Paul writes in Romans 8:14, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." I am wondering about my own life, "Who is it that is up front "most of the time" in my own life?" It would seem to me that there are three common options: emotions, reason or others (Other).
Emotions remain with me, and you, based on a lifetime of relationships (good and bad) that impacted our development. I carry with me baggage from my childhood that may or may not have been confronted. I remember meeting a young lady who told me about her sister. When her sister was growing up, she regularly attended church, worship and children and youth activities, with her family. She was overweight and unattractive, and throughout her life was picked on, poked and joked at school. One day a group of boys from school (including a couple from her church youth group) beat her up with a baseball bat. As she grew up she rejected boys, church and found her only peace in Wicca, worshiping in the midst of nature (which in her experience didn't threaten or harm her). Not hard to figure out, huh? What's my (your) baggage regarding your image of God from family and cultural experience?
Others have rejected emotionalism altogether and turned to the mind as the greatest aspect of being human. Here we have remnants of modernity where man/woman/human becomes the center of the universe. Seeing emotions as immaturity, some have turned solely to intellect as their god. They can ONLY believe in a truth that is rational from and within the three dimensional world in which we live, breathe and have our being. Many of these folks become either cynics or skeptics. Skeptics would have a large lead over cynics. Skeptics believe there may be a "God," but don't think it possible for humanity to ever grasp the true understanding of that being (a bit more postmodern than pure cynics who are just cynical about anything unreasonable). I asked a skeptic recently, "What do you believes happens at death?" Answer: "The same thing that happened to me before I was born! Nothingness!" This person is still open for discussion, and I trust more in God's grace than my ability to "reason" someone into faith.
Finally, others may be up front in your life. Forbes latest poll on the most powerful entertainment figures listed Angelina Jolie as #1, just edging out Oprah, followed by Madonna, Beyonce and then Tiger Woods (click here for link to article). The other that we worship can be "The Bible," or "The Doctrines" (some little litmus test of items others must agree to with us), the "tradition" of our church, the "style of music" we listen to (church or secular), or Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If your answer is that you are led by the Spirit of God, what does that mean and how do you practice that? I'd be interested in your answers!
Steve
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Bicetennial Day: Worship, Work and Witness...
It is hard to believe that our Bicentennial celebration has finally come and gone. It was a great day of worship, work and witness. It is what First Baptist Church of New Bern has done for two hundred years and what continues to define us so uniquely among Baptists of all brands.
We worshiped together in the traditional high church mode with awesome times of remembering our history and what God has done through the years, thanks to Miss Jane Marshall Jenkins. We also had wonderful liturgy so carefully honed out precisely by Rev. Barry Templeton and ministerial staff. There was never a worry about the influx of young families and what would happen to their infants and children with Dr. Sharon Bender and her husband Wade at the helm. The worship music, with organ fanfare and Dr. Perry Smith singing, as well as the newly commissioned anthem that was sung, as well as Bob Garver singing at the dedication of the Memorial Garden brought tears to your pastors eyes. Dr. Randall Lolley reminded us of our call to recognize the honor of being the First Baptist Church in New Bern, and what a wonderful and challenging message it was. Worship was inspiring. Contemplative and traditional worship has been a defining hallmark of our church through the years and continues to be so today, even in our attempt to make our nontraditional worship uniquely a service of thoughtful worship rather than “just” praise and singing.
Work was the name of the game for feeding the over four hundred members and guests that attended the event. I was so proud to gaze across the Family Life Center and observe the coordinated effort of so many youth and adults serving the host of believers that were gathered to share food and fellowship around the tables of God. Work has been a defining force of our church through the years and continues to be so today. Great work went into making the Bicentennial possible and the list of those who contributed is far too long to highlight here. The worship, the Garden, the food and the church plant are all testaments of honor to our God and Savior.
Finally, not only did we worship and work, but we witnessed to one another. From the witness of Scripture being read in the language of our new Chin refugees from Myanmar and in English, to the witness of theology proclaimed through music and prayer, to the proclaimed word by a former seminary president in our state, we witnessed the power and presence of God Almighty. Ken Bryant reminded us of the miracles God still performs in the lives of those who seek God with all their hearts, minds and souls. Again, tears filled my eyes as Ken shared his story of misdiagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and then the correcting diagnosis and treatment that not only gave him back his mind and body, but increased his witness. Our worship and work only inspire us to go out into the world for as many years as God allows to share our witness of the love and power of a God who will not let us alone until all the sheep have come home to pasture in His fields.
