Muppets

Ah yes, I remember them well from my childhood...the Muppet's.  Many a time was spent with family and friends on a Saturday night watching the delightful characters brought to life to bring laughter into the homes across the world.  Last weekend, the Lee family ventured out to catch a flick, and we settled on "The Muppet's" as our family choice.  The movie did not disappoint.  Obviously there were many scenes that depended on the audience's previous understanding of the show, but even then, it still brought laughs and smiles.

I wonder in our lives if we miss out on too many moments to laugh or smile?  Life is too short.  Life is too fast.  Hence, we should laugh and smile more often since the moments fade all too quickly.  This week my little girl will celebrate her 5th birthday, and this is way too fast.  In fact, I can reflect back on my own childhood and I still can see friends playing together.  I can hear the sounds, see the smiles, and feel the touches of those times past.  All too quickly they are gone.

From Charles Dickens's book "A Christmas Carol" we remember the visit from the ghost of Christmas past.  Scrooge tells the ghost can he bear no more memories of squandered moments.  Then the Scriptures teach us from James 4:14 "For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then disappears."

With such reminders, why then do we neglect carpe diem?  Let's resolve then to drink deeply from the fountain of life.  Not recklessly, but with a singletary purpose to bring glory and honor to our Master, Savior, and Redeemer: Jesus Christ.  Savor the moments of life given to us from a loving and gracious God.

Could not resist to offer you a clip of Muppet's in prime form, enjoy!

True Thanksgiving

Most of us are familiar with the traditional story of Thanksgiving where William Bradford, of Plymouth Rock, proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving to celebrate the survival of the Pilgrims in their second year in the New World, as well as an abundant harvest that they had reaped with the aid of the Indians. However, most people don’t know that the first American Thanksgiving didn’t occur in 1621 with this group of Pilgrims who shared a feast with a group of friendly Indians. The first recorded thanksgiving actually took place in Virginia more than 11 years earlier, and it wasn’t a feast. The winter of 1610 at Jamestown had reduced a group of 409 settlers to 60. The survivors prayed for help, without knowing when or how it might come. When help arrived, in the form of a ship filled with food and supplies from England, a prayer meeting was held to give thanks to God. You would think that after seeing so many of their loved ones die due to the hardships of the New World, they would not feel that thankful. However, the opposite was true. They realized they had much to be thankful for.
We ourselves often don’t realize how blessed we are, or how thankful we ought to be, until what we have is threatened to be taken away.  Sure we can thankful once a year, but why do we have a tendency to limit thankfulness to once a year?  Hopefully you will see past the ruse and embrace a life of giving thanks.

In fact, this week take a moment and express gratitude by helping someone.  No matter how big or small the task, because this will aid you in remembering how blessed you truly are.  Have a wonderful and blessed week.

Convention

Last week I was able to attend our annual NC Baptist Convention in Greensboro, and it was well worth the time.  The Pastor's Conference started off on Sunday night with great preaching and music, and it continued throughout Monday.  Dr. John Bisagno (pastor emeritus FBC Houston, TX) delivered a powerful sermon aimed at helping pastor's maintain clarity on serving God with godlike characteristics.  Then another challenge came from Pastor Clayton King to do what is right in God's eyes and not to follow the worldly examples of leadership.

Then on Monday night the convention started, and I must say, this year was a great year to hear about God working throughout NC.  The missions breakfast on Tuesday morning was wonderful since we heard from work taking place in New York City and India.

I was equally impressed with what NC churches are doing through missions: locally, nationally, and globally.  The Good News is being shared and lives are changing because of the Holy Spirit.  From NC to Toronto to New York City to India, churches are being planted, the Gospel is preached, human needs are being met, and lives are being transformed...all because you care.

Through the Cooperative Program (the greatest idea ever) NC Baptist's are able to maximize resources to make the biggest impact possible.  Each and every dollar contributed is used with great care so that the Good News is proclaimed throughout the world.  You may not set foot on foreign soil, but you are making an impact on missions by giving your tithe/offerings and through your prayers.  Do not give up.  Do not take your eyes away from God.  Stay focused on our responsibility to share the Good News.

Below is a picture of my friend and fellow laborer in the ministry, Jonathan Jenkins.  Jonathan was in the youth group during my time in Rockingham.

Splat!

Last Sunday I was approached by one of the youth to partake in the youth fundraiser, and I was eager to participate.  The objective was to raise monies for the youth mission trip for next summer.  They are going to Toronto, Canada to assist church planters through sports camps, bible schools, prayer walking, etc.  Knowing this, I could not say "No!" to our youth.  The event: receive a pie in the face from the highest bidder.

My background on pie throwing is limited to a paper plate filled with whip cream.  The teens background: a real pie (yep, crust and all).  I was a bit surprised when I noticed wth pies, the first one went to our youth pastor Chad.  He received a brutal blow from Luke at is seemed to dislocate his jaw from the tremendous force applied from the throw.  Never did I see a bigger smile on a teenagers face.

Next!!!

I placed the trash bags around my upper torso, and took a seat to ready for the pie.  Hunter was the chosen one to administer the giving of the pie.  He was kind, very kind.  He hit me with a downward motion that avoided my nose and nasal cavity.  The "oohs" and "ahhhs" were heard as they observed my pie-covered face, and yes, it did taste good, too good.  It was a worthy and noble gesture to help raise funds for the youth trek up north and assist in sharing the message of Jesus Christ.  Oh well, after all, it was only pie.

