Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

Last week on Christmas Eve I sat and sang “Joy to the World” as I have almost every year.  My voice was loud, my heart was dancing, and for some reason this year the power of the lyrics jumped out at me.  Maybe I’ve enjoyed the music accompanying the lyrics in the past and didn’t fully grasp what Isaac Watts was trying to say when he published “Joy to the World” in 1719.  Here are the lyrics.  Read them without singing and soak in the news they bring.

Joy to the World; the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.

How was it?  Did the hope and joy and praise and wonder fill your heart as you traversed the lyrics?  This simple song helps launch us into a celebration of the Savior’s birth!  Christmas Day has passed but we should not forget that Jesus is now here.  Here to reign.  Here to trample sins and sorrows.  Here to bless us.  Here to rule the world with truth and grace.  Here to help define love.  He is HERE…Jesus Christ is HERE.  JOY TO THE WORLD!

Our calendar year is nearing its end and we’re looking forward to what next year will bring.  May your hope for 2021 be founded in nothing earthly.  ANYTHING of the such is temporary.  I pray that your hope for next year is based SOLEY on the joy brought on by the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our savior Jesus Christ.  I fully believe an unwavering faith in Jesus will bring us all a resounding joy that can only be experienced with Him in your heart!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Joy to the world!  

 

 

Let us revel in the gift of Jesus this Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Just a few days from today we will gather in our homes to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  Although our physical gathering may look a little different this year, one thing if for certain…Jesus is the exact same!  This same man who was born and died for us over 2000 years ago still loves us just as much as He did that very first day.  He came into this world for you and me in a lowly manger.  A humble beginning to a life that was here to change the world!  There was no doubt an abundance of peace that first night He slept in his mother’s arms.  Mary and Joseph probably stayed awake most of that first night just staring down at the sight of this newborn savior.  I imagine His face glowed from light of the night’s sky which that night displayed a new star for all to see in wonder.  This baby boy named Jesus was introduced to the world that night.  A gift for everyone to receive!

As December 25^th approaches, the day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I want us all to spend a few minutes embracing the gift of Jesus.  He came to us to bring hope of a life eternal.  He arrived to take on our sins and paved a path for us to live in heaven forever.  He is the ULTIMATE gift that we can both receive and share.  Please spend some time this Friday reveling in the birth of our savior Jesus!  We all could use some reveling this year…let it be in the name of Jesus!   

Luke 2:1-15:

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

     “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Merry Christmas!  Please have a wonderful Christmas Day and help me make sure EVERY MAN knows about Him this year!

 

"I miss your smile, feels like miles, six feet apart"

I hope are enjoying the warmth of the sunshine today!  It does not quite feel like Christmastime outside, but we are in the heart of advent.  Christmas is near!

On Saturday morning I was on a coffee date with my two oldest daughters.  We were at Revocup South (wonderful coffee and people) and there was a young man named Connor playing the guitar and singing for the patrons.  The atmosphere was a blessing and the music was soothing.  We enjoyed some holiday songs, and, at some point, Connor began playing a song called “Six Feet Apart” by Alec Benjamin.  A few of the lyrics caught my ear and then he came to the line that goes “I miss your smile, feels like miles, six feet apart”.  The line struck me instantly.  A mere six feet right now feels like a million miles to many people.  That reminder breaks my heart.

It is no surprise this year that social distancing is now a common term.  It is also no surprise that 6 feet seems to be the standard for that distancing.  But after separating ourselves from others simply by 6 feet for the past months, I fully believe that many of us feel that 6 feet might just as well be miles.  I miss shaking the hand of people I meet.  I do not like the awkwardness of do we shake hands, can we give a bro-hug, should I resort it an air high five.  It’s not natural for me.  I’m a hand shaker.  I love to see the smiles on the faces of others when I’m in the community.  When I’m out for a walk or run I’m that guy that waves and smiles at almost everybody.  Now on the those same walks the person approaching often ventures into the grass or even into the street to pass me.  I’m still showering and wearing deodorant, so it must be Covid-19 directing this behavior.  I do not think I’m alone in my feelings here.  There is a lot of truth in the lyrics “I miss your smile, feels like miles, six feet apart”.

My message today is not intended to discourage you.  Many, many, many hearts are lonely this year as a result of the physical separation from others.  God did not design us this way.  Right at the beginning of the bible in Genesis 2:18 God said it is not good for man to be alone, so He made him a helpmate.  It’s been that way ever since.  Even as we prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, we are reminded that God sent His son, Jesus, to be with us – Immanuel (Isiah 7:14).  So, as we continue the Advent season, can I encourage you to spend time daily praying for those who are lonely.  Colder days are approaching.  We will be inside even more that we have been for the past 9 months.  Many people are lonely; it might even be you that is lonely.  Even while we around one another this year, we often feel miles and miles apart. But don’t forget that God is ALWAYS with us!  Hallelujah! 

