Speak Life ~Toby Mac Style

Last weekend I had the opportunity to hear one of my favorite Christian Contemporary artists (again) speak words of life at his concert in Baltimore. The more I see Toby, the more I like him and appreciate what he is doing to build the Kingdom of God. I attended the concert after a very busy day at our TUMC bazaar. Under normal circumstances one would have been too tired to attend such an event after a very busy week. But I know that Toby’s music lifts me up, so I made the extra effort to attend, and to take along some friends.

This time, his very short testimony of one of his songs truly spoke to my heart in a new way. I have been enjoying his song entitled “Speak Life,” but during this concert he told us the story behind the writing of the song. Toby had read the Raggamuffin Gospel when he was younger. He says he remembers reading Mannings words, “When you speak to someone you either speak life or you drain life, there are no neutral exchanges.” Hence, the song that Toby wrote was birthed.

I’ve been thinking of this quote all week, “There are no neutral exchanges.” What about me and my words? Sure it is easy for me to speak life when I am doing the work of the church, that is easy. But what about when I am running into the grocery store to buy something quickly or as I move about my busy day in the world? When I am doing errands I have a purpose and I move through that purpose quickly. To be honest, people who are serving who are not on my same page when I am rushing around irritate me.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not mean, I am not impolite; but I don’t speak words of life. I thought these were neutral exchanges. Toby’s words, “There are no neutral exchanges” have been haunting me. I can do better, I can be better. Maybe these exchanges have a divine appointment for me or for someone else. Maybe I am the one to speak life into someone else’s life who is drowning. After all, I know the Good News, and maybe I can speak enough life to allow a person to trust me so that I can share that Good News which is what really matters.

Meanwhile, this week I have been practicing speaking life into the lives of those who would otherwise be “incidental” in my day. They have been wonderful exchanges. I am learning and growing.

How about you? Do you speak life or do you drain life? Are you the one from which someone will remember the conversation or are you the one they wish they will never wait on again? As for me, I am trying to practice new habits.

Thanks Toby, for giving me a new perspective on the way I speak in common everyday exchanges of words.

Doing and Being

Doing and Being: I am a doer; maybe you are too. But I KNOW the constant need to stop and “be.” Our lives are full, busy to the max. I think I have not seen a period of time when families and individuals have been so stressed. What does it look like to take time to “be?”

It is not easy to “be.” Scripture says, “Be still, be still and know that I am God!” This is a command, not a suggestion.

Pastors are always running too, always doing something. Even in the midst of a busy day, I am learning the art (ever in progress) of taking even a short time to “be.” I also recognize the need to take longer periods of retreat so that I can “be.” This weekend our women at TUMC are going on retreat, in the midst of retreat, I will have some time to “be,” and I am very much looking forward to that time.

Here are some ideas that might help you “be” even in the midst of a busy day. Maybe you can steal away some moments to help “be,” even in the midst of a busy, crazy, day.

• Listen to a song on you tube which reminds you of who God created you to “be.” No ideas? Here is one good one.
• Repeat a phrase of Scripture over and over, as a breath prayer. Meditate on that Scripture. How about the one above, “Be Still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
• Take a walk in nature. Look up and around. What do you notice that you are usually too busy to see?
• Close your eyes and imagine what it is like to be surrounded by the Holy Spirit. What does the Holy Spirit look like to you: a bright light, tongues of fire, a dove?
• Imagine what it would look like to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from him. Mary, Maratha’s sister found this a wonderful place to be.
• Use visuals from blogs that help focus on God to allow God to penetrate to the depths of your soul. This one can get you started, by Jan Richardson. Meditate on one of the pictures. Where do you see God?

May you find time today to “BE” in the midst of your busy day.

A Future With Hope ~ day three

Day three saw many accomplishments. We will write more after dinner. Tonight we knocked off early, at 5 pm so that we could enjoy a concert and picnic on the beach. After all, the beach is five minutes away.

Accomplishments: tile placed by Rusty, needs to dry and gets grout tomorrow, most doors hung, base board half completed and filled in. We finished encasing most of the windows and putting trim around them. You might need the tumc team to build your house 🙂

We are honored and blessed to be here, thanks for your continued prayers. Prayers for a good nights sleep would be welcome.

A Faithful Life

Today as almost every day of my D. Min program, I went to the National Cathedral to attend the choral EvenSong vesper worship service. I took a colleague, and to my great disappointment they were celebrating the tenure of Mr. Paul Barrett, who was retiring as the Associate Headmaster from St. Albans School. Honestly, had my friend and colleague not been with me I doubt I would have stayed. I had already spent 8 hours sitting all day, I was not sure I could endure a longer time talking about someone I did not know.

Praise God my first instinct to flee was not the reality of what happened this evening. We stayed, we listened, we participated, we enjoyed the wonderful music and the time of worship. Most of all, however, it was a privilege to hear the story of a man whom I have never met, but sure wish I had the opportunity to know.