Thank you Lord, and people of God for a day to remember, a day of Worship, Work and Witness that challenge us to live so in the days to come.
We worshiped together in the traditional high church mode with awesome times of remembering our history and what God has done through the years, thanks to Miss Jane Marshall Jenkins. We also had wonderful liturgy so carefully honed out precisely by Rev. Barry Templeton and ministerial staff. There was never a worry about the influx of young families and what would happen to their infants and children with Dr. Sharon Bender and her husband Wade at the helm. The worship music, with organ fanfare and Dr. Perry Smith singing, as well as the newly commissioned anthem that was sung, as well as Bob Garver singing at the dedication of the Memorial Garden brought tears to your pastors eyes. Dr. Randall Lolley reminded us of our call to recognize the honor of being the First Baptist Church in New Bern, and what a wonderful and challenging message it was. Worship was inspiring. Contemplative and traditional worship has been a defining hallmark of our church through the years and continues to be so today, even in our attempt to make our nontraditional worship uniquely a service of thoughtful worship rather than “just” praise and singing.
Work was the name of the game for feeding the over four hundred members and guests that attended the event. I was so proud to gaze across the Family Life Center and observe the coordinated effort of so many youth and adults serving the host of believers that were gathered to share food and fellowship around the tables of God. Work has been a defining force of our church through the years and continues to be so today. Great work went into making the Bicentennial possible and the list of those who contributed is far too long to highlight here. The worship, the Garden, the food and the church plant are all testaments of honor to our God and Savior.
Finally, not only did we worship and work, but we witnessed to one another. From the witness of Scripture being read in the language of our new Chin refugees from Myanmar and in English, to the witness of theology proclaimed through music and prayer, to the proclaimed word by a former seminary president in our state, we witnessed the power and presence of God Almighty. Ken Bryant reminded us of the miracles God still performs in the lives of those who seek God with all their hearts, minds and souls. Again, tears filled my eyes as Ken shared his story of misdiagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and then the correcting diagnosis and treatment that not only gave him back his mind and body, but increased his witness. Our worship and work only inspire us to go out into the world for as many years as God allows to share our witness of the love and power of a God who will not let us alone until all the sheep have come home to pasture in His fields.
Thank you Lord, and people of God for a day to remember, a day of Worship, Work and Witness that challenge us to live so in the days to come.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Graduation?
Do we ever "really" graduate? We certainly can be proud to earn degrees from academic institutions that indicate that we have demonstrated a set of skills that reveals our ability to do well on a variety of tests. However, is that the only graduation needed? Academic endeavors? When do we ever "graduate" from marriage school, or from parent school, or from relationship school with those who are adversarial in our community and even in our church? Do we ever demonstrate that we have "mastered" the necessary ingredients to be proficient and expert at ALL relationships? I think not! There is always more to learn, more disappointments to experience, and more joys to celebrate when we experience unity and communion even on rare occasions. Go ahead and get used to studying. You will need to learn to love learning and listening in order to become more and more proficient at seeing the breadth of God's Spirit and the breadth of humanity's brokenness!
In Christ,
Dr. Fitzgerald
In Christ,
Dr. Fitzgerald
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Who will roll away the stone?
I find it interesting that in Mark's account of the Easter story (Mark 16:1-8), the women went very early in the morning to honor the body of Jesus. They went in adoration and worship of the one that they thought was their Messiah. "Who will roll away the stone?" they pondered. However, earthly impediments to their mission didn't squelch their journey. How about us? There are many stones placed in our paths to block the way to God, to hinder our ability to live in adoration and worship of what God has accomplished in Jesus, the Christ. We all love to blame the world for robbing us of our ability to worship God as school and at work, or in public. However, the greatest stones blocking our ability to live in pure adoration and worship of God are the ones we create ourselves. We are enamored with success and fearful of being considered "failures." Maybe the women had nothing to lose. Maybe we have too much to lose. What does that say about what we really have and what we're really missing in our lives? Who will roll away the stone? God rolls away the stone when we honor God through humility and God offers miracle in the midst of mystery (note the women in Mark do not encounter Christ, only the promise and command to accomplish a new mission: to go and anoint Jesus' disciples with the Good News: He is Risen and He will appear to you in an appointed place). Too many stones in your path for you to experience miracles these day? Ask yourself, "why?"
