http://www.stonewallwesleyan.com/ Connecting people to God and each other by living and declaring God's Word en-us GMT Wed, 04 Apr 2007 09:41:01 GMT webmaster@stonewallwesleyan.com Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Deep breaths . . . Sunshine . . . Music . . . Love of family . . . Fellowship with God . . . Just five things to celebrate this week. Let’s add a sixth: air conditioning.

I have nothing but good news for you today.

I have to say I like black and white of our parking lot and driveways,better than the old shades of gray. Thanks to our diligent workers and to Rusty’s lifelong friend who sealed and striped all our paved areas. If you need any blacktop work done, we have a good recommendation for you.

James and Pauline have returned from North Carolina after good family time and a celebration of James’ birthday.

NO WORKDAY THIS WEEK! There has been a delay in the delivery of the pew fabric, so we will take advantage of the time and take this Saturday off. Stay tuned for a new announcement to work on spacing the pews.

Dave Thompson is not only back at church after surgery, but making plans for our fall discipleship. Dave’s orders: everyone join us for the Sunday School hour. Toddy Holeman teaches the next two Sundays on how to deal with difficult people, something we all need. Then we will have several weeks of challenges from film and Scripture. As Dave shared what he has in mind, I was thrilled. The more we talked the more weeks we added. That series will go from mid August through September.

Remember to join us for Irene Crouch’s 80th birthday celebration this Saturday at 2:00. The word I heard is to come without gifts, a card or just your presence will be greatly appreciated.

Keep three of your sisters especially in prayer this week. Missy Anderson continues to rehab after knee replacement. She has good and not-so-good days. She reports that her husband Steve is taking excellent care of her and helping her improve. Cherry Carter is still trying to get her equilibrium back and is having trouble getting to the source of what has been ailing her. Also, Cara Parsons has been struggling with back pain. Our God loves these ladies and invites us to participate in their blessing through our prayers.
]]> Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid= First things first: Be praying for Matthew McRoberts today. He is taking a medical boards exam throughout the day in Louisville. “Lord, Help the man think clearly, answer wisely, maintain strength, know your presence . . .”

Last night we wrapped up our leadership retreat. We had another good group at our home for dinner and conversation. It was too rushed and I really wish we had more time for generating ministry goals and priorities, so much of that will take place at other conversations and meetings in the next few weeks. Even so, thanks to all who participated. We had joy in being together.

I want to give you a property update. The church board voted last night to restructure our small mortgage and borrow an additional $17,000 that will be immediately put toward four property projects. This will add approximately $60 per month to our payment to the Wesleyan Investment Foundation. We anticipate investing these funds and a lot of labor in the following ways, and complete them during July and August:

1. $7,000 to repair the AC system for the SS wing.
2. $2,600 for upholstering and spacing pews.
3. $2,400 to add to designated funds to top and stripe the driveways and parking lot.
4. $5,000 to add to designated funds for warming the front of the property with new signage and landscaping.
In addition to the borrowed funds, we hope to raise special contributions. The parking lot project will actually cost slightly more than $3,000.

Our desire is that we can get the property in good shape so that the current hindrances to welcoming people are gone and so that when the fall begins we can focus on embracing people and not pushing property projects.

Let me remind you that we have a great table set during the Sunday School hour. This week, Dave Thompson will answer how the Bible has been put together—was it a DaVinci code or something else? July 4th starts a 3-week series on financial independence, “The Best of Dave Ramsey.”

Finally, this Sunday Matt and Brianne Liddick will lead worship as they and Joe and Karen Wells celebrate their last Sunday with us and we send them out as gospel missionaries to New York and Pennsylvania.

So, my friends, you are up to date, surrounded by the love of God, and endowed with power and purpose. Keep enjoying God’s call to love one another and labor for the kingdom!

Blessings in the Battle!

]]> Sat, 19 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid= We began the night with grilled burgers and all the trimmings, then had devotions and worship. We got to know each other better, including learning that we have more introverts than extroverts, but look where those introverts were and what they were doing! There they were, putting themselves "out there" because it was a safe group and because they want to set their natural preferences aside for the glory of God and the good of others.

We did some out-loud dreaming and had good discussion on the 5 dysfunctions that most teams fall into and how to avoid those pitfalls.

Conclusions: First, we are blessed with a Great God, great people, a great calling and opportunity. Second, we need to be intentional about building a community of trust that allows for healthy conflict, establish wise goals we can commit to specific actions and then hold each other accountable to our participation, and we need to care more about our collective ministry than just enjoying our various corners of concern.

And two more things--Everyone loved the chocolate cake and strawberries that brought the evening to a sweet conclusion . . . and . . . we are looking forward to next Tuesday when we gather again.
]]> Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
I want to give you a bit of a personal update and then some church news.

Last week I had a vacation—of sorts. Most of the week was dedicated to home repairs. I refinished our wood floor entry, replaced the shower door I broke last month, power-washed the front porch, sidewalk and driveway, installed carpet on the back porch, sealed roof vents, planted some roses, and a couple start a few other projects. Big thanks to Jim Moore for repairing my power washer and to my brother Mike and son Steve for helping in some of the jobs, though none of us confess to our wives regarding who actually climbed on the steep roof for that repair. It’s a “don’t ask, don’t tell” thing.

Last weekend was a milestone event as I walked across the platform at Asbury to receive recognition for completing my Ph.D. Though I had defended my dissertation a month ago, the graduation dinner and ceremony provided a joyful closure to the five-year venture. It was great to have family and friends here to celebrate with me, and to receive a gift and “three cheers” from the church family on Sunday, along with a cake to share. This has truly been a community task, with encouragement from many people and with my family, particularly Paula, making a number of sacrifices along the way. Thank you!

Our house is close to being up for sale. Our equity is about the same as the debt we have accumulated over the last five years, so we are looking at a fresh start. Let me know if you are looking to buy, or if you have a place we can rent at the close of escrow.

In other news:
• Irene Crouch is recovering well from her surgery at home.

• Karen and Joe Wells and Devon are enjoying being home and waking at interesting times, day and night.

• Matt and Bri Liddick have returned from candidating at a church in north-western New York. They will be leading worship for us, this Sunday.

• Sunday, I will return to the series in Luke titled, “Oh, To Be Like Jesus.” The sermon is “The Healing You Really Want.” Be ready to think and receive a challenge regarding overcoming the enemy of our souls.


I love you and pray for God’s protection and power in your life.

]]> Fri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Let’s learn together what it meant for Jesus, and what it means for us to say, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me” (Luke 4:18). Don’t you think the implications for such a statement should be huge?

I am excited about preaching from this passage this Sunday, under the title, “The Freedom You Really Want.” The series will continue later in the month with “The Healing You Really Want” and “The Wholeness You Really Want.” All part of the series in Luke, “Oh, To Be Like Jesus!” Get in on the good stuff!

Some family stuff:

Thanks to Pastor Phil Perkins for devoting Tuesday to draining Lake Stonewall, sometimes known as a basement, and getting it dried out.

Thanks to James Moore and his healing hands. All he did was lay hands on the lawn tractor and it came back to life. And, thanks to Bill Croto who spent hours working on it before James touched it.

A special thanks to all you mothers out there! Mother’s Day is this Sunday. We will celebrate you at SWC.

I hope you have put May 16th, after worship, on your calendar. Stay for food and our annual church conference. I really will be interesting, interactive and inspirational.]]> Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Can you believe April is wrapping up? What an eventful month it has been! Our worship services have been enriching experiences, and last week’s included something of an experiment using recorded music. (I prefer the live stuff). We hosted a two day event featuring Toddy Holeman speaking on “Relationships for Dummies (like us). Our banquet of 37 people included several guests, great food, music and teaching about “making bids” and “responding to bids.” It sounds like a night of Bridge or Spades, but it is all about moving relationships forward. Next time, we will schedule Toddy for a question and answer session.

In the past couple of weeks we have had the opportunity to think about our “theological worlds” or “mental worlds.” So, do you identify with the world of the foreigner, the fighter, the faint, the fugitive, or the flattened? More importantly, are you finding how Jesus meets you where you are with his salvation?

We have just begun a sermon series called, “Oh, To Be Like Jesus.” This is a desire and pursuit that should outlast any childhood hope to be like a super hero, because the Spirit and Word of God call and empower us to imitate our Lord and Savior. Be reading the Gospel of Luke, and join us in the journey to more closely reflect Jesus.

Among several important events in May, note the annual Local Church Conference on May 16th, following worship. Please pray for our preparations for this event, as it will be more than a report and election hour, but will also include a presentation about the church structure and direction for the year ahead. Good stuff.

Setting all the services and meetings aside, how are you and how are your SWC connections? I love seeing people “hanging out” before and after worship. It is beautiful to see people wanting to catch up and encourage one another. How about between Sundays? I hope you are praying for one another and even making a call or two during the week. We need the Lord, and we need one another. Fortunately, we have both!

Rich blessings to you! Let me know of any needs for prayer for yourself or a loved one.
]]> Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Prayer Board Thanks:
I’m thankful for people who are taking prayer and our growth in prayer seriously. A big shout of thanks to Wanda Croto, who purchased supplies, set up, and prepared a great example for Sunday’s prayer board event. Thanks too to, Adrianna Kelly and Beth McRoberts for preparing splendid samples of prayer boards. We had a great gathering. Some people put their boards together and others (like me) at least made a start of it.

The key thing now, friends, is to use these or our lists as tools. In short: LET’S PRAY!

Please Join Us
Isn’t it interesting that Jesus told the church to “Go into all the world,” but we tend to think the world should just come to us to encounter the gospel?

This Saturday, we are doing some going. Please join us at the church at 9:30am. We will receive some very nice materials, some very simple instructions, and some very fervent prayer. Then, we will pair up and go to neighborhood homes to invite people to our Easter service (April 4) and our relationship building event to be held April 10-11. I believe this “going” will lead to the saving of souls and the saving of families.

Our goal is to connect with 75 households each of the next three Saturdays.

Please Pray for Me
I am very close to finishing my doctoral dissertation. I hoped to turn in a full and nearly final draft this week and defend it two or three weeks from now. Ask God to give me keen perception to find remaining flaws and to firm up my conclusions. Also, pray for extra strength, alertness and perseverance. May this be a process through which I continue to experience God.

Thanks for your love, prayers, and partnership in the Lord’s work.
Pastor David
I pray that out of God’s glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (Eph. 3:16-17)
]]> Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
How’s it going out there? On Sunday, we gather, but the rest of the week we are the church scattered, filled with the Holy Spirit to live out the kingdom of God in our homes, schools, work places, and everywhere we go.

Is it a quieter week for you? Many are participating in a media fast, tuning out news and entertainment. We are not saying those things are bad, or that you must do this if you are really spiritual; its just that it might be another way to simplify our lives and keep in a spirit of intimacy with God. Keep it up, or give it a start, and continue those first minutes and other ways of tuning in to the presence of God.

I want to give you a couple reminders of things ahead.
1. This Sunday, after worship, you are invited to bring a finger-food snack to share as we take a shot at assembling prayer boards. Each family is encouraged to bring family pictures or other reminders of people and things you want to keep in prayer. You will put them in some form of collage or board to use at home. We will supply some examples and will have boards and supplies on hand. Some people are taking other approaches to accomplish the same mission. Come and see what suits you.
2. Reserve Friday, March 19th for an evening prayer event. We are planning a 7:00-10:00 event, with a variety of leaders and approaches to prayer. There will be a lot of variety, including singing, various postures and kinds of prayer. It will be a great night, and if you have never been to a concert of prayer, you may be surprised at how fast three hours can pass.
3. Our major outreach event for the season is shaping up. The “Relationship for Dummies . . . Like Us” is a banquet plus Sunday morning worship event with Toddy Holeman speaking at both sessions. We are looking to gather neighborhood families into this helpful event and to initiate a small group or two. On March 13, 20, and 27, we will meet at the church and go door to door to homes within a mile of the church and invite people. We will also have promotional materials for you to share with friends.
And, by the way, we will be having church this Sunday. I’m expecting great joy in worship, and we are moving into a sermon series on “exercising influence.” Be there, or be pitifully sorry!

I love you!
]]> Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid= This note is especially for folks who have not been at SWC for the last week or two, and might be wondering what’s happening around here.

One thing. We are talking with our divine Lover.

This is a season of responding to God’s invitation to intimacy. God loves us and we recognize that for all our talk about having a relationship with God, it is easy to let that slip, so we are saying, let’s reconnect.

Here are a few things we are doing this week:
1—First minutes. Whenever we change gears through the day, talk to God. Wake up, talk with God for a minute. Get in the car . . . sit on the couch . . . getting to work at work or school or the kitchen . . . talk to God.
2—Pray through a meal time on Wednesdays. Feb 17 is Ash Wednesday. Give a meal to fellowship with your divine Lover.
3—2-way pray. Read a verse of Scripture and respond to it. That’s a conversation. Start with something familiar like Psalm 23 or the Lord’s Prayer.

Simple stuff, and it is not “change the world” prayer, just practicing the presence of Jesus.

Now, there’s other stuff going on. Paula shared her testimony last Sunday. Saturday we had a blast at the Stonewall Sweethearts night. The Durst’s separated themselves from the pack with their score on the Newlywed Game. The Crotos, Thompsons and Stivers all scored 40-50 points, while the Wells’ and Perkins scored 60. Paula and I hit 25, but we thought there was going to be a pity prize. Sadly, there was only pity!

Anyway, we are loving life in the church family and in the work that God has given us here in the Lex-Nich-Wilmore communities. I’ll drop a note later this week about things coming up.

In the meantime . . . enjoy the snow and enjoy talking with your divine Lover.
]]> Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
I was away last weekend, and a relationship was renewed. I didn’t want to go. I had plans, important plans that included writing and working at being at SWC to hear Steve Sandefur’s message on seeing people through God’s eyes. But, wisdom and Paula prevailed and we travelled as a family to visit family in Michigan. I missed you, but it was good.

Today has been a long day in the office, but as the day lengthens, I am again feeling renewal. I listened to Steve’s sermon, initially with other things getting part of my attention, then I set them aside. Several times I thought, “This is good,” in part referring to the preacher’s words, in part for the effect it was having on me. I have 80% prepared for next Sunday’s sermon and am about to turn my attention to the coming season of sermons and other activities. But I had to stop to write this note to you.

