During the cold and sometimes rainy months of January and February, it is easy for people to feel down. We are content with cooler temperatures in the previous several months because they indicate that football, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are near. However, on January 1, we are left with frigid temperatures, overcast skies, and no major celebrations to make our discomfort seem worthwhile. Therefore, many people start dreaming about the warmth of May, June, July, and August when they will be outdoors frequently and able to more fully enjoy time with friends and family. Often, plans start to emerge for that all-important summer vacation. Anticipation builds toward experiencing a warmer climate with better scenery. When I was young, this meant a week in Panama City Beach with my family and several others. This was a tradition for us, and a highlight of the year.
As soon as we arrived, even before going to our room, we would walk directly to the beach, take off our shoes, and put our feet in the naturally heated Gulf of Mexico. During that entire week, we stayed there. We loved floating in the salt water and rolling with the waves as they neared shore. Because we were so focused on enjoying our time at the edge of the gulf, we rarely thought about how vast it is and how incredibly forceful it can be in when it shows its strength. Obviously, there are extreme examples of that power such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In a matter of hours, the sea thrust such destruction upon the land that 7 years later there are still homes in New Orleans that bear the scares of that night. However, that dominance can also be experience in more subtle ways. One year, several of us decided to float to a sand bar about 30 yards off shore. The water was calm, and once there we were able to stand easily with the water only reaching our knees. In a matter of minutes, the waves got higher and crashed onto us with more force. Before long, the waves overcame us. We would stand up only to be knocked down again. We clung to our plastic pool floats, hoping that somehow we would manage to escape the literal grip that the ocean had on us. We were helpless. Fortunately, an experienced local came to our rescue and muscled us back to the safety of the beach. The incident was a good reminder that beyond a certain point, it is easy to lose control and be trapped by a force that at first seemed so innocent.
James tells us that Satan operates in much the same way. He writes that “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire” (James 1:14, ESV). We each have different things that tempt us. We each are enticed by things that we want personally. Satan lures us into situations in which it seems possible to have those things. Much like with the ocean, we believe that we can have a little fun at the edge without being trapped. Yet James further explains, “then desire, when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” It is a process. The process begins when we want things that we know we shouldn’t have. Then, we try to have as much of those things as we can while still remaining “safe.” However, the end result is that we go further than we wanted to go and become ensnared by sin and that eventually leads to our spiritual deaths.
It almost seems as if James is saying that there is a line between righteousness and sinfulness. Because we have sinful desires we try to get as close to the line as possible without actually crossing it. Satan though, being good at what he does, is able to drag us across the line before we even realize what has happened. He lures/leads us into a process that results in us being separated from God. That’s why the advice in James 4 is to run away from that line: “So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, NET). It is much easier to be dragged across a line when you are standing right next to it. If you stay far away, though, it will be much more difficult for you to be enticed.
In 1 John 1, the apostle seems to indicate that there are two types of believers. There are those who accept a sinful lifestyle and there are those who believe they are immune to sin or that their sin does not matter when compared to their good works. The truth is that all Christians must realize that they decide every day how far to venture into the ocean of sin. They must decide how far they are willing to go, risking their own destruction. All sin is serious. All sin can separate us from God. Through Jesus, though, we are given the power to overcome sin, and be transformed into righteous people. We must make the decision to flee from sin and draw near to God, not see what sin we can get away with hoping that it won’t carry us too far from the shore.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
My Generation
This past quarter I have been teaching an adult class on Sunday mornings about how churches can best minister to the Millennial generation (those born between 1980 and 2000). As a member of that generation myself, the subject is one that is very close to my heart as it concerns how my peers and I can effectively reach our friends with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We looked closely at research done by Thom and Jess Rainer in their book Millennials: Connecting to America’s Largest Generation, and by Dr. Kenda Dean who participated in the National Study of Youth and Religion and wrote the book Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church. Some of the research confirmed what I already knew and some of it surprised me. Obviously, Millennials are in most cases more technologically savvy than their parents or grandparents. They value relationships and use technology to improve them. They are service oriented, wanting to change the world and believing that they can. However, they are also not religious. This my come as a surprise to those of us living in Alabama, the buckle of the Bible belt, but most Millennials do not care one way or the other about religion. They are not hostile toward it, yet it does not play much of any role in their lives.
