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Ok. So I watched from the very first night. And I was hooked.
Lost is the reason why we have a cable DVR at our house.
I did not look forward to the series finale last night–I really did not want the show to end. At the same time, I was eager for some answers to mysteries that were ever present.
Not sure I got many answers to the mysteries.
Not really sure I am happy with the ending.
Very sure I was surprised in the process.
What was most surprising to me was the emotional reaction I experienced.
I’d like to tell you I am a very tough guy who is never moved to tears by any sappy movie or show. I’d like to tell you that but I cannot. Occasionally, Mr. Hard Heart gets his emotional knickers all twisted up. Last night was one of those times.
I am sure it sounds silly–especially to those who are not fans of the show. Certainly there are way more important things to get emotionally invested in.
Truth. And I know it.
Still, the emotions are there. Maybe it’s like the ending of a friendship and I am sad to see it go… or maybe, I got suckered into the lives/ characters in a way I hadn’t experienced before… or maybe, the lives and loves and relationships lost moved me because they mirror this world.
I’ll go with the last one.
Last night I lay in my bed and felt incredible sadness at the loss of a young man two years ago. He was 18. The son of one of my closest friends, his untimely passing seems to never be far from my thoughts and heart on any given day.
So last night I watched Lost for the last time on network TV as a first run show and when it was over, I cried/ mourned/ hurt all over again for the pain of my friend–my pain–and for all of us who sooner rather than later suffer loss.
This afternoon I have a bit more perspective. Part of the story that resonates so well is the thought of lives and hearts brought back together again. That was the ending–at least how I perceived it–of Lost.
I am thankful that God wrote a story of redemption/ restoration and hope/ promise.
Jack Shepherd may have saved his world; Jesus saves mine.
Come Lord Jesus, come!
After a week at camp, I am back at home firmly immersed in the chaos of my life!
Maybe chaos is a little bit dramatic, but how else do you explain four kids (ok, only three are at home but one is a three year old!!!), two dogs, two cats, and the excitement of being a minister in an amazing, growing church?
Chaos it is, but a wonderful chaos of astounding blessings and opportunities!
However, sometimes the craziness does get to me.
Sometimes the messiness of my own life conspires to rob me of peace and joy.
Sometimes I really feel the need for Jesus to shine in my life.
Obviously the need is always there. I need more of Jesus in my life each and every day.
As a preacher, I have long been enamored with the idea that as Christians—as the body of Christ–we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Just a couple of years ago that was the premise of a beautiful new song by Casting Crowns, If We Are The Body.
In Philippians 2, Paul talks about having the same attitude as Jesus. In verse 14, he tells us to quit complaining. In verses 15-16, he urges us to shine like stars as we hold out the word of life.
Shine, Jesus, Shine!
Obviously in my life and yours, we need Jesus to shine.
And just as obviously, we need to be reflecting Jesus as we shine ourselves.
For some of us, the best way we can begin the life of shining Jesus is by learning how not to spend so much time complaining, being miserable, and making others miserable as well.
Don’t complain. Shine.
Sounds like words to live by!
Les, Jr.
Ephesians 2:1-10,
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)
I love this passage of scripture!
The idea that in all my brokenness and sin, God has already raised me up with Christ and seated with Him is compelling indeed.
Why we don’t get this and live this is somewhat of a mystery to me.
On the other hand, I think Steven Curtis Chapman understands. In his song The Great Adventure, he says:
Saddle up your horses we’ve got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God’s amazing grace
Let’s follow our leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other – this is The Great Adventure
Come on get ready for the ride of your life
Gonna leave long faced religion in a cloud of dust behind
And discover all the new horizons just waiting to be explored
This is what we were created for…
In the movie Broken Arrow, the character played by John Travolta has a simple line I’d like to borrow to describe this song: Ain’t it cool?
And if we are made alive in Christ, isn’t it time to saddle up our horses and blaze a trail? Why not start now?
How about you, ready to ride?
Ain’t it cool?
Les, Jr.
In many ways I have spent far too much of my life drawing lines.
Sometimes there have been mental lines that maybe others didn’t know about—some fear or pain best kept to myself.
Sometimes they have been lines that needed to be drawn and talked about such as immoral behaviors or attitudes.
