A few of my favorites

Here is a few of my favorite pictures that I try and work into any kind of presentation I am doing. I don't do many, but when I do, these always get a laugh. I'm not sure who I feel like more often. The baby, G-daddy (that's right...I just called the president G-daddy), or the laughing ass (c'mon...it's biblical right).

1 Thessalonians Conclusion

So, last night I preached(still think it should be praught) a sermon on 1 Thessalonians and community. I was tired of trying to craft the perfect message so I threw out all of my notes. I wanted the spirit to work through me and convict us through the word and I'm pretty sure he did. What was really ironic about last night was a story that I told about not meeting my neighbor that just moved in. Well, I went home last night and Courtney and I were going to go for a walk. She was already outside waiting on me and when I came out, she was talking to our neighbor. Nice guy. His name is Phil and he has two daughters. I think God was trying to tell me something-love it when that happens.

1 Thessalonians Part 3

Here is a great passage to pray through for the church.
"Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints."
To often we pray for the growth of the church. We should pray that we grow in love for one another and for all. God will bring the increase if we are faithful to this calling.

1 Thessalonians Part 2

One reason I love this book is because Paul shows us his great love for the church. 2:8 "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." The imagery he provides in verse 7 is that of a nursing mother. Think of what an intimate bond Paul is conjuring up in our minds. I would argue this is one of the most tender, affectionate, passionate kinds love in the whole of human experience. Of course neither Paul nor I truly understand this, but ask any mother and I'm guessing they will tell you words cannot describe this bond. He continues with the parental illustration in 2:11. We, the church, should take this analogy and gain much wisdom from it. Some of us get annoyed with our parents. Some us wish we had different parents. Some of us had parents who didn't parent. Nevertheless, they continue to be our parents. The church is analogous to these facts. The church continues to be the church whether you are annoyed, wish it was different, or think it is not doing it's job-the gates of hell will not stop the church from being the bride of Christ. Paul, the most humble of pastors, loved the church to no end. He loved the church enough to be brutally honest and discipline it. He loved the church even with all of its annoying quirks and flaws. Let us take this great parental example from Paul and love the church even though we might have to deal with some annoying kids.

1 Thessalonians-A Book of Encouragement

Sure every church has its problems. The Thessalonian church had its problems too, but they were minor compared to others Paul had written to (Just read Galatians). Paul says of the Thessalonians in 4:9 "You have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another." 1:4-5 gives us another great insight into the Thessalonian church. "For we know brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction." That little phrase "loved by God" was only ascribed to the likes of Solomon and Moses in that day. Now, Paul uses it to describe the humble gentiles who have received the gospel with power, in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction of its truth and relevance. These few little verses tell me that weren't just studying what Paul had written them or what they had heard about the "Gospel" but actually carrying it out. They received the Gospel not only in word. This is a lesson my faith heritage would do well to learn. When we truly receive the gospel, we should be fully convicted of its truth. Meaning, that we ACT on our convictions. If you keep reading on to verses 7 and 8 you would find that the Thessalonians acted so much so on their convictions, that they "Became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia." Amazing! It wasn't their culturally relevant preacher, it wasn't their cool programs or engaging worship, it was their example and their faith! I pray that, as a church, it is our example of and faith in Christ that becomes known to all throughout the nations.

Emotional Labor

Yesterday I think I used up my emotional labor tank. Not a really long day at the office but after a full day of work, it's nice to come home and debrief a bit. As some of you know I give guitar lessons and on Tuesday's I have 3 after work. I love giving guitar lessons, don't get me wrong. I love seeing the small victories each student has and celebrating them, but these are hour long, emotional labor intensive sessions for me (Kate, if you read this, it has nothing to do with yesterday-ha! Really). After 3 lessons, I met Court to see some of our friends' new house they just bought. And then after stuffing my face with a calorie packed Carl's Jr. burger, I had a 3 hour long practice session for a gig I'm playing this weekend. This is not meant to be a sap story. Please don't hear that. I realize that many of you are just as busy or busier and this day is not a good representation of a normal day. However, my point is that emotional labor can be taxing. But, I believe, this is what holds our relationships together. The amount of energy you put into your relationships, and conversations, and interactions with people, will more than likely reflect what they give you back. I'm a bit of an extrovert so most of the time being around people infuses me with energy. But every once in a while, it's draining. I'm just glad I have a wife whom after I tell her that I had a draining day says, "We don't have to talk. I understand. Can I do anything for you?" Yeah, she's that awesome.

Love/Hate Blogs

I think that is how I would define my relationship with the blogs I read. I don't read that many, but the ones I do read are challenging and are constantly prodding me to be a better person and christian. Always prodding me to take the high road. I love the challenge, but at the same time its wearing. I have to say, Michael Mitchell's blog has tireless advice and wisdom on how to be a better man. That one has worn me out. About to make a decision...dangit...I should be a man and take the better road. If you want some other ones you can click here, or here (sometimes a bit crude, but great life advice, and awesome art). Any other ones you want to throw out, I would greatly appreciate it...I think.