Relative Truths

Ok, so I am working at P.J.’s Coffee in Suwanee today.  Actually, I worked here yesterday too.  Around me is the assortment of guys working on their laptops (I overheard two guys talking yesterday about how they are dealing with the economic times), but not as many as normal.  Some are regulars, so I don’t know.  Same was true at Starbucks yesterday as well.  Anyway, what struck me yesterday and today is the number of mothers/daughters or other family connections that are getting together.  Next to me is a mother having coffee with her daughter from school.  They have been chatting about all kinds of stuff, just catching up (side note, they are fairly loud, I am not really easedropping).  Yesterday, there were three generations of ladies in here catching up (grandmother, daughter, and baby daughter).  Based on the way they greeted each other and left each other, I got the impression they don’t see each other a lot.

I know by now you are asking, “What the heck is his point?”  Well, it hit me this morning how “normal business” is slow this week, but more social meetings are taking place.  I guess people are already getting a jump on Thanksgiving fellowship.  I love it.  One of my favorite quotes from John Wesley is “Catch the golden moments as they fly.”  I have always taken that to mean that you have to take advantage of situations.  We live in a very busy age.  There is always more to do.  There are already more things on the “to do” list that needs to be done.  However, we are limited in how much time we can enjoy with those we love.  So, this week, take some time with your family.  Enjoy the turkey, stuffing, and pie (I know I will, I have been running so that I can guilt free).  Catch the golden moment this week as it flies. 

Ok, so I always get asked what do I do on Sunday mornings before we start worship at Connection.  Well, some mornings, I preach for people.  On the other Sundays, we go worship somewhere.  Often, when we visit a church for the first time, we check out their space, see how they do Children’s minsitry in the morning, and pay attention to how they welcome visitors.  This Sunday we went to 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville.  It was the third time we had been there.  I must say it was also the best.

When they began worship, a woman came on stage to do announcements.  She referrenced some big announcement that the church had been publicizing.  After a few more worship songs and the offering, the pastor, Kevin, started to teach.  He announced that the Hamilton Mill campus, which was always a week behind, would be live with the Lawrenceville campus.  I thought that was the big announcements.  I was wrong.

After preaching on the Good Samaritan, Kevin said that being a good samaritan was not safe, cheap, or convenient.  He mentioned last years Random Acts of Christmas and said this year they wanted to do Intentional Acts of Christmas, because God was intentional in sending us Jesus.  So, they cut a ton of money from their budget at 12Stone, and have asked people to covenant with them in doing intentional acts of Christmas.  For households that want to participate, the church is giving away $250,000 to help change someone’s life this Christmas.  Kevin called for small groups, ministry teams, etc to join together, take this money and do something wonderful this season.  I left amazed at that.

That is a lot of money.  There are a lot of “necessary” things that must have been cut in order for the church to do this.  However, the most necessary thing, being a good samaritan, will be achieved.  I applaud what they are doing and will be praying for them.  In all, I can’t wait until next Christmas when Connection can seek to make a difference as well.

Ok, so as we walked into the gym this morning (at 5:45 I want to remind you), Rebekah and I were greeted to “Final Countdown” by Europe.  Man, I haven’t heard that song in awhile.  However, as soon as I heard it, I immediately thought of watching an NBA game with the home team down by 1 with 10 seconds left.  The coach calls a time out to set up the perfect play.  While the teams huddle, “Final Countdown” plays on the loudspeaker as the home crowd gets shivers hoping for a win.  Man, you there is something special in music when a song like that can bring to mind such a vivid picture. 

So, I started thinking about some other songs that bring an image to mind:

“Time After Time” makes me think of David and Liz’s wedding video.

“Everything I Do, I Do It For You” makes me want to shoot an arrow.

“Dance Dance” by Fallout Boy makes me think of Duke Basketball (they played it as the halftime intro on TV once).

“Collide” by Howie Day makes me think of Rebekah (it is her ring tone after all).

