tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73634074774685475122024-03-25T01:09:41.224-05:00Notes from the Narrow Road: Observations from a pilgrim traveling along The WayThe personal blog of Dr. Scott JonesScott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-54420552546089925722018-08-30T09:11:00.000-05:002018-08-30T09:11:04.737-05:00Anxiety and Depression in the MinistryAnother <a href="https://churchleaders.com/news/331944-pastor-suicide-depression-and-anxiety-claim-young-pastors-life.html" target="_blank">pastor has committed suicide</a> as a result of the struggle with anxiety and depression. This tragedy occurred shortly after I saw a blog post by Thom Rainer from earlier this year describing <a href="https://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/320205-five-reasons-many-pastors-stuggle-depression.html" target="_blank">five reasons many pastors struggle with depression</a>. It is right that attention be given to this subject. Most ministers I know battle anxiety and depression at least to some extent, and I think this is a widespread reality among the population in general.<br />
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Full disclosure: I too battle anxiety and depression. Fortunately, mine has never been severe enough to require medication or on-going therapy. My anxiety, or sense of a threat either real or imagined, comes and goes usually without rhyme or reason. I will worry, have occasional panic attacks, get depressed, and then feel better after a time. I am deeply respectful of the fact that others suffer more than I do. My symptoms are painful but usually mild and not incapacitating. That is not the case for others. I also want to say that I am in no way convinced that my symptoms are connected to my spiritual life or walk with Christ. The two are not related. It is a mistake to attempt to explain the one by the other. Some of my lowest lows occurred as the Lord spoke clearly to me. And, in my darkest nights of the soul I have drawn closer to the Lord. Not always, of course. Sometimes I give in to the temptation to self-medicate and self-destruct. But my pain has, at other times, led me into the presence of the Lord.<br />
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It is important to understand that anxiety and depression are both acute and chronic. <b>Acute</b> anxiety and depression come on for a while and then go away, usually resulting from circumstances in our lives. Things happen that affect us deeply. <b>Chronic</b> anxiety and depression, by comparison, are ongoing and may or may not be related to circumstances. The chronic condition is always present to some extent. Circumstances can make it worse, but it was already there. Some people feel anxiety and depression all the time. When trials or difficulties come, the anxiety and depression become worse. These folks may find it extremely difficult to weather the storm. It takes time.<br />
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The Bible reveals that God called out and used mightily those who may have had some anxiety and depression. I see many possible examples. I think Moses suffered both acute and possibly chronic anxiety and depression. I would say that Joshua shows signs of acute anxiety after the death of Moses. While commissioning him, God commands Joshua many times not to be afraid but to be strong and courageous. Then there is Gideon, Jeremiah, King Saul, King David, Samuel, Elijah, Simon Peter, Paul the Apostle, all showing at least some signs of both acute and chronic anxiety and depression. Even Jesus may have felt these deep emotions. Just read again the accounts of his experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. With the exception of King Saul, God not only called out these servants, but He drew close to them and revealed Himself to them in extraordinary ways. Each had an important role in God's kingdom work. Their role was shaped, at least in part, by their emotional struggles.<br />
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Here are my suggestions for my ministry friends who struggle with anxiety and depression. How you deal with your condition can be a powerful witness and encouragement to others.<br />
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<b>First</b>, it is time to lay aside your pride. Too many of us struggle privately, through lonely days and nights, behind well-crafted masks we hope others will think are our real faces. The masks are not real but are carefully designed deceptions. We are not honest, we are hiding. Lay aside the idols of your pride, your image, your dignity, and come out of hiding. I'm not saying you should introduce everyone you meet to your emotional baggage, but it is time to bring some things out of the darkness and into the light.<br />
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<b>Second</b>, take the medication if it helps. Even if it makes you put on weight. Just take it and feel better. There is no shame in taking medication to feel better. We do it all the time for a variety of ailments. Stop suffering if something will help. I know people who would give anything to get relief from their chronic back pain, and nothing will help them. If the medicine will give you relief, take it and praise God for His mercy and grace.<br />
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<b>Third</b>, regularly talk to someone about what you are feeling and what you are thinking. It is important to separate my thoughts and beliefs from my feelings, but I need to acknowledge them both. Talk to a counselor, to a therapist, to your spouse, to your friends. Talk to me. I meet monthly with a friend who is a professional counselor. I also meet regularly with a small group of pastors. We all struggle in similar ways. It is refreshing and encouraging to talk about it with my peers.<br />
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<b>Fourth</b>, caring for yourself is not selfish. Eat well. Get plenty of exercise. Do the things that make your heart sing. Avoid the things that will numb the pain and perhaps make you worse. Do things with the people that give you joy. I once read a book entitled <i>When I Relax I Feel Guilty</i>. That may be a common sentiment, but it is not noble or commendable.<br />
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<b>Fifth</b>, do what you can each day and forgive yourself for what you were not able to do. There are times when the victory is simply getting out of bed. Celebrate it with coffee. Tomorrow is a new day. Each day I find there are things I simply cannot bring myself to do. I allow five minutes for self-hatred and then I focus on what I CAN do, and give myself grace for everything else.<br />
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<b>Finally</b>, I think there are some wounds, some conditions, some suffering that will only be healed in eternity. The Bible says this world is not my home, so my expectations for this world are low. God could heal me in this life if He wanted to, but He doesn't. So I exercise my faith that in eternity I will be healed of all my weakness, frailties, and sin. In the meantime I trust that the Lord will come and be strong in my weakness. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.<br />
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I am interested in you and in your emotional/spiritual health. Let me know how you are doing. Please take care of yourself and seek the help you need.<br />
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<br />Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-74796342557204888212018-06-06T14:48:00.000-05:002018-06-06T14:48:27.476-05:00Anxiety and Truth in the 2018 Hurricane SeasonLast night I had my first panic attack related to the onset of hurricane season. I have not had a panic attack like this since before Hurricane Harvey. Yesterday I spent a lot of time listening to more recovery stories from people in our community and helping as many as I could with their financial situations. Last night I went to a support group for those wanting to talk about their fears and anxieties related to the storm. We spoke about hurricane preparedness and what the community was doing to make ready for hurricane season. The consensus between me and those who work for the county was that regardless of what happens this hurricane season, we will be ready to begin the recovery effort over again if necessary. I even said my go-to line, "Everything will be ok." I do believe that, by the way. Everything will be ok.<br />
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But then it happened, a little after 1:30 a.m. I woke up and my mind started racing. My house isn't completely ready for another storm just yet. If we had to evacuate, where would we go? I don't know if I have the emotional energy to prepare and evacuate my family, let alone get my church ready. How will my children handle another evacuation? Harvey was devastating emotionally for my elderly mother. Will she be able to do it all again? What if we are on vacation when a storm hits? What will we do with our cat? My mind raced for well over an hour trying to come up with answers to these questions and others. I felt that familiar irrational need to be in control clashing with the horrible reality that I can control very little. My heart raced along with my mind. The adrenaline was flowing. By the time it passed I was emotionally and physically exhausted.<br />
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When this happens to me, what I need most is the truth. My imagination is able to come up with an infinite number of possible scenarios, all of them horrible, all requiring some kind of plan or solution. I panic. I am afraid I won't be equal to the task and all will be lost. I fear being exposed as a failure because I did not make adequate preparation for my family, my property, my church, my community, South Texas, and so on, and so on, and so on!<br />
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I have no control over how I feel. But what do I KNOW? What is the truth? The truth is, even if the worst should happen, God is still present in power. I am not promised I will escape my trials unscathed, I am promised a way through them. My family is more resilient than I think. Property can be replaced, at least mostly. Everything will be fine.<br />
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When I come face to face with a reality I cannot control it is fitting that I embrace my limitations and stand on what I know or believe to be true. When I can do this, I tend to calm down. I am not supposed to be the hero of the story, God is. It is ok for me to be weak, needy, broken, and helpless.<br />
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The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:6-9,<br />
<i>Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. </i><br />
<i></i><br />I am praying that the peace of Jesus Christ will guard the hearts and minds of all those in Aransas County as make our way together through the hurricane season of 2018. We can do this.<br />
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<br />Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-26271430331920419362018-03-19T18:29:00.000-05:002018-03-20T09:03:03.725-05:00Remembering the Church that Shaped Me: Recollections of First Baptist Church, Cleburne, TX<br />
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<u>“My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold”</u></div>
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By William Wordsworth</div>
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My heart leaps up when I behold</div>
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A rainbow in the sky:</div>
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So it was when my life began;</div>
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So it is now I am a man;</div>
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So be it when I shall grow old,</div>
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Or let me die!</div>
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The Child is father of the Man;</div>
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I could wish my days to be</div>
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Bound each to each by natural piety.</div>
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<i>When I was a child, I talked like a child, I
thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish
ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall
see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am
fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest
of these is love. <b>1 Corinthians 13:11-13</b></i></div>
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What difference does one church make? First Baptist
Church of Cleburne is celebrating 150 years. It is natural on such an occasion
to reflect on what difference the congregation has made in the community after
so much time. It would be hard to say how Cleburne or Johnson County would be
different if First Baptist Church did not exist. One could certainly make a
case for the church’s impact over 150 years. I can say with more certainty that
First Baptist Cleburne made a difference to me. I started attending the church
when I was six years old and made a profession of faith and was baptized by the
age of seven. Ten years later I preached my first sermon, publicly
surrendered my life to vocational ministry, and was licensed as a minister by
First Baptist Cleburne. I have been in full-time vocational ministry for about
25 years, almost 15 of those years as a Pastor.</div>
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My memories of First Baptist Cleburne are those of
a child and adolescent. As an adult reflecting on the influence that
congregation had on me, I understand things differently now. Yet, I feel
such powerful emotions when the memories come to me. I think the poet Wordsworth
has the right of it: the child is the father of the man. My formative years
where shaped in a powerful way by First Baptist Cleburne. How did this
congregation shape my life?</div>
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Probably not by the ministries, no offense to
those who worked so hard. I was active in all of them: every Sunday and
Wednesday and other days too. I went to Sunday School and worship, Sunday night
church training and worship, children’s choirs and youth choirs, Mission
Friends and Royal Ambassadors, Youth Bible studies out the wazoo, camps,
retreats, mission trips, ski trips Vacation Bible School, all of it. With a few
notable exceptions, I remember so little of what took place. I am having
difficulty remembering a single sermon preached in that pulpit, even my own! </div>
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As I look back, some things come into focus for
me. As a member of First Baptist Cleburne I was personally shaped in four
specific ways: by the music ministry, through missions, by examples of
Christ-like servanthood, and through individual church members who invested in
me over time.</div>
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I was shaped by the Music Ministry of First
Baptist Cleburne. My parents were members at First Baptist for about 35 years,
give or take. Some of my earliest impressions of church are of sitting next to
my father in Sunday night worship services as he sang tenor and bass parts to
hymns led by Coy Simms. My folks saw A LOT of changes in the music ministry over
the years. There are many opinions about what was done and why and how. I think
the changes were the natural transformations that take place in congregations
as decades pass. What the music ministry offered during my time there had a
definite influence on me. I was in the choir program from first grade through
my senior year in high school. Only Tim Twaddell logged more choir hours than I
did among our peers. I sang in countless Christmas pageants and even had a
speaking part in one. I remember going to choir festivals that were not very
festive but seemed more like the Great White Throne Judgment. We prepared for
months, even learning how to stand up and sit down on cue. In all of this I
learned an appreciation and love for worship, for hymns, for praise music, for
singing a new song to the Lord. I especially learned the importance of a strong
choral ministry, how it involves many people in worship, and allows a variety
of people to use the gifts given to them by God. In my own church I am
committed to the music and creative arts ministry in all its various
incarnations. I learned my lessons well. </div>
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I had close relationships with pastors, youth
ministers, and ministers of education at First Baptist Cleburne. I love and
respect them all. The minister who influenced me most, who continues to
influence me, is Mike Paslay, a Minister of Music. I have written about Mike
before, so I will say now simply that God used Mike at pivotal times in my life
to discover who I am, my calling to ministry, what it means to be a husband and
father in ministry, what it means to be a part of a diverse staff, and how to
stay in ministry over a long period of time. I continually thank God for Mike
and his ministry at First Baptist Cleburne.</div>
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First Baptist Cleburne also profoundly shaped the
way I understand missions in a Baptist church. I grew up at a time in Baptist
life when people were immersed in missions education from a young age through
adulthood. My mother taught Mission Friends alongside Maxine George and others.
I went to Royal Ambassadors (RAs) and worked through workbooks getting badges
and other stuff. We were a challenge to work with, our little group of RAs,
with many a leader attempting to teach us about Southern Baptist mission endeavors.
Most influential was Wayne Rosette. He taught us in the classroom every
Wednesday night but also had us out doing other things as well. I vividly
remember our campouts out at Bob Lilly’s property near Glen Rose. The men
taught us how to camp, build fires, cook over a campfire, tie knots, and other
outdoorsy kind of things. First Baptist Cleburne had a missionary residence where
missionaries on furlough could stay. These families were treated like
celebrities in our church. We heard their stories and prayed for them on a
regular basis. My father spent many hours helping to strengthen local Spanish
speaking congregations. I remember well the time when our church planted a
mission church in Cleburne, sending some of our families to be founding
members. That mission went on to become Nolan River Road Baptist Church. When I
was a teenager I went on mission trips to various places, trips that had a
formative influence on me. There seems to be this mission spirit running
through First Baptist Cleburne, as the members teach missions, pray for
missions, give to missions, and engage in missions locally and away. Recently I
was on the receiving end of First Baptist Cleburne’s mission efforts as they
took up a collection of goods and delivered it to my current church and
community in Rockport after Hurricane Harvey. I am thankful First Baptist
Cleburne is a sending church.</div>
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First Baptist Cleburne shaped my understanding of
Christ-like servanthood: as a man, a family, and as a minister. My family
invested their lives in First Baptist Cleburne over the course of three decades
at least. My father was an ordained deacon in the church, serving as Chairman
from time to time. He served on many committees and various ministries. He led
in Children’s Church when I was a child. He worked on and around the building
for years. There was a time when he made my brother and I go with him to the
church on Saturdays to mow the church yard and make it look nice for Sunday. I
remember the summer my father drove the church bus for Vacation Bible School.
My mother served on various committees over the years. She served on at least
one search committee that brought a youth minister to our church, Ken Lewis,
who influenced me in great ways. She taught in VBS and Mission Friends. There
was a time in which my parents served on the Lord’s Supper Committee. Things
were much different back then. My mother spent the day before the Lord’s Supper
baking all those little wafers. She would roll out the dough and use a pizza
cutter to make the squares and then put them in the oven. I got to eat the
uneven ones closer to the edges. The juice was put in little glass cups that
had to be collected carefully after the service and washed by hand. I
distinctly remember hearing someone drop one of the glass cups on the floor
during the service. The cup did not break but bounced on the tile floor and
rolled its way to the front of the sanctuary. My family was invested in the
life of the church. We sacrificed time and resources for what we thought was a
worthy purpose. Another example of Christ-like servanthood was the time Dr.
Danny Crosby drove at least an hour to attend my grandmother’s funeral. As a
pastor I know what a sacrifice that can be, especially when you are not
officiating the service. I would not do that for just anybody. It touched me
deeply that he did that to express his love and support for my parents.</div>
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First Baptist Cleburne also shaped me through
individual church members who invested in my life during my formative years.
There are too many to mention them all. I am filled with so much emotion as I
remember them. I remember Mr. Yeary standing at the doors of the sanctuary
handing out bulletins and peppermints. I remember sitting behind Hugh and
Laurie Smith every Sunday as a child. She wore a hat every week, and Hugh would
always turn around with a big smile and shake my hand. I remember my family
riding with Maury Dobbs as he took us around town in his maroon car. I marveled
that everything he owned seemed to be maroon. My mom said it was because he was
an aggie. I didn’t know what that meant. Still don’t, really. I remember how
cold the water was when I was baptized, and Dr. Ron Horton standing in the
water telling me how proud he was of me. I remember the first time I saw the
inside of the women’s restroom. Wilma Reed took me in there because I had a
nosebleed during the service. I sat on the couch while she took care of me, and
I wondered at the fact there was a couch in the women’s restroom. Wilma was one
who invested in me in many was over the years. My life and ministry have her
fingerprints all over them. I remember sitting down on the front pew with the
Twaddell family during worship and having to be quiet because Mr. Twaddell had
a big ring he threatened to pop me and Tim with if we got too loud. I don’t
think he ever did, but the fear was real. I remember that Jane Sims resigned as
my fourth grade Sunday School teacher because of four incorrigible boys: Tim
Twaddell, Lynn Wheatley, George Walls, and me. I remember that she told us that
she loved us but couldn’t do it anymore. I remember my parent’s grief,
especially my father’s, over the loss of friends and co-servants over the
years, people like Wayne Stewart, Bob Mahaney, Bill George, Marshall Young, and
Maury Dobbs, just to name a few. I remember Don Wilson teaching my Sunday
School class and challenging me personally to live out my faith as a teenager.
