It has been somewhat surprising for me to see how upset and outraged people have been at the Casey Anthony verdict. It surprises me not because I believe that the reaction of the American public is inappropriate. Rather, it surprisingly encourages me because this reaction shows that the American public still seems to value the truth and children.
Before you chastise be for becoming cynical about the state of our nation consider this. First, we have had recent scandals at two of our nation’s premier universities, the University of Southern California and The Ohio State University. Central to these disturbing scandals is that they involved lying and deceit by football players, reputable coaches, school officials, and others. Second, there has been a variety of business scandals involving deception and fraud, as in the case with Bernie Madoff. Current labor disputes in various industries include posturing and misrepresentation designed to dictate the impressions of the public. Third, perjury, in courts of law, is becoming commonplace. There is an increasing back-log of perjury cases that threaten to clog up the legal system. Then in the backdrop there is the deceit involved in political campaigns, the steroid scandal in sports, or even within the religious realm. While preparing for my message this week I have been reading about a lecture given by Dr. James Stewart this spring entitled The Epidemic of Lying in America: From Martha Stewart to Bernie Madoff. Dr. Stewart, who is a Pulitzer Prize winner and professor of Journalism at Columbia University, paints a bleak picture of truth-telling in America.
For this reason I was actually heartened by the American public’s reaction to the Casey Anthony verdict. People were upset because they felt the TRUTH did not come out. They felt all the evidence pointed toward a guilty verdict, though the jury did not find it to do so beyond a reasonable doubt. They were upset with the prosecution and with the judicial process because they felt the truth did not win out in this case. Of course, I think they were most upset because this mother got away with lying and the murder of her own precious child.
Perhaps I am misreading the reaction, but mixed in there I hope I also see compassion toward the victim in this case—two year-old Caylee Anthony. It seems many feel her life was unjustly and violently taken from her by the one who should be caring for her most dearly. It seems this violent perversion of the maternal role is offensive to even the hard-hearted. Yes, Americans still value children. We believe they should be loved and cared for by their parents. Their lives are precious and inviolable. Thus, the murder of a child seems to be as heinous a crime as there is. So though this case that has not had any redeeming features to it at all, I can at least take something positive from America’s reaction to the verdict.
This Sunday I will share from Matthew 5 about Broken Vows and Truthfulness. During this message you will hear how Jesus was emphasizing how much he valued truth. Also on Monday we begin our 2011 Vacation Bible School. VBS is one way we, as a church, show we love and value children. It is also a way some children come to know Jesus by faith nearly every year. Our workers have been going all out preparing the lessons and learning environments for this week the children of our community enjoy so much. If you are serving in it I want to say how I appreciate your labor and that of our directors, Jennifer Simpson and Missy Boyte. If you are not serving, I invite you to pray for VBS every day this week. Further, I hope you will join us on Thursday (no regular Wednesday activities!) for the VBS Musical at 6 pm in our Worship Center. Let’s continue to value the children we do have in our church and community by offering them a wonderful VBS this year!
Striving to value what the Lord values!
Pastor Scott
P.S. June was a very difficult month for our church financially. We barely were able to “make our payroll” and are now behind in some of our financial commitments. We know our seasonal guests are gone and also many of our year-round members vacationed. May I please urge you to continue to give to the Lord your tithes and offerings, as able, even when vacationing this summer. If God has especially blessed you in the financial realm would you prayerfully consider a special gift in July so we can not make our budget and bills in July and possibly even catch-up for what happened in June. If you are unable to give additionally, please pray fervently that God provides for the church during these lean summer months.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
FREELY OPEN DOORS
Brazil, like America, is a land of many freedoms. This thought came to me as I returned from Brazil earlier this week as we approached Independence Day in the USA. We had total freedom to proclaim Christ in Casa Branca, Brazil. There was no fear of police, governmental authorities, spies, or of members of a certain political party, as I have experienced elsewhere in the world. We could freely come and go into homes of people who gladly welcomed us in to share the good news of Jesus Christ. We were able to gather together dozens of youth after one of our sports clinics and openly speak of salvation through Jesus Christ to them. During each half-time of a youth soccer tournament we co-sponsored with a government entity we were invited to share personal testimonies about our faith in Christ. Coaches gathered both teams to listen attentively. Additionally, the mission team members from our church were able to spontaneously engage in evangelistic conversations with Brazilians who were standing alongside the soccer field during the tournament. We found these parents, relatives, friends, and players willing and eager to direct their attention away from the soccer and onto the good news of Jesus, which we presented through a booklet proven to be effective in Brazil.
