from a worshipper's heart

It has always been an honor and thrill to lead worship; whether it would be in a church setting with a body of believers shouting at the top of their lungs, praising God with every ounce of energy they have, shouting the words to a song they know so well...or, in a simple setting with 4-5 individuals sharing a new thought for a song to share with the church body one day.

Earlier this year I was blessed to be part of a worship leaders retreat with a few fellow worship leaders for the church. The purpose and intent of the retreat was to bring ideas, thoughts, creative ways to put into words the songs God had been developing in our hearts. This was not to be a planned out, get it done now, song writing experiment; ending in a completed selection of album ready material. This was an opportunity to hear what was in the worship leader's heart. And, I entered the retreat with the curious expectation of hearing some nice little campfire-song offerings. But, this retreat was different. Before I heard any song offerings and ideas, I got to hear the heart of these worship leaders.

Here you have five guys with different backgrounds, experiences, journeys, trials, blessings, questions, and fears...all leading worship...and all with a heart; a passion to find a way to honor God with a gift He has given to each of them; not to just lead worship, but to worship Him. And now, we have come together to share the songs, the passion of a worshipper's heart with each other and see what happens. There were a lot of amazing moments during this retreat. The history behind a chorus...the struggle behind a verse...the celebration reflected in a completed arrangement. It would be hard, and a lengthy blog to share with you all that transpired at the retreat; corporately and personally. But, last night, it all came back to me.

I was completely blessed and moved to tears to hear, in a live performance, songs I had been a part of; a part of the discussions, the writing, the re-writing, and then more re-writing; chord patterns; key selection; and, the arrangement of how the songs flow best. And, after all the work several months ago...taking these ideas and placing them on paper...emailing added thoughts and changes back and forth to each other...the songs have taken on a life of their own; all from a worshipper's heart. Last night the body of Christ sang with abandon; praising God; lifting their hands and hearts toward heaven; remembering and worshipping Him...all being guided by the words of the songs they were singing; songs written by worshippers.

To Sam, Samantha, Travis, and the rest of the Hope City Worship Team...thank you for the blessing. Thank you for your passion to bring life to written words and chord charts expressing a love for God ...from a worshipper's heart.

What now?

High Rock Community Church began a mission of sharing the love of Jesus back in 2004. Since that first Sunday, this little country church, out off of Bringle Ferry Road, has been moving full-speed ahead; listening to God speak, and responding with an unlimited amount of energy and obedience. Lives have been changed. The community has been changed. The counties around us have been impacted by the ever-reaching arm of High Rock Church to share the Good News of Jesus to everyone; to help people everywhere experience a life-change through Jesus.

What began as a vision given by God, had become a movement; One Church-Multiple Locations. Now, to further the vision; to extend the mission...High Rock Church has challenged each of its Campuses to do what they were planted to do...share the love of Jesus; change the community they have been planted in; help people experience a life-change through Jesus. Each Campus and each Campus Pastor have been trained to carry on the mission. Now it is time.

Here at the East Campus...we accept the challenge. Of all the Campuses of High Rock Church; we have been trained the longest. We have seen God's hand move in powerful ways; not only in the life of the church, but in the lives of those who live as the church. We have experienced difficult times and we have celebrated with abandon, God's blessings. I believe all we have faced and have been a part of has prepared us for this very moment. I feel a sense of excitement in people's voices when they talk about what is just ahead for this Campus; this church. I hear a shout of hope knowing God has been, and will be faithful to His church. His faithfulness gives us the courage to take this next step with faith.

Not every part of this new journey will be easy, but every part of it will be covered in prayer and guided by God; who loves us, defends His church, and is already waiting for us to join Him in the mission He has set before us...changing our community...offering a life-change to everyone we welcome in the door...being "the light" in the High Rock Lake Community.

What now?

I can't wait for us all to see...

true, living example

As a parent, we are constantly second guessing how we are doing in that said role; parent. Am I teaching my children the right way to do specific things that will stay with them forever? Am I showing them the correct way to mow the yard? rake the leaves? paint the walls? take care of the car? Am I living a life that is the life I hope they copy, or imitate as they grow up?

