Measure of Greatness

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.’” (Luke 22: 24-26)
“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13: 2-5)
From an early age we discover how to distinguish between the popular and the unpopular, the normal and the different, the leaders and the followers. For those who know me, it is not a shock that I was not one of the popular kids in school. But what is most fascinating as I reflect is that even in the realms of ‘nerddom,’ there are still distinguishing marks that separates u. First chair, section leader, president of the Thespian Society, drum major, Dungeon Master- Okay, that last one was for the really geeky kids out there.
We, like the disciples, want to know our place in the pecking order of life. Just imagine the disciples as they are arguing about which of them was considered to be the greatest around the ‘Last Supper’ table. In the midst of them arguing like little middle school boys, Jesus – the Lord of all – gets up from the table and shows them what greatness truly is; Service. John shows us how he takes a towel and wraps it around his waist. Jesus pours water into a basin and washes the disciple’s feet. “The one who rules should be like the one who serves.”
I’m greater than you are. Funny statement isn’t it. Why do we push others down thinking it will raise us up?
Let me give you an old Delanco illustration… My summer on permanent staff was great. I was the lifeguard that summer. It was several years and a few pounds ago. When I was taking my life guarding courses before the summer they taught us how to approach a drowning victim. It was pretty much like attacking them. Seriously. When someone is drowning they panic – obviously. As they panic they will pull the lifeguard (the very person who is trying to help them) under the water in an attempt to remain above it. Clearly, you cannot save someone if you are pulled under yourself. So they taught us all sorts of moves on how to block and maneuver our way to get to a place of safety where we can get ahold of the victim and bring them to safety.
My instructor told me, if that doesn’t work, punch them in the face. Seriously, true story.
Whenever we argue about who is greatest, whenever we put our own interests first, we are in contrast to the purpose of God in our lives. Jesus said that the servant is not greater than the master. So whenever we say that taking up the towel is just not “our thing,” we are saying that we are better than Christ. Don’t put people down in an attempt to raise yourself up.
As we enter the Season of Lent in the church, I want to ask you – What are you doing with the influence you have in this world? Are you lording it over others or using it to serve others? Take some time during this season to reflect and to serve. Jesus gave us the example and said, “Now that you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” Let us not be only hearers of the Word, but doers. Serve somebody today.

Principle of the Path

"Direction, not Intention, Determines Destination."

Andy Stanley, Author and Pastor of Northpoint Community Church

This is the principle of the path.

Do you remember Dorothy and her little dog, Toto? She wanted to get home, and there was this guy in OZ who was a Wizard - Hence the name of the movie - who would help her get home. In order to get there she had to do something.... "Follow the Yellow Brick Road." If she would follow this road it would lead her to OZ. In fact, if you or I wanted to get to OZ, then guess what... we have to follow the yellow brick road. The reason Dorothy got there is because she followed this road. The direction determines destination. There was nothing special about Dorothy. She didn't have to be brilliant - she was traveling with a guy with no brain. It had nothing to do with her character - one guy didn't have a heart. She didn't need to be particularly brave- in fact, one guy didn't have any courage at all. She got to OZ because that is where the yellow brick road led. This is the principle of the path. She could have intended to get there or wished or dreamed with all of her heart, but unless she started out skipping down this road (as munchkins sing her out), she would never have gotten there.

Here is the reality as Morpheus stated in The Matrix... "There is a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path." Solomon says it like this...

"The wise see danger and take refuge, the foolish keep going and suffer for it." Proverbs 27:12

What seperates the wise and the foolish, and ultimately us as we include ourselves into this story, is not that one saw the danger and one didn't. It is what they did in response to it. It is what you do when you see danger that determines whether or not you are a biblical fool. Both saw the danger - the wise changed their direction. The foolish kept going, they didn't change their path, and Solomon gives us this promise - they suffer for it.

Have you ever been lost? It is a scary feeling when you realize that you have no idea where you are and are possibly headed in the wrong direction. Funny thing about being lost... rarely do you ever keep going in the same direction. You turn around, exit, change your direction.

I think if we are honest with ourselves, we all have good intentions. We all want to be headed in the right direction. But the principle of the path teaches us that it is not about how we feel or what we would want. It is about whether or not we are headed in the right direction or on the right path. This principle can apply in so many areas of your life if you would let it.

Do you want to grow in your faith? Are you on the right path to get you there?

Do you want to excel in school? There is a path for that - be on it.

Do you want to be financially secure? You may have to change your behavior in order to be on the right path. This may not be easy and you may not see results right away.

The difference between you and everyone else is going to be found in whether or not you can look past next weekend. Most people can't. But if you can see how choices today affect tomorrow, and you know that there are consequences to your actions, then you can be on a path- the right path. The direction of that path will determine your destination- the end result. Have a fun journey.

Power in the Beard

There must be power in the beard. It is a mystical strength that I am unable to attain. Reference by cute baby face.

What makes a great musician? Is it the skill of the instrument? The beauty of tone in the voice? The depth of lyrics in songwriting? ... Or is it the beard?

Some say that William Fitzsimmons might try and 'rip off' Iron and Wine's classic look of the bearded troubadour, but I tell you they are distinct in their style and musicality. Gotta love both of them.

