Hmmmmmmmm! May I recommend?....Jesus!

I just finished the book, Speaking of Jesus: the Art of Not Evangelism, by Carl Medearis.  recommended by a dear friend, Thomas Davis, who works with sharing the gospel good news of Jesus (ISA) with Muslims. I was blown away.  Thomas and i were trained together in sharing the gospel many years ago.  We learned to pray, partner, share the gospel with our bibles, with tracts, with story.  I with Medearis still believe there is a place for that training and for sharing the gospel in the way/method of many good and well-meaning "programs"  Medearis proposes that we share JESUS.  that is all.  Not how to be a Christian.  Not how to be religious.  Not a ticket to heaven.  Not any of the religious things we have fallen into.  Share that you are following Jesus.  Trying to live like Jesus.  Is He making a difference enough in your life today that people would want to hear your story?  Share that!  back it up with sound knowledge of His word, that love letter you need to read again and again. I invite you to read this work.  My eyes are open!  Love people like God loves you!
Coach/PJ

                                                                                                                                        January 8, 2012

Last Sunday, on their way to church services, the Longstreet family from Lexington, encountered one of our social ills—a drunk driver. Many in the family and a third party were injured.  Emma, the six year old daughter, was tragically killed, and others in the family are still in critical condition.  And again the drunk driver was not injured.

We all know these days that any day of the week, any time of the day, the roads can become extraordinarily dangerous when alcohol consumption is added to the equation.  I do not intend to offend anyone here who drinks socially, but it always bothers me how we approach this freedom in our country.

I hear remarks like, “Well, I am sure he did not intend to kill anyone.” Or someone will remark, “People should always designate a driver if they are going to party.”  Being a victim of drunk driving myself, I am a bit harsher in my evaluation.  I believe that once a person decides to drink excessively then they have already made the decision that human life is to some small degree less important than their desires.  I have good friends who are really good people, who would never imagine being in a similar situation to the man who caused this accident. And I know of people who have experienced near misses with the same type of headline.

A simple wake-up call is due today.  For just a moment, imagine your name in that headline.  Imagine the cost to you, your family and the innocents.   Is there any behavior being observed under control in your family that your children one day will practice and will not be able to control?  Is the temporary buzz or whatever is experienced worth the loss and suffering forced on others who have no choice in the matter?  I hope we can all receive this alarm with the love and concern with which it is offered.

Coach/PJ

He in Us

                                                                                                                                     January 1, 2012

I love to play the guitar.  Many years ago I noticed how an FCA event was made special in the giftedness of one guitar in the hands of a talented leader.  Our FCA was struggling in the area of music, so I vowed to God on the trip home to pick up my mother’s old nylon six string and try to learn in thirty minutes like the title of her book in the case promised.  I learned the chords G, C and D, and I was off and running.  I have never mastered it but take great pleasure in watching Josh play.  I taught him those chords long ago and he is just amazing now. 

Last week, I had struggled, but I managed to pick out “O Come, O Come Immanuel” on Mom’s old guitar.  I had a hard time singing it so invited Lauren to come sing as I picked.  All of the sudden I felt like a professional.  A beautiful voice disguised all my stumbled strumming.  It is amazing how that picture illustrates what Jesus Christ does in our lives, isn’t it?  He comes into the likes of us, people who are broken, awkward, fumbling and lost and makes us new, useful, gifted and purposed.

Lauren has always wanted to learn to play and noticed that the chords for that song looked easy.  “Daddy, can you teach me that song?”  You can imagine my joy when just five minutes later; Lauren was strumming to “O Come, O Come Immanuel.” God multiplied my joy that night!  He made three become one voice as His Spirit filled a moment for a father and daughter.

Happy New Year!

Coach/PJ

Christmas Greetings!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! So enjoyed the Christmas Eve and Morning services at Crosspoint!!! You are a dear body of Christ to the Sorrells family!  I love you all!!
Coach/PJ

As we worship with one another the Lord Jesus, born in Bethlehem, we remember the joyous news of His birth.  Immanuel means God is with us.  The shepherds were the first to receive the announcement of His birth.  Such ordinary people for such extraordinary news!

