Staying Young

I had the opportunity to speak to the youth of our church Wednesday night, and I must say that as nervous as I was, it was very rewarding. We had a conversation about Psalm 139 (thanks Jamie-another good suggestion) that was so revealing. Revealing in the respect that God’s truth is penetrating the hearts of these teenagers. I studied and prayed over this scripture, then asked a series of questions which I thought pertained to these teens, and ones that the scripture answered. We allowed them to doodle some self portraits as I read through Psalm 139 once. Then, I asked these questions and these cool teens shared what they thought about them.

Ask yourself, as did I, some of these questions as you read this scripture:

Can I do anything outside of the knowledge of God?

If I just think something and don’t say it, don’t I own that thought?

Can I get away from the presence of God?

How well does God know me? For how long has He known me?

Aren’t some days just mundane?

The answers to these questions hold for us much joy! Glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has saved, is saving, and will raise and perfect us in the last days!

Storm from back in the day….

Hearing of the terrible twosome of Gustav and Hannah, I am reminded of Hurricane Hugo, which struck the coast of South Carolina as a category 4 on September 22nd, 1989.

I was attending UNC-Charlotte as a freshman. In fact, the semester had only just begun a few weeks earlier. I was already homesick, having really never been away from home for any length of time. If I remember correctly, the forecast track was for the eye of the storm to pass right over Rocky Mount, NC, my home town. Well, on the night Hugo reached Charlotte- wait, there isn’t supposed to be a hurricane in Charlotte!- I had trouble sleeping, thinking about the family back home.

To my surprise, we were awaken from our dorm room beds at around 3 a.m. by loud buzzing alarms and frantic RA’s (residence advisors) telling us to get up and get in the halls, because there was a tornado warning for Mecklenburg county, Oh yeah, and that the eye of Hugo was right over Charlotte! I just couldn’t believe it.

The next morning was surreal. The area of campus near our dorm was heavily populated wth trees. Well, we walked outside to what looked like the jungle as described in “Heart of Darkness”. There was a canopy of leaves covering every piece of pavement there. The BMW next to my little ‘81 Honda Civic had a huge oak tree for a hood ornament. The only good thing about it was a week of cancelled classes! Of course, this isn’t to make light of the fact that between 70 and 100 people lost their lives to this storm, and that is 70 to 100 families that would never be the same. Please pray for the residents of the Gulf and Atlantic states as we brace for the storms. I thank God that I know Him, and that I know that, whatever the future holds, that He holds it.

Giddy for the Gridiron (I know, that was terrible…)

Today is the day. My son’s first high school football game. I am scared and excited for him. The team has been well-prepared to meet the challenge. I think Alex will play some today, though not sure how much. He plays several positions- defensive end, quarterback, cornerback, and safety. Oh yeah, punter, too. I think he’s pretty stoked.

I can remember my first high school soccer match. I was a goalie, scared to death. We had to play conference powerhouse Greenville Rose, and Northern Nash had only recently even fielded a soccer team. They had this striker. he was 6′ 4″, 210 lbs or so, and the first play of the game, he took a pass and fired from 30yds, right over my outstretched arms. Luckily, it hit the crossbar, I recovered it, and we went on to win 1-0. At Greenville Rose! I know it doesen’t carry the same weight that it used to, but what a day. Then my friends and I went to see Van Halen that night! Yes, I am that old.

Anyway, it seems like every team has this one guy that every opponent fears. I wonder who that guy will be for West Craven today as they battle Southwest Edgecombe. I know my son wonders, too……

Share your “one guy” (or girl, ladies) experience, if it isn’t too embarrassing..

Bolt of lightning

How fast can a human possibly run? Well, by the looks of gold medal winner Usain Bolt, like a gazelle on Mountain Dew. He followed up his world-record 9.69sec in the 100M with an even more astounding 19.30sec in the 200M. And he’s only just turned 22 years of age. He actually slowed up in the 100M 10 meters before the finish line to look at his opponents, as if to say “Is that all you’ve got?”.

He is young, and he celebrated as a young person would. Not able to wait until finishing the race to celebrate, many pundits wondered how fast he could have gone, had he actually run through the finish line, not just to it.