He found ways to engage me every week. I remember listening to Jackie Crumpton
laugh. I loved to hear him laugh. Hearing him laugh again is one of the things
I look forward to most about Heaven. I could go on for pages.</div>
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I have been profoundly shaped by the lives of
those who drifted in and out of First Baptist Cleburne over the course of
decades. God, in his wisdom, love, and grace, used this congregation in my
formative years to shape my understanding of how a church worships, serves,
sends, loves, and lives together year after year, decade upon decade, through
life and death, joy and tragedy, in big things, and in small things. From these
people I learned to have faith, hope, and love. Looking back, I can see clearly
that I was deeply loved, by both God and His people. </div>
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Thank you, First Baptist Cleburne. I celebrate
your 150 years of ministry in Johnson County. It has made a difference to me.</div>
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<script src="https://www.revolvermaps.com/re/rm.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">rm_f1st('0','280','true','true','000000','v1oCEd9nJx','true','true','ff0000');</script><noscript><applet codebase="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re" code="core.RevolverEngine" width="280" height="280" archive="re.jar"><param name="cabbase" value="re.cab" /><param name="recenthits" value="true" /><param name="nostars" value="true" /><param name="i" value="v1oCEd9nJx" /><param name="m" value="0" /><param name="size" value="280" /><param name="color" value="ff0000" /><param name="counter" value="true" /><param name="bg" value="000000" /><param name="flags" value="true" /></applet></noscript>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-70200648044145933522018-02-03T13:37:00.003-06:002018-02-03T13:37:48.316-06:00Racing with Horses, Walking on Water, and Accepting My WeaknessI am tired of Hurricane Harvey. I am ready for all of this to be done and for things to settle down. I long for the routine, familiar, and predictable.<br />
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I have had enough of trying to limit or mitigate the effects of Harvey on my family and property. I have become worn out trying to control and make sense of how my church is recovering from the hurricane. I am just about through with the ongoing, and seemingly never ending, management issues related to hundreds of volunteers funneling through my church on a weekly basis to assist our community in the recovery efforts. The logistics of making it all work week in and week out, the delicate dance of being the pastor to all the personalities involved, is exhausting.<br />
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Add to this my broken heart for our community. I receive gut punches every day as I listen to the stories of evacuation, recovery, and rebuild. I steel myself to being able to do what I can each week and letting everything else go.<br />
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I am sick of people saying the Lord will not let me bear more than I can handle. That is simply not true. He is allowing it right now. I regularly convey this to the Lord God Almighty. I cannot do this, I say, at least I can no longer do it. I need this to stop. It would be better for me if it would all go away. In the wee hours of Friday morning, I got an answer.<br />
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"No, it is not going away. No, you are not going to get a break. No, things will not become easier. No, you will not be able to make it all work to your satisfaction. No, you are not going to reach a controllable, predictable status quo. No, the heartbreak will not get better soon. In fact, in some ways, the hardest parts are still to come. Stop whining and consider my servants Jeremiah, Simon Peter, and Paul the Apostle."<br />
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What have these guys to do with Rockport, Texas, post-Harvey?<br />
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In Jeremiah 12, the prophet has had enough. His ministry of speaking the word of the Lord to the people has not gone well. They do not listen. They persecute him for speaking the word of the Lord. The wicked prosper and mock God. It does not appear to be in anyone's best interests to listen and respond to God and His word.<br />
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God answers Jeremiah in 12:5, “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?" Sure, Jeremiah, it has been tough, but that is nothing to what is coming. If what you have endured so far has worn you out and made you want to quit, how will you ever survive what is coming next?<br />
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How, indeed? How will Jeremiah ever be able to compete with horses? Impossible! The answer is found in Jeremiah 1, when God calls Jeremiah to be a prophet and promises that Jeremiah will face overwhelming situations, but God will be present in power to preserve Jeremiah and reveal Himself to the world. God would do it, not Jeremiah.<br />
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In Matthew 14, Jesus frightens the disciples in the midst of a storm. The disciples are riding out the storm in a boat, while Jesus walks on the waves. Jesus calls Simon Peter to come out to him on the waves. Simon Peter does it for a time and then sinks after taking his eyes off Christ. Jesus saves him. Jesus made Peter able to walk on the water. Jesus saved Peter when Peter's faith faltered. Everything depended on Jesus, not Simon Peter.<br />
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In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul describes asking Jesus to remove the thorn that tormented Paul. Paul was tired of suffering and asked the Lord for help. Jesus told him no, and promised only grace. Paul goes on to say in 12:9-10, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Paul's job was to be weak and needy. Jesus' job was to be strong, showing grace to Paul.<br />
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Here's what I think the Lord was saying to me: I am not the hero of this story. Jesus is.<br />
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The more I try to be strong, the more I try to fix things, the more I try to do what I cannot do, the more I will wear myself out. I must accept that God will, at times, place me in situations that are beyond me and painful for me, situations that will reveal my weakness, so that he can show himself to be present in power. I should expect to be given more than I can bear so God can reveal himself - his strength, his glory, and not mine.<br />
<br />
I am not the hero. I am not the one who saves the day. I am the one who is in need of rescue. My rescuer/hero is mighty and strong. I am weak and needy.<br />
<br />
So, what do I do? I keep going. I accept that I am weak. I pray, meditate, study and memorize scripture, practice simplicity, and serve others. I worship and surrender my life to Jesus. Doing these things opens my life to become more aware of the supernatural presence and power of God. I do this day in and day out. And God is strong in my weakness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<script src="https://www.revolvermaps.com/re/rm.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">rm_f1st('0','280','true','true','000000','v1oCEd9nJx','true','true','ff0000');</script><noscript><applet codebase="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re" code="core.RevolverEngine" width="280" height="280" archive="re.jar"><param name="cabbase" value="re.cab" /><param name="recenthits" value="true" /><param name="nostars" value="true" /><param name="i" value="v1oCEd9nJx" /><param name="m" value="0" /><param name="size" value="280" /><param name="color" value="ff0000" /><param name="counter" value="true" /><param name="bg" value="000000" /><param name="flags" value="true" /></applet></noscript>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-36070820787886744742018-01-25T14:51:00.002-06:002018-01-25T14:51:26.522-06:00Seven Questions Facing FBC Rockport in 2018, part 4<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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I think our church is a work in progress right
now. We are in a process of discovery, learning how and what kind of church God
is making us into. The process is far from over. I think we will know much more
by the fall of 2018. Until then, I ask for patience, courage, and commitment
from all our members. Please join me in seeking the Lord concerning the answers
to the following questions. I have included my thoughts as of right now, but
nothing is final or written in stone. </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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Here are the seven questions I think are facing us as we
enter 2018:</div>
</div>
</div>
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1. How will we be connected to one another?</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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2. What will our worship and weekly schedule look like over the course of a year?</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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3. How will we reach out to and serve our community?</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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4. How will new people be connected to our church and what will that mean for our space usage?</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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5. What kind of volunteer base and financial resources will be available to us as we plan for ministries, outreach, mission endeavors, personnel needs, and developing our physical space?</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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6. What kind of organization and expressions of church government allow us to best fulfill our mission?</div>
</div>
</div>
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7. How will we keep people safe and secure will on our church property?</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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In previous posts I shared by thoughts on the answers to the first five questions. Today I share my thoughts questions six and seven. All of my answers will be available in my report to the church at the First Family Meeting in February.</div>
</div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6. What kind
of organization and expressions of church government will allow us to best fulfill
our mission?</b></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
According to the First Family Meeting on July 30,
2017, I was given the authority to appoint an ad hoc committee to meet with me
and Jeff <span style="margin: 0px;">to
study and recommend any needed changes to the church’s model of governance and
organization. Our first meeting was scheduled the weekend that Hurricane Harvey
hit us. We will now meet for the first time on January 28.</span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">The members of this committee are Kathryn Albin, KC
Kimbrough, Linda Bradley, Matt Brewington, Ray Presley, Monty Brecheen, and
Dorian Ragnow.</span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">Our church needs adequate organization and governance to
keep things running practically and legally. Our governance and organization will
need to have the confidence and participation of our membership. While our
governance and organization may adapt and change as needed, it should also
reflect the fact that we are Baptists and honor our church’s unique heritage
and history. </span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">Having said all that, it is important to me that our members
do not have to invest an inordinate amount of time governing the church. My
preference would be that our members would invest their time and energy in
accomplishing the mission of the church, not governing the church. Governing
the church does not necessarily lead to accomplishing the mission.</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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Here are the guiding questions I will ask the ad hoc
committee to work through with me and Jeff. Once we have answered these
questions we will be able to make recommendations to the church.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>How do churches change? How does
transformation/adaptation occur within a congregation?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>What is church polity? What are the forms of
governance, or polity, that congregations utilize?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>What are the biblical, theological, and historical
foundations for the practice of congregational polity by Baptists?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>How is FBC Rockport currently organized to
accomplish its mission within a congregational form of church government? How
has FBC Rockport changed over the years in this regard?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>What are the problems and/or challenges with the
way FBC Rockport is currently organized to accomplish its mission and necessary
administrative/organizational tasks? </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>What changes can be made to help the church
better accomplish its mission and the necessary administrative/organizational
tasks? What changes will need to be made to the church’s organizational and
governing documents?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>What specific recommendations will we make to
the church and how will these be made?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7. How will
we keep people safe and secure while on our church property?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
In the wake of the shootings in Sutherland Springs
I formed an Emergency Operations Team to meet with me and Jeff to make
recommendations to the church regarding our emergency operations, including
security issues.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
This groups includes Barney Reed, Tim Jayroe,
Patty Albin, Dianne Nielsen, Bobby Albin, and Dave McCoy. We have met once and
are preparing some recommendations for the church regarding the purchase of
some surveillance equipment and some things will make our parking lot safer. We
will also establish some emergency and security procedures to submit to the
church for approval. Following these procedures will require more ushers and
greeters for Sundays and Wednesdays, and will require annual training for these
volunteers as well as other volunteers in the church who work with youth and
children.</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Please join with me in seeking the Lord concerning
our church organization, governance, and security.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<script src="https://www.revolvermaps.com/re/rm.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">rm_f1st('0','280','true','true','000000','v1oCEd9nJx','true','true','ff0000');</script><noscript><applet codebase="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re" code="core.RevolverEngine" width="280" height="280" archive="re.jar"><param name="cabbase" value="re.cab" /><param name="recenthits" value="true" /><param name="nostars" value="true" /><param name="i" value="v1oCEd9nJx" /><param name="m" value="0" /><param name="size" value="280" /><param name="color" value="ff0000" /><param name="counter" value="true" /><param name="bg" value="000000" /><param name="flags" value="true" /></applet></noscript>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-65947367190217659602018-01-19T06:04:00.000-06:002018-01-19T06:04:40.523-06:00Seven Questions Facing FBC Rockport in 2018, part 3<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I think our church is a work in progress right
now. We are in a process of discovery, learning how and what kind of church God
is making us into. The process is far from over. I think we will know much more
by the fall of 2018. Until then, I ask for patience, courage, and commitment
from all our members. Please join me in seeking the Lord concerning the answers
to the following questions. I have included my thoughts as of right now, but
nothing is final or written in stone. </div>
</div>
</div>
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Here are the seven questions I think are facing us as we
enter 2018:</div>
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1. How will we be connected to one another?</div>
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2. What will our worship and weekly schedule look like over the course of a year?</div>
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3. How will we reach out to and serve our community?</div>
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4. How will new people be connected to our church and what will that mean for our space usage?</div>
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5. What kind of volunteer base and financial resources will be available to us as we plan for ministries, outreach, mission endeavors, personnel needs, and developing our physical space?</div>
</div>
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6. What kind of organization and expressions of church government allow us to best fulfill our mission?</div>
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7. How will we keep people safe and secure will on our church property?</div>
</div>
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Over the next few weeks I will share my thoughts on the answers to these questions. All of my answers will be available in my report to the church at the First Family Meeting at the end of January.</div>
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In my last post I answered question three. I this post I answer questions four and five.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. How will
people be connected to our church and what will that mean for our space usage?</b></div>
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I think when our church is able to answer question
one concerning how we are connected to one another, once we can answer question
two concerning what our schedule and calendar will look like in the future, and
once we can accomplish ways of serving our community with consistency and
compassion, then people will want to be a part of our church. I think God will
send people to us. This is what helps me to understand how God has cared and
provided for us throughout the storm and how, in many ways, our property and
our ministry will be stronger on the other side of all this. </div>
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We will need to be consistent in inviting
individuals and families to our worship times, our Life Groups, and our
Wednesday night activities. When we invite them I think they will come. Not
everyone, perhaps, but many will. At FBC Rockport we believe that when people
get involved in our weekly and monthly schedule and ministries, they have an
opportunity to be shaped by the love of Jesus Christ through worshipping,
connecting, growing, serving, and reaching.</div>
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Beyond that, I think it is so vitally important
that every person is connected to our church through a Life Group. I have noticed
our Life Groups contacting one another, ministering to one another, and caring for
and serving one another throughout the recovery process following the storm.
Now is the best time to begin attending a Life Group or to renew a commitment
to your current Life Group.</div>
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This brings up the issue of physical space. Where
will we put the people who come? Is our current physical space allowing us to
accomplish our mission of leading all people to be shaped by the love of Christ?
I have noticed at FBC Rockport a preference for a “traditional” ministry
schedule, meaning that most people will engage with our church on Sunday
mornings and nights and on Wednesday nights. Of course, there will be other
things that happen throughout the week, but most of what we accomplish as a
church takes place within the few hours each week when large numbers of people
are gathered on our property. Jeff and I encourage Life Groups and other
ministry groups to meet at off times or at other locations such as in homes,
and some are. In addition to this, what else can we do to address our space?</div>
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I see three things. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First</b>, in two or three years we will take possession of the building
Samaritan’s Purse will build and use as their base of operations on our
property. This building will be a basic metal building with an industrial
kitchen, bathrooms and showers, a large open space, and some classroom space.
We will need to finish out this building to be used for our purposes. We will
need to decide how to use this space. Basically, this building will provide a better
fellowship space for our church to gather in than we have now. It will provide
a multi-use space for recreation and other large-group activities. It will allow
us to house mission groups or be a space to house people in emergency
situations. One thing this building will not do is provide the education space
we need on Sundays and Wednesdays.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Second</b>,
Jeff mentioned to the church at a Special Called Business Meeting in December
the possibility of building a third building on our property. Many expressed
interest in starting the process on that right now. We will need to decide whether
to pursue this and how to use this new space if we do go this direction. I
think we will need to address education space for preschoolers, children, youth,
and adults. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Third</b>, if
we move our kitchen and fellowship space out to the Samaritan’s Purse building
in two or three years, what will we do with the current space occupied by our
kitchen and Fellowship Hall. What other renovations might need to be done to
our existing building and parking lot?</div>
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I would suggest that in our next First Family
Meeting we call out or elect a group of people who can meet with me, Jeff and
the other staff members to address these issues. I think this group could help
us have a bigger picture for how to utilize and further develop the space on
our property. They can help us decide how to finish the Samaritan’s Purse
building and how it will be used. They can help us decide whether we need a
third building, and if so, what that space will address. They can help us
decide how to renovate our existing space to address further needs after we
take possession of the Samaritan’s Purse building and build a possible third
building. They can help us develop a plan to accomplish and pay for all this.</div>
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It is important to me that we provide adequate space
for all ages to lead them to be shaped by the love of Jesus Christ, that we
provide adequate space to serve our members and community on a weekly/monthly
basis and at other times as needed, and that we do this without going into a
crippling debt. Please join with me in seeking the Lord concerning these
matters.</div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5. What
kind of volunteer base and financial resources will be available to us as we
plan for ministries, outreach, mission endeavors, personnel needs, and
developing our physical space?</b></div>
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This question represents a big question mark. This
is still unknown. I know God will make us able to accomplish the task to which
He has called our church. However, we are still in the task of discovering and
clarifying that calling post-Harvey. We will also have to discern, post-Harvey,
to what will our people be able to commit? What kind of volunteer base are we
going to have? This determines what ministries we will offer on a weekly and
monthly basis. Will our members support the budget to pay for our ministry,
missions, and administrative needs? Will people give over and above the annual
budget to support the new construction we may want to pursue? </div>
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I recognize we are limited by what people are willing
to do and give. The truth is we cannot expand our ministries and missions
without volunteers and resources. I am hopeful that God will provide for all
our needs through the good and faithful people who are FBC Rockport. We will
see. Again, I ask you to join me in seeking the Lord concerning these matters.</div>
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</div>
<script src="https://www.revolvermaps.com/re/rm.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">rm_f1st('0','280','true','true','000000','v1oCEd9nJx','true','true','ff0000');</script><noscript><applet codebase="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re" code="core.RevolverEngine" width="280" height="280" archive="re.jar"><param name="cabbase" value="re.cab" /><param name="recenthits" value="true" /><param name="nostars" value="true" /><param name="i" value="v1oCEd9nJx" /><param name="m" value="0" /><param name="size" value="280" /><param name="color" value="ff0000" /><param name="counter" value="true" /><param name="bg" value="000000" /><param name="flags" value="true" /></applet></noscript>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-88401317650005580392018-01-11T09:21:00.001-06:002018-01-11T09:21:36.174-06:00Seven Questions Facing FBC Rockport in 2018, part 2<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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I think our church is a work in progress right
now. We are in a process of discovery, learning how and what kind of church God
is making us into. The process is far from over. I think we will know much more
by the fall of 2018. Until then, I ask for patience, courage, and commitment
from all our members. Please join me in seeking the Lord concerning the answers
to the following questions. I have included my thoughts as of right now, but
nothing is final or written in stone. </div>
</div>
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Here are the seven questions I think are facing us as we
enter 2018:</div>
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1. How will we be connected to one another?</div>
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2. What will our worship and weekly schedule look like over the course of a year?</div>
</div>
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3. How will we reach out to and serve our community?</div>
</div>
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4. How will new people be connected to our church and what will that mean for our space usage?</div>
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5. What kind of volunteer base and financial resources will be available to us as we plan for ministries, outreach, mission endeavors, personnel needs, and developing our physical space?</div>
</div>
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6. What kind of organization and expressions of church government allow us to best fulfill our mission?</div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
7. How will we keep people safe and secure will on our church property?</div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Over the next few weeks I will share my thoughts on the answers to these questions. All of my answers will be available in my report to the church at the First Family Meeting at the end of January.<br />
<br />
Last week I answered questions one and two. This I week I answer question three.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. How will
we reach out to and serve our community?</b><br />
There are four specific ways I have committed FBC
Rockport to the recovery efforts in our community. First is the Volunteer Reception
Center (VRC) for Aransas County. Jordan Mims and Cyndi Powell currently run VRC
and there are many volunteers, including some church members, who help operate
the VRC every day. The VRC will remain open until either we or the county
decide it is time to close it. Church members can help to operate the VRC or
ask for work orders to do jobs out in the community.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
The second way I have committed us to the recovery
effort is through Samaritan’s Purse. Soon they will begin construction of the
building on our property in which they will house their volunteer groups. We have
committed to two or three years with Samaritan’s Purse. I trust that soon they
will let us know how our church members can volunteer with their work groups,
and I want to encourage all our members to do so.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
The third way I have committed us to the recovery effort
is through Texas Baptist Men (TBM) and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. Each
week volunteers come from all over the country to work in our community and
they are housed and fed on our property. They have a new “rebuilding” group
that is different from their disaster relief group. Because this is new, we are
still learning how we will work with them long term. But, they will be on our property
if we will have them. I have committed us though the end of this summer. At
that time the church can decide whether to extend an invitation for them to
stay. As we learn more we will let our members know how they can participate
with TBM in their rebuild efforts.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
The fourth way I have committed us to the recovery
effort is though volunteer and church groups not associated with TBM that will
be housed and fed on our church property. Right now Jordan and Cyndi are booking
and coordinating the logistics of these groups. This past week there were about
90 people staying on our property, which includes volunteer groups and TBM. I
have committed us to hosting these groups through the end of this summer. We will
need to decide at that time whether we will continue to host groups or not. Cyndi
is working with many other area churches to accommodate these groups. We hope
to get as many people as possible into Aransas County to help with the rebuild
and continued recovery.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Beyond this, let me challenge our church members
with this question: in what specific, concrete, and/or ongoing ways can we
serve the people in our community in the name of Jesus? I encourage your family,
friends, ministry teams, and Life Groups to find ways to serve people so that
the love of Jesus is revealed. I encourage all our members to find ways to
volunteer in the community, especially in ways that will bring you into contact
with those who do not attend church. I volunteered at Sea Fair this past fall.
