Lessons From Coach Chip Kelly (Re-Ordering the E-A-G-L-E-S)!

What can we learn from NFL Coach Chip Kelly (Philadelphia Eagles)? 

Chip Kelly entering his third season (after two winning seasons) continues trading his best players on offense and defense, sending Philly fans and pundits into conniptions, questioning his aptitude and sanity. Chip has endured being mocked and labeled Trader of Stars and Dream Killer.

Why? Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel Chip Kelly in pursuit of bringing a championship to the Philadelphia Eagles is making every decision, conventional and bizarre, toward fulfilling his vision of success.

In shredding his roster, Coach Kelly’s Radical Moves Models Radical Steps of Faith. Here are 10 Lessons: 

1. Assess Your Team’s Ability to Win Before Moving Forward – Consider the Cost – Luke 14:28-33
2. Let the Vision Guide Your Every Action – Jesus in the Wilderness – Mark 1:9-15
3. Identify and Train the People You Believe Can Best Fulfill the Vision – Selection of Disciples – Luke 5:1-11
4. When Selecting Team Members Never Allow Outsiders to Define/Select Your Team Members – Who is my Mother or Who are my Brothers? – Matthew 12:46-50
5. Identify Proven/Talented People You Believe are Detrimental to the Vision – Naming Judas the Betrayer – Mark 14:17-24
6. Reclaim/Redefine the Mission of Your Team – Jesus Reclaims the Temple – Matthew 21:12-13
7. Stick to the Plan, Even When the People Closest to You Fail to Understand You –  I Must be in My Father’s’ House – Luke 2:43-50
8. Endure the Ridicule of the Moment Knowing the Vision will be Achieved – Jesus Endured Mocking ­– Mark 15:16-20
9. Believe the Vision will Lead to Many Great Victories – Belief Leads to Greater Works – John 14:11-14
10. Maximize Opportunities When They are Presented – Live Wisely…Making the Most of Opportunities – Colossians 4:5

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INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton 

"Gratitude: A Spiritual Discipline"

What is gratitude? 

Gratitude is “a feeling or an attitude in acknowledgement of a benefit one has received or will receive”.

I shall never forget, “How ‘bout some appreciation?”, the manner in which this calm request uttered by my wife, screeched within my soul beckoning a response and disturbing me into consciousness.

During our first year in ministry, we were in the throes of all things new: newborn son, new church, new community (first year living in North Carolina), new livelihood (pastor, stay-at-home mom and part-time consultant), new parental normal (my mom had just died), etc.

     Easily, I could have been dismissive and defensive, right?

But my wife’s conviction exposed a developing abscess of ungratefulness within me! I had allowed the bacterial invasion of negligence to infiltrate my heart and weaken my ethic of gratitude. Consequently, I had been failing to love, honor and cherish my bride. In that moment, I realized no matter what was happening externally (at work, with others or with us, etc.) or internally (selfishness, pride or hurt, etc.), gratitude is something that I must always practice.

Gratitude does not just happen it’s an action that must be chosen!

Gratitude like all spiritual disciplines is grounded in a desire to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind and strength and to love people with God-like love. Just as we develop the practice of fasting, praying, studying scripture, and other spiritual disciplines, we must also cultivate the habit of gratitude.

The depth of our relationship with God and others

is commiserate with our active practice of gratitude.

Jesus highlights the significance of gratitude in the healing of Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19):

One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan.  Jesus said, 

“Were not ten healed? Where are the nine?

Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?”

(The Message Bible, Luke 17:15-18).

Apparently, Jesus has an expectation of gratitude. While we might create excuses, Jesus is not pleased when we fail to practice gratitude! Just as I clearly heard my wife’s calm request, perhaps you can hear Jesus or someone else saying to you –

“How ‘bout some appreciation (gratitude)?!”

Remember:

Gratitude does not just happen it’s an action that must be chosen!

INSPIRED BY LOVE,

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton

Empty Yourself!

As we enter this season of Lent, a time of preparation through fasting, repentance, reflection, and drawing nearer to and becoming more like Jesus the Christ – let us do so with total surrender.

