Last night, I had the privilege of attending the Good Friday service at Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, GA. It is where we have been attending church this past year, and we love Good Friday services. But, not having attending this one before, we didn't know what to expect. Last year's, up in Avon, Ohio, was amazing; so my expectations were not very high. We arrived late, so we sat in the balcony. On the main floor, they had moved the chairs, semi-circle, around the cross, and there were many candles surrounding it. The speaker, Shane Freeman (discipleship pastor) spoke near the cross and helped us focus on what Jesus did for us there.
The most meaningful part of the service was when everyone was invited to come down and celebrate communion, individually, or as a family, around the cross. Some partook elsewhere on the main floor; but I wanted us, as a family, to be near the cross. While music played, we waited in line...and then got our turn. We all knelt together, near the cross, and held our bread and cup in our hands. I leaned over and prayed and we took the bread. I prayed again, and we took the cup. It didn't last long, but long enough to pray silently as well, alone. We also sang, all together, about the blood and the cross. It was all about Jesus, and I am grateful for the Good Friday experience we had as a family.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
911
As I have been waiting for God's placement for ministry, during this time of transition, I have been open to other types of work; especially to provide for my family. One such opportunity came as a 911 operator in Atlanta. The whole process was fascinating. My application was 48 pages long. My drive to and from each meeting during this process was about an hour each way. The first scheduled meeting was an exam, which was 1.5 hours long and put us in simulated emergency call situations. That was fun. Then I was called back, after passing the exam, and invited to enter the background investigation process, which could last up to 6 months. One part of that process was to go in and have an initial interview with a detective, who would be doing my background investigation. They had a 911 operator come in and tell us what it is like, to be under that kind of stress during a 10 hour shift. Every phone call they answer has the potential of being life or death, and the operator has a huge, critical role to fill.
This is the kind of job that fits my type of personality. If you are already a high stress person, don't apply for this job! I admire those who work in these types of environment, and serve our communities. It was interesting. That day, we also filled out a lot of paperwork, and were answering questions about prior drug/alcohol use, criminal activity, etc. They kept emphasizing, detective after detective, who spoke, that the most important thing we need to do is tell the truth - the whole truth. If we had some problems in the past with these things, we wound not necessarily be disqualified from the job. But, if we lied about any of these things, and they found out, we would be disqualified. And they also emphasized - they will find out! These detectives work in the background department and this is what they do - and they're good at it. They also emphasized being on time, and even being early to every shift. I really like the organization, discipline and order that a job like this demands and expects.
As they continued to do the background, they would let us know if they wanted to continue with us. The last time I went was for a type of lie detector test and fingerprinting. I don't remember ever being fingerprinted, and it was a little more difficult than I thought - computer related. The lie detector test was a voice stress analysis test. They ask simple questions like: "are you sitting down", along with the ones they really want to know, like: "have you ever used illegal drugs"? And to test the system and how I respond when I lie, they have me purposely lie, to a question like: "Am I wearing a watch", to which I am to respond by lying. That was the last appointment I went to. The next thing that took place this last week, was that they offered me the job, as long as I came to the other 2 appointments set up for me; and then be able to begin April 29th. I had to say no. It was very appealing; but they made it clear that there would be no time off for months; and that just wouldn't work.
Not only do I have another job I want to keep, I need to be free to follow God's calling, that is so clear: to pastor again. I would not be able, at least for the next several months, to go meet with churches and pursue that calling. I was hoping the process would take a lot longer, but it is all in God' timing and sovereignty. I knew I had to say no.I am grateful for going through the process; but all the more excited about the real passion God has placed on my heart. I may not be able to save many physical lives, but I can be a part of something (as a career) that lasts for eternity: pointing people to the One who can save them forever. God bless those who work for 911 - for the important job they do!
This is the kind of job that fits my type of personality. If you are already a high stress person, don't apply for this job! I admire those who work in these types of environment, and serve our communities. It was interesting. That day, we also filled out a lot of paperwork, and were answering questions about prior drug/alcohol use, criminal activity, etc. They kept emphasizing, detective after detective, who spoke, that the most important thing we need to do is tell the truth - the whole truth. If we had some problems in the past with these things, we wound not necessarily be disqualified from the job. But, if we lied about any of these things, and they found out, we would be disqualified. And they also emphasized - they will find out! These detectives work in the background department and this is what they do - and they're good at it. They also emphasized being on time, and even being early to every shift. I really like the organization, discipline and order that a job like this demands and expects.
