Speak On It...

Final Attempt

2010-07-06T21:48:00.002-04:00

Here's the thing. I'm trying to make a comeback! It's going to be hard! Who's with me?

For Such A Time As This...

2010-07-01T15:22:00.002-04:00

Now before I go any further, I have to tell you that if you want drama and intrigue, hero and villain action, and some of the best reality television you will ever read, you have to read the entire Book Of Esther. Honestly it’s probably best for you to go read it before you finish reading this post… (Pages Turning)
Okay… so after reading Esther you remember this famous statement offered by Mordecai when he says “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14) I recently shared this story in my community at Fieldstone and was reminded of how powerful this moment is in Esther’s life directly affects our life if we are willing to realize that we have been called “for such a time as this.”
It’s easy to get this twisted and think that we have to be willing to sacrifice our lives like Esther did, but then again maybe that’s exactly what this passage is about. I mean here’s what I’m thinking… From a Christian perspective we hear and read scripture that says, we can actually be transformed into a “new creation”, but we have to be willing to let go of the old way of doing life and take on the Way (read Jesus) and live a life of unconditional love and service. (2nd Corinthians 5:17)
Now take a breath and think about that for a second. What I’m getting at is a real acknowledgement of another way of living and responding to life. Regardless of our approach to faith we can all acknowledge that we find ourselves in daily living that calls on us to make real time decisions that actually affect others and have serious implications.
You and I were made for such a time as this. Right now, you have the opportunity to directly bring help, hope, love and peace into someone’s reality. Right now, you have the opportunity to step into someone’s hurt and brokenness and bring healing and wholeness. Right now you have the opportunity to bring light into darkness.
Oh, I know what you’re thinking. What is he talking about? Those words don’t seem to truly speak to my situation or into my specific relationship. Well, here we go…
Do no harm. Think about the people in your life that harm like family, friends, co-workers etc. Do Good. What are some real ways that you can do good with those people? What are some ways you can do good for creation? What are ways you can do good for your neighbor? (Based on John Wesley’s General Rules)
We were made for such a time as this. With the amount of bad happening in our community don’t you think we can actually start doing some good? Don’t you think we were made for such a time as this?

Speak On THAT!

Thoughts...

2010-05-28T06:38:00.001-04:00

Here’s the reality… We live in a politically correct climate that trend itself toward polarizing conversations and bureaucratic nightmares. For people of faith in the midst of this climate it seems we often find ourselves at a crossroads. If I go Left it means this or if I go Right it must mean this.
We make our mark in the sand with blue and red while pledging allegiance and loyalty to party. Look at every major issue that people discuss and ask yourself this question, “Which party defines you?” That answer writes itself into the fabric of our daily living. And as we live, people are reading what we are writing, that’s for sure. And they are wondering how or even if following Jesus really even matters.
What if instead of going Right or Left we went into the middle or maybe even a third way? What if we found the “via media” or middle way as John Wesley called it and in finding that middle way, actually found a “razor sharp, cut-glass” imagery and understanding of Jesus Christ? (Jesus Manifesto)
I believe that if we found that third way we would be given new eyes for seeing, a deeper understanding, and transformational information regarding the answers that are writing themselves into the fabric of our lives. I’m pressing myself and hopefully those reading, to dig deeper into the pursuit of following Jesus with total allegiance, sold out for the author of my life. Dude, this is what’s up!
“You and I are meant to be living epistles—that is, “Jesus Manifestos” – in our world. Cities set on a hill. Salt and light” (Jesus Manifesto) What are we writing?
The community of faith we share in at Fieldstone has a responsibility to teach others about Jesus. We need to learn more about what Jesus thought, how Jesus loved and how might change what the world is reading. Oh man! I don’t want to miss the opportunity to help someone see Jesus. This is the most important thing. Why would we keep the blessing a secret?
The world is hurting friends. Our friends and family and the people we see from day to day are hurting. Why won’t we help them see? What else do we need to do to make sure another student doesn’t walk into another school with loaded ammunition? How many more people are going to come to our door looking for enough food for the rest of the week? How many people are going to miss helping this year through SPY (Summer Project Youth)? The list goes on and on…
So let’s help others see Jesus and let’s follow the Way of Jesus knowing that in doing just that, others will be loved and we will help Heaven come down here.

Speak On It!

A Mess Of Jesus

2010-04-29T16:09:00.000-04:00

“Lord, we acknowledge that we have made a mess of what Jesus started. We affirm that we are wrong and Jesus is right. We choose not to defend what we have done and what we have become. We understand that many good Christians will not want to participate in our quest, and we will welcome their charitable critique. We acknowledge that we have created many Christianities up to this point, and they call fro reassessment and, in many cases, repentance. We choose to seek a better path into the future that the one we have been on. We desire to be born again as disciples of Jesus Christ. Now grant us wisdom and guide us in our quest, and created something new and beautiful in and among us for the good of all creation and to your glory, Living God” (A New Kind Of Christianity, McLaren, 25).

There are times when we truly do make a mess of what Jesus started. Sometimes we water it down just enough to kinda follow Jesus don’t we? Sometimes we open the playground of the mind wide open and allow other gods to come in and effectively take ownership. Sometimes we put our own agenda on Jesus so that he looks a little more like us and in those moments of messing with the real Jesus that we begin to move farther away from what Jesus has truly called us to do and who Jesus has called us to be. At least that’s what I think.

I was recently reading The Christ Of The Indian Road, by E. Stanley Jones and he talks about the travels to America around 1620, on the Mayflower and the “good ship ‘Jesus’ was in the slave trade” (The Christ Of The Indian Road, Jones, 16). Jones goes on to talk about a mess of Christianity build on prejudice. A mess of what Jesus started.
When I first came to Fieldstone people talked and shared their hopes and understanding of a place where we could really follow Jesus. The time is upon us friends to distinguish between modern/western Christianity and focus only on the person and work of Jesus the Christ. My personal prayer is that we all focus more on the Christ. May we come to a deeper understanding of Jesus and his teaching. And may we actually be a community of faith that cleans up the mess so others might see Jesus.

