Preaching is not enough.

I've preached a lot of sermons about showing the love of Jesus to people in need, but Sunday--for the first time in a couple of years--I actually spent time with homeless people.

I was asked to preach at the City Rescue Mission in downtown Jacksonville last Sunday (Easter). I wish I could tell you that I enthusiastically accepted this opportunity, but I didn't.

I actually struggled with the decision.

This is my last Easter at Christ's Church and I didn't want to miss all of the excitement.

The beautiful flowers.
The fancy clothes.
The huge crowds.
The special music.

I spoke at our campus in Georgia last Easter (my first year here), so I've never been on our Mandarin campus on Easter, but the more I prayed about it the more I knew that I needed to preach downtown last Sunday.

It was a blessing beyond description.

About one hundred and twenty-five people from our Celebrate Recovery ministry and I held a service for at least one hundred homeless people under a tent in the parking lot next to the dining hall at the mission downtown.

Their were no beautiful flowers, but there were a ton of beautiful people.
A couple of the homeless people were wearing fancy outfits, but most were dressed in clothing that was old, dirty, and well-worn.
The crowd was huge--standing room only . . . and they spoke encouraging words to me during my sermon.

"Preach it!"
"That's right!"
"Amen!"
"Come on!"

And the music provided by the CR band was truly special.

When the service was over we served them lunch and gave them new pairs of socks as they left.

I met so many interesting people that morning.

Tim is from Knoxville. He has a herniated disk in his back and he was divorced five years ago. He doesn't like living alone.

Jamie told me that he was entering a substance abuse recovery program on Monday. He was excited that he's been sober for a month. I hope he went.

Willy loves Jesus and is grateful for his friend Jack who helps him walk around town.

Winston loves to read, enjoys the freedom of living on the streets, but has no use for God. He had dread-locks, army pants, and eyes that--as we spoke--seemed to be searching for something beyond our conversation.

I had the chance to touch a lot of people.

It was an amazing experience. It was a humbling experience and a reminder that preaching is not enough.

"Preaching is not enough."

This is what Straton--a preacher in Africa--said in a video I watched today.



I want to be like Straton, because Straton is like Jesus.

In the video Straton confesses that he learned what more preachers (like me) need to remember: Words are not enough.

Jesus didn't just talk about feeding the hungry; he multiplied the loaves and fed the hungry.
Jesus didn't just talk about healing the diseased; he touched the lepers.
Jesus didn't just talk about serving the needy; he washed dirty feet.
He didn't just preach about loving people; he actually loved people.

Preachers, we have to preach. It's what we've been called to do, but people need more than words. They need us to set an example. They need us to understand that preaching is not enough.

It wasn't enough for Jesus, it's not enough for Straton, and it's no longer enough for me.

How do you eat an Elephant?

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by life?

(Stop laughing!)

Who hasn't felt overwhelmed by life?

My friend Keith Simmons just wrote a great essay entitled, "How do you eat an elephant?"

I was so blessed by Keith's insights that I had to share the entire essay with you.

Be blessed my fellow elephant eaters!

How do you eat an elephant?

by

Keith Simmons--Adult Minister, Christ's Church

How do you eat an elephant, one bite at a time...I received an email this week from a co-worker who asked if I would be willing to help out a mutual friend who was overwhelmed and needed assistance. The person has been trying to sell their home for a long time and finally God provided a buyer. The catch is that they only have a few days to fix some items on a punch list in order for the closing to happen on schedule. I went to the house to see what I could do to help, thinking there were going to be major things to do and expecting the worst. As I walked around looking at what needed to be done, there were just a few small things that had to be fixed. As we talked how best to address each issue, it was evident to me that the items weren't as bad as I first anticipated. As we talked my friend seemed to become more relaxed. I saw how his confidence grew about being able to handle the repairs himself. I tried to get him to let me stay around and help but he insisted that he had the situation under control. I finally relented and left.

