The iChurch is here and moving ahead

I’m a pretty traditional guy when it comes to church. There should be a degree of order and respect for God and His house; the traditional hymns of faith (it’s okay if there is a drum, a couple guitars, a flute, sax, violin and a synthesizer as long as the guitars don’t screech and wail louder than the words and the sanctuary can handle); you call the building a Sanctuary, not a Worship Center (makes it sound like a sports arena or something); you use a hymnal and not show everything on a screen; it’s okay to raise your hands and such, just don’t jump all over the place and hang from the chandeliers; and so on. Yeah, I am pretty traditional. Part of it may be the way I was raised, but mostly it is how I choose to worship. Personally. So, after all this being said….I do not have problems with churches who use contemporary means of music and worship to reach out. As the scriptures say, “….become all things to all men so that by some means we might save some…” I’ve been known to tap my toe or clap my hands on more than one occasion because the contemporary music is often very good and moving. Just give me the good ole’ Doxology, Gloria Patri and The Apostle’s Creed once in awhile.

The funny thing about all this is that I am totally in favor of churches using all methods of electronic media and technology to reach the communities and I see very few churches doing it. I am fortunate to be a part of a church in Conyers that does. Regular tweets of prayer requests and important news come from the church staff and volunteers. The church Facebook page stays busy during every day and night informing the membership and anyone else who looks about what is going on at the church. Daily devotional readings are posted. Photos of church events, videos of baptisms are available. They have an excellent website that is kept up to date so anyone can see what is happening right now. When people come to church, they are urged to “check-in” on Facebook so that all their friends, and their friends, can see that you are at a church in the easily accessible Henry/Rockdale/Newton area. Between services, a café is open for coffee and light refreshments with wireless internet connections available and we just sit and chat, getting to know each other better.

The biggest surprise I got a few months ago was when the sanctuary lights dimmed for the pastor’s message; I noticed a strange glow coming from across the congregation. After a few moments, I realized the light was coming from iPads, Kindles and other tablet readers where people were using them for their Bibles. Many of them also have the capability to make notes and search references as you need to. Not wanting to be left behind in the technology world of churchdom, I have begun taking my Kindle and using it. For awhile I felt terribly guilty, but I have gotten used to the convenience of looking at different versions easily and, well, kinda being on the cutting edge.

My thoughts about all this are to remember that the church of the first century is the same church as it is today. The message has not changed one bit, but the methods of “doing” church have changed. And that’s okay. We shouldn’t be mad if someone uses their iPad for a Bible, just be glad they are reading God’s Word. Don’t complain that “they do not do things like we used to.” Find somewhere else that you can be happy. All in all, folks, regardless of what you think, it is not your church. It’s God’s church and we need to remember that.

And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.

Advent Day Twenty-five, December 21 - Jimmy lost his temper

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. Anyone who believes in Him will not die spiritually, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

One thing I’ve learned by doing a daily journal through both Lent and Advent is that I tend to hold myself more accountable than I ever have before. This year was my first Lent daily journal and is my second Advent to do this and I am finding out all manner of disturbing little things about myself. Today I had to ask forgiveness for a recent episode of temper I had. As a small boy and into my teen years, I had a ferocious temper and would lash out in word and fist if rubbed the wrong way. And it didn’t take a lot of rubbing.

In my day, there was no such thing as a ‘time out’ and my parents would sentence me to hard labor in the yard or the garden for my outbursts, or for more vocal responses, I lived with a bar of soap hanging from my mouth. Eventually, through their love, patience and not giving up on me, I began to change for the good. Plus, growing up spiritually helped me, too, because I learned that God wanted us to turn that cheek and go that second mile if it meant my Christian witness would not be harmed. And….I did some harm for a number of years.

Anyway, a few days ago I lost my temper and it wasn’t as much what I said, but how I said it and what I did. (Now aren’t you all wondering?) As per my history, I didn’t give any thought to how this other person was affected; until it was pointed out to me this morning….I denied it….for awhile….then, finally, knew I had to apologize. And I have always hated to apologize. Hated it. But, today, I knew I had to and before I ate lunch, I manned up and made the call. It went well… very well… and I felt the burden lifted from my spirit. And I felt loved again. All warm and fuzzy for doing the right thing.

