My Friends...

The human capacity for emotions is so fascinating. Emotions are potent, substantive things. Fear, hate, love, joy are powerful. But what is so fascinating to me is how we can feel strong, opposing emotions at the same time.

On the one hand I am feeling overjoyed at the moves our city is taking to reopen society.

On the other hand I am grieved because I woke up yesterday to a text from a friend. He said he received an email from me about needing gift cards for a woman in need. I did not send the email. It was a scam. The email he received was convincing, with my photo and a pastoral-type appeal for gift cards.  

On the one hand my family has had some wonderful, slow-paced, heart-warming, country-song-type times together.

Then on the other hand, we have driven each other crazy at times. 

Then, out there in the big world we have seen things like Some Good News with John Krasinski showing how praiseworthy the human spirit can be.

Then, on the other hand we grieved with Ahmaud Arbery’s family as they were unable to celebrate his 26th birthday because he was killed in a most troubling way. While digesting that grievous story I wrote this:

Once again the wound is opened 
One again blood spills out
Once again fear and sorrow show up
Once again we drink the bitter cup 

Should we scream and shout
Should we weep out loud
Should we try and reach out

A little over two miles
Such a winning smile 
I hope he knew He was God’s child
I hope we learn everyone is God’s child 

While my emotions come and go, and sometimes overwhelm me, I am so thankful for the robust words of the Bible that can cut through all the confusion to guide us through life’s tempests. Just like life, the Bible is filled with both lament and rejoicing, heroic joy, and shattering heartache. 

Here are a couple of verses worth chewing on, if you find yourself getting weary or losing your bearings.  

Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust—there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. –Lamentations 3:31-33

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family… Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. –1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

God be with you and give you peace in your perseverance. 

David

Ask Someone

Thanks for reading this. I hope you are well. I also hope that you will stop reading this for one minute and text or call someone and invite them to church on Sunday. 
 
Did you do it? If you did, keep reading. If you didn’t, keep reading—and maybe I can convince you.
 
This Sunday we will kick off our Christmas season with a teaching on Joy. Everyone could use a little more of that. The next three Sundays we will be teaching on Peace, Hope, and Love. And everyone could use a little more of those, as well. 
 
I imagine there are some people in your contacts list that are currently living without the light and warmth that a relationship with Jesus brings. You may even be spending Thanksgiving with them. Remember, the Christmas season is a time when people are willing to give church another shot. Actually, studies show that around 80% of people who don’t go to church said they would go if invited. Those are some pretty good odds. 
 
I know it can be a little scary to ask someone. I know it can complicate your own Sunday morning experience. I also know that church is not the only way someone can come to know Jesus. But I believe it can help. I believe Jesus desires us to leave the ninety-nine and go after the one. I believe, “… there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” 
 
So, now will you stop reading, and text or call someone?  Let’s see if we can give heaven a reason to party. 
 
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,
 
David 
 
p.s. If you do ask someone, send me a quick email about how it goes. I am interested to hear.