Speak on It...

My Best...

2009-12-18T14:27:00.000-05:00

So as I was trying to find some boots for this snow to come I was listening to Mercy Me’s Christmas album, which happens to be one of my favorites ever! They have some really cool arrangements of some classic songs like Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard on High and the most classic O Holy Night. But the one song that I really dig is The Little Drummer Boy.

It’s basically like you remember with all the pa rum pum pum pum’s, and what not, but then it goes into this killer bridge that gives the song a whole new life and causes me to rethink how I’m living my life before Jesus.
“Shall I play for you? Shall I play for you? Mary looked at me and nodded the ox and lamb kept time, oh I played my drum for him, I played my best for Christ… I played my best for Christ.”

Have I played my best for Christ? That’s when it hit me.
Have I done my best to serve Christ? Have a done my best to love others the same way God loves me? Have I done my best serving the people of Fieldstone? Have I done best offering everything I have to God?

As we journey closer to the manger this year, as we come bringing gifts, I pray that we all “play our best for Christ.”

Much Love & Christmas Peace,
Speak On That!

TEll IT....

2009-12-11T21:48:00.001-05:00

A couple of weeks ago we started throwing out this idea that God Is Not Done and God is still actually working in the hearts and minds of people all around. I have already seen in the past couple of weeks that God is still raising the dead.
As we journey closer to the manger, I can’t help but be drawn to new life. Now, I know that I’m grown up, have more grey hair than most and probably a little cantankerous/difficult at times. And yet, even for me, I have the opportunity to enter into something very new as I consider the ways God is moving.
I guess what I mean to say is that God can still do something within me but I have to be willing.
Are you willing?
I believe an emphasis of Christmas falls on the spirit of willingness to receive the gift offered in and through Jesus Christ. Are you willing to receive freedom? Are you willing to forgive? Are you willing to grow up and take responsibility? Are you willing to love even in those moments that hurt you the most? Are you willing to listen? Are you willing to risk your reputation for following God? Ask Mary and Joseph. They did.
This year God is looking to give a gift of life. Are we ready? Are we willing to say yes?
What if we did? What if we actually bought into the spirit and willingness of Christmas? What if we actually loved harder than anyone else?

Speak on That!

Magic?

2009-12-03T12:02:00.001-05:00

So basically our nighttime routine is like this. After teeth are brushed, flushed the toilet for the last time, Lori and I read a couple of books, take some time to pray and then one of us will lay with him for a couple of minutes.
Most of the time he wants Lori to read to him and then me to lay with him and during that time I hear all kinds of things from Kindergarten Drama, the next level of LEGO Star Wars all covered with various noises that little boys make in the midst of conversation.

Last night though, things were a little different. Jackson just blurted out, “Believe is a Christmas word dad!” He kept on going by saying, “we need to believe in the magic of Santa!”

In my mind I wanted to say something like, “Well, Jackson you know that the reason for the season is Jesus and blah, blah, blah.” But I didn’t. I listened. He asked me if I believed in the magic? Because if you don’t believe in the magic then you don’t believe in Santa. That’s when I had that Polar Express moment.
Jackson believes right now in something bigger than himself. He believes in something that is magical, something that changes circumstances, brings joy and laughter, filled with hope and expectation. Right now he believes.
Do we?

I’m not suggesting we believe in magic. Hello! But I am suggesting that we believe in something bigger that brings joy and hope, filled with expectation. Do we still believe? Are we right now, all grown up, paying bills and dealing with adult things that we don’t have time to believe in the greatest story still being told?

As we continue through the season of Advent, moving toward the manger I’m asking you to believe again. I’m asking you to believe in the power of prayer. I’m asking you to believe in the reality of forgiveness and peace. I’m asking you to believe in the power of community and the power of a servant king born on the outskirts of town in the middle of controversy.
Do you still believe?

Speak On That!

Phone Calls...

2009-11-23T22:10:00.001-05:00

Tonight I talked to a former student of mine from back in the day. I was his youth pastor about eight years ago, (yes for me that’s back in the day) and he was talking about his upcoming wedding next September. I will have the privilege of sharing in that moment next year, but the phone call really hit me…

First of all, I was in the middle of writing this note, so it put me behind. Second, I have a boatload of work to do in the next two days. Thirdly, my head is full of a stupid cold and hasn’t made my last 24 hours great. What about you? Aren’t you there? Many of us are making plans to cook turkeys or veggie delights to prepare for the trademarked “Turkey Coma” (Thanks Mary Devon).

Things are getting crazier by the moment, everybody is busy, everybody has something else to do on their list including this note, so I’ll wrap it up…

We are moving into the season of Advent, a marked Holy Time, set apart not to prepare our homes, but to prepare our hearts and souls for the coming of Jesus in Triumph! Don’t get me wrong, I’m going to put up my tree, and I’m going to eat my share of Christmas cookies, but this season of Advent is like the call of an old friend, happening to take your mind and heart to another place for a time.

It’s in that place away from all the hustle and bustle that you and I are already sharing in to make a point to share in what God has in store for us this year. God is not done friends. God is not done.
So take that phone call, sit at the table a little longer, laugh out loud, get on the floor and read to your kids, forgive someone, remember the poor, and whatever it is that interrupts your life.

I pray that you and your family have blessed Thanksgiving.

Speak ON That!

Phone Calls...

2009-11-23T22:10:00.000-05:00

Tell IT....

2009-11-19T20:24:00.002-05:00

So here's the thing. I stink at keeping this thing consistent. I need some help.

But in case you are not going to help, I'm just going to write, write, write....

I wrote a letter today to a friend in jail. She's in prison for whatever reason, you know how one things leads to another. It's taken me a while to write, I"m not sure why, other than like most things, we say, I'll get to it later. But I kept getting convicted about it. Finally with some prodding from the Holy Spirit, I finished it and it's getting in the mail. And as I'm thinking about it, it was one of those moments when I actually felt like I was doing something faithful. I actually felt like I was doing something that was kingdom-ish. Dude, how many times have I not done that? How many times have I neglected my responsibility as a follower of Christ.

