Wonder of the Cross

Every so often, I hear a song that catches my heart. I listen intently to the words and then I listen for the emotion. Will this be a song that the church will enjoy singing? Is this a song that will encourage us as a church body? Do the words cause us to feel; to think; to love; to worship? A few weeks ago I was reading some responses to an article about a worship leader of a church that was asking for some help in selecting songs for their upcoming Easter Service. One of the responses was from a young female worship leader from England, Vicky Beeching. She mentioned a song that she had written about the cross of Jesus, and how she would offer it as a suggestion for an Easter song. So, I decided to find the song and give it a listen. And, oh what a song!

"The Wonder of the Cross" stirs my imagination. I listen to the words and they paint a living picture of the cross. The words cause my mind to look back in time; not to the crucifixion, but to the day I heard about the love of Christ; the day I heard that He gave His life on that cross for me. I listen to the words that encourage me to hold on to that memory; to not let time and years steal the power of the cross, and how it has impacted my life. Listening to the song, my mind sees the cross; not as a vertical, horizontal wooden structure that stands as a symbol of our belief, but as I saw it for the first time; at a revival. What had always been just a symbol was now real in my mind, and in my heart. This structure of wood was shameful, painful, and necessary for my salvation. My life would never be the same; neither would anyone else that looked at the cross the way that I did that evening. When I see the cross in my mind, I feel it in my heart. When I see people respond to the cross, I feel it in my heart. When I see lives changed because of the cross, I feel it in my heart. Please, don't ask me what it feels like; I can't tell you. It's what I would say is the wonder of the cross, and as is written in the song, "May I never lose the wonder, the wonder of the cross". May we never lose the wonder.

Water Jars

I just read in John, chapter 2, about Jesus attending a wedding in Cana. I have heard this story told as the first miracle that Jesus did; how he turned the water into wine, and how the master of the banquet was shocked that the groom had saved the best wine for the end of the feast. That was not the norm of that time; for after the good wine had been served to the guest, and they had become "happily filled", the cheaper stuff would be served; no one would actually know the difference. However, this time was different. What many people had become accustomed to, changed. What was suppose to be just another cup of cheap wine, caught guests by surprise. What had Jesus done? Did he fill the jars with water? Did he pray over the jars of water? Was he the one who served the wine? Did the master of the banquet address him as to where this wine came from?.......no. Jesus remained in the background during all of this. All he did was to tell the servants to fill 6 jars with water, and they did. Jesus then told them to draw some of the water out and to serve it to the master of the banquet. That's all that is recorded......"that's all He did? Where's the miracle?" I would be the one that would tell you that Jesus turned the water into wine, but recently I was in a conversation that mentioned this event, and that the "miracle" was in the servants listening to Jesus. When the servants did as Jesus instructed, the water was turned to wine. They had no idea what was going to happen. They probably were afraid as to what might happen to them if people tasted water instead of wine. We read that the master of the banquet was surprised at the excellence of the wine, but how surprised do you think the servants must have been, for they knew that they had just filled those jars with water. Who was this that had instructed them? Who had they listened to? Last Sunday I was at the new HRCC campus in Kannapolis, and what I saw were servants that had been instructed by Jesus to take a middle school gymnasium (jars), and fill it with HRCC (water); the same HRCC that we see each week when we attend at the Bringle Ferry campus, and the Denton campus. As these servants unloaded a trailer, and poured into the gym, a miracle began. What appeared to be sound equipment, musical instruments, coffee maker, hospitality supplies, nursery supplies, tables, chairs, and a tarp, was actually a church; High Rock Community Church. And, when all the preparation was done, at 10:00, the Master of this banquet was presented with a "wine" that I know pleased Him. His servants had listened to Him. There was music, there was singing, there was HRCC in Kannapolis.