I encourage you to consider volunteering at Oyesterfest, or Wine Fest, or some
other way that will allow you to serve while also meeting new people you might
not meet otherwise. Remember also to invite the people you meet to church and
ask God to help you to know how to reveal Christ to them.</div>
</div>
</div>
<script src="https://www.revolvermaps.com/re/rm.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">rm_f1st('0','280','true','true','000000','v1oCEd9nJx','true','true','ff0000');</script><noscript><applet codebase="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re" code="core.RevolverEngine" width="280" height="280" archive="re.jar"><param name="cabbase" value="re.cab" /><param name="recenthits" value="true" /><param name="nostars" value="true" /><param name="i" value="v1oCEd9nJx" /><param name="m" value="0" /><param name="size" value="280" /><param name="color" value="ff0000" /><param name="counter" value="true" /><param name="bg" value="000000" /><param name="flags" value="true" /></applet></noscript>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-75460415991375140362018-01-04T07:19:00.000-06:002018-01-04T07:19:22.446-06:00Seven Questions Facing First Baptist Rockport in 2018, part 1
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
At FBC Rockport, we’ve experienced an awakening. Not
the awakening we thought we would get, but we are awakened nonetheless.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
When we first worshipped after the storm, we
talked about how the process of moving from one understanding of God and his
ways to a better understanding of God and his ways, the process of moving from
being blind to truly seeing, the process of awakening, is not always fast,
pleasant, and joyful. Jesus also works in ways that are frightening, confusing,
difficult, painful, humiliating, and unpleasant. This has not been easy, but we
are being awakened. I am seeing everything differently: myself, my family, my
church, and my community.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Then we talked about the future. We have the
opportunity to rebuild, to renovate, but what will that look like? What will be
different? How will we be better and stronger? I think very little will ever be
exactly like it was before the storm. I think making everything the way it was
before Harvey is not Rockport Strong, it’s a missed opportunity given to us by
God’s providence. If God has really opened my eyes, if I have experienced an
awakening, then I must have the courage to face, name, and embrace what will be
different, new, better, and stronger. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Right now our church building and property are in
a state of dramatic transformation. I do not think God was at work through the
events of Hurricane Harvey, and through the generosity of people and churches
in the months since the storm, simply to transform our physical property and
space. I believe <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we</i> are to be
transformed. If we are not going to be the same church we were before the
storm, what, exactly, is going to be different about us?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
I think our church is a work in progress right
now. We are in a process of discovery, learning how and what kind of church God
is making us into. The process is far from over. I think we will know much more
by the fall of 2018. Until then, I ask for patience, courage, and commitment
from all our members. Please join me in seeking the Lord concerning the answers
to the following questions. I have included my thoughts as of right now, but
nothing is final or written in stone. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Here are the seven questions I think are facing us as we
enter 2018:</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
1. How will we be connected to one another?</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
2. What will our worship and weekly schedule look like over the course of a year?</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
3. How will we reach out to and serve our community?</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
4. How will new people be connected to our church and what will that mean for our space usage?</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
5. What kind of volunteer base and financial resources will be available to us as we plan for ministries, outreach, mission endeavors, personnel needs, and developing our physical space?</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
6. What kind of organization and expressions of church government allow us to best fulfill our mission?</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
7. How will we keep people safe and secure will on our church property?</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Over the next few weeks I will share my thoughts on the answers to these questions. All of my answers will be available in my report to the church at the First Family Meeting at the end of January.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. How will
we be connected to one another?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Churches naturally divide as people look to their
own interests. Now is our chance to develop better patterns. People say they
join our church because of the music, Life Groups, children’s ministries, etc.
What if none of that was here anymore? Are we connected strongly enough to one
another and to our mission to let everything else go if necessary? I would ask
every member of FBC Rockport to make a renewed commitment to the other members
of our church and to the mission given to our church by God. This would also be
an ideal time for people to join our church if they have not yet made that
commitment. Can we count on you? Can we rally around one another and our
mission instead of our preferences? The community needs us to rise above those
things that are secondary and be united by God’s Spirit to accomplish the
mission He has given to us.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. What
will worship and our weekly schedule look like over the course of a year?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
The storm has made having a “regular” weekly
schedule difficult. This is because of work being done to our building, the
volunteer groups staying in our building, and the unavailability of some
volunteers. By this summer the work on our building should be completed,
including construction of the building to be used by Samaritan’s Purse. I know
we will have volunteer groups through the summer, in addition to Samaritan’s
Purse and Texas Baptist Men. At some point this summer I think we will be able
to decide as a church about what our “regular” weekly schedule will be: what we
will be able to offer and when. Until then we are trying some different things
to get a better idea of the possibilities.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
I think we will offer two different worship
services for part of the year, and offer one blended service through the summer
months. I like this idea because it addresses a variety of issues and concerns,
including: parking, worship space, the need for unity, personal preferences for
certain worship styles, etc.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
If I am right, and we offer two different worship
services on Sunday mornings for at least part of the year, which service will
be offered at 8:30, and which service will be offered at 11:00? I think this is
the key issue facing our church and has been since before I became your pastor.
I do not think God will allow our church to move forward until we find a way to
address this issue. I do not think this is the key issue because it is
important. It’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> important and
does not warrant the amount of emotion invested in it. I think this is the key
issue precisely because many have invested so much emotion into this issue
making it difficult to discuss, reflect upon, and adapt if we wanted. In my
opinion, the issue at work here has more to do with question number one,
mentioned above. Will the worship schedule provide opportunity to treat one another
in a Christ-like way, and perhaps to serve and sacrifice for one another in a
Christ-like way? Or, will the worship schedule provide opportunity for us to
tear one another apart?</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
For example, three of the four members of my
immediate family prefer attending the contemporary service at 8:30 a.m. They
are opposed to making a change to this schedule. However, we have talked and
prayed about this as a family. They have decided that they are willing to make
any change called for with the hope that it will be a sacrifice benefitting
someone else and/or will make a way to reach people in our community who might
not be willing to come to our church at other times.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
I have always thought we cannot decide what will
be best for our church and for reaching our community unless we are willing to
try some different things. This will give us the experience needed to make a
better decision about what our regular schedule will be. Therefore, I have
decided that on January 21 we will have Traditional Worship at 8:30, followed
by Life Groups at 9:45, and then have Contemporary Worship at 11:00 on Sunday
mornings. We will keep this temporary schedule until May at least. I think then
we will go back to having one service through the summer. And, as I said, we
will decide later what our “regular” schedule is going to be.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<script src="https://www.revolvermaps.com/re/rm.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">rm_f1st('0','280','true','true','000000','v1oCEd9nJx','true','true','ff0000');</script><noscript><applet codebase="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re" code="core.RevolverEngine" width="280" height="280" archive="re.jar"><param name="cabbase" value="re.cab" /><param name="recenthits" value="true" /><param name="nostars" value="true" /><param name="i" value="v1oCEd9nJx" /><param name="m" value="0" /><param name="size" value="280" /><param name="color" value="ff0000" /><param name="counter" value="true" /><param name="bg" value="000000" /><param name="flags" value="true" /></applet></noscript>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-21701663025887695052017-12-06T15:03:00.000-06:002017-12-06T15:03:26.445-06:00First Baptist Church Rockport Update from Pastor Scott, December 6, 2017This will be a comprehensive update providing as
much information as I can to our church members. I will begin by saying
something to all our partner churches and concerned individuals around the
world who are following our situation in Rockport-Fulton. Details on various
aspects of church life will follow.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<u>Information for Partner Churches and All Those
Concerned for Rockport-Fulton </u></div>
Once again I want to thank all the churches,
families, and individuals who have prayed for us and helped us since Hurricane
Harvey. We are well into rebuilding and remodeling our property. In many ways
our church building will be better than it was before. The rebuilding and
remodeling should be completed by March. I think God is working on the hearts
and minds of our church members as well. We are being renovated, remodeled. We
will not be the same church we were before the storm.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
There is still great need in our community. I
believe that food, clothes, toiletries, and the like are readily available in
our community either for purchase or from a few donation centers that remain
open. In my opinion, the greatest need is housing, both temporary and long-term
for those with a lower income. I think the situation is slowly improving, but
there are many families still in need. At FBC Rockport, we are focused on
getting work groups into the community for crisis clean up and rebuilding. We
are not accepting donations of goods, except certain items needed for the
crisis cleanup and rebuilding efforts. Those who would like to donate goods to
Rockport-Fulton should contact organizations like the Rockport Relief Camp,
Bethel Baptist Church, or New Beginnings Church BEFORE you travel to our
community to donate items. Our church office will be happy to help you contact
these organizations.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Two things we need at FBC Rockport right now are
volunteers and monetary donations/gift cards. We have tried to help people as
they transition out of hotels or temporary housing into something long term.
Many of these people need help with furniture, appliances, silverware, food,
medicine, bills, and the like. Visa or Mastercard gift cards in any amount are
extremely helpful, as are cards to Walmart, HEB, or Lowes. We continue to host
Aransas County’s Volunteer Reception Center (VRC), where volunteer groups are
given work orders filled out by property owners. Those wishing to volunteer in
Aransas County through any church or organization are encouraged to register at
the VRC so FEMA can log all of our volunteer hours. Those groups needing
assistance in planning a mission trip to our area can contact Jordan Mims at youth@fbcrockport.net.
Groups can also contact Texas Baptist Men or Samaritan’s Purse for volunteer
opportunities. Both groups are operating out of our property and expect to be
here for a couple of years, possibly longer. The Long Term Recovery Group for
Aransas County is expecting a five year rebuild/recovery process. If you have
questions or need any help, please contact the church’s temporary office number
at <span style="margin: 0px;">361-230-0146.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<u>Special Called Business Meetings</u></div>
There are Special Called Business Meetings for
Wednesday night, December 13, at 6 p.m., and Sunday morning, December 17 during
the worship service. On Wednesday, December 13, the 2018 Spending Plan will be
presented and discussed. We will also have a proposal on a site plan for our
property and where to place the Samaritan’s Purse building. The meeting on
Sunday, December 17, will be a ballot vote on the 2018 Spending Plan. The vote
will take place without discussion.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<u>Christmas Happenings and Christmas Eve Service</u></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>What Kind of Throne: A Christmas Musical of
Worship and Wonder, December 9, 6 p.m. and December 10 at 9:30 a.m.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions
Goal: $12,000</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Joy to the World: A Festive Fellowship for the
Entire Church Family, December 17, 5-6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Christmas
Carols, hot chocolate, cookies, and the Christmas Story!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Christmas by Candlelight with the Lord’s Supper,
December 24, 5 p.m.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<u>Wednesday Night Activities</u></div>
We plan to start Wednesday night activities for
all ages on January 17. We will be more specific about what is being offered as
we get closer to that date, but there will be activities and music for children
of all ages, worship for youth, and a variety of Bible Studies for adults.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<u>Sunday Morning Worship</u></div>
The new year will bring some new things to us in
our worship time. First, our Sanctuary will be unavailable on the first two
Sundays in January (7<sup>th</sup> and 14<sup>th</sup>) as repairs takes place:
replacing the carpet, replacing (hopefully) the pew coverings, and painting.
Therefore, we will meet in the tent for worship on those two Sundays, with Life
Groups to follow as we have been doing. It will be the exact opposite of what
it was like to worship in the tent on the first Sunday in September after the
storm! Bring your chairs and maybe your blankets and let’s make the most of the
situation God has placed before us. Second, Marcie, Eric and I have had
discussions about providing more worship and parking space by going back to two
worship services on Sunday morning. We could make this transition on January 21<sup>st</sup>.
I will have more information in the coming weeks about schedules and worship
formats. I think we have come a long way in building bridges and unity in our
church by worshipping together, and I could not be prouder of Marcie and Eric,
the choir, and the praise team as they have led us in worship. <br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<u>Church Committees and Ad Hoc Committee on Church
Governance</u></div>
Many of our committees are meeting as needed right
now. The repairs to our building and the way our building is being used for
recovery efforts will make it difficult to have committee and church council
meetings the way we have historically done it. The church office is contacting
committees when help is needed or when there is work to be done. If your
committee has meetings, please be sure to turn in reports to the church office
so we can keep track of what everyone is doing and then publish those reports
in the quarterly First Family magazines. If you need me or Jeff to attend your
meeting or to help with anything, please let us know. In January I will ask the
Ad Hoc Committee on Church Governance to begin meeting with me. We were
scheduled to have our first meeting around the time the storm hit. I will
replace Jim Morrison, who has moved to Arizona, and then schedule a time for us
to meet and begin our work.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<u>Recovery and Rebuild Efforts</u></div>
As stated in previous updates, we are hosting
Texas Baptist Men (TBM) and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief workers,
Samaritan’s Purse, and church groups as they all do recovery work in our
community. Samaritan’s Purse will build and occupy their own building on our property,
which will then be turned over to us when they are finished. TBM has been
housed in our building, but we are hoping to transition them to a
climate-controlled tent on our property. We will also utilize space made
available to us from other churches. The goal is to free up more of our space
to use for our ministries during the week. However, we will still be feeding
TBM in our Fellowship Hall and kitchen as long as they are here. We will also
house mission groups from sister churches from time to time this winter and
spring. We expect to have mission groups staying in our building every week
this summer, except for when we are doing Vacation Bible School. Therefore, I
ask that everyone continue to be patient and thankful that all these folks are
coming to serve in our community. We are doing what we can to make it all work.
I ask the same of all of you.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<u>Reaching Out to Our Community</u></div>
If God is really renovating our hearts and lives, if
we will not be the same church we were before the storm, it is right that we
ask, specifically, how we think we are going to be different. What is changing?
What will be new? I want to challenge all our members: individuals, families,
Life Groups, and Ministry Teams, to ask God to show you how to be a part of the
recovery process in our community. So many have been doing this all along. Here
are some ideas that families, Life Groups, or Ministry Teams might consider:<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Volunteering in the VRC</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Volunteering with TBM or Samaritan’s Purse</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Ministering to the needs of our shut-ins</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Ministering to first responders in our
community: EMS, Rockport PD, Aransas County Sherriff’s Department, etc.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Showing appreciation and encouragement to local
businesses that have reopened</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Showing appreciation for and ministering to city
and county employees and officials</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Showing appreciation for our sister churches in
the area</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Showing appreciation for and ministering to
ACISD employees</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Making arrangements with the city, county, and
state to organize work groups to pick up trash on streets and highways.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
These are just a few suggestions, but you get the
idea.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
I find that people in the community are relatively
open to talking with me, listening to what I have to say about Christ, and then
praying with me. This is an ideal time to invite friends, family members, and
all people to get involved at church and tell them about your faith in Christ.
I would also invite unchurched folks to get involved in the service projects
you plan. People want to help somehow, so let’s give them an avenue of service
and build relationships with them in the process.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<u>Church Staff</u></div>
I want to end this update by saying how much I
love and give thanks for the paid staff members of FBC Rockport. I would make
the argument that the biggest asset to First Baptist Church right now, the best
thing going on, is not the worship or the various ministries, but the paid
church staff. Without the faithful service of these folks, there are many
things that happened (and are happening) in our community since the storm that
would not have happened. They have done everything I asked and expected them to
do. There were times when they, and their families, had to sacrifice for the
sake of doing what was needed. They returned early from the storm and reported
for duty. They have worked faithfully under less than ideal conditions. Now
they are working hard to help our church resume doing the various things our
church has always done while also continuing the difficult work of recovery in
our community. They are doing this while being displaced from their offices. I
have asked them to continue their normal responsibilities while adding the
burdens recovery work in the community for at least the next year, possibly
beyond. Not only have they risen to the occasion, they have done an amazing
job. I would ask all of you to consider, personally and collectively, how to
best show gratitude and appreciation to our paid church staff. Thank you Jeff
Lanningham, Jordan Mims, Marcie Peterson, Eric Scott, Dianne Nielsen, Patty
Albin, Maria Seaman, Pam Balentine, John Jenkins, and Mary Perdue.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<script src="https://www.revolvermaps.com/re/rm.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">rm_f1st('0','280','true','true','000000','v1oCEd9nJx','true','true','ff0000');</script><noscript><applet codebase="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re" code="core.RevolverEngine" width="280" height="280" archive="re.jar"><param name="cabbase" value="re.cab" /><param name="recenthits" value="true" /><param name="nostars" value="true" /><param name="i" value="v1oCEd9nJx" /><param name="m" value="0" /><param name="size" value="280" /><param name="color" value="ff0000" /><param name="counter" value="true" /><param name="bg" value="000000" /><param name="flags" value="true" /></applet></noscript>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-43286377299155669922017-11-13T16:22:00.001-06:002017-11-13T16:22:20.604-06:00A Eulogy for Dr. Evelyn Romig, Who Is Not Dead but Merely Retiring
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
How does one honor the
career of a teacher like Dr. Evelyn Romig, who taught English and Literature for
44 years? I was her student four of those years at Howard Payne University in
Brownwood, TX. Honestly, she teaches me still. I loved Dr. Romig fiercely when
I was a college student. I took every class she offered. She was my adviser and
I spent time in her office being advised on academic matters and other things.
I often reflect on what her life means to me. My recollections and anecdotes here
will be personal, but I do not think they are unique. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I was 18 years old and a freshman
when I first met Dr. Romig. I was a Baptist ministerial student, majoring in
something from the School of Christianity. She was my British Literature
teacher. Because of things I had done in high school and because of how well I
tested on the ACT and SAT, I did not have to take the typical Freshman English
courses. I had no way of knowing at the time how much this small woman, an
English Literature professor and Methodist Sunday School teacher, would
influence my life and help me to become more like Jesus Christ.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Dr. Romig first caught my
attention, not in class, but through my best friend, Dan. He had her for a
Freshman composition class. One of Dan’s assignments was to keep some sort of
writer’s journal over a certain period and make regular entries. Of course, he
procrastinated and had to make a week’s worth of entries in one day. Along the
way he began writing nonsense, thinking there was no way a professor would read
every entry in every student’s notebook. Dan wrote in one entry, “I don’t think
Dr. Romig even reads all this stuff.” When he received back his graded
notebook, there, next to that entry, written in red in Dr. Romig’s handwriting
was: “She does!” Dan got an “F.”</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Soon after this came a
pivotal moment that changed the course of my time at Howard Payne. It was in my
British Literature class, a survey course required of all students, and was therefore
a large class which met in one of the larger rooms in the Phelps Bible building.
We were reading and discussing some of the works of D. H. Lawrence, whose
writing many consider to be naughty. If memory serves, Dr. Romig was discussing
what made Lawrence so naughty. Why are some words acceptable and others so
obviously unacceptable? </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“For instance,” Dr. Romig
said, “take the word ‘f**k,’ what is it about this word that makes it so
offensive?” I believe the question was rhetorical, which is just as well
considering it took several seconds for the students to register the fact that our
British Lit professor just dropped an F-bomb. In the stunned silence I sat up
and looked around. I suppose I was instinctively checking to see if any adult
had heard the bad word. After a brief time all the students were roused and Dr.
Romig had our attention. What else will she say? I wondered if that particular
word had ever been used before in a lecture in that room, in that building,
anywhere at any time on that campus?! </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
At some point my brain
began to process her question and consider her point. Why is that word so bad?
