Scared to Check Your Investments?

The news has gone from bad to worse. Have you looked at your retirement account lately? How about your kids’ college fund? If they are invested in anything associated with the stock market from mutual funds or 401K’s, then it is very likely that you might be too scared to even peek at the numbers. You probably knew a few months ago about how much you had… but since then… it has been all downhill.
It has gotten so bad that you don’t even want to hear a financial report. The latest news is… the market fell again today or if not yet, it will! There is a huge amount of fear and panic that has swept our financial system, including your local banks. People are afraid that their life savings are melting away like the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz.
As I sat and contemplated what to write in this column, I thought, “What can a preacher tell you that can help you in this situation?”
Did you know that the Bible talks about money more than 100 separate times? It’s true.
God believes that we must understand our money and get our priorities in order before we can become the disciples that God wants us to be. Pastor Andy Stanley says, “you cannot wholehearted follow your Savior and remain lost financially. God simply says too much about it.” In other words, if you take Jesus seriously then you know that Jesus says more about money than any other one thing, even salvation. Matthew 6:21 says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” That is why your heart sinks when you hear your accounts are down. But here is the big problem. Luke 16 claims that we cannot serve two masters, “we cannot serve both God and money.” Do you find it weird that Jesus says this? I would have expected Jesus to say something like, you cannot serve both God and Satan or whatever, but Jesus chose money. Pastor Stanley goes on to say that God knows that the primary competition for our hearts is… our money and our stuff. The trick is to understand and adopt the way God wants us to look at our stuff. When we take God’s view of our stuff, we become free to live with our money and stuff. Again in Luke Jesus explains a parable about money. Jesus tells people that their money and stuff needs to be used on earth in such a manner that it becomes a tool for the kingdom of God. Let your temporary money and stuff be used to have eternal impact.
Think about it. Think about how many wonderful people that you know or have known who gave of their money, time, and stuff to impact the church(es) in your community or even in the world.
I quickly think of the owner of the Chic-fil-A chain, Truitt Cathy. When I was a young pastor in Jonesboro, Georgia, the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro was know as “the church that Truitt built.” He used his resources for the kingdom of God. Today, the restaurant is closed on Sundays and in that Cathy makes a bold statement that he values Sunday, or even his employees, more than money. What if we all took Jesus’ words to heart and realized that all of OUR stuff, including our money, isn’t OUR stuff at all… it’s all His stuff. What if we knew we would change lives by using our stuff for the glory of God and not worrying about hoarding or saving so much, but allow ourselves to be generous with a mind set on eternal things. My goodness, this sounds like a sermon. Well, I guess that’s what a preacher might say and I am one so…

Wow! God Is Big!

Last week I showed a video to our Providence Church youth group. If I had told those young folks that we were getting ready to watch a presentation by a guy named Louie Giglio called “Indescribable”, I am not sure how many would have stuck around. Fortunately, Louie is an entertaining guy and he presents very well to both young and old. His topic was pretty huge. It was a presentation about the solar system, stars, and the universe.

Did you know that our solar system, as big as it seems, isn’t that big at all. If we compared the size of our solar system to the Milky Way Galaxy it would be like the size of a quarter (like the one in your pocket) dropped on the ground with in the continent of North America. So when you see a picture of the galaxy, the solar system is simply a speck in on of the numerous bands in the galaxy. But get this! The Milky Way Galaxy is only one of the billions of galaxies in the “known universe” WOW! Do you feel small or what? Yes, we are very, very, tiny in the vast expanse of the universe. The Hubbell telescope has allowed us to see in deep space and view areas of space that we never ever dreamed.

Now, here’s the cool part. As big as all that there is… is, God knows each and every one of you reading this article (or not) by name. Not only does He know your name, He knows how many hairs are upon your head (or lack thereof). Not only does God know you name and your physical appearance, God knows your heart and mind. Now… as big as the universe is, God has made it because we matter to Him. WOW! That’s pretty amazing isn’t it? God has chosen to be in relationship with human beings. Why might you ask? Because God wants to adopt each and every one of us as His child. That is the message of the gospels, adoption! We have no real right to be with God, but God has chosen us and cleaned us up so that He may take us home with Him and reveal to us His incredible glory.
Genesis 1 says, “God said, ‘Let there be light’.” Later, the gospel of John tells us that when God brought forth this wondrous Creation, Jesus was always a part of the Triune Godhead. John writes, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

God amazes us by His extreme creation and vastness, yet He amazes us too by the fact that He cares about something so small as each one of us. We think we are big… we think we know… therefore it is hard to imagine that we are so small and that God has not only created the universe but is an active caretaker of the creation. That’s so much of our struggle. God is either too big to care or too small to do anything about our lives. Yes, God is big… bigger than we can imagine, but God does care and God is with each one of us.