Yes, there is a lot of second guessing that goes on when you're a parent. But, then there are those days when some of the most important questions you may have about your child are answered by a total stranger.

My wife, Karen, and I were in Asheville this past Sunday evening to visit my daughter and her husband. Our daughter, Kristen, is in charge of a children's ministry which was performing a Christmas play/musical at the church they attend. It went really well. The children said their lines (with very little coaching), and they sang so good. I believe everyone there had a great time. And, it was fun to see the impact Kristen was having on the lives of these children.

After the performance, there is the milling around and meeting people, and parents collecting their children to pack up their things to go home. A few people came up and told my wife and I they were glad we made it up and it was good to see us again. Then, a lady came up to us and asked if we were Kristen's parents. We answered yes, expecting the normal response about how much they enjoy the way Kristen works so hard with their child, or how dedicated she is with the children at the church. But, her response wasn't like those at all. She told us that she works with our daughter at a furniture store. Then she paused...and I could see tears well up in her eyes as she tried to speak. She swallowed hard...collected herself...and then she said... "Your daughter is a true, living example of a Christ follower."

Then she turned and walked away...wiping her eyes.

My heart was bursting inside me. I am sure my daughter knows the impact she is having on the children at the church, other young couples at the church, and other people at the church. But, she is also having an impact on those outside the church. She has invited this lady she works with on several occasions to come to the church. This night was her first time at the church, and she shared with Kristen's parents the impact Kristen has had on her.

Do we ever think that we can only impact the lives of people while we are at church? Do we ever realize the impact we have in our everyday lives? People are watching us. Our children are watching us. Our friends are watching us. Are we true, living examples of a Christ follower?   

"How to be Rich" re-visted

This has been a eye-opening four weeks with the series, How to be Rich. I was excited to hear that there were so many examples of life-change that took place during these four weeks. We received emails from people at High Rock who, for the first time, made an intentional decision to trust God with their finances and to seek what is important to Him in the way they approached generosity and the new perspective of what it means to be rich.

We've been celebrating the impact God had on those who accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior through a financial series. Many High Rockers, and some guests, chose to seek advice from a financial counselor, set up their own "spending plan" to help them prioritize the important, and many signed up that they were interested in attending a Financial Peace University Life Group in the fall. I am thrilled to see how God is moving through High Rock and the lives of you, who call High Rock "home". I believe the biggest thrill I have is in how this series will begin to impact even more the generosity which has been a characteristic of High Rockers through the years.

I understand the topic of finances is not always a welcome subject when we come to church, but I do know that every area of our Christian journey needs to be addressed and taught to help us grow in our understanding of how God needs to be in control of each area of our life so we can experience the true life He has planned for us. I believe this series did just that.

As I stated from the stage at the end of this series, I had fun teaching about generosity through this series, because I have experienced a life-change which has given me a new perpsective of what God desires in my life. My challenge, not so much for everyone who listened to the messages live or as a podcast on the church's website, but for me, is that I become more aware of how I can try and become more generous with what God has blessed me with; that I allow the life-change I have experienced to grow stronger and bolder as a follower of Jesus Christ; that I am joined by other High Rockers as we take every opportunity to influence others with the life-change we have been given; and, that we become the church God desires us to be...rich because of generosity; loved because of Jesus; blessed because of God.

compare

Today, Jon Allen (West Campus Pastor) sent out a message about a podcast he has listened to from Rick Warren about envy. And, how this envy can creep into our lives and consume our thoughts. There were many examples of what one could be envious of; the usual...home, car, job, athletic ability, etc. But, then it speak about pastors being envious of other pastors; their speaking ability, the size of the church they minister to, the successes of their ministry.

I would like to say this shocked me, that pastors act this way, but it didn't. You know that feeling you have when you see or hear someone who is dynamic in their speaking ability, and then you hear yourself speak? Or, when you watch the response a speaker gets from his message, and then you compare that to the response you get? I know too well this envy. A word I believe should go along with envy, and one I feel is the basis for this thought...is compare. Envy doesn't surface without us making a comparison. What I have been trying to learn over the past few years, is not to compare anything I have with what anyone else has, because if I do....envy. You did notice, I used he word "trying".