He answered the critics by running essentially two 9.65sec 100M’s in the second race. So he ran faster while sprinting twice the distance. Amazing.

What is more amazing to me is the display of the glory of God in His creation. To put together flesh and bone that can cover so much ground so fast should point to God, not the runner.

In everything we do and see, to God be the glory.

BTW, what did you think of the youngster’s celebration after the 100m? Was it showboating, or was it to be expected for such a dominating performance?

not even close....

Shaping Up (hopefully)

1 Timothy 4:8 states that bodily training is of some value, while godliness is of value in every way, as it offers benefits for this life and the next.

Well, while every day I endeavor unsuccessfully to strive towards godliness (coming up way short all the time, of course), I have recently tried to tackle the “bodily training” part. My lovely wife and I have recently started walking in the evenings, between one and two miles per trip. We have, of course, missed a few nights here and there, but we’ve done pretty well.

I have also began doing pushups and situps every morning and night. I share this for a couple of reasons: one, it has helped tremendously with my back and hip problems. I don’t quite understand how, but I’ll take it. Two, I am publicly acknowledging my insecurities as a late 30-something with a deteriorating body and a weak and carnal mind. I want to insure that my wife is pleased with me as a companion in body, mind, and spirit. I want so much for my wife to long for me in every way, as I do her. I know she does, yet I still feel as if I must “make sure” that I am easy to love, which I know I am not. Come to think of it, I do the same thing with our Father.

I don’t think I am the only husband out there who feels this way. If I am, well, chalk it up to “Wow, Michael is strange”……..

Jamie and I have also started a bible study, which I should have years ago initiated. It has been really cool.

What is neat about this whole deal is that I realized today that God, like so many times before, has used my jealousy and sinful nature to guide me towards godliness. I am called, and want to, sacrifice all for my wife, as Jesus did for His church. Even though my desire for this began as selfishness and insecurity, God has worked His good and has lifted me out of the mire of self-pity, again. Praise be to our Lord and Savior Jesus!

The Big City (for a small-town boy)

Last night I got the opportunity to play music at a “new” place (for me, that is). Capital City Grocery in downtown Raleigh is a neat place. The whole area has been redone and gussied up; it caters to the influx of yuppies and Peace College students. This seems to be a happening sort of place. The store itself specializes in organic foods, Angus beef cuts, and many microbrews. They have a 12 foot wide covered sidewalk that, on Friday nights, acts as a performance venue. If the photos on their myspace music sight are any indication, there is a large crowd every week attending these Friday night performances.

My uncle has played their a few times, and I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to play there last night. The line-up was two acoustic guitars, an acoustic upright bass, and a drummer/percussionist. We were billed as “The Grateful Ones”, playing off of the Grateful Dead. That name is, for me, pretty cool.  It means something totally different than it does for others. I am greatful for the Cross of Christ, and the resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus, and the reality that, by grace, I too shall be raised up with my brothers and sisters in Christ upon Jesus’ return. Sorry, back to the show….

We played for a couple of hours, playing everything from David Bromberg to Neil Young to Phish to James Taylor. The crowd was o.k., considering it was raining buckets for the first 45 minutes ( I am not complaining).  A very generous bunch of folks.

Bottom line is this- if you are looking for a cool place to hang out on Friday night in Raleighwood, check this place out. I am not being compensated to endorse this establishment. Not really. Well, except for last night. BTW, thanks to my neighbors for coming by the CCG while on their “date night”, and to Eric and Charlotte for stopping by. Always appreciated…… Jason and Brandon (2/3 of PBS), we should play there. Eric, you should definitely play there, since you live close by.

Fighting for what’s biblically right

Everyone has disagreements from time to time. We are all selfish creatures by nature. I speak from volumes of experience on this matter. Because I am high maintenance, I seem to invite disagreement. Pretty sure I am not alone.

Things are no different at your local church. In fact, many times disagreements are shrouded in “holy clothes” when taking place at or about church. Turns out the early church was no different…

Paul and Barnabas had completed their first missionary journey and were back at the church at Antioch. They were so excited at what God had done through them, that they couldn’t help but share with other believers there. They talked of how God, through the grace and mercy of Jesus and the Spirit, had saved Gentiles. The momentum must have been really going forward. So what happens next?

