As we watched the events of this week unfold, we're devastated and shocked. There are no light hearted words or quick prayers that can take the pain and agony away from the hearts of the family members of those individuals that were murdered. The loss of life is the most heart wrenching thing that can happen to anyone. Our human nature wants swift justice. We think that if we can pass the blame to someone, it will ease our pain. release our dam of agony and allow closure to come.
This situation is different, the gunman, after mercilessly murdering over 30 people turned the gun on himself. The guilty party, is no longer alive. So we hunt someone else to blame. Someone that we can bring the hammer down on to release our own hurt and pain. We have an innate desire to make things right.
The school and its security force not locking down the facility is obviously a dellima. We ask ourselves, 'how many lives might have been saved if the school had been in lock down.' We'll never know. We can't go back. As painful as it is, we can't turn back time, we can only alter the future, and impact the present. A witch hunt is not what our country truly needs at this point. Don't get me wrong, if things adminstrativly and logistically were done incorrectly or poorly, then yes, that needs to be corrected, and must be corrected to keep other students and people alive and safe. However, a witch hunt is never healthy.
A hunt for 'evil' parties only takes the focus off of the pain that is alive and breeding in our own hearts. Then, once the party is found and executed, it is over. The situation is over and has been dispelled. Our country safe once again. But that never truly heals the pain that still is eating away at hundreds of families. That doesn't explain the big questions like, "Why would God allow this?" or "Why did I allow my child to go to that school?" or "Why can't I stop crying?" The questions go on and on. The emptiness is a bottomless pit that seems to swallow ever since or hint of joy.
No, executing a guilty party doesn't really help. It's necessary many times, but it doesn't really help. God is our help and our rescue. he is the one that carries us and nurtures us. He is not the one that caused it to happen, but weeps with us for the tragedy that has been committed. He is not the one to cast stones at but the one to be embraced and held on to in times like these. He is the one that we truly draw our strength from to get up every morning and face the next day of life.
So what's the best thing we can do for the situation? Pray. Pray for the families. Pray for the community. Pray for the emotional healing of the other students that were not murdered but are scared and wounded. Pray that God brings justice where justice needs to be brought, and healing where healing is needed. Feel free to click the comment button and add your own prayer to mine, and let's pray for hurting people that we cannot touch with our hands, but we can hold in our prayers.
Heavenly Father we turn to you once again in our time of need. In our time of pain. Father we sense and feel the pain or our neighbors. Their loss in immeasurable, and their pain is deep. God we ask right now that you touch them in a deep way. Lord reach deep into their harts and lay your scared hands on their scarred hearts and bring healing. We know the memories of their children will always be a permanent fixture in their lives, but Lord we ask that the glorious memories surface and wash away the gory painful details of this week. Let redemption come to their lives. keep them in your hands and send peace to their homes. You told us that we could have peace that passes all understanding, so Lord we ask that you grant peace these precious families, and to this strong town as a whole. Bless them Lord and we lay our trust in you. Amen.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Color Conundrum
A few weeks ago a man asked if he could attend SouthPoint, the church I’m the pastor of. He didn’t ask me, he asked one of our members. He asked if it would be a place where he would be allowed to attend and worship. Now that might not seem the least bit odd to you, but it made me mad. It angered me on many levels.
Why would you have to ask if you were allowed to go to church? We live in the United States, the greatest country on the globe. Freedom rings! Each man is free to live within his constitutional rights. Right? Go to whatever church he chooses. Shop at whatever store he so desires. What could possible make a grown man in the Untied States ask the ridiculous question, “Can I go to your church?”
Did I mention I’m white? Did I mention that the man in my story is black? On top of that He’s married to a woman who is not the same color. She’s white. Can you believe it? I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself, ‘big deal. Racism is dead,’ but what resides deeper in your heart? For most people, on the surface, we tout ‘all men are created equal’, but under the thin veneer of humanity we find the residual affects of decades of mistrust, and fear that still lurk in the recesses of our hearts and souls.
This man and his wife visited a ‘white’ church (does that title make you cringe? It should). They were told after the service that there was another church in town where they would feel more comfortable because this church was not for them. They visited the other church. It was a ‘black’ church (does that title make you cringe? It should). After service they were told by one of the elders that this was not the right church for them, and perhaps they should try somewhere else.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 10, tells us that race is no longer a dividing factor. In the Gospels Jesus modeled it. He preached to, and healed the Jews and the Samaritans. So call me crazy but if the Son of God does not divide based on color then why should we? We don’t struggle with race. That is, we don’t struggle with race until it comes to our house. Until we are confronted with it face to face. Many times, once we are confronted with it, we slip into our true default mode; racism. It doesn’t matter your color, racism is still a problem. Desoto County, for years has been bi-culture. Now with a greater influx of Latinos, are we going to draw more lines, or begin to wash away the partitions that have separated the great people of this area for centuries?