Thanks for spending some time with me today.  I absolutely love music and many times my thoughts are spurred by lyrics I hear.  But I can also say that I love God even more than music and His Holy Spirit guides the words and thoughts I share with you.  Have a blessed day today and please help me ensure that no man is lonely today by making sure that NO MAN IS LEFT BEHIND!

If you want to listen to the song “Six Feet Apart” by Alec Benjamin, here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBET-22qits.

 

 

You can't shut down God!

I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving last week!  I love this time of year because to me it kicks off the Christmas season.  Don’t get me wrong, Thanksgiving meals and celebrations are wonderful.  But they pale in comparison to the celebration of the birth of our King Jesus!

Shutdown seems to be a word that we’ve all heard many times this year.  Governing bodies have wrestled all year in ways to implement shutdowns in a way to slow the spread something unwanted in our community.  Did you know that over 2000 years ago a governing body also tried to shutdown something they did not want in their community?  That’s right!  Matthew 2 reminds us that King Herod, the ruler of Judea at that time, sent out a decree to “kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under”.  This was Herod’s attempt to stop Jesus the Messiah and future King of the Jews.

King Herod was the ruler of Judea at the time of Jesus’ birth.  As you could imagine, the birth of the prophesized new King would bring a threat to his reign.  Upon receiving news about the birth of the Messiah, Herod gathered a group of priests and scholars to help determine where this child was born.  They determined Bethlehem must be where they could find Him based on prophesies.  Herod sent out some wise men to find the baby and report back where He was found so that Herod himself could go worship Him.  The wise men set out and, guided by a bright star, found Jesus with Mary.  They presented Jesus with gifts and began their journey home.  God guided the wise men home by a new route so that they would avoid Herod.  This angered the king and he sent out a decree to kill all boys in Bethlehem and its surrounding area who were two years and under.  News traveled slower in those days and Herod had to be sure this new King did not survive and threat his reign.  God protected Jesus by having Joseph take him to Egypt until Herod’s rule was over.  This was King Herod’s attempt to shutdown Jesus, and it did not work!  Nobody can shutdown God!

Our God is powerful!  He can’t be shut down!  Herod tried to stop God’s plan by killing Jesus.  It did not work.  The Romans crucified Jesus in attempt to stop His message from spreading!  It did not work.  Satan tried to defeat Jesus.  It did not work.  There just is no stopping God.  He’s at work in your lives every day as well.  We cannot run and hide from Him (just ask the Israelite Jonah).  We cannot ignore his Holy Spirit nudging us.  Every Bible could be burnt and yet His words would carry on forever.  We can be asked to stay home, but God can’t be confined to a home.  We can be asked to be silent about Jesus, but you cannot silence God.  We can try changing late December celebrations to “Winter” holidays or breaks, but it doesn’t change the fact that Jesus was born on Christmas Day for you and me.  God cannot be shut down…period!

During this time of advent and through the rest of this year, I want us each to remember that our loving God can’t be shut down.  He’s proven time and time again His faithfulness.  Jesus was born, lived, and died for us.  It is also written that Jesus will return.  Nothing will stop that.  Go out this season sharing tidings of comfort and joy for all to hear.  Our God is real, our God is here, and our God can never be shut down!  Have a blessed day and help me make sure that NO MAN IS LEFT BEHIND!

 

Giving THANKS to the year known as 2020!

The Holy Spirit was tapping on my shoulder this week to share the good news about 2020. We’ve heard it more times this year that most that “it’s a crazy year” or “I’m done with 2020” or “Can we just skip to January 1st”. I completely understand the perspective we are coming from when we utter these phrases. Also, most of us are being impacted by the events that have transpired this year that we find solace in mourning or lamenting about 2020 together. I get it. I too am ready for life to get back to “normal”. But can I say this, I’m thankful for the experience of 2020. Before you delete this email without continuing, please hear me out. 

A long time ago a man and a woman choose to disobey God and partake in an apple from the tree of life. Ever since that time, life for man has been “crazy”. We have had to struggle and endure pain. There has been highs and lows in each life that has came along since. Even after Jesus came and sacrificed His life for us just over 2000 years ago, we were not guaranteed a life of ease. Yes, we were given hope that someday we can join Him in Heaven. Praise God! But, being His disciple did not dismiss us from the challenges on earth. It may make life here even tougher. You have most likely heard the story of Adam and Eve many times before and know that we’ll face tough times. But are you like me and sometimes get comfortable and forget the truths in these stories? 