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Your roots?
I was talking with a young friend today about how he went spelunking into a cave beneath a tree trunk in the Dominican Republic. He said that they had to literally climb underneath and through the roots of a large tree that led into a cave full of stalactites and stalagmites. Once inside the cave they discovered a ladder that went further down. They slowly descended this ladder that had thick mold covering each of the rungs as if untouched by humans for years. At the bottom of that ladder they discovered a beautiful crystal clear flowing river. It was like entering a new world, only visible with squeezing and carrying of a light to show the way through the darkness.
Above is a picture of cypress knees formed from the roots of the cypress tree reaching and growing toward light and hope. Such are our lives. Beneath the roots of our lives, somewhere deep through and beneath the darkness that pervades the week of Jesus' passion, lies the source of water that springs forth with eternal life. We must use the light of God to reach "down" rather than "up." When we keep looking up we miss finding Christ who is best found in the dirt of the human journey, beneath the foundation and roots of all that exist and live.
What do your roots look like? Are they poking forth from the surface of life stretching for hope? Is there some mysterious new world lurking just beneath the surface of your existence waiting to be found? God has already been there! The way has been arranged for you to find this place. The steps and rungs of the way gather mold awaiting your journey to the depths of life, through the darkness of Good Friday and toward Easter Sunday!
Dr. Fitz
Above is a picture of cypress knees formed from the roots of the cypress tree reaching and growing toward light and hope. Such are our lives. Beneath the roots of our lives, somewhere deep through and beneath the darkness that pervades the week of Jesus' passion, lies the source of water that springs forth with eternal life. We must use the light of God to reach "down" rather than "up." When we keep looking up we miss finding Christ who is best found in the dirt of the human journey, beneath the foundation and roots of all that exist and live.
What do your roots look like? Are they poking forth from the surface of life stretching for hope? Is there some mysterious new world lurking just beneath the surface of your existence waiting to be found? God has already been there! The way has been arranged for you to find this place. The steps and rungs of the way gather mold awaiting your journey to the depths of life, through the darkness of Good Friday and toward Easter Sunday!
Dr. Fitz
Thursday, March 19, 2009
"Test Failure"
Deuteronomy 8:3; Luke 4:1-13
I recently received a phone call from Atlantic Security at 1:30 a.m. indicating that there was a “test failure” for our alarm system at the church. This same call has been made at least a half a dozen times to names on our “security call list” during January, February and March. This is a test run from the security headquarters to make sure our security system is working properly (something we want in case of a fire or robbery). After receiving a number of these untimely calls, the church staff called Atlantic Security and asked for them to come fix the reason for “test failure” so that we would have it working properly. We also asked not to be called anymore during the wee hours of the morning for this signal (as they indicated we could request). They sent a technician to the church who reported that he discovered just what the problem was and that he would have the problem fixed by the end of the week (well over a month ago). Our church staff has not seen the technician since his diagnosis and the phone calls during the wee hours of the morning continue. Therefore, I got a call at 1:30 am to tell me we had a “test failure,” essentially telling me that Atlantic Security has not done their job and I needed to be aware of that at 1:30 in the morning. I was not a happy camper and could not go back to sleep until 4:00 am and then had to arise at 5:00 am that particular day. The security system that we have is not working as was intended. So goes the people of God. Frequently we who call ourselves “children of God” do not function as designed and intended!
The Israelites were led out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery by God’s presence, power and promise. They were called to be a holy people, wholly dependent upon their Creator, YHWH, for worship and life. However, they did not function as intended (see Numbers 13:26 – 14:45). They doubted and preferred slavery to trust, faith and obedience. Free will was too much for the children of God!