Blank Canvas

"Ronnie, you have to blog!?!" That's what she said. I was just standing there, minding my own business after a large meal with some Small Group leaders, and out of the blue comes this statement; "you have to blog". I know that for some people it is like second nature to blog. They seem to write about any, and everything under the sun; sometimes it has substance, and sometimes it's a lot of letters and spaces. But, when I sit down in front of the computer, and look at this blank area of white next to a picture of me looking back at me, I freeze. It is the same as when I look at a blank canvas before I paint, a sheet of sketch paper before I draw, and the silence just before I pray; I really don't know what will happen. I could tell about all the ways that God moved in the hearts of the people at HRCC this past week-end as they heard of, and met "real" needs within the church family, and how they met the "real" needs of people outside of the church family. I could tell of how gutters will be repaired for a man who had no idea that he was about to be ministered to; or about the amazing support for the lady who needed help with her gas bill; or the car maintenance; or the home repairs; or the new well estimate. How do I explain this to someone who wasn't there to see it? It was like watching God's hand as He moved across a blank heart canvas to reveal a masterpiece that I needed to see. I didn't know what would happen when the needs were presented. But, I now realize that that was not my canvas to paint. I have been praying and planning for the new Kannapolis Campus, and the Praise Team that will be leading worship there. Wednesday night was set aside as a rehearsal time for the musicians. They were going to have just enough participants to have, what I thought would be, a good Team. However, it would be better if there was one more guitar player. Maybe by the first couple of services, someone would step up and want to be a part of the Team. I mean, that's how it worked here at HRCC......Just as we are getting ready to rehearse, a guy walks in with his family in tow, and asked if we were having a Wednesday night service. I politely said that we were actually starting a rehearsal for the Praise Team that will be in Kannapolis........Watch this........He plays guitar.....But, he didn't have it with him..........Mine is on the guitar stand because I am helping out by playing the bass tonight.....He asks to play mine......and for the next 90 minutes God continued painting on a canvas that I thought He had finished on Sunday. Ask any artist, and they will tell you that their work is not done until it is signed. I'm the same way. If I'm painting, or drawing, or writing; it's not done until I sign it. I feel that God is just starting His masterpiece, and it is a long way from being signed. I am enjoying the work in progress.

Over Already?

"It seems as though I just woke up and Christmas is over." "It's like we start getting ready for Christmas, and before we know it, it's passed by us." I'm sure you have probably heard these comments before. You may have even said them yourself. I can think back to when I would say the very same things. When I was in school, I longed for Christmas Break. I would make plans to just enjoy all the time that I would have to play with my friends; exchange gifts; break-in the new bike; go hunting with my new BB gun; race slot-cars well into the night. And, all that time seemed to disappear quickly; too quickly, and it's back to school. I've had the same feeling when I would be looking forward to time off from UPS after the Christmas season of delivering. I would save up a few extra days during the year just so I could "rest", and enjoy Christmas with Karen and our children. But, there again, time just slips by, and it's back to work. Why is that? Do we really think that having to go back to school, or work, ends our Christmas? No; it doesn't. Forgetting about Christmas ends our Christmas. When we start thinking about work, school, chores, shopping, returns, bills; we end Christmas. And, as much fun as I have had this Christmas, I don't want to end it. I want to keep reminding myself of all that the Lord has done for me, my family, my friends, and High Rock Community Church. God has truly blessed us this year, even when the enemy thought that he could stop us. God has smiled on HRCC in a mighty way this year. He has given us a gift that we will not want to return, or exchange. He has given us a joy that brings a smile to our faces each time that we think about it. He has given us a Christmas that will be a part of our memories for a long time. He has given to us......and it's not over.

Do we still feel his hug?

The room is so noisy. It is hard to hear yourself think. People are sitting together in groups; families, friends, loved ones; and they are all talking. They are not trying to be loud, but the excitement, coupled with the number of people there, seems to gradually increase the decibel level; and before you know it, it is loud. It is a good loud though. I enjoy looking around and seeing the smiles and the tears, hearing the laughter and some of the conversations, mostly inaudible. Soon I will get to participate in all the noise. Soon I will get to carry on a conversation. I will get the chance to laugh, to smile, and be loud. I can't wait to raise the decibel level a little more. But for now, I just sit and wait......He'll be here in a minute........There he is.......The thoughts and emotions that are racing through my mind..........what do I say?.......what will he say?........can I still make him smile?.......it's been so long...........don't cry.............too late. I have missed this man. It is so good to see him walking toward me. I finally get my chance to hug him. And it is not a pat-pat-pat hug. I hugged Ray as a brother would hug a brother. I held on to him..........it's been a while.........don't cry. Time for smiles and laughter. Time to increase the decibel level. A strange thing happened though. I didn't hear any other conversations. I could see all the people around the room, but I didn't hear them anymore. I heard who I came to hear; and I listened. I listened to all he had to say. I didn't want this time to end. Everything just moved so fast, and then we were headed home. And as I drove home, I could still hear him; I could still see him; I could still feel the hug. When we show up for a service at High Rock, do we increase the decibel level by our participation?.........do we laugh, smile, cry, and hug? When we carry on our conversation with the Lord, do we listen?.........have we heard who we came to hear? When we leave and head home, do we still hear Him?.........do we still feel His hug? I do.