I believe God has more renewing to do among us—new things, built on the past, but leaning toward the future. Some things stirring in me will have to wait until I’ve talked with some people. A few are going to sound like simple announcements, so you will have to put some spiritual sensitivity into them:
• Sunday the focus will be on “Seeing the Future through God’s Eyes.” Pray for me and yourself, and all of us, as we listen to what God might be saying to us.
• The following week will begin a two month journey that may really change how we relate with God. That’s a big thing to say, and I don’t have delusions of earth-shaking sermons. But, it seems to me that the teachings may have a little to do with what God is inviting you and I to experience.

I’m going to get back to work, now, so check out the webpage for a few other announcements. I just wanted to share these thoughts with you and encourage you to come to church with high expectations and hearts open to the Holy Spirit. It seems to me, in Narnia language, that the Lion is on the move.

Remember, God’s love for you is deep and high, wide and long. And, I’m pretty fond of you, too.

Blessings in the Battle,
Pastor David
]]> Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid= Let me rush to the point. When it comes to the kind of love Jesus speaks of when he says, “all people will know you are my disciples, if you love one another,” we are called to a pretty substantial level of love.
Here’s my confession. So far in my life, I find that I can only really, meaningfully love people I know. There are all kinds of implications of this reality, such as our need to become acquainted with the needy in our community. If we don’t have a name and a face, they are strangers we might pity but not love. Another reality is that unless we are in relationship with pre-Christian people, we cannot love them in Jesus’ name.
What about our church family? Do I love our church family? I can only do so as I know them.
How are you doing at knowing those who come in and out of our church doors?
I’m getting better at it and my appreciation and love is increasing. We have beautiful people in this gathering of saints and seekers. Some have been here for decades, and others for a few weeks.
Tune into the “Guess Who” spin in the announcement slides before service. Pay attention to the nearly weekly testimonies in our services. Come to pancake talks and jam bands and check out a Sunday School class, go out to lunch and on a mission’s trip. This might sound like work and duty, but you will be blessed. You will come to love others more, and to be loved. Believe me, you are worth it.
]]> Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid= Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
I have changed through the years. Most of us have. Some for the better. Unfortunately, some for the worse. And most frightening, some not at all.

Because change can be good. We are impacted by life's gains, and losses. We are shaped by triumphs, and maybe even more so by failures. Lord willing (or maybe, if we are willing) we not only mature but deepen in who we are as people, parents, siblings, spouses, employees, and friends. Over time our ability to wear each of those hats with sincerity and quality can grow...and maybe even should.

Truth be told, overall I like who I am a lot more than who I was. More than who I was 30 years ago...20 years ago...10 years ago...even five or three years ago. Yeah, change can be good...but...

...there is a catch (probably a few of them). As we change, and those around us change, the deals change. You know the deals: friendship commitments, ministry partnerships, work environments, neighborhoods, and marriages. We are not the same person we were (and neither are they) so we wonder if the current relationship/friendship/community should continue. After all, this is not what we signed up for (and neither did they for that matter).

It is an inevitable part of people changing. So some people decide the change is too much and move on (ala John and Kate and their forever-impacted eight). Some decide it is in the best interest of all parties to recognize change has affected the deal and start over (ala UK and Billy Clyde...or UK and Tubby...or UK and...well, you get the idea). And still others decide that change was an unassumed part of the deal, and difficult as it might be, it is worth the effort to adjust to the change (ala...well...let's face it, few choose this course anymore).

So I'm not who I was...and that can be hard for Deb. She had a different husband 15 years ago...10 years ago...last week! But we commit to adjusting to the changes.

So I'm not who I was...and that can be hard for SWC. They hired a different pastor than they have now. Same body (give or take 25 pounds), but a very different dude. And we recognize when the collective changes necessitate a larger change.

So I'm not who I was...and that can be hard for Jamie and Allie. Name brands are out...Goodwill is in. Pastor's kids to businessman’s kids to missionary kids to pastor's kids to...well, don't know the next one yet. However, they are still my kids, and I will always...ALWAYS be their dad.

So as I journey through some major life change, and try to match up the deals from who I was with who I am I often hear, "Change is good." And it is...but...]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Let's try a little example. If I walked up to you and asked, "Is it okay to kill an unsuspecting mother and her child?" (In the rare event that the word which just came to your mind is "Yes", please stop reading this immediately and turn yourself over to a crime prevention officer.) My hunch is that you would answer with a firm "No." Such an act would be wrong. But hold on, because I bet it can become right.

We have recently learned (or maybe not since the story has been fairly well tucked away), that the United States recently killed between a dozen and six dozen civilians. Based on the law of averages, and demographics...probably including a mother and/or child. Oh...by the way...not in Kansas...in Afghanistan.

Has the wrong become a right yet? It occurred, assumedly accidentally, as part of military operations intending to eliminate the Taliban and other terroristic threats. Is the wrong a right yet?

I know it is for many people. Who ever heard of a war without "collateral damage?" But the greater good of the whole or state supersedes the rights of the few. Even their right to life. Right?

But maybe you are still in the camp of the "Wrong" voters. What if the mother and child were trained terrorist eating dinner. Is the wrong a right yet? Or they have finished dinner, grabbed a gun, and loaded up into a truck. Is the wrong right yet? Or they are steaming ahead towards an embassy...or a U.S. Embassy...or the U.S. Have you changed your answer?

So here is my conundrum - how do I allow the circumstances and details to change my wrong to a right without becoming a complete moral relativist? Is it wrong to lie to my wife about a relationship I am in, but okay if it is just a lie about her outfit? Is it wrong to rob my neighbor's house while they are on vacation, but okay to lift a few pens from the office supply room? Is it wrong to leave my Christian faith to become a Muslim, but okay to worship at the throne of UK basketball? Is it wrong to abort a six-month-old fetus, but okay to end the life of the doctor who would perform the abortion?

And is it wrong to kill a mother and/or child...unless further circumstances help my wrong take the journey of becoming right?

I know...I know: everything isn't black and white. However, it is the decisions ‘Christians’ are making in the gray which are starting to scare me.]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
I enjoy an air mattress when I camp, but no RV. No boat. No 4-wheeler (a misdemeanor in Kentucky!). I can travel reasonably light. No problem re-using jeans, shirts, and yes...even those.

However, homelessness took things to a HNL ('hole 'nother level...for the non-Ed Young Jr. fans in the crowd). I mean, living out of a plastic Kroger sack. Nothing to my name but what I was wearing and that little bag of...well, more nothing. Though I quickly discovered that when you are homeless...the list of essentials quickly dissipates. Partly based on lack of need and partly based on the fact that the definition of “need” changes when you actually have to carry it with you all the time. (How much would you need that 56” plasma if you were toting it with you all the time?)

So here comes some flat out crazy information. The self-storage business in America is now grossing in excess of 20 billion dollars. One out of every ten households utilizes a self-storage unit. Yes, that means that one out of every ten households in America has more stuff than they can even fit in every nook and cranny of every closet and garage of their home, which is already in grand excess beyond the average home size across the globe. One recent estimate indicates there are approximately 23 million…23 million!!!...self-storage units in the good ol’ U.S. of A. 23 million units of “stuff” that people needed so badly that they have locked it away in an off-site facility to rarely, if ever, utilize.

As I sat on the street corner with my trustee Kroger bag beside me, I got to wondering, “What if we had a giant yard sale?” I am talking gigantic! And we sold everything in these units. Then took the proceeds, and turned these units into low (or “No”) cost housing for the poor and the needy, would that impact the homeless crisis in our nation?

Then my mind truly raced into no-man’s land. It is possible, maybe even probable, that there are people in need of something that someone else has just rotting away in a storage facility. Or…and you might want to sit down for this one because the thought actually made me a little nauseous…take a modern day mega-church of 10,000 people. Is it possible that there is someone sitting in that church who has something in storage desperately needed by someone three rows up and two seats over? Could the Body of Christ actually be forking untold millions into that 20+ billion dollar industry to store things that other people in the same Body desperately need?

It seems that many church concepts from the book of Acts have floated by the wayside. Can you imagine a pastor and board member actually going to a parishioner’s house today, knocking on the door, and saying, “Hey…according to our records, you aren’t tithing 10% of all your income.” Let alone the whole dragging them out of the door dead part!

But what about the concept of everyone having everything in common? Is it just too old school? Too radical? Something to think about as you open that monthly invoice for that storage facility full of…what exactly was in there?
]]> Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
This past weekend four other SWC men joined me, and we spent 40 hours on the streets living with and as a member of the Lexington homeless population. 40 hours. Two nights. Nothing but the clothes on our back, and a few meager possessions (hat, old sweatshirt, garbage bag) in a plastic Wal-Mart sack. 2,400 minutes of my life...and I still don't have a clue.

We begged for money and food. We ate out of a trash can (some of us anyway). People ignored me, crossed the street to avoid me, called the police on me, and kicked me on the foot to tell me to move along. And I still don't have a clue.

We played cards in a homeless shelter, sat on a bench outside a mission waiting for a meal that never really arrived, hitchhiked (no takers), and ate candy found on a sidewalk and a vacated public bus seat. We slept (well...attempted to) under a bush, between buildings, in a church garden, and in a parking lot (those parking blocks make good pillows...if you are tired enough). Still, I don't have a clue.

We walked more than 10 miles (no…seriously) in search of a good meal, and/or a roof over our heads. We rested on a cement palate covered in plastic bags and cardboard as the thunder rolled, the lightning struck, the rain poured, and the hail pelted. Only to emerge soaking wet and once again begin our aimless wandering. We scavengered old mattresses from the curb (and kindly returned them the next morning), and discovered the multiple uses of a bicycle shipping box. But no, I still don’t have a clue.

How could I still be so clueless? Well, it is really quite simple.

Just when the blister on my foot had burst and the blood started flowing through the sock. Just when my longing for a home cooked meal of my choosing had me on the brink of a serious whine fest. Just when my clothes (and body) were wet, smelly, and dirty enough to need a change (and possibly an incinerator!). Just when the rude responses received to such a simple question as “Do you have any change you can spare so I can get something to eat?” almost elicited my own rude response. Just when the most pervading thought in my mind was becoming, “What were you thinking coming out here?” Just then…I got to go home.

But they didn’t. As I sit at my laptop, listening to the thunder and watching the rain pour down, they are still out there. Still covered in plastic. Still hungry and hopeless. Still watching thousands of people just like me drive by and thinking… “You don’t have a clue…”]]> Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
To way oversimplify, here is the deal: Jerusalem is in ruins, the Babylonians have ransacked the place, it has gone from penthouse to doghouse, and the voice of the city cries out to us as the voice of a woman –

“Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which was brought upon me, which the LORD inflicted on the day of his fierce anger.”

Now, at great danger of being arrested by the proof text police, do me a favor and read that verse again. But this time, imagine you are a homeless person. A transient. Or as so many affectionately refer to them…a bum. Imagine you are sitting on a park bench, against a downtown wall, or begging under a tree, and then read it again –

“Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow.”

How did it feel? Normally I do not like to tell people how they feel, but let me tell you how it felt…you have no idea. I mean, seriously. We can try to “imagine” or “put ourselves in their shoes”, but let us face it; most of us have no idea what it is like to be homeless. Homeless, and hopeless. Watching people pass by. Watching people think nothing of our condition. Watching people cross the street to avoid us (Seems as if Jesus once told a similar story…but that would be a whole ‘nother blog.).

I know I am as clueless as the next person. So I have decided to do something about it. Granted, something very small. Something that will still leave me with between little and no idea. Something that I would never suggest provides me any better understanding than that maintained by anyone else. But something nonetheless.

Friday evening, four friends and I will head into downtown Lexington to live life on the streets with Lexington’s homeless. For 40 small hours we will sit, beg, sleep (or not), eat (or not), and try to figure out what it is like to ask the question from a first person standpoint, “Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?”

We go with no intention of offering “humanitarian aid”, getting some homeless people “saved”, or even pretending we know what it is like to be homeless…truly homeless. We simply go with a desire to actually stop long enough to “look and see” the pain, the hurt, the feelings of abandonment, the sorrow, and the loneliness the cries out in the laments of our nation’s homeless. It is a simple objective, but we are praying a life changing one.

And we hope you will pray with us…for us…for them. And that maybe God will prompt you to stop long enough…somewhere….someday…to “look and see.”
]]> Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Remember the challenge of choices as a kid? “Hmm…do I want the chocolate or the vanilla ice cream?” They weren’t always rapid decisions, but that doesn’t mean they were complex. They were primarily based on instant emotion and gratification, and not much explanation was necessary. I mean, we even settled for such logical diatribes from our parents as, “Because I said so.” Well, okay.

Things changed as we moved into our teen years. We now realized that there was more at play than simply our individual passions and desires. It rapidly became obvious to us that the overriding factor behind all decisions made by adults was the longing to make our lives miserable. And some times they would really have to go out of their way to pull it off! But they were willing to put out the effort, and make sure that they could complicate our lives in the most maniacal of ways.

Along came college and a wife. Now choices had to factor in the feelings of someone else. Well, maybe not “had to”, but at the very least…should! We are paying the bills now. So in comes the whole financial filter. To pay the bills, we went out and got jobs (at least…most of us did). In comes the impact of a boss, job security, location, promotion, and “where do I want to be 10 years from now” type questions.

Throw in a couple of our own children who are now pondering ice cream flavors with no idea of the gazillion thoughts roaming through their parents minds as they stand behind them in line. We hardly know how to order from the acne laced teenager behind the counter because we have begun pondering the eternal implications of every decision. Choices have grown more and more complex, and now our minds are somewhere near implosion!

Ironically enough, we all experience this rapidly expanding complexity of decisions. Yet there is something within our wiring that hopes things can be boiled back down to such a single earth altering factor as color, or calories, or price. But there is no going back.

So we may ask, “What can I change to make everything right?” But there is no one thing. We may ask, “Why did this choice have to be made?” But there is no simple answer to that question. We may wonder, “How can things be put back to the way they were?” But you change one thing…and you just might change everything.

