One Pastor's Perspective

This weekend I was reminded of the pain of life. As a pastor, I constantly deal with people in pain. Pain takes different kinds of forms: Physical pain, spiritual pain, emotional pain. No matter what form it takes, pain is often present in the lives of those I try to help.

This weekend, within 14 hours of each other, I tried to help two families who were touched by death. In both cases, a husband and father died and the family was left to pick up the pieces of life. And, death can be very painful — especially when it comes without warning.

I’ve heard all kinds of things about pain and life in my years. You have, too. Statements like: Without pain, we would not know how joy, happiness, and health feel. There are other, similar ideas. But those who know me know that I am WAY to shallow of a thinker to go there.

I do agree with that old saying that “it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.” That is a loose quote from Alfred Lord Tennyson. Today, I know what he is saying. The reason death can be so painful for us . . . the living, those who remain . . . is that we LOVE. And, all in all, it IS better to have had our loved one and to have all the memories we have than to never have loved that one.

Okay, the PLAIN way to say this is: As painful as death is, we should be thankful that we had them to love to begin with . . . That doesn’t stop the immediate pain we are in, but somewhere down the road it gives us a reason to celebrate.

Pain IS a fact of life. God is there to walk us through EVERY STEP of it.

Okay, IS Al Gore right??? DID he invent the internet?? (HAHAHAHAHA)

Seriously, what is the deal with the weather in Florence, SC, this week?? As the rollercoaster goes, it was 84 degrees on Wednesday and the projected high today is 46. My sinuses cannot take it!! I am not opposed to cold weather, but once it warms up I am ready for the cold to go away. Last night at the WF softball game the wind was cutting through us in an unbelievable way. It took FOREVER to warm up last night.

I must be gettin old.

Theology . . . Words about God. You don’t have to have formal educational training to THINK ABOUT GOD. One of the things I have been thinking about lately is our unworthiness.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a Saturday Night Live buff . . . Not so much lately, but since I was a kid sneaking up to watch Belushi and Ackroyd Ihave loved it. One of my favorite sketches is Wayne’s World, and character: Garth Algar. Garth always questioned his own worthiness when in the presence of rock royalty (Steven Tyler walks in, Garth freaks, starts bowing down and yelling “We’re not worthy, we’re not worthy . . .”

Believe me, they were worthy. But yesterday it hit me: We really ARE NOT worthy. I don’t have as much of a problem thinking about the fact that God is our Heavenly Father, but that we are joint heirs with Jesus??? We really ARE NOT worthy. When I think about all that Christ was and is, and all that He did for us, WE ARE NOT WORTHY. I struggled with that for a while yesterday. And then, another light bulb. I was RIGHT!!! WE ARE NOT WORTHY!!! That is what faith is all about. That is the element of salvation that we really can’t understand, and were not MEANT to understand.

We are not worthy and did not earn salvation or God’s favor. ONLY BY FAITH and the power of God are we redeemed from our sin, made righteous in the eyes of God. The blood of Jesus Christ MADE us worthy and we are ONLY WORTHY because of HIS BLOOD.

We don’t deserve it, but God loves us and sent His Son to die for us. Only by His stripes are we seen as righteous in the eyes of God.

Is it too much to try to understand what is going on around you?? Some think so. When we get caught up in the “I am the center of the universe mentality,” we don’t care to take the time to understand ANYTHING because we think we understand EVERYTHING. And, I mean, come on, YOU are not the center of the universe. (because I am)

Seriously, there is a WHOLE WORLD around you, full of people, places, and things. Okay, full of nouns. And in this big world, we have a role to play. If Christ is your Savior, and He is the center of YOUR existence, then you have a serious and vital role to play in building the kingdom of God. Your presence is NEEDED to accomplish His will and purpose on this Earth.

So, the next time you think you have it all figured out, stop and realize that you don’t but God DOES. Place your faith in Him. Be understanding of those around you, of yourself, and most importantly seek to understand and discover His will for your life. That kind of perspective will give your life meaning as it has never had before.

Do you ever feel that way?? DEFEATED?? No matter what you do, no matter how well you do it, you are making no headway and even losing ground?? They say a pastor should NEVER make a major life decision on Monday. Because Monday can be a very “defeating” day.

Yes, there are times around a church when pastors and ministers feel defeated. No matter what we do, it will never be good enough. Doesn’t hit the target. People don’t have any idea or care. The “numbers” just are not there. And, we wonder why??

This can become a vicious downward spiral. Until we wake up and realize something very important, being in the ministry can be very depressing. But then, the truth hits: WE DON’T DO THIS FOR THE NUMBERS. We do all that we do for God, as an act of OUR spiritual worship. And, suddenly, nothing else matters. How SHOULD a minister (or ANY Christian) measure success?? NOT BY THE NUMBERS. By the way it pleases God. HE is our measure of success. And HE desires our obedience.

So, if WE are obedient, HE is pleased. And if WE are obedient, there is NO WAY we can ever be defeated. CHEER UP, all you pastors out there!!!! God is IN CONTROL! And NOTHING ELSE matters.

I hope that is what I write. I know sometimes it is short, and sometimes it is cheezy, but there are things that make it to my heart and I think are worth putting on here. One of them was borne out of a discussion between myself and Justin Mc yesterday. We were talking about addicitons and sin, specifically pornography and God’s intention for sex and how misunderstood and bastardized it has become in the world.

Specifically, God’s expectation for sex is that it is for marriage. Sex should be between a husband and wife ONLY within the confines of marriage. NO ADULTERY. NO PRE-MARITAL SEX. He is pretty clear about that. WHY??

Sociologists have discussed, for YEARS, the damage done by multiple sex partners. Not only are there deadly health risks, but there is great emotional damage. How would you like to know that your husband or wife is seeing the faces of the 20 encounters they had (before they met you) every time you were with them??

In addition to the above, pornography adds a greater chance of addiction and the victimization of women. Porn gives men a totally WRONG idea about the desires of a woman, frequently shows women as victims, and creates a greater riff between the sexes. AND the lust involved creates a greater riff between man and God.

The world doesn’t want you to understand that, or to believe these words I am writing. The irony is that God doesn’t just have this expectation for sex to be difficult with us . . . He actually KNOWS what is best for us and only wants the best for us. So, there IS a purpose (once again) in His plan for sex.

What do you know??? God IS smarter than us. HA!!!!!

Gonzaga is one of those teams you hear about every year in the NCAA tourney. They are “giant killers.” Over the past few years they have produced some really good players that made it in the NBA and their reputation has grown. Last night, they were ranked in the top 20 when they took on another “Giant.” USC Upstate. And they killed THAT giant, 90 – 40.

OOOOOOOOOOOW. i am so impressed. (that is cyber-sarcasm)

I wonder who invents all of the stuff that is for sale in the early mornings on TV?? Even more so, I wonder who BUYS it??? I am so tired of hearing way more than I want to about money clips, shams, and male enhancement . . . I also wonder how some of those actors keep a straight face as they say their lines?

Is this what our society has become?? Why not . . . For years, our political system has been leaning this way. Why not??

Most Ebenezerites will remember Jon and Holly Crowe. This is their ship!!

http://www.omships.org/share/index.php?id=2009-02-Maiden_voyage