They That Wait

 "But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

If 2021 had a theme for me it would be from this verse of scripture... 'They That Wait'. It was a continuation of COVID hysteria and to call it disruptive would be a vast understatement. It altered all areas of our lives and I would dare say it was permanent. I don't see going back to a pre-COVID world possible. The scars it has left for so many are very real and our tapestry has been permanently woven with pain and memories of the harshness of 2020 and 2021.

Our family was no different than most in its' effect. We closed our business in May, 2021 but God provided a wonderful opportunity for Alexia in a new career with Southwell Healthcare and we were so excited about this change. I began looking for a new position at that time and my search was not nearly as lucrative or quick as hers. I applied for job after job for nearly 6 months. Many positions would have been perfect fits given my skill set but I was either sent a turndown email or simply no reply from the hiring company.

I tried to maintain a positive attitude and remind myself that God has a plan but to be honest I wasn't fully sold on this notion after several months of disappointment. It's so easy to rely on God when everything is going good but when the outlook is hazy and you can't see what's ahead it becomes more difficult to hold to the promises of faith.

During this interim period I was diagnosed with COVID. Claudia and I spent several days in the hospital and I was so thankful I was vaccinated as the doctor said my outcome of 5 days would have been substantially different if I had not been vaccinated. Also during this period one of my very dear family members passed away from complications of COVID and I was unable to attend her funeral due to my own stint in the hospital.

Throughout this ordeal I was still seeking for a job and reaching dead-end after dead-end. I had several interviews but they didn't lead to employment. I was also aware that unemployment was a finite period of time and I was coming close to the end. All the while I was still trying to understand and question God why I was going through this in this way. I verbally said I trusted in His timing but I can truthfully say that I don't know that I genuinely allowed God to speak into my life through this period of time. 

Fortunately we have a great church and pastor and His messages were on point to speak into my situation. It was as if God used our pastor week after week to pour life into my situation. After several weeks, prayer and a lot of conversation with my wife I finally began to understand that God's timing isn't my timing. I can safely say that I am impatient and waiting is not a virtue I have a lot of..... until now. I have learned to WAIT! I have learned to LET GO! I have learned to LISTEN! I have learned to BE STILL!

I had to get to the point of desperation and understanding that I am NOT in control. My life is on borrow and I have to be open to what God has for me even in the unexpected places. Thank goodness God takes opportunities and people and makes something wonderful. I was complaining to a friend about my situation and instead of joining my whining they just listened. Within a week I got a call related to a position that I would have never applied or even thought about applying. It was a different career path and I was so pleased with the opportunity. I applied and was hired for this position. I have truly learned that when it is God's timing things fall into place. This was the easiest job I have ever gotten. The process was so fluid and I could not be happier.

I will begin my new career with the Social Security Administration next Monday. God had to orchestrate everything from my conversation with my friend to their connection with this organization to the organization needing to hire to me being willing to apply for a career I had no clue about. I'm sure God chuckled a little when his handiwork was made manifest and all the puzzle pieces fell into place in divine order.

Of course even when God gives us good life can give us not so good. I was headed home from church a few weeks back and I had a wreck totaling my vehicle. All the airbags deployed and the vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. I walked away with some scraps, bruises, and a broken finger but I walked away! Even when life throws you a blow you get back up. Even this was in God's control and things have fallen into place even in this tragedy. 

I don't know what will be next. I know I have learned to wait. I have learned humility and that no matter what comes my way God has it in control. I don't have to understand and that alone is a mountain of relief. God doesn't ask me to make sense of circumstances that happen. He's my 'strong tower I can run into'.

I heard a song a while back from Maverick City called 'Wait on You'. The lyrics are so on point for me. Here are the words. Such a powerful song with an impactful meaning....

Wait on You

I don't believe in fairytales, I guess I've outgrown them
But that doesn't mean that I don't believe
That there's something bigger than me
'Cause I've seen it in a hospital room
When the doctors said, "Sorry, there's nothing more we can do"
Well, it wasn't through

I've never seen a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
But I've got a promise I can hold in the middle of the struggle
God, if you said it, You'll perform it
May not be how I want You to
But here's what I'll do

I'm gonna wait on You
I'm gonna wait on You
I've tasted Your goodness
I'll trust in Your promise
I'm gonna wait on You
Yes, I'm gonna wait on You (yeah)
I've tasted Your goodness
I'll trust in Your promise
I'm gonna wait on You
Yes, I will, yes, I will
I will, I will, I will (I will), yeah

I know You ordered every step
Yeah, You are the Author
And there's no predicting what is next
But You hold the future
And all the questions they come second
To the one I know is true, yeah
Oh, you've always been true

So I'm gonna wait on You, yes
I'm gonna wait on You
I've tasted Your goodness
I'll trust in Your promise
I'm gonna wait on You (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I'm gonna wait on You (Jesus)
I've tasted Your goodness
I'll trust in Your promise
I'm gonna wait on You, oh

A Heritage of Service... An Homage

 As I sat in the business meeting tonight and was voted onto the Church's Pastoral Council I had to think of the years my dad has served on the pastor's council or deacon board. I grew up a deacon's kid most of my life. This is a special tribute to the man who taught me how to serve others.