Only at Christmas Time...

I am one of those people that believe you should only watch Christmas movies or listen to Christmas music after Thanksgiving. So it’s not as if I want to skip Thanksgiving, but before you know it, our culture will be inflating those annoying inflatable Reindeer and Snowmen and placing them on their lawns. Oh by the way, if have one of those inflatable things I should probably apologize for calling them annoying, but let’s be honest; they are! So sorry, no apology from me.

In case you didn’t know it – Christmas will be here on December 25th. Did you plan? Did you save for those presents? Our culture today has made Christmas be something so much more extravagant than ever before. Christmas is now commercialized. You can have Christmas on credit. Pay for gifts with money you don’t have, to give to family and friends who don’t need them, or will never use them. Whose birthday are we celebrating on Christmas anyway? Christmas is not your birthday.

Here at St. Peter’s, we recognize that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday. This year, we want Christmas to be different for you. We want for you to experience the true meaning of Christmas. We desire that you take the time to spend with family and friends instead of rushing around the mall. Give gifts that have an eternal impact rather than a temporary feeling. What if you bought one less gift and gave the money to missions? What if you asked for people to donate to missions instead of giving you a gift card, sweater, tie, or candle? Would you really miss those gifts? Would the joy of a life changed or community impacted be enough to give your heart such joy this Christmas season. We live in a world where people do not experience many ‘silent nights’. You can make a difference in someone’s life through your giving this Christmas.

So if you haven’t started shopping yet, then I want for you to read again the previous paragraph before you do. As you are out in the stores with your long list of things to buy, I want you to pause and ask yourself if this gift you are giving has any lasting impact. Would you consider giving to missions instead?

Last year, Christmas was different for me. As my family and friends opened the cards, I was filled with such joy as I could see that they really loved the gift we gave them. My father was a teacher for 38 years, so we gave a gift for a student in the Dominican Republic to attend school. He was really touched. My mother-in-law works in a mammography office so we donated towards chemotherapy treatment for a friend in the Dominican Republic who was suffering with breast cancer. The picture of the woman who is cancer free now sits on the mantle with pictures of the rest of the family. There are many other stories like this I could share. But I have found that not only did we get to help others through giving to missions, but we gave a lasting gift to our family and friends. You can make this Christmas different. Start now.

Michael Vick

There is a new #7 in town. I waited for a while now to respond to the Michael Vick situation, but I figured it was time.

Everyone knows I love the Eagles. Everyone knows I love my dog. But the Michael Vick controversy is about him playing a game and about his crime. It is about our response to it. I love watching people say how he deserves a second chance, but then put conditions upon it.

'Well, as long as it is not for my team... or he can be a landscaper, but he shouldn't be allowed back in the NFL.'

It has forced us as Christians to look at what forgiveness is and how far we are willing to extend it. The issue is that the Philadelphia Eagles have shown more morality and Christlike character than the church has. I don't want my favorite team to take the first step in doing what is right. That is great and all, but it isn't their role. It is mine.

So people can stand on the street corner with pictures of this and that, and slogans like, "Hide your beagle, Vick's and Eagle", but the question we all have to wrestle with is whether or not we would deserve a second chance. I am glad God isn't like us in this respect. I don't understand why God forgives and continues to reveal his faithfulness to us. God has given me more than a second chance, so why would I not be willing to forgive others?

Look- what he did was absolutely terrible. You can't get around that. But I can't call myself a follower of Christ and extend nothing but a cold shoulder to Vick or anyone else. Forgiveness is not easy or simple for us it seems. We cannot let go of our own agendas or frailties in order to look at someone the way God would.

These are just some of my thoughts for now. It is a thought provoking and heart stirring issue. Hard to deal with.

Book Review

Crazy Love - by Francis Chan.

I heard Pastor Chan speak at Catalyst about two years ago and was really impressed. I don't think he was the best speaker at the conference, but he certainly stood out. He was so passionate about helping others in their relationship with Christ that it just poured out of him. It was almost as if he couldn't stand up straight because of the pain of the moment. He was that into it. That same passion comes out in his book, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God.

We recently finished an adult study on the book, and I have seen some positive fruit from it. Each chapter is a challenge and I encourage anyone who reads it to do so with a partner or in a group. A lot of times we are challenged and we simply read it and move on. But if you study this in a group setting, it forces you to wrestle with the issues and to deal with them. You cannot hide. While I don't agree with every single line of the book, (I don't think we ever will), I would still recommend it. Make sure you get it and study it with your group.

Beyond VBS

Just a few more days till VBS. Ahh yes, the beloved time in the summer where kids from throughout the church and neighborhood come to learn about Jesus' love. This year we are doing Crocodile Dock. It is a good theme this year and it should be fun with the kids. But here is me being me again...

What is the next step beyond VBS because in my opinion, I think it has run its course. Now I don't know if this is a blanket statement for all churches, and I still think it is working well for my church. But if we could have a weekend away to think about this subject, I wonder what we would come up with...

What is the next step in children's ministry? What will be the thing that connects generations, particularly a new and upcoming one, into the life of the church? Is that VBS' role? So as I jump into the Bayou I can't stop from thinking... what's next?