The dreaded sermon...

I really enjoy every opportunity that I get to speak to the people at HRCC; whether on a Saturday Night, or Sunday Morning. It is a spiritual high in the sense that for me to speak I need to do some preparation; I have to study. In the studying of scripture, commentaries, and the text of other noted speakers, I get excited about what God has laid on my heart to share. But, there has always been in the back of my mind "that" sermon topic. You know the one....the dreaded sermon......tithing. I have heard other preachers give that sermon, and then I have heard all the comments from everyone that did not appreciate what the pastor talked about, and the same old....."all the church ever talks about is money". That rings over and over in your head as a young believer, and it resurfaces in your mind when you are asked, as I was, to do Part I of a 2-part series on giving; the week-end after Thanksgiving; while the Senior Pastor and the Associate Pastor are away; and with possible first-time guest because of the Thanksgiving week-end. Do you feel my fear now? And, on top of all that, it is decided to have the ushers take up the offering before the message. I am not feeling well at all. And then, just before the Saturday Night service, I retreat to my office; look at my notes one more time and realize......I am out of my league......."God please, You will have to do this. I give this to you." And He took it.........all of it. I had planned a cool illustration with a $100. I planted it so that when I asked for it I would receive it back. I was all set and ready, then God reminded me that I had given Him the message and I guess He thought that meant the illustration too. So, I find out that He had planted a $100 somewhere else; and not just one. I found out after one service that a gentleman found $100 in his wallet that he didn't know was there. I was approached by a lady after one service that wanted to thank me for the message; she needed to hear it "today". I was told by one friend that they just couldn't believe that that was me sharing with them this week-end. And, to be totally honest, it wasn't me. It was God's message. He used me; He used unsuspecting people in the church; He used the music; He used the video; He used it all. Like I said earlier; I gave the message to Him, and He took it all.......Hmmm.......sounds like tithing.

See ya' Jake

I have been on staff here at HRCC, full-time, for 7 months; starting back on April 1st of this year. I have experienced a lot of moments that have been, shall we say, educational in my Christian walk as a Pastor. There have been moments in leading worship with the church body that can only be described as "Holy". There have been days filled with joy and laughter that I still see and hear in my mind to this day. There have been tears that have drawn me closer to the church family than I thought possible. I have seen answered prayer; I have witnessed love and compassion; I have made new friends; I have seen God working in the life of HRCC; I have been amazed and blessed. And then there are "those" moments; the ones that I grew up watching "preachers" do......weddings, baptisms, funerals; those anxious moments of what do I say to the family of someone whose dying. Tuesday I received "that" call. A dear friend, Rev. J. C. "Jake" Huneycutt, Jr. was dying. Jake was the Pastor that performed mine and Karen's wedding; he baptised my children; he encouraged me to be a Deacon, a Sunday School teacher, a Youth Leader, a Baptistmen's Leader; he was a "quiet" mentor to me. He was a man of God; a servant of the Lord; a visionary; a prayer warrior; my family's Pastor; a friend......and he was dying. I hugged his wife Bobbie, his daughter Lynne, and his grand-son Jacob (named after his grandfather).....and I stood there by his bed; this "quiet" force in my life lay there dying and I'm thinking...."What do I say?"...."What would he say?"......he'd pray. So, I prayed. I couldn't say good-bye.....but I did say "See ya' Jake". And because of this man, a lot of people will. Tuesday evening Jake went home. I believe with all my heart, that this quiet man heard the loudest "Well done" ever. I will miss you. See ya' Jake.