To be honest, I actually like it better this way. I like making choices and knowing that they are based on thousands and thousands of factors, experiences and implications rather than just a whim or a bad burrito. I like knowing that a handful of things could be different, and the picture would be modified, but the overarching image would still be the same…and the choice would still need to be made. I like realizing that God made me as a complex and unique creation capable of processing things on many levels with the confidence that He can bring the best of my decisions into full bloom, and can even rescue me from the worst!]]> Fri, 08 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
I got thinking about the coming year the other day, and about stroked out. Somewhere between the 2010 Super Bowl and the Final Four…everything went completely off the chain and a nuclear melt down was imminent.

Our son was supposed to begin high school this fall. That was before our first “Five Time State Champion We Marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Marching Band Introductory Parent Meeting” when we discovered that he will begin band camp in mid-July. Which is preceded by working the Lexington Legend’s concessions stands next weekend. Which is preceded by some pretty hefty band fee checks due immediately. Which is preceded by drum line rehearsals that he has already begun. In other words…we are already the parents of a high schooler!

However, that adjustment is nothing compared to what I see looking across the pews of our congregation. A young couple is about to welcome their first child into the world. Another is preparing for a major relocation. Two households are seeking their first post-seminary ministry assignment…preferably somewhere on planet earth. And a young single man is looking at a temporary relocation to another state for a clinical practicum before heading off to _____ (fill in the unknown blank) for this thing called employment.

Heart racing yet? A family of five is about to send dad off to Iraq…again…for a tour of duty that makes my Xbox 360 look incredibly unrealistic. Empty nesters in their 50s are facing some major changes to the home budget at a time already filled with plenty of challenging anniversaries and life landmarks. Five SWC individuals will be crossing the Atlantic over the next few months to see what God has in store for them in Russia and Eastern Europe. Meanwhile another five are anticipating 40 hours living on the streets with the homeless of Lexington.

See, I told you things can get pretty chaotic when our vision jumps a few exits down the highway. One day at a time, right? Live in the moment, right? Deal with the now, right?

A few months ago I began to sign-off on almost all of my electronic communication with a simple word…Peace. It serves two purposes: (1) A bit of a reminder and blessing to whoever I am communicating with. An offer to experience peace. (2) A bit of a reminder to me, that in the midst of the chaos I am supposed to be experiencing some level of inner calm. Some environment of peace.

Why would I assume such a thing? Is it even realistic? Well, I think so, because Jesus said so, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27) If I read this right, I don’t have to go looking for peace. Christ already provided it to me. He left it for me. Not just any old peace…His peace. So the question isn’t whether or not peace even exists, but whether or not I will take hold of it and experience it. Relish it. Soak in it.

Peace is already here. But am I? Or am I busy racing through life six months down the road, when the next few hours are more than enough to fill my plate and apply Christ’s peace?]]> Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Irony of all ironies (well…maybe not quite that dramatic), the day of my return to Lexington from the Czech Republic brought to my attention an insightful article in the Herald-Leader – “LexTran Seeks Public Input for Future Services”. Apparently, a firm had recently been hired to provide some comprehensive data regarding the utilization of LexTran services (public bus transportation in our fine community) in the greater Lexington area. The findings?

“78 percent of riders are ages of 18 to 49.” Granted, that is a fairly large window. In fact, that is probably about the percentage of people living in Lexington between the ages of 18 to 49 (but I’m too lazy to research it for sure). How do I compare with demographic result number one? Check!

“More than half have an annual household income of less than $15,000.” Now, that one woke me up a bit. More than half…making less than $15,000…as a household! Unfortunately…or I guess, fortunately, I don’t fit into that demographic. But it does clearly define something for us. Public transportation in Lexington is an economical divide. Don’t have money, you ride. Do have money, you don’t. Or in cases like mine, kind of have money…kind of ride.

“More than half don’t own a vehicle.” Another interesting statistic. Of course, at less than $15,000 income, how could you own a vehicle? Though I have no proof that the same “more than half” are a match, it is a pretty good hunch. My car was totaled and not replaced. Fortunately, the two have become one, and Debbie’s van is my van. Hopefully!

“38 percent use LexTran to get to and from work.” Very interesting indeed. Especially considering the number of editorials I have read from tax payers who don’t want to support LexTran because the people riding the bus should just “get a job.” Well…it appears that roughly 40 percent of them…I mean, us…have. Though based on the annual household incomes, not very good paying jobs (not intended to be a direct reflection on clergy salaries!).

“Student fares are down by 16%.” Meaning? Well…less of the people fitting into the categories above are UK students, and more of them are just every day residents of Lexington who don’t have a car, don’t make very good money, and are trying to keep their head above water by getting to and from work each day.

So, what’s my point? I don’t have one (No comments are necessary). Just some interesting numbers. Maybe not to you, but very much so to me.

Having just returned from the Czech Republic where one of my favorite realities is the number of people on buses, trams, and walking the streets…it keeps me wondering what might it take in small town America to get us out of our massive SUVs toting one person and eating a hole in the environment like the bottom of a six year old gym sock?

And what might be the social ramifications if instead of entering our own little GM worlds for a few hours a day we were actually getting from here to there, with other people getting from here to there within talking, smiling, and interacting distance of us? Hard to say, but I intend to continue my venture to find out.
]]> Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
I hoped on a plane Monday (actually, three planes and two buses over a 20 hour period), and knew I was in for a long journey on the front end of a long ministry trip. I am a bit introverted by nature anyway and was fully loaded with my Zune, some reading materials, a fully charged laptop, and the “post-Easter Monday Morning Pastor Zone Out” mentality in full gear. In other words, conversation was not at the top of my heart longings list. Truth be told…I was praying that the seat next to me would be empty.

Well, it wasn’t. It was filled by a 20 year-old college student studying classical music at a small private university. Oh, and did I mention, she was raised in a Jewish home (How ironic is that the day after Easter!). She is a very artistic person, raised as part of what is obviously a very intellectual family, and she will be leaving this fall for four months of international study in Havana (as in Cuba!).

I do not know why, but I instigated a conversation with her. Simple questions, “Why are you going to Detroit?” Cancelled flight to Atlanta on way to New Orleans. “That stinks. Is New Orleans home?” No, Lexington is…New Orleans is college. “What are you studying?” Baritone Saxophone classical music and Spanish.

Of course, the shocker of the conversation comes when she discovers that I am a pastor. I mean, how can someone as cool as me, rollin’ the way my pose rolls, lookin’ totally off the chain, sportin’ the tat, kickin’ it with Northwest Airlines, and rappin’ with her about Facebook actually be a pastor? I told her most people find it ungraspable, so not to worry. (Okay, so her shock was minimal…if it even existed…but it makes me feel so much hipper.)

And that is when my instinct kicked in: I don’t want to be “that” guy. I don’t want to reach for my Four Spiritual Laws. I don’t want to tell you what is lacking in your Jewish faith. I don’t want to pull out my Bible and show you how it consists of more than just the Torah. I don’t want to explain to you the philosophical and logical breakdowns of suggesting that Jesus was merely a good Rabbi and prophet. In short…I don’t want you walking away thinking, “Please…if there is a God…do not ever place me on a plane next to a Christian again!”

So instead, we just had a time of Q & A (that’s short for Question and Answer…and if you needed Urban Dictionary for that one…we better talk). A very one-sided time of Q & A. A very opposite side of the norm with “that” pastor time of Q & A. In other words, I did the questions, and let her give the answers.

Answers about the after-life. Answers about creation. Answers about synagogues, worship, and religion vs. tradition. Did I agree with her answers? Not all of them…actually, not many of them, but I could tell something was happening that was surprising her more than the fact that I was a pastor. I could tell she knew I wasn’t being “that” pastor. And I think being valued as a person, rather than a target, meant something to her.

And maybe, me treating her as a person rather than a target meant something to me. So for now, I think I’ll keep being this guy. Yes, we have a story to tell to the nations, and a pretty good one at that. But the nations have a story too. And maybe if we were a little more willing to listen to theirs…someday they might listen to ours.
]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
However…sometimes it is just good to laugh! I have an innate tendency to be very emotional, very intense, and leave the Joker asking… “Why so serious?” So as I prepare to step off the bus, on to a plane, and embark for two weeks of international ministry in the Czech Republic, I thought it might be a good time to enjoy some of the humor that can be found in daily life. Even life on public transportation!

(The following is an actual complaint letter received by Continental Airlines – fortunately…I’ll be flying Northwest!)

Dear Continental Airlines,

I am disgusted as I write this note to you about the miserable experience I am having sitting in seat 29E on one of your aircrafts. As you may know, this seat is situated directly across from the lavatory, so close that I can reach out my left arm and touch the door.

All my senses are being tortured simultaneously. It’s difficult to say what the worst part about sitting in 29E really is? Is it the stench of the sanitation fluid that’s blown all over my body every 60 seconds when the door opens? Is it the woosh of the constant flushing? Or is it the passengers’ [rears] that seem to fit into my personal space like a…jig-saw puzzle?

I constructed a stink-shield by shoving one end of a blanket into the overhead compartment. While effective in blocking at least some of the smell, and offering a small bit of privacy, the [rear]-on-my-body factor has increased, as without my evil glare, passengers feel free to lean up against what they think is some kind of blanketed wall. The next [rear] that touches my shoulder will be the last!

I am picturing a board room full of executives giving props to the young promising engineer that figured out how to squeeze an additional row of seats onto this plane by putting them next to the LAV. I would like to flush his head in the toilet that I am close enough to touch and taste from my seat. Putting a seat here was a very bad idea. I just heard a man GROAN in there! This sucks!
Worse yet is I’ve paid over $400.00 for the honor of sitting in this seat! Does your company give refunds? I’d like to go back where I came from and start over. Seat 29E could only be worse if it was located inside the bathroom.

I wonder if my clothing will retain the sanitizing odor. What about my hair! I feel like I’m bathing in a toilet bowl of blue liquid, and there is no man in a little boat to save me. I am filled with a deep hatred for your plane designer. And a general dis-ease that may last for hours.

We are finally descending, and soon I will be able to tear down the stink-shield, but the scars will remain.

I suggest that you initiate immediate removal of this seat from all of your crafts. Just remove it, and leave the smoldering brown hole empty, a place for sturdy/non-absorbing luggage maybe, but not human cargo.


See ya’ in a couple of weeks. Same Bat-time. Same Bat-channel. In the meantime, remember…“everyone dies, but not everyone lives.” Live a little. No…live a lot!
]]> Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
I do not think I fully understood when I set my car keys on the shelf how much my time would be impacted. Let me give you a few examples –

A night of Ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University:
Pre-Lent – Depart at roughly 4:30 p.m., arrive at roughly 5 p.m., home by roughly 8 p.m. Total Time = 3.5 hours.
Now – Depart at roughly 3:15 p.m., arrive at roughly 5:05 p.m., home by roughly 9 p.m. Total Time = 5.75 hours.
Same ministry…more than 2 more hours gone...like Frank Sinatra.

A night of Ministry with Step-by-Step:
Pre-Lent – Depart at roughly 4:45 p.m., arrive at roughly 5 p.m., home by roughly 10:15 p.m.
Total Time = 5.5 hours.
Now – Depart at roughly 3:15 p.m., arrive at roughly 4:55 p.m., home by roughly midnight (yep!).
Total Time = almost 9 hours!
More than 3 hours gone…like yesterday is gone.

Okay, now before this is misinterpreted as some kind of ridiculous self-pity party, let me get to my point. This is how many people live. All the time. That’s the point.

So what’s the big deal? Well, I’m just figuring out the implications of it on my life, and I’ve only been doing it for a few weeks.

For instance, when you leave to catch a bus at 7 a.m. and get back home at 9 p.m., how much do you see your elementary school children? Your wife? For goodness sake…your dog?

Or how about this one. Leave work, catch a bus, walk in the door about 8 p.m., when are you eating dinner? What kind of regular meal schedule are you on? When did you exercise? When did you enjoy some recreation? What time do you get to bed? How is your energy level doing after a week of that? Two weeks? Two years? Twenty years?

Now…some of you may be thinking. “Hey, that sounds like my life, and I own a car!” Which takes us down the whole “c” word path. Choice. Yes, I’ve played that game too. Had my own car. Still left home too early. Still came home too late. Still didn’t take care of myself, or my family. But it was my choice. For 92% of the world’s population, it is the ONLY choice. And it leaves me with a lot less curiosity as to why every day I pass so many walking zombies and individuals whose gas tanks look well past empty.

Personally, the last couple years of my life I have done a pretty good job of staying in the 40 to 50 hours a week work window. Since taking on this Lenten discipline…hanging out in the 70 to 80 hours a week neighborhood and I’d be lying to suggest it isn’t taking a toll. The other day Debbie looked at me and said, “You are pushing yourself to hard.” My profound answer? “I know.”

Of course, I’ll celebrate Easter, grab the van keys, and move back a little closer to what we define as “normal.” For most people, the count to 80 is ticking away…and time just keeps gettin' gone…like high school dreams are gone…like childhood sweets are gone…like, well, you get the idea.]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Now, before you start hatin' on me as some kind of male chauvinist pig, you should know that it ties to a bigger issue for me. Namely...control. If you knew me five years ago and labeled me a 'control freak', I would have no argument. Three years ago saying I had control issues would not be a stretch. Even now, most of the time, I tend to feel much more comfortable with the steering wheel of life in my own hands.

So it wasn't chauvinism as much as confusion. Who wouldn't want their fate, their destiny, their very destination in their own hands? Who would give up the wheel to someone else, when they could drive their own life?

Well...guess what? Lex-Tran won't let me drive the bus. Go figure. I am at their mercy. In their control. And on the weekends? Yep, it gets even worse. Guess who is in that often ridiculed passenger seat? And guess who is at the wheel? God must have a sense of humor.

It ties to one of the hidden lessons (or reminders) in my Lenten experience which God really seems to be capitalizing on. Earth shattering as it is, I'm discovering that I am not in control. In fact, even when I think I am...it's just an illusion. Truth be told, in and of myself, I can not even breathe. Oh, by the way...and neither can you.

The wheel is truly in God's hands. Whether that makes me a Calvinist, a Wesleyan, or a very confused individual is really beside the point. The point is that He is in control. I may not always like the route or destination or timing of the stops, but that's my problem. Because once again I am being reminded that He is God...and I am not.

