What Do Jogging and Worship Share in Common?

One evening as I jogged the commonalities with worship resonated in my thoughts as I puttered along. 

First, before I hit the pavement I had a goal of running 6 miles. The goal of Christian worship is celebration of, adoration of and submission to Jesus. When one begins jogging or enters worship, the goal should be our focal point.

On that evening, with laser focus I ran determined to complete 6 miles. When we worship whether privately or corporately, our primary and only focus is Jesus. 

Throughout the run, my body gave me reasons why I shouldn't continue running: my stomach knotted, my knee felt weak, my arms tightened – each symptom offering legitimacy for terminating my goal.

When we attempt to worship our bodies conspire with our minds convincing us that worship doesn't require any physical movement; that we should avoid any verbal emoting; in our self-centeredness we refuse to humble ourselves; our sinful selves believe we are the focal point for adoration and exaltation and our minds drift allowing food; unfinished tasks and our issues/challenges to become priority.

With every step I jogged whether with ease or great challenge, I had to  remind myself of my goal because the desire to quit constantly entered my mind. It seemed every reason both physically and mentally taunted and tempted me to give up. I had to continually muster the will to reach my 6 miles goal.

Similarly, there's this warring of the flesh and Spirit when one attempts to worship particularly in the public context. Worshipers enter churches across the world, either unwilling to or unsure if the goal of celebrating, adoring or submitting to Jesus is possible. The would-be worshiper experiences sweaty palms, knotting of their stomachs, tightening in their arms, a sense of loneliness (because of the absence of others worshiping); even the social/cultural resistance to worshiping Jesus makes for uncertainty of reaching one's goal of worshiping Jesus.

Jogging and worship require determination of both the will and Spirit. If we are to have success in reaching our physical and spiritual goals, we must attain a laser focus because:

“The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” Galatians 5:17

  

Whether it’s jogging or worshiping, discipline has to become our primary resolve. Referring to his journey of remaining faithful to Jesus Christ and encouraging others in the faith, the Apostle Paul reminds us, I Corinthians 9:27a:

”Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly,

training it to do what it should, not what it wants to…”

Jogging and Worship require steadfast commitment and determination to overcome the obstacles that will arise.

INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton 
 

Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord, I Want to See You!

“I am an invisible man...I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me. . .Nor is my invisibility exactly a matter of a bio-chemical accident to my epidermis (and I add social location). That invisibility to which I refer occurs because of a peculiar disposition of the eyes of those with whom I come in contact. A matter of the construction of their inner eyes, those eyes with which they look through their physical eyes upon reality. I am not complaining, nor am I protesting either. It is sometimes advantageous to be unseen, although it is most often rather wearing on the nerves. Then too, you're constantly being bumped against by those of poor vision. Or again, you often doubt if you really exist. You wonder whether you aren't simply a phantom in other people's minds.” Prologue to Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man

“Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see you!”

Do we really want to see God? Do we want to see Jesus? We intimate that as true; yet, we avoid even negate the existence of folks with whom we are unfamiliar or uncomfortable. When our nostrils are repulsed, we refuse to allow our emotions to sense and identify with the person emanating the insulting fragrance.  Jesus followers profess like the Apostle Peter, “. . .to see clearly that God shows no favoritism” (Acts 10:34) but our acts of omission implicitly betray our profession.  

How can we develop intricate strategies ensuring we avert certain neighborhoods and people groups? We convince ourselves these practices are mere safeguards for our own well-being. Can I offer a contrarian thought?

Refusal to acknowledge the humanity of another is an act of terrorism!

Denial of the God breathed life pulsating through another is violent, destructive and crippling. Can you imagine, doubting if you really exist? Intricately and sensitively created, all human beings can discern if their presence is welcomed or rejected. Being a Black male navigating a racialized culture which openly rejects opaque epidermises, I have an acute awareness of the detriment which follows devalued, overlooked and unseen persons. My determination is for all people to experience their God-given human worth and for all people to be afforded dignity as God created beings.

“Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see you!”

Marcus and Joshua, today we are serving a community where people for reasons unknown to us may or may not have the same luxuries or the same accesses to shelter, quality education, food, freedom, safety, etc. as you BUT you aren’t better than, superior to or worse or less than any of the people you will serve today.

Me: Do you understand?

M & J: Yes sir!

Me: Okay, so when you hand her/him their bag, look into their eyes, greet them politely and shake the hand of the person with whom you are sharing space. Do you know why this is important? Long silence. Lil fellas, the same God that loves and created you, loves and created all people. If you enter a room or are around people, would you want to be rejected or welcomed?

M & J: Welcomed of course!

Me: Exactly, all people feel like people when they are welcomed, that’s why you need to look into the eyes of each person, politely greet folks and shake hands.

This conversation aroused a fear that my children might succumb to their middle-class privilege and private school experiences and knowingly or unknowingly practice acts of terrorism like blindness, insensitivity and/or have a desensitization toward difference. Thus with age appropriate language I fervently teach my sons that devaluing, overlooking or the ignoring of another human being is to wage war against God, ourselves and others in whom God breathed life. 

