What Others Are Saying
- Dhee on Wrestling with James, Part 4
- Steve on Catching Up with the Changes…
- Steve on Do Something
- shawn everingham on Wrestling with James, Part 4
- Ralph Herring on Wrestling with James, Part 4
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I have been contemplating the following passage this week:
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4b)
We serve an amazing God–so great even the physical universe shouts His praise.
God is powerfully at work in this community of believers. I see his handiwork in our lives! Amen?
But before we start getting satisfied and self-complacent–before we start congratulating ourselves–before we start trying to take credit for the good things God has done, let’s remember…
Let’s remember this is God’s church!
Let’s remember this is God’s work!
Let’s remember to give Him all the glory, honor, and praise!
I can’t wait to see what God does next in our lives. But before that happens or while that happens I want to remember Jesus’ words in Luke 19:40 when the Pharisees wanted him to silence the praise of his disciples: if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.
Like the old song says, Ain’t no rock gonna cry in my place–As long as I’m alive I’ll glorify His holy name!
Ain’t no rock!
Les, Jr.
I have been contemplating a passage of scripture for a while now…
In 1 timothy 2:6-10, Paul says, 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
This passage has been resonating with me because I have a weakness. Way back in my first days of college in the early 1980′s we were taught that a preacher never shows or reveals or speaks publicly about his struggles, weaknesses, or sin issues. At some point in time, I began to reject that advice. My thinking has been you need to see me struggle–you need to know my weaknesses–you need to be aware of my wrestling with sin issues. I believe this for several of reasons: one, because knowing my struggles puts us on the same level, and two, we grow by watching and helping each other fight our battles, and finally, being forthright keeps us honest in front of God and each other. None of us will ever confront our problems if we are not being honest with God, ourselves, and others.
I have been thinking about that passage because I have a problem with fear. I am often afraid.
Fear is contagious, but so is courage.
I am determined to be a man of courage–I am determined to live not by fear, but by faith. That’s what God wants in me. That’s what God wants in you.
Will you pray for me this week? Will you pray that I be a man of faith and courage?
Like Mordecai said to Esther, who knows but that God has put each of us here for such a time as this?
Thankful to God, and thankful for you!
Les, Jr.
Giving Credit: An Opportunity for Praise! »« Braun Marshall Powell
This past Saturday I spoke at the funeral of Braun Marshall Powell. Many of those who might read this blog will have no knowledge of this young man. Braun was 20 years old and had suffered and endured severe handicaps his entire life. It was a hard funeral to do in many ways–one of which is the similarity of Braun’s condition and life with that of our son, Cole.
The following are the words said during his memorial/ celebration of life… LFjr.
We are here today to do what no parent can ever really imagine. And what we are doing might be best described with two slightly strange words: Conundrum–mystery, riddle, challenge & Paradox–illogical, contradiction in terms
Today we share a conundrum and a paradox as we both mourn the loss of and celebrate the life of Braun Marshall Powell who passed Monday, June 28 at the age of 20. He is survived by his mother Patricia Christine-Powell-Foreman and her husband, Reese Foreman; his father, Roger Lee Powell, Jr. and his wife, Marie Rose Powell; two sisters, Katie M. Powell and Amie M. Powell; two brothers, Ross M. Powell and Reed M. Powell; a half-brother, Nathaniel L. Powell; a step-sister, Dallas S. Foreman; a step-brother, Dallin R. Foreman; maternal grandmothers, Phyllis J. Whittaker and Mary Blair; maternal grandfathers, Terry M. Whittaker and Ed Blair; maternal great-grandmothers, Betty Davis and Emily Whittaker; paternal grandfather, Roger L. Powell, Sr.; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Raising and living with a special needs child is a journey like no other. For parents it can be a lifetime of hurting and sorrow. The pain comes from seeing how much progress other children make against how little yours has accomplished. The concept of milestones and growth markers are difficult to endure. The pain comes from the well meaning words of folks who just can’t quite understand. As a special needs parent, I can remember thinking I was going to hit the next person who said “God only gives special children to special parents.” In that context, let me assure you, no Mom or Dad wants to be special! The pain comes from watching your child struggle with the desire to be like everyone else. The pain comes from the isolation child and parent often experience. The pain comes from twisted limbs and deformed joints–ours may not be the physical pain of our child, but the emotional pain takes a heavy toll. The pain of what can never be sometimes lead to anger and resentment.