It is just a word spoken, thought, or written on a page. At some point English
speakers invested that word with meaning, and it was our choice to make the
word mean something naughty, offensive, and unacceptable. Dr. Romig, who acted
like an adult the whole time and had the courtesy to treat us as adults as
well, calmly explained that this was the thing that Lawrence fought against
through his writing. He challenged our ideas of obscenity. He was a rebel who
pushed the boundaries of our thinking at a time when doing so had grave
consequences. The more she spoke the more I realized that not only was I
listening, I was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">interested</i>. I had
studied D. H. Lawrence before and never found him particularly interesting. But
this was different. Dr. Romig had found a way to engage a part of my mind that
had rarely been engaged in my education. She challenged me to think, to explore
new possibilities, to articulate what I thought and believed.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
That was the day I knew I
needed to change my major to English and ask Dr. Romig to be my adviser. I sat
in her office, a little closet in the education building at that time, and
explained to her my desire to change my major. I am afraid I sounded like, “You
said the F-word in class. Heh heh. That was cool.” What I hope Dr. Romig heard
from me was, “You made me think. I liked it. I want more.” She seemed to be
delighted that a Baptist ministerial student wanted to major in English. She
was gracious and signed me up right away. I remember she had a twinkle in her
eye the whole time. It was like making a deal with Willy Wonka to explore his
chocolate factory. Come on in, kid, bring your courage and your imagination. We
have so much to see and so little time.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
As I said, I took every
class with Dr. Romig I could: British Literature, Children’s Literature, Romantic
Literature, Victorian Literature, and Modern Poetry. It is difficult for me to
put into words here all I learned in those classes. I am not certain I can
separate what I learned at the time from what I have understood as the years have
passed. I now view literature, both poetry and prose, as a kind of diary of
humanity. In words of rhyme and rhythm, in paragraphs both beautiful and
confounding, literature reveals those things that have dwelt in the hearts and
minds of humans for as long as stories have been told and songs have been sung.
Literature expresses<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>our thoughts,
feelings, motives, sins, hopes, and dreams as we struggle with the big
questions of life, death, meaning, love, identity, suffering, joy, beauty,
failure, and more. In literature we encounter people’s stories, and find our
stories are similar. We see ourselves. Dr. Romig served as a kind of guide, and
I learned to reflect, to listen, to question, to doubt, to challenge, and to
consider the possibilities. I was invited to recognize what I felt, what I
thought, and to express those thoughts and feelings in a way that others could
hear and think and reflect for themselves. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
It is meaningful to me
that Dr. Romig found ways to express her faith in Christ as we faced together
all the raw beauty and ugliness humans have ever committed to words, poetry,
and prose. Her approach was hopeful and not cynical. I learned it is possible
to look deeply into my own heart, to see all the beauty and horror of which I
am capable, and not turn away in disgust or vainglory. I can see it for what it
is, I can name it, and accept that whatever I find in my heart at any given
time is just one small part of an overall story that is my life. I came to see
that God does not turn away from me when He finds me in all my raw humanity.
Nor does God draw closer to me when my life produces beauty. God is consistent
in his love toward me. It is Jesus that reveals the love and faithfulness of
God toward me, a sinner. These things were taught in the Bible classes, I’m
sure. But I learned them in my literature classes.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I have flashes of
memories as I reflect on Dr. Romig, such as the twinkle in her eyes, and the
way she loved to laugh. I learned I could get away with quite a bit in class
and on paper if I could make her laugh. I remember the time she had her
students to her house at Christmas and we met her young children. I remember
her recollection of the burning of Old Main and the personal toll it had on
her. Old Main housed her office and she lost all her notes in the fire, all her
files. After a time of desperate hopelessness while contemplating how to teach
literature without all the tools of her trade, Dr. Romig decided she either
knew the material well enough to teach it or she didn’t. She trusted the Lord
and went forward, learning and relearning to teach her courses anew as each
year passed instead of relying on her previous class notes. I remember the time
Dr. Romig audited The Life and Teachings of Jesus taught by Dr. Wallace Roark,
a Bible, Theology, and Philosophy professor. It was quite an experience to have
her as a student alongside me. I remember the day she was so frustrated at Dr.
Roark because he answered her questions with another question. She said, “I
want a straight answer!” Good luck lady. You are not the first student to break
upon the rocks of Dr. Roark’s teaching style.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The day I graduated from
Howard Payne was a warm, sunny day. After the ceremony people gathered outside
the Brownwood Coliseum, where graduation was held. I stood in the sun speaking
to Dr. Roark when Dr. Romig came to us and said, “I should have known I would
find you two together!” The three of us spoke for a few minutes. As we parted
Dr. Romig told me that she would follow my career with great interest. I was
honored. And she has. She was an encouragement to me when I was struggling to
finish my dissertation. She sent words of genuine joy when I completed my
doctorate. As I endured the reality of Hurricane Harvey along with my church
and community in the fall of 2017, she would send words of encouragement and
support. She was always hopeful.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I am certain my experience
with Dr. Romig is not uncommon. She was a popular teacher with a reputation for
being challenging, but fair. She was something very special in the classroom.
She was a teacher that was passionate and hopeful about the possibilities her
academic field offered to her students. And she was a teacher who loved her
students as Jesus loved his. Dr. Romig challenged me to see myself and all
things differently without fear. This is no small thing in a Texas Baptist school
in the early 1990s. She showed me things about Jesus and about people no one
else was teaching me at that time. I know those teachers were there for other
students, but I learned from Dr. Romig. She was fearless and imaginative. Over
time she made me trust her. She helped me feel safe while asking questions. In
the end, the paths she placed me on, while unconventional, always brought me
close to the heart of God and the character of Jesus. I was never led astray.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Thank you, Dr. Romig, for
allowing God to use you to shape my life. I was listening, more often than not.
Congratulations on your retirement. May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the
Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his
face toward you and give you peace. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<script src="https://www.revolvermaps.com/re/rm.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">rm_f1st('0','280','true','true','000000','v1oCEd9nJx','true','true','ff0000');</script><noscript><applet codebase="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re" code="core.RevolverEngine" width="280" height="280" archive="re.jar"><param name="cabbase" value="re.cab" /><param name="recenthits" value="true" /><param name="nostars" value="true" /><param name="i" value="v1oCEd9nJx" /><param name="m" value="0" /><param name="size" value="280" /><param name="color" value="ff0000" /><param name="counter" value="true" /><param name="bg" value="000000" /><param name="flags" value="true" /></applet></noscript>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-24039662040395425402017-09-01T11:56:00.001-05:002017-09-01T11:56:44.267-05:00September 1 Update from Pastor ScottI want to thank everyone for all the prayers, love, support, and material help. I have been overwhelmed with calls, texts, and emails. Please be patient as we try to get a handle on things and decide how to go forward. Our community is crazy right now with fabulously generous disaster relief groups. I am so glad they are here. At the same time, I know they will not be here long. There are needs in other places beckoning to them. Therefore, I have asked our people to focus on future needs more so than immediate needs. FBC Rockport and Coastal Oaks Church, along with the Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopals and so many others are the ones that will be here for the long run. We will work together to help our community recover. We are really just getting started.<br />
<br />
I am proud of Mayor Wax, Mayor Kendrick, Judge Mills, Chief Jayroe, Sheriff Mills, and all the workers from near and far who are working to help things move forward.<br />
<br />
What follows is information I want you to know. It will begin with general information about how to support and get involved with our recovery efforts, followed by a special word to the residents of Aransas County, especially ACISD employees. Then I have information for members of FBC about what is taking place with the functioning of our church. Finally, I will share some personal information about my family. This way, you can stop reading at any time depending on your interest level.<br />
<br />
<b>Worship Services</b>: Beginning this Sunday, September 3, FBC Rockport will hold Sunday morning worship services for those who are in town, as well as those who are commuting in and out of Rockport. Services will be at 10:00 a.m., outside, on our church property. Dress for the weather and bring a chair if possible.<br />
<br />
Supporting our recovery efforts and volunteering: The church website will have information on how to give to a fund that we have to help our recovery efforts. There will also be information on where to mail donations.<br />
<br />
For information on how to donate goods, please contact Kim Jones at 361-205-4343.<br />
<br />
For information on how to volunteer, contact our Youth and Missions Pastor, Jordan Mims at 706-399-2772.<br />
<br />
<b>To the residents of Aransas County, especially ACISD employees</b>: When you are able and ready, we hope you will come home. We at FBC Rockport, along with the whole faith community, will be here to welcome you home and assist you with whatever you may need to get your life back again. There will be a variety of resources available to you and we will try to communicate often and accurately. Let us know what you need.<br />
<br />
ACISD employees should know that some of our members are organizing an effort to specifically help you as you return. As that effort progresses we will communicate that to you. We want to help all of you come home when the time is right.<br />
<br />
<b>To the members of FBC Rockport</b>: I have heard from many of you. Please continue to check in and let us kccnow how you are. If you are in town, come by the church, I would love to see you. Please let us know if you need anything.<br />
<br />
Here are things I can tell you for now:<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jeff, Pam, Patty, and Maria have a makeshift office up and running and are communicating regularly. We are looking into the possibility of setting up a temporary office off-site or bringing in a trailer temporarily.<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Our mail can go to FBC Portland and we may get delivery at our church pretty soon.<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We are setting up a link on our website for you to make your tithes and offerings. I cannot emphasize strongly enough how important this is so that the church can continue to meet its financial obligations in the near future. Our insurance company is also expediting needed funds to help us maintain payroll.<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The building is severely damaged. The adjuster is scheduled to inspect the building on Friday, September 1. Jeff is also ready to work with the insurance company to bring in a recovery teams to inspect, clean, and repair the building. We should know more next week.<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jordan and Marcie are working with my wife and others to coordinate donations and volunteers to help those in need. This has become a full-time job for them.<br />
<br />
Please know that the way we have been doing church in our community is irrelevant in our present situation. I invite you to join me in embracing some new realities for the immediate future.<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The main focus of our church will be to join God in His work to bring healing and restoration to our community. I want us to spend our time helping one another and volunteering to help others in Aransas County.<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There will be no committee meetings. Other things are more important at present. Jeff and I are making the decisions that need to be made for now.<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There will be no Life Groups. Instead, spend your time serving in our community. I encourage Life Group Leaders to stay in contact with their members. It may even be possible to gather together for work, prayer, and encouragement.<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We will have one worship service on Sunday mornings for a while, and it will likely be outside. We will make other arrangements when we can. This is the time to come together as God’s people to worship Him. This is not the time to be distracted by worship styles, songs, instruments, and so on.<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There is work to be done at the church. Stop by to see how you can help.<br />
<br />
I love all of you and I am so proud to be your pastor! I am also proud of our church staff who have been working sacrificially and tirelessly.<br />
<br />
<b>Concerning my family</b>: my mother is living with her sister in north Texas for now. Her RV sustained very little damage. The rest of us will live in Corpus Christi and begin to figure out the school situation. Our house had only minor damage and we have much for which to be thankful.<br />
<br />
I believe as we walk in faith and obedience with Jesus Christ in the coming days we will be overwhelmed by the goodness of God.<br />
<br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re/rm.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">rm_f1st('0','280','true','true','000000','v1oCEd9nJx','true','true','ff0000');</script><noscript><applet codebase="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re" code="core.RevolverEngine" width="280" height="280" archive="re.jar"><param name="cabbase" value="re.cab" /><param name="recenthits" value="true" /><param name="nostars" value="true" /><param name="i" value="v1oCEd9nJx" /><param name="m" value="0" /><param name="size" value="280" /><param name="color" value="ff0000" /><param name="counter" value="true" /><param name="bg" value="000000" /><param name="flags" value="true" /></applet></noscript>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-60229290216022754212017-08-27T10:43:00.000-05:002017-08-27T10:43:15.807-05:00Where is My God?Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. Habakkuk 3:17-19<br />
<br />
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,<br />
for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11<br />
<br />
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:8<br />
<br />
When, where, and how will I see the goodness of my God and praise him? After the events of this past weekend, this is a fair question. I am heartbroken by the devastating loss so many families are experiencing. I realize the path ahead is painful and difficult. I did not ask for any of this. When will things get better?<br />
<br />
When I attach my faith, security, and sense of God’s presence to material things, comforting and familiar situations, or quick fixes, then I am practicing idolatry. My God will not always be found in these things, but He may still be found. If that is true, where is He? I am scared, I am hurt, I am grieving loss on a scale that takes my breath away, and I am angry. Where is my God?<br />
<br />
Now I must exercise whatever faith I have. I believe He is present with me. I believe it will not always be like this. I believe God is shaping me into the likeness of Christ. I believe God will not miss any opportunity to show me his goodness and grace.<br />
<br />
How do I know? Because I have seen God in a variety of ways.<br />
<br />
After days of travel, stress, anxiety and grief, my family laughed. We turned off Harvey coverage and watched America’s Funniest Home Videos. As my children laughed with pure joy I could feel the knots begin to loosen in my spirit and in my family. God was present in a moment of profound holiness and comfort.<br />
<br />
Countless individuals, churches and organizations from around the world have reached out to me pledging love, prayers, help, and material support. When the “all clear” is given, they will come to our community. We are not alone. There is help. There is hope. God will reveal himself in power and glory.<br />
<br />
Every resident I know from Aransas County is eager to return and begin the process of rebuilding and healing together. We want to show our support for one another, for our officials and first-responders, for local businesses, for our schools, for the hurting, the broken, the frightened. God will reveal His love, compassion, and mercy.<br />
<br />
I could go on. I am proud to be a resident of Aransas County and the pastor of First Baptist Church in Rockport, Texas. I love you guys and I eager to walk through this with you.God is with us.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<script src="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re/rm.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">rm_f1st('0','280','true','true','000000','v1oCEd9nJx','true','true','ff0000');</script><noscript><applet codebase="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re" code="core.RevolverEngine" width="280" height="280" archive="re.jar"><param name="cabbase" value="re.cab" /><param name="recenthits" value="true" /><param name="nostars" value="true" /><param name="i" value="v1oCEd9nJx" /><param name="m" value="0" /><param name="size" value="280" /><param name="color" value="ff0000" /><param name="counter" value="true" /><param name="bg" value="000000" /><param name="flags" value="true" /></applet></noscript>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-5453134192536165612017-08-23T13:20:00.001-05:002017-08-23T13:20:21.544-05:00How Can I Navigate the Tensions in My Relationship Systems, Part 1?<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In my last entry, I noted the lingering tension people are experiencing in their families and other relationships, tension exposed after the presidential election of 2016 that continues to the present. If it is true that Jesus called me to be in some kind of relationship with people who are different than me, perhaps even hostile towards me, and if this relationship is to be redemptive and reveal the love of Jesus Christ, then how can I accomplish this when they don't like me much and the feelings are largely mutual?</span><br />
<br />
Bowen Family Systems Theory describes tension relationship systems (such as families, churches, friendships, and even workplaces) as the result of anxiety: an emotional response to a sense of threat. That threat can
be real or imaginary. Anxiety can be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">chronic</b>: the system may feel threatened all the time - a constant
crisis. Anxiety can also be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">acute</b>: temporary elevation in anxiety that will subside in time. <br />
<br />
Some people's relational systems are always tense. It may not take much to get people on edge. Then throw in something like the national debate over Confederate monuments or immigration policies, for instance, and things can get heated very quickly. This is the result of anxiety, or that sense of threat, in our relationships. When a relationship system becomes anxious, it will work in healthy and unhealthy ways to lower the anxiety to achieve a comfortable homeostasis, or stable balance.<br />
<br />
According to rabbi, family therapist, and leadership theorist Edwin Friedman, relationship systems, like a family or a church, will exhibit several unhealthy, unhelpful responses to anxiety. When the topics of Confederate monuments, the alt-right vs. the alt-left, or President Trump come up, I can expect my family or friendships to manifest the following reactions.<br />
<br />
<b>1. Reactivity</b>: the vicious cycle of intense reactions of each member of the system to events and to one another.<br />
<ul>
<li>Communication is marked more by diagnostic labeling “you” positions rather than by self-defining “I” statements. Things may be exaggerated or overstated. </li>
<li>Family members become argumentative and are easily brought to loggerheads. </li>
<li>The family will focus on symptoms and not the underlying processes. </li>
<li>The intensity of the reactivity can make it difficult to achieve self-regulation, objectivity, and a proactive stance rather than a reactive one.</li>
</ul>
<div>
For example, Uncle Hal is a staunch supporter of President Trump. He is an angry white man who is tired of being forced to accommodate the sensitives of minorities, liberals, and immigrants. He is a self-described expert on what liberals think, and is always attacking liberals and their beliefs. Aunt Myrtle is a liberal who believes Hal is a sexist bigot. At family gatherings and holiday meals they are constantly going at one another, describing what the other thinks without ever really listening to one another.</div>
<ul>
</ul>
<b>2. Herding</b>: a process through which the forces for togetherness triumph over the forces for individuality and move everyone to adapt to the least mature members (those who
are least likely to adapt, grow, mature). <br />
<ul>
<li>Healthy systems exhibit the critical principle that life grows in the direction of its strengths by preserving a balance between togetherness and individuality. </li>
<li>The herding instinct upsets that balance by encouraging the force for togetherness to eclipse the force for individuality. </li>
<li>The system adapts to and organizes itself around its least mature, most dependent, and most dysfunctional members in order to achieve a peaceful, stable state.</li>
<li>Can be in the form of threats, ultimatums, personal attacks all with the goal of forcing conformity or cut-off. Either go along or get lost!</li>
<li>The result is not “togetherness” but stuck-togetherness, as the emphasis is on good feelings and peaceful relations rather than on ideas or progress. Can’t we just get along?</li>
<li>The system becomes stuck in the status quo because in order to be inclusive and peaceful it must adapt to the preferences of even its most immature member.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Neither Uncle Hal or Aunt Myrtle are interested in learning, growing, adapting, or changing. Their interest seems to be winning arguments. Hal says things to Myrtle like, "I can't believe anyone who believes as you do can be a member of my family!" Myrtle makes it clear that she will not be at the family's Thanksgiving meal if the family insists on talking politics. Everyone feels the burden to keep their opinions to themselves so as not to upset Hal or Myrtle.</div>
<ul>
</ul>
<div>
<b>3. Cut-off</b>: a process of separation, isolation, withdrawal, running away, or denying the importance of the people being separated from.</div>
<ul>
<li>An extreme form of emotional distance: when a relationship becomes sufficiently emotionally intense, at some point, people will often cut off internally or physically.</li>
<li>Can happen all at once or be the result of emotional distance over time.</li>