The podcast also had this quote in it..He has called me to be the best pastor I can possibly be given the gifts, talents, parents, experiences and opportunities God gave me. I didn’t choose any of those qualities. God gives you a set of gifts and judges you on how you use them. He won’t judge you on the gifts you don’t have. He’ll say, “What have you done with what I’ve given you?”

Man, have I heard that in my head a lot lately. I'm not saying I always listen to that advice, but I do hear it. This past weekend's message about depression was beneficial to me. Those moments in my life where I felt the most depressed, I believe, stemmed from this very thought of envy. There have always been better guitar players, better singers, better song writers, and better preachers; and, that trend may very well continue.

But, "What have I done with what God's given me?" That's where my mind and heart should be every day. I should be recognizing what God has gifted me with and make an intentional effort to use it to the fullest; not limiting myself by making a comparison with someone else and their ability. God gave them theirs and He gave me mine. He has called me to do the best with what I have been given. This podcast was a reminder to me of how much God has entrusted me with, but it is also a reminder of how He has gifted me for the task. I pray each day I use God's gift I've been given. Maybe all of us should consider the question, "What have you done with what I've given you?"

thank you Jeff

I have looked back through my life from time to time, sort of like a mental-timeline, and have seen where God has done some amazing things in my life; to mold me and shape me into who I am today and what I am doing today. He has placed events and people all along this timeline to detour me, encourage me, and influence me. This week, I was reminded of the influence of one such individual. This week I attended the funeral service of a dear friend; Jeff Horton.

I first met Jeff over 20 years ago. He and his wife taught a Sunday School class for married couples, and I taught their two daughters in a Youth Group. Jeff demonstrated a servant's heart in everything he did; on his job as a home builder; in his class as a teacher and encourager; his involvement in church activities; on mission trips as a leader; and, in his friendship to me. When Karen and I considered building our home, Jeff was the obvious choice. His friendship and devotion to the Lord inspired me in my walk, but I wasn't paying attention to what all God was doing through Jeff for me. 

I remember conversations we had over the years (we actually referred to most of them as "having church", whether we were in a building or standing out in a parking lot), but one which is still very clear in my mind was the time I told Jeff, and his wife Meredith, how I felt God was leading me to do more with my life; to go beyond singing in a choir, and to possibly lead worship one day. I can still see the look on his face; that look of "What has taken you so long to figure this out?!" Jeff's words of encouragement and assurance that God had been grooming me, preparing me for service outside of where I thought my limits were.

At his funeral service, a video was played of his testimony he had given in church just a month before his passing. In that video, Jeff recalled a Bible study he had been a part of on a few occasions; Experiencing God. I remember taking that course with him. I also remember the section of the study where, as follower of Christ, we are to be actively looking for where God is moving...and go there; to be with God; to serve Him; to worship Him. Not long after my conversation with Jeff about how I felt God leading me to do more with my life...Ray Johnson the lead pastor of High Rock Community Church called and asked if I would consider being a worship leader for this new church plant. Was God moving there? Was God moving me there? Yes, and yes. Is God still moving? Yes...He is.

It wasn't until the funeral; watching and listening to him speak again in a video, and getting the chance to speak again to Meredith, did I realize that Jeff's answer to my thoughts of God leading me was not limited to leading worship. His answer was to the realization that God was, and still is leading me. I told Jeff thank you then....and the other day, I said thank you again.

storms

This past weekend I had the opportunity to teach from Mark 4:35-41; Jesus calming a storm, and as I prepared for the message, I would try and think of storms I could use as illustrations to help people listening get a better understanding of what Jesus was capable of in their life. I tried not to name any specific storms which individuals may be currently going through themselves, so as not to have someone think I was speaking directly to them; to make the storms more generic.

However, God had other plans. Even though I wanted to focus more on "storms" in a general way, and not select a specific one to teach on, God introduced me to three storms people in the church were facing this weekend. These were specific storms shaking their lives; storms they did not see coming; storms which have gripped them in fear; storms they didn't feel they could handle on their own.