Remember the conundrum? Remember the paradox? It applies here as well. Raising a special needs child is a journey like no other. For parents, it can bring joy beyond comprehension. The joy comes from a smile that can’t be much sweeter. The joy comes from a child whose nature is to love unconditionally and to give love unselfishly. The joy comes from the bond these children form with everyone who gives them the chance. The joy comes from the recognition that the simple pleasures of quiet moments and shared connections get no better than this! The joy comes from knowing without a doubt these children belong to the Lord! The joy comes from knowing Braun never spent a single day of his life outside the love of Jesus and in eternity, he never will!
Conundrum & Paradox. Paradox & Conundrum. And so today we join the Powell/ Foreman family in their grief. Because they hurt, we hurt. Because they are struggling, we struggle.
In Romans 12:15, Paul commands us to rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Because you mourn we mourn with you. That’s what family does.
But there is another side to this conundrum and paradox. Amazingly enough this is also a time to rejoice. If you put it in terms of someone who has suffered, maybe you can understand. But today we rejoice. We rejoice over ultimate healing. We rejoice over legs and arms and minds that now work perfectly. We rejoice with the imagining of a whole and well Braun running across the heavenly fields leaping and shouting in laughter and joy. We rejoice ad find added meaning in Dr. Martin Luther king’s famous words: free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, he is free at last.
Conundrum & Paradox.
Today we hurt. Today we celebrate the home going of Braun Marshall Powell. Allow us our tears. Allow us our joy. Hold our hand. Give us a hug. And know that our great God is with us on the newest part of our journey.
1 Corinthians 15:50-57, I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55″Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
For whatever reason the No Perfect People Allowed theme keeps coming up in conversation after conversation. If you are tempted to think it is all me, it is not.
Even at that, I admit No Perfect People Allowed resonates with me.
It resonates because of all people, I know my imperfection, flaws, faults, and worse.
I know.
I know my shame.
I know and I am reminded every day.
Being a preacher is no boon either. Not only do I get to experience my own failures, I get to live the same things in the lives of those whom I love and minister with.
Because we are flawed, how do we make this ideal or this attitude of No Perfect People Allowed/ Come As You Are work when we are just as messed up as the next person–whether we know and acknowledge it or not?
We have to begin with honesty–being honest with ourselves–admitting we can be mean, hateful, spiteful, impatient, harsh, and judgmental. In many cases, we have to recognize–honestly recognize–our expectations are often impossibly high–even higher than what we expect of ourselves. When that is the case, no one can measure up.
And then it might be best to remind ourselves of some important lessons taught by Jesus in Luke 6.
Specks and planks? Absolutely. We can be extremely judgmental and intolerant because of the speck in another’s eye while a plank of ugliness juts out of our own. Since when were we given the authority or right to discriminate based on whose sins are worse?
Just before Luke 6:41-42 where Jesus talks about the specks and plank, he tells us to Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38) Could Jesus be talking about mercy and grace, understanding and patience?
I believe so. When you give grace, you receive grace.
Knowing my flaws, I recognize a need for all the mercy and grace available.
How about you?
No Perfect People Allowed/ Come As you Are means being like Jesus taught. Anything else misses his view of how we treat each other…
Les, Jr.
Ruminations on Lost »« Blog This! (The latest on Cole and other stuff too)
In 1993 alternative rockers Collective Soul released Shine. While I am not really a fan of theirs, this song touches me. It touches me because the lyrics have captured my desire…
Give me a word, give me a sign. Show me where to look, tell me what will I find
Lay me on the ground, fly me in the sky. Show me where to look, tell me what will I find
Oh, heaven let your light shine down
Oh, heaven let your light shine down
Oh, heaven let your light shine down
Oh, heaven let your light shine down
Love is in the water, love is in the air. Show me where to go, tell me will love be there
Teach me how to speak, teach me how to share. Teach me where to go, tell me will love be there
Oh, heaven let your light shine down
Oh, heaven let your light shine down
Oh, heaven let your light shine down
Oh, heaven let your light shine down
Years ago, Don McLaughlin, who preaches for the North Atlanta Church of Christ, wrote a book, Heaven in the Real World. I still have my much underlined old copy. His book also captured my heart’s desire.
I long for heaven and I am greedy. One day God will call me home–but I need a piece of heaven now.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 3: 6 that God has raised us up with Christ and seated us in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus… Sometimes I really wrestle with this verse. If Paul got it right and I know he did, I should be experiencing a bit of heaven here on earth.
How come life often feels like the opposite of heaven?
Somehow, I suspect you can relate.
In Don’s book, chapter five is titled Imitating Heaven’s Touch. The short and sweet is we get to be heaven’s touch in the here and now. Those who are searching for the light of heaven to shine down on them need to see, feel, and know heaven in our words, attitudes, and actions.
Somehow I suspect we find it easier to show a bit of hell than we do a bit of heaven.