 I thankful for 2020 because it offers us a chance as men and as a church to stop and look at our lives in a new perspective. We are all struggling and ready to be done with this year. But there are others out there where 2020 is great compared to the other years in their life. People have suffered loss, abuse, illness, sorrow, loneliness, fatigue, unemployment, etc. well before January 1st, 2020. People will continue to experience these things after January 1st, 2021 and until Jesus comes back. My prayer for the church (all believers worldwide) is that we learn from our collaborative experience in 2020. Sometimes we must be stripped of our comforts, get beaten down and feel like we are left for dead alongside the road to truly appreciate the actions of a Good Samaritan. In my humble opinion, 2020 is providing us that opportunity and for that I am thankful! 

Thank you for lending your ear today. I hope you feel encouraged that we can learn and grow not only from the trials of 2020 but from all things that we do. There are both believers and non-believers out there today that need our love. The Good Samaritan modeled to us what that looks like. Jesus’s death on the cross modeled to us what that looks like. Let’s remember that today. Let’s remember that on New Year’s Day. Let’s remember that when Covid-19 is gone. Let’s remember to love as Jesus loved! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thanks for being part of the church and please help me make sure that NO MAN IS LEFT BEHIND! 

 

Enough is Enough!

Most of you who know me understand that I’m fairly laid back and easy going.  I usually am.  But today I want to speak to all of us say “Enough is enough!”  2020 started with divisive impeachment hearings, then came Covid-19, mask mandates and stay-at-home orders, civil right protests, the election cycle is upon us, and now we are adding in discussions of Supreme Court nominations.  Have a touched a nerve yet?  This list of topics are just some the new opportunities for divisiveness this year.  They are being layered on top of years and years of opinions and topics that have driven wedges between people.  I’m going to list a few more below and my hope is that you can relate to at least one thing in the list.  Here we go.

• Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents  
• Black, white, brown, red
• Rich, poor, middle class
• Athlete, artist, academic
• Man, woman, child
• Nazarene, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, non-denominational
• Cops, convicts
• Heterosexual, homosexual
• Those who speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Afrikaans, French, Arabic, Zulu, etc.
• Blue Lives Matter, Black Lives Matter, All lives Matter
• Contemporary worship, traditional worship
• Meat eater, vegan, vegetarian
• Public school, home school, private school
• Etc., etc., etc.

Have I hit that nerve yet?  Pick any “group” that I’ve mentioned so far, and I believe I can name at least one Christian that I personally know that relates to that “group”. There’s a good chance that you can identify with some of “groups” I've listed above.  There’s also that same chance that your neighbor lands in a different “group” than you.  We have been so distracted by these “groups” and many more, that we sometimes forget we are all people created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)!  You, me, your neighbor, your so-called “enemy”, your friends; we are ALL created in the image of God.  Many of us have even accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior!  But sometimes we forget that.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!  As men of the church, let’s lead by example and STOP finding ways to divide ourselves into earthly groups.  Let’s take the lead and start celebrating that we believe in Jesus Christ and get back to work living out His words!  The second greatest commandment He gave us in Mark 12:31 is to “Love your neighbor as yourself”.  Will you join me in starting today to see EVERYBODY just as God made them?  I fully believe if we as men do this, the world will be turn upside down for glory of God and all that divides us will slowly fade into the night!

See if you can find somebody in the next 48 hours that was made in the image of God and give them a high-five (or air high-five) because we are on the same team.  We can make sure that NO MAN IS LEFT BEHIND by acting in this manner!  Thanks for listening and know that you are loved.

 

 

Your body is a finely tuned machine!

Did you know that your body is finely tuned machine?  I do let out a small laugh when I think about myself being a finely tuned machine.  After all, this morning my belt fits a little tighter than it did just a few months ago.  But it is true!  God designed our bodies to do miraculous things!  Your eyes adjust to the amount of light that is in the room.  Your lungs take in air which your body then processes for use.  Your digestive system can break apart a cheeseburger and fries, keep the nutrients that you need for fuel, and dispose of elements your body does not need.  Your fingers can take a word from your mind and click buttons on a board to reproduce those words on a screen which your eyes read, your brain interprets, and your fingers respond if something is spelled wrong.  Your body is a machine!  And like any machine you can think of, the output from that machine is directly related to what the input is.