Knowing people are sitting in the seats, listening to what I am saying, and knowing they are actually in a storm at that very moment, played with my mind. Do I make a connection emotionally, joining with them in their storm, feeling the fear and the anxiety they're facing?....Or, do I place my trust and faith in Jesus; the calmer of the storm. I want them to know about the love Jesus has for them; how he gave His life for them because of that love; how He can calm them in the storm they are facing. Sometimes, it's not the storm "out there" that needs to be calmed, but the storm "inside" we need calmed. This is the type of storm most people face; the one no one else sees.

I choose to teach with the confidence I have in Jesus and in knowing how He has been with me through storms in my life. I share with them this confidence and faith I have in the One who has calmed my storms. I pray with them because I know God will respond to the cries of His children for help, and that He will comfort them and calm their storm.

I bring them into the boat I am in...the boat where Jesus showed me His peace in my storm.

holding Daddy's guitar

I make it a habit to change guitar strings on a regular basis. It’s something my daddy taught me how to do when I was a teen. There is nothing like the sound of a guitar with a new set of strings. Chords sound better….strums are fuller….finger-picking is cleaner and brighter….songs are fresher. A new set of strings will even spark creative thinking and listening to the chords and possible songs begin to surface. In the last couple of years, daddy would ask me to change his guitar strings for him; or, I would just show up with a set of strings for his birthday and put some new strings on for him. Maybe it was just to see him smile when he strummed his guitar with new strings, but I enjoyed the chance to change the strings for him.

This evening I was changing the strings on my daddy’s guitar; a Gibson Dove. Yes, it sounded so much better….I knew that would happen. This time though, things were a little different. This time, there was no creative process leading me to new chord patterns and possible songs; this time, the strings brought back memories. I remembered the first time daddy showed me how to finger a chord and strum the strings to produce a sound. I remembered all the practicing, the sore fingers, and daddy asking me what I had been learning. I could remember learning songs all the way through, and daddy wanting me to play them for him.

Daddy gave me my first guitar….his Gibson J45. I was so overwhelmed when he did that, because it had been his first guitar. I cherished that guitar, because it was his. I bought a better case for it. I had a local luthier do repairs to it if I messed anything up on it. Even though he gave it to me, I still considered it his guitar.

Now I am holding his last Gibson in my arms. Yes, songs he played and songs I played come to mind, but I found myself not really thinking about the songs and the sound of the new strings. I realized I was holding his guitar…and I am no longer changing strings for him. There’s an emptiness and a sadness. This is daddy’s Dove I’m holding…

….and, in my heart….I am holding him.

"words of art"

I have had an interesting week in a new online class I am taking. I am learning Greek. It is fascinating to learn how the entire New Testament has been translated from the original Greek to what we read today. Of course, you just don't jump into reading Greek without knowing the alphabet. This is where the adventure begins; learning a new alphabet with letters and symbols which resemble a lot of our English alphabet. It was a little confusing at first, but I began to get the hang of how to make the correct strokes to write the letters.

In a conversation with another classmate about the alphabet, a comment was made about how beautiful the Greek words look when you are reading them and writing them. The term "words of art" surfaced. Even though some of the letters are tough to make look right, they still have a character all their own. I have begun to see these letters that I attempt to write, and the words I try to pronounce, as more than just letters and symbols. I now tend to look at them as art; art created by an artist who selected them to express what he was experiencing in his life. A life that had been changed by an encounter with Jesus Christ, His disciples, His followers, and other believers. Their words have inspired people for generations; changed lives; saved marriages; started churches; and, given us an example of the ultimate love God has for us all.

Through our words, our actions, our songs, and our life, people get the opportunity to see us as art, created by God, to be used to express His love for us......and others.

second hand Jesus

I have been enjoying a little break this summer; a little break from school. I have been taking some seminary classes for over a year and accidentally was presented the possibility to take an 8-week break from school, and I took it. Besides the obvious perks of not being in class; time with family, rest, vacation, and some lazy nights lying on the couch....I got the chance to read some books for pleasure. Right now I am in the middle of a book written by a worship pastor from New Life Church in Colorado; Glenn Packiam. I met him a year ago at a worship conference and enjoyed listening to him talk about worship in everyday life.