<li>Can be unilateral or mutual.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Members of Hal and Myrtle's families have either been hurt personally by reactivity, or are tired of the constant tension and threats. Over time they become a little distant emotionally, and then physically. Myrtle's children have already stopped speaking to Hal and his family. People begin to consider not inviting Hal and Myrtle to various family functions. </div>
<ul>
</ul>
<b>4. Blame displacement/scapegoating</b>: an emotional state in which family members focus on forces that have victimized them rather than taking responsibility for their own being and destiny. Members of the system place blame rather than accept responsibility.<br />
<ul>
<li>The focus often moves to a person or situation that lies outside the family. </li>
<li>Everything would be fine if not for this person or this issue…</li>
<li>Placing blame can create too much emotional dependency on an outside resource, a professional counselor or a pastor. If this person does not make the symptoms go away, he or she may become the focus of the system’s blame. </li>
</ul>
<div>
Uncle Hal loves to describe how illegal immigrants have ruined this country. Secretly, Hal is becoming more convinced that President Trump is not going to keep any of his campaign promises, and that, as a result, the country is just going to get worse. Aunt Myrtle is quick to point out that things got worse when Trump was elected. She believes the President's hateful, bigoted, misogynist language has moved our country in the wrong direction.</div>
<ul>
</ul>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5. Quick fix:
</b>a low threshold for pain that constantly seeks symptom relief rather than
fundamental change. </div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<ul>
<li>Growth and development toward maturity is a process that takes time, as seen in nature and in people. </li>
<li>But, some seek to modify the process with techniques or information. The more we learn or the more skilled we are, the faster things will get better.</li>
<li>Or the quick-fix mentality will compel people to avoid all challenges and conflict.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Uncle Hal's plan to make America great again involves rounding up and deporting all the illegals, building a wall on our southern border, and putting prayer back in schools. Aunt Myrtle's plan is even more simple: impeach President Trump and remove him from office.<br />
<br />
In emotionally charged relationship environments, whether families, friends, or churches, is there any hope for the relationships to change? Does Jesus really expect me to engage with people like Uncle Hal or Aunt Myrtle? If so, what can I possibly do that will contribute to healthier relationships and allow me to reveal the love of Jesus Christ?<br />
<br />
I am convinced that as long as I have the capacity and willingness to adapt, change, and grow, and as long as I am willing to stay as connected as possible to people like Uncle Hal and Aunt Myrtle, that there is the possibility that the relationships can also change over time. Things may not ever be the way I want them to be. I may never be persuaded to Uncle Hal's point of view or hear Aunt Myrtle say, "You know, you may be right." But my own personal growth and transformation combined with my commitment to remain a part of their lives means my relationships with Hal and Myrtle will also transform.<br />
<br />
In my next post I will give suggestions on how to relate to people like Hal and Myrtle so that God's purposes might be accomplished in our relationships.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul><br /></ul>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-40890523145192088952017-08-16T10:37:00.000-05:002017-08-16T10:37:44.530-05:00Confederate Statues and My RelationshipsThe alienation and conflict experienced in many
families and personal relationships after the presidential election of 2016
appear to persist in American culture as the summer of 2017 draws to a close. The
topics are somewhat different (Confederate monuments, illegal immigration, race
relations) and in addition to the President of the United States, people are
focusing on other players (the alt-right or alt-left movements, for instance),
but the emotions seem familiar: anger, anxiety, paranoia, outrage, dismay, and
so on.<br />
<br />
<br />
As a Christian, how am I to manage myself and my
relationships during these tense times? Is it possible, or even desirable, for
me to engage in conversations about tense topics without experiencing further
conflict or alienation?<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
In Luke 6:27-49, Jesus gives moral and ethical
instructions for his followers. <br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I am to love my enemies and do good to those who
hate me.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I am to bless those who curse me and pray for
those who mistreat me.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I am to practice nonretaliation and selfless
generosity.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I am to do to others as I would have them do to
me.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I am to engage those who are unlike me in
relationships where I can express the love of Jesus Christ. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I am not to judge or condemn but forgive.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I will become like the one who is training me.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I am to examine my own life before addressing issues
I see in others.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>What is in my heart is revealed in all my words
and actions.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
There are many applications of this text for the
current social climate in our country, but for the sake of this discussion, I
will narrow the list to these concerns:<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Am I practicing the golden rule?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>How am I relating to those who are unlike me?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Am I examining my own life?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
How do these concerns apply to the issue of
removing the Confederate statues? The meaning of those statues to all the
citizens of the United States, as well as a how people choose to react to the
removal of those statues are subjects worthy of reflection and prayer. Here I will
not attempt to advocate for one point of view over another, but will focus on
the processes involved in how people interact. Specifically, has my approach to
the subject has been Christ-like? What effect do my words and actions have on
the people with whom I am engaged in these matters? The process is at least as
important as the issues involved.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Some assumptions that I have:<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I assume that systemic and personal relational
forces provoke emotional reactions within me and others. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I assume that, more often than not, my emotional
reactivity will trump my reason, prayerfulness, and my ability to be guided by
the Holy Spirit.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I assume I cannot force others to believe what I
believe or to live how I live. I cannot change others at all. I can only
address my own life.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I assume I influence others with whom I have a
relationship, and that they, in turn, influence me. That influence has a moral quality
which means I bear responsibility for how I go about influencing others. Therefore,
I want to be as clear possible about what I think and believe and how I am
communicating my position to others.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>I assume that all truth is God’s truth. I want
to be influenced by the truth. I want to be open to the truth regardless of the
messenger. Therefore, I will encourage others to be as clear as possible about
what they think and believe.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
The goal is clarity. I want to be calm enough to hear
clearly and then process, pray, and reflect on the truth of things. I want to be
calm enough to communicate clearly so others have the chance to process, pray,
and reflect on the truth of things.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
I realize that clarity may not be the goal for
some. Instead, winning an argument or making a point may be the goal. I do not
think that approach is helpful because it can lead to more conflict and greater
alienation from those who do not share my views. One may not care if that is
the result, but Jesus clearly intended for his followers to work for different results
in their relationships.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Some questions to ask of myself:<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. What do the
statues represent to me? </b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Who shaped my views or understanding of this
subject? Is this person knowledgeable on this subject? Are there any biases
shaping this person’s views on this subject?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>When were my views most influenced? What was
going on in my life during those formative moments?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Have I been fair in the way I have thought about
this subject, or can I identify the biases or prejudices influencing me?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>What emotions do I feel when this subject comes
up? Are these emotions helpful?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Have I applied relevant biblical truths to this
matter?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Have I spent time praying about this matter?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Am I able state clearly and concisely my
thoughts on this matter?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. What do
the statues represent to those who disagree with me on this matter?</b><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>How well have I listened to their views?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Can I state their views clearly and accurately
or do I make assumptions?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>To whom am I listening? Do I allow people to
speak for themselves or do I listen to people who summarize and interpret the
views of others?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>How well do I understand the backgrounds and
experiences of those who disagree with me?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>What emotions do I feel when I hear opposing
views? Are these emotions helpful?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>How fair and Christ-like have I been with the
views of others?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Have I applied relevant biblical truths to the
opposing views?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Have I prayed about the opposing views?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>Is there any truth in the opposing views I need
to grapple with, regardless of how painful it may be?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. Are my
words and actions helpful in achieving clarity and understanding?</b><br />
Not agreement, necessarily, but clarity and
understanding. Agreement might be a result of clarity, but it may also be clear
that there are many points of disagreement. Either way, agreement or
disagreement should be over the content of specific issues and not the result
of my emotional reactivity. <br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Why does this matter? Why would I go to so much
effort? My natural tendency is to seek out the company of those who believe,
think, and live as I do. In their presence I feel safe and comfortable. Our
relationships are familiar, maybe routine. There is nothing out of the ordinary
to threaten my comfort or the stability of our relational system (family,
church, civic group, friendships, etc.). As I seek the comfort of this group I,
at the same time, alienate myself from people and ideas that might pose a
threat. Intentionally or unintentionally, I may become closed off, closed-minded,
or uninformed. As a result, I may mistrust and fear everything and everyone with
which I am unfamiliar. <br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Jesus urges me to have a different approach to
those people who may oppose me, my ideas, my beliefs, and everything I stand
for as a Christian or an American. I recognize this is the way in which Jesus
approached me while I was his enemy because of my sin. The fact that he has
forgiven me and reconciled me to God means that it is possible I can be an
instrument of reconciliation with others. I believe most Christians understand
these truths, but also acknowledge their difficulty. It is far easier to simply
love those who are like me, and maybe even feel right or justified in doing so.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
In his book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lee:
The Last Years</i>, Charles Bracelen Flood reports that after the Civil War,
Robert E. Lee visited a Kentucky lady who took him to the remains of a grand
old tree in front of her house. There she bitterly cried that its limbs and
trunk had been destroyed by Federal artillery fire. She looked to Lee for a
word condemning the North or at least sympathizing with her loss. After a brief
silence, Lee said, "Cut it down, my dear Madam, and forget it."<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
I wonder what guidance Lee would offer our country
today?<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<script src="https://www.revolvermaps.com/re/rm.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">rm_f1st('0','280','true','true','000000','v1oCEd9nJx','true','true','ff0000');</script><noscript><applet codebase="http://www.revolvermaps.com/re" code="core.RevolverEngine" width="280" height="280" archive="re.jar"><param name="cabbase" value="re.cab" /><param name="recenthits" value="true" /><param name="nostars" value="true" /><param name="i" value="v1oCEd9nJx" /><param name="m" value="0" /><param name="size" value="280" /><param name="color" value="ff0000" /><param name="counter" value="true" /><param name="bg" value="000000" /><param name="flags" value="true" /></applet></noscript>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-71193200167899071592012-02-09T10:37:00.006-06:002012-02-11T05:20:57.813-06:00A Eulogy for Dan Smith<span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">One of my oldest and closest friends, Dan Smith, has lost his battle with cancer, but is now experiencing victory over death in the presence of the Lord. I am feeling so much as I write these words, but I want to capture some of what he meant to me…what he still means to me.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I met Dan in August of 1989, the Fall Semester of our freshman year at Howard Payne University. We were both outsiders, of sorts, who were thrown together in one of those “get to know you” small groups they put you in at college boot camps. For some reason we clicked, and became pretty close very quickly. It must have been Dan’s cool Tom Selleck mustache. I couldn’t grow a mustache. For about two years we remained inseparable.<br /><br />Dan Smith taught me how to live in Christ. When I met Dan I was at a sort of crossroads in my life. I spent most of my teenage years as a juvenile delinquent, running from the Lord. By the time I wandered in to Brownwood to go to college I had stopped running and surrendered my life to Christ and to God’s call to vocational ministry. I was in that awkward transition of leaving one life behind and learning how to live a new life in Christ. I had not always been successful at this. In many ways I felt like a failure, and I was convinced that Christ would not want me on his team, let alone to represent him in some ministry endeavor. I hadn’t really had close Christian friends, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted any. A part of me wanted to go back to running from God, to self-destruct, and leave behind God’s plan for my life.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Enter Dan Smith. We became friends. He was so positive, upbeat, encouraging and accepting of me. Over time he taught me how to be 19 years old and be a follower of Christ. It was as if God threw me a lifeline in Dan. I am convinced that I would not be who I am today if it were not for Dan Smith.<br /><br />I wish I could describe the time Dan and I spent together. I had never known anyone quite like him. Dan and I loved music, just not the same music. We spent countless hours driving across the state of Texas together listening to music. Dan tried to get me to like Country, which I detested. I preferred hard rock, which Dan had no interest in. We often settled for the Traveling Wilburys. Then Dan introduced me to his favorite Christian bands. He loved old school Petra and DC Talk. He would sing along to all the songs with such enthusiasm. I thought he was weird at first, but it eventually I was singing too.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Dan loved to laugh and be absolutely silly. I had never really heard of Monty Python until I met Dan. If we weren’t listening to music on our treks across Texas, we were listening to Monty Python. To this day I can’t hear someone say “spam” without singing the spam song (SPAM! SPAM! SPAM! SPAM!) and look around to see who else is singing. Of course no one is but me. I am comforted by telling myself that if Dan were there, he would be singing too (LOVELY SPAM! WONDERFUL SPAM!). We would be driving down the road and Dan would yell out “HAY!” and point out the window. I would look and there would be bales of hay rolled up in fields. I fell for it every time. Some of my favorite memories are of us sitting<br />in a room with Blake Hamaker and Jeremy McKewen playing Spades or Poker. We played and talked for hours with no cares in the world.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Dan never met a stranger and seemed to have no inhibitions about talking to people. Dan had a picture of the two of us standing in front of the Alamo as the sun was coming up. He gave his camera to some homeless man and asked him to take our picture. The man did, and as he gave the camera back to Dan he said, “There you go, a picture of two dudes in front of the Alamo.” Combine this with his sense of silly and you get Dan inserting himself in the backgrounds of people’s pictures with a terribly huge grin on his face. Dan had a way of making you feel special, important, and wanted. Dan made friends easily, many friends. And he had the ability to keep the friends he made. People wanted to be Dan’s friend.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Dan loved Jesus Christ. As an older teenager trying to leave behind one life and live a new life in Christ, I had never heard guys my age pray, really pray. I think I learned how to pray by listening to two guys: Dan Smith and Jeremy McKewen. They were so passionate, earnest, and sincere. They were not sissy or phony by any means. They meant what they said.Neither was Dan shy about his worship or self-conscious in any way. Dan carried around a big Bible and knew how to use it. He was the real deal. He made me want to know Christ and be like Christ.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Dan actually got me involved in ministry. He wanted to get involved in all kinds of things with the BSU. I didn’t. No matter how hard he tried, I wouldn’t join him. In the spring semester of 1990, Dan was involved with BSU Drama. He told me they needed me to play some part because I could do a voice like an old man. I said no, but Dan was persistent. So I got involved. Before long, Dan and I were writing skits together. Most of it was goofy stuff. Some of it wasn’t so bad, though. Best thing was spending time together writing material and making each other laugh. Dan was a good laugher. I’ve seen him laugh until he was beet red and the tears were running down his face. We spent a lot of time doing that. Dan really enjoyed the drama ministry and seeing people respond to how God was moving through a performance. A couple of years later Dan moved on to other areas of ministry, but I would be leading BSU Drama along with my future wife. All thanks to Dan.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Dan had an extreme sense of justice. It was like he had to make himself a part of every underdog’s struggle. The longer I knew him the bolder he got in standing up to injustice. The summer of 1990 we worked on staff at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Encampment.Dan had worked there in previous years and had spent some really great moments of his childhood at Mt. Lebanon. He told me it would be the greatest experience of my life if I worked there with him. Have I mentioned Dan’s ability to over-exaggerate in a bout of sincere enthusiasm? Well, apart from the great people who worked there with us, such as Jana Greenlee and Blake Hamaker, it was a terrible summer. So bad, in fact, that Blake and some others got fired and tensions were running high. The camp manager said something to Dan that set him off and he quit right on the spot! It was so unlike Dan and yet, so very much like Dan. He had enough of the OPPRESSION! Who knew Dan was such a fighter? Another time when we were living out in the country Dan stood up to a guy who was living in our house at the time. He was a big, and violent kind of guy who would eat all of our food off of our dishes and then complain because no one cleaned up the mess he left. One night Dan had enough and stood up to this guy and told him off. I was afraid Dan was about to get pummeled, so I took my stand right along with Dan, saying that if he fought Dan, he was fighting me too. Our housemate backed down. Dan had never been so bold.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Something I knew about Dan that other people may not have had opportunity to experience was how Dan was a hopeless romantic. One of Dan’s favorite movies was <em>Can't Buy Me Love</em>. We watched it many, many times. Afterward he would get that dreamy look in his eyes and sigh deeply. I went with him at least twice to watch <em>The Little Mermaid.</em> Dan loved Ariel. He would sigh and talk about how he wanted to be in love and have a family. It would pass and Dan would be back to hating women and talking about how he would never get married. He was going to be a camp manager and live alone or something like that. And yet…I always knew who Dan was crushing on during any given week because he would find ways to be involved in what they were doing, be near them in the cafeteria, and work their names into the conversation. As far as I know Dan never pursued any romantic connection with these young ladies and always remained a gentleman and a good friend.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Dan would get mad at me and others for not taking our relationships with girls seriously. It was true that I was a cad and a selfish turd and Dan would always call me on it. “You don’t know how to treat a woman!” he would say in disgust. He was right, of course. Dan was always much better at that than I. For instance, I was head over heels about one of our friends who wouldn’t give me the time of day. She was sick one weekend and spent some time in the hospital. When she got back to the dorm I wanted to do something to let her know I was concerned and thinking about her, but I was at a loss as to what to do. Dan, as always, knew her better than I and knew exactly what I should do: get her some coloring books and crayons. He was right! She loved it and colored me a wonderful picture that I kept a long time. I think, however, that she knew that the idea for the gift was too good to be mine and had to be Dan’s.<br /><br />Another example: my wife, Kim, and Dan were good friends before Kim and I started dating. At Dan’s encouragement she and I dated for a while and then I lost interest. Dan was flabbergasted. Again, in disgust he told me what a fool I was and how I would regret being so stupid and selfish.<br /><br />Dan: “You’re never going to find a better woman than her. You are so lucky! And now you are so stupid!”<br />Me: “What’s the big deal? You date her.”<br />Dan: “I would but she doesn’t like me, she wants YOU!”<br />Me: “She’ll get over it. You wanna go to Taco Bell?”<br />Dan: (with drool on his chin) AAAAAUUUGGGHH!!!!<br /><br />Again, Dan was right. I never found a better woman than Kim. In another year I would be begging her to date me. Thank goodness for grace because Kim later became my wife. She is the best woman I know.