Easter @FortMillCOG

This is the biggest weekend of the year for the church.  We will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord with our family and friends. There’s an 80% chance they will come if invited. We are already praying for them and believing for a great weekend of harvest for churches around the world.

So here’s what we do when they show up this weekend.

1. Pray. Spend some time in prayer and ask God to prepare their hearts in advance.
2. Offer to buy your guests a meal either before or after the service. Food makes for a great reason to connect.
3. Sit towards the middle of the row and leave the ends for our guests.
4. Some guests may be unwilling to open up too much. Some may have been hurt in church or they may be skeptical about God and church. Give them some space but don’t miss the opportunity to greet them with love and kindness.
5. When greeting our guests, let them know we are glad they are here. Ask their name and invite them back or to even sit with you.
6. Simply use words like “We are glad to see you.” “Thanks for joining us.” There will be attenders who haven’t been in a while. Don’t make them feel weird by using statements like “Where have you been?” “We haven’t seen you in forever.”
7. Ask them if they have any questions regarding the worship experience. If you can’t answer correctly, point them to an usher or greeter.
8. Be excited and speak positive about Fort Mill Church of God! It’s not the perfect church but it’s a great place of worship and full of friendly families.
9. Encourage them to complete the Connection Card and give it to a greeter on their way out.
10. Try to catch them one more time before leaving. Wish them a great week and invite them back to the next worship experience.
11. Realize that everyone will spend eternity somewhere. Let’s do our part to at least try and make that place heaven.

These are just a couple of suggestions to make Sunday a success. We want our guests to feel welcome and at home this coming Easter and every Sunday. Our intentional effort is important and could play an important part in ministering to people effectively.

Finally, my heart is for people to experience the love of Christ and receive His amazing grace.  Salvation is for everyone because Jesus died and rose again!  I love you all!

Pastor Mark

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2016 Presidential Election

We are days away from a historic night in our country.  When November 8th ends, we will have elected a new president to lead our nation. It may be the first time we have elected a woman.  It may be the first time we have elected an inexperienced politician.  And it’s the first time in my lifetime where it seems we may lose no matter who wins.  Either way, when we wake up on November 9th, we will have a new leader in Washington.

All of America is very troubled by all of the chaos surrounding this election.  Our country is so divided on so many different levels.  There is hate and anger in an unprecedented fashion. This election seems to be destroying the idea of strength and unity in our diversity.  We seem to be committed to destruction from within.

But even more painful is the division I am seeing in the body of Christ.  I’ve read so many posts on Facebook and Twitter in this election season and they have often not reflected the heart of God or the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I’ll throw this out there.  I have voted Republican all of my life, and all the while I have very good friends who vote for the candidate of the Democratic party.  I’ve heard some say, “How can you be a Christian and vote for a Democrat?”  While I agree there are some biblical values that I stand on that are simply contrary to the things like abortion and same-sex marriage, but for me to say people who vote democrat are not Christians is simply impossible.  It is also outright insulting to the blood of Jesus Christ.  The last time I checked, the blood of Jesus and our confession of Him as our Savior makes one a believer. Not their political preference.  And that will never change.

As Christians, I do believe we should vote first and foremost based on biblical values and not our wallets, or anything else for that matter.  However, the enemy seems to be using this election to create so much division in the body of Christ, that we may not ever recover.   I have no problem with every person expressing their views.  But to do so with so much anger and so little love, we are only hurting our testimony in a world that needs to see Jesus so desperately.

Rest assured of this.  The Savior of the world doesn’t ride on an elephant or a donkey!  He will one day ride on a horse and the whole world will see Him.  Until then, it is our responsibility to make sure the world sees Him in our everyday lives, in spite of our political preference.

Changing the world doesn’t happen with political power.  Changing the world begins with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our commitment to sharing it.

I’ll conclude with this.  The world will not end because a Republican or a Democrat hold the office of President.  The world will end only when God says it will end.  And since He is the One who put it all in place, I’ll keep trusting Him till He decides it’s over.  Today, and on November 9th and even everyday after that, He reigns supreme and controls it all!

My Perspective Was Totally Off

I woke up on this beautiful fall Monday with the expectations of a wonderful day.  Those expectations vanished quickly when the guy in the picture below got out of my swimming pool.  He gave me the bad news.  The leak had been identified and it couldn’t be patched.  I will have to replace the pool liner.  I quickly became frustrated and aggravated at the unwanted expense.  We just bought the house this past summer.  Coming off the hip for a pool liner heading into winter just seems like a waste.

The next few minutes were spent complaining, pouting and grumbling.  And then it dawned on me.  My perspective was totally off this morning.