As I drove away, I processed what had just taken place. What changed, how did an overwhelming task suddenly become manageable? Nothing had really changed, but what did happen is that my friend was able to talk about his challenge, and then look at them as several small, doable repairs that he had the knowledge and ability to handle. He just needed some encouragement that the problems weren't as big as they seemed. He needed someone to remind him that he had the knowledge and abilities to accomplish the task. He just needed to take ACTION and apply what he knew to accomplish the task. What has got you paralyzed in your recovery and spiritual walk? Do your issues or your situation seem so big that you have become hopeless? Whatever your issue, no matter how hopeless it seems, when we take ACTION and turn our lives and wills over to Christ care and control he promises to get us through. He has overcome ever problem or trial you or I will ever face. He wants us to have peace and become the godly man or woman he purposed us to be. Are you ready to take the first bite???

Description of Forgiveness

I just finished reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

It's an excellent book that was a #1 New York Times Bestseller and was recently made into a movie (which I haven't seen).

One of the closing chapters contains one of the best descriptions of forgiveness I've ever read.

The book's narrator, Amir, describes a moment when the guilt that he had carried for so many years began to be replaced by forgiveness.

I slipped the picture back where I found it. Then I realized something: That last thought had brought no sting with it. Closing Sohrab's door, I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.

Bible Study Textbook Series--For Free!

In my library I have about 6 books from the College Press Bible Study Textbook series (the green books). Over the years I have used these books again and again. I've found this series of commentaries to be a solid and reliable resource.

Well . . . Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas to all of us . . . I just discovered that College Press is offering the entire series electronically for FREE!

Here's a link to the site where you can download each book in the series for personal use: CollegePress Bible Study Textbook Series

New Again

What a beautiful song.

What an amazing blessing we have through Christ to be made new again.

Off to Bristol!

A couple of weeks ago my wife gave me the best birthday present ever! She got me tickets to the Food City 500 NASCAR race in Bristol, Tennessee this weekend.

My in-laws live close to the track, so we're taking the entire family on this exciting trip.

Bar-B-Q on Friday at Ridgewood.

Climbing the mountain in Rhonda's backyard.

Miles and time with my kids in the van on the way up and back.

My Mother-in-law's great cooking.

The smell of the fresh mountain air.

Spending time with my Father-in-law and talking about life, ministry, and the Tennessee Men's Basketball team.

Watching Dale Jarrett's last points race--in person.

Hearing the roar of the engines and smelling burnt rubber and race fuel.

And watching my first race at Bristol Motor Speedway--arguably, the most exciting race venue in the series--it doesn't get much better than this.

"Boogity, boogity, boogity. Boys, let's go racin'!"

I like this guy!

Jacksonville hosts a big race each March called, The Gate River Run. It's a big deal here in Jax.

Here's a picture of one of the runners in this year's River Run.

All I can say is . . . "Where can I order one?"

Christian Standard Christian College Issue

As a graduate of a Christian College (Florida Christian College) and an Adjunct Professor at that same Christian College I always look forward to receiving--and reading--Christian Standard's special issue on Christian Colleges.

This year's edition is phenomenal!

At 40 pages--and full of great stories--it's arguably our biggest and best-ever Christian college issue.

In this issue the Editors of the Standard ask an important question, "Why attend a Christian college?" An answer is offered from 26 different colleges supported by Christian churches and churches of Christ. Dusty Rubeck, a parent of teenagers about to choose a college, and the president of one of these schools, gives his answer to the question too. And John Derry, another Christian college president shares his perspective on the future of these schools.

Want to be blessed?

Read this poem my friend, Andrew Peterson, wrote last night.

He has an amazing gift.

Here's the first stanza:

Music filled the room just an hour ago.

Five men, all bound by common purposes

Common needs. Thinking, expressing, a felt

Remembrance, for a time, of the heart’s leap

-

That led us to commune with the Maker

By making; we became younger, older,

The moment expanding to encompass

The wider, deeper world of which we sang.

You can read the rest of the poem in The Rabbit Room.

An Inspiring Video . . . An Inspiring Man

Do you know that God has a plan for your life? Nick Vujicic does.

