Have you seen the TV Land show "She's Got The Look"? It features several beautiful women, all 35 years or older, who are vying for a shot at a modeling contract.
I confess, I have gotten drawn in to this show. Those of you who know me won't be surprised that the attraction is not an interest in modeling. I got drawn in when I happened across an episode where these gorgeous women were sharing some difficulties they had experienced. One talked about being raised in a Muslim home, and her shame in being beautiful in a culture which so limits women. Another spoke of a very painful, abusive marriage and how she struggled to decide whether to stay or go. A third told how she had been brutally attacked as a teenager, suffering several stab wounds at the hands of a person who was jealous of the young girl's pretty face. Each woman had a painful story to tell.
Part of the job of being a model is the ability to project whatever image the client wants--confidence, happiness, ecstacy, provacativeness--regardless of what the reality is on the person's inside. I'm not saying this is good or bad, just that it's the reality of the job. But seeing these women reveal their hidden pain, and then go right back to hiding it in front of the camera, touched a chord in me.
I don't think that we should walk around with our painful experiences on our sleeves, like some dark badge of honor. But I do think that we shouldn't keep painful experiences hidden behind a carefully crafted facade of Christian "look". For me, the good thing about some of the stuff I've been through is that God has proven Himself faithful, no matter how bad things were.
If I keep thoses experiences hidden behind "the look", who will know what God has brought me from? The Bible says, "They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..." (Revelation 12:11 NIV) It may be that the word of my testimony, not hidden behind "the look" is what someone else needs to overcome our common enemy.
God, help us not hide behind "the look" to the extent that we lose the opportunity to help someone else.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Computers are wonderful when they work!
Our internet has been down for a few days, making it impossible for us Jordan and I to post blogs, but we're FINALLY running again.
Just a couple of quick items:
Just a couple of quick items:
- We are so excited to be adding a daily devotional podcast for our members and visitors. Sometimes I'll be doing it; sometimes Jordan will be doing it, but whoever does it, we hope you tune in and that it blesses, encourages and inspires you.
- Our Teen Talent car wash was a big success. Our goal was to wash 200 cars; we managed to wash 194 in spite of a torrential rain storm. We still need sponsors; if you are interested, see me, Jordan or Pastor Rob & Sis. Jennifer.
- The youth band will be performing at Screven's big 4th of July day. Ask any youth band member for more information.
Finally, Sunday school. If you don't attend (or teach) Sunday school, I encourage you to attend the choir class. We meet at 9:45 a.m. every Sunday morning in the choir room. Come share a cup of coffee, some pastry, and a lively discussion of God's Word. I hope to see you there.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Seeking Sponsors
Some members of our youth band will be travelling to San Antonio, Texas in August to compete in international Teen Talent, a competition held every other year by our denomination, the Church of God. It is going to cost from $16,000 to $18,000 to get everyone out there and back, with a place to stay, meals, and maybe a fun trip to Six Flags thrown in.
We're holding a car wash with a twist to help raise the funds needed. Here's how it works:
We're holding a car wash with a twist to help raise the funds needed. Here's how it works:
- each band member needs 15 sponsors
- each sponsor agrees to pay up to 25 cents for each car the group washes
- our goal is to wash 200 cars
- the cars are washed for free--the sponsors are the ones who pay
- no one sponsor will be on the hook for more than $50
If each band member gets his or her 15 sponsors, and if we meet our goal of washing 200 cars, we will have raised the funds needed for the trip.
If you're interested in sponsoring a band member, please call the church office and talk with Sis. Jenn. But even if you can't sponsor, WE NEED TO WASH YOUR CAR!
It will cost you absolutely nothing, but we need everyone to bring their cars to help us reach our goal.
- DAY: This Saturday, June 21st
- WHERE: The church parking lot
- TIME: from 8 a.m. until we've washed 200 cars.
Unity, you are great at helping our youth live their dreams. Thank you for all you do. The effect of sowing into young lives the way you do will only be fully revealed in eternity.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I've received some comments about my posting from Friday June 6 concerning Rev. T.D. Jakes' comments concerning Sen. Barack Obama's presidential nomination. This morning I received a link to a video clip by evangelist Bill Keller stating his concerns about some of Sen. Obama's positions on issues that should be of concern to all Christians.
Click here to view the video.
Thanks for your comments on this and my other posts.
Click here to view the video.
Thanks for your comments on this and my other posts.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Love Those Babies!
One of my biggest frustrations over the last year or so is that I've been unable to really spend time with our youth band. But hallelujah, summer has come and with the school vacation we've been able to do a little re-arranging. The gist of it is that the youth band is now practicing on Monday evenings and I can be with them again.