While in America we share the same legal freedom to proclaim the gospel as we had in Brazil, our mission team commented that evening that very rarely would anyone ever exercise that freedom. We discussed how you could never do what we did among the crowd at the soccer tournament. Factors inhibiting that free expression included our fears and the expectation of indifference or even irritation at what would be perceived as an intrusive interruption. So ironically, while we are as legally free to talk about Jesus here in America as we are in Brazil we find ourselves not sharing as freely of Christ as we could be. I guess partly because people also feel free to tell us to “get lost” or “I’m not interested in hearing that” or “I already know that stuff, so please….” But is that response by some an adequate reason to forfeit our freedom to speak about the difference Christ makes in our lives?
I wonder if we cannot find more culturally appropriate ways to share the gospel here in America with greater freedom than we do currently. I wonder if we could not sponsor a soccer tournament here in Lake Wales where we could then freely share personal testimonies at half-time. I wonder if parents and children in our community might not come out for a free sports clinic where coaches could share of their faith in Jesus. Maybe Americans would not respond with immediate faith in Christ as so many Brazilians do. Maybe Americans won’t invite us into their homes to spend 30 minutes talking about gospel of Jesus Christ. But, maybe there are unexplored avenues of gospel-sowing and sharing than we are not freely pursuing. Maybe we have more freedoms than we walk in by faith.
This 4th of July weekend let us thank God for the freedoms we continue to enjoy in America, and as believers for the freedom that is ours in Christ. This will be a featured theme in our worship at FBCLW this Sunday. But also, let us also prayerfully think about, discuss and act upon ways we may better utilize the freedom we have in our town and nation to share the good news of Jesus.
In Colossians 4:3 Paul asked the believers in Collosae to pray for him. He wrote: “…Pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison….” Ironically, none of us are in prison. We are free men and women! So in a very real sense the doors are open for us to share the Word. We have what Paul prayed for! Therefore, may we freely walk through each open door in Brazil, America, and wherever the Lord sets our feet.
Glad to be wholly free!
Pastor Scott
While in America we share the same legal freedom to proclaim the gospel as we had in Brazil, our mission team commented that evening that very rarely would anyone ever exercise that freedom. We discussed how you could never do what we did among the crowd at the soccer tournament. Factors inhibiting that free expression included our fears and the expectation of indifference or even irritation at what would be perceived as an intrusive interruption. So ironically, while we are as legally free to talk about Jesus here in America as we are in Brazil we find ourselves not sharing as freely of Christ as we could be. I guess partly because people also feel free to tell us to “get lost” or “I’m not interested in hearing that” or “I already know that stuff, so please….” But is that response by some an adequate reason to forfeit our freedom to speak about the difference Christ makes in our lives?
I wonder if we cannot find more culturally appropriate ways to share the gospel here in America with greater freedom than we do currently. I wonder if we could not sponsor a soccer tournament here in Lake Wales where we could then freely share personal testimonies at half-time. I wonder if parents and children in our community might not come out for a free sports clinic where coaches could share of their faith in Jesus. Maybe Americans would not respond with immediate faith in Christ as so many Brazilians do. Maybe Americans won’t invite us into their homes to spend 30 minutes talking about gospel of Jesus Christ. But, maybe there are unexplored avenues of gospel-sowing and sharing than we are not freely pursuing. Maybe we have more freedoms than we walk in by faith.
This 4th of July weekend let us thank God for the freedoms we continue to enjoy in America, and as believers for the freedom that is ours in Christ. This will be a featured theme in our worship at FBCLW this Sunday. But also, let us also prayerfully think about, discuss and act upon ways we may better utilize the freedom we have in our town and nation to share the good news of Jesus.
In Colossians 4:3 Paul asked the believers in Collosae to pray for him. He wrote: “…Pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison….” Ironically, none of us are in prison. We are free men and women! So in a very real sense the doors are open for us to share the Word. We have what Paul prayed for! Therefore, may we freely walk through each open door in Brazil, America, and wherever the Lord sets our feet.
Glad to be wholly free!
Pastor Scott
Thursday, June 16, 2011
SPORTS AS A GLOBAL BRIDGE TO THE GOSPEL
A mission team of ten will leave from Lake Wales, Florida tomorrow, June 17, for the city of Casa Branca, Brazil. This team from First Baptist will lead home Bible studies, do evangelistic home visits by appointment, and conduct multiple sports clinics. The first two activities sound like what mission teams would be expected to do. It is what teams from our church have done there before. But some are wondering why we are now doing sports clinics.