And maybe, just maybe, when searching for your own touch of heaven you’ll find it in being the touch of heaven in the life of another.
Shine on, brother, shine on…
May heaven be in your heart and in your touch!
Les, Jr.
The following sermon is from a on again/ off again series for 2010 called Snapshots of Jesus From the Gospel of John. This particular sermon was a bit revealing and painful, but I choose to use some difficulties from my life to illustrate–I hope the reading of this sermon encourages you to walk…
In 1991, the first commercially successful alternative rock band, R.E.M released their song Shiny Happy People. It was a pretty good song except for one simple fact: many didn’t see themselves as shiny, happy people–and the song was ridiculed, mocked, and parodied.
And I think I get why. Take a look at the people sitting around you? What do you see? When you visited before services or during meet & greet, what did you hear? Did you come expecting to find well dressed, happy, adjusted people? Did you come looking to find a place of light and life, joy and peace? Did you come thinking the good vibes of folks who are doing well and living life might somehow rub off on you? Did you come hoping to hear a word to alleviate your pain or somehow elevate your life?
Another preacher, Marshal Hayden paints a sobering word picture of a church: Over here is a family with an income of $550 a week and an outgo of $1000. Over there is a family with two children who, according to their dad, are ‘failures.’ ‘You’re stupid. You never do anything right,’ he is constantly telling them. That lady just found a tumor that tested positive. Sam and Louise just had a nasty fight and each is thinking of divorce. Last Monday, Jim learned he was being laid off. Sarah has tried her best to cover the bruises her drunken husband inflicted when he came home Friday night. This teen feels like he is on the rack, pulled in both directions. Parents and church pull one way; peers and glands pull the other. “Then there are those of us with lesser hurts, but they don’t seem so small to us: an unresponsive spouse, a boring job, a poor grade, a friend or parent who is unresponsive … on and on the stories go.
The lonely, the dying, the discouraged, the exhausted, the imperfect, they’re all here.
Our snapshot of Jesus today is one of joy and happiness as a need is met and a life is changed. But you need to understand the focal character interacting with Jesus is just like the modern churchgoer–tired of being lonely, discouraged, exhausted, and imperfect.
And if this man was like me or maybe even you, it would be so easy to find hope non-existent or at the very least overwhelmed by circumstances and situations outside of his control.
John 5:1-15…
I get the man at the pool. He’s a searcher, hoping, looking for the magic answer, the easy solution to the major obstacle in his life. I get him because when you have spent the majority of your life overweight, you develop a sixth sense for every gimmick and every pill that offers an easy way out. I get him because I am a parent of a handicapped child desperate for answers that differ from the prevailing medical wisdom. I get him because even if you are not fat, handicapped, blind, paralyzed, or lame, all of us have issues we feel powerless to change!
Can I get an Amen here?
When we meet the invalid–have you ever noticed that one way of pronouncing invalid is in valid–we find him lying by a pool with his particular brand of contemporaries–the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. The first time we did Special Olympics was a gut wrenching day. That was the day I realized that all these special needs people were my son’s peers–and most of the world would rather shuffle people like that off to a place where they are best unseen. Did the man lying lame for 38 years feel that way? Every fiber of my being knows he would have been hard pressed to feel otherwise. And so here he is, lying by a pool where local legend has an angel from time to time stirring the waters and providing the first one in with the healing they need.
And Jesus shows up. The lame man is just looking for a helping hand to beat the crowd into the pool, but instead of hoping against hope that a legend or superstition would be his answer, Jesus gives him his health.
John 5:8-9a, Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
Instant healing. Instant restoration. Sometime later Jesus sees him and says, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” Physical difficulties sometimes happen as consequence of sin. And for some, life brings heartache and pain because it is a product of a broken world–it’s why bad things happen to good people through no fault of their own.
But there is something worse. There is something worse than the pain of being an invalid for 38 years. Because even if the doctor cures your cancer or restores your sight… even if the best surgeons in the world can repair your heart or rid you of paralysis, only Jesus can restore us to spiritual health–only Jesus can truly heal a heart broken by the absence of God!
Isaiah 53:5, But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Jesus came and offers life.
He gives us the ability to stand up and walk with Him.
Will you walk?
Church.
That’s a loaded word pregnant with meaning.
It’s a loaded word because it means different things to different people.
Some attach a positive view while others are much more negative. At some point I would like to have a conversation about these views and why we/ others have them.
But for now, think about the church in the singular. As in you, as in me.
Individual, singular, one.
I am the church. You are the church.
Not a building. Not a location. Not a program.
You.
Me.