While observing the farmers back home in Tennessee, I learned something new about shepherding. Regardless of their efforts to curb the loss of sheep to coyotes, flocks were dwindling to numbers forcing many farmers to stop raising sheep and goats.  It was alarming!  Then one year I asked Bud how his flock was doing.  He said, “They’re doing fine ever since I got that sheep dog.  I haven’t lost a single one this year.”  He further explained to me that this was no ordinary dog. The Pyrenees Sheep dog is huge, white and boasts a very deep bark. 

When still a puppy, it is weaned from its mother and fed along with the sheep by the shepherd farmer in the safety of the barn.  It sleeps with them and begins to live with them 24 hours a day until several months old. Then the farmer releases the flock onto the open range of the farm, ever accompanied by the Pyrenees shepherd.  I have observed this in action and it is quite amazing.  One cannot get near the sheep without a fierce encounter with the protective, ever-present guardian. 

You see the picture I am sure.  The dog left its world to live among the sheep.  He protects them. In a way, he saves and holds them.  That is a picture of what we celebrate at Christmas.  God with us!  God came to be with us in Christ Jesus, His Son.  He saves us and holds us through the power of His will, grace and favor.  Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace and good will to all men!

Merry Christmas Friends!

Coach/PJ

Postponing Christmas?

Merry Christmas!  The celebration of Christ’s birth is just over a week away!  

This week I read in Wednesday’s paper the new and understandable decision by many families this year to postpone Christmas until later in the year 2012.  One parent even shared her plan to write a note signed by Santa that he was just too busy, and that his helpers (Mom and Dad) would bring gifts later when the prices were more affordable.  Given the cultural understanding of a holiday stripped of its pure meaning, one might concede that this is pragmatically wise.  No doubt our economy has created situations that force these kind of decisions.

  Joseph's and Mary's betrothal was threatened with being postponed.  Their lives were demanding a time-out to figure things out, seek solutions, and make plans to make circumstances return to normal.   Fortunately, their ultimate response gives us direction in handling circumstances outside of our control. Ultimately, Joseph listened to the wise counsel of God's angel over the cultural norms surrounding him.  Because of his and Mary's faith and obedience, they were able to experience first-hand the joy of Christ's incarnation--God in human flesh.

 For many in America this year, Christmas could be a revelation, an epiphany, a whole new change of perspective.  I wonder if we all might need a check on the whole meaning of life, festivity, and celebration.  This week, do not postpone Christmas.   Continue Christmas.  Being stripped of the material focus of Christmas in America is a wonderful alternative and opportunity.  A common phrase we hear these days is “Return to Bethlehem.”  Let’s do just that.  Let’s return to Bethlehem.  Let’s learn from the original event the real joy of Christmas-God with us!  “See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us’” Matthew 1:23.

Coach/PJ

Faith Is Believing

How I love the Christmas season!  I still bask this time of year in the wonder of the lights, the manger scenes, and the scents of Christmas and the anticipation of joy.  Our home is filled with decorations, Christmas delights that are tasty to the palate, and Christmas music. Tina always creates a wonderful Christmas feel in our home.  She loves the many Christmas movies.  Our favorite is The Polar Express!  I am not sure there is a better movie that captures the wonder of Christmas from the Santa Claus perspective.  Watching can really move your emotions to the memories of childhood and Christmas.

Some may criticize too far the whole Santa deal!  But if you would bear with me, I was struck once again the other night by the theme of this and many Christmas movies.  BELIEVE!  Children as well as adults are challenged to keep the “spirit” of Christmas alive by continuing to believe in Santa Claus.  Children fuel the spirit of Christmas by their unwavering belief in what parents and culture has taught them.  It is easy as a child, but comes under attack by older siblings and know-it-all friends at school.

Jesus challenged man’s faith in the same way—that we are to come to Him with faith as a child.  He even compared faith to a small seed.  The little boy in The Polar Express is reminded near the end of the story to believe.  It is a sad reality to see the adults no longer able to hear the sleigh bell ring for a lack of belief.  This Christmas, let us be reminded that our faith is strengthened by belief.  With each ringing of the bells, state your enduring belief in the Christ-child of Christmas.  When your faith is weak, ask the Father to increase your unbelief.  I believe!