What the Cross Teaches Us

This past week a massive fire burned part of that great Cathedral, Notre Dame. People immediately started talking about what a great tragedy it would be if the Cathedral was a total loss. I have been to Notre Dame. It is massive and majestic. It is moving to walk through the buildings and consider all her history. It would, indeed, be a tragedy if all were lost. Thankfully, though the fire did extensive damage, the building was not a total loss. There is no doubt in my mind donations will flood in across the world to rebuild this awe-inspiring church. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, said, “Just as the cross didn’t have the last word, neither will this fire have the last word.”[1]

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A Young Colt or a War Stallion (Luke 19:28-44)

I have a confession to make. I am a big fan of “Survivor.” It’s the only “reality” show I watch. I think what draws me to this show is the social element. I wonder if I could get along with complete strangers for forty days. The only time I know of a minister being on the show, he was the first one voted off that season. The survivors said he was too bossy and assertive. The present season of Survivor is called “Edge of Extinction,” and they have added a unique twist to the game. Once a person is voted out, and Jeff Probst snuffs their torch saying, “The tribe has spoken,” the rejected player walks down a dark lonely path. Eventually, he or she comes to a fork in the path. The player now has a choice to make. He or she can either return to all the comforts of home, or go to “Extinction Island,” for an unspecified amount of time, with a chance of getting back in the game. So far, every player voted out has chosen “Extinction Island.” I don’t think reality show are really that real. But the reality of making life-altering choices is real.

A R.E.A.L. Life Psalm (Psalm 90)

Life can be difficult, and the older you get the more difficult life becomes. It’s no wonder the writer of Ecclesiastes concludes, “‘Meaningless! Meaningless!…Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’ What does a man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3). One thing I like about the Bible is that it often talks about real life. God’s Word deals with the difficulties, and realities of life.

Praise Is What We Do

John Wesley was about 21 years old when he went to Oxford University. He came from a Christian home, and he was gifted with a keen mind and good looks. Yet in those days he was a bit snobbish and sarcastic. One night, however, something happened that set in motion a change in Wesley’s heart. While speaking with a porter, he discovered that the poor fellow had only one coat and lived in such impoverished conditions that he didn’t even have a bed. Yet he was an unusually happy person, filled with gratitude to God. Wesley, being immature, thoughtlessly joked about the man’s misfortunes.

The Air We Breathe (1 Peter 1:13-16)

“God is…”

How would you finish that sentence?

Ask a hundred people to finish that sentence and you will receive a wide variety of answers. Some people would say, “God is merciful;” “God is gracious;” or, “God is everywhere.” A few people might even say, “God is nonexistent.” If people were honest they would say, at least at times, “God is complex;” or “God is confusing;” or, “God is absent.” But more than likely, the majority of people would say, “God is love.”

God, for most people, has a great reputation.

Contrarian’s Guide #5

con-trar-i-an (noun): a person who opposes or rejects popular opinion; a person who goes against current practices.

Not too long ago, while I was reflecting on ministry and my years of being a pastor, I had the following thought: What if I took everything I learned about church growth and turned it on its head?  

It’s the Right Thing to Do

Last night (Tuesday, February 12, 2019), myself, Pastor Chris Williamson, and CEO Eric Jacobson, went before Franklin’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) with details of where we desire the 5 markers and 1 statue will go. (Pictures are at the bottom.) Before we shared the plan, I read a prepared statement. I have printed that statement below: