First, I love the questions you guys are asking on the “Have you ever though about that?” post. Great minds think alike, right?!!
Second, I want to thank each of you for the very encouraging and supportive comments on this blog. It is obvious that God is preparing Trinity Chapel for something special in the near and distant future. To each individual who has hung in there over the past few months, Sarah and I cannot express to you how excited we are to pursue God’s will with you. We are forever grateful for your commitment to Trinity Chapel and, most all, to the kingdom of God. It is an honor to serve our Lord with each of you!
(I will definitely read every reply to this post; yet, I am going to keep the comments to this specific post private. Thanks again!)
I had the opportunity to go to a couple of college basketball games at the Georgia Dome the past few days for the ACC Tournament. Most of the fans there have tickets to the entire tournament—all 11 games, and many of the fans that traveled to see their team play have already watched their team be eliminated from the tournament. As they continue to attend the games, it is interesting to see—since their favorite team is not still playing—whether they choose to root for another team playing or against another team. Isn’t it ironic how often we choose to root against a team instead of rooting for the other team. It’s just more fun that way, isn’t it?!!
Many individuals who are not believers state that they are opposed to Christianity because most Christians are known for what they are against instead of what they are for. Wow! Quite a scathing perception considering how much we (Christians) have to be for—not against. Do we spend our energy focused on things we are for, or on things we are against—things we believe in or things we oppose?
I’m sure each one of us has those questions that we want to ask God when we get to heaven. Some come from the bottom of the heart, are serious, and of great eternal value—yet on the other hand, some, well, umm, aren’t…like this one below!
Sarah and I were sitting on a plane recently and the pilot informed us that the flight was being delayed due to the fact that the plane needed to be de-iced. So, I did what any intelligent person would have done…I prayed. And then I began to think about the angels that were with us, which led to my question to which I know some of you will have a deeply profound answer (It’s not the answers that are important in conversations like these, it’s the questions—so play along, ok?!). Here’s the question I had: Do the angels flying with us have to be inside the plane to keep up with us, or can they fly as fast as a plane? You know, as a human, if you are on the inside of the plane you just sit back and relax; you are just along for the ride traveling about 400-450 m.p.h. But, if you are on the outside of the plane you would be left behind at break-neck speed. But what about the angels? Can they keep up the speed if they are outside the plane, or do they have to be inside with us? Just a thought!
Come on, I know some of you have an interestingly non-important question like mine—and it doesn’t have to be about angels. If you do, I’d like to hear it. I didn’t say I can answer it, but I’d like to hear it!!
It was great to be together with everyone today, and I look forward to staying together—at least for a while 
I hope and pray everyone made it home safely today. Have fun in the snow…or slush…or whatever it is! Nevertheless, it is beautiful. Enjoy the day!
Today, my kids and I were talking and they asked me if God made bad people. I said that God doesn’t make bad people. He makes people who have choices, and some people choose to do bad things. Then one of my kids gave the answer every parent wants to hear, “Well daddy, I choose to love!” Of course that sounded like the right answer, but as I thought about it for a second, that really is the way it works.
We have choices to make every moment of our lives, and one of them is whether or not to love…choose love!
Jay, Sarah’s and my five-year old son, played Upward basketball in the fall and loved it! So what’s the natural next step? Sign him up for T-ball! Sarah, Jay, Caroline (our 4 year-old daughter), and I were driving home from Jay’s first T-ball team party recently—a time planned to meet all of his new teammates and their parents. Sarah and I were talking about how excited we were. She was talking about the plans she had as the team mom and I was sharing the plans I had as one of the assistant coaches. The conversation paused for a moment and Sarah hesitantly interjected: “I hope he likes baseball.” My reply? “I haven’t thought about that.” It had just made sense; he liked basketball so he should like baseball.
I know parents are bad about placing expectations on their children. However, it’s not just parents that place expectations: Friends do, spouses do, employees/employers do, Christians do! It is pretty common. Some expectations are harmless, but some are life-altering. Many will say that others expectations are only consequential if we allow them to affect us. But, in Acts 12, Peter is imprisoned and facing death because of the expectations of people—and he can do nothing about it! He can do nothing that is except put his prayers and faith in the Lord, which is exactly what he does. What happens? God delivers him. Acts 12:11 (NKJV) says:
And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
Don’t allow the expectations of others to control you. But, when you are in a situation in which your decision has no bearing, believe in the One who can set you free—mind, body, and spirit!
I share in many of you guys’ excitement about the powerful atmosphere of us being together as one! The elders and I had been praying and planning for weeks for Super Sunday and for God to make it evident to us if He wants us to continue to be together as one family for a season. I think He answered our prayers emphatically with an incredible time on February 1, followed by overwhelming support in comments on this blog and via other communications. Therefore, as mentioned in service yesterday (Sunday, February 8), our new Sunday morning service time will be 10:10 am, beginning Sunday, March 1. I am also excited to continue making preparations for Sunday morning discipleship which will begin in spring.
Sarah and I thank you all for your comments and your overwhelming support!
Jesus Christ “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). Last night, Trinity Chapel’s staff had the privilege to honor and recognize the ministry volunteers who actively serve the body of Christ on a monthly, weekly, and even a daily basis. These women and men do an incredible job of extending the same love, acceptance, and forgiveness that Christ extends to all of us every moment of our lives.
So from Trinity Chapel’s staff, thank you for letting us stand and serve with you. We fully realize that so much of what is accomplished through Trinity Chapel for the kingdom of God is because of your commitment and your sacrifice. We admire the way you so faithfully serve your church, your community, and the world. From the bottom of our hearts—thank you, thank you, thank you! We love each of you very much!
Upon hearing the news of the death (actually, the beheading!) of His cousin John the Baptist, Jesus demonstrates to us the very reason He came to this earth—to serve (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). Rightfully so, the word “serve” is the centerpiece of most every mission statement of churches in America. However, serving others is not an event, relegated to a predetermined day of the week, planned by church staff for the congregation to flood the streets of a community to “serve” the world. Serving is a lifestyle motivated by compassion for others. Compassion is defined as a “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.”
13 “When Jesus heard it (the news of His cousin’s death), He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” —Matthew 14:13-14 (NKJV)
Even though Christ was wanting to slip away alone for a time to process the death of his cousin, He was sympathetically aware of others’ pain and had a desire to help them heal. What separates Christ from most of us is not that He simply felt compassion, but that He was moved with compassion. In the midst of His own pain—His own loss, He responded to His desire to help others heal. He took action. It is not enough for us to merely feel compassionate; we must be moved with compassion!