The Urban Dictionary defines a teammate as "Somebody on the same team that, no matter what, won't quit on you, will
always defend you in front of non-team members and is there for the
team." Do you get the other-focus of this definition? A teammate won't quit on his/her other teammates. A teammate defends other teammates. A teammate is there for the other members of the team. I think Jesus would like this definition, because it presents teammates as humble, self-less and about the overall mission of the team.
I was watching the NBA All Star game (only for a few minutes). The players there are all about entertainment, showing off their skills, being their own selves and hyping their brand. It is a far cry from the game I played on dirt courts growing up in North Carolina.
I wonder what you want your teammates to look like? Do you want the glitzy, showy teammate who shows up with amazing talent and almost super abilities when they are feeling good, but disappears into mediocrity when they "aren't feeling it?" Do you want the teammate that gives 100% every day, always giving the team all they have? That answer for me is easy.
Jesus calls His teammates "followers." God's plan is their purpose and their mission. Their mission is (according to Luke 9:57-62) ...
1. Lonely - God's only Son had no place to lay His head.
2. Costly - Following God will stress and challenge even our family relationships.
3. Pointed - The message our team is all about is to tell people about God's kingdom.
4. Committed - We are called to follow without looking back at what we've lost.
These are some of the costs of being on Jesus' team.
I want to be on Jesus' team. Sometimes I wish I had more talent. Sometimes I wish I was brilliant. Sometimes I wish I was such a whirlwind of energy that all of you would look and be amazed. But then I remember my heroes of the faith that often toiled in the lonely, costly, focused life of being totally committed to Jesus. And I remember something profoundly Biblical. We (Jesus' followers) don't function and serve in a world where we come at life, ministry and obstacles in our own power. We are more like a little shepherd boy going against the Goliaths of the world who must pray every morning, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin but I come against you in the name of the Lord (1 Samuel 17:45)." That is our team's strength and that is our team's power. Will you be my teammate? Randy
Monday, February 20, 2017
Monday, February 13, 2017
The Race
One time, during my high school career, I was running a cross-country race. My strategy was to "lay back" and let the race "come to me." I learned a couple of things about racing and running that day.
The first thing I learned is if you choose the "lay back" option you might find yourself in a very uncomfortable and embarrassing position. About midway through the race I was feeling good. I hadn't expended too much energy and was very comfortable physically. I looked behind me to assess my position. There was not one soul behind me. I was dead last. I was comfortable but losing the race.
The second thing I learned is that it is painful, uncomfortable and a struggle to get back in the race. That day I began passing people one by one. My goal was broken into little sub-goals of just getting past that next person. Each one was a struggle and painful, but I told myself I wasn't going to be last and I wasn't going to give up. At the finish line I was trying to catch two people who were my next "goal" to pass. I didn't quite catch them. I finished in 3rd place, my best finish in a countywide race ever.
Today this memory came to mind for two reasons. The first is personal to Abbeville United Methodist Church. I am thankful for our "team" of many people who are willing to assess our place in the race and honestly set goals that will grow us spiritually, missionally and influentially. Our 2020 Vision Team is working toward this and many of those receiving this blog will be asked to jump into the race and run. I pray we will run with passion ans purpose, keeping our eyes on Jesus.
The second reason this memory entered my mind is the passage that was a favorite of Rheta Blalock, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ who has completed her race. The Message has a great take on 2 Timothy 4:7-9a ... "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.
The first thing I learned is if you choose the "lay back" option you might find yourself in a very uncomfortable and embarrassing position. About midway through the race I was feeling good. I hadn't expended too much energy and was very comfortable physically. I looked behind me to assess my position. There was not one soul behind me. I was dead last. I was comfortable but losing the race.
The second thing I learned is that it is painful, uncomfortable and a struggle to get back in the race. That day I began passing people one by one. My goal was broken into little sub-goals of just getting past that next person. Each one was a struggle and painful, but I told myself I wasn't going to be last and I wasn't going to give up. At the finish line I was trying to catch two people who were my next "goal" to pass. I didn't quite catch them. I finished in 3rd place, my best finish in a countywide race ever.
Today this memory came to mind for two reasons. The first is personal to Abbeville United Methodist Church. I am thankful for our "team" of many people who are willing to assess our place in the race and honestly set goals that will grow us spiritually, missionally and influentially. Our 2020 Vision Team is working toward this and many of those receiving this blog will be asked to jump into the race and run. I pray we will run with passion ans purpose, keeping our eyes on Jesus.
The second reason this memory entered my mind is the passage that was a favorite of Rheta Blalock, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ who has completed her race. The Message has a great take on 2 Timothy 4:7-9a ... "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.