We're doing a devotional series over the summer, and I've been teaching about the Levitical musicians and singers. One of the things that had a huge impact on me when I first started studying about Old Testament musicians was a bit of information that revealed the true depths of commitment they held. It is said that when the Israelites were captured by the Babylonians, the musicians cut off their own thumbs so that they could not be forced to perform for heathens or to play for the false gods of their captors.
Brother, that's commitment! It reminds me of an illustration Pastor often uses. He says the easiest way to understand true commitment is to look at a ham-and-egg breakfast. The chicken was involved, but the pig was committed!
As I watch our young musicians, I am constantly impressed by their commitment. They spend a lot of hours at the church--playing, practicing, setting up, tearing down, attending services, attending Sunday school, participating in all kinds of events. They are absolutely dedicated to the church, the youth group, the youth band, the sanctuary band, the middle school band, youth choir, etc. This speaks so well for them. But I hope that we're all building a level of commitment to our God that would sustain our worship no matter what might happen in our lives.
God, help me learn to be so committed to You and to You alone that I would cut off my own fingers rather than play in a way that would put you to shame. Lord, I'm a piano player who loves being a piano player, so I know that I have a long way to go. But my desire is to always honor You. And Lord, because I love the babies that You've given to me, help me always show them that level of commitment. Amen.
Psalm 137:1-4
"By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, 'Sing us one of the songs of Zion!' How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land?"
We're doing a devotional series over the summer, and I've been teaching about the Levitical musicians and singers. One of the things that had a huge impact on me when I first started studying about Old Testament musicians was a bit of information that revealed the true depths of commitment they held. It is said that when the Israelites were captured by the Babylonians, the musicians cut off their own thumbs so that they could not be forced to perform for heathens or to play for the false gods of their captors.
Brother, that's commitment! It reminds me of an illustration Pastor often uses. He says the easiest way to understand true commitment is to look at a ham-and-egg breakfast. The chicken was involved, but the pig was committed!
As I watch our young musicians, I am constantly impressed by their commitment. They spend a lot of hours at the church--playing, practicing, setting up, tearing down, attending services, attending Sunday school, participating in all kinds of events. They are absolutely dedicated to the church, the youth group, the youth band, the sanctuary band, the middle school band, youth choir, etc. This speaks so well for them. But I hope that we're all building a level of commitment to our God that would sustain our worship no matter what might happen in our lives.
God, help me learn to be so committed to You and to You alone that I would cut off my own fingers rather than play in a way that would put you to shame. Lord, I'm a piano player who loves being a piano player, so I know that I have a long way to go. But my desire is to always honor You. And Lord, because I love the babies that You've given to me, help me always show them that level of commitment. Amen.
Psalm 137:1-4
"By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, 'Sing us one of the songs of Zion!' How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land?"
Monday, June 9, 2008
Oh What A Night!
Unity was blessed last night to host the group Power Unlimited, a praise and worship team composed of several of Lee University's Campus Choir members. They were gifted singers and musicians who seemed to flow seamlessly with each other and with the Holy Spirit in ministry.
I rarely am away from my instrument during a service, and I really enjoyed being able to worship in a different way than usual. But I confess that I got caught up in watching the congregation as worship unfolded, and in watching the visiting praise team lead, react to and embrace the praise and worship of the congregation.
We Pentecostals sometimes resist rehearsal and preparation, feeling that too much practice impedes the flow of the Spirit. But I have long believed exactly the opposite: that the more prepared we are, the easier it is to flow with the Spirit.
It seems to me that if I'm concerned about finding the next chord or executing the next tricky tag, my attention is on my instrument rather than on worship. I suppose that singers face the same dilemna; that is, if the singer is unsure of the melody or the words coming up, he or she really can't be attentive to the Spirit.
If the leader is a little shaky about how to execute from the verse to the chorus to the bridge; if he or she can't quite remember how many key changes there are and when they take place, his or her attention is diverted from listening to the Spirit and from engaging the congregation in worship.
And this is a tragedy, because that's our whole job--to lead the congregation in praise and worship; to set an atmosphere and prepare hearts--ours as well as the congregation's--to hear and receive the Word of God that our pastor or the person appointed in his place will bring when the music is done.
UV band, let's always be dedicated to the highest standard of excellence that our abilities will allow us to achieve. Let's embrace the discipline of practice and realize it's value in freeing us to praise and worship our God. Without worship, it's just empty notes--no matter how well or poorly played or sung.
I rarely am away from my instrument during a service, and I really enjoyed being able to worship in a different way than usual. But I confess that I got caught up in watching the congregation as worship unfolded, and in watching the visiting praise team lead, react to and embrace the praise and worship of the congregation.
We Pentecostals sometimes resist rehearsal and preparation, feeling that too much practice impedes the flow of the Spirit. But I have long believed exactly the opposite: that the more prepared we are, the easier it is to flow with the Spirit.