However, truth be told, I am actually beginning to learn to enjoy the passenger seat. I have figured out that in it I can rest. Even catch a nap if I so desire. Sitting there, I can sight see, and capture so many things that I missed being totally focused on the road ahead. I am even discovering that I can more personally engage with others travelling with me. Bottom line…from the passenger seat I can truly enjoy the journey.

In reality, this 'control' thing isn't all it's cracked up to be. There is too much pressure. There are too many demands. It is too heavy of a yoke than I was ever meant to carry in the first place. So I think I'll just scoot on over, and see where God is taking me next. Though if the first 40 years are any indication...I better belt up and hold on tight!]]> Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Crazy huh? And check this out…there are roughly 200 million licensed drivers in our country. In other words, not only do we have way too many cars, but we have an extra car waiting for every 10 people. In fact, while only 8% of the world’s population even owns a car…the average U.S. household has three! An interesting number when you consider that the average home has 2.59 people. Even the half person has his (or her) own car.

I know in this day of economic struggle and job layoffs, the suggestion that we need to stop producing is heresy. Somehow we are finding logic in the fact that while we have been derided for years for our lack of personal saving, now that the bottom is falling out we should be spending, spending, spending. People are even sending us checks from empty accounts to get us to spend money that no one has. And we elected these people! I guess that just goes with the territory of non-Kingdom financial advice.

However, I have discovered a simple reality during my Lex-Tran experience: two cars for our family is not a need. Yep, I used the “n” word. It may be a want. It may be a convenience. But it has become rapidly obvious and apparent, in the midst of school concerts and multi-sport team seasons, that a second car (and dare I say even the first…well, better not) is a luxury…not a need.

So talk about great timing. Our car has been totaled. No one was hurt. The insurance company has offered a wonderful settlement. And at least for me, it is not a stretch to say that God has provided a way of escape. Escape from the Joneses. You know, that family we are all trying to keep up with. Escape from one more debt. Escape from one more insurance expense. Escape from one more black hole of maintenance and repairs. Escape from every activity being done in isolation now that we are doing a whole lot more family carpooling. Escape from sitting on my butt in traffic when I could obtain all the benefits of walking six blocks, or 10, or maybe even a mile or two (Did you know it is 3.22 miles from Immanuel Baptist Church to the Transit Center? I didn’t, but I do now.)

You know what else I’m discovering. The more escaping I do…the freer I feel. A $5 outfit from Goodwill? Escape from worrying about stains and tears. A basic cable package or antenna? Escape from scrolling through hundreds of channels with nothing worth watching. A Lex-Tran pass and a map? Escape from gridlock, isolation, and the tyranny of the clock.

Aren’t you ready for a jailbreak? Aren’t you ready to get free? The other side of the wall is closer and easier to access than you might think…or is it actually harder than you could have ever imagined?]]> Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
It took me all of three days into my Lent season experiment (see “Blogging from a Bus and a Bike”) to discover a significant problem. I’m talking, of cataclysmic proportions (okay…not really, but that sure makes it sound dramatic, doesn’t it?)!

I was sitting down with my handy-dandy Lex-Tran maps to plot out my Sunday trip to work. I know that Sunday is supposed to be a “day of rest,” but that has never really synched with the whole vocational pastor thing. So I am trying to figure out how to get to my office, on Sunday, arriving in the 8 a.m. range.

Unfortunately, and quite to my surprise as I examined the weekend schedules, things seemed to be shaking out in a manner that suggested there were no buses that ventured to my workplace on Sunday. In fact, it did not appear that there were any buses that came within a mile and a half of my office. But that wasn’t the serious problem.

The serious problem is that I work at a church! I know, if you are reading this blog and/or know me at all, you are like, “Duh. You are a pastor. Of course you work at a church. Especially on Sundays.” However, that’s not my point. My point is…I work at a church, and there are no buses that come within a mile and a half of said church on Sunday mornings.

Now, stay with me here, and you may soon understand the horrific nature of this discovery. It has nothing to do with my having to walk to church, thumb a ride, or hop on a bicycle. Goodness, the rest of the Monck clan can just get up a little earlier, arrive a little ahead of tip-off, and chauffer their wonderful Dad/Husband through the Lent season. No biggie. I’ve got them, and they’ve got a car.

But what about the people without a car? I’ve spent the last five years of my life trying to engage in a life of ministry that is sensitive, aware, and mindful of marginalized populations in our city. All while pastoring a church they can’t even get to! Not to put on the Captain Obvious cape here…but there is a direct correlation between car ownership and income (Don’t believe me? Google it.). That means for my workplace…a church…there is a direct correlation between attending and income. A correlation that I find problematic. Maybe even cataclysmic.

Would they come if we had a bus stop out front? Maybe…maybe not. However, I sure would prefer that choice be left up to them, rather than already made by us.]]> Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Here is the Cliff Notes version. Having accepted God's call to shelve my car keys for the Lent season, it was becoming quite clear that He was not yet done with me. Through the years of life I have learned that the Lord rarely stretches me simply for my own future comfort or relaxation. As Ash Wednesday approached, God kept drawing my attention to how pointless a car in the driveway is when so many others are in need of basic transportation. And so, I waited.

Along comes a forwarded email from Debbie sharing the testimony of a single mom turning her life around. God was at work in mighty ways with housing, financial blessing, and spiritual growth. But (are you still with me here?), yep… you guessed it - she needed a car.

Well the puzzle pieces were fitting together, and it became clear that God had already solved that problem. A few phone calls. A meeting to hand off the car keys. And she was set for 40 days plus. Right? Wrong.

Satan is evil (Yes, I choose to blame him...the destroyer...the robber.). Less than 24 hours into her new found blessing it hit her. Literally. She was rear ended...at about 30 mph…while sitting at a stop light…5 car pile-up...no injuries, but one non-driveable Mercury Sable. Or to be more accurate, one totaled Mercury Sable.

That is when my mind kicked into gear with such wonderful thoughts as, “Are you kidding me?!?” “Why?!?” “She is doing all the right things!” (“So were we…weren’t we?!?”) “Why her?” “Why us?” “Why now?”

It all got me to thinking...how many people on this city bus with me had their blessing robbed by the enemy? How many were soaking in a newly found life of joy when...WHAM! Right out of the blue…it hit them. Maybe very literally.

Brand spanking new job. Praise God! Company is crashing. Lay-offs must take place. Good bye new job.

New apartment. Thank the Lord! Neighbor leaves the oven on. Complex burns. Seye Nara! See ya’ later new home.

Celebrate a birthday and another year of life. Keep it coming Jesus! Doctor walks into the room. It’s cancer…inoperable. No more birthdays to celebrate.

Satan loves to steal property. Loves to damage the things we hold so dear. Tries to run off with our joy. Will we let him? Or should I ask…will I let him?

For now, I’ll take my seat on the bus with the rest of the wounded, frustrated, discouraged, and high jacked. But I’ll remember that of all those things satan can take…there are some that he can’t have unless I give them away. Things like my faith in a good Heavenly Father. My conviction that what he intends for evil God will use for good. My belief in a Savior who resurrects and restores. And my conviction that His stretching…is for my eternal good.]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
It began late last fall. Burned stronger through the holiday season, and was undeniable as the New Year launched. I clearly understood what God desired for me to fast from in order to more profoundly experience Him during this season. My pockets will be emptier. My mind freer of one less thing to remember. My frustrations with gas prices, auto repairs, and traffic lessened. For the next 40 Days, my car keys are being shelved.

I am not sharing this with you to sound valiant (since it probably actually makes me sound a bit insane!), but am actually sharing it because I just might need your help. As I begin fasting from my Sable and Windstar, I will find myself relying upon public transportation (LexTran as it is affectionately called here in my hometown), my bicycle (hope I still remember how to ride it…they say you never forget), my feet…and my friends.

Why do such a thing? Well, a number of reasons:

1. It has been wonderful to experience a taste of international life over the past few years, and it has brought into clear focus a simple statistical truth. Less than 10% of the world owns a car. Despite the average American household owning three, for most of the world it is a luxury simply not afforded. So one great way to connect to the life and culture of 90% of God’s creation is to live as if I no longer personally own a vehicle for getting around.

2. For many people…okay…for me…life is a constant strain for control and independence. I like to go where I want, when I want, to do what I want. But the Christian life is not a call to independence. Rather…to healthy interdependence. So I am voluntarily placing myself in a position of forced dependence on others. Talk about stepping out of the comfort zone!

3. Then there is that charge that I read over and over again in the Word of God. A command to care for the “widowed, the orphaned, and the poor.” It may not be the case internationally…but in a city like Lexington, that is a significant piece of the population finding themselves relying on public transportation. I know, that sounds so ‘stereo-typed’ or ‘sociologically profiled’ (and God forbid, maybe even politically incorrect!), but it is what it is. And if you don’t believe me, join me at the Transit Center some day. My heart breaks for the “widowed, the orphaned, and the poor”, but I would much rather connect my heart to theirs than simply have a broken heart. So this will give me some time in their world…and maybe even an opportunity to be an encouragement to them (or visa-versa!).

That is the nutshell. Much more to be unpackaged, but not within the parameters of what I’m told is a “user friendly” blog. So we will leave it at that for now. If you want to join me for my Lenten reflections, check back weekly and I’ll share with you what God is sharing with me. If not…check back with us in 40 days and see what adventure awaits us next!]]> Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
So why all the hubbub about our little scaled friends? Lent. No, not the stuff you find in your belly button. Not the tools you have yet to return to your neighbor (you know who you are). Lent. The season. That portion of the church calendar that has landed somewhere in the abyss between completely forgotten, or comfortably modified for life in 2009 America.

Brief history lesson: Lent launches on Ash Wednesday (February 25 this time around), and more or less runs through Easter Sunday. Basically 40 days (a number loaded with significant Biblical weight well before Pastor Rick Warren came on the scene), with the removal of Sundays which were allowed to serve as days of celebration. And while there are a variety of traditions on how to observe Lent (including Family Fish Fridays!), one of the most common has been to fast from something in recognition of the Justice of God, the Justice of Self, and the Justice of Others.

So it would play out like this…you pick something to fast from (and the Yum Brand executives prefer you not select fish). That fast or denial of something in your life is a reminder of our personal longing for justice of self. In exchange for our justice, we look to God’s justice. How? We take the time and energy invested in that thing we are fasting from, and shift it to increased connection with God. What about the others piece? I’m glad you asked. The financial windfall of said fasting is set aside some place safe (i.e. NOT Wall Street), and at the end of the Lent season is donated to a local charitable organization working for the justice of others.

Still with me? Let’s say you love to stop at Fivebucks on your way into work each morning for your shot of caffeine and one of those irresistible danishes (the pastries…not the people). You give up that daily stop and are reminded each morning of how wired we are to spoil ourselves because…well, we just plain deserve it. Instead, you give that 10 minute launch to your day over to prayer and Scripture reading as a reminder of God’s justice which ultimately rules our world. Simultaneously, you are setting aside that $12.50 plus tax that you saved each day, and at the end of the 40 days are making a $500 tax deductible contribution to the charity of your choice which is helping to impact justice for others around our world (might I recommend “Connection Ministries”?).

Take your pick: cable TV, lunch at McD’s, 44 oz. Frozens at Speedway, donuts at Spalding’s, cell phone, Vanilla Coke Zero, Sports Center (for the third time!), or…call me crazy (you wouldn’t be the first)…your car keys. What will you choose? How hard can it be? After all, there is always a fish fry coming on Friday!]]> Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Nevertheless, as I rested on the floor last night, staring at the ceiling, with my wife and children resting in their sleeping bags near the fire…my mind began to wander. It wandered …

…to Phoenix Park in downtown Lexington where on many cold nights just like this, homeless men and women will huddle together and bundle up on park benches hoping to make it through the night…or maybe even hoping not to.

…to Palestine where young children have seen their schools gutted by bombs, and now return home to what’s left of their family and a shell of a residence without electricity.

…to Haiti, where the sound of my neighbor’s generator running in the background reminds me of the generator at the Mountain Faith Mission compound in Saut D’Eau which enables missionary friends to touch base with relatives in America…enables Haitians to bake bread in a makeshift bakery which can then be sold for a few Gouds to buy staples for their own children…and enables a primitive church to worship God with lights and electric guitars (though they worship just as well without them!).

…to Bosnia where missionary friends and untold others have suffered through a brutal winter without heat as Russian and Ukrainian powers that be battle over fuel rights in their warm conference rooms and state buildings.

…to the Ingalls family, decades ago on a northern plain farm, proving that a family can enjoy life together without the “necessities” of a 42” plasma, the latest gaming device, and moment-by-moment updates from the Olsen’s Mercantile of Nellie’s status on Facebook.

…to homes throughout America who have been financially devastated and now live without utilities every day due to non-payment of their bills.

…and back home to rural Kentucky where our few days of inconvenience will drag on into 10…12…even 14 days without power for some as utility companies battle the elements to restore damaged lines and remove fallen trees.

Is this power outage the Monck family is experiencing a little annoying…sure. But cold, wet winter bus rides and ice storm power outages serve as healthy reminders to me that the life I live does not look just like everyone else’s. It is more comfortable. More peaceful. More…well, spoiled.

Now, if Kentucky Utilities will kindly restore my power, I’ve got some pictures to post and some Super Poking to do. ;-)]]> Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
One of the aspects of Facebook that has caught my attention is the “Causes” application. As an individual, if there is an area you are passionate about, you can join the “Cause” and voice your concern. You can also make a financial donation to invest in the “Cause” and making a practical impact on that area of focus.

Here is where things get interesting…at least, to me. Check out some of these numbers –

Feed Hungry Children in Haiti: 10,238 members & $14,810 donated
Stop Global Warming: 2,476,050 members & $30,034 donated
Keep God in Schools: 452,495 members & $565 donated
Stop Abortion: 339,827 members & $2,337 donated
Stop Human Trafficking: 251,361 members & $5,814 donated

By rough calculation, we are looking at 3,529,971 people supporting these five causes to the tune of $53,560. Pretty impressive, huh? Well…maybe not so much. An average donation of 2 cents per person per cause. That’s some pretty “change the world” momentum there. Okay, maybe not.