God loved us and sent His Son. As bad a person as I can be. And, maybe you can be. He still loves us enough to send His Son to be born as a baby in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago so that I, Jimmy, can have the hope of being a better person and living with Jesus forever. I. Do. Not. Deserve. It. Not then…not now…not in the future. But, it wasn’t up to me. God loved me and this whole world. And, just as the wise men may have asked themselves at that birth, I still wonder at times, “What can I give Him?” And in the words of my favorite, but rarely sung, Christmas song from a few days back…..”I can give Him my heart.” And I do. Are you preparing your heart for Christ? Do you need to clear the air with God, or someone else? He’s waiting.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

The 24th Day of Advent - Tuesday, December 20

Through the door beside me, I hear the classic words of a lovely Christmas song and find myself singing along….“I just want a hula hooooop,” Then I find myself humming that “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.” Yep, I’m spending the morning in the kid’s room at the Library and story time is going on in the room behind me. Through the window, I can hear jingle bells and see the little kiddies jumping around the room in all manner of happy Christmas joy. As Miss Kathy settled the boys and girls down for the stories, I noticed that some of the books were kinda ragged and worn….the sign of a well-loved book. Sometimes when the books get too ragged and worn, the library has people that know how to fix them to look almost brand new again. That’s why some of the wonderful kid’s books (and adult books) are still on the shelves and enjoyed for years and years and years.

As we get older, our hearts get kinda ragged and worn, too. As I hit the big 60 in a very short time, I find myself rather cynical at times (I prefer to think of myself as a loveable, yet sometimes grumpy curmudgeon) about the state of the world, people in general and sometimes even the institutional church. Pretty much everything. And as I’ve written before, the days I spend in the library kid’s room always seem to refresh my heart because of the loveable and funny kids. The purity, imagination and innocence of a child is a wonderful thing and my stodgy old heart can use the boost on occasion….especially at Christmas.

During my Advent journey this year, I have tried to focus more on Jesus and a lot less on the world. I’ve looked for ways to keep my heart from becoming more ragged and worn because of the hectic, stressful days of this season. How about you? Are you feeling more and more pressured because of the holiday demands of jobs, family, church? Do you find yourself forgetting about Jesus in all the madness?

Do this for me….one evening this week, take a ride around and just look at Christmas lights on houses and in town. The McDonough Square is always a nice place to start. Then, when you get home, do not turn on the television and video games…put on some Christmas music, have a cup of hot chocolate, eggnog, cider, or even sweet tea. Doesn’t matter as long as you just sit back and enjoy a beverage as you think about what Jesus means to you and your family. Give someone a call you have lost track of, but used to be important in your life. Don’t email, text or facebook them. Call them. Catch up. Stop by the library and get a good Christmas book to read. There are lots of them, usually on a display inside the front doors. Read the Christmas Story in Luke. In Matthew. Write your own personal Christmas story. My family has been sitting around the dinner table and talking about our favorite Christmas memories and our favorite gifts. Our favorite church Christmas memory.

Jesus can take your heart and make it brand new as you travel through this Advent season and celebrate His birth in just a few days. Just listen to His gentle knocking.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

Advent Day Twenty-three, Monday, December 19

“The wise men fell on their faces and gave Him worship. Then they opened their treasures and offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)

There are two things in this verse that are important to me. One, is that the first thing the wise men did was to fall on their faces (showing truest humility and submission) and gave Him worship. They recognized this little boy, Yeshua, as a great man and one who would do great things. Second, after they gave worship, the men offered gifts. First….acknowledge Jesus as Saviour and Messiah with your worship, then offer Him your gifts.

Now comes the big question that I’ve heard all my life. “I don’t have any gifts to give.” “I’m not a preacher or teacher and I’m tone deaf.” “I don’t have any money.” “I can’t go to another country and tell people, I’m afraid and can’t afford it.” This question always aggravates me because people tend to over-analyze it and just don’t catch on to the biggest gift you can give. The gift that we all have and can give Jesus. It’s your heart. Your life. Your obedience. Your worship. Your love. Your testimony.