Speaker after speaker, in between Bible verses and lovely musical selections, spoke of a humble man who loved his students, who taught with patience, and who peppered everything with humor and “a spirit of joy.” This man was following his call to be in relationship with his students, a life of service of 34 years, in this institution alone.

I was reminded once again how God calls us out of our comfort zones to move into unknown territories. We never know where that call will lead, but we always know it will be an exciting ride, if we will only stay tuned to the One who calls us.

What will be said of each of us upon our retirement? Will we leave a legacy behind that will motivate and endure beyond our time on earth? One of the speakers stated that Mr. Barrett, “Does not leave behind an edifice that can be seen such as this grand cathedral, but his legacy in lives touched is so much larger.”

What legacy will we leave behind? Will the lives touched and relationships built be larger and more grand than the buildings around us?

Jesus formed community. Jesus taught us what it is like to touch lives in ways that superseded rules and regulations. It seems to me that Mr. Barrett has been forming his students in the same way that Jesus formed us, teaching us how to love each other with humor and sincereness.

Mr. Paul Barrett, I would like to know you. Thank you for your legacy. I am so grateful to have heard about your legacy today, and so grateful for time to ponder what legacy each of us can leave behind. Blessings on your days ahead.

The Story Chapter 31 Introduction

How does one describe heaven and eternity? How does one even come close to being able to put words unto that which is beyond words? How do we describe the One who has created us and the proximity of being with that Creator?

John tries. He tries to put words into place so that we can understand. Even with the words there is much mystery. Perhaps a good analogy is when we as humans were trying to picture the moon and had not yet begun the space program. There were many theories, but nothing like the real thing until we had sent humans and robots there to investigate.

Angel armies; The heavenly throne which is also described in Isaiah 6; The lamb who is worthy to break the seal; The silence in heaven; The new heaven and earth. Ultimately this is eternity where we are with our Creator forever.

The beauty of this new heaven and earth is that it is the exact opposite of where we began. We began in the Garden of Eden and The Fall–this is the New Jerusalem, the new garden. This is the place where there are no more tears and there is no more sadness. Why would that be? Here one will be in the presence of the Creator and the evil one will not be present. We hear the words of our Creator in saying, “I am making all things new!” God wins!

This is the place of the heavenly banquet. When we share in the Lord’s Supper here on earth we are not only remembering what Jesus has done, but we are also remembering the future–we remember the banquet to come where all who are in relationship with Jesus are invited.

As you read this last chapter of The Story this week, what strikes you most of this place of eternity? What is the biggest surprise? How will reading the end of The Story effect you as you live out the middle of The Story, knowing that you are a part of God’s bigger story?

Chris Tomlin’s song Angel Armies might also speak to you as you read this last chapter.

The Story Chapter 30 Introduction

Do you remember the early airline industry? Does Pan Am mean anything to you?

I used to travel around the world in a previous job. I loved my job. I loved meeting the people of other lands and learning about their culture and lives. I loved eating their food! I was blessed to have been in the international circuit for five years, in fact I had so many “points” on Pan Am that I had two free 30 day world passes on Pan Am. (Which my husband and I subsequently used.) Those were in the days when you sat for every mile earned.

I also have shame in my previous life. That shame is that I met people from every land and country, and never once shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with them.  In fact I remember one time in particular when the conversation moved towards my religious beliefs I quickly changed the subject. Like Paul, I was on fire, but for the wrong things. Like Paul I was using my talents and gifts, not for bad things, but not for the purpose which God intended them to be used for.

Praise God that we serve a God of grace who says, “I have covered your past with my blood, now let’s move into the future together.” Praise God that God has taken me with all my brokenness and pain and created something new. We are new in Christ Jesus. Transformation is possible. A resurrection of new possibilities exist in this life and beyond.

God took Paul and created something new. Paul went on his “pan-am” journeys, when journeying was not so easy, and was willing to risk everything in order to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The message was so compelling that he was willing to forgo everything:  being stoned, beaten and imprisoned for the opportunity to share the Good News. New churches were planted all over the “known world” of the Roman Empire because of the work of Paul, who ultimately gave his life for the sake of sharing the Gospel message.

God has taken me too, and created something new. I would love a “do over” for  some of the missed opportunities, but I also recognize that there are new opportunities ahead. I pray I don’t miss those new opportunities that are placed before me.

How about you? What opportunities are you facing to be like Paul and risk everything to share the Good News of Jesus?

This song reminds me of the change God works in us, and how we are to be used for God’s splendor.

The Story Chapter 29 Reflection Questions

Paul was now using his zeal to share the Good news about Jesus. Paul and Barnabas were set apart to be missionaries to the gentiles. Watch his pattern when he entered each new city. How did he begin addressing the people to tell them the Good News? Use these questions for reflection for this week’s lessons.