My dad is a man that has lived his life in service to God and to God's calling on his life. He has never backed down from a pastor's call. One Example comes to mind -  In the church I grew up there was a cleaning schedule and families took turns cleaning the church. I recall on weekends when it was our turn we cleaned the church. I recall many radio broadcasts both morning and afternoon broadcasts that our family was a part. I remember visiting hospitals, convalescent homes, 'cottage' prayer meetings, visitations, funeral homes, and revivals that we attended throughout my childhood. Church was as much a part of our lives as our home. In fact many times church was viewed as home and church family was as much family as blood relatives. 

Throughout those years I recall my dad serving in every capacity possible. He would be Sunday School teacher, Choir Director, Usher, Special Singer, Worshiper, Testifier, Table and Chair hauler, Bus Driver, etc. If there was a position that needed filling and he had the ability to do the job he was there and I in turn was right there to witness. I have often thought that I wish we could be like some families that simply went to church and went home, but that wasn't what God had called him to do. I have learned over the years that that's not what God calls any of us to do.

God calls us to serve. In whatever capacity we can we are to serve God, our community and each other. A service mentality gives many characteristics itself namely: humility, love, ability to comfort, ability to worship, and the ability to be the hands and feet of Jesus. In a world full of selfishness and a 'me' culture my example was of service. I've seen dad make many difficult decisions and stand firm with our pastor when others were not so kind. He is a great defender of any pastor he was in service. He understood that his job was to offer sound prayerful advice and to make difficult decisions that others may not understand. All the while he maintains integrity and a spirit of love.

I sat in the meeting tonight and could not help but think back to the example my dad has given me of what it means to be on a pastor's council. I hope I can be as impactful for my church and community as he has been for his. I can only say Thank You to the man who has shown me by example.

love you dad ...

jamie

Living in Go

There have been quite a lot of changes recently. I know in my family and personal life it's been a whirlwind of change. I have spoken to friends and other family members who are also going through quite a lot. The common response has usually been 'I can't wait for things to settle down.' Then wave after wave comes.

It's easy to fall into depression and despair and grab onto an eeyore mentality of 'woe is me.' There are also plenty of people who will jump on the bus with you and want to carry on the pity party. Emotions are contagious and the longer they sustain, the more apt they are to persist in us and the people we surround ourselves with.

On my morning commute recently I was contemplating my situation and the possible solutions and praying for the 'settle down' point. As I was listening to music a thought came to me. When Jesus gave the great commission it wasn't to settle. It was to 'GO'. Going creates movement and change. It requires us to become unsettled. This is the opposite of normalcy. Going involves uncertainty. Cornel West once stated we want comfortable complacency and that it is an enemy we should fight against.

As I refocus the events of the past year, I see where God has been unsettling me and many around me. Jesus never said 'going' was going to be pleasant. I believe if we were to interview the twelve disciples they would tell us that where they went was anything but pleasant. They were completely unsettled, but from their experiences we have a testament of God's ability to show himself in mighty ways.

Jabez also knew that going wasn't pleasant. When he asked God to enlarge his territory there was work involved. Anytime God is unsettling us there are challenges to face. There are giants to overcome physically, spiritually, mentally, and financially. If we had the ability to do things on our own, why would we ever lean on God for strength, comfort, wisdom, or peace?

I want to live in 'GO'. I want to see the places God is taking me as grand adventures meant to lead me to success. I want to go into places that only I can go for God. There are people and places that only I can reach. There are things that only I can do. 'Go into all the world' was not a supplication for the disciples only. It was God's heartcry for each of us.

God help me to see my situations as opportunities to show how big you are and how small I am. Help me to show that my success is dependent on my reliance on you and not on myself. Help me to live in the mental state that 'going' is a positive action that is proactive for His glory and not merely a reaction to events that occur.

Help me to boldly 'Go'!

jamie

Lazarus Died!

Easter is such an awesome time of year. Spring is starting to peek out and the trees are budding, flowers are blooming, pollen is flowing....

New birth and life seems to infiltrate everywhere. The skies look bluer and the grass greener. In life group this week we discussed the Holy Week and we walked through each day from Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday. There were so many things that led to the Crucifixion and Death of Christ. Most of the week was prophecy fulfilled. There was much debate over whether Judas had free will or was his behavior determined and if the Resurrection had not occurred how that would affect Christianity in general. It was a great bible study and discussion.