Think of Jesus, in preparing to descend from the heavenly comforts of perpetual peace to enter this earthly world and live amid constant chaos. 

Jesus makes a conscious choice to look the part because walking on earth he would be both fully human and fully divine. Philippians 2:6-7, reminds us that Jesus intentionally purges himself “….though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

In striving to become more like Christ, ours is a heavenward ascension, if we are to live and look the part of Christians, we need to become proficient in emptying and separating ourselves from sin and earthly (creature) comforts. Lent is a time of intentionality and focus whereby we (re)commit to practice, embrace and develop the disciplines which strengthen our likeness to Jesus. 

Emptying ourselves will be different for each of us but the purpose

 of sacrifice and surrender is the same. 

While we can't earn our salvation or relationship with God through any deeds, we can deepen and strengthen our relationship with God by emptying ourselves through – fasting, praying, repentance, worship, studying scripture, serving others, stewardship and holy communion. Through these acts of emptying ourselves God continues to shape and mold us in his likeness. 

Have you ever tried to cut a child’s hair who is distracted and bent on constant movement? The result is hair with crooked lines, chunks of missing hair, uneven hair and a sense of recklessness. When we refuse to empty ourselves, our spiritual lives become like this child’s hair – crooked, chunks missing, uneven and reckless.

During this season of Lent, may we make our goal to be more like Jesus, if so, "you and I must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had”, we must empty ourselves and humble ourselves before God and allow God to refill and fashion us according to His divine purpose and will.  

When we choose to empty ourselves, we communicate to God

our willingness to sit still in complete surrender.

Will you slow down and take the time to fast, pray, repent, worship, study scripture, serve others, receive Holy Communion, practice good stewardship - and experience how God shapes you in His likeness?

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INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton 

PastorSingleton@gmail.com

BEAST MODE - HYPOCRISY!

With almost two full weeks of hindsight, I can clearly acknowledge my own hypocrisy, perhaps you will too?

Every football fan or casual observer witnessing the most egregious play in Super Bowl history probably WOL (Wondered Out Loud), thought – WTF (What The Football), or simply incredulously sighed, Why?

Why would the Seattle Seahawks throw the football from the 1 yard line when they have a running back – nicknamed BEAST MODE – known for breaking tackles and making big plays? I watched in disbelief as the Seahawks failed to rely on their most potent weapon during the most critical moment of the NFL's most important game!

The biggest play of the game, the biggest decision for your team…doesn’t it make sense to give the ball to your biggest play maker, the one who literally carried you to this big moment, the one who is built for big runs, the one who’s nickname BEAST MODE implies that he can carry the ball and defenders with him for at least 1 yard to give you the game winning touchdown on pro football’s biggest stage?

Yes, it does, but Seattle chose to throw the football 1 yard and the opposing team

intercepted the ball and defeated them to earn the title of Champions!

After working through my fan disbelief, I realized the hypocrisy of my criticism of the Seahawks.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, I (you) have a spiritual BEAST MODE who can really accomplish great feats not only on earth but on earth as it is heaven. In other words, I (you) have access to Jesus who can carry me (you) through, over, around, under and above all of my (your) life’s biggest moments even the small ones.

Yet, like the Seahawks, how often have I chosen other options?

The Seahawks overlooked their best asset on one play. In reflecting on my own life past and present, I confess there are numerous situations in which I’ve opted to risk throwing opportunities away; instead of, trusting in the surefootedness of running with Jesus, my Spiritual Beast Mode!

The biggest stage of football occurs only once a year. But, every day while we are among the living, our lives are a big stage and we have the option of handing our circumstances (big and small) to Jesus, our SPIRITUAL BEAST MODE and trusting Him to carry us toward becoming Champions of the Faith. 

Instead of being hypocrites and criticizing the choices of others, may we with every decision choose to run with Jesus, our BEAST MODE, chanting and believing:

Now to God who can do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than we could ever ask or imagine through the power at work in us, to Him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ through all generations forever and ever. Amen! 

Ephesians 3:20-21

When we trust in Jesus – the Truest BEAST MODE, we can live with no regrets!!

INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton 

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.
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INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus