Tragedy - Only Love!!

Luke 10:25-37 – You may have read or heard the story of the Good Samaritan over and over before but in reading this after a stream of tragedies – what struck me is that Jesus never focused on the actions of the robber. I want us to think for a moment on Only Love!

In the aftermath of tragedies many of us ask the question, “where is God?” Especially, in the midst of the deaths of innocent children, we ask, why do bad things happen? Death baffles us and senseless deaths such as the murder of these children enrages us; empties us; leaving us void, numb, and in need of any sensible conclusions. But amid our pain nothing comforts us nor does logic or rationale, offer any soothing reasons for barbaric actions.

In truth, we all are struggling to find God in the midst of the bloodshed, the tears, the bewilderment, and the funeral processions of the victims in Newtown, CT and the millions of nameless victims of acts of violence.  I do not have a complete answer because we will never completely know until that time when we stand face to face before God.  On that day will come the fulfillment of the psalmist refrain “We’ll understand it better, by and by”. Only when standing before our mighty and holy God will we know completely. 

In the meantime, we must proclaim and believe that in the mystery of death, there is the towering, intimate, compassionate presence of God.  God must not be deemed as a tyrant and orchestrator of such calamities, but God is to be known as our only source of hope, our only means through and out of these times of peril.

The Holy Scriptures remind us that we all live in a very broken world.  In Romans chapter 8, the Apostle Paul affirms this saying: “all of creation is waiting with eager longing…for the creation was subjected to futility; but one day the creation will be set free from its bondage to decay…but for now the whole creation is groaning in labor pains, groaning inwardly while it awaits for adoption the redemption of our bodies.” Thus we must wait in hope of reconciliation. 

There is nowhere in the world where the brokenness of creation is not witnessed; and pointing out the brokenness of the world around us may not help to ease the pain which surrounds these tragedies. But naming these acts of violence in Newtown, CT, the Birmingham courtroom, Homewood, AL, or those of professional football players and the innumerable other homicides and suicides happening everyday may help to remind us that we are not alone.  We can bear witness that illnesses, accidents, vicious events, hunger and poverty wreak havoc on humanity; claiming human lives prematurely, unjustly and senselessly aren't arbitrary but are affecting our neighbors.

Yet, merely knowing that such tragedy abounds does not lessen our own pain and grief, what is important for us to understand in the midst of this broken world, while each of us groans in pain and despair, God is with us.  God’s work of redemption is not yet complete.  

The hope that you and I are to believe in and embrace is that 

one day God will overcome all of the world’s brokenness. 

As the writer of Revelation proclaims to us in Revelation 21: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…and in that time there will be no more mourning, no more crying, no more pain...God will wipe away every tear….and death will be no more”. 

You and I are called to try to live into that hope…even in the midst of the death of those 20 children under the age of 8.

We’re not alone. The families that lost these precious children, those courageous adults, even those left to mourn the loss of the shooter, none of them – none of us are alone. God promises never to leave us. The reality is that God too is devastated. God’s hope for creation was that we would love God with all heart, mind, soul and strength, and that we would love one another. We must believe that our pain is shared by God.  God knows what it is like to lose someone to a tragic death.  In our own tears, may we remember and know that Jesus also weeps. So, we don’t cry alone, the great God of the universe weeps with us.

The mystery of and goal of faith is to redeem our brokenness and encourage us to pursue authentic love. We will continue to encounter our own Jericho Road experiences and know of many more senseless tragedies.  But we must find comfort that God, the Ultimate Good Samaritan, comes alongside us whether we are in places filled with danger or places of comfort deemed safe, God arrives in our midst to both suffer with us and to facilitate our recovery. It is true God shares our pain and sorrow because God is love. 

God is with us and remains with us sharing our sorrow 

and offering us comfort and hope for a new day.

Such tragedies remind us of the uncertainty of life, we know not the time of our final breath; thus, we must learn that we can’t take life for granted.  No one knows how long she or he will live, whether our lot is 7 years or 70 years. Today, if we purpose to grow in loving God and our neighbor as God commanded; perhaps, we will experience some solace from the deaths of these innocent children and the heroic and courageous adults. Furthermore, as we like the Good Samaritan lend ourselves to relieve the suffering of our neighbors we are alerted to remember that all life is precious and that family, friends and even strangers are irreplaceable.      

We must learn to love, respect and appreciate one another while we are living.  In these moments, we are recipients of the cruel reminder that life can be short but we must seize today by embracing the fullness of the possibilities which God continues to place before us.

Our entry point to recovery from the devastation of senseless tragedies is through God’s gracious love consuming us, empowering us, directing us and leading us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and loving our neighbor.

My Friends, we must come together. Let us not allow death-tragedy to win, but let us allow something good to come forth from the despair we feel. In short let us let us live each day guided by love, because only love can guide us through the valley of the shadow of death, only love will comfort us, only love will empower us, only love will restore our hope,                                                                                                                                                                                            only love. . .

Advent Thought: On the love of kings, football, culture and the sacred.

Are the lines between living in our culture and living for Jesus Christ blurred? This is not a new inquiry, clearly throughout the Bible a struggle persists between faithfulness to God (Jesus) and the degree to which one indulges the culture. For instance, Israel after experiencing other cultures (nations) governed by a king demands that they too be led by a king:

“Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.” Jesus replied, “Do everything they say to you, for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer”.” (I Samuel 8:5, 7)

Luke 19:45 – 46 describes another instance:  ^“Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices.  He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

Lastly another example, Paul challenges us:  “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

However, Christians and not yet Christians continue to ask for a king; desecrate the sacred; and acquiesce to the customs of this world.  Exemplified through how we have made sports and celebrities King of our lives; the manner in which we give priority to the secular and subdue the sacred; and how we strive toward pursuits commended by the standards of this world. We are relentless in our desire to have the accoutrements of this world, we deify our athletes and worship the teams for which they play.

One morning while my youngest son and I were leaving Starbucks, we began a brief conversation with a few gentlemen as we walked out the door. One of the men asked me, who is your team (as if I had to have one and that I knew the choices to which he referred)?  Living in the belly of the SEC, this is not a surprising question but when I replied, I don’t have a particular team – he looked at me with such disdain: you would have thought I confessed to being a murderer or an adulterer.

His reaction troubled me! I began thinking, how often do I experience a Christian with such devotion and duty approaching me with a similar question, wondering if I had a relationship with Jesus Christ or was I entrusting my life to the devil? I concluded the answer was rare if at all.

Unfortunately, we (Christians) are more apt to privatize our faith

and publicize our idolatry.

What if we displayed such a zest and passionate love for Jesus as we do for football (and other priorities of our culture)? We might discover the following:

1.  More people would have the opportunity to enter into relationship with Jesus (because we would readily share we are on Team Jesus).

2.   There would be an increase in worship attendance and servant ministry (because we would readily give of our time and treasure).

3.   Worship at our churches would be Spirit-filled and vibrant (because Jesus would be the focal point and object of worship).

4.   No one would have to guess if we were Christians (because we would unashamedly demonstrate our allegiance to Jesus and the Gospel). 

5.  We would strive toward faithfulness in all aspects of our lives (because we would believe that Jesus can't be defeated).

As we continue through the season of advent, maybe our preparation is to evaluate:

(1) who do I uphold as the King of my life, (2) what/who do I recognize and value as sacred and (3) is my life conformed to the customs of this culture 

or to that which Jesus asks of me?

Much Love,

Pastor Singleton

"Fair-weather Fan"

Sports fans all around the world relish the time of the year when their favorite sport is played. Whether it’s professional, collegiate, high school or even the highly competitive toddler tee ball, fans can’t wait to cheer for their favorite team. Yet fans vary ranging from: face painted warriors; casual supporter; avid statistician (able to name every player and stats); old faithful (committed to their team win/lose); to what is commonly referred to as the fair-weather fan. Each of these fans shares a depth of appreciation for the game and has an allegiance to a particular team in the given sport. In fact, fan by definition is “an enthusiastic devotee, follower, or admirer of a sport, pastime, or celebrity”.

However, sports just like our lives has ebbs and flows, winning seasons, losing seasons and it’s in the midst of losing seasons where the what type of fan is discovered. We all are rah-rah cheerleaders when games are won but what happens during the three game losing streaks or after consecutive losing seasons. Typically these moments reveal the fair-weather fan, this fan is characterized by lack of loyalty, only supportive when the team is doing well, but mysteriously disappears when trouble or losing arises.

If we are honest, many of us who say “I am a Christian” are fair-weather fans. We claim full commitment to Jesus but: when life happens, when our security is threatened, when we are challenged to live our lives like Jesus, when we face illness, loss, disappointment, suffering, or pain, when we are faced with the choice of ease or difficulty, etc. we too discover what type of follower we really are, fair-weather.  