Get here as fast as you can." Rheta was eager to run the race with passion. Eager to live live fully in the process of life's difficulties. She was eager for the completion of God's plan and we, as fellow runners, have had the honor of sharing life, love, music and mission with Rheta and all of our fellow runners. May we all be eager to get to the finish and get there as fast as we can, passing the obstacles one by one and rejoicing at the shouting as we get closer to the finish line! Randy
Monday, February 6, 2017
Distance and Discipline
I think sometimes we want life and growth handed to us on a platter, perfectly ordered so we won't have to exert much effort. I am that way sometimes and God has to remind me that growth, character and peace come at the expense of tears, toil, struggle and mistakes. It is a difficult process for those of us expecting to get God's teaching the easy way.
When I was a boy my father taught me to start the lawnmower, how to be safe while mowing, the boundaries of the yard and his expectation that the yard would be well-mowed. The first few times I mowed our grass it was far less than perfect. I wanted to get the job over quickly. So I ran through the mowing process, missing spots and doing a poor job of edging. When dad was sure I knew the right way to mow and was sure I was trying to get through the job the easy way I learned some other things. I learned dad would punish me when I failed to respect and listen to his instruction. I also learned dad was not going to stand over me and watch me mow. He was off at work earning a living for the family and he had more to do than nursemaid me over something I should be able to do myself. His distance was part of the lesson.
In Hebrews 12 the Word tells us about a God who disciplines His children. Hebrews says God does this because 1) we are His children and God disciplines those He loves ... 2) we need to be taught and it is our nature to both need and desire (subconsciously) God's teaching and 3) we need to understand that the pain of the teaching process is temporary and the things learned from the teaching are valuable and permanent.
When my dad wasn't there to see my anger, my frustration and my feeling of injustice that I was being taught and disciplined I didn't like it. It hurt and I said and thought some pretty bad things. I have learned, in my older years, that these lessons have made me able to grow, made me able to learn new things, made me able to see pain for what it really is and made me more understanding of God's perspective. It has also made me more sure than ever of God's love for me, often expressed in my perception of God's absence. As I struggle and grow, I wonder if the God of compassion isn't just around the corner, encouraging me and maybe shedding tears for my struggle. Randy
When I was a boy my father taught me to start the lawnmower, how to be safe while mowing, the boundaries of the yard and his expectation that the yard would be well-mowed. The first few times I mowed our grass it was far less than perfect. I wanted to get the job over quickly. So I ran through the mowing process, missing spots and doing a poor job of edging. When dad was sure I knew the right way to mow and was sure I was trying to get through the job the easy way I learned some other things. I learned dad would punish me when I failed to respect and listen to his instruction. I also learned dad was not going to stand over me and watch me mow. He was off at work earning a living for the family and he had more to do than nursemaid me over something I should be able to do myself. His distance was part of the lesson.
In Hebrews 12 the Word tells us about a God who disciplines His children. Hebrews says God does this because 1) we are His children and God disciplines those He loves ... 2) we need to be taught and it is our nature to both need and desire (subconsciously) God's teaching and 3) we need to understand that the pain of the teaching process is temporary and the things learned from the teaching are valuable and permanent.
When my dad wasn't there to see my anger, my frustration and my feeling of injustice that I was being taught and disciplined I didn't like it. It hurt and I said and thought some pretty bad things. I have learned, in my older years, that these lessons have made me able to grow, made me able to learn new things, made me able to see pain for what it really is and made me more understanding of God's perspective. It has also made me more sure than ever of God's love for me, often expressed in my perception of God's absence. As I struggle and grow, I wonder if the God of compassion isn't just around the corner, encouraging me and maybe shedding tears for my struggle. Randy
Monday, January 30, 2017
Something's Happening
There's an old Buffalo Springfield song called "For What It's Worth." The song has two lines pertinent to this blog today. The first is "something's happening here ... what it is ain't exactly clear." The 12 disciples had been walking alongside Jesus for months. Jesus had taught and healed many people, including those with leprosy and demon-possession. But in Matthew 8 Jesus calms a storm as He and the disciples are traveling across a lake in a boat. The disciples say, "Who is this man?" ... "Even the winds and the waves obey Him!" (Matthew 8:27). Truly something amazing is happening.
I have been both encouraged and uplifted with the excitement of this particular new year. We are talking about ministry. We are sharing about hopes and dreams. We are asking questions, I hope always in a positive light. We are present in worship as highlighted by very good worship attendance in January. We are meeting about our 2020 Vision through which we will collectively prioritize, plan, implement and evaluate new and existing ministries. Our Strategic Planning Team is getting ready for our next Koinonia [February 26th, 10am] and many other things that have been "on the plate" for awhile. We all seem excited about the God who told us He does new things and he brings "streams of water in the desert." Something's truly happening here!