Now granted, there are other ways to support a cause beyond simple financial contributions. However, Jesus did seem to make a significant correlation between where our treasure is, and where our heart is. Didn’t He?

We are currently in the midst of “Sanctity of Life” week. In our city, the local pro-life ministry is consistently supported financially by roughly 30 churches throughout the year, or approximately 15% of the churches in our community. My hunch is that there are more than 15% of the churches in our city that consider themselves to be pro-life and vote accordingly. A local ministry to teen-age moms survives on the support of even fewer churches. Can we be pro-life with out proactively engaging in those lives?

The average professing Christian attends church roughly twice a month, and gives just over 2% of their income to their home place of worship. Is that reflective of our passion for the “cause”?

Pink ribbons, “Race for the Cure” t-shirts and cars, and millions of dollars go to support the Susan G. Komen battle against breast cancer. It appears that those who are passionate about that cause are truly engaged in it. Unfortunately, millions of those dollars and countless grants have gone from the Susan G. Komen Foundation directly into Planned Parenthood (the nations leading provider of abortions) and countless other abortion facilities. Hate to be blunt, but yep…some of those dollars are “pro-life” Christians paying for abortions.

At some time, it is going to take more than a presidential change. At some place, the hands and feet of the church are going to have to do more than stand and applaud during a worship service. At some point, we are going to have to step off the platform and all of its political planks, and start actually putting our money…and our heart…where our mouth is.]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
So I was doing a little “research” the other day on YouTube, when I came across a speech being given by a highest level leader of a denomination that I have life long ties to. A denomination very similar to my current in theology and beliefs. And at their international conference, this leader is describing some of the greatest challenges to face the denomination in the last 60 years.

Are you with me? Christian denomination. Strongly connected to my own life and upbringing. Quadrennial (every four years for the vocabulary challenged like myself!) International Conference. High level leader of the denomination addressing the greatest challenges to face the denomination in the past half of a century plus.

Well, I’m versed enough in church news and across denominational lines to know what was coming next. Maybe the definition of marriage being excluded to a union between one male and one female. Possibly the argument over ordination of homosexuals. It has been a brutal period of time economically…could it be the economic downturns impact on non-profits? Supreme court decisions that impact the sanctity of life, tax exempt status, or praying in public schools. I can see individuals expressing concern over that.

Of course, let’s not forget the big one…satan (we can still mention his name, right?). I mean, come on, how can you list the biggest challenges facing a church or denomination without mentioning the ultimate enemy of God? Duh.

Then they came. I hit rewind and listened again. Partly out of shock. Partly to make sure I heard clearly through my appalled emotions. Largely because the words pounding through my head were… “You are kidding…right?”

“Calvinism invading the minds of students. The Emergent Church. Reformed theology invading Armenian theology. The church is facing some of the biggest challenges in sixty year.”

What? Not satan? Now it is John Calvin, Rob Bell, and John Piper? Really? We have found the enemy, and he is disguising as us? The greatest challenge to the church I pastor (let’s call it the right index finger of the body) is actually another church (let’s call them the left shoulder of the body)?

Sounds kind of crazy doesn’t it? How could we (the Body of Christ) be our own greatest challenge?

On second thought, watching this video for a third time…I think I already have the answer to that.]]> Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Lots of things factor into the increase. Environmental concerns. The economy. Improved transit systems. But it really wasn’t any of those factors that sparked my interest. It was the observation of some of that roughly 90% of the world’s population.

Actually, in some ways it was more curiosity than anything. Curiosity to know what it is like to live as a young teenage mom in a city like Lexington where many of our Step-by-Step moms rely upon Lex-Tran to get them around. Curiosity to know what it is like to live as a Haitian (well…roughly speaking of course), depending on tap-taps and motorcycle-taxis to move them through their daily life. Curiosity to know what it is like for my friends in the Czech Republic to utilize trams, buses, and subways to make their way to stores, school, and activities.

So the experiment was for our family to utilize our city bus line to get from our house to the Fayette Mall, on the day before Christmas. Now, admittedly, this was far from a true reality check. The buses were running for free that day, so there was no financial burden. We were just window shopping, so there were no time deadlines or commitments that had to be fulfilled. And it was a choice, so there was no sense of “I wish I had other options” (namely because…we do…which makes us more fortunate than we tend to recognize on a daily basis).

On the other hand, the weather was horrific. It was raining, and we had about 30 mile per hour winds. And the weather wasn’t the only “w”. There was whining over the waits. Whining over the walking. Whining over the way Lexington buses are routed. And of course, more whining about the weather. All of which are things that the 90+ percent live with every day.

So it was an interesting sojourn in another man’s shoes. An eye opening experience that has prompted my thoughts on a number of things: How does my personal sleigh isolate me from society during travel? What if I was more than 15 minutes from anywhere I wanted to be…or anywhere someone wanted me to be…would the world stop spinning? Was my economical standing to drastically change, could I handle it? Is my Sable just one more example of my self-reliance and obsessive independence?

I think a much longer term experiment is needed to answer these questions, and is on my horizon. Could I give up my car keys for a day? A week? 40 days? Can I handle that much time in another man’s shoes? Can you?]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
So, as you might guess, with just a handful of days left in 2008, I’m at it again. Thinking about what was accomplished, and what wasn’t. People whom I said good bye to, and others that I met. Opportunities that I grabbed by the horns, and those that slipped through my fingers like sand.

I have been working through the book “Practicing Greatness” (by Reggie McNeal) with my accountability team, and last night came across a chapter that really helped define how I long to approach 2009, and the rest of my life! It talks about defining yourself by your mission, rather than your job or position.

“The life mission of great leaders determines the content of their days, of their work, of their energies and talents.” In other words, learning to live each moment with a focus towards fulfilling what God has called you to be. Not just having weeks or trips or hours of existance that aim towards that purpose...but living life in fulfillment of the mission.

Throughout 2008 God has really spoke “mission” into my life. A mission that is not to be defined by my job title, position descriptions, or hats that I wear. It’s bigger than that. It’s what I was created to be. It’s what He designed and gifted me to fulfill. It’s what His Holy Spirit empowers me to live!

God’s mission for my life is what I can’t live without, and what I am willing to die for. It is a spiritual call that transcends a vocational career track. My talents and gifts were planted within me to fulfill it, and my personality was wired to enable me to be a steward of His mission for my life.

But I’m getting away from my point (thinking about your mission will cause you to do that!). This year isn’t just wrapping up for me. I’m not the only one saying goodbye to 365 days (or was it 366…who came up with that whole leap year thing?), and hello to a fresh new calendar of life. Any guesses who else is?

Yep, that’s right…you! And this is what I want to know…what is your mission? Not what do you do for a living (though for a fortunate group of people, the two match!). Not what is written on the plates that you are spinning at an insane pace (which by the way, I’ve seen enough endings to know…some of them are going to fall and break…but you can choose which ones). Not what you will do after you clear this professional hurdle, academic barrier, or transitional swamp. No…what is your mission?

What is that thing you were made for? That thing that really gets your heart racing? That thing that you would do from the time you awaken until the time you go back to sleep were the blue sky scenarios to fall in place? Because I believe God has one for you. And if you are anything like me…you really wish someone else cared about it as much as you do.

So…tell me…what is it?]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Of course, most of this time is about living in the now. Celebrating the many things we are so thankful for. Enjoying family moments of decorating, gift opening, and eating! Staying up until midnight to ring in the New Year, only to realize that 12:05 in the morning is pretty much the same in our living room no matter what day it is.

However, it is also the time of year when my mind starts sneaking forward and thinking about the year that lies ahead. It has been said, “If you fail to plan, you can plan to fail.” And I’ve never been real fond of the whole failure thing (as inevitable as it is in life). So I like to plan. Not “chiseled in stone” kind of plans (well…actually, I do prefer “chiseled in stone” kind of plans, but have simply learned that the best laid plans…well, you know the rest), but tentative plans. Goals one might say. Possibly resolutions. (Choose which ever label you least disdain…and go with it!)

While my plate is more than full enough with my own business to take care of, let me suggest some possible items to include in your plans/goals/resolutions for 2009:

1. Go on a mission trip. It might be downtown. It might be across state lines. It might be half-way around the world. But God has created a whole lot more cultures and people than what we see every day in our normal habitat and it is easy to start thinking that we are it. Need some help finding one? Give me a call. We’d love to connect you with a homeless population in Lexington, an orphanage in Georgia, a Sport & ESL Camp in Czech, or even a VBS in Haiti.

2. Read something more than the ticker on the bottom of the TV screen. For me, I’m aiming for a fiction book each month, and a non-fiction book each quarter (OK…so that really says something about me…I can live with that). Turn off all the “stuff”, save yourself some electricity, and use that great mind God has blessed you with to imagine, envision, and grow!

3. Take some time off. I’m terrible at this one, but I intend to enter 2009 with at least two weeks on my calendar for nothing but family. No work. No emails. No “The World Cannot Survive without Chip at the Healm” Tasks. Just me, God, and the precious gifts He has given me in a wife and children.

4. Take better care of the only one you can really take better care of…yourself. The older I get, the more I understand the importance or proper diet, quality sleep, physical exercise, and of course…spiritual feasting upon the Word. I can not take care of those around me, if I’m not around because I didn’t take care of myself.

So live in the now. Enjoy this most wonderful time of the year. But remember…next year is coming. And why not face it head on with a plan and a purpose?]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Well, after two continents, four states, five countries, and 30 days out of country in just a 75 day stretch (or something like that!)…my head was definitely not in the game. The first couple weeks I blamed it on jet lag (or ship lag thanks to Carnival!). But that became a pretty lame excuse as time went by.

Maybe it was the weather change. I mean, these Kentucky swings from 65 degrees to 25 degrees will mess anyone up, right? Nah, couldn’t be that.

Maybe it was my diet. From stroganoff and biscuits in Czech (delicious!) to Due Pua in Haiti (hmm…not so delicious) to flat out gluttony on the cruise ship with tons of McDonalds in between. Yeah, that had to be it!

Or not. After hours of reflection. Tons of mental wrangling. And some serious… “What is going on?” vents. I was finally able to pinpoint it. There it was. I was bored. That was it. Seriously. I was bored. I mean, after all that world travel. All that culinary adventure. An endless variety of ministry experiences. Suddenly, life was normal. And I’m not. The result? I was caught by surprise at how boring I have allowed my “normal” life to get.

Now, I know the response of most people to this issue. “Chip, life is not a global expedition.” “You are a middle aged husband, and father of two…things are going to get boring.” “Find peace in the monotony.”

I have taken this advice. These word of encouragement, and pondered them with an equal fervency. And I keep coming up with the same response… “Really?” I mean, “Really?” That’s it? Life, as we normally live it, is just that? Normal? Monotonous? Routine?

I hate to go all throwback to the 90s Steven Curtis Chapman on you, but isn’t this supposed to be the great adventure? Isn’t this the life that we have to lose in order to save it? Isn’t this the time we are supposed to be holding on to things loosely?

Yeah, see…this passion for plodding along in ruts has never really done it for me. This stability of the same ol’ same ol’ just doesn’t fit my paradigm for life. I don’t always have to fly by the seat of my pants, but I’m always ready to fly!

So this unexpected realization has been a wake-up call for me. Not a “Hello Chip, welcome to your 40s” kind of call. Not a “time to make my bucket list” kind of call. More of a God is at work, doing more than I could ever think or imagine, and it is time to quit sitting here hoping to catch a glimpse of it from time to time.

What’s that look like? I have no idea. And that’s the beauty of it! But I intend to find out.]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
On our most recent visit to an amusement park, I raced to the front of the line to jump on the first available roller coaster. I have always loved roller coasters, and they are better than ever now that Jamie (and sometimes even Allie!) can join me on them. Or so I thought. 2 minutes and 30 seconds later I realized something. I don’t like roller coasters anymore. In fact, the “amusement” of an amusement park for me has become watching my children be amused on the rides while I quietly watch from a nearby bench. Like I said, I’m not getting any younger.

My emotions used to be a lot like a roller coaster as well. My highs were exhilarating. Enjoying that nice, steady climb to the top where I could look over my surroundings and feel ready to conquer the world. Then they would rapidly come crashing down to ground level in an instance before shooting right back up to the heights. In between there were occasional loops, corkscrews, and dark tunnels. And more times than not, the emotional ride ended with a whiplash inducing halt.

But like my father on our trips to Disneyland, even my emotions have begun to prefer the moderate, even keeled ride of the open air train that circles the park. Enough exhilaration to feel the breeze, hear the sounds of joy, and smell the concessions…but at a pace that resists that inevitable emotional crash and burn.

Younger generations attribute that to…yep, just getting older…or as they might say, just getting old! Older generations ascribe it to maturity. Me, in my middle aged wisdom, probably figure it is somewhere in between. Because that is often where God’s path for my life rests. Not on the extreme high of a long anticipated climb. Nor in the high speed plunge to the depths of despair. Somewhere in between.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “He [Satan] always sends errors into the world in pairs – pairs of opposites. And he always encourages us to spend a lot of time thinking which is the worse…He relies on your extra dislike of the one error to draw you gradually into the opposite one. But do not be fooled. We have to keep our eyes on the goal and go straight through between both errors.”

Call it old age, maturity, or whatever you will…but I figure President-Elect Barack Obama is neither the anti-Christ nor the Savior of America. I do not believe that God endorses the homosexual lifestyle or that He hates homosexuals with the venom of many in the church. My hunch is that God values both the life of the unborn child and of the convicted felon wasting away on death row.

So whether it is maturity, old age, or simply a desire to seek God’s heart…one thing I know for sure, all the rhetoric and extremism has given me quite a case of motion sickness, and this is one roller coaster I no longer have any interest in riding!]]> Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Then it happened. The fateful decision of my vacation. We decided to eat a formal lunch in the Seven Seas Dinning Room. We sat down, our waiter approached, and as with all Carnival Cruise ship employees he was wearing a name tag that included not only his name and title…but also his home country. I checked it out and saw that he was from…Haiti.

I shared we had recently been to Haiti, and we’re curios as to where in Haiti he was from. He replied that he was based out of the northern coast of Haiti, but was originally from just outside of Port-au-Prince. The Port-au-Prince Jamie and I had recently spent a night in. The Port-au-Prince where poverty is the norm, filth and disease are inescapable, and children eat dirt pies for minimal nutrition and to delay the demon of starvation.