I’m hoping, praying, and believing that we will all take a cue from our master and savior and begin viewing the different cultures for their sameness instead of their differences. Realizing that no matter the hue of the epidermis, Desoto County is chocked full of incredibly gifted and talented people. The color of skin does not affect or have a weigh on the attitude of one’s heart.
I grew up in church singing a little kids song. The lyrics were: “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” As a child, I never realized how profoundly world changing those little words really were.
As we begin to address the issues in our own hearts, we will in turn make our county a brighter, happier place. A place that our children can call home with their heads held high. Where the color of ones skin becomes convoluted in light of their gifts, talents, and character. I know that’s what I want for my children, and I know that’s what you want for yours.
Why would you have to ask if you were allowed to go to church? We live in the United States, the greatest country on the globe. Freedom rings! Each man is free to live within his constitutional rights. Right? Go to whatever church he chooses. Shop at whatever store he so desires. What could possible make a grown man in the Untied States ask the ridiculous question, “Can I go to your church?”
Did I mention I’m white? Did I mention that the man in my story is black? On top of that He’s married to a woman who is not the same color. She’s white. Can you believe it? I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself, ‘big deal. Racism is dead,’ but what resides deeper in your heart? For most people, on the surface, we tout ‘all men are created equal’, but under the thin veneer of humanity we find the residual affects of decades of mistrust, and fear that still lurk in the recesses of our hearts and souls.
This man and his wife visited a ‘white’ church (does that title make you cringe? It should). They were told after the service that there was another church in town where they would feel more comfortable because this church was not for them. They visited the other church. It was a ‘black’ church (does that title make you cringe? It should). After service they were told by one of the elders that this was not the right church for them, and perhaps they should try somewhere else.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 10, tells us that race is no longer a dividing factor. In the Gospels Jesus modeled it. He preached to, and healed the Jews and the Samaritans. So call me crazy but if the Son of God does not divide based on color then why should we? We don’t struggle with race. That is, we don’t struggle with race until it comes to our house. Until we are confronted with it face to face. Many times, once we are confronted with it, we slip into our true default mode; racism. It doesn’t matter your color, racism is still a problem. Desoto County, for years has been bi-culture. Now with a greater influx of Latinos, are we going to draw more lines, or begin to wash away the partitions that have separated the great people of this area for centuries?
I’m hoping, praying, and believing that we will all take a cue from our master and savior and begin viewing the different cultures for their sameness instead of their differences. Realizing that no matter the hue of the epidermis, Desoto County is chocked full of incredibly gifted and talented people. The color of skin does not affect or have a weigh on the attitude of one’s heart.
I grew up in church singing a little kids song. The lyrics were: “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” As a child, I never realized how profoundly world changing those little words really were.
As we begin to address the issues in our own hearts, we will in turn make our county a brighter, happier place. A place that our children can call home with their heads held high. Where the color of ones skin becomes convoluted in light of their gifts, talents, and character. I know that’s what I want for my children, and I know that’s what you want for yours.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Really Good Email
Here's an email I got from one of our members at SouthPoint today. I asked if I could post it and she said, "sure". I thought you would like it.
Today I am going to give my neighbor a dollar. It is not much but it is a huge step for me. Somewhere between college and moving to Mississippi I lost myself. I allowed fears and anxiety to control my life. Then I saw a sign, a very beautiful sign that read "SouthPoint".
Through God and the people of this great church I began to rediscover who I am in Christ and all the fears that plagued me are going away. So today I am going to give my neighbor (an actual real live person that I have to talk to) a dollar. We are having a neighborhood yard sale and the dollar is my contribution to the newspaper advertisement, and participating in the yard sale is my way of helping my neighborhood, and changing the lives of people is SouthPoint's contribution to this community.
Thank You,
Shauntele (Vina)
Today I am going to give my neighbor a dollar. It is not much but it is a huge step for me. Somewhere between college and moving to Mississippi I lost myself. I allowed fears and anxiety to control my life. Then I saw a sign, a very beautiful sign that read "SouthPoint".