Recently, I had a conversation with someone who was worried about our world and the future that is coming. Be it politics or economics, the world seems like a roller coaster. But it has been before and it will be again. You know, I can’t conceive of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit sitting around pondering what to do with this creation. I believe that there is a plan, a process that must be played out. We call it history. Really it should be called “His story.” But I know that whatever happens, whoever gets elected, whatever happens to the economy, whatever war breaks out… or peace for that matter, I believe that we have a God who can be counted on. I believe we have a God who is big enough to be in charge of the big picture. No matter what happens, we can be confident in God in this life and the next.

God Is More Than Fair

A few weeks ago I read a wonderful book by Pastor Andy Stanley entitled, “Since Nobody’s Perfect… How Good Is Good Enough?” The basic premise of the book is: Good People don’t go to heaven. I believe he is right when he says that most people reject this view. Clearly, there is a disconnect between what it means to hear Jesus’ words about salvation and what we think is fair and good. Stanley goes on to say that many people want God to let good people into heaven, but lack a real understanding of what “goodness” is. For example, when early scientists claimed that the world was round and that the earth orbited the Sun, they were thrown out of the church and placed under house arrest. Also, during the 1960’s an African American woman entered a church sanctuary to join in an all white congregation’s worship service. She arrived about thirty minutes before the service. The deacons were aghast and decided that the “good” thing to do would be to simply turn off the lights and maybe she would leave. When this tactic failed, they finally went to her and asked her to leave. Through the ages, we, as human beings, have struggled mightily with the concept of “goodness.” These are simply two minor examples, I am sure that you can think of so many more failures to be “good.”
So, do you believe Jesus? I have heard people say that they like Jesus. I have heard people say they admired Him. Even when someone said they didn’t believe in Him, I never heard anyone say, “Jesus is a liar.” So the question remains… do you believe Jesus? Do you? In many of Jesus’ confrontations with the religious and “good” people, the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, and law keeping public, He was blunt and to the point about who is heading into the kingdom of God. Matthew 21: 42-45 reveals Jesus viewpoint, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone; this came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust. When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them.”
These may be hard words to hear. We know many good people who do not accept Christ or even those who claim to be Christians yet they rely upon their own “good lives” by the world’s standards but fail to seek God through the forgiveness of sins. It is hard to hear that not everyone you know or even love may be going to heaven. We may find ourselves wishing God let “good people” in. But if that were the case, what would be good enough? God has standards. But here is the real “Good” news.
God’s standard is more than fair. Going to heaven is not about being good! God does not want to judge anyone by their “goodness.” We would all fail. God wants to judge us by our acceptance of the fact that we cannot and never will be able to live up to God’s standard of righteousness. We cannot depend upon our goodness…we must depend upon God and the grace which is provided only by God. There are no other ways to heaven, no other gods, no buy-ins, no works, nothing except grace alone. Apostle Paul speaks to this when he says in Romans 12, “Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.” Yes, God is more than fair. God accepts everyone who believes in Him. If you didn’t know already… you are His beloved child and God yearns for the day when you stop fooling yourself into thinking that somehow you are “good” with God. God wants true dependence and submission not independence with a self centered view that you, like Adam and Eve, can make your own way in the world. Honestly, I believe this is one of, if not the biggest issue that plagues the modern church. Some good folks somehow think they can create a stairway to heaven with just being “good.” It was a struggle for folks in Jesus’ day and it is in ours as well. It is not about rules and regulations, but relationships. That’s it and that’s Good News!

While We Were Away... Pics from our visit with The Jones Family

Allyson and Hannah

Lydia... Have you been eating chocolate?

Allyson and Abigail

Beth and Allyson cooking up a storm... no wait... please don't!

Abigail has a future as a taxi cab driver (Ned on board)

Cousins Galore! Ned 4, Max 2, Lydia 3, Abigail 9 Hannah 11, Daniel 13

Where Was God When Bridge City Flooded?