The answer is the sports clinics are an intersection of the vision of the church in Casa Branca for reaching youth and the interests and abilities of the 2011 FBCLW team members. Now that this fledgling mission church is starting to grow they are looking around to their community seeking to know from the Lord how they might meet the needs of the residents of their town. One whole population group they see teeming with potential and yet aimlessly drifting are the youth of Casa Branca. They know these teenagers are the future of their town, yet so many lack purpose and meaning in their lives. It seems this group is primed to hear the good news of Jesus which provides one with an overarching purpose to life. Yet how do you gain a hearing for the gospel with young people? Most are not at all interested in going to church which they see as boring or irrelevant. The answer in many places around the world is sports.
By the Providence of God the team He has assembled to go to Casa Branca has a number of notable athletes and coaches on it. Jim Taubert played football at Michigan State and has coached at the high school and pro levels. Jake Pavy is a new assistant football coach at Lake Wales High School. Jeff Sikes was a collegiate baseball player and is currently a successful veteran baseball coach at Warner University. David Russell won a national championship in volleyball while playing for UCLA not so long ago and has coached the sport. All four of these men are capable teachers of their respective sports and each has a passion for Jesus Christ their Lord. Additionally, the other six members of our mission team (Lynn Hooten, Hayden Hooten, Layne Lightsey, Cassie Pavy, Matt Smith and me) are eager to assist these four and to share what a difference Jesus has made in their lives.
Interestingly, as we began speaking with our Brazilian partners it became evident God was directing us toward a sports emphasis with this 2011 Brazil Team. As Pastor Jose of Casa Branca began to dialogue with government and school officials in his town he saw God open door after door. They were eager to support the clinics Jose was proposing. They have helped with fields, equipment, publicity, and will even let the team use a van free of charge while there. With the city promoting our clinics hundreds of youth have signed up for clinics that will teach American football, volleyball, and baseball. Additionally, our team and the church will “host” a soccer tournament. So now Pastor Jose and the fledgling Baptist church he leads have become known to all the city officials, including the mayor who our team is to meet with. The knowledge of the presence of this little congregation has been spread all over town. Truly, God has orchestrated something beyond what any of us could have envisioned.
Of course, while there are many values to athletics, as Christ-followers we see one of them being that sports can be a bridge to sharing the gospel. Like the Apostle Paul we want to adapt to the values and culture of those we are trying to reach with the good news (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Sports will enable us to gain a hearing for the gospel among the sports-oriented youth. During each clinic there will be a significant portion of time set aside to share the gospel and for testimonies to be shared. Each of these coaches will have instant credibility among these Brazilian youth who love Americans and sports. I imagine they will listen to them more carefully than they would Pastor Jose or me. During the half-time of every soccer game that is a part of the tournament a testimony will be given. Registration cards will be filled out by every player with the opportunity for them to indicate interest in knowing Jesus. Our Brazilian partners have ordered 5000 copies of a booklet they have found to communicate the gospel well in that culture. These booklets will be share during the clinics and given to each soccer player. All of this is with the full knowledge and support of the government officials. Friends, can you imagine this? While in the past we have had the chance to share with a few hundred people on trips to Brazil this time we could be sharing with a few thousand people—many young people; many because of the bridge of sports.
Sure, sports can become a god. I see how people in our own culture give more time, energy and devotion to sports than they do to Jesus Christ and his church. I see them prioritize their lives around sports as participants or fans. Indeed, in some ways sports is a barrier to the gospel. Yet, also I have seen in China and South Africa sports used as a cross-cultural bridge to the gospel as I assisted with basketball clinics among youth in both of those nations. Now, once more, I am eager to see how God might use four other sports as a global bridge for the gospel—and all on one trip (June 17-27). Oh my Father God, I am so eager to go see the out-working what you have divinely arranged to reach the youth and the total city of Casa Branca with the message of life found in Jesus Christ!
On Mission with Christ!
Scott
The answer is the sports clinics are an intersection of the vision of the church in Casa Branca for reaching youth and the interests and abilities of the 2011 FBCLW team members. Now that this fledgling mission church is starting to grow they are looking around to their community seeking to know from the Lord how they might meet the needs of the residents of their town. One whole population group they see teeming with potential and yet aimlessly drifting are the youth of Casa Branca. They know these teenagers are the future of their town, yet so many lack purpose and meaning in their lives. It seems this group is primed to hear the good news of Jesus which provides one with an overarching purpose to life. Yet how do you gain a hearing for the gospel with young people? Most are not at all interested in going to church which they see as boring or irrelevant. The answer in many places around the world is sports.
By the Providence of God the team He has assembled to go to Casa Branca has a number of notable athletes and coaches on it. Jim Taubert played football at Michigan State and has coached at the high school and pro levels. Jake Pavy is a new assistant football coach at Lake Wales High School. Jeff Sikes was a collegiate baseball player and is currently a successful veteran baseball coach at Warner University. David Russell won a national championship in volleyball while playing for UCLA not so long ago and has coached the sport. All four of these men are capable teachers of their respective sports and each has a passion for Jesus Christ their Lord. Additionally, the other six members of our mission team (Lynn Hooten, Hayden Hooten, Layne Lightsey, Cassie Pavy, Matt Smith and me) are eager to assist these four and to share what a difference Jesus has made in their lives.