Right off the bat, I think of a line needing to be drawn and needing to stay drawn: discrimination. As believers, as a fellowship, we must draw a line as long as it takes that says no discrimination will be tolerated among us as the body of Christ.
None, zip, nada.
And I mean it. No discrimination based on race, no discrimination based on economics, no discrimination based on politics, no discrimination based on the status of your marriage, no discrimination based on your particular sin struggles, no discrimination period. Let’s draw that line and refuse to be a discriminating people.
But other lines have not been so needed or helpful. In fact, many of the lines we draw are disrespectful to the body of Christ.
Many others have written of late over lines of fellowship. Sometimes those lines are drawn between differing branches of Christian belief and thought. And truthfully, I understand the need, the desire to maintain certain doctrinal distinctions. But how right do we have to be in order to be right with God? Does God’s grace cover my inadequate understanding of whatever doctrine or idea is under the microscope? If it covers mine, does it cover others? Furthermore, if we draw lines of fellowship, do we not then limit our ability to teach and learn from each other?
Worse yet are the lines we draw among ourselves.
The local church of which I am blessed to have continuously served for over 11.5 years is a solid conservative group who places a high value on scripture—we are safely ensconced among Restoration theology and tradition.
And yet, we seem to have a somewhat vague perception of being this liberal group of Christians. Truthfully, it would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.
What makes us liberal or progressive?
Are we really willing to draw a line of fellowship among God’s people over things never even addressed in scripture? Are we really willing to make laws and rules where God hasn’t? Are we really willing to fellowship or not based on our own familiar or comfortable traditions?
I wish I could say I have never drawn such lines in my past, but I have all too willingly.
God forbid! Yes, God forbid that any of us ever be a party again to disrupting the fellowship of God’s people wherever they may be.
Are there any lines you might need to repent of and harder still, figure out how to undraw?
What are the flaws in my thinking?
Let’s talk!
Les, Jr.
D. A. Carson, an evangelical scholar and author of many well written theological tomes of which Exegetical Fallacies is one, has quoted his own minister father with the following: A text without a context is a pretext for a proof text.
In simple language, when we use a Bible verse out of context to prove a point or a position we have already arrived at in our minds, then we have created a doctrine or teaching without any real theological backing.
Truthfully, it happens more than you might realize. For example, Matthew 18:18-20 says, “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
There are at least three common positions or teachings taken from this passage that completely miss the context and point Jesus was making. Briefly, this passage is not about spiritual warfare—the binding and loosing of Satan and his influence—second, this passage is not about the power of prayer when two people are in agreement—and third, this passage is not about having a valid worship service while traveling, etc. because “where two or three come together” in Jesus name means he is in the midst.
To get what Jesus is saying, you have to read the verses that come before!
Matthew 18:15-17, “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
The short of it is this is about church discipline. This is all about the process of confronting those caught up in sin!
So, how do you read the Bible? Do you use the pick and choose method of pulling verses out of their context to make them say what you want? Or do you make the decision that context is king and no verse can say something different than what is intended by the context?
How we choose to honor scripture makes a world of difference in understanding what scripture really has to say!
Blessings on your study of God’s Word!
Les, Jr.
I cannot imagine or quite grasp how deep the pain and hurt of John & Maggy Dobbs. Today, their 18 year old son, John Robert Dobbs, was killed in a horrible and tragic accident. And the world is a dimmer place.
John and I became college roommates when he was 17 and I was 18. We have been the best of friends for over half of our lives. Maggy is a distance cousin and she never held that against me.
Over the years our lives and families have been intertwined. Living only thirty minutes a part during the last ten years allowed our different ministries to be combined at times as we served the same goal of seeing God’s Kingdom grow and thrive here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
John Robert was a fantastic young man with a bright future. He will be missed by all who knew him.
May God grant John and Maggy and the rest of the family the relief, comfort and peace they so desperately need.
I love you!
Les, Jr.
Some of you will smile and remember. Some of you will wonder just how old I really am.
However, in September 1970, I was only eight years old, but I well remember the song made popular by the Carpenters.
It was a song about a newlywed couple and it was called We’ve Only Just Begun.
We’ve only just begun to live,
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck and we’re on our way.
And yes, We’ve just begun.