This weekend we are moving into Christ The King Sunday, and Jesus says in John 18:37, "For this I came into the world (to inaugurate a world of peace and fellowship, of justice and respect for other people’s rights, of love for God and for one another) to testify to the truth." Speaking of truth, I can't help but think that you and I need to spend time finding ways to do that. If Christ is the King of me, it's time for me to serve my king right?

Speak ON THAT! Peace

Just A Thought...

2009-09-10T10:24:00.001-04:00

C.S. Lewis wrote, “I may repeat “do as you would be done by’ (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you) till I am black in the face, but I cannot really carry it out till I love my neighbour as myself: and I cannot learn to love my neighbour as myself till I learn to love God; and I cannot learn to love God except by learning to obey Him” (Mere Christianity, 87). (BTW, I know neighbor is spelled differently)
And so begins the ultimate struggle between what I want to do and what God wants me to do. I’ve been truly dealing and wrestling with that for more than a minute as I continue on this journey with God. When we initially hear the word “obey” it’s like STOP! Nobody move…nobody get’s hurt. This is almost as contentious as a Health Care Debate. For some, there is this automatic push that fights obeying just because it’s not what I “want” to do. But what does it really mean to “obey” God?
Well it can’t mean cowering down to a vengeful God. That’s not going to work. It can’t mean forcing others to do anything they don’t want to do. That’s not going to work. It can’t mean scaring people into places where they believe. That’s totally not going to work, and honestly I think that’s so far away from where God is that it’s borderline psycho. But it does mean, that if we really love God like we say we love God, then we live our lives a way that reflects that love of God.
Obedience to what God says. Forgiveness matters. Integrity matters. Justice and mercy matter. Hope matters. Hugs matter (okay it doesn’t say that exactly but you get the point). Grace matters.
The way we begin to understand those ideas is for us to be invested and involved deeper day after day. Lewis is suggesting that in order for us to grow in faith and understanding we have dig deeper into the service of God’s people. We have to open ourselves up to the celebration and worship of a present God and we have to open our hearts and minds to the study of God’s word through small groups and spiritual formation.

Speak On That!

Last week...

2009-09-04T21:39:00.000-04:00

So here’s the thing… Two crazy/weird God things happened last week in my little world. The first one, is more comical that not, but it started me thinking about church….
I was in Roanoke at the COX cable building about to do some filming for a commercial to air this fall or around Christmas (Don’t worry, I totally embarrassed myself) and I had to go to the bathroom. I turned on and noticed the toilet sit was left up. Okay, stay with me here. I figured, that’s one less thing I have to do and then I noticed it, plain as day under the toilet seat, the word CHURCH.
Okay, my wife informed me that CHURCH did make toilets but this was surprise to me. I was unaware. It was a totally God moment though, because it reminded me of where the church really is. It’s not completely at 3385 North Franklin Street. It is in fact in those places that we sometimes least expect it, and definitely in those places where you don’t want to go.
If the church really happens outside of the “church” then there has to be something that we are learning inside the “church” right? Every moment of most days you are I are learning something new. Whether it’s through the latest Tweet, or most recent text, we are gathering some new information that teaches us.
Sooo…. The way I see it, the church has gotten a bad rap. Because the church has gotten knocked around and because the church has wrongfully knocked around others, we need to bring holy back. We need to bring holy, set apart to serve, back and we need to bring real, in the places you don’t want to go love back, so the people of God might say the same thing that Jackson told me on Wednesday morning when he said, last night Jesus held his hand while he was sleeping.

Speak on It!

Still Got It...

2009-08-25T16:10:00.002-04:00

This is from this weekend...More to follow about the story. This is my crew from high-school 15 years later!!

Speak on that!

I almost forgot...

2009-08-19T20:38:00.001-04:00

I have dear friends who actually read this blog. I know, I'm surprised as well. Amanda Garber and Lisa Dockins, I'm actually thinking of making a real blogging comeback.

Speak on It!

First Day....

2009-08-19T20:37:00.000-04:00

So today I watched my son get on the bus for the very first time. It’s funny how he walked on the bus like he’d done it a thousand times before. Lori and I held it together until the bus took off and as we started walking back up the hill toward the house we lost it. Yeah…we cried a little.

So now, for our family there is a new adventure. If I’m being honest, I’m a little overwhelmed with trying to understand the ramifications of what this day really means for our future. Not getting crazy, here, but his life and the life of our family will be very different from here on. This experience will form and transform Jackson and all of us over time. (I just hope he doesn’t get sent to the principles office the first week, because then there will really be some transforming going on!)

Of course it will be exciting, breathtaking, exhausting, crushing, difficult, and life- altering from moment to moment. And each day will be different. I think I’m ready. But then again, if we don’t move forward, where are going to go?

Tomorrow you will have another day before you. You will probably get into your car, go to work, hang out or do whatever you do, just like you’ve done a thousand times before. But what if anything will cause your day or our life to be different? What will transform you? I’m not really a cynic, but I don’t think the most recent healthcare debate, or just because Hokie football is upon us we will really, I mean really be transformed by either.

But Jesus will.

Your boy Paul wrote to the church in Corinth and he said “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Cor. 5:17).

Once we start getting serious about that one statement, things become very different in our life. It doesn’t mean we don’t fall down, or get dirty sometimes, because life is difficult. Hello! BUT…it does mean that because I’m a new person, with the power of Christ working in me, and I’m trying to live my life as Jesus modeled (surrendered, and full of love) then when I get on that bus tomorrow morning I’ve got the strength to live and the strength to love…

Each of us has another moment…

Speak on It!

Haters...

2009-07-01T21:18:00.002-04:00

You know what bothers me. Haters. Sometimes when I'm hanging out, people try to hate! It's funny how everyone seems to think that they are comedians, when in fact they are haters. Now, you may be wondering how I could be so cruel. Don't read too much into this rant. It's just for fun and to ensure some friends, (aka Lisa) that I still know how to post a blog.

Speak On That!

More than breakfast...

