Discipleship - The Narrow Path

September 21, 2018September 21, 2018

What Are You Wearing Today?

Well, if my title didn’t startle you last time it probably did this time. Becoming a fashion-first type of guy is the furthest thing from my mind. Hopefully we can continue the get-out-and-be-counted-idea that I wrote about last time we were together. I have written before that I believe that we are all called to Christian Discipleship for the Savior who died for us. One does not have to be a Pastor or Priest, a Deacon or Bishop to live a life of discipleship, loving his fellow man as himself, being the face of Jesus to any and all with whom he or she might come into contact. I believe that living one’s life in this manner is equivalent to clothing oneself in one’s Christianity. Just as one’s daily choices from the closet, these pieces of one’s Christ-like wardrobe, this mantle should be visible for all to see. What are you wearing today?

Christian Discipleship – A Conscious Decision

Just as we dig through our closets and make up our minds about what clothes to wear for the day or the occasion; we can make a decision before we leave the house to present ourselves as either visible or invisible to those around us. Most of us choose to make an impression of some sort. Depending on our state of mind, our appearance may invoke a positive or negative response in people. Perhaps we chose to make no impression, be invisible to the public eye. That is still a choice, a conscious decision. It is the same with our faith. We can choose to be without visible faith or faith-neutral, or we can choose for our faith to be visible and make an impression. Jesus called us to make a conscious decision to wear our faith to make an impression.

Faith Without Works

In the Anglican Church, this past Sunday’s New Testament reading taught that faith without works is dead. The second chapter of James points out very clearly that claiming we have faith is worthless unless we practice that faith.

¹⁴What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? ¹⁵If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, ¹⁶and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? ¹⁷So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:14-17 (ESV)

Be Significant!

Dr. John Temple, a significant man in his own right, charged his nephew, Matthew, at his ordination not to be successful but to be significant.

“We are not called to be a success. We are called to be significant.”

Reverend Matt Temple and Family
Credit: Overflow Church

I was struck with the profoundness of this statement. Success marks a fleeting moment in time. Significance leaves a legacy. Should we not likewise strive to leave a lasting impression? Perhaps changing the lives of not just one person but future generations as well. Matt’s parents lived a Godly life. They raised Godly children. Their sons and daughter are following their examples by raising their own children to love the Lord and live Christ-like lives. I would bank on the next generation of this beautiful family being raised in the same manner. Fred Temple, Matt’s father, and my dear friend is just a plain fellow by society’s standards. A simple man. Hard working and quiet. Fred is a significant man. He puts on the mantle of Christian Discipleship every day. He chooses to be significant. By doing so, he has left lasting marks on an ever-expanding part of the world.

What Are You Wearing Today?

In the future, no one will remember the clothes you wore today. But, if you are clothed in Christ, if you show one person true Christian charity, the Love of Christ, that person will never forget. The mantle of Christian Discipleship, worn for all to see, accompanied by acts of compassion and humanity will certainly be significant in this world where these things are rare and lacking. What are you wearing today?

Most merciful Father, I pray that you will bless Matt Temple and his family as they strive to do the work you have given them to do. Give them strength and courage to be significant in the lives of others. Abba, I pray we all carry our working faith into our everyday lives. Remind us that it is our duty to actively be the Body of Christ, that being a disciple is a call to action and not just a call to education only. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen

September 12, 2018September 12, 2018

We Eat But We Do Not Exercise

Okay folks, before you go running for the exits, hitting the escape button or otherwise tuning out this post; please bear with me for just one paragraph before you split. I am going to climb up on a soapbox, but not to preach about the obesity that runs rampant in American society. At 6”4” and 315 pounds, that would be a bit like the guilty throwing the first stone. I will rather today, preach about a complacency that is thriving in our churches today. Particularly in the western world.

Many, too many, Christians have fallen into a trap. We congregate in our Churches on the Sabbath, sing praises, recite prayers, hear the Word of God, many take Communion, we smile and visit with one another and we go home to go about our week. We feel we have done out duty to our God. Dearly beloved, this is the shame we bear. We have come to Christ’s table. We have partaken of the very Body of Christ. And we feel good about ourselves, in that we have done as we should. However, we have not exercised our duty to our Savior. We eat but do not exercise. All too many of us do not even consider the discipleship to which we are called. We are called to spread the Gospel of Christ “even to the ends of the earth.”

It is not enough

It is not enough to go to Church only. It surely isn’t enough to grow a congregation, teach and preach and praise within the confines of our beloved buildings. As disciples, we must be the Body of Christ outside those four walls. A lot of us can not remember the last time, if ever, when we simply mentioned the name of Jesus to someone in our day to day world. Are we being an example of Christ’s teaching to others? If we are not showing love for our fellow man we are not doing enough.

Fear is the tool of the Devil

I believe that many of us are being held back as disciples by fear of some sort. We may be afraid of rejection, or of ridicule. Possibly that we might not know what to say. Some may feel that they cannot quote enough scripture. I think that these thoughts are put in our heads by the evil one. If we falter here he is ecstatic.