The Rainers estimate that 15% of the Millennial generation are practicing Christians. A much higher percentage calls themselves Christians, in many cases just because that’s what their parents were; however, only about 15% actually practice Christianity in a way that impacts their daily lives. Granted, this is a very subjective estimate, relying mostly upon the Rainer’s own definition of what constitutes a true Christian. Still, there is reason to believe their assessment may have some validity to it. As we look around our own schools, cities, and churches, we see many people who claim to follow Jesus but only do so on Sundays and Wednesdays. We see many people of all ages who profess to have a relationship with Jesus, but who do not let that relationship change their hearts or behaviors. Apparently, this is how most people want their lives to be. They just don’t see religion as important enough to have it transform their lives. They don’t believe that it is relevant.
As teenagers, I am sure that you have many friends who fall into this category. You know people who think that “a little Jesus” is good, but who refuse to “go overboard” with it all. Perhaps the good news is that virtually all Millennials see service as both relevant and essential. Yes, they want to make money. Yes, they want to have good jobs. Yes, they want to live comfortably. But they also want to help others have better lives as well. They want to make more money so that they can use some of it to contribute to what they see as worthy charities. They want flexibility with work hours so that they can spend some of that time volunteering. They want to make a significant, positive contribution to society, and also believe that they can and will. To me, it seems odd that a generation which values service to such a high degree would see churches as so irrelevant. After, all churches are called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless.
As we seek ways to reach our friends and family members with the Gospel, perhaps this is the best news we could ask for. For us, bringing the other 85% of our generation into a saving relationship with Jesus may well depend upon inviting them to join us as we serve the world around us. In doing so, they will begin to see what churches do as important. Perhaps then they will be interested in hearing more about what motivates us to spend so much time, energy, and money rendering assistance to the less fortunate. In time, they will understand that true Christianity is not about sitting in large buildings where we are kept supremely comfortable, but rather is about getting our hands dirty by serving anyone and everyone. They are already doing that on their own. It seems like our job is to show them how to do that for Christ.
The Rainers estimate that 15% of the Millennial generation are practicing Christians. A much higher percentage calls themselves Christians, in many cases just because that’s what their parents were; however, only about 15% actually practice Christianity in a way that impacts their daily lives. Granted, this is a very subjective estimate, relying mostly upon the Rainer’s own definition of what constitutes a true Christian. Still, there is reason to believe their assessment may have some validity to it. As we look around our own schools, cities, and churches, we see many people who claim to follow Jesus but only do so on Sundays and Wednesdays. We see many people of all ages who profess to have a relationship with Jesus, but who do not let that relationship change their hearts or behaviors. Apparently, this is how most people want their lives to be. They just don’t see religion as important enough to have it transform their lives. They don’t believe that it is relevant.
As teenagers, I am sure that you have many friends who fall into this category. You know people who think that “a little Jesus” is good, but who refuse to “go overboard” with it all. Perhaps the good news is that virtually all Millennials see service as both relevant and essential. Yes, they want to make money. Yes, they want to have good jobs. Yes, they want to live comfortably. But they also want to help others have better lives as well. They want to make more money so that they can use some of it to contribute to what they see as worthy charities. They want flexibility with work hours so that they can spend some of that time volunteering. They want to make a significant, positive contribution to society, and also believe that they can and will. To me, it seems odd that a generation which values service to such a high degree would see churches as so irrelevant. After, all churches are called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless.