Interestingly, as we began speaking with our Brazilian partners it became evident God was directing us toward a sports emphasis with this 2011 Brazil Team. As Pastor Jose of Casa Branca began to dialogue with government and school officials in his town he saw God open door after door. They were eager to support the clinics Jose was proposing. They have helped with fields, equipment, publicity, and will even let the team use a van free of charge while there. With the city promoting our clinics hundreds of youth have signed up for clinics that will teach American football, volleyball, and baseball. Additionally, our team and the church will “host” a soccer tournament. So now Pastor Jose and the fledgling Baptist church he leads have become known to all the city officials, including the mayor who our team is to meet with. The knowledge of the presence of this little congregation has been spread all over town. Truly, God has orchestrated something beyond what any of us could have envisioned.
Of course, while there are many values to athletics, as Christ-followers we see one of them being that sports can be a bridge to sharing the gospel. Like the Apostle Paul we want to adapt to the values and culture of those we are trying to reach with the good news (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Sports will enable us to gain a hearing for the gospel among the sports-oriented youth. During each clinic there will be a significant portion of time set aside to share the gospel and for testimonies to be shared. Each of these coaches will have instant credibility among these Brazilian youth who love Americans and sports. I imagine they will listen to them more carefully than they would Pastor Jose or me. During the half-time of every soccer game that is a part of the tournament a testimony will be given. Registration cards will be filled out by every player with the opportunity for them to indicate interest in knowing Jesus. Our Brazilian partners have ordered 5000 copies of a booklet they have found to communicate the gospel well in that culture. These booklets will be share during the clinics and given to each soccer player. All of this is with the full knowledge and support of the government officials. Friends, can you imagine this? While in the past we have had the chance to share with a few hundred people on trips to Brazil this time we could be sharing with a few thousand people—many young people; many because of the bridge of sports.
Sure, sports can become a god. I see how people in our own culture give more time, energy and devotion to sports than they do to Jesus Christ and his church. I see them prioritize their lives around sports as participants or fans. Indeed, in some ways sports is a barrier to the gospel. Yet, also I have seen in China and South Africa sports used as a cross-cultural bridge to the gospel as I assisted with basketball clinics among youth in both of those nations. Now, once more, I am eager to see how God might use four other sports as a global bridge for the gospel—and all on one trip (June 17-27). Oh my Father God, I am so eager to go see the out-working what you have divinely arranged to reach the youth and the total city of Casa Branca with the message of life found in Jesus Christ!
On Mission with Christ!
Scott
Friday, June 3, 2011
Angry Heart Journaling
The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. Proverbs 20:5
Do you understand your own heart–the desires, longings and idols that may reside there? Do you understand what is stirring in there that causes you to get angry? This Sunday as I speak about anger I will suggest the practice of “Anger Journaling” or “Heart Journaling.” Actually, both of these forms of journaling are very similar. They are written of in Lou Priolo’s book The Heart of Anger. While the book is particularly written to help prevent and cure anger within children I have found much of the counsel within the book applies to adults as well. The advice to journal is one such example. Journaling enables a person to understand those things that trigger their anger, as well as gain insight to the “deep waters” of their own heart.
Priolo sets before the reader four basic questions in the “Heart Journal”. They are:
1. What happened that provoked me to anger? (What are the circumstances that led to my becoming angry?)
2. What did I say to myself (in my heart) when I became angry? (What did I want, desire or long for when I became angry?)
3. What does the Bible say about what I said to myself when I became angry? (What does the Bible say about what I wanted?)
4. What should I have said to myself when I became angry? (What should I have wanted more than my own selfish and idolatrous desire?)
Yes, it takes courage to ask those hard questions if you are a person who struggles with anger. Oh, and please understand when I speak of anger I do not merely mean explosive anger. The Bible speaks of the brooding, smoldering internal anger as well as the explosive, external anger. The freezing-out anger is not more healthy or honorable than the shouting-out anger. Followers of Jesus are told to rid themselves of both of these forms of anger (Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:7).
However, ridding your life of anger is not easy, particularly if you’re developed life-long patterns of expressing anger. It takes the courage to look within your heart. It may require the discipline to journal like Priolo suggests. Above all, it takes continually yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit in all of this. This is why I think it is so difficult for a person who does not have the indwelling Christ to overcome anger. Yet, Jesus came to transform our lives from the inside out. He came to change our hearts so we can think, desire, speak, and act like those who belong to Him. And at the moment of salvation Jesus gives His followers the Spirit of God to empower them for all of life—including overcoming our anger. May you and I take whatever steps are needed to allow Christ to be Lord of our anger and “the purposes of our heart.”