The Devil is a Liar

The evil one is the Supreme Liar and we have Truth on our side. We can always speak of the truth of how God has worked in our own lives. Who can dispute the beauty of your own personal experiences with the Love of Christ? If you have seen God work a miracle in your life, by all means, tell someone, tell everyone! We probably shouldn’t stand on a busy street corner with a sign and a megaphone, but we absolutely must speak up. We don’t have to close the deal, but we must approach the subject. It is easier than you may think and it feels so good.

Discipleship…If not you, who?

Christ gave us the Great Commission. I don’t think he meant only the eleven disciples to follow his words. It is hard for me to fathom that Jesus meant for his followers to practice his instructions for just a little while. In the Anglican Faith, after sharing communion, our priests will offer this prayer before our recessional.

Heavenly Father,
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the most precious body and blood
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and for assuring us in these holy mysteries
that we are living members of the body of your Son,
and heirs of your eternal Kingdom.
And now Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do,
to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
From the Book of Common Prayer, Anglican Church of North America

We eat but we do not exercise

One of the big reasons that Christianity is taking such a beating today is that, as Christians, we are not taking what we have been given and giving that gift to others. The Love of Christ is meant to be shared. Discipleship requires action. We eat but we do not exercise! We must discharge the duties we have been given, get out of our comfort zone. Go forth and share the Light with this darkened world.

Before I end in prayer, I would like to thank Reverend Canon Keith Allen of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, Mississippi for laying these thoughts on my heart. God bless you always, my Brother.

Blessed Creator of all that is visible and invisible, thank you for loving us so much that you sent your Son to die for us, giving us eternal life. Go with us, I pray, as we endeavor to go about the work you have given us to do. Quiet our fears, filling us with the power of the Holy Spirit and give us Grace to carry the Love of Christ even to the ends of the earth. In Jesus’ Holy name I pray. Amen

April 19, 2018April 23, 2018

Where Are Our Churches?

The world is a hot mess! Not many would argue this point. There are murders in our streets and in our homes. Children are being bought and sold by sex traffickers. Hatred and intolerance are the order of the day. One cannot trust the media or the government. Morality is at an all-time low. Family values are a thing of the past. Video games and social media are the central influences of our youth. The debauchery practiced during the reign of the Roman Empire does not hold a candle to the practices of today’s society. Laws protect the criminal. Surely we are on the express train to the End of Days. Armeggedon must be just over the horizon. All these statements lead me to the big question. Where are our Churches?

More than just an hour a week

Don’t get me wrong, I think there are many strong Christians congregating together to grow in the image of Christ. However, it isn’t enough to meet for an hour on Sunday and then go about the status quo. We should take a lesson from Christ tossing the money changers from the Temple. It is way past time to stand up. Be heard. Make a difference. Jesus was not a pushover. We shouldn’t be either. We are supposed to love each other. Does the father show his son love if he does not offer him direction and correction if needed? Does God the Father not guide and correct his errant children.

Churches as Something for Everybody

Churches have obviously not caused the downfall of society as we know it. They did not destroy family values. But why have they not taken a wider stance in rebuilding the lost values of our people? Have we grown too comfortable in our pews hearing messages to make us feel good? Have our churches, with their coffee bars, and stage performances, their gymnasiums, and their pablum-for-the-soul preachers rotted our perception of what we are to be about? Beloved, if your Pastor is not challenging you to be more like our Savior, to pick up your cross and bear the weight of its burden, you may as well have stayed home. We were made in God’s image, not He in ours.

Casting Crowns is one of the leading groups in Christian music today. One of their most popular songs challenges the complacency of today’s Church. The lyrics to If We Are The Body get right to the marrow of the matter:

“But if we are the body
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?”

Where are our Churches?

Why are more of our churches not present in the inner cities, teaching children to read? Should not more church groups be feeding and clothing the homeless? Why are there not enough church-run food pantries? Should not our churches and our pastors be incensed by the lack of respect and love for our fellow man that has become so evident in our youth culture?

What are they teaching?

There are far too many mega-churches today, with edifices that cost millions of dollars, preaching the gospel of prosperity, conforming God into our image, hardly ever making congregants squirm in their pews because the message from the stage confronts their sinful lives. Letting their people pick and choose which sins to overlook.

We as a brotherhood of Christians have become lazy. Our Churches have allowed that to happen. It is apparently too easy to attend services on Sunday and retreat back to our comfort zones. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are not being challenged effectively. We cannot be the hands and feet of Jesus if we are not making the effort to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It is way past time to reach out to our neighbors in need. It is time to put down our smartphones and parent our children. We may not feel that we can change the world but we can change our part of it. We just have to show up. Stand up.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34 ESV

I don’t believe that Jesus was proclaiming the need for violence but challenging His followers to be different from the rest of the world. To stand up for Christian principles, and challenge the world to bring change. When has there been a greater need than now to do just that? We must stand up, become warriors for Christ. Pick up our swords and fight for God. If your church is not moving you toward making a stand, to reach out to those in need of some Jesus in their lives, not moving you to be the hands and feet of Christ; then maybe it is time to change…churches.