When I moved to the area a few years ago, I heard that one day a storm could come and all of Bridge City could be under water. But, that had never happened before and when Hurricane Rita hit, it didn’t happen then either. So, it really couldn’t happen... but it did.
From inches to feet, Bridge City flooded. The images that we received on the television and internet sites could only shock the residents of the Golden Triangle. It was true. Bridge City and parts of Orange were flooded.
It was a Sunday morning that I spoke to my neighbor to find out that my home had not flooded. I was thrilled, but others had suffered catastrophic loss. Then it happened. Someone said to me, “You must be living right, God spared your house.” Those words simply stunned me. I know this person was well meaning, but the Christian gospel message had simply flown by and had not been captured in the least. Good??? Good??? Good has nothing to do with it. Did this dear person not know that Jesus came and preached that it was no longer about being good? God’s favor is about another “G” word, grace! Matthew 5: 45-48 teaches, “This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." (from the Message)
The lesson above is that the world is not a fair one or an equitable one. The rain falls on both good and bad people. The earthquake shakes, the tornado tears, the lightning strikes… with no discretion about who is good or bad. Famine comes, war ravages, violence erupts, crime hits, and disease disables… with no discretion about who is good or bad.
Bridge City is not the first town to suffer and it will not be the last. Again I turn to scripture to find words that comfort. John 9 tells the story of Jesus meeting a blind man listen to what is said, “Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines.” God did not send Hurricane Ike. (If anything, the ruler of this world, Satan, may be at work) In Jesus we see a man who never walked up to anyone and made them blind, or lame, or sick, or anything detrimental to people. Jesus was a healer, a teacher, a man who loved people, even forgiving those who would kill Him. In that, I find utter comfort. God will be here to help us pick up the pieces and rebuild lives. God was with those who were trapped… God was with those who responded… and God will be with us as we comfort and care for those in need. I believe God, while not causing these events, works through them to show us how to love one another. People are the treasure, not the stuff.
Until next time, God bless!

Video of Bridge City after Ike

click the link below and watch local news coverage!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1138292619/bclid1137896012/bctid1795036818
how will bc rebuild?
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1138292619/bclid1137896012/bctid1805534857

for more pictures... http://www.kogt.com/
go to photo gallery on main page on left.
click on events, then on ike.
what a site...

Pictures of the Flood of Ike

Bridge City Texas was flooded by the storm surge on the morning of Hurricane Ike. Everyone that lives in BC city limits was flooded and then some. Basically everyone from my house to the Neches River and Sabine Lake had inches to feet of water in their homes and or businesses. It is truly catastrophic!
Pizza Hut in Bridge City


Jack In BC

the road from my house to BC

Hurricane Ike Has Hit

It is now 3:00 a.m. I sit in my niece's home in Tyler, Texas watching the streaming internet broadcast from KFDM out of Beaumont. I have no idea what is happening at my home in Bridge City nor my office at St. John Lutheran Church in Nederland.
I am specifically worried about flooding in the B.C. area. I am also feeling a sadness. I have heard that some folks that decided to stay in the area are now suffering. One email received at KFDM is from a family that needs rescue from 4 ft. of water in their home.
It truly makes me think about story of Noah. Noah told people that the rain was coming. Some even doubted him and probably laughed at his preparations. But, you know the worst part of that whole story is the fact that Genesis 7:16 tells us, Noah and his family and all the animals went into the ark..."then God shut the door behind him." I don't think Noah could have done that to anyone begging to get on board, but I don't think God did either. I actually don't think anyone thought it would rain at all. But had the door been opened, it would have flooded the ark and the future would have been lost.
As I sit in my comfortable shelter, I feel terrible for those who thought they would "ride it out." My prayers are with them and I know God loves them dearly.

Some ramblings!

In the midst of this sorrow, I also find comfort in having recently read the book, The Shack.

Tragedies come in varies forms and to various degrees. The loss of property can be heart breaking, but it can be overcome. The loss of life however, is pain nearly beyond our capacity. If you have not read The Shack, I highly recommend you do so. Ironically, I have heard the majority of theologians who have loved it and a few others who think it is a heresy. Personally I thought it was wonderful. Hmmm... but you need to decide. Don't rent your opinion from someone else. Yes, we pastors try to lead in the right direction, but occasionally we disagree. Everyone I know who has read the book loved it. In fact, one said it was life changing. WOW! Life Changing! Isn't that what evangelism is about... getting individuals into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ?
No, it is not always absolutely perfect theology, but I have numerous books on my shelves that fit that bill and no one, other than another preacher, will ever read them! Thus, The Shack, has accomplished an important goal... it allows someone to read a story and find God's grace, healing, and restoration. While the story is fiction, it is a beautiful, and at times funny, portrait of who God can be and why we are here on this planet. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy!

Take care and get out of the wind!