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I believe Dan went through a period of depression for a while when it came to love and the future. He was a good man, such a very good man. He was faithful to Christ. He was kind and considerate. He wanted to be in love, and he had so much love to give. He wanted to settle down. He dreamed of having a family. He knew he would make a good father and he wanted to be one. As time went on, I wonder if he began to feel like it would never happen for him. He was always the odd man out, the fifth wheel, the guy girls wanted to be friends with but didn’t date. He would often withdraw and become sullen, which was out of character for Dan. He would speak with resignation in his voice, saying, “I’ll always be alone, won’t I?” I warned him that before he knew it, he would fall in love quickly with a girl he hadn’t even met yet.<br /><br />Me: “You’ll end up marrying the first girl you date seriously.”<br />Dan: “No, I’m never getting married.”<br />Me: “Out of all our friends, you will be the first one to get married.”<br />Dan: “Impossible.”<br /><br />This time, I was right. It all happened so unexpectedly. Dan came in late one night, or it may have actually been early one morning. I had been concerned because Dan didn’t usually stay out like that without letting me know what was going on. He came in and sat down at our table and had this dreamy look on his face.<br /><br />Me: “What’s wrong with you? Where have you been?”<br />Dan:“I’ve been with Linda.”<br />Me: “Linda who? What are talking about?”<br />Dan: “Linda Manino, Hope’s sister.”<br />Me: “You've been with Hope's sister, <em>Linda</em>?”<br />Dan: “Yeah…we washed dishes and talked a long time…”<br /><br />It was at that exact moment that I knew it had finally happened. Dan would never be the same. My first instinct was to protect him. Just who is this Linda, anyway? What does she want with you? What is she doing in Brownwood? Just what is her agenda?! My fear was that she would be one more in a long line of marvelous, wonderful women who wanted to be Dan’s friend, but nothing more. If Dan had that same fear he never showed it. He was all in and wide open, just like I predicted. Turns out my fears were unfounded. Linda would be something very special.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I have often wondered if Linda felt that I didn’t like her or trust her. That was never the case. I guess I just knew Dan well enough to know what was happening to him and I didn’t want to see him hurt. Far from being hurt, Dan’s heart burst wide open and his whole life blossomed. It was as if he came alive. He became even more outgoing, sillier and filled with more laughter, more like Christ, more bold and strong. In short, Dan grew up and became a man. Linda brought out all the best things in Dan and magnified them. She got him interested in meeting new people and involved in doing lots of different things Dan wouldn’t have been doing otherwise. Some of these things they did together had a profound influence on Dan and would shape the rest of his life, at least vocationally. She may not know it, but I have always secretly been one of Linda’s biggest fans for who she is, for what she meant to my friend, and for the way she loved him.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Dan and Linda got married in January of 1992. I was honored to stand up with him as his best man. God had blessed Dan with Linda, blessed Dan the way I always knew he deserved to be blessed. A year later Kim and I would marry and Dan would be my best man. After that we were busy perusing life and enjoying our families. Dan was positively giddy when Savannah was born. I knew this was something he<br />always wanted, and that his daughter would have a very fine father. I remember when the twins were born and what a scary time that was for a while. I’ll never forget being with Dan and Linda in the NICU and knowing how scared my friend was and yet how very brave and full of faith he was.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">As time went on and God moved us around to different places of ministry, Dan and I lost touch for a while. I missed my friend but I was comforted by the knowledge that Dan was absolutely filled with joy at the way in which God had blessed him. His dreams had come true and he had the family he wanted. It was in Dan’s nature to be all in, wide open, and totally focused on what was going on in his life at the time. My nature was to withdraw and move on. Our nature’s worked against us as the years rolled by. Every year I would intend to make contact with Dan and Linda, but wouldn’t. I always thought I would have more time.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The internet and Facebook helps you rediscover people and renew contact, so Dan and I reconnected briefly online. Not long after that, like so many, I watched and prayed during Dan’s battle with cancer. A few days after they put Dan on hospice I asked Linda if I could come and see Dan. She graciously consented, and I made the seven hour trip to Fort Worth to spend a few hours with my friend and his family. Dan and I spoke of old times and laughed together again. He was always such a good laugher. I got to meet some of their close friends, which was such a blessing. Dan’s parents were there that day, and I had not seen them in years. That brought back memories of spending time in their home and eating at their table. The best thing for me, next to seeing Dan and Linda, was seeing their children. Savannah, especially, so brave, so focused on listening to her father, talking to him about things in her day, standing quietly in the room while Dan and I went on and on about the good old days. Dan’s parents brought Christmas gifts because they were not able to be together during the holidays. I was blessed to be able to watch them open gifts as a family. I just don’t have the words to describe how much all that meant to me.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I was able to tell Dan how much he meant to me and how much God had used him to shape my life. Dan expressed similar kinds of things. He spoke to Savannah of the importance of friendship and ties that can never be broken. We all prayed together. I told Dan I was absolutely committed to his family, even though I knew they would be well taken care of. He said he knew that, and he told me he loved me. Of all our years knowing each other, out of all the time we spent together, I can’t say for certain that Dan and I had ever said those words to each other. Felt them, yes…knew it in our hearts. But I don’t know we had ever<br />put words to it. I told him I loved him too. That was the last time I saw Dan.<br /><br />Here are three things I am taking away from my story:<br /><br />1. Make every effort to maintain relationships with people who mean so much to you, because few things are as hard to live with as regret. Time and distance combine with the natural ebb and flow of life and can draw people apart. It takes commitment and effort to counteract these natural life forces, but isn’t it worth it? Act now, before it is too late.<br /><br />2. Here is how I am praying for Dan’s children and for my own children: when they need it most, I pray that God will provide good Christian friends in their lives who will help them to make good choices and follow after Christ. Further, I pray our children will be that kind of Christian friend to others.<br /><br />3. As I read through the online tributes to Dan, I am encouraged that while my story about Dan is special and my own, it is far from unique. Dan touched many, many people. If it is true that I met Dan Smith when I was at a crossroads in my life, and if it is true that God used Dan to help me go in the right direction, then all of the ways in which God has blessed and provided for me are, at least in part, a result of Dan’s influence. I owe so much to him: my wife, my children, my calling. If God uses me for His purposes and His glory, then everything I do is a credit to Dan’s account in some way. The best way to honor Dan’s memory is for me to live my life, truly live it and live it well. And that is exactly what I intend to do.<br /><br />Dear Lord, I want to thank you for allowing Dan Smith to be a part of my life. I thank you for his parents who raised him well, for the men and women who led him to Christ and helped him to grow, and for the many ways in which Dan bore fruit in how he influenced me. I thank you for giving me such a good friend. I pray that you would bless Linda, Savannah, Isaac, Sam, and Nate, their extended families, and all of their friends who grieve alongside them. We look forward to seeing our friend on the other side when he will be made new. Until that day, please find ways to remind Linda and the children that they are surrounded by so many people who love them. Thank you for being so good to us. We turn our eyes to you, we love you, and we trust you. Amen.</span><br /><noscript>feeling so much as I write these words, but I want to capture some of what</noscript><noscript>meant to me…what he still means to</noscript><br /><noscript> </noscript><br /><noscript>met Dan in August of 1989, the Fall Semester of our freshman year at Ho</noscript><br /><noscript>Payne University. We were both outsiders, of sorts, who were thrown togethe</noscript><br /><noscript>one of those “get to know you” small groups they put you in at college boot ca</noscript></span><br /><noscript>For some reason we clicked, and became pretty close very quickly. It must </noscript><br /><noscript>been Dan’s cool Tom Selleck mustache. I couldn’t grow a mustache. For about</noscript><br /><noscript>years we remained inseparable</noscript><br /><noscript> D</noscript><br /><noscript>Smith taught me how to live in Christ. When I met Dan I was at a sort </noscript><br /><noscript>crossroads in my life. I spent most of my teenage years as a juveni</noscript><br /><noscript>delinquent, running from the Lord. By the time I wandered in to Brownwood to </noscript><br /><noscript>to college I had stopped running and surrendered my life to Christ and to God</noscript><br /><noscript>call to vocational ministry. I was in that awkward transition of leaving o</noscript><br /><noscript>life behind and learning how to live a new life in Christ. I had not alwa</noscript><br /><noscript>been successful at this. In many ways I felt like a failure, and I w</noscript><br /><noscript>convinced that Christ would not want me on his team, let alone to represent h</noscript><br /><noscript>in some ministry endeavor. I hadn’t really had close Christian friends, and</noscript><br /><noscript>wasn’t sure that I wanted any. A part of me wanted to go back to running fr</noscript><br /><noscript>God, to self-destruct, and leave behind God’s plan for my life</noscript><br /><noscript>Enter Dan Smith. </noscript><br /><noscript>became friends. He was so positive, upbeat, encouraging and accepting of m</noscript><br /><noscript>Over time he taught me how to be 19 years old and be a follower of Christ. </noscript><br /><noscript>was as if God threw me a lifeline in Dan. I am convinced that I would not </noscript><br /><noscript>who I am today if it were not for Dan Smith</noscript><br /><noscript>I wish I could descri</noscript><br /><noscript>the time Dan and I spent together. I had never known anyone quite like him. D</noscript><br /><noscript>and I loved music, just not the same music. We spent countless hours drivi</noscript><br /><noscript>across the state of Texas together listening to music. Dan tried to get me </noscript><br /><noscript>like Country, which I detested. I preferred hard rock, which Dan had </noscript><br /><noscript>interest in. We often settled for the Traveling Wilburys. Then Dan introduc</noscript><br /><noscript>me to his favorite Christian bands. He loved old school Petra and DC Talk. </noscript><br /><noscript>would sing along to all the songs with such enthusiasm. I thought he was wei</noscript><br /><noscript>at first, but it eventually I was singing to</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan loved to laugh and </noscript><br /><noscript>absolutely silly. I had never really heard of Monty Python until I met Dan. </noscript><br /><noscript>we weren’t listening to music on our treks across Texas, we were listening </noscript><br /><noscript>Monty Python. To this day I can’t hear someone say “spam” without singing t</noscript><br /><noscript>spam song (SPAM! SPAM! SPAM! SPAM!) and look around to see who else is singin</noscript><br /><noscript>Of course no one is but me. I am comforted by telling myself that if Dan we</noscript><br /><noscript>there, he would be singing too (LOVELY SPAM! WONDERFUL SPAM!). We would </noscript><br /><noscript>driving down the road and Dan would yell out “HAY!” and point out the window.</noscript><br /><noscript>would look and there would be bales of hay rolled up in fields. I fell for </noscript><br /><noscript>every time. Some of my favorite memories are of us sitting in a room with Bla</noscript><br /><noscript>Hamaker and Jeremy McKewen playing Spades or Poker. We played and talked f</noscript><br /><noscript>hours with no cares in the worl</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan never met a strang</noscript><br /><noscript>and seemed to have no inhibitions about talking to people. Dan had a picture </noscript><br /><noscript>the two of us standing in front of the Alamo as the sun was coming up. He ga</noscript><br /><noscript>his camera to some homeless man and asked him to take our picture. The man di</noscript><br /><noscript>and as he gave the camera back to Dan he said, “There you go, a picture of t</noscript><br /><noscript>dudes in front of the Alamo.” Combine this with his sense of silly and you g</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan inserting himself in the backgrounds of people’s pictures with a terrib</noscript><br /><noscript>huge grin on his face. But Dan had a way of making you feel special, importan</noscript><br /><noscript>and wanted. Dan made friends easily, many friends. And he had the ability </noscript><br /><noscript>keep the friends he made. People wanted to be Dan’s frien</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan loved Jesus Chris</noscript><br /><noscript>As an older teenager trying to leave behind one life and live a new life </noscript><br /><noscript>Christ, I had never heard guys my age pray, really pray. I think I learned h</noscript><br /><noscript>to pray by listening to two guys: Dan Smith and Jeremy McKewen. They were </noscript><br /><noscript>passionate, earnest, and sincere. They were not sissy or phony by any means. Th</noscript><br /><noscript>meant what they said. Neither was D</noscript><br /><noscript>shy about his worship or self-conscious in any way. Dan carried around a b</noscript><br /><noscript>Bible and knew how to use it. He was the real deal. He made me want to kn</noscript><br /><noscript>Christ and be like Chris</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan actually got </noscript><br /><noscript>involved in ministry. He wanted to get involved in all kinds of things with t</noscript><br /><noscript>BSU. I didn’t. No matter how hard he tried, I wouldn’t join him. In the spri</noscript><br /><noscript>semester of 1990, Dan was involved with BSU Drama. He told me they needed me </noscript><br /><noscript>play some part because I could do a voice like an old man. I said no, but D</noscript><br /><noscript>was persistent. So I got involved. Before long, Dan and I were writing ski</noscript><br /><noscript>together. Most of it was goofy stuff. Some of it wasn’t so bad, though. Be</noscript><br /><noscript>thing was spending time together writing material and making each other laug</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan was a good laugher. I’ve seen him laugh until he was beet red and the tea</noscript><br /><noscript>were running down his face. We spent a lot of time doing that. Dan real</noscript><br /><noscript>enjoyed the drama ministry and seeing people respond to how God was movi</noscript><br /><noscript>through a performance. A couple of years later Dan moved on to other areas </noscript><br /><noscript>ministry, but I would be leading BSU Drama along with my future wife. A</noscript><br /><noscript>thanks to Da</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan had an extreme sen</noscript><br /><noscript>of justice. It was like he had to make himself a part of every underdog</noscript><br /><noscript>struggle. The longer I knew him the bolder he got in standing up to injustic</noscript><br /><noscript>The summer of 1990 we worked on staff at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Encampment. Dan had worked there in previous years a</noscript><br /><noscript>had spent some really great moments of his childhood at Mt. Lebanon. He told </noscript><br /><noscript>it would be the greatest experience of my life if I worked there with him. Ha</noscript><br /><noscript>I mentioned Dan’s ability to over-exaggerate in a bout of sincere enthusias</noscript><br /><noscript>Well, apart from the great people who worked there with us, such as Jana Greenl</noscript><br /><noscript>and Blake Hamaker, it was a terrible summer. So bad, in fact, that Blake a</noscript><br /><noscript>some others got fired and tensions were running high. The camp manager sa</noscript><br /><noscript>something to Dan that set him off and he quit right on the spot! It was </noscript><br /><noscript>unlike Dan and yet, so very much like Dan. He had enough of the OPPRESSION! W</noscript><br /><noscript>knew Dan was such a fighter? Another time when we were living out in t</noscript><br /><noscript>country Dan stood up to a guy who was living in our house at the time. He was</noscript><br /><noscript>big, and violent kind of guy who would eat all of our food off of our dish</noscript><br /><noscript>and then complain because no one cleaned up the mess he left. One night Dan h</noscript><br /><noscript>enough and stood up to this guy and told him off. I was afraid Dan was about </noscript><br /><noscript>get pummeled, so I took my stand right along with Dan, saying that if he foug</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan, he was fighting me too. Our housemate backed down. Dan had never been </noscript><br /><noscript>bol</noscript><br /><noscript>Something I knew abo</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan that other people may not have had opportunity to experience was how D</noscript><br /><noscript>was a hopeless romantic. One of Dan’s favorite movies was “Can’t Buy Me Love</noscript><br /><noscript>We watched it many, many times. Afterward he would get that dreamy look in h</noscript><br /><noscript>eyes and sigh deeply. I went with him at least twice to watch “The Litt</noscript><br /><noscript>Mermaid.” Dan loved Ariel. He would sigh and talk about how he wanted to be </noscript><br /><noscript>love and have a family. It would pass and Dan would be back to hating women a</noscript><br /><noscript>talking about how he would never get married. He was going to be a camp manag</noscript><br /><noscript>and live alone or something like that. And yet…I always knew who Dan w</noscript><br /><noscript>crushing on during any given week because he would find ways to be involved </noscript><br /><noscript>what they were doing, be near them in the cafeteria, and work their names in</noscript><br /><noscript>the conversation. As far as I know Dan never pursued any romantic connecti</noscript><br /><noscript>with these young ladies and always remained a gentleman and a good frien</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan would get mad at </noscript><br /><noscript>and others for not taking our relationships with girls seriously. It was tr</noscript><br /><noscript>that I was a cad and a selfish turd and Dan would always call me on it. “Y</noscript><br /><noscript>don’t know how to treat a woman!” he would say in disgust. He was right, </noscript><br /><noscript>course. Dan was always much better at that than I. For instance, I was he</noscript><br /><noscript>over heels about one of our friends who wouldn’t give me the time of day. S</noscript><br /><noscript>was sick one weekend and spent some time in the hospital. When she got back </noscript><br /><noscript>the dorm I wanted to do something to let her know I was concerned and thinki</noscript><br /><noscript>about her, but I was at a loss as to what to do. Dan, as always, knew h</noscript><br /><noscript>better than I and knew exactly what I should do: get her some coloring boo</noscript><br /><noscript>and crayons. He was right! She loved it and colored me a wonderful picture th</noscript><br /><noscript>I kept a long time. I think, however, that she knew that the idea for the gi</noscript><br /><noscript>was too good to be mine and had to be Dan’s</noscript><br /><noscript>Another example: my wif</noscript><br /><noscript>Kim, and Dan were good friends before Kim and I started dating. At Dan</noscript><br /><noscript>encouragement she and I dated for a while and then I lost interest. Dan w</noscript><br /><noscript>flabbergasted. Again, in disgust he told me what a fool I was and how I wou</noscript><br /><noscript>regret being so stupid and selfish</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan: “You’re never going to find a better wom</noscript><br /><noscript>than her. You are so lucky! And now you are so stupid</noscript><br /><noscript>Me: “What’s the big deal? You date her</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan: “I would but she doesn’t like me, she wan</noscript><br /><noscript>YOU</noscript><br /><noscript>Me: “She’ll get over it. You wanna go to Ta</noscript><br /><noscript>Bell</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan: (with drool on his chin) AAAAAAAUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!</noscript><br /><noscript>Again, Dan was right. I never found a better wom</noscript><br /><noscript>than Kim. In another year I would be begging her to date me. Thank goodness f</noscript><br /><noscript>grace because Kim later became my wife. She is the best woman I kno</noscript><br /><noscript> </noscript><br /><noscript>believe Dan went through a period of depression for a while when it came </noscript><br /><noscript>love and the future. He was a good man, such a very good man. He was faithf</noscript><br /><noscript>to Christ. He was kind and considerate. He wanted to be in love, and he had </noscript><br /><noscript>much love to give. He wanted to settle down. He dreamed of having a family. </noscript><br /><noscript>knew he would make a good father and he wanted to be one. As time went on,</noscript><br /><noscript>wonder if he began to feel like it would never happen for him. He was alwa</noscript><br /><noscript>the odd man out, the fifth wheel, the guy girls wanted to be friends with but didn</noscript><br /><noscript>date. He would often withdraw and become sullen, which was out of character f</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan. He would speak with resignation in his voice, saying, “I’ll always </noscript><br /><noscript>alone, won’t I?” I warned him that before he knew it, he would fall in love quick</noscript><br /><noscript>with a girl he hadn’t even met yet</noscript><br /><noscript>Me: “You’ll end up marrying the first girl y</noscript><br /><noscript>date seriously</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan: “No, I’m never getting married</noscript><br /><noscript>Me: “Out of all our friends, you will be the fir</noscript><br /><noscript>one to get married</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan: “Impossible</noscript><br /><noscript> </noscript><br /><noscript>This time, I was righ</noscript><br /><noscript>It all happened so unexpectedly. Dan came in late one night, or it may ha</noscript><br /><noscript>actually been early one morning. I had been concerned because Dan didn</noscript><br /><noscript>usually stay out like that without letting me know what was going on. He ca</noscript><br /><noscript>in and sat down at our table and had this dreamy look on his face</noscript><br /><noscript>Me: “What’s wrong with you? Where have you been</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan: “I’</noscript><br /><noscript>been with Linda</noscript><br /><noscript>Me: “Linda who? What are talking about</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan: “Linda Manino, Hope’s sister</noscript><br /><noscript>Me: “Hope has a sister? Who knew</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan: “Yeah…we washed dishes and talked a long time…</noscript><br /><noscript>It was at that exa</noscript><br /><noscript>moment that I knew it had finally happened. Dan would never be the same. </noscript><br /><noscript>first instinct was to protect him. Just who is this Linda, anyway? What do</noscript><br /><noscript>she want with you? What is she doing in Brownwood? Just what is her agenda?! </noscript><br /><noscript>fear was that she would be one more in a long line of marvelous, wonderf</noscript><br /><noscript>women who wanted to be Dan’s friend, but nothing more. If Dan had that sa</noscript><br /><noscript>fear he never showed it. He was all in and wide open, just like I predicte</noscript><br /><noscript>Turns out my fears were unfounded. Linda would be something very specia</noscript><br /><noscript>I have often wondered </noscript><br /><noscript>Linda felt that I didn’t like her or trust her. That was never the case.