Capture and Keeping the Presence

Some met for a time of prayer last night at the church. There is a sense that we need God and His Will more than ever in our lives, and in turn, the ministry here in Shelbyville. It is a small beginning, but we aren't hindered by that fact.

As I began to pray, I sensed in a very real way that God was with us. I even almost spoke to those there about being "aware" of God's presence, but I simply remained in a state of awareness myself. I welcomed Him there, and continued to simply invite Him more and more. After a few moments, and I don't know when the switch happened, but I realized that I was no longer aware of God, but had begun to focus on some Christmas decorations that were in a box on the floor. I thought of the layout of the room and how it would be decorated, and my mind wandered.

I know that this simply sounds like an attention-span problem, but there was something different happening. I sensed that this was a picture of a large portion of the body of believers. We become aware of the presence of God for a moment, and are even awed by it. Then, we become distracted. This leads to a basic "forgetfulness" of God. You see, we don't hate Him; we just ignore Him. This is not done in a vicious way, either; but it happens at a sub-conscience level that manifests itself into the conscience. At the risk of creating a maddening cliche, Christmas is remembered more than Christ.

So, I wonder...
How do we capture the presence of Christ, thereby keeping that presences real and in the forefront of our mind?

We must find ourselves in the presence of God, then we must be changed by that presence.

I'm going to Israel in March, and I learned something yesterday afternoon about the Wailing Wall. The protocol is that you pray with your hands against the wall. When you are finished, you back away 5 paces or so, with you head still bowed and while still facing the wall. Then, you turn with your head bowed and walk away.

In Jewish tradition, you do not turn your back on the presence of God.

Global Warming... er... Climate Change

I have found in my exhaustive research (or maybe it was just not being stupid of people and attitudes) that the environment tends to be one of those "either / or" issues. Note: I don't think it really is but since we label people if we hear those certain trigger phrases come out of one's mouth it becomes an "either/or."

If you believe warming/climate change then you are a wacko, tree-hugging liberal OR if you question the premise (at all) then you are a earth-hating, money-hungry Republican. I will note that you will never be called a "conservative," but you will automatically fit into the Republican camp (with the big "R"). This is how some (a lot) think, so you better get used to the labeling!

I have my views, and will further explain them beginning soon in a new blog I am working on, but for now I veer from the usual fodder of the site to simply observe that:

This thing is genius for those who want to capitalize on it!

"What do you mean?" you gasp. "This is a real threat!" Well, that is not really the debate here, but the opportunity for some to cash in is.

Here goes:

If the entire planet gets 178 thousand degrees in a few years, those in power can say, "Big business pushed us past the breaking point. If only we would have started sooner. Maybe now we can punish big business" However, if it all turns around, then it can be said, "Look what we have done! Our efforts at saving the planet have worked! We must not stop the Utopian process. More, more, more!!!!!"

You see?

Win. Win.

Water and the Wine

This past weekend I was attacked by the worst case of Strep that had ever been documented. This was not actually told to me by the clinic because of concern for my mental stability in my already weakened physical state, but I am sure they taken the proper procedures to see that my case is studied. I think I need a team, like the elephant man.

Thursday I did begin antibiotics and went through the process of resting my body, in general, and my throat in specific. Being a pastor and needed to speak on Sunday morning, it was imperative that I rested as much as possible. God, and Holly, were gracious to me.

On Sunday morning, I spoke about "giving" by using the 22 chapter of Luke as a backdrop. This was a perfect passage because I was not (and will not be for the next few weeks) focused on financial giving. The thought was, using the "Lord's Supper" as a launch, that Jesus was not focused on giving from Himself, but of Himself. He gave His body and His blood in order that all might receive HIM.

So many times we are content to give an item, when we really need to focus on giving ourselves. Anyone can donate, but when is the last time you put down the pen and the check and poured yourself into a cause. Not to make light of it, but it comes down to the difference between having eggs or bacon. The chicken makes a donation. The pig makes a commitment. Your life is meant to one that is given to others. It's a commitment that matters in the long run.

If just would have given from Himself to you, then there would be less for me. However, He gave of Himself. He gave His life for you, and me, and then you, and you, and you...

Enough for all.

Enough, now that is a startling word. When is the last time I had "enough?" I will ponder on that one a little while.

As a follow-up and finish to the message, I had a table of communion (bread and juice) prepared for the people in the congregation. However, during my message I walked over to the table and demonstrated as I spoke. I mentioned the idea of the "dipping" meal, and I dipped the bread into the cup. The imagery stunned my for a moment.

The "body" covered in "blood."

Then, because of the throat concern, I had a glass of water near me. I mentioned that at times water is included in the communion meal. Blood and water flowed from His side. I mentioned that when wine is used instead of juice, the taste with the bread takes on a bitterness that is really more appropriate as to the nature of the remembrance. The water, then, will cleanse the bitterness like the refreshing of the Spirit. As I spoke of this I took a small drink of the water. I cannot explain the emotion and overwhelming awareness of God that I experienced at that moment.

The bitter sorrows of my life washed away by a cleansing of the Spirit. The process that I could never accomplish on my own is achieved in the death of the One called Savior. All I have to do is receive.

Wow.

The Love / Hate of Politics

To dream, or not to dream... ah, there is the rub.

I love politics, and I hate it. It reminds me of the joke from the mental hospital:

Roses are red, violets are blue. I'm a schizophrenic, and so am I.

Lovely.

I love the thought that ideas can be debated and exchanged. The notion that we are all in it for the same purpose, the betterment of the country, with only the nuances of how the system can accomplish it's goal being different. I love that we wave the flag and shake hands with our colleagues and are in awe of the halls of Congress.

I hate that it has become about sound-bites and rallying the crowd. I hate that the only thing that is said is what the particular group you are standing in front of wants to hear. I hate that if you are "for" something it automatically means that you are violently against something else. I hate that the ones who are for "less government" are taking away our freedom and liberty and those who are for "equality for all" are willing to deny the rights of those they don't agree with.

If you have a "D" by your name you are seen as a whack-job and if you have an "R" your are seen as a war-monger. I hate that we label just as soon as we hear a thought. In this, we don't hear all of the ideas of anyone, OR we just assume that we know what is meant because they are one of "them." (Insert any party)

We need to heed the words of Franklin as to our government. We have,

A Republic, if you [we] can keep it.

This means we look for leaders who we trust enough to do what is right, even if it is not popular. This means we look for leaders who will stand on the basic principles this country was founded on, not just the whim of the day. This means we actually get involved in the process, while respecting the rights (and actually, mandate) of others to get involved as well.

Oh, and I have a way to fix the problem with Social Security.

New Blog for Gateway Church

As pastor of Gateway Church in Shelbyville, TN, I have attempted a blog in the past just for those interested from a local church prospective. I am making a renewed effort to use this other blog for a resource related to sermons, teaching, etc.

I will have a link to this blog on the side, and I wanted to explain what it was.

http://bobscott.wordpress.com/

An Example to All

I have started eating green beans.

I hate green beans. I always have. I like peas, which is odd, but I hate green beans. However, I am apparently an example to my children, so I have started eating green beans.

I had 5 last night.

Rite of Passage - Wax On Style

A rite of passage was taken by my boys on a recent family movie night.

They saw The Karate Kid for the first time.

It was slow at first, but they now can understand references to "wax on... wax off". After the crane kick thing at the very end, they practiced karate on each other for a while.

It was a beautiful moment.

Oh, and I was gone on Saturday, and they watched it again.