Locally Speaking

When I was at the University of Georgia, umpteen years ago, one of my core classes was Logic 101.  I had a great instructor, and I loved that class.  The concepts came easily to me, and I enjoyed exercising them.  I remember dissecting complex "if/then" and "and/or" statements to arrive at the correct conclusion.  That gift I was given can frequently be a curse.  I find myself listening to others to find flaws in their arguments.  This dissonance has persisted among individuals and groups for thousands of years.  Ancient Greek philosophers argued about almost everything, but at the highest level, they arrived at the ultimate question: "What is the meaning of life?"  Around 300 BC, there were two main philosophies: Epicureanism and Stoicism.  Epicureans believed life had no inherent purpose and that the best thing to do was to live big and have a good time.  Seek pleasure at all costs.  The Stoics had a seemingly nobler philosophy, which stated that while life has no inherent purpose, we should strive to be good and live as if it did.  It consisted of three main disciplines: logic, physics and ethics. Use logic to observe nature and decide what is right.  When Jesus came along, He spoke extensively, but as far as we know, he didn't write anything down.  Luckily for us, his best friend, John, did.  And where better to get the best intel on someone than from their best friend.  John starts his gospel with this statement: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  That's the English translation, but the Greek word he used for Word was Logos, which our word logic comes from.   And we soon find out from the following verses that "Word" is capitalized because it refers to Jesus.  John settled the debate once and for all: the reason we are here is to know and follow Jesus.  It gives me great peace knowing that Jesus is Logos, but also creates an almost overwhelming obligation to know and follow Him more.

My thoughts today were inspired by one of my favorite pastors and authors, Tim Keller. 

Marvel That

 

I am not a huge Marvel fan, but I am pretty sure the guy in that photo is not Captain America or Thor.   Marvel fanatics are likely aware that several Marvel productions were filmed in Georgia, which helped Georgia surpass California as the state with the most top-grossing films produced there.  But most are probably unaware of the behind-the-scenes work that film industry professionals and politicians expended to make this happen.  A large part of the success stems from favorable tax treatment for studios filming in our state.   I posted in the fall about the death of my brother Craig who was an amazing son, husband, father and grandfather.  Those relationships trumped anything he accomplished in business, but he also made quite an impact professionally.  Craig's company, CMP Inc.,  made short films for companies of all sizes and across different industries, including household names like Massey Ferguson and Coke.   He also had a long-standing relationship with Georgia Tourism, helping to promote everything great about our state.  He served for 8 years as the Co-President of Georgia Production Partners and also on the Governor's Board for Film and Digital Media.  Yesterday, the Secretary of State honored Craig as an Outstanding Georgia Citizen at the State Capitol. Both the Senate and House Chambers issued proclamations honoring his impact on Georgia's film industry.  I was honored to be there with most of his family and felt immense pride seeing his professional accomplishments.  Click here for a link to photos from the day.

Disturbing The Peace

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain outside the open doors. The rain is welcome and brought about 10 degrees of coolness. I poured a cup of coffee and sat still listening to the rain for a bit.  You have to know how hard that is for me. I usually wake up with my brain buzzing about what I need to get done that day, but today, I made time to be quiet. One of my pastors reminded me recently that while God laid out right from wrong for us, He is less concerned with what we do, and more concerned with who we are and who we are becoming. There are many ways to help with who we are becoming:  reading and learning the Bible, preaching and teaching, community, serving, and hardest for me, quiet communion with God.   This morning while I was quiet this refrain repeated in my head: "I want to know You, and be known by You." I couldn't help ending my quiet time with some noise, but this is the best kind of noise.  Listen, focus on the words and focus on God.  Click here.