The Race That Counts Isn’t In The Olympics

So... are you as tired as I am? Have you been staying up late each night waiting vigilantly for that certain Olympic race or event? Have you enjoyed watching these Olympics? I have. It has been wonderful seeing Michael Phelps break record after record in all of his swimming events. I especially loved the 4 x 100 relay when the United States team came from behind in the last seconds to barely edge out the French team. (The fact that the French swimmers talked trash before the race made the USA’s victory that much sweeter.) I can hardly remember the last time jumped out of the chair and screamed at the television for anything that didn’t involve a football. The cool part was that I knew millions of other Americans were jumping up and screaming too (including my son)! Other nights we have marveled at everything from gymnastics to volleyball.
For whatever reason, these games have been better than most. But the Bible tells us of another more important race. 2 Timothy 4:6 says “This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting—God's applause! Depend on it, he's an honest judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.”
But what does it mean to run a race for Christ? How do we… how should we… how can we? Life itself is the race. Our confusion lies in our opponent. Who we are pitted against? Most of the time we think our opponents are our other brothers and sisters. It begins early with competitive contests against others for grades, sports victories; power, beauty, prestige, and money to only name a few. We are deceived by our real opponent, the Evil One, Satan! He is our opponent and his desire is to use each of us and our brothers and sisters to serve his purposes. When we oppress, judge, hurt, and ridicule other people, we unwittingly serve Satan and not Christ. It happens in the secular world and it certainly happens in the churches across our land.
Our victory is in Christ and Christ alone. It is not in our behavior, our goodness, but only in our forgiveness. And Christ stands ready to forgive and restore. Our race is to outwit and outmaneuver Satan in such a way to honor God and seek God’s will in our lives and in our service to others. The race is a life-long spiritual journey to walk each day with God and lean totally upon God and God’s wisdom. You can begin to hear God’s voice each and every day in your life. God does not only speak to people of the Bible certain people today, but God desires to speak directly to you. Really!
Hebrews 12 describes it like this, “Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” Jesus finished His race and so can you. You are called to run against Satan and his lies about life, especially lies about your abilities and value to God. Your relationship with God is your very life-line to eternal victory. Satan will attack you and try to sell you a counterfeit faith, be on your guard. God wants people to be His disciples not just members of the church. Disciples read their Bible, pray, and live in community so they can know God in such an intimate way that each day they are certain their lives (their race) are headed for the victory stand next to God… to win a prize more precious than gold! (P.S. You do realize that our particular race is a three-legged race and we can only win when Jesus is our partner! But you probably already knew that.)

My Newest Pet Peeve Came to Light at the Movies

Not long ago, I got a phone call from my good friend Tom Butler. Tom and I went to school together and we often talk about all sorts of subjects. Our conversation began with his delight in his new job. By the time the conversation had gotten cranked up, he was in rare form. He was stuck in five o’clock traffic in Charlotte and suddenly a barrage of subjects and complaints came streaming forth with hardly a breath taken. I think he complained about every pet peeve from politics to sports. So, when he finally took a breath, I told him my latest pet peeve. (We all need a friend like this to tell our peeves to!)
My recent pet peeve is one that some of you might find annoying too. If you read my column or listen to my sermons, you know that I love movies. Recently while attending a movie, I was amazed by the number of teens that could not manage to tear themselves away from their cell phone/blackberry long enough to watch the very movie that they just paid for. Instead, the teens, one sitting two seats over from me, continued throughout the movie to text friends. Ironically, the movie theater had a large sign that asked people to turn off their cell phones and even ran a pre-movie message about doing so. Of course the teen next to me got there late and missed the commercial and obviously did not read the sign. Yes… I am getting old! Maybe this might not bother you. Maybe I should just sit there and ignore the small bright lite (in a dark room) just because… you know… they’re just kids right? That might have been a life or death text… right? Nah!
Kids are kids are kids! Things haven’t changed that much. I am sure that somewhere in the late 80’s someone walking near my car probably thought I should turn that music down. It was annoying! In the 70’s, my brother-in-law needed a hair cut and a shave… according to guys my dad’s age. In the 50’s and 60’s, it was rock and roll that would destroy the culture. But none of that stuff was interfering with my watching a movie was it?
Proverbs 13:24 says, “A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; love your children by disciplining them.” Rude is still rude. Do I care if kids have cell phones? Not one bit. But when it comes to acting with respect for others, I absolutely think that parents should teach their kids when and where it might not be appropriate to use some of their gadgets. Don’t get me wrong; a few weeks back, I took a group of middle school kids to a camp. I love to be with young folks. And no, Christian kids aren’t all angels nor are non-Christian kids devils. It really depends on parents doing their jobs as parents. Parents, I beg you. Stop… slow down and take the time to teach your children the morality and principles of faith. In 20 years, they won’t care how many ballet classes or ball games they played if they have a solid Christian foundation in their lives and in the lives of their parents. We live in a generation where kids are busy six days a week and parents feel guilty about getting them to church on Sundays. Too many folks run themselves ragged trying to give it all. Yet all that is really important is to have Jesus Christ in the life of every family. I have four kids, so I know it’s not an easy task. But, it is a choice!