Ok, so that is a little list to get you into my mind.  What songs bring up images to you?  Sorry, there is nothing profound here, just thought it would be fun.

Ok, so I am sitting at Starbucks in Suwanee working on our Connection Group Bible study.  I just wanted to share about my day.  Rebekah and I continued our commitment to physical health by being at the gym at 5:45.  When we got home, I had a GREAT quiet time for about 30 minutes, then I got ready.  At 8, I left the house to come and do some work in Suwanee.  I am meeting someone at 2:30, so I had working on board work, Bible study, and some other “paper work activities” in my calendar.  However, on the way over, God changed my plans.

I felt like God was calling me to devout the first half of my day in prayer.  So, as I was getting gas (1.81 is so much better than 3.99), I grabbed a hot cup of coffee.  I went to George Pierce park, drove to the back of the park and started praying.  Then, I got out of the truck (with my hot coffee in hand) and started walking around all the ball fields praying.  I prayed for safety of the kids and adults that play there.  I prayed for the families that will be watching the games.  I prayed for the people that would walk/run/ride on the trails.  I prayed that they would encounter God in a mighty way in this beautiful part of His creation.  I then went and prayed for the community center.  I prayed for everyone that will worship with us.  I prayed that God would bless them indeed and that we would be faithful in the mission of helping them connect to Christ.  Above all, I prayed that God would grant Connection Church the wisdom and opportunity to be a place of hope and service to the community of Suwanee.  

I got back in the truck, thawed out, and figured I would go “work” now.  Then God said, “You aren’t done praying yet.”  I then drove through some nearby neighborhoods.  I would stop at every third house (stats show that at least a third of Suwanee isn’t connected to church) and pray for that family.  I prayed for a lot of things: protection, peace in this turbulent time, God’s will.  Mostly, I prayed that God would reveal Himself to them, and that Connection could be a place where they experience an encounter and relationship with Christ.  Will any of these people come to Connection?  I don’t really care.  Will they come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior?  That’s what is important, and I know that begins with prayer. 

I did this for hours.  At first I thought I was being unfaithful with my time and not getting my “work” done.  Then I realized, I needed to pray for this community more than I need to write an answer about my view on the human need for grace.  Some days, the “work” is more important.  However, if I don’t pray for these people, then how will God know my desire for them and for Connection? 

So, as I settle down to do some “work,” I hope that I can be half as productive as I was this morning! 

Ok, so I think the theme for my weekend was phone calls out of the blue.  Let me set the stage: after the UGA vs. AU game Saturday (go Dawgs, but that was sad, AU should have won that game with the way UGA played), Rebekah and I went to run some errands.  Around 4:15 or so, I got a phone call from a friend of mine, Derek.  Derek is a pastor in the conference, and he serves Brooks UMC in Brooks, GA.  When I heard his voice, it sounded awful.  He told me that he had the flu.  He was sorry for waiting so long, but he kept thinking he would get better.  Well, he didn’t and he needed me to preach.  Nothing like a call Saturday at 4:15 to see if you can preach the next morning!  Anyway, we finished our errands, went home and I reworked a sermon on one of my favorite passages: Matthew 4:18-22. 

So, Rebekah and I left our house at 7 Sunday morning (Brooks is about 70 miles away, and they have an 8:45 service).  We got there, spoke to the associate, and started the worship service.  Now, I was a little concerned about preaching at the last minute, but I have to tell you, I really enjoyed it.  The whole morning, I wasn’t nervous at all.  That is a change for me, and I think it was a change for the good.  I really enjoyed getting to teach on God’s word.  It is what I love most about ministry and what I miss most about not having a church right now.  It was a true blessing to be at Brooks and to be able to bring God’s word to them.

Now, that is two unexpected events last weekend that blessed me.  I hope that God has more planned, because I love those.  What has been happening to you?  Anything unexpected?

