I thought summer whould slow down!

                Last week is a blur. Being out of town for 4 days and then jumping feet first into preparations for Carolyn’s college graduation, followed by VBS camp and normal Sunday services makes for little memory. That is the local stuff add to that the mass shooting in Orlando and the death of the 2 year old at Disney it just seems like summer is extra full of life, living and death.

                Camp is one of those things that I dread and delight at the same time. As I have gotten older it takes more mental preparation to be around 40 children for three days and two nights. Every year I am reminded that many of their behaviors are not person specific but rather by age. Ten year olds all behave generally in a certain way. As an example, all of the children cannot wait until we go swimming. We do this after lunch on Friday and Saturday for 2 hours. With little exception they can hardly sit down and eat lunch before they are wanting to go change clothes, put on sunscreen and get their towels. This happens not only with pool time but with whatever is “next.” Every year after about 30 minutes in the pool one young camper will ask if they can get out and what’s next. They are always ready for the next thing even before they really explore the present thing. That happens every year.

                In a new twist this year cell phones and tablets made their appearance and distraction among the 5-6 graders and some 3-4 graders. They were not to bring them but they did. It’s epidemic across ages. I believe it is just a continuation of the child-like tendency to be looking for the next thing without experiencing the present thing. I guess it is my age showing as I am just trying to get up to speed with what is happening right now. It seems like I can’t just get there before I have to move on to something else. It might also be a question of trust.

                Let me explain, kids seem to as a whole be looking forward without appreciating the present. They are ready to do the next thing. Like these camp children do every year. They ask when will they have free time and then wonder when it will be over because they are bored. But adults do the same thing when we worry about what will happen of dwell on what did happen without taking in with deep breaths what is happening. Years ago a lyric proclaimed “everybody’s working for the weekend.” We are looking forward instead of right where we are. Now I am not suggesting we should keep our heads down at our feet. But when was the last time you lived the moment out to the fullest? When was the last time you squeezed out every last drop of life out of a day? It is a question of trust.

                Believers say “God is in control,” and yet we worry. Hmm, worry suggests control has shifted to us and no longer God. Yet he asks us to trust him. We can trust him in our everyday goings and our future as well. This moment will never be repeated and if we believe God, we have been brought here to this time and place by design. His design is for our good and his Glory. So, why not just enjoy this moment to the fullest not bothered by the past that grace covers over nor by the future that is provided by faith in Jesus. If I do that then I can slow down in each moment and enjoy life right then and there. Once again it’s a trust thing with me. How about you?                    

In HIS service and yours,                                         

BroG

It just goes like this!

                Beginning Thursday and ending Saturday Crossroads Church will host Cave Quest VBS as a FREE overnight camp for kids k-6^th grades. We take advantage of the camp where we meet. Food and lodging are provided. If you want more information go to www.crossroadschurcheff.org/events to download the registration/permission and information forms. Fill them out and bring them Thursday at 6pm. Yes, we will be going swimming Friday and Saturday afternoons. Barbara is testing out the craft component that includes slime. I think her count is 3 recipes and 6 different mixing attempts to come up with a slimy, gooey, stretchy concoction that you might find in a cave. She really likes this. Maybe too much.

Barbara and I will have the privilege of worshiping with Salvisa Baptist Church in Salvisa, Kentucky Sunday as they celebrate their 175^th anniversary. We served there while in seminary in Louisville. It was my first paid position. On our way, we will stop and see Jami Bassett and family in Atlanta and then head for an overnight with our oldest Elizabeth and her husband Weston in Nashville. Saturday we move on for the Bluegrass Country as Salvisa is between Lexington and Louisville almost in horse country.

That number 175years is staggering. Coming from the Midwest, I have always been overwhelmed by the age of things the farther east we have moved. While serving in Salvisa we stayed with families on the weekends and during Bible school. They lived in home built in the 1870’s, ‘50’s and the oldest 1840’s. I could not get over the idea that people lived in that house that long. Things in the Midwest are old if they were built in the 1900’s.

Not too many months ago Lizzy (Elizabeth my oldest) and I we talking about job longevity. She (in her 20’s now) remarked how long she had been in the same position and was bored and should be advancing. I asked her how long that was to which she replied “almost 2 years.” I could not contain my laughter and replied, “come talk to me when it’s been 20 years.” Time is a funny thing. We measure length by our life span and life events. 20 years to a 20 something is their whole life but to a 90 something it’s but a small period. That 175^th anniversary is a long time but it’s not so long. The Gospel has been changing lives for almost 2, 016 years. In comparison 175 years seems like nothing. It IS something. It is a part of a large vast story encompassing the entire planet and time forward into eternity. Whatever your period of time, in God’s Kingdom for God’s purposes it is important and significant. Thirty years in ministry is significant and yet it is not as there are those who have come before and those who have yet to come.

We are but a part. So, I will play my part of that 175^th anniversary.

Are you playing your part in HIStory?

In HIS service and yours,                                         

BroG

Have you found yourself frustrated?

                A few weeks ago a Facebook post included a video of a pastor sharing his frustration with the congregation not changing or attempting to change and the futility he felt in his position. It is intended to be funny and it is. Unfortunately it is funny because it contains a level of truth. Pastoring or any ministry leader can and does find that they are cat herders. Yes, you read right we are herding cats. We have two cats at our house and we cannot do anything with them. They only respond when they want something hmmmmmm. Watch it below!

                The role of ministry is to lead volunteers to change. It’s almost impossible to lead employees through change even with a paycheck but try that with volunteers? The frustration is real as many ministry leaders prepare and labor to do their best only to have folks listen half-heartedly or not at all and then be critical that it was too long, too short, not the right thing etc…you know. It’s frustrating. I have often said ministry will make you an atheist. It’s true to a point.

                The point being those in ministry often only see the bad, problems and difficulties. We do not often see the changes that the Gospel is making in an individual or at least don’t see them often enough. The hardest part is it is the most difficult to see the change in ourselves. The change we need most is a slow process. It is like trying to make a ½ inch board into a ¼ inch board with sandpaper. Yes, it can be done. Yes, it will take a very long, long time. Time is what God has because he lives outside of it. He is willing to smooth us out over a lifetime if needed. He’s got all of eternity if he chooses. We are in such a hurry that’s the frustration.

                Last night I was up a number of times just napping in between being uncomfortable both inside and out. I could tell you it was due to eating too late or the wrong thing or some other perfectly reasonable excuse but that would be a lie. The truth is I was thinking about several things I am juggling at this point in life and being frustrated that I cannot resolve any of them at this time. I wonder who the cat is and who is the herder now? As I tried to get comfortable I would think about this and wonder how to solve that and so-on-and-so-on-and-so… Sound familiar? Raise your hand and say, “Hi my name is__________ I’m frustrated.” Why?

                The age old question. The one raised by Job and never answered by God is why? The same one we raise and never have answered. In my case why was answered “little faith.” My frustration seemed to be about the lack of completion. I was/am (a little) frustrated that I can’t seem to get things done. The harder I try, the more obstacles surface that have to be cleared and I am tired of clearing obstacles. How about you. Jesus has an answer,

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 The Message                

You saw the “I” and the “me” pronouns and a lack of Jesus in that right? When I prayed this morning about these things I went to sleep. Funny how that works!

In HIS service and yours,                                                       

BroG