Now once upon a time, this knowledge regarding our waiter would have meant very little to my life. Anything I knew about Haiti would have come via newscast, paper articles, and old slides from my dad’s missionary work in the country. Not to mention the fact that I was on vacation. The pastor/chaplain/counselor/missionary/care giver hats had all been left ashore in Mobile…right? That was once upon a time. Times have changed.

For better or for worse, God has blessed me with the opportunity to see with my own eyes just a small portion of the world that He sees all the time. For better or for worse, I can imagine the environment our waiter’s family lives in, and where they fight for their daily survival. For better or for worse, I know the incredible contrast between my waiter’s life, and the life of an American family cruising across the Gulf.

So in a brief moment I went from living high on the hog (and the cow, the chicken, the salmon…and everything else they brought to our table!) to wondering, “Why in the world do I deserve to be served by this man?” “Why should I be so pampered by someone spending months away from his family to provide for his children’s basic needs?” “Why would I spend one week showing my son the plight of Haitian children, and another week showing him how we can be spoiled rotten by the same people?”

Don’t get me wrong…our family still had a great time, but for the rest of the cruise I found my spirit a bit less pompous. I made time to smile at the crew, to say “Thank You” over and over again, and to ask how they were doing with a willingness to wait for an answer. Because one hat I’m trying to learn to never take off is child of the King! A hat that makes all of us royalty…especially a Haitian waiter.]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
It is not what I know that is difficult. It is the brutality of the unknown. That is what will eat my lunch, dinner, and bowl of ice cream if I let it.

Jamie and Allie will both switch schools next year, but which of the five options should we send them to? Which of the five will they qualify for? Which of the five will leave them in 10 years asking, “Why did you do that to me?”

Debbie’s job is funded through a federal grant which was renewable on October 1. Did I mention it is “federally” funded? As the day approached, and passed (no one ever accused the federal government of being punctual) the prospects of a five digit hit to our household income grew in our minds from unlikely…to possible…to “Wow! Time to cut the satellite, turn in the cell phones, and rent out the basement!”

This summer I met some great new friends in the Czech Republic who are in my thoughts and prayers daily. Just in case you paid as little attention in geography class as I did, that is roughly 4,000 miles away…and about as many dollars. When will I get to see them again? WILL I get to see them again?

The death tolls in Haiti continue to climb via starvation and post-hurricane diseases. However, there aren’t a whole lot of emails or Facebook postings coming from La Bulle, or Saut ‘D Eau. Has a pastor I recently trained passed away? Did one of the small children that I held hands with or high-fived succumb to malnutrition? Will new found faith give way to the tyranny of discouragement and poverty in a corrupt and satanically driven nation?

It doesn’t even have to be that dramatic. What about that text message that was never responded to? Did I send it to the right phone? Was it received? Was it misread? Are they mad…busy…inconsiderate…clueless? I am almost 40…am I even doing this “text” thing right?

No. It isn’t the known that gets me. It is the “brutality of the unknown,” and I prefer that label because it is less Biblical than another commonly used label for the same thing…worry. I’m not as fond of the “worry” label because God’s Word is not real fond of Christ followers like myself that are consumed with worry. But sometimes I have a hard time translating the lilies of the valley and the sparrows in the sky to the life of Chip in central Kentucky.

And lately has been that hard time. It isn’t that I don’t trust God…or is it? It isn’t that I have to know everything…or do I? It isn’t that I need to be in control of each and every circumstance of my life…or could it be? Is it the brutal unknown…or the brutal known that there is one God…and I am not He?]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
There is plenty of Tim the Tool Man Taylor in me (I know…hideous 90s reference, or was it 80s?), but it wasn’t the power part that got me. It was the love. The love that rescued the earth. The love that lives in me. Or, is at least supposed to.

And it got me thinking (I know…very dangerous), when we let anger subside and love rise, things look very different. We originally thought Michael Guglielmucci longed to be healed from cancer. Anger sees him as a fraud. Rescuing love sees him as much in need of healing today as when we thought his challenge was merely physical.

I went through a horrific ministry experience early in my life. Anger saw the senior pastor as a jerk that could burn in…well, you know where (if not, visit us Sunday, we’ll tell you all about it…actually, probably not). Rescuing love sees him as a child of God, gifted to do great things for the kingdom, but in need of some accountability and healing of his own.

In anger, I often see myself as someone who has taken way too many wrong turns to ever get back on the path God planned out for me. Rescuing love helps me see myself as…well, rescued. And loved.

You see, I think I have changed my view over the past few weeks. I think Michael Guglielmucci DID mean those words he wrote in “Healer.” I even think he sang them with such passion and fervor because they were coming from the bottom of his heart. A heart that was broken, trapped, and granted, caught in a prison of his own making. But a heart that desperately wants to be healed, and knows that kind of healing only comes from one place.

Truth be told. I need the same kind of healing. Many of the people I encounter every day need that kind of healing. You might even need that kind of healing. So instead of dwelling on being coned or hoodwinked…I think I will try to call upon that same power that conquered the grave, and rumor has it…lives in me. Instead of being angry or skeptical, I’m gonna try to find a way…difficult as it may be…to find that same love that rescued the world inside of me…and let a little more of it out to those around me. ]]> Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
A few months ago Hillsong released their newest live worship album. Each year I anticipate this release, and it is my only must buy as soon as I can get my hands on it locally. This year was no different when “This is Our God” hit the racks. Over the past two months, it has dominated the play time in my car, on my Zune, and in my office.

One song in particular really began to move me. The song is entitled “Healer.” Truth be told, I didn’t really find the tune all that catchy, or the lyrics all that dynamically written at first. However, cruising the internet one day, I came across the story behind the song. And I was immediately hooked. The video showed the composer on the Hillsong stage, leading the congregation in praise, while wearing oxygen for breathing assistance. The documentary shared his battle with cancer, the song being written in minutes following his diagnosis, and his faith and confidence that God could still heal him!

Well, being the emotional human that I am…the song immediately went from average to incredible. Let’s face it, Rudy was far from a star football player at Notre Dame…but once you hear his story, who isn’t rooting for him? Lance Armstrong won lots of races before facing cancer…but it was the post cancer Lance that made “LIVE Strong” a brand. I’ve never liked the Philadelphia Eagles…but after seeing “Invincible” I could pull for them (well, as long as they are playing the Cowboys or a Manning anyway).

Unfortunately, there was one problem with the composer of “Healer.” Actually, the problem was that there wasn’t a problem…physically anyway. Apparently, for two years he had been living a cancer lie. He had lied to his parents, his friends, his church, and with the release of “This is Our God”, to millions and millions of Hillsong fans. Of course, this means that he does have a problem. One that might be much tougher to heal than cancer.

But it only highlights one of my problems. You see, I spend most of my life in a battle against negative, cynical, sarcastic attitudes. I have thought that part of my old nature was dead, but it has managed to pull off multiple resurrections. And instances like this sure do not help. I know we are not supposed to focus on man, or elevate any individual…but don’t we at least want to cheer for people? Don’t we at least want to believe there are some great stories of God’s miraculous moving out there? Wouldn’t we at least like to be moved by the story…and find out the story was real?

“I believe You’re my portion. I believe You’re more than enough for me. Jesus You’re all I need. Nothing is impossible for You. You hold my world in Your hands.” Great words. I just sure would have liked the writer of them to actually believe them.

The story behind the story - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcswYwQczPc&feature=related
Pastor Brian Houston’s Response - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTZ4F5GW4M8&feature=related
]]> Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Recently while in Haiti our team suffered a vehicle breakdown. So part of our team headed into the next closest town, while Jamie and I waited with the vehicle. As we sat out in the sweltering sun, along came two young Haitian boys carrying a small ice chest. Looking to make a quick buck, these young entrepreneurs were toting cold beverages that would hit the spot on a sunny day with heat indices well over 100.

With the help of my Haitian friend Eric I inquired as to their cost for a bottle of water, and they advised me it would run me $1 US. Of course, they would be making significant profit on such a sale, but they weren’t the thirsty ones…now were they? Unfortunately, they did not have any US change, and I was caught with nothing smaller than a $5 bill.

They showed me the Haitian change they did have, and it came to roughly $2.50 US. So I agreed to buy two bottles of water from them, give them my $5 US, and in return take their $2.50 in Haitian change. To be honest, I thought nothing of it. Done deal.

Well, the boys hung around with us, hoping that our thirst would be rekindled, and meanwhile the rest of our team returned. They also were in need of some refreshment, and they inquired as to the boys’ prices. The boys informed them it would be $1 US. Well, my teammates would have nothing to do with such highway robbery. They told them it would be two for $1 or no deal. The Haitian boys wisely chose no deal.

But that wasn’t the kicker. Time passes, and the rest of my team catches wind of what I paid for my water, and boy did they let me have it. “Dude, you got ripped off.” “Are you kidding me? What were you thinking?” “What? Do you just like throwing money away?” “Those boys sure took you!”

Well, at this point, I lost my cool (which is very understandable considering the temperature). Here we are on a mission trip. Serving people with nothing. Goodness, one church we visited last year has five less people this year because they starved to death. Literally! And yet we are haggling with nine year old Haitian boys over the price of a bottle of water. Are you kidding me?

Remember, this is the same bottle of water that we pay $2.50 for at Commonwealth Stadium, and never think twice about it. The same bottle of water we pad the coffers of Pepsi and Coke executives to the tune of $3 a pop at Rupp Arena all season long. The same bottle of water we drop $1.50 at the mini-mart for, and then throw half of away when we just don’t want anymore. But give 50 cents extra to a Haitian child…now way!

You see, this is just one small example of how we can be so consistently inconsistent. And as much as it irks me, it must really chap the rest of the world that is watching our witness. But don’t worry, if you aren’t buying it or agreeing with such a label…more examples are on the way. Stay tuned.
]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
That was then. This is now. That was when I was clicking the mouse on the right icons. This is post “dumbest click in the history of my mouse pointing finger.” That was when my emails went only to the person I was wanting them to. This is post the email that went to 19 extra people that I didn’t want it to. That was when I loved technology. This is when I hate it.

All right. Not really. I can hardly blame technology for my moronic error (though Al Gore is still in the blame game running!). My fingers sprinted when they should have been walking, and before I knew it the deed was done. Most of us have experienced this dreaded nightmare. Someone sends us a note, we hit reply, share our thoughts and reflections, and away it goes. Then, somehow, somewhere, at some horrific moment, it comes to our attention that our thoughts and reflections were just shared with way more people than only our Fav’ Five!

The full damage of my error is not yet known, but soon will be. The apologies have been sent, the prayers continue to be uttered, and the forgiveness begged for. Only time will tell whether the blunder can be forgotten. Or maybe more importantly, whether my heart can truly be heard (or in this case, read).

You see, that’s the really scary part. Mistakes happen, all the time. Errors are made, more than we care to admit. It’s almost Biblical, “For all have sent, and fallen short of the wisdom of emails.” But the really frightening thing is that when it happens…our heart is out there. Out there to be judged. Out there to be evaluated. Out there for others to decide how sincere and pure our intentions and thoughts were.

When we stop and think about it, that doesn’t just apply to electronic communication. That is just life. People are always about the business of interpreting our words, our expressions, and our actions. Often, they start with a negative paradigm, and we don’t stand a chance to begin with. Other times, the benefit of the doubt is in place, and caution becomes the better part of valor. Then, on those rare occasions, the starting point is actually an assumption that we really are good, well intentioned people, simply trying to live the love of Christ in the world around us.

Which of course begs the question, which kind of person am I? What filter do I put others through? Am I starting from a launch of point of hope and positive expectations, or are others behind the 8 ball before they even click on “New”? Something for me to think about, as I go utter another prayer for forgiveness.]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
I’m learning that there are a number of lags that are suffered from such an experience as my recent trip to the Czech Republic. Yes, there is jet lag. That physical pounding that a body takes by flying all night and getting off a plane somewhere that is just starting their day. Or dozing on a plane that lands somewhere that is just ready to go to sleep. That is a definite lag. Especially following a week long camp with about five hours of sleep a night. Except of course on the “I can stay up all night, and you can’t” contest night!

There is the mental lag that hitches on to the physical lag. If “I think therefore I am”, well, I’m not sure that I am quite yet. Sleep deprivation, dietary changes, and processing all kinds of new experiences can do that to you. I mean, a week ago I am playing a survival game, hiding by myself behind a tree in a Czech forest at midnight. Now, I’m trying to remember how to spell my message title so the worship folder is error free on Sunday. Talk about mind games. I still can’t remember if thank you is “Thank You”, “Merci” or “Dekuji”.

However, those two lags pale in comparison to the third one…emotions. Make new friends. Share life together. Laugh and cry as if you have known each other for years. And then hop on a plane and forget it all. Now that will mess you up!

I suppose we could just play it safe and not get too attached. Play the casual “North American Come to Save the World” role, and not really connect. Lord knows that would be easier. And for the past 48 hours, I have asked myself why I don’t take that approach.

But the answer is obvious – Why would I? Okay, so I know that is a question, but it is also an answer. Why would we have the chance to share life together, and just keep things simple? Why would we have the opportunity to jump into the mud and grime that is our daily struggles, but choose to stand on the edge wishing each other luck? Why would we not ask…even beg God for once in a lifetime opportunities to really connect with another person that He created full of purpose, beauty and wonder?

A few days ago I was standing in a hall, holding back the tears, when I looked at a friend…a new friend…and said, “It is so much harder to care.” And it is. I was standing in the Prague town square, again fighting back tears, and asking, “Why does satan get to win so often?” And he does. But I wouldn’t invest my life any other way.

So I’ll lag behind physically, mentally, and even emotionally, relying on Facebook and ICQ to keep some beautiful new friendships alive. Knowing that it is the harder way to live life. But pretty sure it is the way life was meant to be lived.
]]> Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
However, as a part of my great adventures, I will be experiencing an extended separation from one of the true loves of my life…my laptop. Which is intimately connected to another true love of my life…the internet.