This morning, millions of people up and down the east coast, in the Bahamas, Jamaica  and Haiti are wondering and worrying about far more important things than a pool liner.  Their homes have been destroyed.  Many of them don’t have flood insurance.  Some of them lost a family member or a friend to Hurricane Matthew.  The pictures are heartbreaking. They are truly devastated.  I can’t begin to imagine their pain and loss.

Then my phone began to be blown up with text messages.  Two long time members of the church I pastor, passed away within moments of one another.  Now two widows will have to do life without their spouse by their side.  They will have to make major adjustments in their lives. Far more difficult stuff than replacing a pool liner.

I wish I could say that I get it right more than I get it wrong.  But so often, days like today remind that I lose perspective too easily.  It’s a pool liner for crying out loud.  My family has a place to sleep tonight.  Our home wasn’t flooded during the hurricane.  No one died.  My perspective was way off.

I have since repented and asked for forgiveness.  The Lord has blessed me far beyond what I deserve.  I’m going to continue to strive towards maintaining a proper perspective.  And I pray when the next crisis comes my way (a pool liner isn’t even a crisis – but my actions said otherwise),  may the Lord help me with my perspective.  Today, it was way off.

 

Drifting

Psalm 141:4 Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness.

Make no mistake about it. The psalmist used the words “drift toward evil” because that’s exactly how it happens.  Evil has away of luring us away from our devotion to what is right and godly.  And maybe it’s simply because the enemy makes it look so attractive and enjoyable.  He is certainly good at his trade.

I am convinced that drifting starts in our minds.  We convince ourselves by turning irrational thoughts into rational opportunities.  And if we don’t take those thoughts captive, they eventually take us captive.  We will drift a little closer to evil and drift a little farther away from what is right.  Little by little, we drift towards our destruction.

Here’s how you know you are drifting.

1. You have started convincing yourself that something you know is wrong can’t be too bad. (emphasis on the “too bad”)
2. You have started to separate yourself from people who pull you in the right direction and hold you accountable. You don’t want their instruction anymore.
3. You have started to connect yourself to people who will join you in your drifting towards evil.

How can you stop drifting towards evil?

1. Shake off the blinders that you are wearing and truly open your eyes based on what God’s Word says about your situation. His assessment is your only gauge.
2. Call someone who will help you and not judge you.
3. Remove yourself from the crowd that is drifting towards evil.

Drifting is subtle and not easily noticed.  But stop and take a look at where you are right now.  Are you where you are supposed to be (and deep down you will know the answer to that) or have you somehow drifted away from the life Christ has called you to live.

Don’t drift another moment!

The End is Near

Well you can say that you heard it here first!  The end of 2015 is near!

I’m a big fan of the end of the year and the beginning of a new year.  I have always enjoyed taking the time to look back and plan for the future.  It’s the perfect time to note where you failed and succeeded.  It’s the perfect time to make the necessary adjustments going forward.

With only hours away from the end of 2015, I encourage you to do three things.

1. Reflect – Think back through the year and take note of the good and bad times.  Though you may have endured some tough moments, the good usually always outweighs the bad.
2. Respond – Now that you have done some reflecting, be sure to respond to God with praise & thanksgiving.  You have reached the end of the year because of His goodness and faithfulness in your life. You may even need to respond in frustration or anger.  That’s okay too.  I think it’s best to get it off of your chest and leave it in 2015.  Don’t take it with you into the new year!  Let it go!
3. Refocus – The new year is within reach.  Make the adjustments to your life that will help you have a more productive 2016.  Some call it New Year’s Resolutions.  I prefer “New Year’s Refocus.”  I just need to get back at it and a little refocusing is all I need.
   • Get back to exercising and good health.
   • Start saving money again (now that Christmas is over).
   • Find a way to “give back” or to serve in your community.
   • Connect or reconnect with your church family.
   • Make room for the things that matter the most.

I pray that you have a blessed and prosperous New Year!  May the goodness of the Lord be very present in your life.  May you face everyday with courage, knowing that He goes before you and He follows you. (Psalm 139:5)

Now get busy!  The end is near!

Traveling on Christmas

For the last twenty-five years my family has spent a large portion of Christmas in the car.  We have traveled as much as 2500 miles in one week just to spend a few moments with those we love.  And I have to tell you that it is worth every effort.

We have enjoyed some crazy rides, endured incredible traffic and eaten all by ourselves at Waffle House.  But the moment we enter the home of our family (both sides), the joy and excitement is beyond description.

We will gather around the Christmas tree and share the Christmas story from Luke 2.  We will sing Christmas carols.  Our kids have even dressed up and re-enacted the nativity scene with some interesting costumes to say the least.