In the words to my favorite Christmas song that is very rarely sung – “What can I give Him, poor as I am. If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wiseman, I would do my part. But, what can I bring Him? Bring Him my heart!”

I’m a blessed man. God has given me a gift for music that I have always tried to use for His glory and His church. Except for a few rare times when I tried to accept the praise of people and let it go to my head, music has always blessed me. Playing, singing and listening. On many occasions, music touches my heart more than the spoken word…..but, that’s me. God has also given me a gift for writing and has allowed me to use it on many levels. From sharing my walk with God in newspapers, magazines, books, internet blogs and speaking engagements, I feel that God has used my peculiar view of life to encourage other people. I’ve been told that things I write are good because I can be so transparent and honest about my thoughts and stuff. Well, that may be true, but my life is God’s and I only share what I am learning as I travel each day for Him. There are good days and bad days; just like you. I stumble. And fall. All over the place. All the time. I just share them so that you may know you aren’t alone in your journey.

I encourage you to offer the gift of your heart anew to Jesus as we head into our last week of Advent, of our preparation for Jesus’ birth. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

Third Weekend in Advent - December 17 & 18

I took my family to lunch at Longhorn’s today which required traveling through the McDonough Square and out Jonesboro Road…..right into the heart of retail horror. I enjoyed watching the children waiting to sit on Santa’s lap up as he sat in his sleigh up on the Square. That’s always a highlight of the Saturdays of December; all the fun stuff on the Square. But, then, once we crossed the train tracks the holiday cheer came to a grinding halt…along with the traffic….along with any form of courtesy in driving….along with any calmness I had up to that point. And it only got worse as we approached the I-75 bridge and sat and sat and sat. I wanted to scream out the window that I did not wasn’t going to Target, or Belk, or Best Buy, or Sam’s, or any of the other zillion stores….I just wanted to stay in the right lane and get to Longhorn’s.

Finally, the sea of cars parted and I managed to pull in the parking lot and pile out of the car. As we walked to our table, I noticed how many people were looking at the smartphones, surfing, texting, facebooking, and making calls. The thing that disturbed me is that these were not lone diners, but were parties or two or more. What about sitting down and eating your meal makes you want to play with your phone and ignore those you are eating with? After we finished eating and headed to PetSmart, the craziness of drivers seemed to multiply. Ignoring lane markings, lane directions, stop signs, trying to beat you to any parking place you headed for, one even jumped into the handicapped parking place after cutting me off…..and, of course, as this very young driver hopped out of their car, there was no apparent physical disability. “Only stupidity,” I thought. I wanted the spot so that my mom who has legitimate walking problems wouldn’t have to walk so far to the pet store.

After fighting the fight to get home, I wanted to throw myself on the sofa and cover up my head with both anxiety and anger issues. I wonder every year if the time will come when we can slow it down and enjoy Christmas as what it was meant to be. Quietness, stillness, calmness, taking time with family and friends for some quality time, cutting back on the money and amounts of gifts. Personally, I like to give things from the WMU Worldcrafts online store where women and children in impoverished countries make simple gift items to sell in this store to earn a little money to provide for their families. I like buying the notecards with rice kernel designs from some Chinese and Thai ladies. Also, the carved wood items from Jordan, Central America and Africa make nice gifts at a very small price. I can shop online, spend money that is going to a cause to help people in need, and have unique gifts each year. Interesting homemade gifts can also be bought at the Fairview Senior Center and the funds help out Senior Services.

When I get caught up in the horrors of traffic and shopping and long days and nights, Jesus is the last thing on my mind. Usually, homicide is in the forefront of my thinking. That’s why the past couple of years, I have made conscious efforts to not get caught up into doing every single thing I am asked to do. No longer do I have to spend every evening of December at the church. Sure, I’d like to go to that particular party, I’m sorry I just can’t this year. You don’t owe explanations, just “I’m sorry, I just can’t make it.” Even though it would be fun….save yourself. Turn off the television and listen to music as you sip your hot chocolate in front of the fire. Read a story to your kids or other family.