Striving to be “pure of heart,”
Pastor Scott
Do you understand your own heart–the desires, longings and idols that may reside there? Do you understand what is stirring in there that causes you to get angry? This Sunday as I speak about anger I will suggest the practice of “Anger Journaling” or “Heart Journaling.” Actually, both of these forms of journaling are very similar. They are written of in Lou Priolo’s book The Heart of Anger. While the book is particularly written to help prevent and cure anger within children I have found much of the counsel within the book applies to adults as well. The advice to journal is one such example. Journaling enables a person to understand those things that trigger their anger, as well as gain insight to the “deep waters” of their own heart.
Priolo sets before the reader four basic questions in the “Heart Journal”. They are:
1. What happened that provoked me to anger? (What are the circumstances that led to my becoming angry?)
2. What did I say to myself (in my heart) when I became angry? (What did I want, desire or long for when I became angry?)
3. What does the Bible say about what I said to myself when I became angry? (What does the Bible say about what I wanted?)
4. What should I have said to myself when I became angry? (What should I have wanted more than my own selfish and idolatrous desire?)
Yes, it takes courage to ask those hard questions if you are a person who struggles with anger. Oh, and please understand when I speak of anger I do not merely mean explosive anger. The Bible speaks of the brooding, smoldering internal anger as well as the explosive, external anger. The freezing-out anger is not more healthy or honorable than the shouting-out anger. Followers of Jesus are told to rid themselves of both of these forms of anger (Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:7).
However, ridding your life of anger is not easy, particularly if you’re developed life-long patterns of expressing anger. It takes the courage to look within your heart. It may require the discipline to journal like Priolo suggests. Above all, it takes continually yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit in all of this. This is why I think it is so difficult for a person who does not have the indwelling Christ to overcome anger. Yet, Jesus came to transform our lives from the inside out. He came to change our hearts so we can think, desire, speak, and act like those who belong to Him. And at the moment of salvation Jesus gives His followers the Spirit of God to empower them for all of life—including overcoming our anger. May you and I take whatever steps are needed to allow Christ to be Lord of our anger and “the purposes of our heart.”
Striving to be “pure of heart,”
Pastor Scott
Friday, April 29, 2011
AMERICA’S CHANGING RELIGIOUS LANDSCAPE
“Men of Athens! I see that you are religious in every respect.” Acts 17:22
As I looked over a website about the “Things to Do” at New Smyrna Beach I was stunned to see rated number one was “Bikram’s Yoga College of India”. Now I know your immediate thought might be like mine, “Boy, there must not be much to do in New Smyrna!” However, below the number one rated yoga college were charter fishing outfits, golf courses, a marine science center, Smyrna Dunes, and even the Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse, which you can climb up and is the tallest lighthouse in Florida. Yet all of these attractions were rated behind the yoga college on the “Things to Do” list. Wow!
Now I’m not sure how this site gave out their rankings, but the rating system seems a little odd to me. Still it is very intriguing to me that in a small beachfront community in America that there would even be a yoga college, much less that it be considered a top “thing to do”. Yoga in New York City might be expected, but in New Smyrna Beach—not so much!
Now I am not ranting about yoga here. And I know this is simply an anecdotal piece of information. Nevertheless, this oddity served to remind me of the ever-increasing presence of religions like Buddhism on United States soil.
While yoga has long been a practice of Buddhists in Asia, now some form of it is a regular exercise offering at gyms and exercise centers across America. Karma is a specific doctrinal belief within Hinduism that motivates the actions of most Hindu’s throughout the world. Yet now that concept has worked its way into the everyday conversations of many Americans, even if in a joking way. Of course, I don’t need to tell you about the proposed mosque near Ground Zero in New York City or the rapid rate of Islamic mosques appearing in urban areas all over America.
Clearly, the religious make-up of America is changing. Our nation has become more pluralistic in every way than ever before in history. For followers of Jesus this is not a cause for alarm or fear. Yet neitehr is it a time for passivity and ignorance! Sadly, many Americans and many Christ-followers remain uninformed about the basic beliefs of these ever-growing world religions. This makes dialogue with their adherent’s difficult, mutual understanding problematic and redemptive witness toward them near impossible.