As they continued to do the background, they would let us know if they wanted to continue with us. The last time I went was for a type of lie detector test and fingerprinting. I don't remember ever being fingerprinted, and it was a little more difficult than I thought - computer related. The lie detector test was a voice stress analysis test. They ask simple questions like: "are you sitting down", along with the ones they really want to know, like: "have you ever used illegal drugs"? And to test the system and how I respond when I lie, they have me purposely lie, to a question like: "Am I wearing a watch", to which I am to respond by lying. That was the last appointment I went to. The next thing that took place this last week, was that they offered me the job, as long as I came to the other 2 appointments set up for me; and then be able to begin April 29th. I had to say no. It was very appealing; but they made it clear that there would be no time off for months; and that just wouldn't work.
Not only do I have another job I want to keep, I need to be free to follow God's calling, that is so clear: to pastor again. I would not be able, at least for the next several months, to go meet with churches and pursue that calling. I was hoping the process would take a lot longer, but it is all in God' timing and sovereignty. I knew I had to say no.I am grateful for going through the process; but all the more excited about the real passion God has placed on my heart. I may not be able to save many physical lives, but I can be a part of something (as a career) that lasts for eternity: pointing people to the One who can save them forever. God bless those who work for 911 - for the important job they do!
Monday, March 18, 2013
The Madness begins...March Madness, that is!
It's tradition... every year the brackets come out, our family has a little friendly competition (although the more years I lose, the less friendly it is becoming). We each fill out our own brackets, earning points each time we pick the right winner. What is unbelievable to me, after many years of playing, coaching and watching basketball, is that I normally end up near the bottom or at the bottom of the standings of our competition. I get beat by my lovely (that's not what I'm thinking) family members, who choose winners based on color of jersey, whether or not they like the state they are from, and even the mascot!
NOT THIS YEAR...I hope!
NOT THIS YEAR...I hope!
Saturday, March 16, 2013
But it really looks like a....
This last week, a man gave me some coins and expected some change back. As I closely inspected each bill and coin, I noticed something a little unusual about one of the quarters he gave me. It wasn't actually a quarter. It was a dollar coin. It didn't have the shine that many dollar coins have; but it was a dollar coin and not a quarter. It's pretty easy to miss, especially if there is not much shine and there are several coins. The dollar coin is not much larger, at casual glance, than a regular quarter. He was certainly pleased that I pointed it out to him and gave him the right amount of money in return.
That situation gave me the thought of what happens spiritually. There are many people (especially, it seems, down here in the South) who have the casual appearance of a Christ-follower; but at closer inspection, are just religious with outward appearances. If you don't listen carefully or get close enough to them, they look a lot like a Christian; and yet they are relying on what they can do or who they are connected with to have the look of religiosity with no reality. They might go to church, talk about spiritual things, and even be fairly moral. But, they have never truly given their lives, their heart, to Jesus Christ, to follow Him for the rest of their lives. They have trusted in religion, not Christ, for their salvation.
This is not about us trying to judge who is a true Christ follower and who is not. It is a reminder to evaluate our own hearts and lives; and make sure that we are the true, genuine coin that we say we are. Those who truly follow Christ, at close inspection, will have some flaws; but will nonetheless be striving to follow Jesus and God's Word in everything they say and do. It is not about a religion and morality, but about a relationship with Jesus and pleasing Him.
That situation gave me the thought of what happens spiritually. There are many people (especially, it seems, down here in the South) who have the casual appearance of a Christ-follower; but at closer inspection, are just religious with outward appearances. If you don't listen carefully or get close enough to them, they look a lot like a Christian; and yet they are relying on what they can do or who they are connected with to have the look of religiosity with no reality. They might go to church, talk about spiritual things, and even be fairly moral. But, they have never truly given their lives, their heart, to Jesus Christ, to follow Him for the rest of their lives. They have trusted in religion, not Christ, for their salvation.