One interesting fact when I was studying for the lesson was the fact that Lazarus' death and resurrection was one of the events that led to Jesus' crucifixion. When Jesus performed this miracle it got a lot of attention and not so positive attention from the church of that day.

The fact remains that unless Lazarus died there would not have been a resurrection. I think we fixate on the fact he was brought back to life and forget that he died. Death is an equalizer. Whether I am old, young, poor or rich we are all going to die and we can't take anyone or anything with us. It takes death to bring life! From Lazarus to Christ both of these individuals had to die. As an extension we will all die. Humans are finite. We have a beginning and an ending.

As I think about Good Friday and the sacrifice Christ made on this day in history I can't help but be in awe at the level of love, compassion, and care He had for me. It's hard for me to comprehend what it was to live when there was no Christ. I know how skeptical we are today and I think the people in Biblical times were just as skeptical. Who would believe that a virgin named Mary would have a child named Jesus? Who would believe all the miracles and great crowds that followed him? This was before social media so by word of mouth people would flood to see Jesus. What an amazing person!

It wouldn't be miraculous if the story ended there. After all the beating, humiliation, and torture if he had remained in the tomb we would not be celebrating Easter. Death was necessary but Resurrection was the catalyst for Christians throughout history.  We rely on the hope of Easter!

Easter's ultimate message is one of Love and Hope. It's the ultimate story of selflessness and sacrifice. It's the belief that Christ doesn't ask more of us than He was willing to do himself... including death.

jamie

Fables or Faith?

Francis Chan has always made me think. Over last Summer I did one of his Bible studies with my church life group. There were quite a few thoughts that he expounded that shook me. His concepts of God and how we view God as well as Jesus were profound.

One of the key concepts was that the God in the Bible is often not the God we pray to or believe in. The God of the Bible was all powerful, omnipresent, all knowing, able to consume offerings  drowned in water with a fire from heaven, able to bring down walls and move mountains. That's the God of the Old Testament. There was such a fear and awe of who God was and what He could do. The same could be said of Jesus. The Jesus of the New Testament was able to perform miracles, and bring back life into death.

These concepts of God and Jesus are often distant from our modern view of them. Somewhere we have lost the translation that these are the same regardless of time. The Bible is not a book of fables about some distant history. It is a living breathing account of history and actual accounts of how God and Jesus interacted with us.

There are several people who I know that are facing situations that are bleak and their future does not seem very bright. I had a radical audacious thought. If I began seeing human circumstances through the lens of the Old Testament God and the New Testament Jesus there isn't any way that I could have despair or depression about what these friends face. If I believe that God can literally do the things in the Bible and have that type of faith then present problems give way to hope. If I believe that Jesus can raise the dead then I have to have faith that in the face of death He can speak life into bodies ravaged with cancer.

Faith in God and Jesus isn't about a present focus on current circumstances. It is about a belief in the future. Living each moment as if there is intentional focus on how does God see my future. Living is faith in action. Every breath and every plan we make comes with a degree of faith in the next breath we breathe. Most research notes that if you go into a situation with the belief that you can overcome you are more likely to do so. I think as an addendum to that thought is that if we go into situations with faith in God that isn't diminished by our human limitations there's nothing that He can't do.

We never know who God places in our path regardless of location that needs to see someone with audacious faith. I'm not believing in fables... I choose to stand on faith!

jamie

Go!

(Dedicated to the following: Fathom Church, Jacksonville, who are currently serving in Kenya; Scarlett and Graham Treloar, Missionaries and friends serving in Aboriginal Australia; Vann and Vanessa Brock who are living and serving in Peru; and my mother and father in law, Jeff and Carol Morgan who served for several years in Peru and have a passion for the world mission field. Jeff and Carol have led mission trips to numerous countries and have conducted many medical and agricultural mission trips. I would also like to dedicate this to all of my mission trip brothers and sisters and to Pastor Hernan who lives and works in Peru. Thank you to each of you for allowing the message of Matthew 28 to live in you.)

I have been keeping up with a great friend who is in Kenya on a mission trip. It has brought back such great memories of my mission trip to Peru. I can recall the hesitation and butterflies in my stomach as we disembarked the plane in Lima and the days that followed. I remember the schools and families we helped and how they were appreciative. I also remember coming back with a great sense of thankfulness.

It was so amazing to see people who lived in conditions so beneath where we live but they carried a joy in their hearts and a smile on their faces. It was always so inspiring to see that no matter what your living conditions joy was a place in the heart. It was much more than just an action... it felt tangible.

I came home with such a sense of how richly blessed we are in the United States. I have heard many talk about the need to help the poor in America and that if you are looking for a mission field there are plenty in your local community. I don't negate those comments. I think they are very real and true. I also think that unless you see, hear, taste, and feel another community that you can't truly understand what it is like to be there. We can send money and pledges all day to Peru but still have very little invested in their health, well-being or spiritual growth.