</noscript><br /><noscript>guess I just knew Dan well enough to know what was happening to him and</noscript><br /><noscript>didn’t want to see him hurt. Far from being hurt, Dan’s heart burst wide op</noscript><br /><noscript>and his whole life blossomed. It was as if he came alive. He became even mo</noscript><br /><noscript>outgoing, sillier and filled with more laughter, more like Christ, more bo</noscript><br /><noscript>and strong. In short, Dan grew up and became a man. Linda brought out all t</noscript><br /><noscript>best things in Dan and magnified them. She got him interested in meeting n</noscript><br /><noscript>people and involved in doing lots of different things Dan wouldn’t have be</noscript><br /><noscript>doing otherwise. Some of these things they did together had a profou</noscript><br /><noscript>influence on Dan and would shape the rest of his life, at least vocationall</noscript><br /><noscript>She may not know it, but I have always secretly been one of Linda’s bigge</noscript><br /><noscript>fans for who she is, for what she meant to my friend, and for the way she lov</noscript><br /><noscript>hi</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan and Linda got marri</noscript><br /><noscript>in January of 1992. I was honored to stand up with him as his best man. God h</noscript><br /><noscript>blessed Dan with Linda, blessed Dan the way I always knew he deserved to </noscript><br /><noscript>blessed. A year later Kim and I would marry and Dan would be my best man. Aft</noscript><br /><noscript>that we were busy perusing life and enjoying our families. Dan was positive</noscript><br /><noscript>giddy when Savannah was born. I knew this was something he always wanted, a</noscript><br /><noscript>that his daughter would have a very fine father. I remember when the twins we</noscript><br /><noscript>born and what a scary time that was for a while. I’ll never forget being wi</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan and Linda in the NICU and knowing how scared my friend was and yet how ve</noscript><br /><noscript>brave and full of faith he wa</noscript><br /><noscript>As time went on and G</noscript><br /><noscript>moved us around to different places of ministry, Dan and I lost touch for</noscript><br /><noscript>while. I missed my friend but I was comforted by the knowledge that Dan w</noscript><br /><noscript>absolutely filled with joy at the way in which God had blessed him. His drea</noscript><br /><noscript>had come true and he had the family he wanted. It was in Dan’s nature to be a</noscript><br /><noscript>in, wide open, and totally focused on what was going on in his life at t</noscript><br /><noscript>time. My nature was to withdraw and move on. Our nature’s worked against us </noscript><br /><noscript>the years rolled by. Every year I would intend to make contact with Dan a</noscript><br /><noscript>Linda, but wouldn’t. I always thought I would have more tim</noscript><br /><noscript>The internet and Facebo</noscript><br /><noscript>helps you rediscover people and renew contact, so Dan and I reconnected brief</noscript><br /><noscript>online. Not long after that, like so many, I watched and prayed during Dan</noscript><br /><noscript>battle with cancer. A few days after they put Dan on hospice I asked Linda if</noscript><br /><noscript>could come and see Dan. She graciously consented, and I made the seven ho</noscript><br /><noscript>trip to Fort Worth to spend a few hours with my friend and his family. Dan a</noscript><br /><noscript>I spoke of old times and laughed together again. He was always such a go</noscript><br /><noscript>laugher. I got to meet some of their close friends, which was such a blessin</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan’s parents were there that day, and I had not seen them in years. Th</noscript><br /><noscript>brought back memories of spending time in their home and eating at their tabl</noscript><br /><noscript>The best thing for me, next to seeing Dan and Linda, was seeing their childre</noscript><br /><noscript>Savannah, especially, so brave, so focused on listening to her father, talki</noscript><br /><noscript>to him about things in her day, standing quietly in the room while Dan and</noscript><br /><noscript>went on and on about the good old days. Dan’s parents brought Christmas gif</noscript><br /><noscript>because they were not able to be together during the holidays. I was blessed </noscript><br /><noscript>be able to watch them open gifts as a family. I just don’t have the words </noscript><br /><noscript>describe how much all that meant to m</noscript><br /><noscript>I was able to tell Dan h</noscript><br /><noscript>much he meant to me and how much God had used him to shape my life. D</noscript><br /><noscript>expressed similar kinds of things. He spoke to Savannah of the importance </noscript><br /><noscript>friendship and ties that can never be broken. We all prayed together. I to</noscript><br /><noscript>Dan I was absolutely committed to his family, even though I knew they would </noscript><br /><noscript>well taken care of. He said he knew that, and he told me he loved me. Of a</noscript><br /><noscript>our years knowing each other, out of all the time we spent together, I can</noscript><br /><noscript>say for certain that Dan and I had ever said those words to each other. Fe</noscript><br /><noscript>them, yes…knew it in our hearts. But I don’t know we had ever put words to it.</noscript><br /><noscript>told him I loved him too. That was the last time I saw Dan</noscript><br /><noscript>Here are three things I am taking away from </noscript><br /><noscript>story</noscript><br /><noscript>1. Make every effort to maintain relationshi</noscript><br /><noscript>with people who mean so much to you, because few things are as hard to li</noscript><br /><noscript>with as regret. Time and distance combine with the natural ebb and flow of li</noscript><br /><noscript>and can draw people apart. It takes commitment and effort to counteract the</noscript><br /><noscript>natural life forces, but isn’t it worth it? Act now, before it is too late</noscript><br /><noscript>2. Here is how I am praying for Dan’s children a</noscript><br /><noscript>for my own children: when they need it most, I pray that God will provide go</noscript><br /><noscript>Christian friends in their lives who will help them to make good choices a</noscript><br /><noscript>follow after Christ. Further, I pray our children will be that kind </noscript><br /><noscript>Christian friend to others</noscript><br /><noscript>3. As I read through the online tributes to Dan,</noscript><br /><noscript>am encouraged that while my story about Dan is special and my own, it is f</noscript><br /><noscript>from unique. Dan touched many, many people. If it is true that I met Dan Smi</noscript><br /><noscript>when I was at a crossroads in my life, and if it is true that God used Dan </noscript><br /><noscript>help me go in the right direction, then all of the ways in which God h</noscript><br /><noscript>blessed and provided for me are, at least in part, a result of Dan’s influenc</noscript><br /><noscript>I owe so much to him: my wife, my children, my calling. If God uses me for H</noscript><br /><noscript>purposes and His glory, then everything I do is a credit to Dan’s account </noscript><br /><noscript>some way. The best way to honor Dan’s memory is for me to live my life, truly live it and live it well. And that is exact</noscript><br /><noscript>what I intend to do</noscript><br /><noscript>Dear Lord, I want to thank you for allowing D</noscript><br /><noscript>Smith to be a part of my life. I thank you for his parents who raised him wel</noscript><br /><noscript>for the men and women who led him to Christ and helped him to grow, and for t</noscript><br /><noscript>many ways in which Dan bore fruit in how he influenced me. I thank you f</noscript><br /><noscript>giving me such a good friend. I pray that you would bless Linda, Savanna</noscript><br /><noscript>Isaac, Sam, and Nate, their extended families, and all of their friends w</noscript><br /><noscript>grieve alongside them. We look forward to seeing our friend on the other si</noscript><br /><noscript>when he will be made new. Until that day, please find ways to remind Linda a</noscript><br /><noscript>the children that they are surrounded by so many people who love them. Thank y</noscript><br /><noscript>for being so good to us. We turn our eyes to you, we love you, and we tru</noscript><br /><noscript>you. Ame</noscript>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-16957141632251021452010-05-16T05:59:00.002-05:002010-05-16T06:06:06.171-05:00New Sermon Series: CommencementOn May 23 we will honor our graduating seniors. In preparing my message for that morning I realized I had more to say than could fit in one sermon (even one of mine!). So, starting on May 16, we will have three sermons on commencement: answering the call to be <em>in</em> but not <em>of</em> the world. I will ask three questions I think are vital for those who intend to spend any amount of time engaged with the unbelieving world, either on the college campus or in the workplace. Here are the three questions:<br /><br />May 16: Do you have a story of your own?<br />May 23: Are you capable of living for someone other than yourself?<br />May 30: Are you interested in giving your life to something larger than your hopes and dreams?<br /><br />The answers to these questions could determine how the unbelieving world responds to us and the person we claim to worship.Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-59105775981009380852010-05-09T06:13:00.002-05:002010-05-09T06:16:53.116-05:00FBC Rockport in the Spring of 2010<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing" align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Our strategic plan called for a lot of action in 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While we are not meeting all the anticipated deadlines, we are at work on a number of important and exciting things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the midst of this activity we can see the Lord producing fruit as we seek to accomplish His purpose for our church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In fact, there is so much going on that it is possible to miss the forest for the trees, so to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So I have put together some information here that will hopefully allow you to get an overview of all that God is doing at FBC Rockport.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing" align="left"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Worship<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">In 2010 I have preached through the book of 1Timothy, and we are winding down our series on “Family Dynamics.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After Mother’s Day I will begin a new series called “Commencement,” which will be for our graduates and for every Christian who wants to follow our Lord to be in but not of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This summer I will preach through the book of Romans.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Attendance so far in 2010 peaked at 900 on Easter Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are back to a regular mid 500s in attendance since the Winter Texans have gone back north.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">There were well over 1000 who attended our Easter Cantata, which was outstanding again!</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Enrollment in our Sanctuary Choir is up to 56.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They are running out of robes!</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">God continues to move in our Saturday night service at Charlie’s Place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Eric Scott and I have begun talking and praying about the possibility of starting a Saturday night service either in our church or off-campus somewhere in our community.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Our Spring Prayer Gathering will focus on families in our church and community.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Connect<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Our new Connect Team led us in a church-wide fellowship on Easter Sunday evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many people of all ages came out and had a blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The next church-wide fellowship will be on July 4.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Sunday School Council is meeting now and one of their first tasks is to help our church address our Sunday School space issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our strategic plan recommended a second SS organization on Sunday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There has been little enthusiasm for this, but we cannot allow our space to hinder us from connecting more people to the body of Christ though our Sunday School organization, which is our primary connecting tool every week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If not a second Sunday School, what can we do <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">right now</i> to provide more space?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Pray for them as they seek the Lord on this matter.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Grow<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Our new Grow Team is finalizing plans for an adult class to help New Believers and others who want to focus on essentials for the Christian life, and a New Member Orientation for all new church members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They will then turn their attention to designing an over-all discipleship strategy that makes sense for our church right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once that is done they will be able to recommend to the church any necessary schedule changes.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Various groups have been involved with different studies:</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo3" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">o<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Different groups have done Beth Moore studies on Revelation, Esther, and Breaking Free.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo3" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">o<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">A group of people went through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo3" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">o<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Our Thursday night Men’s Group continues a study Galatians by Dr. David Platt.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">AWANAs has finished another successful year.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Vacation Bible School is only a month away!</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I have the Ministerial Staff studying some things too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We have been reading and discussing a book called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership</i>. We want to make sure that we are leading from the heart of our relationship with Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Next we will read and discuss a book on worship.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">In February, our students participated in the Mpact Weekend that focused on small group discipleship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Also, in March a group of students attended the Fuge Winter Camp in Glorieta, NM.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">On Sunday nights, at Tribe, the high school students just finished a study through the book of Colossians, and they are working on going through other books of the Bible as well.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Serve<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Our new Serve Team is working on several different things:</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo4" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">o<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">There will soon be a bulletin board on display that will have all of the various ministry and missions opportunities available to our members.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo4" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">o<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">They are conducting interviews with some community leaders to get a sense of the many different needs within Aransas County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We will then lay these before the Lord and see where He leads us to join Him.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Bob and Carole Crawford will join the Texas Baptist Men on a trip to Cuba, May 15-26.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Joyce Roach will travel to the Dominican Republic to work in an orphanage, June 26-July 3.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Jennifer Edwards and Carole Crawford will be teaching English in China, June 27-July 21.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">A group of youth and adults will go to Connecticut the last week of July to conduct a VBS and to participate in some prayer walking.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">We will help FBC Taft (where Dale Pogue is Interim Pastor) conduct their Vacation Bible School in July.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">John Jenkins and Herman Green have begun a ministry called “In the Garden.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>John is a Master Gardener and Master Composter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Herman has been an Organic Gardener for 30 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They will, as time allows, provide a consultation ministry for anyone in the church family who needs help with their composting, flower beds, herb garden, or vegetable garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The consultation is free.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">One of the results of our ministry at Charlie’s Place is that we are looking into beginning a Christ-based addiction recovery and support group in Rockport.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Deacons have almost completed a fresh draft of our various Deacon policies and procedures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There has even been talk of a possible Deacon election this summer or fall.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Reach<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">We have baptized 11 people so far in 2010, five adults, two youth, and four children. There are at least 4 more scheduled for the coming weeks.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Reach Ministry Team is considering outreach and evangelism possibilities for our church.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Ad Hoc Committees<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Building and Property Usage Committee has completed its task and now has a document before the church for consideration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These policies will be discussed and voted on in May.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Phase 2 Study Committee met for several weeks and is now pausing in their work to give the various ministry teams time to develop some plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They hope to get some insight into the kinds of recommendations to make to the church about developing our property.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Constitution and Bylaws Committee has met once and has had a hard time scheduling a new meeting (due to my schedule), but we intend to meet again soon.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Standing Committees<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Transportation Committee has certified many of our members as official drivers of our church vehicles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Have you gotten your certification yet?</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Personnel Committee is working on an update to our Personnel Policies and Procedures.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Building Committee is collecting bids for various repairs to our building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The wet winter really took its toll on our facilities.</span></p><p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Grounds Committee recently finished a new driveway for the bus barn and repainted the handicap parking spaces.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Of course this does not describe the totality of what God is doing in our midst, but does provide a snapshot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Please join with me in seeking the Lord and engaging with others as we set out in faith and obedience to accomplish the mission of our church, which is to help all people to be shaped by the love of Christ.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Serving you,</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Scott Jones</span></p>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-7056945402631185482010-01-02T07:38:00.001-06:002010-01-02T07:47:36.690-06:0010 Questions to Answer Prayerfully in God's PresenceAs 2010 begins, many of us are prayerfully looking forward to what God will do in our lives, families, churches, and communities in the new year. I emphasized in December how important it was that we not miss God when He speaks, acts, and moves in us and around us. So here are ten questions to pray over, meditate on, and then answer in God's presence. These questions are to help us connect with God's movement in our lives in the coming year. If God leads you to some answers to your questions, and you would like for me to pray with you about these things, please let me know! Here are the questions:<br /><br />1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?<br /><br />2. What the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?<br /><br />3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?<br /><br />4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?<br /><br />5. What is your most important financial goal this year and what will you do to achieve it?<br /><br />6. What is the most helpful <strong><em>new</em></strong> way you could strengthen your church?<br /><br />7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?<br /><br />8. What is the most important need you fell burdened to meet this year?<br /><br />9. Who do you most want to encourage this year?<br /><br />10. What habit would you like to establish this year?Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-79831636002689968462009-12-10T11:43:00.015-06:002009-12-14T10:46:23.371-06:00Favorite Songs on My iPodMore challenging than it looks! Here is a current list of my top 25 favorite songs on my iPod. In the next post I will have the list of my REAL top 25 songs - the ones played most often. The songs here are not presented in alphabetical order. Let me know what you think and tell me the stories about your favorite songs.<br /><br /><p><strong>"40" by U2</strong>. This song is based on Psalm 40, David's testimony of God's saving action, causing all people to sit up and take notice. May all God's people be able to sing a new song every day of what God has done for them.<br /></p><br /><p><strong>"A Kiss to Build a Dream On" by Louis Armstrong</strong>. I love New Orleans Jazz, and Satchmo is one of the greatest. This song reminds me of all the wonderful memories Kim and I have of our time in the Crescent City, either on vacation or on mission trips. Good memories.<br /></p><br /><p><strong>"All Because of You" by Kate Hurley</strong>. This song was included as a bonus track on some random collection of Christmas music by Christian artists, and now it has become one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs. Kim will sing this song this Sunday (Dec. 20) in the 8:30 service, by the way. The Christmas story is so familiar that we need to hear it again for the first time -- a passionate God becomes one of us, to live and to die for us, all because of His love.