Stormy Seas

 

For the past week, television and social media have been filled with the terror of overseas war and state-side inconveniences like higher gas prices.  The constant updates about escalating tension can feel like being at the center of a roaring storm.   Jesus and his disciples found themselves in a boat in the midst of a storm.  As waves crashed into the boat, the disciples feared for their lives, but Jesus slept on a cushion in the stern of the boat.  The disciples woke Him and asked if He was scared for His life, and He said to the sea, "Peace.  Be still." and the wind ceased.  Jesus then reminded the disciples that faith in Him could quiet any storm.  Today, I hope you feel the peace that only Jesus can provide.

Well Done

 

About 5 years ago, Caroline and I met a couple at church who had just started visiting.  They seemed excited about the church and appreciative that we had taken time to strike up a conversation.  I was leading a small group at the time and invited them to join us.   I later found out he was a retired pastor, and I had mixed feelings immediately.   If they joined the group, I might feel intimidated by his level of knowledge and his ability to communicate.   Also, there was some concern that he might dominate the conversation and not give others a chance to speak.  Soon thereafter, I received a call from him wanting to meet me for breakfast.  It definitely felt like it was going to be an interview of sorts to see if he thought our group would be a good match for them.  And while that might have been part of it, I left feeling that his main focus was on wanting to know me.  They joined our group, and any remaining doubts about my earlier concerns were removed.  He was respectful of our schedule, funny, and when he did choose to speak, people listened and appreciated his vast experience.  But more than anything, you could see, hear, and feel his love for Jesus.  Over the following years, we got to hear great stories of successes and struggles in his ministry career and in his personal life.  I am also fond of his wife, who has been his constant companion.  Jim Bevis passed away this week.  I will miss him, but I am relieved to know that his desire to know Jesus more was foremost in his life, and he mirrored that desire in his desire to know others - like me.  I feel honored.  Well done, Jim Bevis.  Anne, we know you will miss him, but have complete faith that you will see him again.  I love you.

Give it up

Most of us are familiar with the tradition of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and all of the excesses that come along with it: rich foods, parades, costumes, beads, hurricanes (the ones that come in a glass) and parties that last all night long.  The celebration ends on Tuesday, popularly known as Fat Tuesday for obvious reasons.  But some may not be aware of how Mardi Gras got started.   Over 2000 years ago, Christians began recognizing a 40 day period leading up to Easter called Lent.  This 40 day period represents the 40 days that Jesus fasted prior to be crucified.  During that period, Christians focused on fasting, prayer and service.  Fasting is giving up something, typically food or drink, but Christians today will also sometimes give up vices like social media or television.  The idea is that when you think of the item that you are fasting, instead of partaking, think of Jesus, pray or do something for someone else.  So, as you may have figured out, Mardi Gras became the last chance for people recognizing Lent to partake of some or all of the things that would be abstaining from during Lent.   In case you haven't done the math yet, Lent began yesterday, but it's not too late to join in the fun.  I chose to give up sweets this year as I think about them a lot.  I guess depending on your perspective, that could be good or bad.  But I look forward to what God has in store for me while I attempt to focus less on sweets and more on Him.

Sports Girl

 

Growing up in Douglasville, GA, Elana was focused on one thing and one thing only - softball.   She wasn't just playing pickup games on the weekend, she was competing at a high level on her high school team.   Her softball aspirations didn't end with graduation from high school, as she planned to compete in college as well.  In college, she set a personal goal to compete in the Olympics.  Her single minded focus on softball may have contributed to what turned into deep depression and then an eating disorder.  She felt her life spiraling out of control.  She began reading about world religions trying to find an answer.  One day when she was on the elliptical, she felt an unexplainable wave of emotion come over her which she could only describe as the love of Jesus.  She committed her life to following Him, and her eating disorder was immediately healed.  In three days, Elana Meyers Taylor will compete in the Olympics, not in softball obviously, but in both the monobob and the two-woman bobsled events.  If you are a bobsled fan, none of this is new news to you as this will be her fifth Olympics, and she will be competing for her sixth Olympic medal.  I will be cheering her on.  Click here for Elana's testimony in her own words.