2009-04-28T14:51:00.002-04:00

So this morning I was eating breakfast (imagine that) with our men's bible study at a local restaurant when all of a sudden it happened…

We had really finished breakfast but there were three of us still hanging out for a little conversation. I stood up and moved to the side and before I knew it, the three of us had completely blocked the aisle. So we talked for a couple of minutes with seemingly no issue. The place was just about empty when all of a sudden one of the waitresses stopped and gave us a “slap you in the mouth look.”

She said, “Do you think you are at home?” “You think you can just sit all around here wherever/however you want?” We all three replied “No ma’am,” and quickly moved back around the table to continue our conversation.

Over the course of the day I’ve considered two ways of interpreting this event. Before I go any deeper here…let me say, I’m cool with what she said, actually even how she said it, but it does bring to mind some possible thoughts to consider in relation to the church.

She didn’t hold back in telling the truth. That’s refreshing actually. Sometimes in the church we hide behind the truth don’t we? What keeps us from speaking the truth in love? (Ephesians 4:14-16)

Probably afraid to lose members, upset the apple cart or some other dumb reason…but still we stop.

Or maybe people aren’t ready to hear the truth? Could it be?

Speak On It!

Okay...

2009-04-27T18:47:00.003-04:00

I know I'm a total dork and I'm tremendously behind on posts... So in light of that I'm going to try just a little harder. Okay, maybe.

In the meantime check out the interpreter magazine...

http://www.interpretermagazine.org/interior.asp?ptid=43&mid=13435

Speak On It.... Peace

Veggie...

2009-03-31T17:41:00.002-04:00

So I know I'm delinquent in posting. Thanks for the heads up Mandi! I want to ease back in to this thing. I wanted the world to know that for breakfast this morning I had a veggie omelette! From my perspective I was quite pleased. It truly did fill me up. Maybe I should eat more veggies....

Speak On It....

Pretty Sweet....

2009-02-13T20:32:00.000-05:00

So tonight, Jackson asked me if God was giving out Valentines. He said “Could God just drop them out from the sky?” I started thinking about that and as he looked at me, I couldn’t help but feel the power of the Holy Spirit. I told him that “you are God’s Valentine Jackson, and how you live your life is love.” So then Jackson says, “When we give our Valentine away, then we really give God away, right dad?”

So I was blown away. We talked a little more about it and the more we talked the deeper we went. When we give somebody a Valentines Day card they feel good and feel the love. So when we give ourselves away, we are giving God away and people begin to feel God’s love. That’s pretty cool.

So have a sweet Valentine’s Day and Give some love away.

Speak On It!

Most Recent Headline....

2009-02-06T10:01:00.001-05:00

Okay, I'm trying to get consistent...

I didn’t want to do it this week, and I tried really hard to stay away from it, but I can’t help but comment on the most famous Olympian of our era, and superstar Michael Phelps. If you haven’t heard I just bring you up to speed…
Phelps was at a party, somebody took a picture of him smoking marijuana and now the media, International Olympic Committee, and tons of households around the world are debating the most recent picture of a fallen hero.
So here’s the thing, I’m not going to bash Phelps, I think he’s got enough of that happening. I’m not going to suggest that it’s okay to smoke weed because of “youthfulness” or because of pressure. Who doesn’t have pressure? So we find ourselves in a peculiar spot.
As I think about this story, I find two responses that have been running over and over in my mind this week. First, “Who hasn’t made a mistake?” I mean, how many stupid things have we done that if people saw them captured on a cell phone and ending up on Facebook somewhere wouldn’t question our integrity or character? We need to be careful when or if we start condemning people. That’s what Jesus was getting at when he called out the Pharisees and others when they caught a woman in adultery. (John 8:1-11) Are you ready to cast the first stone?
The second piece of this that fills my mind rests on the amount of stock we put into other people. I’m not suggesting we can’t love, respect and admire others, but in many ways we make them like a “god” with power that goes beyond the realm of human possibility. Where does Jesus fit into this? Are we pouring ourselves into Jesus as much as we pour into Phelps, Obama or the most recent headline?
In order for us to continue to grow and change, and transform the world, we have to be willing to look to Jesus. He will never fail us. He will never be found online in any questionable photo. He will never leave us. He will never sell us out for another bong hit. He will never ask us for more than he’s already given us.
This Jesus is mighty to save and is ready for us to believe in the one who will never fail us.

Speak On It!

Trying To Get Back in the Saddle....Starting with John

2009-01-08T15:20:00.002-05:00

Over the past couple of days I’ve been reading the Gospel of John. It’s one on the four Gospels and has always been one of my favorites. Within the first chapter things really get moving. In particular one of the sections that caught my attention is in 1:35-42. Basically Jesus is walking and a couple of guys were following him wanting to know where he was staying. Jesus was a rabbi, meaning a teacher, and they wanted to come and stay with him for a while.
What he says next has been sitting with me and it won’t leave my mind. “Come and you will see.” Come and you will see. As they come and see things really begin to move when they actually take him up on it and decide to hang out with Jesus. Once they are with him they realize that he is truly the Messiah, the anointed one of God, who is the very “Word” of God spoken into existence, called to change the world.
It gets better when the change happens. One of the guys who had followed him was Simon, who after meeting Jesus was now going to be called Peter. Peter was now a new person because he came and saw.
Are we calling others to “Come & See.” Come and see the love of God offered throughout our homes and community. Come and see open hands ready to serve. Come and see open hearts ready to love and Come and see open doors for anybody who really wants to come and see.
Have you come? Are you inviting others?

Speak On It!

Choices...

2008-10-29T21:30:00.000-04:00

Choices. It’s really all about choices isn’t it? On November 4th you are going to have a choice. You will have the opportunity, privilege and responsibility to vote while exercising the freedom of democracy. What an awesome thing!
Over the past two weeks we’ve talked about Jesus For President and how we choose to cast that ballot everyday of our lives. We make the choice to follow Jesus by how we live, love and serve. We make the choice to follow Jesus by doing the right thing when no one else is watching. We make the choice to follow Jesus by allowing love to have the final answer, even when we don’t like the way that answer sounds.
The Bible says, “Choose life, so that you might live,” and when we vote for Jesus we are truly choosing a life that makes a difference. (Deuteronomy 30:19) We have to make choices right?
Check this out…even God makes choices. And here’s the thing that takes it to the next level in the Gospel of John when Jesus says, “I have chosen you out of the world.” (John 15:19) God chooses YOU! Right in the middle of where you are, God says, “I choose you!” God says, “I love you,” and God wants us to know that nothing we can do will ever change that choice.
What choices are you going to make?