April 18, 2018

There Is No Place Like Home, Part II

When last we were together, I shared that the life of a young person in a military family can leave quite a mark on the makeup of a young mind. That the transient lifestyle that I lived caused me to crave something permanent. Left me believing that I might never have what I wanted most, a place that I could call home. I left the story having experienced an epiphany. The lightning bolt of realization had struck. Indeed, there is no place like home!

You have been cordially invited… Home

I may have come late to the party but I had been carrying my invite in my back pocket for some time and didn’t even know it. The permanence that I longed for was something that I possessed all along. I just had to claim it. I have written before that we are “just passin’ through” this world. There was never meant to be any permanence here. My home, and yours, is already waiting for us. Our place has been reserved. Jesus has gone before us to prepare the place. He told the Apostles:

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3 ESV)

When Jesus spoke of the final judgment, He said

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34 ESV)

When I had been Baptized I had been given the invitation. The deed to my permanent home was in my unworthy hand. I need not look any longer in this world.

The Communion of Saints

In this world, we are called to fellowship with other Christians as we are instructed throughout the Gospels and Epistles. I believe that we do this for several reasons. We are surely in training in this realm for our eternal life in the next. The Apostle Paul says in his letter to the Hebrews:

^“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

I am pretty sure that we can all use the support, the prayers and the encouragement that should be part of meeting regularly with our fellow Christians. I may be the one amongst us that needs it the most. What better place to prepare for our Heavenly home than in the midst of those who are striving for the same things in life.

Jesus came to heal sinners

When the scribes and Pharisees asked the Disciples why Jesus spent time with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus responded:

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17 ESV)

I have often heard that church is not a country club (or hotel) for saints but a hospital for sinners. This last statement has been attributed to many from St. Augustine to Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby). Whoever said it, I believe they had Jesus’ words in mind. Though the building in which we meet is by no means our home, I believe that Church is a place we belong. We are called to congregate together, to support each other, to pray for each other and the world. To praise the One who made us. A place to rejoice in our blessings and share the Grace of God with each other. To celebrate our various gifts.

A place to belong

The communion of Christian fellowship is a place to gain the strength and renewal needed to face the world. Our Churches should be full of the Love of Christ, one should be challenged and encouraged there, uplifted and confronted. Even this transient heart can find comfort and peace there, a sense of belonging. It is a place to help us find our Home. It may not be our final destination but it is a great place to start. After all, there is no place like Home!

November 13, 2017March 19, 2018

Discipleship is not a spectator sport

Contrary to what is apparent by observing our western societal norms Christianity, specifically Discipleship, is NOT a spectator sport. We, as Disciples of Christ, are called to action by Jesus himself. Most of us have heard of The Great Commission as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel.

¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt.28:19-20 ESV

Perhaps not so often quoted, the Apostle Mark also wrote of Jesus’ last set of instructions, just before ascending into Heaven. Mark gave us this account of The Savior’s last words.

¹⁵And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. ¹⁶Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:15-18 ESV

Though Jesus spoke specifically to the Eleven (Judas Iscariot had already hanged himself in shame over The Betrayal), I can’t imagine that his words were only intended for those ears. The implication here is clearly that this teaching is to spread from teacher to follower, that follower becoming a teacher, and in turn teaching a new group of followers and so on through the ages to present day.

All too often, we are complacent to allow our Pastors and Deacons to carry the load. To be the teacher. We, as followers, are happy to tune in on Sunday mornings. Feeling satisfied that we have done our duty to God by our mere presence in Church. After all, we sang. We heard the sermon or the homily (can’t leave out Catholics). We even took Communion. What more does He want?

Tighten your seat belts folks! Here comes the big question! We call ourselves the Body of Christ. How can we be the hands and feet of Christ if we are sitting on our hands with our feet propped up in the grandstands? Pretty much just what many of us are doing. It is time for us to get up, get in the game.

Anybody can do it. We must do it. Before you say that you aren’t qualified or that you are afraid you will fail, consider these lyrics from Broken Things by Matthew West.

“The pages of history they tell me it’s true
That it’s never the perfect; it’s always the ones with the scars that You use
It’s the rebels and the prodigals; it’s the humble and the weak
The misfit heroes You chose
Tell me there’s hope for sinners like me”

The Body of Christ is so necessary today. Don’t believe it. Look at the violence in the streets, the racial unrest, and those stupid pink hats. We need to stand up. Stand up for Christ. He certainly stood up for us, all the way to the Cross of Calvary. We don’t have to be deal closers but we have to be present in the deal. The movement started over two thousand years ago. We just need to place our shoulders to the stone and make it roll again.