The other line from the song is one about being observant, aware and participatory in the "what's happening." The song says ... "it's time we stop, children, what's that sound.
I hope we are all asking the question, "Who is this man?" because God wants to teach us the answer to that question. I hope we are all passionate about knowing that God is doing great things, even when we think things are the most dire. I hope we all realize Jesus' call (John 10) to be those sheep (followers) who are closely related to the Good Shepherd and who know His voice. We know that voice by seeking ... learning ... studying God's Word ... participating in activities (like your great attendance at worship!) and Bible Study opportunities ... being ready to become part of a church where the workers are not few because the Lord of the harvest (Jesus) has sent many workers into the fields. I hope you will give Jesus the opportunity to add your name to that list of workers and seekers!
I pray the "something" that is happening is Jesus! Randy
I have been both encouraged and uplifted with the excitement of this particular new year. We are talking about ministry. We are sharing about hopes and dreams. We are asking questions, I hope always in a positive light. We are present in worship as highlighted by very good worship attendance in January. We are meeting about our 2020 Vision through which we will collectively prioritize, plan, implement and evaluate new and existing ministries. Our Strategic Planning Team is getting ready for our next Koinonia [February 26th, 10am] and many other things that have been "on the plate" for awhile. We all seem excited about the God who told us He does new things and he brings "streams of water in the desert." Something's truly happening here!
The other line from the song is one about being observant, aware and participatory in the "what's happening." The song says ... "it's time we stop, children, what's that sound.
I hope we are all asking the question, "Who is this man?" because God wants to teach us the answer to that question. I hope we are all passionate about knowing that God is doing great things, even when we think things are the most dire. I hope we all realize Jesus' call (John 10) to be those sheep (followers) who are closely related to the Good Shepherd and who know His voice. We know that voice by seeking ... learning ... studying God's Word ... participating in activities (like your great attendance at worship!) and Bible Study opportunities ... being ready to become part of a church where the workers are not few because the Lord of the harvest (Jesus) has sent many workers into the fields. I hope you will give Jesus the opportunity to add your name to that list of workers and seekers!
I pray the "something" that is happening is Jesus! Randy
Monday, January 23, 2017
A Prayer
We have heard (often) the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14 that say "If my people who belong to me humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear (them) from heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." That passage is several sermons worth of God's amazing and true promises. It is as relevant and true today as it was when 2 Chronicles was written. So I ask you, "Do we need God's healing?" I hope you can perceive that the answer to that question is obvious!
So ... how do we follow God's instruction here (I hope another good question)? I have a few suggestions.
1. Humility - WOW, is this a scarce commodity in both our political and religious leadership. It seems that everyone believes THEY are right. My denomination ... my party ... my special interest group ... my brand of individual faith ... are all right. Logic demands that we step back and understand that "all being right" cannot possibly be true. And God says when we are not humble it causes God to turn a deaf ear to our prayers. We would all be well served to do a Biblical search of what God considers the "no-brainers" of the faith. These include things like praying, humility as a virtue, tithing, fasting, sacrifice, and the overwhelming power of God over history.
2. Prayer - It deserves a double mention but I am not talking about our wish list for God to do our bidding. I am talking about less outgoing words and more listening. I am talking about the kind of prayer where we expect God to use us a a solution to the issues we list. I am talking about God-sized and Jesus-centered prayer.
3. Seeking - Most people I meet want a God that gives them what they think they need. In the Old Testament when one seeks the face of another it is an action of respect, meekness and expectation of another's advice or wisdom. It is coming to that other person believing that the other has something worthy, valuable and worthy of the "seeking" journey.
And that is only half the passage!
If you have looked around the past week you will see a nation that is filled with (and I ask your forgiveness for this ahead of time) spoiled little brats. The brats are from every political, philosophical and religious perspective. And they all have one thing in common ... no foundation. They seek the face of pundits, ideological men/women and self. God is clear ... if we seek outside of His wisdom, we seek in vain and we will find it impossible to turn from or even see our sinful ways.
Kari Jobe writes a prayer in a song that says ... "Pour out Your presence, speak thru Your word, we pray in every nation, Christ be known, our hope and salvation, Christ alone!" In Jesus' name ... Amen!
So ... how do we follow God's instruction here (I hope another good question)? I have a few suggestions.
1. Humility - WOW, is this a scarce commodity in both our political and religious leadership. It seems that everyone believes THEY are right. My denomination ... my party ... my special interest group ... my brand of individual faith ... are all right. Logic demands that we step back and understand that "all being right" cannot possibly be true. And God says when we are not humble it causes God to turn a deaf ear to our prayers. We would all be well served to do a Biblical search of what God considers the "no-brainers" of the faith. These include things like praying, humility as a virtue, tithing, fasting, sacrifice, and the overwhelming power of God over history.