Some men of Judea, presumably “members” of the church in Jerusalem, came down to Antioch to stir things up. When the grace of God to the Gentiles was known, some thought that the law of Moses was not being carried out- that is, the ritual of circumcision. Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed, of course. They were preaching just the opposite, that we are free in Christ. Did they fly off the handle? According to scripture, they did not. They proceeded to go up to Jerusalem, meet with the elders, hear all sides, testify as to what God had done, and let the issue take center-stage, not personalities and old hatreds.

We find in Acts 15, through the letter written as a result of this council, that the ones who had come to Antioch originally were not even representative of the church at Jerusalem. They were troublemakers, or maybe they really didn’t yet understand the grace provided by the blood Jesus shed on the Cross.

Regardless, we can learn much from the way Paul, Barnabas, Peter and the others handled conflict. It never seemed to be personal.

Next week in Sunday school, we’ll be discussing the beginning of the 2nd missionary journey over biscuits and OJ at Hardee’s. See you there!

Happy Anniversary!

Have you ever seen a more beautiful bride? I can vividly remember the first time I saw her. I was playing tennis at Stratford Arms in Greenville with a friend of mine. She was walking with a friend and I thought,” Wow, she’s cute, but why is she laughing at me?”

Little did I know that we would one day be married and have three beautiful children.

I really feel that I’ve known Jamie all my life, like we were paired together long ago. I know what she’s thinking-she knows what I’m thinking. We are one in the best way. I can only pray, and I do, that my children will be as blessed as I continue to be. Thank you, Jamie, for an exciting, loving, funny, entertaining, deep, learning, and growing relationship, and fifteen years of “never a dull moment”! . I cherish all 7,884,000 minutes of it!

Rite of Passage, Part 2

There are not many things I like about this time of year. I am more of a fall/winter person. You can always add layers of clothing, but only so many you can remove. I will say that I enjoy our summer vacation, and I also enjoy watching my family sleep as I leave for work in the mornings. Very peaceful.

But what I really enjoy, as shallow as it may be, is the coming changing of the season, and with it, football. Yes, I love the turning of the leaves, the beautiful non-hazy blue sky, the crispness of a late October morning. But there is something about Thursday and Friday nights under the lights, the smell of hot dogs, hot chocolate, and popcorn. The pop of the pads.

Whoa. Easy there, Mr. Testosterone.

There. That’s better. Yesterday I took my son, my first born, to get his helmet, shoulder pads,locker, and practice schedule for the upcoming HIGH SCHOOL football season. It is unbelievable how time has passed. It seems like I just left him in Mrs. Edmondson’s kindergarten class a few months ago (our baby Rachel starts kindergarten next month!).

It was really cool to go into a high school weight room and locker room again. All the young men lined up like cattle, going from one station to another, the beginning of the team concept, of dependence on the group rather than the individual. Alex starts practice August 1, and it will be from 8:00 pm- 1:00am! And guess who will be there with him. See you August 28th, under the lights at Southwest Edgecombe High School……….

Odds and Ends

First, I would like to congratulate my lovely and talented wife for NINE smoke-free days! She says it isn’t getting any easier- but that it isn’t getting any harder, either. She is very strong, and she says she hasn’t felt this good physically in years. Thank you Father! Please continue to encourage her in this life-change.

This next thing may be old news to some of you techies out there. My dad told me about a website today that is cool, but sort of scary- maps.live.com.  You can literally type in your address and get a recent satellite color view from 20-50 yds. off the ground, above yours, or any other, address. I know you can’t uninvent technology, but doesn’t it seem kind of creepy? I know there are many good uses for this, but there are issues as well. Check it out, see what you think…

Finally, still flyin’ high after the sermon I heard on Sunday delivered by Shane Waters on Psalm 32. For some reason it took hearing how David struggled, then overcame, unconfessed or unacknowledged sin, and how the Lord redeems him, for me to become unsilent about junk in my own life. If you haven’t read Psalm 32 lately, give it a spin!