This is not about us trying to judge who is a true Christ follower and who is not. It is a reminder to evaluate our own hearts and lives; and make sure that we are the true, genuine coin that we say we are. Those who truly follow Christ, at close inspection, will have some flaws; but will nonetheless be striving to follow Jesus and God's Word in everything they say and do. It is not about a religion and morality, but about a relationship with Jesus and pleasing Him.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
In the marketplace
I have often heard pastors, and others, talk about the great benefit from working in the marketplace. Sometimes referred to as "secular" work, it is used this way when a pastor (or some other person who works full-time in Christian ministry) takes on a job other than ministry. Some do it part-time, along with ministry; but in my case, for the last 8 months, I have been working outside of ministry in the "marketplace". For those of us who love ministry (paid, full-time), we normally would say that there is nothing else we would rather do. And although I love being a pastor, and look forward to it again (hopefully soon), I have learned (or have been reminded of) much from my time working outside of pastoral ministry:
1. I have had the privilege of meeting many people who work very hard for very little money; and I can better relate to them.
2. I am more grateful for the privilege of making my living in ministry; and for the flexibility it brought me and my family. The average hourly worker faces a variety of challenges.
3. I am reminded that one of the main reasons God still has me on earth is to help reach out to those who do not yet know Him; and this kind of work puts me face to face, shoulder to shoulder, with many who are not yet Christ followers.
4. There are some great companies out there that try to abide by Christian principles; and people take notice (even non-believers).
5. Although I could potentially make more money in advancing in the type of work I am doing, there is nothing that compares to the call of God and doing what He has called me to.
6. People can tell, pretty quickly, whether or not you are the "real thing". This keeps me "on my toes" as it relates to my testimony for Jesus; in particular how I live it out before others.
7. This confirmed for me that the desire God has given me cannot be fulfilled by trying to make more money, even in a morally upright company or organization. There is nothing like making a living, and especially investing my life in making disciples as a pastor. I have learned that although God has given me this time to work in the "marketplace", He has partly used the time to make my calling clear for pastoral ministry once again.
8. God has promised to provide, and I am very grateful for His provision for our family through my current job.
9. Every workplace needs good leaders, even if they are coming from Christian organizations previously. There is a leadership vacuum, and good, Christian leaders (even some pastor) can make a tremendous difference if our hearts are in the right place.
10. God is sovereign; and He calls and chooses each of to serve Him wherever we work. Working at a quick service restaurant is no less "spiritual" than being a missionary or pastor. It is vitally important to remember this. Even when I pastor again (God willing), I want to make sure I see those who are in "secular" work with the same perspective God has of me right now, as I work.
1. I have had the privilege of meeting many people who work very hard for very little money; and I can better relate to them.
2. I am more grateful for the privilege of making my living in ministry; and for the flexibility it brought me and my family. The average hourly worker faces a variety of challenges.
3. I am reminded that one of the main reasons God still has me on earth is to help reach out to those who do not yet know Him; and this kind of work puts me face to face, shoulder to shoulder, with many who are not yet Christ followers.
4. There are some great companies out there that try to abide by Christian principles; and people take notice (even non-believers).
5. Although I could potentially make more money in advancing in the type of work I am doing, there is nothing that compares to the call of God and doing what He has called me to.
6. People can tell, pretty quickly, whether or not you are the "real thing". This keeps me "on my toes" as it relates to my testimony for Jesus; in particular how I live it out before others.
7. This confirmed for me that the desire God has given me cannot be fulfilled by trying to make more money, even in a morally upright company or organization. There is nothing like making a living, and especially investing my life in making disciples as a pastor. I have learned that although God has given me this time to work in the "marketplace", He has partly used the time to make my calling clear for pastoral ministry once again.
8. God has promised to provide, and I am very grateful for His provision for our family through my current job.
9. Every workplace needs good leaders, even if they are coming from Christian organizations previously. There is a leadership vacuum, and good, Christian leaders (even some pastor) can make a tremendous difference if our hearts are in the right place.
10. God is sovereign; and He calls and chooses each of to serve Him wherever we work. Working at a quick service restaurant is no less "spiritual" than being a missionary or pastor. It is vitally important to remember this. Even when I pastor again (God willing), I want to make sure I see those who are in "secular" work with the same perspective God has of me right now, as I work.
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