When you make a conscious effort to plan a mission trip it is more than just visiting a foreign country. You plan through prayer and training on how you can best service the community you are going. You also invest your money and effort into getting there and into whatever projects you will be working. The idea of a mission trip is so much more detailed than a whimsical view of people just going to spread the gospel. Missions is a calling.

No one said that going on a Mission trip had to be to a foreign country. There are lots of communities in the United States that need assistance. If you have issues with going abroad then pray and seek out an area that you can go give aid to in your local area, metropolitan town, state or other area.

The bigger issue in my mind isn't whether you as an individual go abroad or stay stateside. The bigger issue is that you GO! Jesus instilled this concept into the early church personally. He stated: Matthew 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (NLT). 

Many churches have forgotten this edict and think by donating to a missionary or some foreign missions board that this fulfills this calling. I did not read where Jesus said donate of your monies. While this is a good practice the scripture clearly states for the church to 'Go'. It also doesn't state that we are to 'Stay'. Giving is much more than a monetary donation. When we 'go' we are making a personal investment of our time, and talents and where possible money. It's an investment in not just the local congregation but 'The Church'.... the church of Christ. When we leave the walls of our church we are stripping away our labeled container. We are now free and clear to be agents of Christ taking on His characteristics and His calling.

As I disembarked the plane coming back from Lima, Peru I left a little of myself there and brought a little of them with me. I have many moments since prayed for individuals and churches that we encountered there. I may have went as a member of a denomination but when I returned I came back as an ambassador for Christ and before we left we prayed with those individuals not as our denomination but we were all God's children.... bound in love and service to Christ.

jamie

I Have Decided

There's a boldness and clarity that often comes with age. I know this is not true of everyone but for quite a few of us it occurs. I have always been reflective and contemplative. I question things and believe that my religious beliefs and preferences are fair game as well. After all if you don't question why you believe what you believe how can you expect others to understand your beliefs.

In Christianity salvation is a cornerstone. I along with all other self-professing Christians believe that in order to get to Heaven, within our faith system, you have to have an understanding and a life altering experience whereby you ask forgiveness of your sins and you confess Jesus as your Savior and Lord of your life going forward. This redemption is achieved through our belief that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin named Mary and that He died on the Cross and three days later was resurrected and now sits in Heaven at the right hand of God and makes intercession for humans. If you believe all of this and feel that you are being urged and drawn into prayer by the Holy Spirit you can ask forgiveness and you will be 'saved'.

This is Salvation 101. There are many nuances and added behaviors after this that each denomination deems as 'necessary' but in my 41 years and much research of my own denomination (and I have been a part of 5 over the past 41 years) this is the crux to your ticket into Heaven.

After much consternation and prayer and meditation on my part and questioning and soul searching I decided many years ago that I believed in this process and for me Christianity and Salvation was my path to Heaven through salvation in Jesus Christ. That was my individual decision. Of course my family encouraged that decision but in my reading and understanding of scripture it has to be an individual decision. No one can make that decision for you once you are old enough to understand the concept of sin and the concept of salvation.

One thing that occurred to me over the past few years is how collective most people are with their salvation. Although the idea itself is individualized we expect that once that decision is made that the process of individualized salvation ends. It's now a collective action whereby we must conform to our family, denomination, or particular congregation. If the newly minted saint does not conform to the convictions of the group it nullifies the redemptive quality of Christ. At least that's the view by many.

One area this tends to solidify is within families. If a family member does not carry the same convictions of their family then regardless of their affiliation with Church or Christ they are ostrocized and discounted as heretical. The place of acceptance, family, is often the root of outcasting.

Salvation itself is a commitment between the individual and Jesus. Scripture does give directives on how we are to behave and treat each other. In a legalistic and traditional environment these directives are taken literally and although many things in scripture are misinterpreted the perpetuation of antiquated convictions continues. It's amazing to me how many people believe their denomination or particular conviction 'set' are the only path to Heaven.

When we read the life of Christ we do not read where he denoted denomination as a key to salvation. In fact he had much anger toward the 'church' of His day. The mission of salvation is one of inclusion. It is not one of exclusion. Salvation was also not delivered as a message of judgment but of love and mercy. I believe God is a God of Judgment but I believe salvation is rooted in the belief that man needed to be reconciled to God and this reconciliation was through the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. Nothing in this process was judgmental.

I am proud of my heritage of faith but I want to always be aware that there are many who did not have the richness of my Christian upbringing. I want my interactions with people to show the love of Jesus and hopefully they will see characteristics and values that appeal to them. I don't have to wear a bumper sticker, bracelet, or shirt denoting my faith if I let my faith lead my life.

jamie