As we seek ways to reach our friends and family members with the Gospel, perhaps this is the best news we could ask for. For us, bringing the other 85% of our generation into a saving relationship with Jesus may well depend upon inviting them to join us as we serve the world around us. In doing so, they will begin to see what churches do as important. Perhaps then they will be interested in hearing more about what motivates us to spend so much time, energy, and money rendering assistance to the less fortunate. In time, they will understand that true Christianity is not about sitting in large buildings where we are kept supremely comfortable, but rather is about getting our hands dirty by serving anyone and everyone. They are already doing that on their own. It seems like our job is to show them how to do that for Christ.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Against All Odds
This is by far my favorite time of year. The leaves are changing colors, the temperatures are dropping and the boys of fall are hard at work. Football is an incredible game. It teaches hard work, discipline, courage, and teamwork. There is something quite special about a team running sprints and enduring drills together all week to prepare for one contest that lasts only a few hours. Within that short time frame, they are tested against others who have been doing the same things but only one group of athletes can walk off the battlefield possessing the pride that comes with victory. Some games are epic, and 
some are not. Some games seem to matter more than others. In the state of Alabama, the most important game of the regular season is played the week of Thanksgiving. The entire state stands still for this competition of rivals, and nothing else matters during those 4 quarters. Many memorable moments have occurred during Ironbowls, but the most famous ones come from years when one team was seen as the underdog and fought hard enough to win. That is what I love most about football: a team without great athletes can still find the power within themselves to win because they know what they are capable of and they “want it” more.
This is why nearly all movies about sports follow that narrative. The underdog finds strength within himself to overcome the odds and compete successfully. But first he has to overcome his own doubts and recognize (often with the help of an older mentor) what his true capabilities are. Then he can go on to win. The audience is cheering for him the whole time, begging quietly for him to use his abilities to their fullest, not stifling his own progress.
Paul tells the Romans that he is not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the “power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). This Gospel was given to Paul and the other disciples to carry to the ends of the ear
th. In carrying the Gospel, they were carrying the power of God. We too have been given the Gospel to carry, and we too are carrying the power of God. However, sometimes we behave like the athlete at the beginning of the movie who doesn’t use all the resources at his disposal and is therefore a failure at what he wants to do the most. As Christians, we must realize that we posses the power of God. We may be underdogs in a world with far more non-Christians than Christians. We may not feel like we can do what we have been called to do. Yet, Jesus said in Matthew 19:26 that what is not possible with men is possible with God. It may be true that we could never accomplish our mission by ourselves, but we are not told to do that. We are told to accomplish our mission by relying on God because that’s the only way it will get done. Do not forget the power that you possess. Unleash God’s power in your life and see how he uses you to turn the world upside down.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Legacy
Earlier today, I received a call on my office phone that I did not expect and certainly did not want. One of my teachers, mentors, and friends passed away last night after complications from open-heart surgery. Ms. Pam Brown was a teacher at Walker High School who planned to retire this year. During her many years of service she counseled numerous students, offering lessons about English assignments, drama productions, and life in general. She was a cheerful woman who had a great sense of humor. She was tremendously devoted to her students as they were to her.
I personally learned a great deal from Ms. Brown. I remember as a young 10th grade student, she sought me out to be on the media staff. It was a side project for her. We met during fist block each day without any real supervision. Ms. Brown was also the drama teacher and so she stayed in the auditorium to work with Centerstage on upcoming performances during that hour and a half. The media staff was responsible producing bi-weekly programs to be shown to the high school. Many of the videos were funny, some were mere attempts at being funny. Obviously, we were given a great deal of freedom to roam around the school however we saw fit, carrying our video camera and microphone, usually goofing off more than working. That first day, Ms. Brown explained to all of us that she was placing a great deal of trust in us. That she viewed us as her kids. That she would do anything she could to help us out. BUT that if we did something wrong that we had better be the ones to tell her. If she found out from the principal, she would not be happy and would not run interference for us. In other words, we were part of her family and as such she demanded that we show the same amount of loyalty to her that she was showing to us. She wanted honesty and respect, and as long as we did not deceive her, she would fight for us any way that she could. She always lived up to that promise.
In remembering PHB (as she would sign permission forms), I am very aware of the legacy that she has left behind. Her death was sudden, but her influence is still alive and well in her students. We are her legacy. We are what she has left behind.
Often, we think that a Christian’s aim is to get to heaven. Certainly, we all want that to be our final destination, but being a Christian is more about advancing the Kingdom of God. That means that, as Chris Seidman said, we are trying to bring heaven down to earth. We are trying to make this earth the dwelling place of our Lord. I hope that this month, you will reflect on the people who have spent time mentoring and teaching you. Think about how they have shaped your life. Then ask yourself if you are doing the same thing for others. Ask yourself what legacy you are leaving with your life. Perhaps the greatest legacy of all can be found in 1 John 3:16: “By this we know love that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” Lay down your life in service to others. In doing so, you will leave a lasting legacy that brings glory to God and furthers his Kingdom.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Where Were You?