In Jeremiah 29:11 we read, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Nick Vujicic was born without limbs, but he hasn't let that "inconvenience" stop him from impacted the lives of millions of people around the world.

Let his story remind you that God has a plan for your life, too.

Wisdom from my Grandfather

My Mom sent me an article that my Grandfather had in his Bible. It blessed me today, so I'm sharing it with you.

It's entitled, "Stand Still" and is written as a message from God to us.

1. Stand Still that I may Reason with you--I Samuel 12:7
2. Stand Still that I may Show you the Word of God--I Samuel 9:27
3. Stand Still and Hear--Numbers 9:8
4. Stand Still and See the salvation of the Lord--Exodus 14:13

• A.T. Pierson--"Here for the first time men were taught the virtue of standing still in a great crisis of danger to witness the Lord's deliverance. The battle is not yours, but God's."

5. Stand Still and Consider--Job 37:14
6. Stand Still and Know that I am God--Psalm 46:10

• My Grandfather, Tibbs Maxey, wrote in the margin here, "God's not dead yet!"

Amen, Grandpa, Amen!

Homeschoolers Dealt a Setback in California

I've never blogged about this issue--for a variety of reasons--but I feel compelled to comment on what I just read from a newspaper in San Francisco.

My wife and I participate in parent-directed education. I have two school-aged children. One is in Christian school now (making straight "A's"), but she spent three years in the public school system (and had a great experience btw) before being homeschooled for the next four years. We now homeschool my other school-aged child.

I think it's also important for you to know that we have a lot of friends (and relatives) who are teachers in the public school system. In my opinion these people are over-worked and under-paid and--from our experience--amazing teachers who deeply love their students. My wife and I decided to homeshool for personal, not political, issues.

I also think it's important to note that my wife has a degree in education and I have a Master's degree, so we feel very qualified to guide our children's education.

My wife and I decide on whether, or not, to home school our children on a year-by-year and child-by-child basis. Our desire is always to do what is best for each child.

In an article posted today in the San Francisco Chronicle it was reported that, "A California appeals court ruling clamping down on homeschooling by parents without teaching credentials sent shock waves across the state this week, leaving an estimated 166,000 children as possible truants and their parents at risk of prosecution."

You can read the rest of the article by clicking here: Homeschoolers' setback in appeals court ruling.

There are two quotes in the article that I find especially troubling.

In making his ruling Justice H. Walter Croskey said (quoting from a 1961 case on a similar issue), "A primary purpose of the educational system is to train school children in good citizenship, patriotism and loyalty to the state and the nation as a means of protecting the public welfare."

This statement is consistent with statements I've read elsewhere on the purpose of public education.

This statement is from a PBS report entitled, The Story of American Public Education.

The purpose of public education has been affected by major changes in American society. These include economic transformations and the expansion of civil rights, which have had enormous effects on what goes on in the classroom. Added to these forces are others, including population growth, immigration, inner-city poverty, and school violence. Whenever there has been major social or economic change, the goals that were established for public education have changed. Over time, the following have all been goals of public education:

• To prepare children for citizenship


• To cultivate a skilled workforce


• To teach cultural literacy


• To prepare students for college


• To help students become critical thinkers


• To help students compete in a global marketplace

I think the "primary purpose" of the educational system should be education. I know that's our goal as homeschooling parents.

The article ends with an interesting quote from Leslie Heimov, executive director of the Children's Law Center of Los Angeles. Heimov said her organization's chief concern was not the quality of the children's education, but their "being in a place daily where they would be observed by people who had a duty to ensure their ongoing safety."

On behalf of all of the parents I know who are homeschooling their kids I'd like to let Leslie Heimov and Judge Crosky know that--unlike the Children's Law Center--our chief concern IS the quality of our children's education and--despite your low opinion of us--we think that our children are already being observed by people who have the primary duty of ensuring their ongoing safety. . . their parents!

Britney is my Hero!

About eight months ago I delivered a message at The Well in which I presented my heart for victims of HIV and AIDS and my desire that we do more.

Sometimes we preachers don't know if the message is getting through.