Perhaps, we are unable to bear witness to our own fair-weather proclivities, let’s look at Peter who like many of us (do) professes to Jesus his full commitment:

“Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even die with you”.”     (Luke 22:33)

Peter adamantly rejected Jesus’ assertion: “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning; you will deny three times that you even know me” (Luke 22:34). But then life happened, threats came, death was imminent for Jesus and Peter realized that to truly follow Jesus could (and would) mean suffering, pain, even death and by cultural definitions, losing. So, when questioned about his commitment and faithfulness to Jesus – Peter wavered, Peter’s devotion mysteriously disappears exposing his and our fair-weathered nature saying: “Woman I don’t even know him!” (Luke 23:57), “No man, I’m not!” (Luke 23:58), “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about” (Luke 23:60).  

Discovering that indeed he was fair-weather: “Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly” (Luke 23:62), in need of greater commitment, deeper faith, and courage to remain devout as he encountered life and all the threats that come with being a follower of Jesus.

What can we learn from Peter and our own exposure as fair-weather followers?

1. Professing to follow Jesus is consent to and acceptance of danger even death
2. In the midst of our adversities lie our greatest opportunities
3. Faithfulness is evidenced by actions not words
4. Commitment to Jesus requires willingness to grow and sacrifice

The good news for us is unlike the seasonal-nature of sports, everyday (today) is our opportunity to spurn our fair-weather tendencies in pursuit of becoming spirit-driven faithful followers. The type of fan we become will not find measure in wins or losses; rather by our response to them. Will you choose to become a faithful follower or remain a fair-weather follower?

We can move from I don’t know Him to dying for Him–Peter did!

Much Love,

Pastor Singleton 

What Happens When Thanks is Giving?

“Somehow in thanksgiving I see clearly, if but for a fleeting moment, that much, much has come my way as a normal part of my dependency, without my being aware of it. It is in such moments that I may become literally overwhelmed by a profound sense of the love and the grace of God. The very roots of my own pride lie exposed to the scrutiny of God, and if I can bear it over and over again, the very will to pride of that kind may be destroyed in me; yes, destroyed by the sheer love of God. Perhaps, it is always true that the test of my thanksgiving is the humility which it inspires. Self-examination – thanksgiving – humility – let us experience them in our quiet time in the presence of God.”

Howard Thurman, Meditations of the Heart, pg.19.

In the above and below thoughts of Theologian Howard Thurman, we are encouraged to make Thanksgiving a daily practice and in doing so we can experience God at work in us. What a timely reminder as we consider this past year even over our lifetime – all for which we have to be thankful.  As you read the below, take note Thurman never mentions material or worldly things. When we are truly reflective, I imagine that we too will realize all that  consumes us throughout the course of a day, a week, a month, a year at times are trivial at best. Upon heartfelt and honest reflection we can conclude, taking time to practice thanksgiving everyday can be life-giving and more importantly continually molds us into the likeness of God. This day forward let’s make everyday a day of thanksgiving.

  

Litany of Thanksgiving

Howard Thurman, Meditations of the Heart, pgs. 147-149.

“Today, I make my Sacrament of Thanksgiving.

I begin with the simple things of my days:
Fresh air to breathe,
Cool water to drink,
The taste of food,
The protection of houses and clothes,
The comforts of home.
For all these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day!

I bring to mind all the warmth of humankind that I have known:
My mother’s arms,
The strength of my father
The playmates of my childhood,
The wonderful stories brought to me from the lives
Of many who talked of days gone by when fairies
And giants and all kinds of magic held sway;
The tears I have shed, the tears I have seen;
The excitement of laughter and the twinkle in the
Eye with its reminder that life is good.
For all these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day

I finger one by one the messages of hope that awaited me at the crossroads:
The smile of approval from those who held in their hands the reins of my security;
The tightening of the grip in a simple handshake when I
Feared the step before me in darkness;
The whisper in my heart when the temptation was fiercest
And the claims of appetite were not to be denied;
The crucial word said, the simple sentence from an open
Page when my decision hung in the balance.
For all these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day.

I pass before me the main springs of my heritage:
The fruits of labors of countless generations who lived before me,
Without whom my own life would have no meaning;
The seers who saw visions and dreamed dreams;
The prophets who sensed a truth greater than the mind could grasp
And whose words would only find fulfillment
In the years which they would never see;
The workers whose sweat has watered the trees,
The leaves of which are for the healing of the nations;
The pilgrims who set their sails for lands beyond all horizons,
Whose courage made paths into new worlds and far off places;
The saviors whose blood was shed with a recklessness that only a dream
Could inspire and God could command.
For all this I make an act of Thanksgiving this day.

