Trip to Princeton

Well it is May 4th and I will be heading back to Memphis today. I miss the children and I am ready to get back to work. Princeton is a beautiful place and I feel refreshed every year that I return. The Princeton Youth Forum is the best thing going because it actually combines youth/family work and theology in ways that were unheard of 10-20 years ago. We actually were able to listen to two lectures by Stanley Haurwass. Haurwass is a nationally known ethicist and theologian. Who would have ever believed we would have such an opportunity? In addition I listened to ways in which to strive toward multicultural community in the church, learned about research being done that is proving that their is a new day in youth and family work (www.exemplarym.com), and listened to the leading writer in family ministry. Overall, it was the best conference that I have attended in my 3 years of coming to this place.

Prayer for Virginia Tech

Father in heaven, we acknowledge the gift of life for it was your Son Jesus who received life-giving power, wisdom, strength, and final glory. He was once pronounced as dead yet now he is alive forevermore. And it is in the light of his resurrection that we confess our sins and accept your sovereignty.
This morning we lift up the city of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. May your Spirit remain with the many that have experienced loss of life during this period of human tragedy. We pray for the families, neighbors, and friends. We pray for the staff, professors, and administrators. Ultimately, we pray for the human predicament of sin and death that can cause this kind of pain yet may compel many to turn to you.
God of restoration, we pray that your hand will move over this world so that it may one day be guided by a kind of spiritual ethic that works for the good of others. You have filled our nets with plenty. We offer back to you gifts for your glory and for reaching others with the news of the gospel. In the name of our Loving, Forgiving Lord we pray. Amen.

Goodbye to a Good Man

On Sunday, our congregation was surprised to hear of the resignation of our pastor Ken Corr. Many tears were shed on this day. We will miss him dearly. I have only known Dr. Corr for 3+ years but I see the same things that others see in him. A wonderful pastor, husband, and father. One who would not compromise the meaning of the gospel under any circumstances. A creative thinker who gave his ministerial staff the OK on most things if it aided in the ministry to others. He was a leader for social justice and considered it to be integral to the true meaning of Jesus' words. Dr. Corr has left his fingerprint on FBC Memphis and for that we are confident about the future. Without him there would have been no stability and far less community. Without him it is possible that we might have only heard trite and inspirational sermons. Instead, he provided his congregation and 40,000 other TV listeners with deep, meaningful, and tranforming sermons. Truthfully, I never heard Dr. Ken Corr preach a bad sermon. I've always thought that if any pastor could get his members to talk about the sermon at the lunch table following the service then he has accomplished something great. As he pursues other interests, I pray that God will give will give him guidance for the future and a peace about the past. God has a specific will for Dr. Corr but we all must accept God's hidden will also. That hidden will is the will of God that no one can see. It is God working in and throughout history. God's hidden will is that in which we must place our confidence and faith. Confidence that God continues to work in the details of life and a faith that He will keep his promises to the end.

The Woman in my Ipod

I was surprised at Christmas when my wife bought me a nano. I felt like a 16 year old. I didn't think I would use it that much unless I became stranded in an airport or decided to go back to college. Would I begin to use phrases like, "What it is?" or "'Sup Bro?" But it has turned me into a runner. I used to make fun of runners. I was annoyed by runners. I could not understand what would drive an adult to run without an animal chasing him. So I purchased a Nike Ipod Sports Kit. I'm sure professional runners would make fun of it but I am convinced the little lady inside is going to keep me from having a heart attack one day. In case you don't know, the Sports Kit comes with an adapter that will communicate wirelessly with a chip on the runner's shoe. And it keeps track of your runs, distance, calories burned, and more. I love it. But I think there is something deeper going on. I don't want to let the woman down who updates me on my progress. Sometimes I push a button mid-stride so I can hear her pleasant voice. "Five minutes remaining," she tells me. And five more minutes I run. So I ate fish tacos at lunch and a sausage biscuit for breakfast. I may be exhausted but I will not...I repeat....will not let the Nike woman down. So far I have run close to 70 miles with 20 some odd runs and I owe it all to her.

Thank you Nike woman.

Easter and a man named Bondone

A commentary on the book of John alerted me to this painting by the artist Bondone. His resurrection interpretation is interesting to say the least. I'm not necessarily offended by it. I often imagine Jesus taking on the very role that is captured of him on the extreme right of the painting. He is victorious...yet distant. He is powerful...yet too powerful for our true human emotions. He has risen indeed...but I only see him from behind.
I'm sure Bondone was sincere and I confess my temptation to jump on board with his dramatic painting. However, simply pause for just a moment and realize the message being conveyed. Jesus is captured as not allowing Mary to approach him. Way off Bondone. Jesus seems as one hushing her and not allowing her to speak words of astonishment. Bandone, you didn't have to paint Jesus doing a stiff arm. Jesus may as well be saying, "Don't follow me."
But we know that Jesus appeared to reveal just the opposite of what may be conveyed in the painting. Jesus seeks not only fellowship and a following, but an actual dwelling place in the life of a believer.
If I could paint...and I cannot...I might have Jesus with both of his arms stretched out. Mary would be holding a flag of victory and Jesus would be the one trying to overcome his emotion to speak.

Everything rests on his resurrection. Or as John Updike says,

Make

no mistake:

If he rose at all

it was as His body;

if the cells' dissolution did not reverse,

the molecules reknit, the amino

acids rekindle,

the church

will fall...

Brown Bags and Loose Change

What is injustice anyway? There are many definitions ranging from McDonald's not giving you your fries that you ordered to not paying an individual for his hard work. Unfortunately, injustice still exists in the world and, if anything, it is more organized.

Please get involved with The International Justice Misssion. www.ijm.org. This organization fights hard for the less fortunate. By less fortunate I am referring to child trafficking and child slavery.

On Sunday May 6th, the children and adults will learn about injustice and also raise funds for IJM. Bring $5, donate it, and receive a brown gift bag. But who knows what you will get? You may be one of the fortunate ones to receive a $5 gift card to a local burger joint. Most likely you won't get anything special for what you put in. Maybe it will be an old rusty nail. Maybe it will be a piece of yarn. Sometimes people give and give but hardly get anything in return.

Family Movie Night

Don't forget about the family movie night this Friday, April 13th. The fun begins at 7pm. Looks like there is rain in the forecast but this shouldn't be too big of a problem. We will just move into the gym and watch it on the big screen.

It goes without saying due to the picture on the left that we will be watching Charlotte's Web.

Bring your family and friends!

Easter Egg Hunt

What a great time we had on Saturday. We did the best we could in remaining silent in the chapel only to hear the clanging of a cymbal to symbolize the resurrection of Christ. It was cold, especially in the shade, but the children didn't care. There was candy to be found and a gigantic duck would lead the way to a sugar high that would last all day. The energy was enhanced by the 31 degree weather.

You have to love Easter weekend. Especially the consecutive 6:28am sugar rushes.

But fun was had by all. The faith community at its best.

Don't forget about the family movie night on Friday, April 13th.

My yard this Spring

My yard is finally turning into the yard that I want it to be. Now time to start in the back. My plans are to have the stone path lead to some hydrangas planted in honor of my grandmother who passed away many years ago. Her home in Batesville, MS was adorned with many hydrangas in which you could hide from older brothers and cousins.

The Silence of Saturday

Almighty God,through your Son Jesus Christ You overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life;grant us so to die daily to sin,that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection:
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God now and for ever. Amen.

Today calls for reflection on the silence of Saturday. Or maybe it was a spirit of meaninglessness. Betrayed by his friends. A problem solved by the Romans. A threat extinguished by the masses.