Speak on it...

Questions...

2008-10-09T21:06:00.003-04:00

So here's the thing...I'm trying to stay focused, I'm trying to stay in the zone, and Yet I’m continuing to struggle with the ups and downs. Just like everybody else I’m trying to keep it real in the midst of the chaos, but it leaves me with questions about the how/why/when and where God is going to move next…

Our church is taking huge steps, it was built on a strong foundation, and God is calling us to do more than we could have ever imagined…and yet I still have questions.

I wonder about my boy Ezekiel when the Lord said, “eat this scroll and go speak to the house of Israel” (3:1). The scripture says, he opened his mouth and he ate it, tasting sweet as honey. It’s the same question before us now.

Are we willing to open our mouth to eat this scroll? Are we ready to do the things that God is asking us to do that are not even on our radar screen? Are we ready to really take the next step of faithfulness in order to help other people know and experience the Kingdom of God? Are we ready to sacrifice? Are we really ready to eat this scroll?
If we do our work in the Lord, we don’t do it in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58). It’s time to eat the scroll friends…
Speak On IT!

Hey...Hey...Hey

2008-10-08T11:46:00.002-04:00

Didn't Fat Albert say that? Yo...What's good? I'm living the dream on this end. I know it's been forever since I've posted so thanks for those still reading or wanting to read. This is a good place for me to just let it out a little and do some thinking now and again.

I've just been reading from Ezekiel and I'm having some pretty intense feelings about the 2 & 3 chapters. Eat the scroll? It taste sweet as honey... I'm down with that.

What about being taken up by the spirit? That's freaking awesome! I love that language and the reality of how that is played out today. What thinks you? As it goes on and on it really brings some important questions to light as to how we have to be concerned for our brothers and sisters as we journey through life together (sounds like a good book title, haha).

Anyway...I'm out for a couple of days, then I'm back to Speak ON IT! Peace

Somewhat of a quandry...

2008-09-15T14:11:00.002-04:00

So here's the thing...this weekend is going to be a pretty intense time. I know it's only Monday, but Saturday North Carolina and Virginia Tech are going to throw down. For years I have been a huge fan of UNC. Especially their basketball team! Now all of a sudden I'm in a rock and a hard place. I totally dig VT and I'm all about becoming a member of the Hokie Nation and yet I'm torn.

The saga continues....

Speak On it!

Coudn't think of a title that wasn't lame...

2008-09-03T14:39:00.001-04:00

Two months in and I think I know where I am. I don’t know about you but I still feel really new to Fieldstone. I’m still learning names, trying to understand the rhythm of the New River Valley and I still have two boxes in my office to unpack!
I don’t have to tell you that September is full of newness, with back to school meetings, finding a new routine, and new opportunities. Our son is going to preschool today and he’s fired up for his new adventure. He’s already picked out his dinosaur t-shirt and can’t wait to get out on the playground! (I just hope he actually does some work!)
Things are changing. We do know that the only thing constant is change and as that change will open up new opportunities for our community to love God and love people. God says through the Prophet Isaiah, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” God was talking about doing a new thing, creating a new way, a way that spoke mercy, justice, hope and love. This is our God and this is an exciting time to share in ministry.
Look for the ways that God is doing a “new thing” in you this week. Consider taking a step in faith as you consider joining one of our new small group bible studies or finding a new way to serve and share in the community.
With God all things are possible and all things can be made new!
Speak On IT!

Guess Who's BACK...

2008-08-28T14:25:00.002-04:00

No! It's not Slim Shady...it's your boy, the Round Man Of Rebound, well not really him either, it's just me. We've just gotten back from vacation and enjoyed two weeks of family and fun. Now it's back to the grind and I've got to tell you, I'm kinda missing the beach...

Looking forward to writing and keeping everybody posted about Fieldstone UMC and the way God is moving in this place along with some inconsequential thoughts now and then.

Talk soon...

Speak ON IT!

This was cool...

2008-08-03T19:55:00.002-04:00

Tonight before we put Jackson in the bed, he told us he wanted to sleep with his bible. What? Before I could say anything he said, "You always read your bible by your bed, and I want to have mine tonight." How do you say no?

So then he says, "After I finish reading I'm going to put it under my pillow and sleep with it tonight." WORD! So as I was walking out of room and closing his door, I overhear him talking to Jesus... That's the real deal friends.

Who told us to stop sleeping with our bibles? I totally hear God saying something right now.

Speak on it!

Holy Humility

2008-07-30T16:58:00.002-04:00

I was reading from "Glimpses Of Grace" by Madeleine L'Engle the other day where she wrote concerning humility.

"There's an old story of a student who went to a famous old rabbi and said, "Master, in the old days there were people who could see God. Why is it that nobody sees God nowadays?" The old man answered, "My child, nowadays nobody can stoop so low."

Then it hit me. What is keeping us from stooping that low? I'm reminded of Paul's letter to the Philippians in the 2nd chapter verses 1-12 where he sets before us the person of Jesus and the work offered by his modeling humility as he became obedient to death upon the cross so that we might see God...

When do I get to the place where I'm not concerned with how it looks when I stoop that low?

Speak On it...

Fieldstone On TV

2008-07-23T09:14:00.004-04:00

Yo...check out some of the interns and the students from SPY (Summer Project Youth). It's awesome!

http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/spys_change_lives/14482/

Here is the written article from News 10...

By Lindsey Ward

Published: July 22, 2008

An old house is getting a new face with the help of some young students.

SPY, short for Summer Project Youth, extends work for kids past the last day of school into the long days of summer. They pick-up their paint brushes and hammers and work to make a difference.

“We help out needy people, the handicap, and the elderly,” said Harrison Weinhold, SPY Intern.