In ministry, we don’t always get to spend very much time with our extended families. We all live a good distance from one another.  But when we get together, we cherish every single moment.   Both of our families are amazing and I feel so blessed to share Christmas with them.  Our families love God and love one another.  I’m thankful to spend another traveling Christmas to be with all of them!

Merry Christmas!

When Heaven Calls

Yesterday around 3:30pm Heaven called.  Heaven called for my friend, Larry Jackson. 

I can honestly say in my more than twenty years of pastoral ministry, the call, no matter when or how, leaves us scratching our head. 

If our loved ones suffer, we wish they would be taken. If it is sudden, we wish we would have had more time. We just don’t deal with “the call” very well. And this call is no exception. 

Larry has battled ALS for nearly twelve years with the best attitude and spirit you can imagine. Never complaining rather always praising and encouraging. That’s Larry Jackson. And yesterday heaven called for him. 

He attended the USC game Saturday, attended church yesterday and our tailgate party in the afternoon. He even won best tailgate. And after just a few minutes back at the home of his in-laws, heaven called. 

  
Our hearts are broken and we truly knew this day would come but no one was ready. So God in His mercy, slipped in the room yesterday and called him home. We would never let him go, so God had to carry out His plan, His way. And today, Larry is more alive than he has ever been. 

Larry impacted so many lives and we are left with a great void. He was one GREAT man! He will be greatly missed. His legacy lives on through his boys and those sweet grandchildren. His wife Cindy has been a loving, faithful companion through it all. 

He may not be able to return to us, but one day, heaven will call us and we can go to him.

Until then…we carry on. 

Flying Above the Clouds

Last week I had a quick flight to Cleveland, OH for a memorial service of a dear friend. On my return flight, it was a foggy, windy, rainy and cloudy morning. I was hoping for a good day for flying. It wasn’t meant to be. 

Until shortly after takeoff, through the clouds and through the fog, we ascended above the clouds. It was there day was breaking and the nasty weather was beneath me.    Did it mean the weather had changed? Did it mean there was no storm or rain below?  No. But my perspective certainly changed.  All of a sudden it was a beautiful morning, filled with opportunity.  The Creator was giving me another day! 

In the middle of stormy, difficult days, sometimes all we need to get through them is a change in our perspective. We can’t ignore our difficulties but we can rise above them and believe that better days are ahead. We can trust in the One who goes before us and follows us (Psalm 139:5).

Cloudy, rainy, foggy and windy days won’t hold me back. I choose to fly above the clouds!  Come fly with me! 🎤

One Step at a Time

A few weeks ago our family launched out into a transition to serve as pastor at a new church, in a different state. We left Alabama and headed to Fort Mill, SC.  We are enjoying the journey and feel as if we are right in the middle of God’s plan for our lives. And on this journey, He is teaching us to trust Him, one step at a time.

I’m trusting Him with my finances as I wait for my house to sell in Alabama.   I’m trusting Him with my twenty year old son who lives six hours away from us. I’m trusting Him with my daughter as she continues to adjust as a junior in a new high school.  I’m trusting Him with my church as I do my best to follow His lead.

As much as I would like for Him to reveal my entire story to me, He knows I can’t handle it.  I would likely shrink back from intense challenges. I would likely resist His redirection.  I would likely choose the easy path, the comfortable path. And so instead of Him revealing it all to me, He says, “Trust me today, one step at a time.”  And this is what I am learning…He is truly trustworthy.  As I allow Him to order my steps (Psalm 37:23), He will lead me to and through anything that may come my way.

So the journey continues, one step at a time! And I’m enjoying every minute. Not because everything is perfect but because He is in control of everything.

Whatever Happens

I’ve thrown my bat back towards the dugout after striking out.  I’ve slammed my golf clubs after a bad tee shot. I’ve yelled at my wife and kids after a hard day at the office.  I’ve wanted to get revenge on those who have done me wrong.  I have ignored the needs of my neighbor and been cynical towards the homeless man on the side of the road.

It’s unfortunate but I haven’t always conducted myself in a manner that is worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Yet the apostle Paul says to us from a prison cell in Philippians 1:27, “Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner that is worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” The words “whatever happens” really calls us to higher living.  It is a call to Christ-like living. But I have to be honest and say that is easier said than done.

When someone does me wrong…     When my co-worker pushes all of my buttons…     When life just doesn’t seem to be going my way…      When the doctor gives a terminal diagnosis…      When my marriage seems rocky at best…

Like me, you can consider one of these situations or even all of them, conducting myself in a manner that is worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ is tough.  However, through the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God, it is truly obtainable.

So I am praying for you on this Monday morning and I ask that you pray for me. When we conduct ourselves in a manner that is worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are showing the world that life in Christ truly makes a difference.  It is then and only then that our lives are truly attractive for His glory!  Make this Monday Matter!  Let’s do this!