My prayer is their/our hearts and minds are constantly affixed on and aware that from an inexplicable depth of Love, God created all people in God's own image without favoritism toward any of us. Additionally, I John 4:20 provides this instruction, "....if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen?"        

Perhaps our challenge isn't loving, perhaps our challenge is seeing!!

Oh Lord, open the eyes of our hearts so that we SEE ALL PEOPLE!!!

INSPIRED BY LOVE,

Pastor Marcus 

"A Seed Replicates Itself!" - Matthew 17:14-20

A mustard seed faith while minuscule in size when activated unleashes the same creative and potent Spirit of God that: commanded light to burst forth through darkness, gave order to chaos and conquered death and the grave. Jesus says mustard seed faith has the power to compel mountains to "move from here to there". But the question becomes how deeply rooted is your faith and how are you nurturing your faith?Because a seed can only reproduce itself and the seed’s ability to thrive depends on the soil in which it's planted.  

"A Seed Only Replicates Itself!"

So faith no matter how small will reproduce faith. When mountains are unmoved and maintain dominion over our lives, it’s an indication our faith isn’t rooted in the power and creativity of the God of resurrection.  Also, sometimes what we speak is incongruent with what we believe. 

Jesus wants to act on our behalf and on numerous occasions has taken action in the absence of our faith. Yet some circumstances demand an unshakable “believing” rooted in our heart, soul, mind and strength. How often do we ask Jesus to act in powerful ways on our behalf while rendering weak to lethargic faith? These are the instances when mountains remain unmoved and Jesus says (Matthew 17:20):

“You Didn’t Have Enough Faith.”

The seed isn’t the problem, no matter the size it will reproduce itself.  When a seed is deeply rooted in rich soil and properly nurtured, the seed multiplies its self. Jesus tells the disciples – with faith deeply rooted in the God of resurrection not only would they cast out demons but “Nothing would be impossible" (Matthew 17:20) for them to accomplish.

Think of Jesus as the seed. . .Jesus only produces life, healing, hope, faith and that which is impossible. As you encounter your mountains, the question is how deeply rooted is your faith in Jesus and how well have you nurtured your believing.
-- 

INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus 

"Shoulds vs. Shouldn'ts!"

The next time you: think about your job/career, assess your relationships, look in the mirror, observe your children and other aspects of your life – accept and celebrate whatever you observe. Why? You are the creator of the results you behold! At various times in my life I do this but I am not always pleased with my results.

For instance, I have had jobs I dreaded, strained and difficult relationships, wondered who the mirror was reflecting, squandered money and resources, etc. Yet, these were my results which I had to live with.

Recently after a morning workout, I realized why I produce these unpleasing outcomes.

One word shouldn’t!

Standing on the scale, peering down at the number and witnessing the appearance of calf muscles which heretofore had gone missing, filled me with inspiration. Suddenly an epiphany rolled across my mental screen – Why did you ever stop exercising? Answer: The shouldn’ts had become my priority. I shouldn’t overeat. I shouldn’t avoid exercise. I shouldn’t eat unhealthy foods. I shouldn’t gain weight. I realized the shouldn’ts had been robbing me of my physical, emotional and spiritual fitness. 

I had given control to the shouldn’ts even though they were out of alignment with what I said I wanted for myself. . .loss of weight, healthy medical report and a positive body image.  

Standing on that scale I decided to maintain commitment to the shoulds. I should exercise for 30-45 minutes at least 3 days a week, I should eat healthy food, I should lose weight, I should sleep 6-8 hours.

Achievement of our goals will be determined by our choices: Shouldn’t vs. Should!

None of us want:  unhealthy relationships, to be overweight, miserable jobs, spiritual or financial brokenness but sometimes this is where we find ourselves.  When this becomes our status, we only need to look at our results and begin to make adjustments. No need to point fingers or complain. Just realize we have made the shouldn’ts our focus.

Decide right now that you will attain your goals and dreams!  Make a list of the shoulds your goals and dreams require and a list of the shouldn’ts that detour you from those goals and dreams. Now develop a singular focus on the shoulds! You will begin experiencing incremental changes in your outcomes – maybe you’ll find a job that inspires you, perhaps you will begin developing relationships with depth, you might find enjoyment in exercising, you may discover the security that comes with saving money and generosity. 

Your choice of shouldn’ts or shoulds will determine the levels of joy and peace you will bring into your life and the lives of others.

-- 

INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus 

Change Your Perspective!!

Change your perspective! Sometimes we become so preoccupied with our troubles and problems that we perceive them as insurmountable. In those moments, we give more power to the problems which limits and distorts our awareness of and access to possible solutions. Problems are real but it's our perspective that will determine if we will succumb to or overcome them.

Take time to elevate your thoughts before trying to engage your problems. 

Perhaps your troubles/problems aren't worthy of the amount of attention you are giving them or require a different approach in addressing them. Your perspective is critical to achieving the best solution.