However, at FBC, Lake Wales we are working to change that. We want to equip you to dialogue with and lovingly minister to those from these varying belief systems and their worldviews. We want to inform you of their basic beliefs and how they differ from what the Bible teaches is the truth. Therefore, this coming Wednesday, May 4, I will begin a series for the summer months entitled “What’s the Difference?” It will be a study of world religions and a couple major cults. I will present much of the material and utilize various resources including multi-media. Additionally, others will present on some of the religions and cults we will study. I hope whether you are a young adult, a median adult or older adult you will want to learn of these faith systems so you might be better prepared to listen, understand, and maybe eventually share about your faith in the Risen Christ to someone who believes differently than you. Our hope is that you may be as confident and conversant as the Apostle Paul was at Athens!
Friend, the religious landscape of America is changing. And you can either bury your head in the sand or you can be equipped to live for Christ in the new, more pluralistic America. I hope you will choose the latter, even if that means changing your schedule to somehow make it to FBC on a Wednesday night by 6:15 pm. It will be exciting to learn many of these fascinating beliefs and become more strongly anchored to the distinctive beliefs of the Christian faith. I hope you will join me!
Loving & equipping you for Christ,
Pastor Scott
As I looked over a website about the “Things to Do” at New Smyrna Beach I was stunned to see rated number one was “Bikram’s Yoga College of India”. Now I know your immediate thought might be like mine, “Boy, there must not be much to do in New Smyrna!” However, below the number one rated yoga college were charter fishing outfits, golf courses, a marine science center, Smyrna Dunes, and even the Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse, which you can climb up and is the tallest lighthouse in Florida. Yet all of these attractions were rated behind the yoga college on the “Things to Do” list. Wow!
Now I’m not sure how this site gave out their rankings, but the rating system seems a little odd to me. Still it is very intriguing to me that in a small beachfront community in America that there would even be a yoga college, much less that it be considered a top “thing to do”. Yoga in New York City might be expected, but in New Smyrna Beach—not so much!
Now I am not ranting about yoga here. And I know this is simply an anecdotal piece of information. Nevertheless, this oddity served to remind me of the ever-increasing presence of religions like Buddhism on United States soil.
While yoga has long been a practice of Buddhists in Asia, now some form of it is a regular exercise offering at gyms and exercise centers across America. Karma is a specific doctrinal belief within Hinduism that motivates the actions of most Hindu’s throughout the world. Yet now that concept has worked its way into the everyday conversations of many Americans, even if in a joking way. Of course, I don’t need to tell you about the proposed mosque near Ground Zero in New York City or the rapid rate of Islamic mosques appearing in urban areas all over America.
Clearly, the religious make-up of America is changing. Our nation has become more pluralistic in every way than ever before in history. For followers of Jesus this is not a cause for alarm or fear. Yet neitehr is it a time for passivity and ignorance! Sadly, many Americans and many Christ-followers remain uninformed about the basic beliefs of these ever-growing world religions. This makes dialogue with their adherent’s difficult, mutual understanding problematic and redemptive witness toward them near impossible.
However, at FBC, Lake Wales we are working to change that. We want to equip you to dialogue with and lovingly minister to those from these varying belief systems and their worldviews. We want to inform you of their basic beliefs and how they differ from what the Bible teaches is the truth. Therefore, this coming Wednesday, May 4, I will begin a series for the summer months entitled “What’s the Difference?” It will be a study of world religions and a couple major cults. I will present much of the material and utilize various resources including multi-media. Additionally, others will present on some of the religions and cults we will study. I hope whether you are a young adult, a median adult or older adult you will want to learn of these faith systems so you might be better prepared to listen, understand, and maybe eventually share about your faith in the Risen Christ to someone who believes differently than you. Our hope is that you may be as confident and conversant as the Apostle Paul was at Athens!
Friend, the religious landscape of America is changing. And you can either bury your head in the sand or you can be equipped to live for Christ in the new, more pluralistic America. I hope you will choose the latter, even if that means changing your schedule to somehow make it to FBC on a Wednesday night by 6:15 pm. It will be exciting to learn many of these fascinating beliefs and become more strongly anchored to the distinctive beliefs of the Christian faith. I hope you will join me!
Loving & equipping you for Christ,
Pastor Scott
Who Knows What a Day May Bring Forth? (4/21/11)
By now most all of you know of the terrible attack by a stray pit bull on Monday morning. I was on my way to the office after dropping my youngest son at school when Charles Little called me. He began, “We have an emergency.” Charles then began to relay some of the events of the recent minutes to me. I was stunned. Since Charles insisted he did not need a ride to the hospital in Lakeland I told him I would drive to try to see Tammy and pray with her before the Life Flight arrived.
I made my way to the rescue vehicle where Tammy was being cared for until the helicopter arrived. Obviously, she was still shaken after such a violent attack. I could see the puncture wounds from the teeth of the dog in one leg. After prayer with Tammy I left her. As firefighter Brittany Sweeney said, “She is doing amazingly well after something like that.” Brittany went on to inform me, as Charles had, that her right arm was the area of greatest concern.