<br /></p><p><strong>"Cantata 140, 'Wacht auf, ruft uns die Stimme,' BWV 140: Sleepers, Wake!" by Johann Sebastian Bach</strong>. I love Bach's organ music. I love that he wrote these pieces as music for worship. I love the way the old pipe organs sound as his music bursts forth from the various registers. I love that his works are not easy to play on an organ - involving both hands and feet moving rapidly on the instrument. And I love to hear someone play it as Bach intended: to bring glory to God. Choosing a favorite piece usually depends on what mood I am in, and today I choose "Sleepers, Wake!"<br /></p><br /><p><strong>"Farther Along" by Willie and Bobbie Nelson</strong>. This comes off the album of old hymns that Willie recorded with his sister, Bobbie. I love this album, along with Johnnie Cash's similar project. The songs are simple, spare, and powerful. I don't hold up Willie as any kind of a spiritual leader, but his version of this classic hymn is moving and hopeful.<br /></p><br /><p><strong>"Hallelujah Chorus" from <em>Messiah</em>, by George Handel</strong>. I kid you not, every time I hear this I am moved to worship and end up weeping like a little girl. A moving and powerful expression of uncontained joy for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who will reign forever and ever. I like to think heaven will sound a little like this.<br /></p><br /><p><strong>"Hard to Get" by Rich Mullins</strong>. This song is taken from the last project Rich worked on before his untimely death in a traffic accident. He was making an album about Jesus when he died, leaving behind a cassette tape of the songs he recorded in an old church. Rich's voice is scratchy and haunting on the recording, and the lyrics are a brutally honest prayer to Christ about how frightened we feel during those times when he seems so distant from us.<br /></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:0;"></span><strong>"Heading for the Light" by the Traveling Wilburys</strong>. I have been a fan of the Wilburys since high school. This is George Harrison's tribute to his spiritual journey set to a wailing sax.<br /></p><br /><p><strong>"Help Me" by Johnny Cash</strong>. Yes, I like the old Johnny Cash songs just fine, but the songs he recorded in his last years are especially powerful and moving. This song, for instance, is the prayer of a man who has tried everything his way and failed. Now he is desperately crying out to God for help. This is one of the last songs John recorded in the time between his wife's death and his own. Very moving.<br /></p><br /><p><strong>"I Need Thee Every Hour" by Jars of Clay</strong>. This is Jars' version of the old hymn, included on their album of similar renditions of Christian classics. Somehow they are able to take the lyrics and tune of a familiar hymn and make it sound urgent, passionate, and sincere. In my opinion, the future of modern worship should include songs like this as we reach back into our heritage and find the songs of faith that have meant so much to so many over the centuries, and then reinterpret those songs so that they become an expression of our experience in worship.<br /></p><br /><p><strong>"If I Stand" by Rich Mullins, performed by Jars of Clay</strong>. This is my all-time favorite song. I first heard Rich's version in college after struggling for a few years to leave an old way of life behind and live a new life in Christ. It was also the time in which I struggled to comprehend God's call upon my life, a life which seemed to me to be wasted and profane. The lyrics assured me that there is more to reality than what I can perceive, and I must stand on God's promises alone. The version by Jars of Clay is soft, subtle, and powerfully sincere.</p><p><strong>"In My Life" by the Beatles</strong>. This is a long-time favorite for me and Kim. I actually enjoy other versions of this song than the Beatles'. I haven 't been able to find one I like better than others, but I think my favorite version is the one David and Celeste McCraw sing from time to time. You FBC Rockport folks have probably heard it.</p><p><br /><strong>"It's True" by Sara Groves featuring Toby Groves</strong>. This Christmas song is about the doubt people often feel as they ponder the love of God. Could all this supernatural stuff be real? Did God really come down to us as a child? Oh yes. Sara's son Tobey reads the Christmas story from the same children's Bible our son Michael uses. Beautiful.<br /></p><strong>"I've Been Everywhere" by Johnny Cash</strong>. The ultimate travel song sung by a man who has walked down many roads. Although this is a fun song to listen to, you can't help but notice the weariness in John's voice as he describes how he has been everywhere and seen everything. I pray that the Lord will keep me from the cynicism of weariness as the years go by.<br /><br /><strong>"Linus and Lucy" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio</strong>. Who's Christmas wouldn't be complete without the Peanuts music? Joyful, playful, and enduring, like Snoopy himself, this song makes me think of my son playing.<br /><br /><strong>"Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney.</strong> As I have said before, I don't like all of Macca's solo work post-Beatles, but this one is greatness. A love song to his wife Linda, he captures that inexplicable feeling men often feel as they are falling in love.<br /><br /><strong>"Piano Sonata #14 in C Sharp Minor, Op. 27/2, 'Moonlight,' - Adagio sostenuto" by Ludwig Von Beethoven</strong>. I first heard this piece when I was a teenager struggling to understand my own emotional swings. For some reason it meant a lot to me that Beethoven could feel melancholy so deeply. This music is moody and marvelous. One can almost see moonlight reflected on ripples of water.<br /><br /><strong>"Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World" by Isarael Kamakawiwo'ole</strong>. You would recognize this song if you heard it. Izzy's distinctive voice singing the lyrics to these familiar songs, accompanied only by his ukulele. Somehow the song manages to sound both melancholy and hopeful at the same time, a tension many of us have learned to live in.<br /><br /><strong>"Speak, O Lord" by Keith and Kristyn Getty</strong>. The Getty's are worship leaders and modern hymn writers. They wrote this song to be sung at their church before the pastor gets up to preach. It expresses the desire of my heart as I approach the word of God.<br /><br /><strong>"Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 55, 'Eroica,' - 1: Allegro con brio" by Ludwig Von Beethoven.</strong> Beethoven originally wrote this piece in honor of Napoleon's armies marching across Europe. He loved the idea that democracy would replace aristocracy and the entitlement of royalty. As you can imagine, he was bitterly disappointed and disillusioned when a victorious and triumphant Napoleon then declared himself Emperor. He changed the title of this symphony and dedicated it to a no-named "Hero." How many of us have been let down by those we held in esteem? This music celebrates an ideal hero who may not exist, but should.<br /><br /><strong>"Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, K. 183 (173dB) - Allegro con brio" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart</strong>. I discovered Mozart, like many of you, after watching <em>Amadeus</em> on HBO one day when I was a teenager. I was dazzled by the power, passion, and beauty of the music as well as the complicated life of Mozart himself. Up to that point I did not ever think that the great composers were actual people like you and me, at least a little! This selection from Symphony 25 is part of the music that begins the movie, and it remains my favorite of Mozart's.<br /><br /><strong>"The Valley Song (Sing of Your Mercy)" by Jars of Clay</strong>. This song became a constant companion after Kim's second miscarriage, and it has remained a favorite ever since. God leads us through valleys of sorrow to rivers or joy, but you must still pass through the valley. Don't stop, my pilgrim friend, keep moving.<br /><br /><strong>"Two of Us" by the Beatles</strong>. This is one of the first songs John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote together as boys in Liverpool, and one of the last songs the Beatles recorded before they broke apart. The song is about the sustaining power of friendship over the years. You can't help but wonder at the irony. Did John and Paul mourn the loss of their own friendship among the bitterness and animosity surrounding the breakup of the Beatles?<br /><br /><strong>"Winter Snow" by Chris Tomlin and Audrey Assad</strong>. This is off the new Chris Tomlin Christmas worship album. The Almighty Creator of the Universe, the Infinite and Ultimate King of Kings could have come to us in great power and judgment, causing much fear and dismay among us. But He chose to come quietly, as a small helpless baby born almost unnoticed in the night, like a winter snow falling quietly to the ground.<br /><br /><strong>"Worlds Apart" by Jars of Clay</strong>. Off of Jars' first album, this is still one of their very best. This song is sung by a person who has experienced failure at his or her own hands, and finally gives God permission to take their world apart and have His way with them. Anyone been there?Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-5159879434671703492009-12-08T13:25:00.009-06:002009-12-08T13:53:35.592-06:00Music Revisited and Some PicturesIt has been a while since I blogged period, even longer since I blogged about the music I am listening to these days. Over a year ago I gave a list of the top 25 favorite songs on my iPod and then a list of the top 25 songs I actually listened to. I have been asked to do it again and I will do so as I have time during the next week. <div><div><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">My approach to music is much the same as my approach to all art: it should be experienced with a critical eye. Not <em>critical</em> as in putting it down and finding fault, but as in closely examining something. As Christians especially it is our responsibility to consider well what we expose ourselves to. Therefore we ask questions: Why do I like this song? What does it tell me about life, people, myself, the Lord, etc? What can I learn from it? What do I think about the way it makes me feel? And so on...you get the picture.</div><div><br /></div><div align="left">What I will do is post a list of the top 20 or so songs on my iPod that are my favorites. Last time I did not include Christmas music or classical music, but this time I will. I will reflect on what these particular songs mean to me personally. Then I will post my <em>real </em>to 20 favorite song list - the list of songs played most often on my iPod. If you use iTunes then you know it counts the number of times each song is played. The two lists will probably not be the same.</div><div><br /></div><div align="left">I encourage you to do the same thing. What are your favorite songs and what do they mean to you? I would love to hear your stories.</div><div><br /></div><div align="left">In the mean time...here is what most people really want...pictures of the kids.<br /></div><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412954828862526738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyXetvmTEoafEqf4KKzxGjDLcYvo_KseObdS2tAtOaVafEpDOi6H_i4QKIa4sVD6TFf8jbuU_csjXTknNtXfyQmwF4LuwTKKtdxsiQcFX1pMYAZNO9BTL4iuyxbcp6fqooAIgADqK-qUS/s320/Michael+and+Buddy1.bmp" /></div><div align="center">Micheal feeding Buddy</div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412953285167034162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-VzyBBupf68x7aykKgPL7PGP5EU8kWrNKkbd1x5Bum90oNhXEKjZu7KE4jyL94EZrS2CDODebgLFEzfxd9L4n13ZiFm9Qvh-sjMbA-WDIvMTXE-Y7qbOsyPi2kOg4-rNE4uO_1dSU_zu/s320/3+months.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Kathryn at 3 months</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412953176596518786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0onJhd2Wgc08Ugr2feUiCfGb9L5Z06_KbF1TdzRzOhMdFhjjKdeE5S3XyNv5kVlb2qISDfWyg8qrd4CmKgBBvF4dse69RQeXDwxoGs5Ma0y7KiIR1c6QN0f74ZgvXspacRw00BMZRQnt8/s320/at+football+game1.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div><br /></div><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412952782388182066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdwkjffMW7LxdowS_K729IIaqixLUUpzr7LF7sDAOmt-NsZYuwh87cMj95JkkS5L4pbL6nRCOKyHxWYnuYoasiN2Cg0g2QuRRxFO_o_rCbMYxIz07EA8N6uuIzk1VEKrYl1ezPysbKpFH/s320/Michael+and+Neal1.bmp" /></div><div align="center">Michael and Uncle Neal</div><div><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412952122841874610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jFAQ16dETCrp9z3qRQIWXxFV55dVigRhrZ_Q_F7iD18US7EB8Lb1dfSyPkn9u01_2WrDHcPsFPEoWo2JXQ89eDdUn4CaGQJB1DuZ5b862643KQErlqMiYCPOGW1eXCmQwGeYA2Dck51X/s320/michael+at+3.jpg" /><br /><div> </div></div>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-42399933939832446792009-11-17T06:06:00.002-06:002009-11-17T06:31:46.301-06:00DiscerningSimon Peter writes to us in 1 Peter 5:8-9, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."<br /><br />As a pastor, I am sensitive to the trials and sufferings of those in our church. As of late I have been troubled by the sharp rise of hardships among our people. As a church, and in the lives of many individual members as well, we have chosen to go down a path we believe will allow us to continue to be shaped by the love of Christ and then be the servants Christ created us to be as we lead all people to be shaped by the love of Christ. There is a renewed interest in worship, engagement with the body of Christ, Bible study and discipleship, serving, missions, and evangelism. In response to all this I believe the enemy has been actively at work in the lives of many. The result has been anger, bitterness, broken relationships, discouragement, fear, and all manner of things to distract our people from the cause of Christ. I have not really noticed a grand, large scale assault of evil upon us. Instead the enemy is working in small, subtle, insidious ways to discourage, dishearten, and distract us.<br /><br />Like Peter, I affirm that what many are experiencing is suffering. But his advice is sound. Don't let the enemy get the best of you...resist him. And don't believe the lie that it is only you who is suffering. Turn to your brothers and sisters in Christ in order to offer and draw strength from one another. At the same time, stand firm in the faith. God is still in control and God is not finished yet. The enemy cannot win unless you quit.<br /><br />The holidays are stressful enough without the added oppression of the enemy. Please know that I love all of you and I am praying for you. Don't give out, give up, or give in. Keep walking in the darkness, but keep your eyes on the horizon to watch for the light. A new day will dawn at just the right time.Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-63305485554318170272009-11-08T06:13:00.002-06:002009-11-08T06:29:19.747-06:00ConvalescingI'm beginning to feel more like myself again after battling swine flu for two weeks. Apparently I had a nondescript infection in my intestinal tract that would have gone unnoticed had my body not been worn out by fighting the flu. I won't bore you with the details of my illness and how it progressed, but I narrowly avoided hospitalization because Kim helped me to stay hydrated. The two issues combined have really done a number on me, but I am now six days with no fever and no other serious symptoms. I am slowly getting an appetite back, but it is taking a long time to get my strength back. It has been very nice to be back around my family again instead of quarantined in the bedroom, and I will preach both services today and probably work a half day on Monday and try to slowly re-enter life without overdoing it and having a relapse.<br /><br />I want to thank everyone for the phone calls, cards, emails, and prayers. My family is truly blessed to have so many people who love and care for us. I am so thankful that God protected Kim, Michael and Kathryn and none of them got sick. I am thankful for the two men who came and mowed my yard one Sunday while I was out of it. When are you guys coming back? I am thankful for the people who brought food to the house, even though I had none of it. I am thankful for the folks who watched our kids while Kim could take me to the doctor. And I am thankful for the folks at the doctor's office who put up with me even though I was not the best patient.<br /><br />I am especially thankful for Gains who covered for me at the church - not only preaching but in everything else that goes with being a pastor. FBC is blessed to have Gains on staff.<br /><br />Finally I want to say that Kim is my hero. She took care of me and kept herself illness-free as well as our children. She did everything she normally does around the house plus everything I do too. She was brilliant. And...she demonstrated how little she actually needs me around here. I'm beginning to think she keeps me around simply for my good looks. Regardless, she is a strong and courageous woman whom I love very much.Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-39538573929660402452009-09-28T14:43:00.002-05:002009-09-28T15:04:39.365-05:00Micrurus tenerIt finally happened this weekend. I was mowing my backyard when I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye. I knew right away it was a snake. I have had several encounters with the MANY ribbon snakes living in my backyard. I even found the skin of one who is rather large. But this time I came face to face with my first coral snake. There was no mistaking the markings - red on yellow kill a fellow! This was no red on black venom lack or friend of Jack or however you learned it. This was a real dangerous snake.<br /><br />Now I have encountered dangerous snakes in the wild before -- rattlesnakes, copperheads, even a cottonmouth or two - so I am no snake newbie. But did you know that the Texas Coral Snake has the second most deadly venom of all North American snakes, right behind a very nasty rattlesnake? It just so happened that I knew this, and that little tidbit of info flooded my mind as I watched the killer slide along the ground.<br /><br />He was about a yard long, maybe less, and was particularly dangerous-looking. He had gansta tattoos that said "Pas-tuh Kill-uh" and "Judas Priest." Just kidding, it said "Stryper" (get it? Stryper? for the stripes? Oh, shut up.) After calling me mean names and spitting at me he got away right before I could deliver the death blow!<br /><br />Not really. Actually I was so fascinated by him that I just watched as he slithered slowly under the fence and safely into the neighbor's backyard. So, we're on snake watch at the Jones house now. Let's all be careful out there.Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-19621398088995652992009-09-01T19:07:00.005-05:002009-09-01T19:13:14.578-05:00Pictures!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1KFUuj3njuGVBImX62v0REz2Zm3LTjQTA_k7kyGKvwgWz0wMAq98ZcKwEtEHlauUX-K8Q1SeKcsK9CxJkFEy3P03hXCwSDDmntRxs6KpIjRheuVJIuGziMZjSKd8WekymVeSzUFA4kyj/s1600-h/IMG_0986.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376656368928389874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1KFUuj3njuGVBImX62v0REz2Zm3LTjQTA_k7kyGKvwgWz0wMAq98ZcKwEtEHlauUX-K8Q1SeKcsK9CxJkFEy3P03hXCwSDDmntRxs6KpIjRheuVJIuGziMZjSKd8WekymVeSzUFA4kyj/s320/IMG_0986.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcinCNzCCgJnhl5NV2jZUDcr4J-UIZHPMypoj_5DfBz2UduSLyvIaT31SfxmAca52YsmSjYYz8wN5lmETZ6KckvtqPJ4sxuicJlyjAJrzRipwa4wZ2tgZy0aDpKD-lkhJ9GTYouWBqo3h/s1600-h/IMG_0983.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376655997137245506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcinCNzCCgJnhl5NV2jZUDcr4J-UIZHPMypoj_5DfBz2UduSLyvIaT31SfxmAca52YsmSjYYz8wN5lmETZ6KckvtqPJ4sxuicJlyjAJrzRipwa4wZ2tgZy0aDpKD-lkhJ9GTYouWBqo3h/s320/IMG_0983.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNUDcZMmDqZ5nCEl9CWPcunhewAsOqR9kMnYklW58G-CzpclYOmotAmlVvaHFE67k21cbpIyGxABzsAfU_sec7WBdcqJXBP01W0FrKMZ3hYgmhwUQJjX7vjFZRRCU3RcpfYQT59OyDUyI/s1600-h/IMG_0968.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376655843850070178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNUDcZMmDqZ5nCEl9CWPcunhewAsOqR9kMnYklW58G-CzpclYOmotAmlVvaHFE67k21cbpIyGxABzsAfU_sec7WBdcqJXBP01W0FrKMZ3hYgmhwUQJjX7vjFZRRCU3RcpfYQT59OyDUyI/s320/IMG_0968.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV62ZWcIZo2q51JR2zWM7gZeiHYzv3WPtSHqsPM5BVNNoukEC9DOA2cvUgYj9ECoZld6PVBfNoe-KhZz-NDPI12ne3NWcSQgWwIsEEjTh_sQihK2JVcLsv46BUzqXh4Tmry74EwbX4slR/s1600-h/IMG_0962.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376655595503954274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV62ZWcIZo2q51JR2zWM7gZeiHYzv3WPtSHqsPM5BVNNoukEC9DOA2cvUgYj9ECoZld6PVBfNoe-KhZz-NDPI12ne3NWcSQgWwIsEEjTh_sQihK2JVcLsv46BUzqXh4Tmry74EwbX4slR/s320/IMG_0962.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEKtKhLHtHU62XyIsI2OxgSjDO_Nve1_XQuJQjlSey9kDlTEVVI65p500llzPJu_CNkn51xb1YM7pB7k3UtPfi2CQbbB6hF8kDgWv0Q5V2Mo47j6FOVicCsg9MmKlISVhhYS0AYwyAhE8/s1600-h/IMG_0958.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376655370835430002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEKtKhLHtHU62XyIsI2OxgSjDO_Nve1_XQuJQjlSey9kDlTEVVI65p500llzPJu_CNkn51xb1YM7pB7k3UtPfi2CQbbB6hF8kDgWv0Q5V2Mo47j6FOVicCsg9MmKlISVhhYS0AYwyAhE8/s320/IMG_0958.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363407477468547512.post-13776649809099117082009-08-27T15:03:00.002-05:002009-08-27T15:35:13.268-05:00AdvancingFor several weeks I have been preaching on "spiritual leadership," which is a much different concept than the definitions of leadership put forth by the world. In a nutshell, here's my understanding of spiritual leadership: God is the leader, God calls His servants, servants obey the Lord. That's it. Anything you read on strategies, mission and vision statements, and creative and skilled leadership in churches is dangerous because it could distract us from the truth. God already has a plan, He has revealed that plan to us in scripture, He has promised to accomplish His plan, He has already given us everything we need, and He demands that we trust and obey. Period. There is an inherent humanism in all of our well-intentioned plans and schemes, but the focus remains on us and our good ideas instead of on the Lord and His word. Let's stop dreaming big dreams for God and envisioning a bold future for God's kingdom and allow His word to capture our imaginations and then let's stop yammering and do what scripture says.<br /><br />That opinion won't sell many books on pastoral leadership. But seriously, why complicate something the Lord has been so clear about. All of this is coming from a guy who is about to stand before his church and give a report from the Strategic Planning Team which has been at work for over a year. I have hinted in past posts that I may be concerned about the upcoming reporting process because of the potential conflict involved. What I would like to do now is make some things very clear as we move into this weekend.<br /><br />First, we didn't get creative and come up with any bold new plan to move us into the future. Instead, we took a lot of time to consider what scripture says about who we are as a church and what we are to be doing. We spent time seeking the Lord together. We listened, argued, and listened some more. We think we have a good understanding of what God tells churches they are to be and do, and our plan is a good step into that direction.<br /><br />Second, while the plan is relatively simple it is very challenging. If God is indeed leading us in this direction, our obedience will unite us together in ways that will be very exciting. We will have to trust God completely as we embrace the challenges of the plan.<br /><br />Third, the Strategic Planning Team is unified. Which is no small thing. Let's be honest...there are some personality differences and the clashes are not small and meek. And we did clash, and we did dicker about things, but we always came back to the basics of the plan and there was agreement. I saw a group of almost 20 people lay aside their pride and fears and say, "Wherever You lead, Lord, I'll go."<br /><br />Personally, I believe the Lord is leading us to move in this direction. Our recommendations are scriptural, theologically sound, and birthed in prayer. They also embrace the organizational realities of FBC Rockport. I could not be more excited to present the plan. I believe God is leading us. I believe He has called me here to serve Him and His people. I believe we must trust and obey. I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone else thinks as well.Scott Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486761945518469478noreply@blogger.com0