Juanita Allen’s home is one of SPY’s largest projects yet and a she’s spent a big part of her life in this house.

“I was born in this house,” Allen explained.

Approaching 80-years-old, Allen admits she and her husband are no longer able to keep up with the maintenance. Unaware of a serious leak on her front porch a neighbor knew turning to SPY was the only option.

“They worked so hard. They’ve faced wasps, they faced rain, they faced insects, they faced heat and they carried on joyfully,” said Allen.

It’s estimated this project would cost the Allen’s upwards of $2,000 in supplies alone, but thanks to community donations and SPY’s free labor the new porch comes without a price tag.

In the past five years SPY has invested $250,000 into the New River Valley, but for many the help is priceless.

“It’s such a blessing to see young people willing to do something for the older generation,” Allen said tearfully.

Summer Project Youth says their next goal is to expand their work to other areas of Virginia.

Speak On IT!

Vacation Bible School is not even half of it...

2008-07-19T10:24:00.002-04:00

Basically I'm just taking a moment to sit and think about what's going on here at Fieldstone UMC. Thursday night we started Vacation Bible School and around 30 kids came out to learn a little bit about having a beach party and a lot about Jesus. They were on one side of the building while about 50 more students and all the SPY staff along with member of our community were preparing for dinner and evening program and then it hit me...

God is totally rocking this place out. The energy is wild and contagious. It's typical camp stuff but it's more than that here. It's a picture of what the church is supposed to be like. The ecclesia, the called out community of God actually living into the love offered by Jesus Christ. This is indeed a powerful place. I just wanted to take a vivid picture of what this community looks like and share it with the masses. I want other people to know that the church is not just a place that sticks to the established way of doing things, but a place that I feel is committed to truly following Jesus. Dude, I'm so fired up right now.

Speak On It...

Spirit Is Moving...

2008-07-16T11:59:00.002-04:00

Proverbs 3:4-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight."

And so it begins. The whole trusting thing. You know it's like sometimes, you fight the trust factor don't you? A couple of years ago I was continued in my ordination because I couldn't articulate in ministry terms some of my thought. It didn't take long before the lack of trust starting eating away in my soul. I prayed hard, had some conversations with God, dug deep into the scripture and fought against myself. I wanted to trust, I needed to trust and yet there were parts of me that didn't want to trust. Maybe you should throw it all away, maybe this isn't what God really has in store for you type thing...BLAH!

Obviously I moved on because I trusted that God had called me into this thing called ordained ministry and God had specific things to do within that ministry. Thank You Jesus!

Fieldstone. A place alive with the spirit. A warm place. A community dedicated to loving God and loving people, while reaching out into the community with a tangible piece of love in so many different ways.
Fieldstone. A community that has already blessed us. A gathering of people who want to know want to experience Christ in a way that transcends the mundane and mediocre, a place for you to come just like you are, be called by name and welcomed at table to experience the holy power of a "come close" God who changes us from the inside out.

It's time for us to trust in the Lord...

Speak On It....

Heaven isn't too far away....

2008-07-11T22:34:00.004-04:00

Somewhere around lunch Jackson started to talk about how Jesus and God know everything and how they were both in Heaven and how he really wanted to go to Heaven. SLOW DOWN. I was like "What!?" He said he really wanted to be with God in Heaven. So Lori & I started thinking real fast and I said, "remember when we say the Lord's Prayer, and we say, 'thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." He says yes, and then I say well, what if we could bring Heaven here?

Right then he really starts listening. "How can I do that dad?" Love people, I said. I said, all you have to do is love people the way that God loves you and you can bring a little bit of Heaven right down here on earth. He started smiling. Then he says, "I can love people and tell them about Jesus right dad?" Bingo. that's what I'm talking about brother.

So here's the thing...that's our job. This is totally not original with me, but to see Jackson's eyes light up when he thought that he could bring a little bit of Heaven down to earth it was awesome. It was one of those moments where I sat back and gave God some mad praise. Thanks for the hearts and minds of the little children.

Speak On it!

PS. I know you remember the song from Warrant...right?
Heaven isn't too far away
closer to it everyday
no matter what your friends might say
we'll find a way...

Transitions...

2008-07-09T22:29:00.005-04:00

So here's the thing...moving is tough. We just got cable & internet today! We still have a couple of boxes yet to unpack and I'm not sure I know where all my underwear is. (Don't worry, I've got enough clean ones!) When you are getting all of your stuff out of boxes and you are meeting new people everyday it's easy to get overwhelmed. It's easy to lose your path so to speak. It's easy to want to stay in bed and just listen to the rain. There seems to be so much happening. That's when it gets dark.

Psalm 119:105 says, "By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path." The boxes are still there. I'm still faced with some tough decisions and things to deal with, but the words throw a beam of light on my dark path and things begin to change. I'm reminded of stories of healing and justice, where somebody actually did the right thing. I'm comforted and find peace that allows me to rest. I find out how to do work and I am reminded of a God who never leaves me, even when I can't seem to find Him. That's the good news friends...because we are all in transitions aren't we?

Speak On It...

Bringing Back The Funk

2008-07-01T16:42:00.002-04:00

Yo...Finally back online, well at least at Fieldstone, and I'm just trying to get back into the swing of things on the blog. I really haven't written since we found out we were moving to Fieldstone. Basically we are fired up and we're close to having all our boxes unpacked, and in case you were wondering the house is pretty killer. I'm just saying, we've gotten two rooms painted and as you can imagine, we are living the dream. So, this is just to get moving again on the blog front. Much Love & Peace,

Speak On It....

A Trumpet...

2008-04-22T22:42:00.002-04:00

We started teaching Jackson the Prayer of St. Francis the other night. We have tried to teach him prayers and spend time helping him night after night. The other night as Lori was going through the first line, "Lord make me an instrument of thy peace…” As Jackson started praying the prayer he said, "Lord make me a trumpet"

Dude...this guy is so awesome. What a blessing.

Here is a copy of the Prayer Of St. Francis.....I think he would be okay with Jackson's addition.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

Speak on it!