Within an hour or two numerable people from First Baptist Church had trekked to Lakeland Regional Medical Center to be with Charles and his three daughters, while Tammy endured three and one-half hours of surgery. Fourteen people from FBC came over that day to show their love and concern. Countless more of our church family rallied around the Little family in prayers given once news of the attack spread via our email, facebook, and phone calls. Hopefully, soon Tammy will rejoin us at FBC (plan is to go home Friday 4/21) and you can express your loving support directly. Also in due time I am sure the Little’s will share their own appreciation for the support we have given them amidst this sudden crisis. However, for now let me say how grateful I am as the pastor to once more see the love you have for one another. I marveled at how many people stayed all day with the Little’s at the hospital. Others were constantly praying while working and keeping an eye out for any update. Such loving concern within the body is part of what it means to live in community with each other as the church. I find it beautiful to behold!
One other thought comes to me about what happened on Monday, April 18. The thought struck me as I arrived home at 5:30 pm from Lakeland. Though I arrived home around the typical time I do, my day was far from typical. It was no ordinary day. The events of that day were absolutely stunning and unexpected! How much more is that true for the Little family. As I arrived home I thought, “Who knows what a day may bring?” I was reminded of the words of James 4: 13-15 which read,
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
The events of Monday reminded me that we have no guarantees about tomorrow. God can interrupt our plans and schedules with unexpected events at any moment. Do we live with that awareness, with that openness to adjust to whatever change he calls for from us on a given day? And do we humbly live knowing that what happens in our future is not ultimately determined by us, but by the will of God?
Of course, at this time of year I also think of those women who went to the tomb of Jesus that Easter morning expecting to anoint his dead body (Mark 16:1). Yet instead something absolutely stunning and unexpected happened. Their agenda and their world were turned upside down with the stunning revelation from the angelic messenger, “Don’t be alarmed, he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here” (Mark 16:6).
The “interruptions” God brings to our lives may be tragic or adverse circumstances. However, sometimes his “interruptions” are miracles and joyous life-changing events. For those ladies on Easter morn the resurrection of Jesus was even more than that. It was an eternity-changing miracle that has altered history and offered life and hope for all who would believe in the Risen Christ. So I hope this Easter the resurrection of Jesus is no surprise to you, but rather is the cornerstone event your personal history has been altered by. Yet I hope the empty tomb and the events of this past Monday remind us that God alone knows what a day may bring forth.
Living TODAY for the Risen Christ!
Pastor Scott
I made my way to the rescue vehicle where Tammy was being cared for until the helicopter arrived. Obviously, she was still shaken after such a violent attack. I could see the puncture wounds from the teeth of the dog in one leg. After prayer with Tammy I left her. As firefighter Brittany Sweeney said, “She is doing amazingly well after something like that.” Brittany went on to inform me, as Charles had, that her right arm was the area of greatest concern.
Within an hour or two numerable people from First Baptist Church had trekked to Lakeland Regional Medical Center to be with Charles and his three daughters, while Tammy endured three and one-half hours of surgery. Fourteen people from FBC came over that day to show their love and concern. Countless more of our church family rallied around the Little family in prayers given once news of the attack spread via our email, facebook, and phone calls. Hopefully, soon Tammy will rejoin us at FBC (plan is to go home Friday 4/21) and you can express your loving support directly. Also in due time I am sure the Little’s will share their own appreciation for the support we have given them amidst this sudden crisis. However, for now let me say how grateful I am as the pastor to once more see the love you have for one another. I marveled at how many people stayed all day with the Little’s at the hospital. Others were constantly praying while working and keeping an eye out for any update. Such loving concern within the body is part of what it means to live in community with each other as the church. I find it beautiful to behold!
One other thought comes to me about what happened on Monday, April 18. The thought struck me as I arrived home at 5:30 pm from Lakeland. Though I arrived home around the typical time I do, my day was far from typical. It was no ordinary day. The events of that day were absolutely stunning and unexpected! How much more is that true for the Little family. As I arrived home I thought, “Who knows what a day may bring?” I was reminded of the words of James 4: 13-15 which read,
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
The events of Monday reminded me that we have no guarantees about tomorrow. God can interrupt our plans and schedules with unexpected events at any moment. Do we live with that awareness, with that openness to adjust to whatever change he calls for from us on a given day? And do we humbly live knowing that what happens in our future is not ultimately determined by us, but by the will of God?
Of course, at this time of year I also think of those women who went to the tomb of Jesus that Easter morning expecting to anoint his dead body (Mark 16:1). Yet instead something absolutely stunning and unexpected happened. Their agenda and their world were turned upside down with the stunning revelation from the angelic messenger, “Don’t be alarmed, he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here” (Mark 16:6).