1. God set apart Saul (Paul) and Barnabas for foreign mission work (p. 337) to help fulfill the mandate to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth,” (Acts 1:8).  Review the list of missionaries supported by our church.  Read about each and pray for the needs that are listed for each one.
2. What differences do you find in Paul’s message to the Jews in the synagogue (p. 338, 339) as compared to his message to the Gentiles (p. 340, 342)?   Discuss applications we might make today for reaching different people groups with the same gospel.
3. Compare the conversions of Lydia and the jailer at Philippi (p. 341-342).  What differences do you find?  What similarities?
4. What makes the Church in Thessalonica “a model to all the believers,” (p. 344-345; 1 Thess. 1:1-2:8) and what application can we make for our church if we want to be known as a model church?
5. What problem seems to be at the root of the divisions and quarrels in the Church at Corinth? (p. 351, 1 Cor. 1:10-13, 3:1-11) Do you see any lessons here for our church?
6. Read 1 Cor. 12, Rom. 12:3-8, and Eph. 4:1-7, 11-16.  Why is the human body a good metaphor for the church and how does it relate to spiritual gifts?
7. According to Paul’s letter to the Galatians, does freedom from the law grant freedom to sin (p. 355-357, Gal. 5:13-26)?  What are some results of living by the Spirit?
8. What is the relationship between righteousness and faith and why do you suppose Paul used Abraham to prove his point?  (Hint: The Jews placed their trust in keeping the Law and the fact that they had been circumcised.)
9. Of all the books in the Bible, Paul’s letter to the Romans most clearly outlines a pattern we can follow to lead a person to Christ.  It shows man’s lost condition and makes clear what we must do to receive what God has done to correct our sad condition.  This collection of verses has often been called “the Romans Road to salvation.”  Trace the following verses, perhaps even marking them in your Bible.  Romans 3:23à 3:10-11à 6:23 à 5:8 à 10:9-13 à 5:1, 8:1, 8:38-39.  In 25 words or less, what are the essentials of the gospel?  (Hint:  Review 1 Cor. 15:3-4)  How do you think the Romans Road could help you share your faith in the future?

The Story Chapter 29 Introduction

Paul wrote much of the New Testament, yet he was one who began his career persecuting the church. Paul was on his way to Damascus to round up those following Jesus when he had an experience with the living God; with the resurrected Jesus.

Have you had an experience with the living God? What did that look like? Did that cause you to shift your thought process or your life style in the opposite direction?

After Saul, now named Paul’s experience, he became the biggest champion for the church. In fact, he made three missionary journeys into the heartland of the Roman Empire in order to share the Good News with the Gentiles, with non-Jews.

What are we willing to do in order to share the Good News with others? Are we willing to do a complete life style change? Are we willing to talk about Jesus even if it makes us uncomfortable? Here is a list of things that Paul persevered through in order to tell others the Good News that Jesus is alive!

“²³ Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. ²⁴ Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. ²⁷ I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. ²⁸ Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? ³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. ³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.” 2 Corinthians 11

What are we willing to do to share Jesus?

The story chapter 28 post sermon

Jesus gave us a commission. In light of that commissioning, read the words of Oscar Romero.
Prophets of A Future Not Our Own

It helps now and then to step back and take a long view.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of
saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession
brings perfection, no pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives include everything.

This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one
day will grow. We water the seeds already planted
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects
far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of
liberation in realizing this.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning,
a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s
grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the
difference between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not
messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.

— Archbishop Oscar Romero

The Story Chapter 28 Introduction

While in the church calendar year we are still in the Easter season until Pentecost, in The Story we fly through the resurrection appearances of Jesus to land on the day of Pentecost. While we might be moving quickly, you might want to pause to contemplate the resurrection appearances of Jesus. The appearance to the two on the Road to Emmaus happened on Easter Sunday itself. The Apostle Paul gives a list of those who saw the resurrected Jesus to the people of Corinth.

Prior to the ascension of Jesus, he gives instructions to those who are left behind, we often call this The Great Commission, “Go into all the world making disciples and baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus also told them to wait for the gift that would be given on what we call the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was a festival for which the faithful Jews would come to Jerusalem, so there were many from what is known as the diaspora there when the Holy Spirit fell upon the Apostles.

Here is the exciting part, the Holy Spirit empowered the believers to speak in languages they had never studied. The Holy spirit gave gifts of the spirit which were used to build the kingdom of God; The Holy Spirit continues to give gifts today for building the kingdom of God.

Sometimes it is hard for us to imagine that God continues to bless believers with miraculous gifts of the Holy spirit that are not learned and do not fall under our categories of understanding. That is the way God works. God is beyond being put into a box or fitting into our categories of understanding. We are told that if we pray to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit that God will bless us with them. What gifts can you use for the building of God’s kingdom; Prophecy, healing, wisdom, tongues? Pray for the baptism of the Holy spirit upon you. Open up your heart, God will provide.