*
Before the rising sun we fly,
So many roads to choose
We start our walking and learn to run.
And yes, We’ve just begun.
*
Sharing horizons that are new to us,
Watching the signs along the way,
Talking it over just the two of us,
Working together day to day
Together.
*
And when the evening comes we smile,
So much of life ahead
We’ll find a place where there’s room to grow,
And yes, We’ve just begun.
*
This song would be far from my choice of listening flavors today. As a song goes, it has sprung a musical leak. But if you can get past my musical gag reflex, the lyrics speak to us in our situation.
We will shortly be on our way in our new location. We have new roads to walk; new ministries to begin. We are looking at new horizons. And we are certainly in a new place with room to grow.
But there’s danger here. There is a real hazard in seeing ourselves as having arrived once we are in our new building. But like the song says, we’ve only just begun. We’ll need new dreams, new visions, and a new willingness to reach out, to branch out and grow like we have never grown before.
We’ve only just begun. The train engine is beginning to build steam.
Get on board as we begin this new journey.
God is working and He will work even more as we get out of the way!
Les, Jr.
While exploring the Magic Kingdom this summer, Casey was somewhat amenable to spending time with Tigger. Here’s a picture to prove it:
However, Casey was terrified of Winnie the Pooh.
I, on the other hand, was not.
Winnie and I go way back. He is much older than me, but as long as I can remember, we have been fast friends. It was good, of course, to be able to have our picture taken together.
He’s a cuddly snuggly sort of bear and like most folks, young or old; there is a time in our lives when we need the kind of comfort that seemingly only comes from a character like Pooh.
And yet, I am reminded of the words of Jesus…
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:25-27 NIV)
The counselor is referred to in other versions as the advocate, the helper, and the friend. All these terms are accurate to describe the role of God’s Spirit in our lives.
But truthfully, this big little boy likes best the word used by the KJV.
Comforter. You can’t help but like the sound of that.
Who doesn’t like the feel of a big fluffy comforter to crawl under on the bed? At the end of a long hard day, to slide your feet under the sheets and pull the comforter up around you is too feel warm and safe and secure.
At the risk of making the Holy Spirit sound like bed linen or a kids stuffed toy, I wonder how many of us have the faith to trust the promise of Jesus. I wonder how many strive to find that which Jesus offered in other places and other faces.
"Come, O Holy Spirit, come! There are sores and pains and wounds and aches in my life and in so many of my friends and family. We need your comfort. We need your presence. We need your wisdom. We need your strength. Fill us with your mercy and grace. Make us your servants and enable us to offer your hope. Amen!"
May the God of all comfort be yours today!
Les, Jr.
Among my preacher friends, we often commiserate about getting the upcoming Sunday sermon completed. Generally speaking, I usually get it done by Tuesday or Wednesday morning at the latest. I like to get it out of the way for a number of reasons.
First, it can feel like a sword hanging over my head.
Second, I despise feeling like I am not ready as Friday or Saturday approaches.
And third, most importantly, it frees me up to focus on people for the rest of the week.
I have never been the best "visiting preacher." I freely confess that visiting folks to hold their hands so they’ll worship and fellowship with the family drives me nuts. Christians ought to want to worship God and be with their family. And as much as I decry the lack of spiritual values that leads to a loss of desire, I doubt that my visiting will spark any real zeal. At best, it might motivate them for a few weeks until all the old patterns reassert themselves.
I must sound terribly cynical, but more often than not, that has been my experience.
But slowly and surely, my feelings and perceptions are changing. And while I am spending a lot more time calling or calling on those who have been absent, I am doing so not to guilt them into attending this coming Sunday. Instead, I am trying to become a minister–I’m trying to learn what it means to minister in people’s lives–whether or whether not they might meet my expectations.
That is my challenge to myself. Find out what people need and try to help them on the way. In the church family or outside the body of Christ, there are always needs to minister to. Some will be with people who are more faithful than I’ll ever be. Some are with folks whose spiritual lives haven’t grown in more years than either of us care to remember. And some will be with those who haven’t an inkling nor a care about a God who loves them.
Sermon’s done! But ministry never ends.
Where can you minister today?
A minister who needs to learn what ministry is really about,
Les, Jr.
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