Who is ultimately responsible for our security system not working properly? I say it is the installer! Who is ultimately responsible for our failure as children of God? The One who installed us with free will? While installers, business owners (AIG), government officials, and greedy consumers do not like to take responsibility for their mistakes, God does take responsibility for His creation and humanity, even after we sinned and sought equality with God through eating from the tree of knowledge (of good and evil). Our sin and disobedience, our “failure to test,” led to the incarnation of God in the flesh and the crucifixion of God on a cross. God took free will upon Himself and passed the test for us, the one that we keep sending out in the wee hours of darkness a distress signal identified as “test failure.” In Christ, we have victory! Jesus overcame Satan in the wilderness when he did not flinch from suffering through hunger. Jesus overcame rejection when tempted to use spectacular miracles and divine calls for angelic intervention when tempted by Satan to use Scripture for His own benefit to test God. Jesus overcame the life of power for the life of monotheistic worship of God when tempted by Satan to bow down before him and receive the world’s power and wealth. Rather, as He told his disciples that it is necessary for the Son of Man to suffer, be rejected and die, and then rise again after three days, he demonstrated his commitment to God and God’s will alone for the direction and purpose of His life. He passed the test. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). In Jesus we have “test success” through the love and grace of God! God, the owner of all that is, was and ever shall be, does not wither from His love for us and what it takes to offer us life eternally! Praise God, in the wee hours of the morning and all hours of life!
I recently received a phone call from Atlantic Security at 1:30 a.m. indicating that there was a “test failure” for our alarm system at the church. This same call has been made at least a half a dozen times to names on our “security call list” during January, February and March. This is a test run from the security headquarters to make sure our security system is working properly (something we want in case of a fire or robbery). After receiving a number of these untimely calls, the church staff called Atlantic Security and asked for them to come fix the reason for “test failure” so that we would have it working properly. We also asked not to be called anymore during the wee hours of the morning for this signal (as they indicated we could request). They sent a technician to the church who reported that he discovered just what the problem was and that he would have the problem fixed by the end of the week (well over a month ago). Our church staff has not seen the technician since his diagnosis and the phone calls during the wee hours of the morning continue. Therefore, I got a call at 1:30 am to tell me we had a “test failure,” essentially telling me that Atlantic Security has not done their job and I needed to be aware of that at 1:30 in the morning. I was not a happy camper and could not go back to sleep until 4:00 am and then had to arise at 5:00 am that particular day. The security system that we have is not working as was intended. So goes the people of God. Frequently we who call ourselves “children of God” do not function as designed and intended!
The Israelites were led out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery by God’s presence, power and promise. They were called to be a holy people, wholly dependent upon their Creator, YHWH, for worship and life. However, they did not function as intended (see Numbers 13:26 – 14:45). They doubted and preferred slavery to trust, faith and obedience. Free will was too much for the children of God!
Who is ultimately responsible for our security system not working properly? I say it is the installer! Who is ultimately responsible for our failure as children of God? The One who installed us with free will? While installers, business owners (AIG), government officials, and greedy consumers do not like to take responsibility for their mistakes, God does take responsibility for His creation and humanity, even after we sinned and sought equality with God through eating from the tree of knowledge (of good and evil). Our sin and disobedience, our “failure to test,” led to the incarnation of God in the flesh and the crucifixion of God on a cross. God took free will upon Himself and passed the test for us, the one that we keep sending out in the wee hours of darkness a distress signal identified as “test failure.” In Christ, we have victory! Jesus overcame Satan in the wilderness when he did not flinch from suffering through hunger. Jesus overcame rejection when tempted to use spectacular miracles and divine calls for angelic intervention when tempted by Satan to use Scripture for His own benefit to test God. Jesus overcame the life of power for the life of monotheistic worship of God when tempted by Satan to bow down before him and receive the world’s power and wealth. Rather, as He told his disciples that it is necessary for the Son of Man to suffer, be rejected and die, and then rise again after three days, he demonstrated his commitment to God and God’s will alone for the direction and purpose of His life. He passed the test. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). In Jesus we have “test success” through the love and grace of God! God, the owner of all that is, was and ever shall be, does not wither from His love for us and what it takes to offer us life eternally! Praise God, in the wee hours of the morning and all hours of life!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Thank You & God Bless You!
I want to say thank you to all who have been praying for me as I have wrestled with my horrible right eye problem. I finally got the implanted glaucoma device "turned on" today in Raleigh. I love my godly MD, Leon Herndon & highly recommend him to any and all who suffer from glaucoma. The procedure today was less than exciting and I had to skip Ash Wednesday night church! Sorry church folks! However, I am now well on the road to recovery and would not be doing as well as I am were it not for the many prayers, cards, calls, food and love from both God, church and nuclear family. I do not know why I am so blessed to be immersed in such love, but I am most grateful for all that I receive, undeservedly, both vertically and horizontally.
God bless you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Steve
God bless you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Steve
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