2. Prayer - It deserves a double mention but I am not talking about our wish list for God to do our bidding. I am talking about less outgoing words and more listening. I am talking about the kind of prayer where we expect God to use us a a solution to the issues we list. I am talking about God-sized and Jesus-centered prayer.
3. Seeking - Most people I meet want a God that gives them what they think they need. In the Old Testament when one seeks the face of another it is an action of respect, meekness and expectation of another's advice or wisdom. It is coming to that other person believing that the other has something worthy, valuable and worthy of the "seeking" journey.
And that is only half the passage!
If you have looked around the past week you will see a nation that is filled with (and I ask your forgiveness for this ahead of time) spoiled little brats. The brats are from every political, philosophical and religious perspective. And they all have one thing in common ... no foundation. They seek the face of pundits, ideological men/women and self. God is clear ... if we seek outside of His wisdom, we seek in vain and we will find it impossible to turn from or even see our sinful ways.
Kari Jobe writes a prayer in a song that says ... "Pour out Your presence, speak thru Your word, we pray in every nation, Christ be known, our hope and salvation, Christ alone!" In Jesus' name ... Amen!
Monday, January 16, 2017
Order
I have to admit ... my past several weeks have been a whirlwind of duties, work, some playtime, some late evenings and a lot of time driving from one place to another. My time has been much more chaotic than I desire and I feel there are things I have forgotten to do. I know there are things left undone and I don't like that at all.
I am reminded of two verses as I stop and reflect on the past two weeks. One is Hosea's warning about living life on the edge. He writes ... "They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind." He reminds Israel (the Northern Kingdom) that their plotting with foreign powers, their fast living, their false prosperity and their abandonment of God's plan will end badly. God's order (plan) has been replaced by the chaotic pursuit of their schemes. God's wisdom has been replaced by high living, self-focused and short-sighted pleasures and what he calls "building wealth on the backs of the poor." Israel is in chaos.
For Israel, and for Randy, it is important to go back to the basics and remember the God that ordered the sun, moon and stars. Isaiah says God has it all under control, calling each star (there are one billion trillion in the observable universe) by its true and proper name. That God saw chaos (Genesis 1) ... a world that was formless and void ... and methodically spoke order into that prehistoric mess. Whatever happened, God made it happen, and it was good!
For a God that majestic and that big, my little messes don't seem like much. For my day I can approach it asking God to order my steps. For tomorrow, I can remember that God is already there, going ahead to provide the opportunities for good things. Randy
I am reminded of two verses as I stop and reflect on the past two weeks. One is Hosea's warning about living life on the edge. He writes ... "They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind." He reminds Israel (the Northern Kingdom) that their plotting with foreign powers, their fast living, their false prosperity and their abandonment of God's plan will end badly. God's order (plan) has been replaced by the chaotic pursuit of their schemes. God's wisdom has been replaced by high living, self-focused and short-sighted pleasures and what he calls "building wealth on the backs of the poor." Israel is in chaos.
For Israel, and for Randy, it is important to go back to the basics and remember the God that ordered the sun, moon and stars. Isaiah says God has it all under control, calling each star (there are one billion trillion in the observable universe) by its true and proper name. That God saw chaos (Genesis 1) ... a world that was formless and void ... and methodically spoke order into that prehistoric mess. Whatever happened, God made it happen, and it was good!
For a God that majestic and that big, my little messes don't seem like much. For my day I can approach it asking God to order my steps. For tomorrow, I can remember that God is already there, going ahead to provide the opportunities for good things. Randy
Monday, January 2, 2017
Running
You have heard the expression, "hitting the ground running." I like that expression because I am a "git er done" kind of person. I love our current Strategic Planning Team which has very much been a tactical/implementation team where we have applied the PIE concept (planning, implementation, evaluation [plus I like pie]). But we also see a need to look out a little further. Over the next few weeks all the folks that are under the Abbeville United Methodist umbrella (that includes all of you) will be asked some questions. They will relate to how you see AUMC now ... how you would change what is happening ... how you see the future of AUMC. I am hoping I can count on all of you to be a part of this. Proverbs 29:18 says, "Without vision the people perish." I want AUMC to be a viable, fruitful and life-changing part of the Abbeville area for many years to come, so I am asking (and I think God agrees) each of you to become an active part of going forward. Thanks for making 2016 a good year but we can make the years to come great years if we pool the God-led vision of our leadership and our people. I am excited about where we are going because (as the African hymn says) "We are marching in the light of God." With God all things are possible ... Let's run with Christ! Randy
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