This month marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in Washington, D.C. and New York City. Like so many others, I can vividly remember where I was when I heard the news and can revisit the varied emotions brought on by live images of burning then collapsing buildings. Although I was sitting in a classroom in Jasper, AL, the continuous broadcasts from cable and network news outlets with moment-by-moment commentary gave me and indeed the entire nation one shared experience of that day. In a 
sense we all lived through it as if we were in New York or Washington. We all saw the second plane hit, either live or shortly after via replay. We watched as hundreds of emergency workers rushed to the World Trade Center, desperate to save as many lives as possible. We all stood aghast when the massive buildings crumbled beneath their own weight, burying those emergency workers in with such force the debris cloud was visible from space. The most chilling moments for many came before the tragic collapse when bodies were raining from the sky as people chose to jump from the highest floors instead of being engulfed by the inferno. This, perhaps more than anything else, forced the nation to think about how fragile life is and how quickly it can be taken away.
The days after the attacks were ones of unity, patriotism, sacrifice, bravery, anger, and uncertainty. As our leaders sought to reassure a startled nation and enlighten the American people about what happ
ened, individual citizens tried to understand what this new reality would mean for their lives. Some would go to far away lands and fight those responsible. Others would turn their attention to the families of victims and the ongoing needs of first responders. Regardless of the specific action taken, many dedicated themselves to serving something bigger. Seeing that life is so fragile and so easily taken, there was a renewed determination among the people to use their lives in the service of something that would outlast them. They wanted their lives to mean something, to make a positive difference in their world.
Unfortunately, it sometimes takes horrific events to remind us that life is short and should be used wisely. However, these ideas are not new. King Solomon, after a life full of every sort of experience and pleasure, said this:
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
The purpose of life is to find God. When we find him, we are completely awed by His power and presence. We stand reverently before Him, obeying His commands. That is our whole purpose. That is the only conclusion we can come to when we hear all that can be said about the matter. Fear God and keep His commandments.
Friday, August 5, 2011
From David Ramsey
The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 1:20-26:
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but is is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”
Paul had reached this point where he was ready to die so that he could go on to be with Christ, but there was one thing that was holding him back. That one thing was not to build a bigger tent, or win another championship, or take another vacation. The only thing holding him back was advancing the gospel that by “being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow.” I don't think that I can personally say the same of myself that Paul is saying of himself, but I am getting there.
“I do not claim to have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)
Paul was at this point where he'd just as willingly die and be with Christ as stay on Earth and even then stay only for the sake of spreading the gospel. He gives us hints as to how he got to that point. Speaking of those who oppose Christ he says, “Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 3:19-20)
I don't know how eager you are for Jesus to return. I don't know how truly eager I am, but to become more eager Paul suggests we take our minds off earthly things, but rather, “whatever it true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
C.S. Lewis said, "If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for present world were just those who thought most of the next."
If you want to get excited about your faith, about heaven, and about Christ's return spend time thinking about eternity.
I have enjoyed a wonderful summer with some of the best kids. You have really blessed me a lot these past two months and I will miss each of you, but I look forward to the day I get to see you again, if not in this life than in the next.
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3)
God bless,
David Ramsey
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but is is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”
Paul had reached this point where he was ready to die so that he could go on to be with Christ, but there was one thing that was holding him back. That one thing was not to build a bigger tent, or win another championship, or take another vacation. The only thing holding him back was advancing the gospel that by “being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow.” I don't think that I can personally say the same of myself that Paul is saying of himself, but I am getting there.
“I do not claim to have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)
Paul was at this point where he'd just as willingly die and be with Christ as stay on Earth and even then stay only for the sake of spreading the gospel. He gives us hints as to how he got to that point. Speaking of those who oppose Christ he says, “Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 3:19-20)
I don't know how eager you are for Jesus to return. I don't know how truly eager I am, but to become more eager Paul suggests we take our minds off earthly things, but rather, “whatever it true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
C.S. Lewis said, "If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for present world were just those who thought most of the next."