• The food that goes into your mouth today will lead to how you will feel later.
• The amount of sleep you get tonight will lead to how you will feel tomorrow.
• The rate at which you walk down the street today will lead to how fast your heart will beat.
• The lyrics of music you listen to today will lead to the phrases you will later sing.
• The pictures your eyes see today will lead to the visions your mind will reflect on later.
• The sentences you read today will lead to the ideas you will have later.
• The words you hear today will lead to thoughts and ideas on how you will respond to those words.

Men, these are just a few ways that your body daily takes inputs and produces outputs.  Whatever goes in your body in the form of seeing, feeling, hearing, or eating will result in how your body responds and what it produces.  I want to encourage you today to be aware of what you are taking in.  Is everything you’re reading, hearing, or watching today line up with the man of Christ you want to be tomorrow?  If so, that is GREAT!  But if not, I want to encourage you to change that input to something different so that you will produce the output you desire.  If you need any help or ideas on how to do this, please let me know.

Jesus tells us in Luke 11 that we are machines of sort.  He said “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.  See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.” 

Begin today by controlling what your eyes and ears take in.  Fill your mind with inputs pleasing to God.  When you do, a light will exude from you so bright that others will want to know what it is.  At that point you can tell others God is the source of all that pours out of the machine called “You”!

 

 

 

Trim a tree, cut down some weeds, grow the kingdom of God!

I hope today finds you doing well.  Summer is nearing an end.  The weather will soon cool off, the grass will no longer need to be mowed, and the leaves on the trees will change color and fall to the ground.  I’m looking forward to the cooler weather so there’s no more mowing, we can open the windows, and there will be a few more campfires!  I hope you too are looking forward to something as well!

Last Saturday morning a small group of men met on the corner of our church property.  Armed with some power tools, a few hand tools, and doughnuts, these men worked together for a few hours to clean out some overgrowth of trees and bushes.  I was amazed at how quick the overgrowth was cleaned out and fresh and new the area looked after just a few hours of work.  One of the men put it best when he reminded us that “many hands make light work”.  To put it simply, a few men gathered with a single purpose.  They worked as a team clean up something that had been neglected.  A few minor scrapes and cuts occurred along the way but in the end, the focus of the work revealed something clean and beautiful that had been there the entire time.  Saturday showed me what men can do for each other.

Imagine for a moment that you and I are like those trees at Central Church.  We are rooted near a place of community and worship.  One might assume that since we are “at church” that we are fully taken care of in our walk with God.  But that is not always the case.  The trees that were cleaned up on Saturday were off to the side and not always seen.  They were planted with a purpose but then left on their own with little pruning.  Overtime weeds grew up under the trees and those outside the church noticed the overgrowth.  That is when a small group of men stepped in to help clean out the weeds.

Men, you and I were planted ON PURPOSE in the kingdom of God.  Our roles may be different in His Kingdom, but we need one another to continue to flourish for His good.  If we do not surround ourselves with other men of faith, we too will experience overgrowth.  Weeds and other things will slowly creep into our lives and choke off our fruit bearing branches.  Non-believers will no longer see a man planted for God.  They will see a man cluttered with overgrowth destroying his purpose.  I’m calling on you today to find a few other men to help trim away the weeds in your life.  Meet with these men for a short time once every week or two consistently.  Work together to grow as men of God.  This routine maintenance will allow you to grow and flourish in your walk with God and it will help you avoid the intrusive weeds that can choke out even the most noble of men.

The picture I’ve attached is what was pulled out of the trees after just a few hours of work.  This large pile of overgrowth will be disposed of properly, but it could have been avoided with just a little weekly maintenance.  Please find a few men and start pulling out the weeds in your life today so that someday you too won’t find an overwhelming amount of intrusive growth in your life.  We can do this together as men of Christ and I need your help to make sure that NO MAN IS LEFT BEHIND!

 

The ULTIMATE surprise party and some necessary planning activities!

I hope today is finding you well!  Each week we seem to learn about new opportunities on how to do life.  Many of our families are working through what back to school is going to look like this year.  Can I ask that you join me in prayer for these families and students and teachers?  The 2020-21 school year will look nothing like it has in the past, but we have the opportunity to embrace those changes together as a church and as a community.