Ok, so I got a phone call this morning that was totally unexpected.  It was a good friend named Wally calling to see if I wanted to go to lunch.  Wally is a member at FUMC, where I used to be an associate.  We talked a lot while I was there and would enjoy a slice of pizza from time to time.  I haven’t talked to Wally in awhile, so I was thrilled to get to have lunch with him.

We met up at Cosmos.  Like I once said, the best way to catch up with someone is over pizza and coke.  Anyway, he filled me in on what is happening with his family, things he is involved in at church, etc.  We talked about UGA football.  We talked about Connection Church.  It was great.

When I woke up this morning, I figured I would just be working at home and have a typical peanut butter sandwhich for lunch.  However, I got to spend some time with a friend I miss (and eat pizza!).  Sometimes, unexpected events are annoying.  However, often they are a real blessing.  I hope God does something unexpected to you, and that it will be great!

Ok, so we had our second week of Connection Groups last night.  It was awesome and we had a new couple join with us.  I am really enjoying these meetings.  One, I get to talk with people about the Bible, which is by far my favorite book.  Two, I get to talk about Connection Church, which is by far my favorite church.  Three, I really love fellowship and coffee, which is by far my favorite beverage. 

We are doing a studies of Philippians, with a focus on the need for community that Paul stresses to the church at Philippi.  It has been great to see the affirmation in people’s eyes as we reaffirm why we are starting a new church in Suwanee.

Small groups will be a big basis for our church.  I feel that the community as a whole is strengthened when people work, fellowship, and study together outside of Sunday morning.  Part of our vision at Connection is to “Connect people to each other.”  I am already starting to see this as people who didn’t know each other are are reading through scripture together.  I know this will continue, and I am just blessed to be a part of it.  I can’t wait for next year when we have more groups that are being the church together. 

Ok, so I was reminded how amazing hospitable churches are.  Last spring, I was introduced by Allen to a church in Anderson, SC called Newspring Church.  I have referenced it, and their pastor Perry Noble, several times on this blog.  They have a yearly one-day conference called Unleash.  I went to that and was amazed at how welcome and inviting they were.  I figured that was just for a conference, but when I went back a few months later to attend a worship service, I was greeted with the same hospitality.  This spring, I met with their Executive Pastor.  While I was waiting, the receptionist went out of her way to make me feel comfortable as a visitor.  It wasn’t a Sunday morning, and obviously I am not a prospective member.  However, their goal was still to make me feel invited and that my presence was important to them.

Sunday, Rebekah and I took one our core families to Newspring.  We met with Sherry Moorehead who showed us the church, spoke to us about volunteers and put us in contact with someone about small groups and children’s ministry.  The whole time we met with them, you could tell that hospitality was the focus of their church.  They are driven to bring people into a relationship with Christ.  Their concern is so much about the person that isn’t connected to God, that is shows in how excited they are when you choose to come to Newspring.  More than that, they were excited about what Connection Church is doing because they know people will come to know Christ because of it. 

They are welcoming and hospitable.  Are they perfect?  No.  Do they have all the answers?  No.  However, I think they have one very important thing right: when people feel welcome at a church, they are likely to stay and become connected.  When people don’t feel welcome at a church, they probably won’t come back.  As a new church, we know that hospitality is important and letting people know we are excited about them is what can create community.  Church leaders, the biggest questions you NEED to ask are, “Is our church welcoming and hospitable?  Do our people demonstrate excitment to guests?”  Trust me, this will make an eternal difference. 

Ok, so I know it has been a long time since I blogged.  As soon as I got back from Ohio (subject of my last blog).  I got pretty sick.  I had a stomach virus that weakened my body and allowed me to get a sinus infection.  So, I was pretty out of it for two weeks.  Well, I’m back now and have several blogs planned.  You will hear about the church, some personal stuff, and the Young Pastor’s Network. 

Anyway, I wanted to post this picture.  It’s my niece Jayda getting ready to do some yard work.  Come on, if she can be that determined to do some yard work, I know you can be inspired to get going today!