If you want to get excited about your faith, about heaven, and about Christ's return spend time thinking about eternity.
I have enjoyed a wonderful summer with some of the best kids. You have really blessed me a lot these past two months and I will miss each of you, but I look forward to the day I get to see you again, if not in this life than in the next.
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3)
God bless,
David Ramsey
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Til The Storm Passes By
April 2011 will be remembered as one of the saddest months in the history of Alabama. Numerous large, long-track tornadoes tore through the state leaving over 200 dead, hundreds missing, and millions of dollars in property damage. Nearly all counties in the northern two thirds of the stat
e were said by the Emergency Management Agency to have sustained “heavy damage.” Still, God’s people emerged from the rubble, working through His power and bringing glory to His name. As often happens, God caused good to come from bad.
In going to assist in East Limestone, I noticed that many workers who had no friends or family in the damaged area wanted to especially focus on people who had moved to the north Alabama from elsewhere. These are the ones who did not have loved ones nearby to help them dig out and rebuild. The idea seemed to be that nobody should go through such trying times without at least a little help, even if it had to come from strangers. Therefore the strangers cranked their chainsaws and got to work. Perhaps these volunteers thought of themselves in the same situation and how difficult it must be not to have the people you care about the most nearby to lend a hand. Regardless of their thought process, the recipients of their kindness were very grateful
Strangely, there are many instances when Christians do not seem to have that attitude toward each other. When the spiritual storms are howling overhead, and damage is done to our temporary homes we sometimes prefer to keep people at a distance. We attempt to keep them away because if they come near, they will see the wreckage left behind from the storm. We want them to believe everything is normal when in fact the opposite is true. Unfortunately the other Christians can be all too happy to oblige. They see no reason to add another problem to their already busy and stressful lives. In short, Christians sometimes leave each other alone.
Obviously, this is not every Christian. In fact, there are many caring, empathetic Christians who are ministering to hurt souls every day on every continent. Many people reading this will fall into that category. However, we do need to be reminded at times that God calls us to be involved in the joys of each others’ lives and be present to clear debris when the storms of life do their worst. James writes clearly about what true Christian fellowship looks like:
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”- James 5:13-16)
The important lesson is that we share with each other, both good things and bad. We help each other out when need be and we pray with and for our brothers and sisters.
e were said by the Emergency Management Agency to have sustained “heavy damage.” Still, God’s people emerged from the rubble, working through His power and bringing glory to His name. As often happens, God caused good to come from bad.In going to assist in East Limestone, I noticed that many workers who had no friends or family in the damaged area wanted to especially focus on people who had moved to the north Alabama from elsewhere. These are the ones who did not have loved ones nearby to help them dig out and rebuild. The idea seemed to be that nobody should go through such trying times without at least a little help, even if it had to come from strangers. Therefore the strangers cranked their chainsaws and got to work. Perhaps these volunteers thought of themselves in the same situation and how difficult it must be not to have the people you care about the most nearby to lend a hand. Regardless of their thought process, the recipients of their kindness were very grateful
Strangely, there are many instances when Christians do not seem to have that attitude toward each other. When the spiritual storms are howling overhead, and damage is done to our temporary homes we sometimes prefer to keep people at a distance. We attempt to keep them away because if they come near, they will see the wreckage left behind from the storm. We want them to believe everything is normal when in fact the opposite is true. Unfortunately the other Christians can be all too happy to oblige. They see no reason to add another problem to their already busy and stressful lives. In short, Christians sometimes leave each other alone.
Obviously, this is not every Christian. In fact, there are many caring, empathetic Christians who are ministering to hurt souls every day on every continent. Many people reading this will fall into that category. However, we do need to be reminded at times that God calls us to be involved in the joys of each others’ lives and be present to clear debris when the storms of life do their worst. James writes clearly about what true Christian fellowship looks like:
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”- James 5:13-16)
The important lesson is that we share with each other, both good things and bad. We help each other out when need be and we pray with and for our brothers and sisters.
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