I linger over the meaning of my own life and the commitment
To which I give the loyalty of my heart and mind:
The little purposes in which I have shared my loves,
My desires, my gifts;
The restlessness which bottoms all I do with its stark insistence
That I have never done my best, I have never dared
To reach for the highest;

The big hope that never quite deserts me, that I and my kind
Will study war no more, that love and tenderness and all the
inner graces of Almighty affection will cover the life of the
children of God as the waters cover the sea.

All these and more than mind can think and heart can feel,
I make as my sacrament of Thanksgiving to Thee,
Our Father, in humbleness of mind and simplicity of heart.”

From Howard Thurman

Jesus, Love, and Politics: “What Was I Thinkin’?”

Country singer Dierks Bentley has a song titled "What Was I Thinkin'?" referring to ill-advised choices that put him in harm's way. After each thoughtless action, he raises the question, "What Was I Thinkin'? On the surface, Bentley is just poking fun at some of his follies but his question invites further evaluation of our own actions. In fact, this inquiry is instructive for all of us, opening the possibility of repentance, especially in the wake of this election season.

As I have listened to and observed Christians on all sides of the political spectrum use language and taking actions laced with divisiveness, hatred, prejudice, misogyny, nationalism, and other dismissive measures all in the name of Jesus, their political affinity and/or candidate, I wonder “What Are We Thinkin’?”

When did Jesus call His disciples to embrace the folly that coincides with the political processes of local and national government?  When did Jesus encourage His disciples to engage in acts of hatred toward His adversaries? When did Jesus instruct His disciples to conform to the political practices of one’s chosen party? When did Jesus demonstrate placing political allegiance and agendas above the Great Commandment – “You must love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. . .You must love your neighbor as yourself”?

“What Are We Thinkin’?”

While politics has its place and it is important that we invest in the political process, we would do well to remember that our first responsibility, as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, is to Love. Think about some of the derogatory comments you have heard, you have thought, perhaps even those you may have said during this political season and ask were they grounded in love of God and neighbor?

Consider this, Jesus in the aftermath of the most vicious politically charged election (Matthew 27:17, “Pilate said to them, which one do you want me to release to you – Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”) - filled with Love says from the Cross, (the result of the election), “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). In spite of a pernicious electorate and political process, Jesus continues to respond with Love.    

As we reflect on our participation in the political process, we should remember that Love created the necessity for the Cross but political strife established the environment for Jesus’ crucifixion. I imagine today those sisters and brothers from the first century that responded “Crucify him!” to Pilate’s question, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” (Matthew 27:22) would wonder to themselves:

“What Was I Thinkin’?”

If we are to remain faithful to Jesus, in season and out of season, Love must be the foundation and basis of our every response.  Jesus says to his disciples: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).  Christians regardless of political party are to have Love as our compass in matters temporal and eternal. If we use the tools of our enemy (the devil) such as hatred and division, we too must ask:

“What Was I Thinkin’?”

In light of these follies, repentance can be our only response. . .to which we will experience the Love of Jesus saying: Father, forgive them!

Much Love,

Pastor Singleton

Be Still and Know I am God!

In the present age, information travels in nanoseconds, our inboxes are flooded and with smart phones we literally have the world in our hands. We are overwhelmed and are drowning from information overload. Whether its news of tragedies, acts of nature, political fundraising, chain letters, work documents, a note from a loved one, or the all important Face book post – all at once we have become: preoccupied with; desensitized to; and addicted to information.

Yet, like everything else more of (information) has not equaled more knowledge, more compassion, more hope, more power or more faith.  Our culture continues wallowing in hatred, indifference, ignorance, powerlessness and suffering.  Information and technology, for all their benefits are often more distractive, deleterious and dissenting.   So what are we to do? 

The Psalmist (Psalm 46) using imagery of an influx of troubles and challenges ranging from natural disasters, political unrest and wars invites us to consider our only assurance: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble". But, we've become so dependent on technology and so reactive to the troubles of life that we've drifted from our only assurance in life.

One might question, how can I experience God’s assurance: (1) when I'm unable to decipher the deluge of information received; and (2) when it seems trouble consumes every aspect of life? It seems in our complicated, fast paced technology-driven culture, we have overlooked the wisdom of Psalm 46:10 exhorting us:

"Be still and know I am God".

Although, stillness, withdrawal from distractions, and quietness are all antithetical to our present age these actions provide us a path to the only assurance in this life and the life to come. Through stillness, we open the door to knowing God! Being still affords us the opportunity to hear the persistent knocks of God which; henceforth, have been underwhelming, suffocated by our addiction to technology and disillusionment from the troubles of life. 

