever trial or tragedy that we are facing.
  4. God Weeps With Those Who Weep: One of the most powerful story in the New Testament is the story when Lazarus dies in John 11. Jesus was called to come to Lazarus’ aid, but didn’t immediately go. Lazarus dies and his sisters, Mary and Martha, are not very happy about it. When Jesus arrives and encounters Lazarus’ sisters, he is moved to tears. John 11:35 says that “Jesus wept.” This is important because Jesus is divine, Jesus is God. God weeps over the death of a friend. I have to believe that because of God’s goodness and love, that God weeps with those who weep. When we are broken; when we weep- we have a God who weeps with us. God is not unmoved- but moved by love and compassion. (By the way, Jesus also wept over Jerusalem before his death! Luke 19:41)
  5. Jesus Understands: The author of the book of Hebrews writes in 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.” Jesus has been tempted and hurt in every way. He was tempted by Satan, he was mocked by the religious leaders, people tried to arrest and kill him, he was betrayed, abandoned, beat, and killed. Jesus, God-in-Flesh, went through all that and can identify and empathize with what we are experiencing. This means that we are not alone in the midst of trials and tragedies, even when it feels like it. Because Jesus can empathize, we can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence in order to find mercy and grace in times of need.

There are more promises and passages in the Bible that speak to our lives when we experience tragedy- but these promises are foundational to the life of a Christian as we deal with what is going on in our world. As Christians, we must develop a world-view that has faith that God is with us, for us, and not against. While this world-view will not necessarily lessen the blow of tragedy, it will help us frame what happen in a perspective that allows us to come to God, cry on God’s shoulder, and approach God’s throne to receive mercy and grace.

There is one final promise that I feel must be mentioned. It’s found throughout the Bible, most notably in the account of the resurrection and in Revelation 21. It’s the over-arching story of the Bible through all 66 books. That God is redeeming and making all things new.It’s the promise that evil and death are defeated, sin is defeated; brokenness is healed; captives are set free; there will be no more tears; no more pain; no more suffering; no more death- because God is making all things new through Jesus. When that day comes that God dwells with his people, creation will be redeemed and restored by the love that compelled Jesus to the Cross. That is something we can put our faith in!

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Four Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Parent

Posted on April 16, 2013 by

I’ve been going through some old tweets and instagram photos- and a common hashtag I use is #fatherhood and #parenthood. With two children- it’s a way of life. Parenthood has changed our life forever and I think there is no higher ministry than to my family and children. In light of this, there are a few things I wish I knew before becoming a parent.

1. Kids Change Everything: Ok, I’ve heard this from everyone when we told our family and friends we were expecting our first child, Abigail. And we knew that it would. I just don’t think I realized how much it would change our lives.

Andrea and I were married for eight years before Abbie came along. We went to bed when we wanted to and got up when we wanted to. When Abbie was born, it was a race to get to bed and go to sleep when she went to sleep because we knew she’d wake up. Before Abbie, when we wanted to go to the beach we would roll out of bed, put on our swim suits, grab a book and be on the beach in 20 minutes. Now, going to the beach requires filling up the back of our vehicle with blankets, towels, toys, umbrellas, more toys, food, drinks, more toys, clothes- and the list goes on. (Our first time taking Abbie to the beach, we forgot sunblock and had to overpay for something on the boardwalk!)

2. You’re gonna talk about poop a lot. No seriously, if you’re not yet a parent you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. When a baby cannot talk, one of the best ways to know the child is healthy is the baby’s stool. Because of this, poop becomes an acceptable conversation topic at the dinner table, with other parents, and just about any time you can imagine. Never did I imagine the quantity of conversations that I would have around this subject. Just giving you fair warning.

3. You Long For Silence: Andrea and I like music a lot. Before kids we would listen to music all the time, have engaging conversations about life, dreams, and ministry. Now, between listening to “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” for the millionth time, hearing the kids scream, and answering Chloe’s questions that she’ll keep asking until we acknowledge her- there are times when all we want or need is some silence.

That’s probably a healthy thing. Not there there is anything wrong with our kids talk or questions (I love their questions), but there are times when I need to decompress and process what is going on in the day-to-day and process where we are as a family. Before kids, these periods of silence where easy to find and create- but now they are worth a fortune and are like finding the Leprechaun’s pot of gold!

4. Your Heart Grows Even Larger: I never knew how much I would love our first daughter, Abbie, until she was born. She was simply amazing. Holding her and seeing her grow and develop was a real blessing. It was three years with Abbie before Chloe arrived. I have to admit that I was a little nervous about a second child. How could I “share” my love with another daughter. Again, the wisdom from those who have been there before said that you don’t share love- but your heart has a greater capacity to love. Guess what? They were right.

When Chloe arrived, I didn’t have to take any love away from Abbie- but there was the ability to love each one of them fully. While the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes bigger on Christmas morning, I feel like my heart grew even larger than that with two kids. Our capacity to love for children is a blessing.

And here’s another one for good measure…

5. Parenting Teaches You So Much About God: Through much of the Bible, there is language of God as a Father/parent. Being a father for nearly six years, there is much to learn from parenting about God (and more than this post can contain.) I want to give my children every blessing and opportunity possible. I am fallen and sinful- yet this is my desire. How much more is God’s desire to love us, bless us, and protect us? There are so many ways this could be discussed, and we need to consider how parenting can teach us about God.

What did you wish you knew before you had kids? How has being a parent taught you about God?

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Make Your Mark: Body Be

Posted on April 15, 2013 by

Yesterday was week number two in our series called, Make Your Mark. Last week, we looked at how each Christian is gifted by the Holy Spirit to take part in God’s work here on earth. Basically, if God calls us- God will equip us.

This week, we looked at the second half of 1 Corinthians 12 and Paul’s image or metaphor of the church as a body- specifically the body of Christ. Each believer has a role (or gift) to use in the body of Christ. For the Body to function properly- everyone must use their gifts. Throughout the chapter, Paul highlights unity within diversity (12:4, 5,6, 11, 12, 13, 20, 25-26). As the physical manifestation of the body of Christ in the world, the Church is to find unity amongst it’s many members, gifts, experiences, and dreams.

Of course, unity is quite the challenge. How does a church, made up of many individuals find unity- where does it find unity.

Jesus is the obvious answer. We call ourselves Christians because of our faith in Jesus and our desire to daily surrender our lives and live as a disciple. Without Jesus’ incarnation, life, death, and resurrection- there is no Church, no body. Our unity is found in Jesus- and the mission that Jesus calls us to take part in as Christians.

Fellow UMC Pastor and Blogger Matt Lipan wrote a post last week about vision and mission (read it here). In the post, he gives what I thought was a helpful image. In our organizations and churches, we can get lost in the sea of vision, mission, values, purpose, etc. What is needed in the turbulent is an anchor point to provide stability. He suggest, and I agree, that the anchor point is mission.

The Church is often described as the hands and feet of Jesus. If that is true, our unity as the body is found in our common salvation and experiences of God’s grace- and the mission that God has called us to. This mission is too Love God and love others (Mark 12:29-31) and to make disciples (Matt 28.19-20). There are many things in the Church that we can discuss and debate, but our anchor is Jesus and the mission to love others and to make disciples of all nations. This is where we find our stability.

Where does your church or ministry find it’s anchor? How do you keep the mission of the Church the main thing? Are there other anchors that you’d suggest?

I couldn’t help but think of a classic ’90′s song while studying this passage last week: Johnny Q. Public’s, “Body Be.”

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