Thankful

There is a new phase making the rounds on Face Book called "The Giving Thanks Challenge."  The basic premise is to give thanks each day during the month of November, and this should be a great idea for everyone to catch.  In stead of finding things to complain about, or to criticize, we should offer thanks to God for all the blessings He has given to us.  In America, we seem to be quicker in offering negativity, than to offer positive feelings that express true blessings.  For instance, in most of America, we have suitable housing, transportation, clean water/air, affordable and plentiful food/clothing, and safety.  Not too many places in the world offer these things to the general public.  Yet we quickly provide complaints when we don't get our way.  In church life it sounds like this: preached too long, preached too short, music too loud, music too soft, didn't like the hymn, didn't like the praise song, the temperature's too cold/hot, someone sat in my favorite pew, no one spoke to me, someone had on too much cologne/perfume, etc.  You get the idea.

What if we turned the negative into a positive?  Focus on the Giver and not the gift.  Here are a few samples:
> Thank you God for giving me sight
> Thank you God for giving me feet to walk
> Thank you God for giving breath to walk far distances
> Thank you God for giving me ears to listen
> Thank you God for giving me clothes
> Thank you God for giving me to air breath
Get the idea?

Way too often we are quick to ignore the blessings, and complain about the lack thereof...very similar to the children of Israel walking through the desert.  Let's change our attitude to reflect the entire compass of God's care for His children.  No matter if there is a lack of material things, there is never a lack of His presence.  We will never be in want of His love.  We will never exhaust His care. 

Are you thankful?  If so, what in particular are you giving thanks?

Science

I'm not a science guy.  I truly appreciate science, but as far as understanding all of the nuances and intricacies, I'm totally lost.  This past Saturday, Mary received an invitation to attend a birthday party at the NC Nature and Science Museum in downtown Raleigh.  It was my first trip there, so I was kinda excited to see all the sights and sounds.  After walking into the front door, all I could say, "Wow!"  Huge skeleton exhibits of all kinds of animals, a butterfly room where many of them would land on you, visual displays to foster imagination, and of course, live snakes BEHIND glass.  Just seeing a rather large rattlesnake behind glass still gives me the creeps.

At one point in the party, a worker brings out live animals to see up close and touch if you desired.  First was a bearded dragon lizard, creepy looking, but cool to see.  Then my heart dropped when she emerged with a small ball python wrapped around her arm.  I carefully located the nearest exit, just in case, but that would require my fast exit over the bodies of 12 young toddlers.  No sense in being a George Costanza here, so I buckled down and took one for the team.  I did touch the snake, but just lightly and for a few seconds (oh, OK just two seconds, but they were very long seconds).  Then a small alligator, that looked ready for his next meal, but she had a firm grip on him so the heart rate continued to decrease.  We stayed well after the party ended walking through the museum and touching many things.  All in all it was great afternoon, and we shall repeat especially during the winter season.

Shout out to my siblings: eldest sister who is a science teacher for high schoolers, and to my other sister who has her masters degree in nursing, and my brother is a nurse (he's a male nurse; funny if you have watched "Meet the Parents")...they all have the gift of knowing and understanding science, love to you all.

Painting

Recently I had the pleasure of doing some house maintenance and I am so thankful that my pastor/mentor Don Phillips was able to teach me the techniques of painting and staining years ago.  The first item of business was to have someone pressure wash the house, and with the capable leadership of my wife, that was accomplished on Thursday.  Next we made a trip to Sherwin Williams paint store to secure the paint for the rails on the front porch: accomplished.  At the store, Mary showed us a large book full of ideas on how to paint/decorate a room suitable for a little princess.  They had large adhesive images from most popular shows.  She was most impressed with all the Disney characters to choose from...her favorite (for today) was Ariel.

Then on Saturday morning, I kissed my beautiful wife and active 4 year old so long as they trekked to Statesville for family time.  Now to paint those handrails.  Quick overview: paint (check), brush (check), paint stirrers (check), rags (check), screwdriver (check).  All was in place, and then I noticed that two bushes were in the way.  Quickly I retrieved the pruning shears and did a little work, voila!  Now we are ready.  Well, almost.  I needed to get a small edger to aid in NOT painting the stained deck boards.  Check.  Now to pry open the sturdy can of pricey paint.  Can you believe that a gallon of paint cost $38????  And that was one of the cheapest available.

Once the can is open, I then proceed to stir the paint.  At first I think there is some mistake, the paint is thick.  Really thick.  But channeling my mentor and friend Don, I remember that this is normal.  So using some elbow grease, I start to make some progress in making it pliable.  Now to dip the brush into that magical white solution ever so gently…just like I was taught.  Then to apply that white liquid gold onto the painted wood hand rails…ah, just like Don taught me. 

Fast forward several hours, we are now complete with the assignment.  Now to clean the brush so I can use it again.  Obtain my soap, bucket, water, and rags…commence to cleaning.  It goes smoothly without any complications, and then back to look over the finished task.  Yes, I am most pleased with the results, and only notice a few glaring mistakes, but still very pleased.

My spiritual lesson from this: be patient.  Yes, patience is not always received enthusiastically, but nonetheless, it is ALWAYS a great tool to keep in your tool box.  Mistakes will be made, but God gives us rags and soap to correct those, so we can continue in hopes of completing the project.  Hang in there, the finish line is just in sight.  You can do it!