Why “Be Still”?

When one is still, attentiveness, awareness and acceptance are attributes describing their posture.  Attentiveness enables us to discern and hear God’s voice and directions.  Awareness provides us clarity of thought as we put in perspective our troubles and use of technology. Acceptance allows to embrace the reality of the presence of God; moreover, now knowing God we cling to the power of God. In stillness, we prepare ourselves for attentiveness, awareness and acceptance which guide us to our only assurance:

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”.  

Can you remember a time(s) disconnecting from all technology – radio, t.v., cell phones, internet and any iGadgets?  As you practice stillness and experience attentiveness, awareness and acceptance, these words will bring you peace, comfort and hope:

“Be still, and know that I am God!

I am exalted among the nations,

I am exalted in the earth.”

Much Love,

Pastor Singleton 

Prayer for the Leading of the Holy Spirit

Jesus our God, our guide, our leader, we surrender ourselves to you; asking that you release us from any fears; any selfish ambitions; and any sins that hinder us from seeking and serving you. We cry out to you saying: "Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. Melt us, mold us, fill us, use us, Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us."

Living God we confess our need for you, we confess our need for your Spirit to dwell in us. Jesus, we remember the promise of your Word, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth”. Because of your promise we believe we can lead, love and serve in this world with confidence through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as we pursue your truth and guide all with ears to hear to your truth. We your children live with assurance that because of you we have power to overcome the devil who walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. Therefore, we can live victoriously through the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus reminds: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you”.    

Spirit of the Living God, Fall Afresh on Us. We give you thanks dear God, through the Holy Spirit, we are without limitations. Again we remember the words of Jesus, “humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Hence, we give glory to God as we strive to live faithfully and as we humble ourselves, we ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and eyes to the sins we have committed against our God and our neighbor. We invite the Holy Spirit to fill us with compassion so that we might: “bring good news to the poor; proclaim that the captives will be released; that the blind will see; that the oppressed will be set free; and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come”.

Spirit of the Living God, Fall Afresh on Us. In submission to your will, we strive to forsake the ways of the world, which is why we invite the Holy Spirit to continually fall afresh on us. As we prepare to face this day and the next, our prayer is that we discover and rediscover the gift and power of the Holy Spirit that melts us, molds us and fills us with love and determination to follow, lead, learn, love and serve effectively for God’s Glory.

May the words of Paul constantly remind us of our need for the Holy Spirit - “But it was to us that God revealed these things by His spirit. For His spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets”.  With each rising sun, may we avail and submit ourselves to the leading of the Spirit that we know how to love, how to pray and how to serve. O Lord hear our prayer, it is in Jesus’ name we pray. Spirit of the Living God Fall a fresh on us, Amen!

Prayer: Remembering the Holiness of God

Holy God we humbly lift your name High, we your creation, confess in your presence we struggle with submitting ourselves to you.  Remind us that you are God of the universe, maker of heaven and earth. Amid a culture that exalts everything above you, we pause to remember that you are God; you are holy; you are present among us and yet, you are beyond this physical world and our intellectual sensibilities. Oh God we cry out to you, help us remember, that you dwell with us and that we are not to take your holiness for granted. We recall what you told Moses, that we are to honor your holiness – (Exodus 3:5 – 6) “Do not come any closer, take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” So, like Moses, with fear and deference to your holiness, in humility we too, cover our faces from your glory to receive the gift of your presence.

We give thanks to you merciful God for meeting us where we are – in the messiness of life – as we strive to live, love and follow you – you meet us right in our messiness, calling us to remember that you, God, are greater than our circumstances. You invite us to remember and consider like the Psalmist (Psalm 77), “O God, your ways are holy, Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrated your awesome power among the nations”. Right now God we reject the ways of the world and bow before you, submitting ourselves to your majesty and your holiness that beckons us to live and love like you.

We dare to remember with Peter who said to Jesus, (John 6:69) “Lord to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and know you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus we exalt your name, for there is none like you, (Colossians 1:16-17) “for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see… He existed before anything else and he holds all creation together”. Help us, Holy God to remember in all aspects of our lives to exalt you, because you are holy and life-giving, remind us as we serve, as we follow, and as we lead to do so in reverence to you remembering your Word points us to you and challenges us to live for you stating: (I Peter 1:16) "Be ye holy because I am holy!" O Lord hear our prayer, it is in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

As we consider the holiness of God and that God invites us to "Be holy because I am holy", we are challenged to consider:

                    (1) How does my life reflect the holiness of God? 