The “interruptions” God brings to our lives may be tragic or adverse circumstances. However, sometimes his “interruptions” are miracles and joyous life-changing events. For those ladies on Easter morn the resurrection of Jesus was even more than that. It was an eternity-changing miracle that has altered history and offered life and hope for all who would believe in the Risen Christ. So I hope this Easter the resurrection of Jesus is no surprise to you, but rather is the cornerstone event your personal history has been altered by. Yet I hope the empty tomb and the events of this past Monday remind us that God alone knows what a day may bring forth.
Living TODAY for the Risen Christ!
Pastor Scott
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Do You Believe in Easter?
“Do you believe in Easter?” That question has stuck in my mind. I heard it as part of story being told by the Orlando-area Christian illusionist Don Townsend a few years ago. Don was doing a presentation near the Easter Holiday at Prime-timers, our monthly meeting for senior adults at FBC. Don shared some of his illusions that day and brought his presentation toward a close with the story that contained this question about Easter. As I recall it, he told of a lady who lived in an assisted-living facility. This vivacious Christian lady was always looking for ways to brighten the lives of other residents there. I believe Don said she would wheel around the facility in her wheel-chair attempting to cheer up residents by engaging them in conversations. As a follower of Jesus she also was continuously looking for opportunities to tell others about her Lord Jesus in a non-offensive way.
As the time of year for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus approached one year she found a very simple way to get people to dialogue about this event. She simply asked, “Do you believe in Easter?” She asked it of her fellow residents. She asked it of workers. “Do you believe in Easter?” It was an easy question to ask. It required only a yes or no answer. Yet if the person was willing it could open wide a whole discussion about Jesus, the resurrection, faith, living, dying, and eternity. You can imagine how such a discussion would be relevant and personal in a place occupied by the elderly!
As Don told the story about this woman I recall that he told of a female staff worker at the facility who was initially annoyed by this question. She refused to talk about it with the questioning resident. While the details elude me, I believe Don concluded the story by telling of how this worker eventually became a Christ-follower after the death of the Easter-loving resident. He wrapped up by saying how that worker now went around each year at Easter asking others that very same question that troubled her and eventually directed her toward faith in the Risen Christ. The staff worker now asked, “Do you believe in Easter?”
I have not forgotten that simple question. This time of year I think about that non-offensive, conversational approach that allows followers of the Risen Lord to talk about faith issues with the people all around them. Now this year I need to start asking it! Maybe you could join me in doing so. Will you ask people around you over the next week that question and hear what they say? “Do you believe in Easter?” I think the replies might be fascinating for you to hear. I imagine the conversations that ensue might be life-altering too.
Asking & Conversing about the Risen Son!
Pastor Scott
P.S. An easy follow-up in such a conversation is to invite those you dialogue with to learn more about the biblical meaning of Easter by attending the FBC Easter Musical Presentation coming next Saturday evening or Easter Sunday Morning. Or, for a lighter approach to a young family invite them to the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 23.
As the time of year for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus approached one year she found a very simple way to get people to dialogue about this event. She simply asked, “Do you believe in Easter?” She asked it of her fellow residents. She asked it of workers. “Do you believe in Easter?” It was an easy question to ask. It required only a yes or no answer. Yet if the person was willing it could open wide a whole discussion about Jesus, the resurrection, faith, living, dying, and eternity. You can imagine how such a discussion would be relevant and personal in a place occupied by the elderly!
As Don told the story about this woman I recall that he told of a female staff worker at the facility who was initially annoyed by this question. She refused to talk about it with the questioning resident. While the details elude me, I believe Don concluded the story by telling of how this worker eventually became a Christ-follower after the death of the Easter-loving resident. He wrapped up by saying how that worker now went around each year at Easter asking others that very same question that troubled her and eventually directed her toward faith in the Risen Christ. The staff worker now asked, “Do you believe in Easter?”
I have not forgotten that simple question. This time of year I think about that non-offensive, conversational approach that allows followers of the Risen Lord to talk about faith issues with the people all around them. Now this year I need to start asking it! Maybe you could join me in doing so. Will you ask people around you over the next week that question and hear what they say? “Do you believe in Easter?” I think the replies might be fascinating for you to hear. I imagine the conversations that ensue might be life-altering too.
Asking & Conversing about the Risen Son!
Pastor Scott
P.S. An easy follow-up in such a conversation is to invite those you dialogue with to learn more about the biblical meaning of Easter by attending the FBC Easter Musical Presentation coming next Saturday evening or Easter Sunday Morning. Or, for a lighter approach to a young family invite them to the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 23.
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