His book is entitled, "Second hand Jesus". Yes....I thought it was a catchy title as well. Just out of curiosity, I wanted to know what it would be about. The whole idea of using the term "second hand" when referring to Jesus doesn't even sound right. We, as believers, are taught and encouraged to make Jesus first and foremost in our lives, and here is a book teasing us with a title which could cause people to think of Jesus as a "hand-me-down". Honestly, I was taken back when I read the basis for the book was simply that; people have based their whole understanding and knowledge of Jesus, who He is and what He has done for them, from "hand-me-down" information, or a second hand account.

I know we are challenged, as believers, to share what Jesus means to us and what He has done for us each day when we relate to people. This is not second hand. This is us sharing first hand the gospel of Jesus with our lives. The second hand Jesus is found in the lives of people who say they know "about" Jesus. They have heard about Him. They attend church because they feel like it is the right thing to do. They see Jesus as a type of good-luck charm to call on when things get a little difficult, or after they have exhausted all of their possible solutions. This second hand Jesus is who they go to, look for, and call on after everything else hasn't worked out for them.

I know......this sounds like a ridiculous question to ask, but I'm afraid it could be even harder for some people to answer. Is your relationship with Jesus a one-on-one, personal, first hand experience of His love and grace, or....is everything you think you know about Jesus based on second hand information? Here's a hint....if the only time you think about Jesus is when someone else speaks about Him....you have a second hand Jesus.

Wii Worship

Last night Karen, Joshua, and I went to my parent's house for a visit. You know... the visit to catch up on things that have been going on in each other's life; watch a little Jeopardy; a little Wheel of Fortune; some Braves baseball; and, of course, Wii. Yes, my parent's have a Wii system. It's a lot of fun and it can wear you out if you aren't careful.

I watched from the dining room table as Karen and Joshua played golf, and then they shot some 3-point basketball contest. They were having a good time. It's actually more fun to watch the participants than the TV screen. Anyway, it wasn't too long until I was playing golf and shooting hoops. The amazing thing about the Wii system is, you quickly get to the point where you feel as though you are totally in the game....playing; not just pressing buttons to produce a result, but moving physically to produce a result. You start to focus more on how you hold the controller so your swing doesn't hook, or slice when you hit the ball. You look at the layout of the fairway, the direction of the wind, the sand traps, and the angle of the break on the green as you putt. You forget you are standing in the middle of a living room.

The same goes for the 3-point shoot out in basketball. You sense yourself reaching for the ball in the rack, jumping to shoot, and concentrating on your follow through to make sure the ball swishes the net. The rest of the games are the same way. They make you forget where you are and move you to another place.... a place of just you and the game....everything else is placed aside for this time. At the end of the game though, you are back in reality with all it's distractions, pressures, and struggles....life....real life.

Is it posible for our worship to be like a Wii system? It can be if we only feel like we are worshipping when we are at church on the weekend. We turn our worship on the moment we arrive and the music starts and we begin singing; the moment we leave everything that has made our week a mess behind, and sing praises to our God and listen to His voice in the message speaking directly to us; the moment we feel as though it is just us and God with no distractions, pressures, or struggles....worship. Then, when we walk out the door, we hit the "Off" button and return to where we were before we arrived at church...distacted, pressured, and struggling.

No....worship is not a Wii system, because true worship has no "Off" button. Worship is a life-style; a result of our life in Christ....everlasting....never ending.

june 29th

"Man, you had to be there!" I have heard people say this when they are trying to describe an event they were a part of. It may have been a professional ball game, or a concert by their favorite artist, or an amazing vacation over-seas, or just something experienced by a group of friends. There seem to be a lack of words when it comes to our description of the event, and the best we can do is say, "Man, you had to be there!" Because, if you had been there, you would better understand the impact of the event.