Zoo

2008-03-18T21:14:00.003-04:00

Hey...today we went to the Zoo and it was a great day for family. We went with some friends and had a blast. I know this is isn't deep or anything like that, but I haven't written in a bit so...

Speak On it....Later

Beautiful One...

2008-03-11T20:27:00.002-04:00

Lori was putting Jackson to bed the other night and she asked him what he wanted to pray for/about. He said, "Mom, I want to sing Beautiful One, because God likes it when we sing."

He gets it! So tonight as I was putting him down and just rubbing his back before he slipped off to sleepy time, he said again, "Hey dad, let's sing the Beautiful One again..." How awesome is that! SO here we are singing a cool song for the God who loves us and I am reminded again of a God's means of grace for my life. Those times, areas and moments when I feel the warmth and presence of our God who loves us so much that "my soul my soul must sing, my soul my soul must sing...the beautiful one!"

Speak On IT!

Too Easy...

2008-03-06T13:48:00.002-05:00

I mean come on. Two in a row.

Speak On That!

I'm hungry!

2008-03-05T17:42:00.002-05:00

Dude...I'm just saying. This is a prime target!

A Really Important Story...

2008-03-05T08:14:00.002-05:00

Yesterday as we were finishing dinner, my son Jackson said he had a really important story to tell. Basically it went like this...

Today in preschool we read a story. It was about God. Some people didn't like Jesus and then he was dead. There was a cross. Then they put Jesus in a big monster cave and rolled a rock as big as a monster onto the cave. Three Weeks later he was back alive! Now he lives in the sky...

The four year old version of what he remembers from the greatest story that has ever been told. When you hear it from a four year old, you begin to remember the first time you could ever tell that story. I'm also reminded of the often used story where Jesus says, "let the children come." (Mark 10:14) That's good stuff.

Speak on it!

In case anybody reads this...

2008-03-04T07:00:00.003-05:00

I just changed the color of the blog. What do you think?

Speak on THAT!

BTW...anybody seen the new coaches poll? http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3274936

Amazed....

2008-03-04T06:35:00.002-05:00

So basically I've been reminded that God is all about rocking my world.

Check this out...I meet with a group of pastors on Monday as an accountability group and part of what we do is discuss our sermon preparation. We try and stay a week ahead in our discussion so we might plan save ourselves from falling in the trap of writing a sermon the night before you have to preach.

Yesterday we were talking about Judas, in prepping for March 14/15 and the conversation got crazy as we looked at how "I am Judas" and we all fall into being Judas at some point in our lives.

As our conversation continued it's like the Spirit just rolled all over our room. The story came alive for us in a different way. We read these stories year after year, and many of us think we understand them thoroughly when in fact there is always an opportunity for God to teach us something or bring us to a new understanding of the Word. This is the power of the Word! Dang.

Now I don't know if the sermon will be any good in two weeks, I don't know if any sermon is really good, but I do know if we listen close enough and we are open to what God might be saying we could certainly, and not in a corny way, be amazed.

Speak on it....

Here's a quote from Karl Barth that might make some sense here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Barth

"If a sermon is biblical, it will not be boring. Holy scripture is in fact so interesting and has so much that is new and exciting to tell us that listeners cannot even think about dropping off to sleep." (Homiletics, Westminster John Knox, 1991, pg 80)

Spring Cleaning Come Early...

2008-02-26T20:11:00.001-05:00

So basically Lori just helped me mix it up a bit in the office. We moved the desk, cleaned out some stuff and I've got to tell you...I'm fired up. This is just a little taste of what's happening at the Smith household...stay tuned.

Speak on it!

WOW...I've got to go!

2008-02-20T06:51:00.005-05:00

Yo…You have to watch this video from my buddy Gordon Pruitt. He's a pastor in Richmond, and one of my best friends. He's thinking about preaching this for Easter.

I don't know how to put these fancy links out, so hopefully I put this on right. Go to his blog and have a good laugh.

http://biblemoth.blogspot.com/2008/02/ive-got-my-easter-sermon.html

Speak on it! Just stand up I guess.

Baby Clothes...

2008-02-17T21:13:00.003-05:00

My wife is getting ready for a consignment sale to be held at the church. She is going through all of our sons clothes he wore from birth-three years old. It's seriously taken me down memory lane. She just pulled out some of the first Nike's I got for him. (I thought he might have been a baller.) As I see this happening I'm brought back to the place of first holding Jackson and remembering his smell and the way he felt, thinking I might break him with the wrong move, and wondering what we were really going to do with this little life that just moved in to our quiet home.

What a gift. What an opportunity. What a scary ride. What an awesome chance to co-create with the creator! WORD!

As I write tonight, my son is upstairs sleeping. When I got home from youth group I walked into his room, kissed him on him his cheek and said a small prayer. I'm so thankful that I got to see Jackson grow up in those baby clothes.

God you ROCK!

Speak on it...

Once Again It's ON!!!!!!

2008-02-15T22:23:00.002-05:00

Okay…
It’s long over due! I’ve been very delinquent in my blogging, so I wanted to get back into the swing of things by talking about hanging out with some friends from church and catching a glimpse of what the Kingdom of God looks like…

We had some pizza and played Wii! (I totally smoked Lori!) A bunch of kids running around, laughing and playing and some for real off the chain strawberry short cake is hard to beat. We laughed, got serious and really enjoyed our time and I can’t help but see this through a theological reflection.

Now in his book the Velvet Elvis, Rob Bell (http://www.marshill.org/) talks about the way Jesus mastered the “art of the long meal.” When he would share in a meal with his disciples, they didn’t rush through the meal in order to get something else done. What they were doing was the only thing that mattered and Jesus modeled that for his disciples and he models that for us…

It was there in that time of really sitting with people, sharing with people and enjoying the company of fellow travelers on the journey, that I was reminded of God’s call to community and family. As I continue to grow in my own understanding of who God is and how God calls us to live in the Way of Jesus, I’m more convinced, and I’ve experienced the blessing, of actually being with people in relationships and it is my prayer as we continue in ministry together that we might bring some more friends to the table.