So, rather than inspiring profound reflections from you that will result in rabid postings which I am unable to keep up with, I thought I would provide you a few pointless observations from my life that you can run with, run from, or print out and run over.

The Price of Gasoline – It would seem that there should be some automatic disqualifications from complaining about the price of gas. One, if you are holding a $5 cup of coffee, you can’t complain about $4 petro. Two, if you are driving an SUV…alone, you can’t complain about the price of gas. Three, if you insist on driving 65 mph, passing me, and glaring at me for driving to slow…on 55 mph New Circle Road, nope, you can’t complain either.

The Price of Starbucks – Speaking of disqualification number one, that same $5 cup of Joe disqualifies you from a few other things. A) Criticizing the quality of the FREE cup of coffee offered by church welcome centers. B) Gripping about the cost of a gallon of milk. After all, it is less than $5, and you get a whole gallon. C) Complaining about people who wear or carry anything for “image” sake.

While we are on drink prices, can someone explain to me why so many people go in to Speedway, and take advantage of the “any size drink for 79 cents” by selecting one of the smaller size cups?

Finally, The Price of Church – “All the church wants is my money.” Same is true of Kroger and Wal-Mart, but we aren’t avoiding them…are we? “Well, the church shouldn’t waste so much money on fancy smanchy furnishings.” True…God’s house shouldn’t be near as nice, high tech, or cared for as our own. After all, He already has that whole mansion in heaven thing. “Then why do we have to pay the pastor so much?” Because if you didn’t, who would bless you with such thought provoking musings on an airport cocktail napkin?
]]> Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
This move by ‘Fivebucks’ could cost as many as 12,000 full and part-time jobs. “So.” It could result in a 7% drop in the mighty workforce of ‘Stirbucks.’ Again I say, “So!” 100 million dollars could be left on the ‘Coffeessofreakinhotyoucantdrinkittillnext4thofjulybucks’ conference room table. Must I repeat myself, “So what!”

Let’s get down to the important realities of this move. For starters, this will only leave me with 6,600 U.S. locations to find my daily fix. I could very well have to figure out how to get through my 30 minute shopping spree at Kroger without a double mocha no fat latte! How can I possibly kill two hours of flight layover in Miami without my peppermint no foam triple espresso? When I have $3.50 in my pocket, burning a hole, and have to decide whether to put it in my gas tank or my gut tank…there might not even be a choice to make. This is serious stuff.

Well, except for the minor detail that I don’t drink coffee. And the major detail that this is just one more sign of an ever looming reality: it is time to get our financial homes in order. In fact, for some, the clock may have already run out.

Larry Burkett, Howard Dalton, and even the highly positive and always entertaining Dave Ramsey have been telling us for years that this day was coming. A day when no job is safe, no expense is easily manageable, and no paycheck seems able to keep the deposits outweighing the withdrawals. A day when home foreclosures have increased from half a percent in 2006, to one percent in 2007, to some states reporting over 3.5% of all homes in foreclosure in 2008! Drive home tonight, and imagine one out of every 20 houses you pass containing a family that is losing their home.

This is a day when chapter 7 bankruptcy filings more than doubled between the 1st quarter of 2006, and the 3rd quarter of 2007. This is a day when to keep up appearances people are still buying large houses, but when you walk through the front door they are void of furniture. Let’s just keep the blinds closed.

So are we ready to adjust on the fly? Will we read the signs around us, and re-prioritize our financial lives to address what matters most? Will we find away to shut off the voice of the world, and finally tune into the voice of God regarding our stewardship of all that He has blessed us with? Something to ponder as I hunt down one more $7.95 Carmel Apple Cider…Venti of course.]]> Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
One recent book in particular has provided me with plenty of internal angst. It is one of those books that I like (well written and informative) while simultaneously disdaining (hitting a bit too close to home…and true). The book is called "UnChristian" and describes the picture those “outside” the church have of those “inside” the church. A picture that includes such insulting labels as hypocritical, antihomosexual, sheltered, and too political.

It combines with another book I have been reading that could also be entitled “UnChristian.” It is the book of Matthew from the Bible, and in the fifth chapter it provides a picture of what God intended our lives to look like in a few short phrases known as the Beatitudes. I say it could be called “UnChristian” because the picture it paints is far from the picture that most Christians are living. Or, to be more honest and accountable, far from the picture that I am living.

Just listen to a few of these descriptors. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” Is that anything like a Big Mac and a Route 44 Cherry Slush? Too often I’ve got enough things to be chasing after here on earth to spend too much time pursuing some pie in the sky form of culinary satisfaction.

“Blessed are the peacemakers.” I’ve tried to be a peacemaker, but people don’t always want to see things my way. If they would just agree with me there would be no argument. The immortal words of Rodney King (“Can’t we all just get along”) keep colliding with the immortal words of Chip Monck (“I did it my way.”)

And here in lies the problem, clearly highlighted by both forms of “UnChristian” reading: if Christians don’t look and behave like Christians…who will? Oh, if only this were a new problem. The Bible I read, written a few thousand years ago, describes a culture where the problem with the church most often was the people in the church. The group that harassed, tried, and eventually killed Jesus looked more like a church board than a back alley group of gang bangers.

So is it any wonder that when those “outside” the church are asked to describe those “inside” the church, the word that keeps coming to mind is “UnChristian.” After years of labeling them “unchurched”, I guess it is only fair. And unfortunately, largely accurate. The question is…what are we going to do about it?
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
There was a man on a journey. He too was in his own little world when he was jumped by a gang of thugs. They beat him mercilessly, took everything of value that he had with him, and more or less left him for dead. In plain day. On a major thoroughfare. A crass and brutal crime.

Various people passed by the man, bleeding and broken, hanging on to life by a string, without so much as a care. May seem unlikely, but if you have ever strolled through downtown San Diego, or Phoenix Park for that matter, you have seen the homeless. You can picture it. Some politicians passed by, but there were no cameras or journalist. Far from a photo op, and with a full calendar, what was one to do? Can’t help everybody.

Christian people passed by. They would feel momentary stirrings of pity or sorrow, but those were quickly washed away by theological musings that the individual was being punished by God, getting what he deserved, or in some way just another victim of life in a “fallen world.” With limited resources, and the need to be in the world while more importantly not becoming part of it, they too went on their way.

Then along came a rather frightening man. Judging from his appearance, he appeared to be from Iraq, Iran, or some other Middle Eastern country. His clothes easily could have made him out to be a member of the Taliban, Hezbollah, or some other group whose name I have heard and been programmed to fear more than death itself. This man’s intentions had to be obvious. He would search the victim for any remaining treasure, and then probably put him out of his misery…for good.

That’s when the story gets odd. Instead, he picks the man up, puts him on his back, and carries him across the street into a rather immaculate hotel. Once inside, he leaves his credit card along with instructions to make sure the man is given the finest of medical care, food, and clothes. The nearly dead man is to be allowed to stay as long as he needs to for full recovery, and the Iraqi/Iranian/whatever nationality man will pick-up the tab. All of it.

As I am driving, reflecting on this old familiar tale, I got to wondering…who might I be? I have never liked, trusted, or had much tolerance for politicians, so surely that would not be me. I wear the label “Christian”, but have learned the need to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world I live in, so surely I would not match up with the “Christians” who just walked by.

No, odd as it might seem in my freckle faced Irish body; I would definitely be that Middle Eastern chap who helped the guy out. The one who did the right thing. The compassionate thing. Yep, the more I thought about it, the more sure of it I was. “I am definitely the good Samaritan,” I said with resolve as I drove by some less fortunate fool and his family broken down along the side of the road.]]> Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
I have always enjoyed watching the Triple Crown horse races. Seeing those beautiful thoroughbreds race around the track with such power and majesty. Big Brown has been awesome, and the spectacle is truly a sight to behold.

Then, a few days ago, I had the opportunity to watch Underdog, the movie. Okay, so not quite the same level of spectacular as the Kentucky Derby, but for a beagle owner, great fun. Not to mention that it put me at ease regarding a number of my dogs habits.

But this is where my mind kicked into genius mode. It put the two together, horse racing and Underdog, and came out with a cash cow of an idea. What if I started to enter CJ, our beagle, into greyhound races?

Now, I know those dogs are taller and have longer legs, but this little beagle can fly. Especially when chasing rabbits. And that is the genius of this idea. Rabbits are exactly what they use as bait during greyhound races to get the dogs to fly around the track. This plan is foolproof!

Or so I thought. Then I did come across a possible hurdle. What if CJ figures out that the rabbit we are sending her after is not really a rabbit after all, but merely a robot? A metal facsimile. An iron bunny. What if she catches the thing, only to bite her teeth into it and be highly disappointed? Or she starts sniffing around the starter's box, and realizes there is no authentic bunny smell to be found?

Beagles are very smart dogs, and there in lies the problem. If she knew it wasn't a real rabbit, there is no way she would take off running after it. I mean, who would be crazy enough to run after something that wasn't even real? Something that offered no hope of complete joy and fulfillment? How many times would she lap that track before she realized what she was running after and decided, "This is ridiculous!"?

Which got me to wondering, would I know if I was running after a robot? Wouldn't it be terrible to go all the way through life, running this exhausting race, only to find out that what I have been chasing all alone is a fraud, a fake? Or to steal an old Coke slogan, wasn't "The Real Thing?"

What about you? What are you running after? What is pulling you forward in this race called life? If you think the picture of a beagle in a greyhound race is crazy, picture us just spending our lives running after robots.

"Blessed [Happy] are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6]]> Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
On Saturday, the 145th Kentucky Derby came to a horrific end with the breakdown of Eight Bells, and the need for her to be immediately euthanized. The excitement of Big Brown's amazing stretch run, and Eight Bells' gallant filly performance was soon extinguished with the life of the beautiful three year old.

Across the nation, moms and daughters mourned the loss. Activists screamed foul play. The horse racing industry was critiqued from every angle, and the air of the headlines was that this tragic death was the loss of a true American hero.

But as I said, there are two stories of death. Amazingly...or maybe not so much...you might not even know of the second. In fact, were we to poll those who have seen and followed the story of Eight Bells, my guess is that the majority of them would have no awareness of story number two.

Over the same weekend, Cyclone Nargis tore through Burma. In his wake, more than 22,000 people were left dead. TWENTY-TWO THOUSAND! Another 40,000 plus are missing. To try and count the living homeless would be a near impossible task. 6.5 million people are without power. 6.5 MILLION! Which doesn't mean no TV. It means no refrigeration for safe food storage. It means no communication with relief workers. It means complete isolation in the midst of a personal horror of horrors.

And yet, the death of horse continues to be mourned stateside. Don't get me wrong. I've got no problem with horses. I'm not an animal lover by any means, but I am quite fond of my beagle, and would hate to lose her. I just can't figure out how the loss of a single filly trumps the death of 22,000 humans in the world we now live in.

What draws us to an animal we didn't know before last week, and would probably never again follow even if she were still alive? What elevates our emotions and senses at the word of such a loss, but allows us to be numb to mass human death half a world away?

Don't blame the media. They use the headlines that they know will sell. The question is, why are we buying?]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Unfortunately, last year was not good for our Japanese Maple. A severe freeze late in the spring followed by a punishing hail storm left our backyard attraction looking like something out of a Tim Burton movie. It would have been a perfect tree for Halloween or some creepy horror flick. Unfortunately, it wasn't in Hollywood. It was in our backyard. And it was very, very ugly.

Even more disconcerting was our lack of knowledge as to if it would ever recover. Would it bloom next spring? Would it be full and magnificent? Had we lost a multi-thousand dollar tree to some fluke weather?

As spring sprung we watched our Japanese Maple closely, and good things happened! Buds began to appear. Leaves began to sprout (or spring...or whatever leaves do). And as I sit here today, our Japanese Maple is once again glorious.

Well, sort of. While it is largely healthy and back to it's original state, there is one problem. The outer tips of the branches were killed by the frost, and are dead. Completely. Like dry twigs that you find on a forest floor. Except that they are on my tree. Providing a halo of death around the outer edges of the tree. So we have had to begin cleaning up the tree. Climbing ladders with pruning shears, and cutting away the scraggly little dead twigs so that the full beauty of the tree is visible.

I had the opportunity to meet someone this past week. They were up in years like our tree. At some point, I'm sure they were a beautiful, full of life, radiant creation of God's hand. But then something happened to them. I don't know what it was, but I could sure see the effects of it. At some point in their life they experienced an unexpected hard freeze. Somewhere back in their journey they were pelted by some surprise hail stones. And the damage was done.

They survived the storm, and upon closer inspection, there is probably beauty and vibrancy to be found. Unfortunately, the damage of the past has left a shroud around them that needs to be cleaned up. Their radiance is blocked by the scars of the past that are sitting out on the surface, and distracting from what once was or could some day again be.

It's that way for all of us. We are all going to experience some scarring. Some damage. Some storms of life. But by God's grace, we will live to see another day. To once again bloom with new life. Yet if we don't take the time to clean-up the dead branches. If we don't stop long enough to allow the master gardener to move into our hearts and remove the dried up twigs, we will never display God's beauty like we once did.

Got any storm damage in your life? See any areas that need to be trimmed, pruned, or cut away? Remember, spring is a great time for gardening. And you won't find a more loving, caring gardener than your Heavenly Father.]]> Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
For many people, it begs some form of the question, “How/Can/Do we separate sports from the rest of life?” After all, the Olympics are supposed to signify unity. They are supposed to represent world peace. The five interlocking rings which make up the Olympic logo are to represent the joining of people from the five major continents. That’s what the Olympics are all about, so why does it all have to be destroyed by protests and boycott just because China is known to be less than kind to the common person?

If we step back from it a bit, we might see that it begs another question that transcends sports. It might truly be the question, “To what extent are we willing to ignore injustice, abuse, and the degradation of our fellow man?” You see, we all have our line drawn in the sand. And whether we want to admit it or not, the line probably has a lot more to do with our comfort level than it does our passion for the sanctity of human life.

So our lives fill up with questions of what we will or won’t protest. Questions of how far we will or won’t go to make a point or express an opinion. Questions of what causes we will or won’t care to defend and support.