                    (2) What does it mean to be in relationship with a God that is holy? 
                    (3) What does the culture ask of me? What does God asks of me? 

                    Which leads me toward holiness?

"Do You Know When People Really Become Spiritual?"

From Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila

"Oh, my sisters, how little one should think about resting, and how little one should care about honors, and how far ought to be from wishing to be esteemed in the very least if the Lord makes his special abode in the soul. For if the soul is much with him, as it is right it should be, it will very seldom think of itself; its whole thought will be concentrated upon finding ways to please him and upon showing him how it loves him.  This, my daughters, is the aim of prayer; this is the purpose of the Spiritual Marriage, of which are born good works and good works alone. . . .

Reflect carefully on this, for it is so important that I can hardly lay too much stress on it. Fix your eyes on the Crucified and nothing else will be of much importance to you. If his Majesty revealed his love to us by doing and suffering such amazing things, how can you expect to please him by words alone? 

Do you know when people become really become spiritual? 

It is when they become the slaves of God and are branded with his sign, which is the sign of the Cross, in token that they have given him their freedom. Then he can sell them as slaves to the whole world, as himself was sold, and if he does this he will be doing them no wrong but showing them no slight favor. Unless they resolve to do this, they need not expect to make great progress. For the foundation of this whole edifice, as I have said, is humility, and if you have not true humility, the Lord will not wish it to reach any great height; in fact, it is for your own good that it should not; if it did, it would fall to the ground.

Therefore, sisters, if you wish to lay good foundations, each of you must try to be the least of all, and the slave of God, and must seek a way and means to please and serve all your companions.  If you do that, it will be of more value to you than to them and your foundation will be so firmly laid that your Castle will not fall."

Picture Perfect!

Picture Perfect! "A picture is worth a thousand words!" Reflecting on both political conventions what stands out are still pictures capturing the crowds in attendance. There were stark contrasts one audience lacked chromatic variation while the other could claim a cascade of hues. Neither were picture perfect.

As I thought about these differences, political affinity aside my focal point became Sunday mornings and my heart ached. Filled with sadness, I had to admit if taken, photographs of the majority of 21st century churches are confined to black or white. Why does some 40+ years later MLK's words:  "11am on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in the country" remain representative of the majority of our worship experiences? True, we are drawn to those and what is most familiar and comfortable to us. 

But familiarity and comfort are not descriptors befitting the Jesus movement. Jesus constantly challenged dogmatic religious constructs that were exclusionary and elitist. Jesus intentionally embraced and invited "the Other" (women, children, the poor, physically and psychologically challenged, the foreigner, etc.) to participate in community and "in power". Jesus had little patience with the gate keepers, the political and religious leaders that pursued a narrow vision. The "powers" were more determined to minimize the diversity within its landscapes then to extended opportunities; therefore, "the Other" continually found themselves on the margins and cropped out of the picture.

What kind a crowd would the camera capture at Jesus' convention? Would the pictures reveal a continuously stretching canvass bent on inclusivity? Would we gaze in wonderment at the host's intentionality of: (1) Extending invitations to folks with vibrant tones, diverse tongues? (2) Taking positions ensuring gender equality, rights for traditional and same sex couples? (3) Providing opportunity for both "legal  and illegal", poor, working, middle, and upper socioeconomic classes, the uneducated and educated? (4) Creating tax reform committed to win-win for all? (5) Uniting the nations? to name a few.  Jesus' decision are never centered on the number of votes he might garner; how many people would join his movement; or if he would gain favor. Could this lead to picture perfect?

If so, this picture continues to allude us in our political practices and unfortunately too often escapes our ecclesial and faith pursuits. We, Christians, like others before us have given greater premium to our politics and culture over and above our honest and devout engagement in Jesus-like intentionality of inviting "the Other".

Although, Jesus has told us: "Then the King will say, I'm telling the solemn truth: 

Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, 

that was me--you did it to me." Matthew 25:40 (Message Bible)

Some of us have such ardent political positions believing Jesus espouses only democrat or republican virtues; even when Scripture clearly states Jesus despised imperialism and had only one position, "to do the will of Him who sent me"! For Jesus doing the will of Him (God) meant opening wide the doors of the Church, the Kingdom of Heaven to everyone, not only in name but in practice. Jesus went to uncomfortable places for religious people and invited unlikely people to an ever-expanding dinner table (the Kingdom) with Him.