Speak On It…

UNC....

2008-02-07T20:35:00.000-05:00

Dude...I'm so sad. Carolina lost to Duke. Can't write.

Trying to brace myself for the pain...

Getting Back On Track...

2008-02-05T22:25:00.000-05:00

So...I'm writing tonight with a freshness. Last week I was approved for Ordination as an Elder in the UMC. I think I can get back to a more frequent post pattern and hopefully write something worth reading.

Right now....we are gearing up for the Carolina/Duke game to come on tomorrow night. GO UNC!

Speak On IT!

Dude...

2008-01-24T20:20:00.000-05:00

I was walking out of the house tonight to go to another meeting when Jackson calls to me. "Dad...you are my best friend! I love you!"

Wow. Right now I have a ton of things happening, (I'm also watching Duke play and I'm totally pulling for VT) as I'm getting ready for ordination interviews. I have a final (I pray) interview for my full ordination as an Elder in the United Methodist Church. My mind is running all over the place and with the pressure I feel preparing for this interview, I was almost brought to tears when my four year old son gave me a little perspective.

Don't get me wrong, I think the time is at hand for ordination, but I'm my son's best friend and right now that's enough to speak on it!
Peace

Always Surpised...

2008-01-19T21:09:00.000-05:00

So tonight we were riding home from church, and we started talking about the night and the church school classes when all of a sudden Jackson laid it down. His church school class is learning the Lord's prayer and things got crazy. He says, that the Power is in the blood! Well, nobody said anything to him about the blood but he's totally right. The power is in the blood that cleansing blood of Jesus that washes over us, cleansing us from sin. I'm always surprised! Speak On It...

By the way...I'm a little ticked because Carolina (My favorite team ever) lost to Maryland (I do like Gary Williams) but dang!

Check this out...

2008-01-12T21:15:00.000-05:00

Yo...a friend of mime turned me on to this blog. I don't know how to link it, so this is the best I can do. I think it's pretty tight. Peace.

A Church for Starving Artists: Can't We All Just Get Along?

A Little Bit of Hope & A Dash Of Hot Pepper...

2008-01-12T20:45:00.001-05:00

So tonight during worship my son, Jackson, completely flipped the script when he went to pray. We serve communion every week and invite people to move to a time of prayer at the altar. My wife usually takes Jackson to pray and she will pray-hold him-pray and generally ask him what he wants to pray about. Tonight when they went to pray she said Jackson started praying by himself and offered two beautiful prayers that have nearly brought tears to my eyes and also brought a deep laughter.

His first prayer went like this. "God, I hope that you love me." WOW. Of course Lori reminded him that God loves him so so much and when we put him down for the night, after we prayed, I gave my son one more hug and kiss and said, "God loves you big guy" Jackson responded...I know baby...

What a huge thought from a four year old. How many times do we wonder or want to ask the same question? "God I hope you love me. " It is your job, my job, the churches job to remind the people we see day after day, that no matter who you are, what you've done and how far you think you might be from God...it's good to be reminded that God loves you baby...

His second prayer went a little more like this..."God, I hope I stop biting my finger nails, so mommy and daddy don't put hot pepper on my fingers!"

Jesus said come to me like a child...I wonder if he said anything about biting finger nails?

Cool is Cool...

2008-01-09T22:50:00.000-05:00

So I wear glasses and I've worn them since I was in college, but my godson (who is 8) is about to get glasses this week. Of course he's worried that other kids are going to make fun of him, which the sad reality is they will, and he's trying extra hard to find a pair of glasses that look really cool.

But regardless of what type of glasses he gets, the question I have is "will he still be cool?" Who determines what cool is? Of course he's going to be cool! It's not going to matter what type of glasses he wears, or what type of clothes he has on, because the reality is he is important to God and according to God my godson is a masterpiece! (Ephesians)

Which leads me to some thoughts about how we let other people determine who we are and how we live. I mean, even as adults we get caught up with how other people want us to live, act or respond to life. It's almost like it never stops. Sometimes we forget that we are that same masterpiece of creation, whether we are 8 or 38! Hello!

I don't think this is anything original, but it's just where I'm at tonight and I think I needed to hear that God has some crazy love for me just because I'm me. That's what's UP!

Much Love & Peace...

Sunday School Class...Not Done Yet?

2008-01-06T15:40:00.001-05:00

So this morning, I went to our 11-12 Sunday School class with all intentions of disbanding the class do to very low attendance. The craziest thing happened when all of a sudden five kids showed up. I was like dang...five kids. Now, you may be thinking that's not a lot of kids, but the reality is, for whatever reason, this class has very poor attendance, I'm talking like two kids, maybe three...sometimes. We, meaning Cheri and I (who btw is a great teacher) asked them what they wanted to do and they were like "Whatever", "We're okay either way", "Dude, we don't care" so we're thinking "Hey...maybe God's not done with this class yet."

The point of these ramblings is that even when we have ideas about how things should be or think we've got it all figured out, God has a gentle way of reminding us that maybe Sunday School class is not done yet.

Much Love & Peace...

Wedding Stuff

2008-01-03T21:14:00.000-05:00

It never ceases to amaze me! This morning I was counseling a couple for marriage, which is a pretty cool aspect of my job, and as I was talking/listening, I couldn't help but think about my own marriage with Lori. Last week I officiated a wedding at Natural Bridge, (http://www.naturalbridgeva.com/) which btw if you haven't been, you should totally go, and as I'm watching the newly married couple walk down the isle, I turn and catch my own bride smiling wide and I think...Dang! I'm totally married to this great woman. In the back of my mind, it's like I hear "don't forget that dork!" All this talk is basically an opportunity to thank God for reminding me of how blessed I am to share my life with a woman like Lori. Thanks for the Reminder GOD!
Much Love....

Go Hokies...

Getting Started...

2008-01-02T23:33:00.000-05:00

Speak On It...
So here is the first post of hopefully many more insightful, thought provoking and ridiculously ignorant notions about how I'm trying to keep it real as a husband, father, and Jesus follower. If you read this, thanks for your time.

Much Love & Peace, T. Bryson