Unfortunately, in day to day life, these are not easy decisions to make or questions to answer. I’ve joined a few Facebook groups that are boycotting the Olympic Games in China, and have made a personal commitment not to watch a moment of the televised coverage. My little way of saying that China doesn’t deserve to host such an event in the face of their human rights record. Also a protest that is fairly non-obtrusive to the routine of my daily life.

I can feel good about my position, without having to get too uncomfortable. Without having to lose any cash, sacrifice any time, or really let the cause find residence in my inner being.

So August will come and go. Countries will compete and leave. And the people of Tibet, Darfur, Haiti, and countless other countries will continue to suffer at the hand of corrupt leaders abusing power. Destroyed individual lives that were created and are loved by God.

Oh well. It’s just a torch relay. A sporting event. A historical festival. Or is it?]]> Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
So when the Georgetown College men's basketball team headed to the NAIA championships in Kansas City with a 35-0 record, I was keeping tabs on them and pulling for them. Unfortunately, like most Kentucky basketball stories this year, there was a sad ending to be written as they fell in the semi-finals.

I guess they will just shutdown the program now. Probably have to auction off all the equipment and uniforms. Not sure what they will convert the gym into. Such a shame to see them have to give it all up because of one slip up. One bad game. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Okay, seriously, that would be crazy, right? Who would shutdown an entire program due to one loss? We don't quit our jobs after our first mistake. I didn't stop being a father after my first blown parenting moment. I'm still Debbie's husband, and Lord only knows how many times I've botched that role up. But one mistake...even two...even a few dozen is hardly grounds to quit. Right?

So why is that the standard so many apply to a journey with God?
"Well, I tried living as a Christian once, but fell right back into my old habits. So I gave up."
"Yea, I used to go to church, but then I missed one weekend, and I've just never been back."
"I wanted to have a relationship with Jesus, but I sinned and realized it just wasn't going to work."

Ever swallow something and had it head down the wrong pipe? Did you quit eating?

Ever taken a drink, had the wall of ice release, and soaked the front of your shirt? Did you stop drinking?

Ever tripped while walking down a sidewalk, and taken a complete header? Did you give up on walking?

Of course not. Failure is not final in life, nor in our relationship with God. So why quit on it? God's more forgiving than a sidewalk, more loving than another human, and more encouraging than an opponent on a basketball court. So why quit on this?

I think I'll shoot those young men at Georgetown College a note, and encourage them to try again next season. Maybe they haven't sold their warm-ups yet.]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
"I hope you kids see what a silly waste of resources this was," Grandma replies. Of course, she is later proved wrong (well. . .sort of) when the error of Clark's ways is located and the glorious display illuminates. Granted, still not necessarily the best use of resources.

What was the problem? A switch. One little connection that kept all the electricity from being unleashed, and the remainder of the city from being thrust into utter darkness.

So now I just have to find my switch. I have to locate my faulty connection, amidst all the extension chords, power strips, and thousands of strands of imported twinkling lights, that is keeping me from full power. Because for some reason, the electricity is not getting through.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you (Acts 1:8)." I love promises, except when I can't figure out why I'm not experiencing them. Who doesn't want to live with power? Supernatural power no less? Show me someone who would say, "I really prefer to live my life weak, helpless, afraid, ineffective, and without any sense of victory." I don't think they are out there. We all want to live with power. And it has already been promised to us.

So where's the faulty connection? What's not plugged in? Where is the short in my wires? Because when I read about the Holy Spirit and "Spirit filled" (I know, loaded and dangerous term) living...and then I look in the mirror on most days...what a silly waste of resources.

Fortunately, there is a little Clark Griswald in me (and not just when it comes to exterior illumination), so I'm not ready to give up. I'll keep putting my tongue to the 9-volt battery of God's Word. I'll keep opening the fuse box of my life in prayer and see which breakers have been tripped. I'll keep turning on switches of praise and worship all the while believing that God can still turn me into a glorious display of His power. After all, He did make the promise. It is part of the Holy Spirit package. So I'll keep searching my life until I find that faulty connection.]]> Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
I have tried to improve this through the years by attempting crosswords, jumbles, and even allowing my wife to occasionally thrash me at Scrabble. But I still try to keep things to three syllables or less, and am absolutely dead without a computerized spell check and thesaurus.

So I had to go to the source of all wisdom, truth and knowledge the other day to look up a word. Naturally, I put "wikipedia" in my browser, and took a peak at what they had to say about "unalienable rights."

Why would I do such a thing? Because lately it seems that everyone is consumed with their rights. Including myself. Seems logical that I have the right to watch UK basketball over HGTV. Being a man, I most definitely have the right to hold the remote control. Approaching 40 years old, I have the right for my children and their peers to hold my opinions in high esteem. And of course, I have the right to obtain a Whopper and fries in less than 30 seconds. After all, it is called fast food!

Yet I was still curious to find out what my "unalienable rights" were. They are promised to me as an American in the Declaration of Independence. Not to mention the fact that according to the same document they come from God. So what are they?

"Life." According to the Dec. of Ind. (should save me some spelling errors) I have the unalienable right to life. That's kind of a bummer. The Word of God tells me that in order to gain my life, I have to lose it. So my first unalienable right is already gone.

"Liberty." That appears to be another one of my rights. The Bible seems to have a bit different take on that as well. Christ did come to give liberty, but it sounds like I must first be a captive. And even then, it sounds like more of a gift from God than a right.

"The Pursuit of Happiness." Surely this one is unalienable for me. After all, God wants all of us to be happy, right? "Blessed are the poor in spirit." "Blessed are those who mourn." "Blessed are those who are persecuted." Ugh! That doesn't sound like the pursuit of happiness is my path to blessing.

"Unalienable Rights." By definition, a theoretical and fundamental set of human rights. The question is, who defines the set? God or man? And whose set do I like best?]]> Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Used to be that a roadside bomb killing soldiers would break our hearts or anger us. Now? Thanks to the never sleeping news tickers it's just another few words scrolling across our TV screens.

Once upon a time, the thought of someone walking into a classroom, and shooting students would unsettle us for at least a few days. Anymore? We just fly past the story on our way to the sports page.

Heard it all before. Seen it all before. Have been totally overexposed to tragedy and pain. The nerves are numb. The senses are dulled. And the most vile of atrocities are now just words marching across the screen like the early morning SnoGo report.

It seems that the constant bombardment of headlines and breaking news can leave us with two significant issues. The first is the most obvious. We just block things out. Our emotions become desensitized. What once appalled us, now barely even catches our attention. A scene that used to give us pause and bring tears to our eyes now gets a shrug of the shoulder and a passing "Man, that must be tough. Glad I don't have to face that!"

And that might not even be the scariest result of this modern day overexposure. Because it is one thing to become dulled to the events, but an entirely more frightening proposition to become numb to the root of the events. Namely, sin.

When I no longer see and am moved by the results of the enemies actions, than eventually I don't even recognize the enemy. If murder and suicides become common place, than so do the emotions of anger and desperation that underline the actions. If overexposure to evil numbs me to the root of all evil...what's next?

Jesus said that people who are "poor in spirit" and "mournful" are blessed. It doesn't make much sense, and yet it does. Because it is a blessing to still be able to feel. It is a blessing to still know that the world hasn't dulled our senses to the point of placing our hands on a stove and feeling nothing. It is a blessing to live with a heart that can still break over the devastating news of our world despite the talking heads efforts to make it just another day in our lives or rotation of the globe.

Plop yourself down on the couch. Turn on Headline News. And then ask yourself. . .what do I feel?
]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Sounds simple enough, right? Just think of an object, vessel, or being that is easier to fill up without first being emptied. Or to put it another way, something that is easier to fill up when it is already full than it is when it is empty. Oh, and did I mention that there really can't be any mixing of contents?

Maybe it will be easier to help me out if I explain why I need the name or description of this...whatever it is. You see, God and I have this discussion going on. I'll start with His argument, and I think you too will see the absurdity of it.

God's position appears to be that in order to fill me with His Spirit, and thus transform me into all He desires I be. (And might I add, all that I desire to become.) He feels like if that is going to happen, I have to first be emptied out of all that is...well, in me. That for Him to do the filling, I must first be emptied. And that on top of that, He appears to be pretty adamant that some compromise of a partial filling or mixing of my contents would not be the best plan. He seems to be holding to the position that the best way to fill me, is to first empty me.

Crazy, huh? It just sounds way too difficult, complicated, and possibly even painful. Namely, for me. So I've been trying to come up with a practical example of my alternative plan.

I tried putting some lemonade in an already filled water balloon. You can't even imagine the mess that made. I tried getting some of my hair gel into my toothpaste tube, and visa-versa. I'm still praying Debbie hasn't found that experiment, but her hair is smelling minty fresh! A two liter of soda into my half-full gas tank? Still paying for that one.

But I haven't given up, and I know you can help me. There must be a way we can get full of God, without having to get emptied of us. Right? Come on, you can find me something. I'm counting on you!]]> Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Of course, yesterday was "Super" Sunday. Not because the collective preaching across the country was outstanding. Or because the entire nation experienced sunshine and 70s. No, it was the "Super" Bowl that gave us "Super" Sunday. "Super" commercials. "Super" snacks. And by the fourth quarter, even a "Super" game!

Tomorrow is...you guessed it..."Super" Tuesday. Not because Tuesdays are always better than Mondays. Or because Friday is one day closer. Not even because it also happens to be "Fat" Tuesday. No, it is "Super" Tuesday because 24 states will decide the final two candidates for the next president of the United States of America. As a citizen of one of the other 26 states, doesn't really make Tuesday all that "Super".

By definition, when used as an adjective, "Super" means: excellent, first rate. Or even great or extreme. The problem is, when overused, "Super" goes from representing those types of characteristics to just one more "Super" thing.

That's the case with many words. Just think of all the things we "love". So now what does it mean when someone says, "I love you"? All the things that are "great". So what's distinct about singing "How great is our God"? All the things that are "true." So how do we uphold Jesus as "the truth"?

Maybe with a quarter million words at our disposal, we should get a little choosier about who and what we label with such significant terms. Maybe there is a vocabulary to be reserved for the truly great, first rate, and excellent. Maybe there is a way to speak of the eternal treasures of life that really sets them apart from the temporary and every day.

Something to think about as you sit at lunch this week munching on that Big Mac and fries. And don't forget to Super Size it!]]> Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Of course, I have been working hard to get up to speed. I've learned how to post a blog and have my own Facebook page. We even picked up a cell phone for our son, and from time to time we "text"! Though I text with full words, and he with acronyms and letters that take me days to figure out what he is saying.

The saying goes that "Time flies when you are having fun." Truth be told, when you step back and look at the big picture, time just plain flies!

A recent movie release called "The Bucket List" explores two aging men and their desire to participate in all kinds of crazy activities before they "kick the bucket." On the inspiration of a book by famous football coach Lou Holtz, I once made a list of the top 100 things I would like to do before I died. I think I've managed to cross three items off the list.

As the birthday celebration approaches, I find that my top 100 list does not interest me near as much as the things I would like to do with my son before he moves out and moves on in life. It seems like just yesterday that he was three. And before I know it, the tomorrow will arrive when it seems like just yesterday that he was 13.
So I ask myself, how can I maximize the time I have been given with him?

How about you? Is time getting away from those moments you wanted to share with that co-worker who is being relocated? Has busyness kept you from those activities with that relative whose days are numbered? Have you missed the opportunity to enjoy some time with that church friend who is about to graduate and transition in life?

Remember, time flies.]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Fortunately, there has been some effort to alleviate the stress. Every fourth year used to include a Summer and Winter Olympics. Oh the humanity! Now they have been staggered and 2008 will simply contain a summer games, but my DVR will still be struggling to keep up.

Then there is the full slate of political caucuses and primaries. Kudos to the individual who can remember which state does which, for which party, and when. Your MENSA membership card is in the mail!

On top of that there are debates, conventions, nominations, concessions (unfortunately not the kind with nachos and hot dogs), and countless commercials. Though I am still awaiting the one that ends with, “I’m candidate X, and I did NOT approve this message!”

But the real kicker of the every four years cycle? The renewed discussion, reflection, and often argumentation regarding that topic that just can’t wait for the next multiple of four to arrive: Is God a Democrat or a Republican? And it’s a good thing that leap year has an extra day, because we now have to add to the discussion. . .or Libertarian? Or Green Party?

We assume God is Pro-Life. So rumor has it in 2008 that He is required to be a Republican. Right? He has personally invoked the death penalty on more than one trespasser. So which party does that put Him in? I’m guessing He is fond of the earth that He took the time to create, and would like to see us take care of it. Does that make Him a tree-hugging Democrat? Peace in the Middle East seems like a nice position for God. But when I read the Bible, it sure sounds like things are going to get a whole lot uglier over there before they get better. So would He put more troops into Iraq, or pull out the ones already there?

We haven’t even mentioned universal health care, social security, gun control, stem cell research, education, or balancing the budget. I’m guessing it will take us all of 2008 to get God’s voter registration nailed down. Thankfully, we have an extra 24 hours to do it!]]> Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://stonewallwesleyan.com/blog.cfm?postid=
Of course the second step is to develop new resolutions for the coming year. We'll put weight loss on the list. . .again! Would love to read some more books, and listen to some more teaching CDs and DVDs. Hope to get back to Haiti, and maybe even venture to at least one other country. The list will grow over the next few days.

You see, making resolutions has never been a challenge for me. My personality is wired to make goals. To create "to do" lists, and then experience the exhilaration of marking things off it! Franklin Covey has made more than a few dollars off me with their planners, personal life tracking devices, and habits of highly effective people (though I may not qualify for the "highly" adjective!).

But one thing has really been coming to my mind in recent days. It is a thought related to those "missed" resolutions. Those areas of my life where the years keep ticking by and only minimal progress is made, if any. Those goals that I set, but don't seem to achieve.

And it gets me to realizing that while goals and resolutions are important and helpful. . .they can be fruitless without a plan. Without a change in my behavior. Without something specific that I'm going to do differently to make sure they are reached. Without something that moves me from wanting to working for. From dreaming about to actually doing and achieving.

They say insanity is defined by doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result. If that is true, than my list of resolutions can definitely reveal some areas of insanity in my life.

What about you? What do you long to see happen in your life in 2008? And more importantly. . .what are you ready to change so that come January, 2009, you'll need a new list?]]>