It seems to me that if I'm concerned about finding the next chord or executing the next tricky tag, my attention is on my instrument rather than on worship. I suppose that singers face the same dilemna; that is, if the singer is unsure of the melody or the words coming up, he or she really can't be attentive to the Spirit.
If the leader is a little shaky about how to execute from the verse to the chorus to the bridge; if he or she can't quite remember how many key changes there are and when they take place, his or her attention is diverted from listening to the Spirit and from engaging the congregation in worship.
And this is a tragedy, because that's our whole job--to lead the congregation in praise and worship; to set an atmosphere and prepare hearts--ours as well as the congregation's--to hear and receive the Word of God that our pastor or the person appointed in his place will bring when the music is done.
UV band, let's always be dedicated to the highest standard of excellence that our abilities will allow us to achieve. Let's embrace the discipline of practice and realize it's value in freeing us to praise and worship our God. Without worship, it's just empty notes--no matter how well or poorly played or sung.
Friday, June 6, 2008
What's your priority?
Well known minister Rev. T. D. Jakes made news this week for his praise of Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barrack Obama.
It makes perfect sense to me that Rev. Jakes, who happens to be African American, would be happy to see that a political party has for the first time in America's 200-plus year history nominated an African American for the office of president. I have no problem with Rev. Jakes on this point.
However, it bothers me that a powerful and influential minister would praise the nomination of anyone who:
*Voted against the Induced Infant Liability Act, which would have protected babies that survived late term abortions. The bill sought to give babies who survived late term abortions the same medical protections as "wanted" babies who were born prematurely and given life-saving medical attention. Even NARAL (http:www.naral.org) did not oppose this legislation.
*Has opposed measures to criminalize those who transport minors across state lines for the purpose of obtaining an abortion.
*Voted against prohibiting sex offenders from being given "good time" credit while sentenced to county jails in Illinois. (His was the only vote against this measure.)
*Voted against requiring school boards to install software on public computers accessible to minors to block sexually explicit material.
*Voted in favor of a bill allowing individuals to purchase 10 hypodermic needles from pharmacies without a prescription.
*Wrote an open letter to the Windy City Times, a publication targeted to the gay and lesbian community (www.windycitymediagroup.com) which contained these statements: "I opposed the DOMA [defense of marriage act] in 1996. It should be repealed, and I will vote for its repeal on the senate floor." He went on to say, "I will also oppose any proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying."
The fact that Rev. Jakes praised the nomination of this particular African American, with a voting record that places him in direct opposition to so many of the fundamental tenets of Christianity, got me started thinking about our priorities.
Have we gotten to the point that it's more important to vote for someone because of their skin color than their principles? And if so, then why is it a problem to be against someone because of their skin color rather than their principles?
I don't care what color (or gender, for that matter) our next president is. What I do care about is what he or she stands for. I hope most of our ministers feel the same. I respect Rev. Jakes enourmously. I hope he'll reconsider this issue.
It makes perfect sense to me that Rev. Jakes, who happens to be African American, would be happy to see that a political party has for the first time in America's 200-plus year history nominated an African American for the office of president. I have no problem with Rev. Jakes on this point.
However, it bothers me that a powerful and influential minister would praise the nomination of anyone who:
*Voted against the Induced Infant Liability Act, which would have protected babies that survived late term abortions. The bill sought to give babies who survived late term abortions the same medical protections as "wanted" babies who were born prematurely and given life-saving medical attention. Even NARAL (http:www.naral.org) did not oppose this legislation.
*Has opposed measures to criminalize those who transport minors across state lines for the purpose of obtaining an abortion.
*Voted against prohibiting sex offenders from being given "good time" credit while sentenced to county jails in Illinois. (His was the only vote against this measure.)
*Voted against requiring school boards to install software on public computers accessible to minors to block sexually explicit material.
*Voted in favor of a bill allowing individuals to purchase 10 hypodermic needles from pharmacies without a prescription.
*Wrote an open letter to the Windy City Times, a publication targeted to the gay and lesbian community (www.windycitymediagroup.com) which contained these statements: "I opposed the DOMA [defense of marriage act] in 1996. It should be repealed, and I will vote for its repeal on the senate floor." He went on to say, "I will also oppose any proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying."
The fact that Rev. Jakes praised the nomination of this particular African American, with a voting record that places him in direct opposition to so many of the fundamental tenets of Christianity, got me started thinking about our priorities.
Have we gotten to the point that it's more important to vote for someone because of their skin color than their principles? And if so, then why is it a problem to be against someone because of their skin color rather than their principles?
I don't care what color (or gender, for that matter) our next president is. What I do care about is what he or she stands for. I hope most of our ministers feel the same. I respect Rev. Jakes enourmously. I hope he'll reconsider this issue.
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