An eagle’s perspective while soaring high in the sky is vastly different

from a chicken nervously pecking at the dirt.

Think about an eagle, it pounces prey from a position of clarity, zooming down from the sky using its keen eyesight and sharp talons to disable and defeat its prey. Now consider your own troubles/problems, what gifts, skills, actions or resources are you overlooking that can enable you to disable and defeat your current situation?

Without a change in perspective, you can expect your problems to persist!

  

Reminder: You weren't created to nervously peck at life like a chicken.

Perspective: God has given you skills, power, authority, relationships and creativity. 

INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus  

God is faithful!

Given the nature of the spiritual journey, many will have this shared testimony “I grew up in the church and knew of God but wasn't committed to God”; likewise, I had experienced a sporadic relationship with God from youth to my young adult years. . .” But when I was nineteen years old God rattled me with a  statement of purpose:

“I want you to preach my Word!”

While in Basic Training preparing to serve in the United States Army, I heard the Holy Spirit distinctly as I kneeled in prayer during chapel service, “Marcus, I want you to preach My Word!”  Although, I had no doubt God was calling me, I focused on my sin, limitations and weaknesses spending years avoiding and dismissing my purpose.  I could only see my present and past failings. But God continued pursuing me and reminding me "greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world".  Throughout my young adult follies, I would hear the Holy Spirit’s encouragement “For I know the plans I have for you! They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”.  I tried to escape my call but

God is faithful!

My biggest fear and resistance to my call wasn’t preaching or people, I feared being a preacher who served two masters. Once I decided to commit to pursuing my call, I realized I hadn’t been repentant and fully given myself to Jesus. However, as I made that pivotal decision, my entire life transformed. I became clear about my call, my purpose and the direction of my life. I gained a greater understanding of God’s faithfulness and Psalm 37:5, “Commit everything to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you” became an endearing scripture.

In June, many years after hearing God’s call while kneeling in an Army chapel at Ft. Knox, KY,   I knelt before my Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett (who is from Kentucky) and she charged me, “Marcus, Take thou authority and preach the Word of God. . .” I have no doubt God is faithful and throughout my journey toward ordination I discovered God waits for our faithful response.  

To what or whom is God waiting for you to commit? Perhaps, you have wavered in your commitment to Jesus? in a relationship with someone? a career, starting a business or non-profit, etc.? Today is your opportunity to commit to and know the plans God has for you.  
   

God is faithful and awaits our faithful response!

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INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton
Living Faith Community 

Join us on Sundays at 10am:

Oxmoor Valley Community Center

1992 Wenonah Oxmoor Road

Birmingham, AL 35211

Visit our website: www.LivingFaithCommunity.org

Our Vision: "A diverse community of faith; inspired by the love of Jesus, committed to becoming and making disciples".

"You Belong to Me"

An excerpt from Henri Nouwen's Finding My Way Home

"A few years ago i was hit by a car and ended up in the hospital. I was feeling very uncomfortable lying on the gurney, but I didn't have any external injuries to speak of so I thought I would be released to return home. When the doctor finally examined me, he was kind but clear saying, "You might not live long. There is serious bleeding. We will try to operate but we may not succeed."

Suddenly everything changed. Death was right there in the room with me. I realized that this might be the moment of my death. I felt shocked, and there were many thoughts going through my mind until I had a further experience. I had never felt anything like it before because in the midst of my confusion and shock I became very calm, very "at rest", and there was a sort of "embrace of God" that reassured me and gently told me, "Don't be afraid. You are safe. I am going to bring you home. 

You belong to me, and I belong to you" 

I was so amazingly at peace that later that night after the surgery when I woke up in the intensive care unit, I felt extremely disappointed. I asked myself, "What am I doing here and why am I still alive?" I kept wondering what had happened to me. Gradually I realized that perhaps for the first time in my life I had contemplated my death not through the eyes of fear but through the eyes of love. Somehow, if only for a moment, I had known God, felt unconditionally loved, and I had experienced being a lover."

________________________

Jesus, as we enter this week remembering and making preparation for your death and resurrection, my prayer is that each of face the truth that one day we too must die. . .the question we must ask ourselves To whom, do I belong?  Father, as we ask this question, I pray at some point we too feel the "embrace of God".

Good Friday (death) was a reality for Jesus, of which Jesus entered determined to follow the will of God, "nevertheless not my will, but your will be done". This is the invitation and challenge for each of us to daily resolve not my will, but God your will be done. As we develop this confidence and experience the embrace of God may we too awake each day wondering "What am I doing here and why am I still alive?"

May your Holy Week journey find you very calm and at rest. May you become amazingly at peace because you know the love of God and you too experience the assurance of God saying to you:

"You Belong to Me, and I Belong to You!"

-- 

Inspired By Love,

Marcus J. Singleton
Lead Pastor
Living Faith Community 

Hoover, AL

Our Vision: "A diverse community of faith; inspired by the love of Jesus, committed to becoming and making disciples".