Does the church lack the theological courage to follow the Christ and Cross of its purported convictions? Both our past and present history says yes. Our challenge is to cross sociological and traditional isles that have become chasms of distortions hindering the church from fulfilling and living into the truest picture of the Gospel. 

The Church's canvass has an untapped expanse awaiting splashes of inclusion of every group of people from: racial, ethnic, diverse sexual orientation, socioeconomic, gender, unchurched, etc.; thus, providing the world with hope and the truest expression of doing "the will of Him who sent us".                 

Until we do, the church will continue to offer 

a distorted picture of her intended self. 

Today, the current picture of the church exposes a lens of indifference and a shuttering rejection of the Gospel. We, the church, are just like our political affinities and conventions -- less than picture perfect. 

Will we commit like Jesus to being a beacon of hope through               

relationship with and invitation to "the Other"?

When we do so, we take steps toward "Picture Perfect!"

Hitting Rock Bottom

Hitting Rock Bottom a term associated with alcohol and drug addicts refers to the moment the addict becomes conscious. Hitting Rock Bottom implies an addict at their lowest low of addictive behavior experiences an awakening prompting a journey from harmful practices toward a quest for wholeness. Yet, Hitting Rock Bottom should not remain limited to addicts but expanded to include all people because in truth we all need an emergent consciousness signaling our search for and understanding of a Higher Being.

Limiting Rock Bottom to addicts overlooks the fact many of us are users: we use things, we use careers, we use people, we use relationships, we use substances, we use. . .consequently we all must Hit Rock Bottom.  Hitting Rock Bottom provides us a ground-zero, presenting the opportunity for renewal, repentance and recovery of what is lost.

Usually negatively connoted Hitting Rock Bottom serves as a signpost of hope.

Hitting Rock Bottom removes the blinders covering our hedonism, idolatry and sinfulness. Until we hit rock bottom we continue in our arrogance; suffering from self-deception as we deny our fulfillment through dependence on God alone. The more we deny God, the less we experience or become like God.

Until one hits rock bottom their habit consumes them; wanting more of it, unwittingly acquiring less peace, less power, less purpose they become fragmented, a distortion of the person God created. It’s not just the addict who is guilty of wanting more; remember the destination for all of us is Hitting Rock Bottom!

What or who have you chosen over Jesus; leaving you with feelings of

 powerlessness, insecurity, loneliness, unworthiness, shame, etc.?

The Good News is in Hitting Rock Bottom, in that void is discovery, discovering the absence of our reliance on a God that precisely promises:

“Look, I am making everything new!”

Revelation 21:5

Rock bottom becomes the door of possibility, an entrance into hope. Rock bottom becomes the foundation, a building block toward wholeness.  Rock bottom becomes the compass, pointing us to the Ultimate North Star – “Thou who has bought us thus far on the way”.

Hitting Rock Bottom we can find healing, wholeness, hope and new life. Through Jesus we can overcome every disappointment, rejection, shame, failure, sense of abandonment, etc. Just as God promises to make everything new, He also promises “His will to be done on earth as it is heaven”. As we Hit Rock Bottom trusting in Jesus, we experience earthly and eternal recovery:

“He will wipe every tear from our eyes,

and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.

All these things are gone forever.”

Revelation 21:4

My prayer is that we Hit Rock Bottom and live a life fully depending on Jesus alone!

Much Love,

Pastor Singleton

Butt, For Grace!

Do you have childhood (discipline) experiences peppered with these type of statements from your parents/guardians?: “If you don’t do what I say, you’re gonna get a whoopin’!”, “If you’re gonna live in my house, there are some rules you WILL follow”, “Didn’t I tell you to_______, since you didn’t I’m gonna beat your butt!”, etc. I did. . .my parents created an environment where the expectations were clear and the consequences for failure to comply were clearer and consistent. Mom and Dad often said, “This is gonna hurt me more than it hurts you” (I would think, then why am I the only one hollering, crying and feeling pain).  Perhaps, like me, you wondered, why the consequences targeted a specific portion of anatomy, “our butts?”

Many years have passed, now I am the one bellowing these parental orders, compelling my troops to obey their chain of command.  I, too, communicate clear expectations and the consequences for failure to comply are clearer and consistent.  One lazy, rainy afternoon while playing in the house, my restless kindergartner and his rambunctious little brother indiscriminately persisted on whining and skirmishing. Hearing enough I demanded to know, “what is going on?” After hearing their bestest (that’s my word) toddler explanations, on cue I responded; “Didn’t I tell you to play quietly and respectfully?”, they replied, “Yes sir”. “So, what should happen?” (Trained with clear expectations and understanding the consequences for failure to comply), they responded, “Consequences”.  In my drill daddy tone, I enlisted my boys to turn around because “you didn’t listen so I’m gonna beat your butt!”