As we go through our lives we often invite people to church. We want them to come to a particular place at set time to do what most folks think of as church: sing, pray, read, take communion, and give. Those are certainly valuable things to do when we are together as a family.
But if the church is you and not just something we participate in to whatever degree on a designated day of the week, then the idea of church means something totally different.
You.
Me.
Missional. Now that’s a different or new word for some of us. Truthfully some have co-opted its original meaning to include whatever trendy new program would bring people to our church, or rather our building. That’s not how I mean it when I use it.
Missional. As in sent.
You/ me are the missional church. We are being sent. Sometimes some of us are sent to various far-reaching places in the world–missionaries to cultures and places far different from our own.
If you are the church (and you are) then you are being sent. You are a missionary to your family, job, neighbors, and community.
You.
Me.
Missional.
Sent.
Be the church. Take your message of faith, hope, and love. The world needs and the world awaits.
Les, Jr.
Snapshots of Jesus: Will You Walk? »« Snapshots of Jesus: For the Love of a Good Samaritan! (A No Perfect People Allowed Reminder)
The following was my sermon from March 7, 2010
Leviticus 13:40-46…
Good Morning & Welcome! We will be reading in a few moments from John 4 where we will see a snapshot of Jesus encountering the Samaritan women at the well. But first, a bit of background is important…
By the time of Jesus, centuries of racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious animosity existed between Jews and Samaritans. Each group thought their religious practices were pure–each group thought their way of faith was correct. When you read the text, you’ll hear echoes of this in the Samaritan woman’s words to Jesus. And by virtue of truth, the Jews had a better leg to stand on, but whatever advantage was lost in attitude and action.
Adding the Pharisees to this volatile mix was like pouring nitro glycerin on top of political, social, and racial dynamite. In many respects the Pharisees, whose name derives from the Hebrew word separatists, became synonymous with being a Jew. Pharisees considered any association with those who were other than faithful Jew–as they defined faithfulness–to be faithlessness to God. Then when you add all the years of enmity between Jew and Samaritan with the rigid law making bent of the Pharisees, the problems between these two peoples were simply compounded.
And like an info commercial, but wait. The inflexible nature of the Pharisees as recorded in the Talmud tells us there were seven different types of Pharisee. When we make rigid laws where God hasn’t, the results can be sad, comical, and outright silly. Enter the Bleeding Pharisee. These were the Pharisees who took the rule of not speaking to a woman on the street (not even your wife or mother) so far as to walk everywhere with eyes shut so as to not even see a woman… talk about beating yourself up.
All this adds up to an almost impossible situation both for Jesus and the Samaritan women at the well. John 4:1-42…
Commentators and theologians have speculated for years about this woman’s life. Some have pigeon-holed her as a lady of questionable morals–having had five husbands and currently with a man who was not. Others see her as morally objectionable even to her own people prompting her to visit the well in the heat of the day to avoid wagging tongues and disapproving stares.
The Samaritan woman might as well have been a leper. As far as her fellow Samaritans went she was an outcast. As far as Jews saw her, she was hardly a member of the human race. Without actually having leprosy, she was an unclean woman to be avoided at all costs until Jesus enters the picture.
I don’t have any idea how jaded this woman really was or even how shocked she might have been when Jesus spoke to her. But I can imagine because it was beyond her expectations. I can imagine because scripture says the disciples were surprised. Apparently they had enough common sense or the good grace to keep their mouths shut. That’s can be a pretty good quality to have–and one some of us ought to work at acquiring–that’s another story or lesson for another day.
What do you do with a Samaritan and a leper? What do you do with those whose sin, sickness, or racial difference have made them outcast? What do you do with those whom society deems unworthy, invaluable, or undesirable? What do you do with people whose temperaments and attitudes haven’t kept pace with the Spirit of God and consequently still have plenty of growing to do?
What do you do? Do you write them off until they look, act, and live like you? Do you go through life like the bleeding Pharisees, stumbling around with your eyes closed ignoring what’s around you? Or, do you do what Jesus did and look beyond their sin, beyond their sickness, beyond whatever it is that makes them other? Do you offer them what they really need?
Living water.
The water Jesus offered and offers still is living water–it’s free, it’s satisfying, it’s plentiful, it lasts forever, and it is the only hope for those of us who are Samaritans and lepers.
And that’s the key. Sin makes us all Samaritans and lepers. Unclean. Unworthy. Undesirable. But Jesus offers us the unthinkable. Living water–a relationship with Him, a restoration of value, and a hope for eternity.
Because we are all broken, we need this reminder that no perfect people are allowed.
I wonder if Jesus ever had his drink. I wonder if she ever had hers. More importantly, I wonder if you have had or are getting yours.