Well, one of the people in the audience that night was a young woman named Britney Fluharty. Britney told me later that she knew that she had to do something, so she did.

She prayed, she got informed, she mobilized volunteers, and even formed her own non-profit organization to minister to people living with HIV and AIDS.

She's my hero!

I'm so amazed at what God is already doing through this courageous young woman.

Last fall Britney contacted a local clinic that provides care for people who are infected with HIV to find out what we could do to help them. Based on that conversation Britney organized a drive to collect clothing and baby supplies for The University of Florida Rainbow Center at Shands Jacksonville. The Rainbow Center is a family-centered, comprehensive health care provider for HIV-infected or exposed infants, children, adolescents, women and their families, including their partners. Affiliated with the UF Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, the center provides a full array of patient care services, including screening, counseling, medical care, medical case management, health education, nutrition and dietary evaluation, pharmacist assistance and social services.

The mission of the Rainbow Center is to enhance the quality of life of children, adolescents and families affected by HIV by providing compassionate, comprehensive care. In addition, the center strives to increase awareness and understanding of HIV through leadership, service and education, with the ultimate goal of decreasing the transmission of HIV.

Yesterday we delivered the first batch of gifts and we were so blessed by the reception we received from the staff at the Rainbow Center. They are wonderful people and we are so excited to be partnering with them.

Here are some pictures from our visit yesterday (in the group shot Britney is kneeling in the front row wearing a brown shirt) during which we delivered about 10 hampers full of baby supplies and many bags full of baby clothes. We have a ton of stuff collected and ready for the Center, but they didn't have room for all of it, so we just delivered a portion:

I'm so grateful for Britney. She has already made a big impact at the Rainbow Center, but she's just getting started. God has given her a heart--and vision--for a dynamic ministry to the people living with HIV and AIDS in Jacksonville and I can't wait to see what God does next through my hero.

A Survey for Church Leaders

The Christian Standard has created a survey for church leaders. It's in this week's issue of the CS. You can also take it online by clicking on this link: A Survey for Church Leaders.

Thanks.

Skateboard Girl

My daughter and I have been observing an interesting drama on our way to school each day for the past few months.

During the first week of school after Christmas we noticed a girl "riding" a new skateboard that she apparently got for Christmas.

I wrote "riding" because I've never seen a person ride a skateboard more slowly. What she was doing was one microscopic step beyond standing on a skateboard, but at least she was trying.

She barely moved, but--it was obvious to us--she was intent on riding that skateboard to school each day.

We found ourselves looking for her, rooting for her, and taking daily note of her progress.

We don't know her, but we've been so proud of how much progress she's made since the Christmas break.

But, something has happened, and my daughter and I are worried about Skateboard Girl.

For the past two weeks she's been carrying her skateboard.

We wish we knew her well enough to yell out as we pass by, "You've made such progress. Don't quit Skateboard Girl! You can do it! We believe in you! We know you can do it!"

Now she walks slowly with her head down and her skateboard under her arm.

It's all so unfortunate.

My daughter and I both knew that--before too long, if she refused to quit--she would have been riding her skateboard like an old pro. With her skateboarding skills we know that she would have been a really good rider. My daughter and I longed for the day when we would have seen her zooming past baggy-pants-boy and maneuvering around always-tying-her-shoes-girl, but--apparently--that day will never come, because Skateboard Girl seems to have given up.

Skateboard Girl's situation reminded me of something that Paul wrote to the church in Galatia.

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Satan wants nothing more than for you and I to stop using our gifts. He wants nothing more than for you and I to get so discouraged that we stop trying. He wants you and I to give up. He wants us to lose any and all hopes of ever riding our faith past discouragement, trials, heartache, and doubt. He doesn't want you and I to reach our potential, so he will try to derail our hopes and wreck our dreams.

We must not give up.

You must trust that "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

Don't quit when it gets hard.

Don't give up when it seems hopeless.

Keep your head up.

"Don't quit!"

"I believe in you!"

Please . . . get back on your "skateboard" and give it another try.

"I know you can do it!"