Through God and the people of this great church I began to rediscover who I am in Christ and all the fears that plagued me are going away. So today I am going to give my neighbor (an actual real live person that I have to talk to) a dollar. We are having a neighborhood yard sale and the dollar is my contribution to the newspaper advertisement, and participating in the yard sale is my way of helping my neighborhood, and changing the lives of people is SouthPoint's contribution to this community.
Thank You,
Shauntele (Vina)
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Easter Fun!
What an incredible day Easter was! It was incredible to see so many people flowing into our theatre.....It was neat to see people looking for a seat.......yea I like it! The whole day was full of energy, from the foyer (nice display of Peeps), the kids rooms (it was for sure party time), to the experience of #9. We even got to hear a blue grass song. Come on, how often, does that happen? It was awesome! The whole day was full of life!
One gentelmen, as he was leaving, said, "I feel so much better now than when I came, thank you for this!" Yea baby! We do life. We try not to suck it out of you. Another family came from Arkansas and said they loved it so much that they are willing to make the drive every week, and they would see us next week! Yea! Then there was the man who came that was 100% unchurched. Totally. For real. No I'm not kidding. After church he was so moved and touched he had to spend some time with one of our team members to bring it all in to focus.
By the way, if you were unaware, let me fill you in, GOD ROCKS! Church is fun, and I love it. Thank you to the volunteer team that made it all possible. Imagine, you set up tables, toys, and sound, and you get the soul saving jewel in your crown. It's not always easy work, but remember, we are storing up treasures in heaven. That is not an ancient concept, it is a Biblical Principle. Keep investing......it works.
One gentelmen, as he was leaving, said, "I feel so much better now than when I came, thank you for this!" Yea baby! We do life. We try not to suck it out of you. Another family came from Arkansas and said they loved it so much that they are willing to make the drive every week, and they would see us next week! Yea! Then there was the man who came that was 100% unchurched. Totally. For real. No I'm not kidding. After church he was so moved and touched he had to spend some time with one of our team members to bring it all in to focus.
By the way, if you were unaware, let me fill you in, GOD ROCKS! Church is fun, and I love it. Thank you to the volunteer team that made it all possible. Imagine, you set up tables, toys, and sound, and you get the soul saving jewel in your crown. It's not always easy work, but remember, we are storing up treasures in heaven. That is not an ancient concept, it is a Biblical Principle. Keep investing......it works.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Easter - Coming Soon To a Theatre Near you
Easter is the big show. The main event! Now some churches do huge spectacular plays or cantatas, and that is great. At SouthPoint we are doing a mammoth play. We will have live camels, donkeys and monkeys. Angels will fly in on Hollywood style rigging and a six foot tall bunny will deliver the easter message....wait.....I'm not sure that the Malco will allow us to have live donkeys, or monkeys. Okay, I guess we'll just stick to that same old life altering message that has impacted generations of people. Altered our world, and has outlasted Hitler, Musalini, and Stalin.
Every Sunday is a big event. It's one hour to change peoples lives. To introduce them to the creator of their very lives. To somehow, in our limited humanity, connect flesh to the supernatural. To connect this dichotomy in an eternal union that will change the very shape of our community. Wow! Now that's a tall order. Yet that is exactly what we do every Sunday. This Sunday is no exception. We are gonna have a rock'n time.
So shove a hundred Peeps in your mouth. Get a great sugar buzz, and then bring your peeps to SouthPoint this Sunday!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Lessons From Nacho
Recently a couple of my good friends John & Crystal borrowed my Nacho Libre' movie. Since I own it I guess you can tell that I really like it. I mean there are just some great one-liners that make me laugh.
We need to laugh more.
So they returned my movie with a bonus. They actually took time to write out a Top 10 list for Nacho Libre'. man I love these people. Here it goes:
10. Nacho is a "meaty" man.
9. Ramses has nothing on Apollo Creed. (this is a very true statement)
8. Corn-eating, chip-stealing, orphan hating, screams like a girl, scrawny guys make pretty good friends.
7. We are ALL scared of "stretchy pants."
6. Not for the lactose intolerant - too cheesy (Okay I liked it)
5. Refreshment ideas - toast & eagle egg juice. (mmmm. Yum!)
4. men's white boots go with anything.
3. We learned why we aren't Catholic and play with matches - candles are not our friends.
2. Bus ministry ideas for SouthPoint.
1. Is Vanilla Thunder really your wrestling name? (Actually it is.)
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