Tuesday night, June 29th, was one of those events for me; one of those unplanned, unrehearsed, unprepared events...at least unplanned in my mind. It would be hard to say unrehearsed and unprepared. As a worshipper, we should always be rehearsed and prepared for times of worshipping God. Whenever we open His Word to read what He wants us to know, we are being prepared for His presence in our life. Whenever we think about how He is working in our life, how He is orchestrating everything according to His plan for us.....we are rehearsing for what He is about to do. So often, we don't plan for Him. Kind of like Tuesday night. Our plan, as part of an after-dinner time of fellowship together, was to play a few songs and have prayer. A very simple plan. Our plan was not His plan for us. We had placed our plan within a time frame, and were focused on our group; staff and spouses.

His plan was so much better. His plan eliminated our time frame for worship. Our plan was 25-30 minutes....He led us for over two hours in worship. Our plan included just us....He included those passing by the building; camp personnel, counselors, and volunteers. Our plan had an air-conditioned room....His plan opened the doors and windows for everyone to hear His worship. I believe what made this event so special was the realization that we no longer had control of our plan and we surrendered to God's plan for us.....to worship at the top of our lungs for however long He led us and to not restrict His plan in any way.

Yes, God's plan affected everyone in the house; all our guests, all the staff, and me. And yes, you had to be there for that event to understand what it was like. But, those events are in every moment of our life. Are you rehearsed and prepared? Whose plan are you using?

seventh step

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of opening one of our planning meetings with a small devotion, and I chose II Samuel 6:13. David, the King of Israel, was having the Ark of the Covenant brought to Jerusalem. (I won't go into all the history right now) This was the second attempt to return the Ark. Their first attempt ended in tragedy because their plans for moving the Ark, were simply that....."their" plans.

"When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fatted calf." What is so important about the six steps that they needed to be recorded in the scriptures?

In the first attempt, David may have wanted to receive the praise from the people for being the one who brought the Ark to Jerusalem.This time, the Ark is being moved in such a way as to honor and revere God. This time....God would be the focus of the praise. And, to make sure.....every six steps....a sacrifice was made to worship God and to praise Him. A reminder to us that God controls every step we take.

Six days of creation....six steps....six days in a week. Seventh day....God rested and focused on His creation. Seventh step...rest and focus on God...praise and worship.

How has your week gone? Have you taken the time to focus on God every six steps? Or, do you feel as though you just need to wait till that seventh day so you can worship God? If so, then those would be "your" plans, not God's. His plan is for us to know Him for who He is and what He has done for us. We should worship and praise Him for every breath He gives us; for every heart-beat; for every time we laugh and cry; for every struggle and every win. Every moment of every day, we should worship and praise God. Then......and only then will we be ready to worship on the seventh day.


What step did you just take?

"challenges"

I know.....I know. It has been a while since I last blogged, and I would like to use an excuse like, "It's been so hectic today....." no, that doesn't work. Maybe, "I've had a busy week....." that doesn't work either. And, "What a busy month?" Let's just say I haven't thought too much about blogs lately. Sorry. No real excuses.

The reminder about blogging came this morning as I was checking out the church's web-site and looking at the changes that have been made. (It's kind of fun just to click and go to each part of the site.) I saw the phrase, "read Ronnie's blog". I then realized it has been nearly a month since I last blogged. I couldn't believe it. Nothing in May? Are you kidding me? May is one of those special months for me. Karen's birthday is this month. Kristen's birthday is this month.

I'm sure you have heard the saying, "Man, it feels just like yesterday when..." Well, that's exactly how it feels when I think about my daughter. It was only yesterday she came into this world. That day has to be one of the life changing moments God has blessed me with over the years. Kristen lit up my world when she was born. I was holding a blessing from God that came with challenges for me. The challenge to be a father; a human rocking chair; a protector; a chauffeur; an involved parent at school functions; a Christian example at all times, not just at church; the daddy who prayed for her as she answered God's call on her life to be a missionary for a summer in Mexico; and, the one to present her to her future husband on her wedding day. All challenges to make me more of who I was designed to be.