But, an epiphany invaded the moment. The law of karma which says ‘for every cause there is an effect’ or ‘for every action, there is a reaction’ was active BUT it dawned on me to disrupt it.  Upon reflection, with stern discipline my parents guided me into adulthood and there were countless instances warranting consequences BUT many times my parents did not impose any.  Revisiting, my own parenting the occasions are numerous where I refrain from beating their butts.  BUT, I had not shared the reasons with my boys, nor had my parents with me – this aha moment – led me to once again refrain and instead; I taught them about grace.

I continued with “what should happen now?” In unison, they said, “consequences”. I said “yes BUT there is something called grace, do you know what that is?” “No sir”.  “Grace is when we deserve consequences BUT don’t receive them.  So, Daddy is going to extend grace to you.  Do you understand?” “Yes sir”! “What does grace mean?” “We’re not going to get consequences”. “That’s correct (hugs) now go play quietly and respectfully”.

As children of God, the occasions we receive grace are numerous.  Just as I was and my children were unaware; more often then we will ever recognize God refrains from imposing consequences for our sins. The Bible is replete with examples of God teaching us about and inviting our awareness of grace. In Psalm 130:3-4, the psalmist captures the essence of grace:

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?

But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to worship you.

Grace simply put is God’s exception to the law of consequences for failure to comply.  Through grace, our butts aren’t the target, Jesus is seeking our hearts. Think about all of your own indiscriminate persistence of sinning (whining and skirmishing) and take a moment to recognize:

Butt, for Grace!

Everyday every one of us needs Grace! Everyday All of us receive Grace.

BUT

Hopefully, everyday we seek awareness of Grace and learn to worship Jesus.

Much Love,

Pastor Singleton

What Is Your DNA?

What Is Your DNA? Consider its scientific definition from genome.gov:  “a molecule called deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) containing the biological instructions that make each species unique. DNA, with the instructions it contains, is passed from adult organisms to their offspring during reproduction. DNA contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive and reproduce”. 

To summarize, our DNA makes us unique, is derived from our parents, is found in the center of our     make-up and provides the instructions for our development, survival and reproduction. 

But, let’s contemplate DNA from a spiritual perspective.  What is your Spiritual DNA? What is unique about you? Who or what is guiding your development and survival?  What are you reproducing in the Spirit realm?

Hint, the elements of scientific and spiritual DNA are the same.  As we journey to discover our spiritual DNA, we can have comfort knowing – God is both creator of and disseminator of DNA!  Therefore we are seeking our spiritual DNA that was passed from God (the Creator) to us (the creation). For example, God says in Jeremiah 1:5 – “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” God communicates instructions (his DNA) to Jeremiah – “he is set apart” and his uniqueness, “prophet to the nations”.

For determining our spiritual DNA, I offer this definition of DNA – Divine Niche Action. Further explained, Divine from God, Niche one’s gift or skill set and Action given to be used.  This definition juxtaposes the flaws of capitalism where material and monetary successes are elevated over pursuit of one’s life purpose.  Thus, many are trapped in miserable meaningless existences simply because they don’t know their DNA.

Imagine if Bill Gates and Steve Jobs settled for degrees from college. What if Fannie Lou Hamer, voter and civil rights activist believed she was set apart only as a farm worker? I’m not arguing for technology as evidence of spiritual DNA but clearly each are examples of divine instruction and uniqueness.

We all have a God-given DNA! We might not have technology guru or activist DNA but I am certain like Jeremiah – God knows why each of us is formed.

Do you know anyone that dreads facing the waking hour?  The moment they arise consternation ensues. Conversely, others filled with passion enter their mission fields (business, education, government, non-profit, activism, homemakers etc.) focused and inclined toward transformation.

Which one describes you, dread or passion?

God encourages Jeremiah that he is set apart and uniquely gifted to serve as prophet to the nations. Uncovering your spiritual DNA will provide you with purpose and inspiration adding meaning to your life.  As we discover our spiritual DNA, it serves as another reminder of our smallness and indebtedness to God, creator of all things. However, armed with our spiritual DNA God allows us to participate in His will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

God desires to guide your development, your survival, and work through you to

reproduce and guide others to discover their spiritual DNA.

What is your DNA?

__________________________________________

Much Love,

Pastor Singleton