Because until you drink deep of the living water of Jesus, until you find yourself in a deep and satisfying relationship with him, you’ll never be able to see others as Jesus sees them!
Sent! »« Passing the Torch: Honoring the Preachers Who Were My Greatest Influences
If my dear sweet “Grannie” Ferguson were still alive, she would grudgingly give God some credit while claiming the lion share for herself. She was proud of me becoming a preacher. Timothy had his grandmother, Lois, and I had my grandmother, Lillie. And I am thankful still.
But when it comes to actual preachers, four in particular stand out.
As I small boy in Manassas, Virginia, we had the blessing of being associated with two preachers at the same church. The first was Nelson Smith, long gone on to his reward. Nelson was a fundamental influence for our family. Under his encouragement, my own father began to preach. Years later, as a youth minister, I was still delving in to one of the many books he wrote. Following him at the same church was a preacher with a famous name, Charlie Brown. My time with him was of shorter duration than Nelson Smith, but he too was a providential force in helping my father become a preacher. To Nelson, Charlie, and the Manassas church, I will ever be grateful.
By now you might have a small glimmer that my own father was a great preaching influence and you would be correct. But before we visit him I must tell you of another, Cecil May, Jr. His name will be known by many in our brotherhood. I loved him and his family–and still do. Whether as a young teenage boy or as a student at Magnolia Bible College, Cecil was a constant in my life. From him I learned balance, patience, and how pleasant a sweet, sweet spirit could truly be. I am ever more thankful for the friendship, love, and wisdom I have soaked up in his presence.
And then there was/ is my father. In my early and formative preaching years, I was a funny combination of Cecil May, Jr. and Les Ferguson, Sr. But much more than an imitated style of preaching, I learned much from both. From my father, I saw and experienced what it meant to love people. I learned how longevity in one place builds lasting relationships–transforming relationships. Through my father, I understand that preaching isn’t the 30 minutes in a pulpit on Sunday mornings. Through my father, I learned that preaching was late and long nights, early mornings, unexpected phone calls, difficult people, and the love of brothers and sisters in Christ beyond measure.
One day I was in my father’s office as a young teenager when he got a call from a distraught member with mental problems. This particular person was a constant thorn in the flesh and could be quite abusive if not always abrasive. On this particular day, she was convinced that my Dad and a local radio DJ were in a conspiracy to harass fat folks of which she was one. She demanded that my father fix the situation. Since the situation didn’t really exist, he was powerless. In a final ultimatum, she insisted that if he didn’t come to her mobile home in the next ten minutes, she would toss all of her furniture into the front yard… and he didn’t and she did.
The stories preachers and preacher families could tell…
I haven’t always been the best student–after all, some mistakes a preacher has to learn for himself. But my father was and is my hero. He’s not perfect and neither am I, but as a mentor, friend, and encourager, I owe so much to Him.
Thanks Nelson.
Thanks Charlie.
Thanks Cecil.
And thank you, Dad.
Long may your influence live on.
Les, Jr.
Snapshots of Jesus: For the Love of a Good Samaritan! (A No Perfect People Allowed Reminder) »« A Better Relationship With God
I hear it all the time. It’s a refrain heard by teenagers and if you catch the right youth rally/ retreat you’ll hear it for teenagers.
I hear it from older folks too. Sometimes it’s a new Christian who wants to grow. Other times it’s a Christian with decades of Christianity in their personal history who for whatever reason has begun to feel a little less connected or motivated or encouraged with or by their walk of faith.
Maybe you’ve experienced it. If you haven’t, hold on long enough and you too might experience a little staleness or disconnection also.
The truth is, life happens.
There is always something or someone tugging at us or threatening to pull us away.
I get it. I really do.
Even as a preacher, I find myself going through the motions, struggling to find real passion or real vitality.
At times like that, I want a better relationship with God.
I found a website that had some pretty good ideas. It offered five tools to building a better relationship: prayer, fasting, meditation, Bible study, and fellowship. Those are all good things. I never want to discourage anyone from having a more disciplined prayer life, etc.
But at the risk of over simplifying, what if we quit fretting over having a better relationship and started living a better relationship?
Remember the two greatest commands, love God and love others? Might we develop a better relationship with God by loving better the people around us? What if instead of praying that God take care of the poor we step up and do what we are praying about?
A better relationship with God is not flashy and huge. It’s just doing and being and caring in all the little moments, in every conversation.
Colossians 4:5-6, Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (NIV)
You can have a better relationship by living out the message of Jesus in your own life!
Les, Jr.
Passing the Torch: Honoring the Preachers Who Were My Greatest Influences »« There Is A Fountain