I am amazed at how we, as believers, shy away from the challenges God places in front of us each day. Those challenges made to mold us into the people He has designed us to be. Those challenges to live a life exhibiting Christ in us to everyone we come in contact with. Those challenges which at first seem impossible, but with God are possible. Accept the challenges......the blessing will overwhelm your life.

Kristen, God used you to challenge and change me. My life has been blessed and overwhelmed. I thank God and you for these challenges.

I love you, Daddy

silhouette

I've always found it interesting how you can look at a simple silhouette and know who it is. Have you seen the ones which have the silhouette of a child on a plate hanging on the wall, or sitting on a stand for visitors to see. The child's name doesn't even have to be on the plate, but you know who it is.

I saw one the other day and it started me thinking about silhouettes I remember from the past. As a parent, all the times you have seen your child from a distance, and the light is behind them, you know them by their silhouette. It doesn't matter what they are doing, you know it is them. I saw a silhouette of my son one morning. He was a long way off. I mean a long way off, but I knew it was him. He was running, like he does everyday, but this day.....I pulled up to the end of our driveway, and as I checked the road for traffic, I saw Joshua running. I couldn't tell which running clothes he was wearing. I don't have eyes like a hawk. I saw the silhouette of a runner coming down the road and......I knew it was Joshua. I recognized his stride as he runs. It was a silhouette, but it was Joshua. It reminded me of when I'd go and watch his cross-country races. No matter how far away he was from me, when I saw his stride....I knew it was him.

What kind of silhouette do we have as followers of Christ? Are we recognizable from a distance? Can we be picked out of a crowd simply by our stance, our walk, our stride? I believe we all need to concentrate on the silhouette we have. We are followers of Christ, children of God. We need to live lives so people know who we are, even when we can't be clearly seen. Our silhouette has been created by the Light of the World, and whether we want to believe it, or not, it is for everyone to see.

We are recognizable. But, what do they see?

months

Last night, or morning, whichever way you look at it, was very difficult for me. I had to make a decision that would ultimately lead me to a place to hear things I knew I would one day hear, but didn't want to hear.

Life will do things like this to us. We are comfortable with how things are going in our life. It's spring, and everything seems new and growing. After it rains, the air even feels cleaner and fresher. Everything is moving along as we think it should. Then in a few hours....with just a few words said.....it all changes.

We always consider life in the terms of years; whether good or bad, we measure a person's life by years. We celebrate a loved one's birthday each year to commemorate another year of life. We measure a couple's love by their years of marriage. Life seems to revolve around years, and we have grown accustomed to that. The biggest obstacle for a lot of us, myself included, is measuring life in months. Our first response is, "What happened to the years? Don't we have x-amount of years?"

Sitting in the ER this morning, I heard the few words that have shifted my measuring of life in years...to months. Daddy is not well. He s declining in health. The Dr. says there is a mass in his lung. It is terminal. We are looking at.... "months". This was harder to type than to hear.

Why is it we don't think about months? They are more important than years......now. Do you realize there are more days than months in a year? I know....... sounds a little silly..... but, how important are the days you get to spend with those you love......... your family..... your friends...
your Savior.... your God.

ready?

Today has been one of those days where I find myself taking a moment to stop and realize all that has happened. So often, like most holidays in our life, the anticipation keeps building right up to the last minute.....and then its gone. In the blink of an eye....its gone. Easter almost took that same path this year. There has been so much going on, construction, scheduling, construction, planning, construction, set-backs, not enough time in the day, not enough days in the week, and let's toss in a little stress......not much, just a little to make it interesting.

Then, on Saturday morning, just when I needed it....I got an email from Brian Duncan (Kannapolis Campus Pastor). His email was a wake-up call to me. I know he sent it to more people than just me, but I know what it meant to me. Without saying a lot in his email, he changed everything for me about the Easter weekend. His email was a warning to me; a warning of Easter possibly being covered up, maybe even missed by so much stuff getting in the way. And believe me, there was beginning to be a lot of stuff on my plate for this Easter weekend.