You are the most important gift you can give to Jesus during this season and I encourage you to give Him a calm, peaceful spirit where you are truly celebrating His birth. He can’t use any of us if we are frantic and stressed; He is our Peace.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

Advent Day Twenty - Friday, December 16

“…God loved us and sent His Son…” (I John 4:10)

Have you ever experienced someone in your family having a baby? Your wife, mom, sister, daughter, aunt? Do you remember the excitement that ran rampant through the house in those last weeks? No matter how big the house, it seems that people keep running into each other and no one seems to know where anything is… everyone seems to talk at the same time, you might just break out into a goofy grin with no obvious reasons….the whole family and household is in upheaval until the baby arrives and gets home.

Now, in my odd little mind, I think that there must have been some major excitement going on in heaven during these few weeks before Jesus was born. After all, He was the Son of the Father and one of the biggest events of all time was about to take place. Angels were practicing their “Gloria” chorus, others were working out the details for the great star and lighting up the heavens; some were plotting out the logistics of appearing to shepherds in a mighty chorus (after all, this whole angel group appearing was a new thing), while many were probably just running the streets in a pure frenzy of excitement of what was about to happen. I hope this unscriptural illustration doesn’t offend anyone, but I like to think that all the heavenly inhabitants were excited that Jesus was coming to be born as a baby and bring God’s Love to all mankind. Think about it and see if you can imagine it, too.

Christmas is an excellent time for preparing all those around you for Christ’s coming. So many may have lost the joy of their salvation and need to be reminded; other friends and neighbors may not have a relationship with Jesus at all. Just as the prophets prepared the way for His birth and John prepared the way for His ministry, so should we prepare the way for His next coming. What better way to do that than to share the story of God’s greatest Love Gift to them now? Print up some little cards about your church programs and hand them out in your neighborhood. Put the schedule on Facebook. Wear an “It’s okay to say Merry Christmas” button wherever you go….and say it. (Now, please don’t harass retail clerks who have been instructed to say Happy Holidays…it’s their job and they may have no choice) Get excited about your walk with God and don’t be shy about sharing it. Smile. Whistle Christmas carols. Whatever you can do.

God loved us and sent His Son. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

Day 18 of Advent - Wednesday, Dec. 14 - The Blue-Eyed Monkey

“Jesus loves the little children; all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white; they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” (Children’s song)

In case you haven’t known this, I work part time at one of the public libraries in Henry County. Normally, I sit behind the circulation desk on the adult side and check in and out books for folks, print their computer work, give them some computer assistance, listen to their rants and raves about the economy, politics and life in general. Basically, I’m a bartender, just with books instead of booze. Each Wednesday, I am able to transport myself into the marvelous, wonderful side of the building known as “the kid’s room.” It’s where the elementary school kids come for their books and the room is filled with pictures, a colorful train full of books, and dragons hanging overhead a medieval castle circulation desk. But, the most magical thing about the room is the kids themselves.

As I sit there, they will come up and we will engage in the most serious conversations about almost anything. Just a big ago, I chatted with a young girl about the blue-eyed monkey that is in here back yard most of the time, but lives in the forest next door. She is hoping that the monkey will not eat all of the bird seed and peanut butter that is in her new bird feeder. She has also seen toucans and tigers wandering. So, we had the best time talking about what the toucans ate, what the monkey did in the afternoons and on and on we went. The world of these children refreshes my mind and cleans up my sometimes cynical attitude so easily.

It’s no wonder that Jesus told His disciples to “let the children come to Him” and that we had to come accept Him “as a child” in our faith and love…in other words, not all ‘cynic-ish’ and with qualifications. Just pure and simple, like a child.

It’s kinda like that as we journey through Advent. If you just take the story at face value….virgins giving birth by a supernatural being…angels singing to shepherds….stars guiding the way….intelligent astrologers traveling to find this baby….a murderous plot by a King…dreams and more dreams sending people all over the region….well, to be honest with you, it would be a bit hard to believe. Again, at face value. But, when we know the story at ‘faith value,’ then we can simply, purely, believe and accept. Like a child. God loved us and sent His Son. That’s the basics. All we have to do is Believe. Love Him. Love Others. Tell. Do what He asks. Obey. Pure and simple.

Just like a little girl in Stockbridge who has a blue-eyed monkey living in her back yard. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!