A few years ago, my wife planned for me an AWESOME surprise party for my birthday.  I had hit the big 4-0 and she wanted to make it a special day.  She succeeded!  Many friends and family members showed up at a park to play softball, eat some food, and watch me blow out a lot of candles on a cake.  I was overwhelmed by the number of people who chose to gather on a warm August day to celebrate with me.  My family and friends knew the date, time, and what was to transpire during the party.  They all planned, executed and showed up well.  It was a great day!  This year as I reflected on my surprise birthday party, I began to think about the ULTIMATE surprise party…the return of Jesus!

In Matthew 14, just after Jesus had washed the feet of his disciples and told them of His betrayal by one of them, He attempted to comfort them.  Jesus reminded them that He was going to His Father’s house to prepare a room for them and that one day He would be back.  Jesus reminded His disciples that they knew where He was going.  He also said to them in Matthew 14:6-7 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”  Jesus was letting the disciples know that a party was coming.  He told them where it would be.  And He also told them what they needed to do to prepare for the party.  They only catch was they would not know the day nor the hour of His return.

Did you know that you too are invited to this same surprise party when Jesus will come back?  You and I have been given an invitation to be there.  Over 2000 years ago Jesus came to earth so that all of us would know Him and to make a way for us.  His paid with His life so that we all will have a place in His Father’s house.  We are invited to know Him and follow in His ways.  And someday, God will surprise us all with His return.  I want to be ready for that party and I want you to be there too.  It’s not easy to plan for a party when we don’t know the hour or the date.  But we have the opportunity to work together, learn from one another, and live our lives with accountability daily so that we are ready when He returns.  The days may drag on at times but trust me, the surprise will be so worth it!  When we may least expect it, the celebration of His return will begin!  I want to be there with you, and I want to see my friends, my family, my neighbors, and yes even my enemies at the party!  Let’s work together TODAY to be ready for the ULTIMATE surprise party that will happen!  I’ll leave you with a few party planning ideas.

Surprise party planning activities:

• Read the Bible
• Pray
• Learn as much as you can about Jesus and do what He did
• Invite Jesus into your heart
• Invite others to learn about Jesus
• Find a few men to do the above activities with you

Jesus told His disciples that He would be back!  He will be back!  He never lets us down!  Please join me in preparing for this ULTIMATE surprise party and make sure that NO MAN IS LEFT BEHIND!

 

 

Seating Capacity UNLIMITED!

I hope today finds you doing well and that you are enjoying this beautiful weather we’ve been blessed with.  It has been hard to find good places to dine at this year.  Seating is either not open or very limited due to the pandemic.  But there is one place where the seating capacity is UNLIMITED! 

You can find a common sign on most buildings or rooms that you visit no matter where you go in our country.  The sign I’m referring to lists the seating capacity (or max occupancy) which refers the number of people that can occupy a room safely as defined by law.  More recently you’ve seen this number adjusted to 10% or 50% in some places due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Once occupancy reaches its defined max, nobody else can come in and people will be turned away.  But I know of a place where everyone is invited, and no person will be turned away.  The seat capacity there is UNLIMITED!  Would you like to meet me there?

You may be hesitant during these times to join me at a table with unlimited seating.  The probability of being seated next to somebody that has different political views than you or being near somebody that is ill is very high.  I’ll do my best to get the seat beside you.  But there are no guarantees.  We probably won’t know the other people sitting around us either but the longer we sit together we’ll get to know each other.  If you are still uncomfortable about joining me at the unlimited capacity table, then grab a friend or 2 or 3.  They are all welcome and nobody will be turned away.  Regardless of how they think, how they look or even how they feel they are all welcome.  

Have you figured it out yet?  I’m talking about joining you at the Lord’s table!  A table with unlimited seating capacity where everyone is welcome.  If you are sick, come to the table and you will find living water!  If you are alone, come to the table and find a Father who has always loved you.  If you are scared, come to the table and find peace.  If you have been hurt, come to the table and experience comfort like you’ve never seen before.  God has a place for you at His table!  He wants you to come and sit in His presence!  And if you are already seated at His table, slide your chair over to make room for others as well.  Remember God is the host and He’s invited EVERYONE.  It’s His table!

This weekend I listened to a sermon by Earl McClellan.  He spoke on 2 Samuel 9 where David learned of Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth.  David invited Mephibosheth, who was lame in both feet and a descendant of Saul, to dine at his table always and returned to him the land that once belonged to Saul.  Pastor McClellan’s message reminded me that there should be no limits on who we bring alongside us in our walk with Christ.  Remember, it is God’s table that we dine at and He wants everyone to sit alongside us as we feast on the Bread of Life!

Have a wonderful day and please help me make sure NO MAN IS LEFT AWAY FROM GOD’S TABLE!