Was it necessary for me to stress over how the stage looked, how prepared the band would be, how would the songs fit into the service, how many people would show up, how would the worship be?.....No.....but I was stressing just the same. Brian's email destroyed all of that. The one thing I needed to be focused on for Easter was how I was going to worship. Would I be ready to truly worship God for His incredible gift of salvation through His Son? Would I be ready to worship a Savior who was raised from the dead and now lives in me? Would I be ready for Easter, and what it represents in my life?

I would be now.

Thank you Brian.......

there

This past weekend, during our worship service at HRCC, I had the pleasure of delivering the message that begins a new series entitled, "Provision". If you were there, you may recall how I spoke about God instructing Elijah to go "there"; that place where God would meet his physical needs; that place where God could give him protection; that place to be alone with God; that place where the presence of God would be.......there.

I am still amazed at how Elijah must have felt when he was told to leave where he felt he was safe, comfortable, and secure. That had to be a very difficult choice to make; not in his original plans for his life; not what he thought God would want him to do; and, it was probably going to be an inconvenience for Elijah.

Do we ever feel like Elijah? We look at our life and we see where we are. Our basic needs are met. We are fed.... clothed.... have a place to stay..... comfortable.... we may be even doing what we think God wants us to be doing. Would we leave where we are if God said His provision was there; a place unfamiliar to us; a place where we might not fit in; a place that may expose us for who we really are; a place where God is our only source for any and every thing we will need; a place where God becomes the most important relationship we will ever have; a place where we feel His embrace each day; where He can comfort the sick, encourage the lonely, bring joy to the hurting, lift up the fallen, restore the marriage, defeat the grasp of addiction, and make us who He created us to be?

If we are not there, then we must still be here.....and according to Elijah....there is where God is...and where we need to be.

See you there.

elevator door

I was talking to a friend the other day and we got onto the topic of how Christians are to live their lives each day. I know most people understand that as a believer in Jesus Christ, we should be living a life that exemplifies who He is to us. We should live our lives in such a way so others will know that Jesus dwells in us. We are to be His hands and feet here on this earth; at the school we attend; on our job with co-workers; when we are with friends, or family. As a believer in Jesus Christ, our life is to be noticeable.

Anyway.....as we were discussing what this life should look like, he made a comment that caught me off guard. In our illustrations of how people might perceive their life as an example of Jesus, and all the ways they may think it should look; everything from tithing, to going on a mission trip to a foreign country.....he says that he wants to be the guy who holds the elevator door. The elevator door?!? How is that.......?

Then I saw what he meant. Too often we think a life that shows people we are a follower of Christ has to be something noteworthy, big, attention getting.....noticeable. I'm sure it can be, if our motives are right. But, to see the small gestures of kindness as being Christ-like....

Maybe we need to re-focus a little on what it means to live a life that shows we have Christ living in us. Maybe we've been looking too high on the "impressive" list. Maybe all people really need is for someone to hold the elevator door for them.

2-4-83

Twenty seven years ago I was blessed to see the birth of my son, Joshua....a beautiful baby boy, and now.....an amazing young man. I can rewind through my memory and see so many things that make up who Joshua is. Everything he is now, I have watched being developed as the days and years have slipped by.

There have been broken bones, school plays, Little League Baseball, Basketball, Wrestling, Track, Cross-Country, High School Graduation, College, MBA, Law School, and then there were the Church Christmas plays, Baptism, Caswell Youth Camps, Mission Trips. I have seen how all these events have been a part of making Joshua who he is, but more importantly....I have seen how God has shaped Joshua's life through all of this. Most people may not see God working in ordinary events of their life, but that is how these events become extra-ordinary.

Of all the things that I have witnessed in Joshua's life so far, I am most impressed when I hear people tell me what they think about Joshua. They may have been friends with Joshua growing up, or attended school with him, or maybe even competed with him or coached him, but they all have had good things to say about Joshua. And as a father......one of the best things you can hear about a child of yours......is not what others say about them.....it is how your child's life has impacted theirs.

That's when you know that their life is extra-ordinary........and God did that.

Happy Birthday Joshua. Your Mom and I love you and we thank God everyday for what He is doing in your life.