STORM ALERT

Early this morning I sent my middle child off on a school trip to Washington DC. As all of the families gathered around before the sun even began to rise, we all could see the lightning in the sky with the approaching STORM that was headed our way. I listened as the parents gathered there spoke about being prepared for the round of bad STORMS later today and as I listened, I couldn't help but think about this on a spiritual level.
If you look in Luke 8:22-25, you will see a story about a STORM. It is a familiar story that many of us know of but there are some hidden jewels in there that can apply to us all...especially today for all of us here in the Middle Tennessee area.
The truth is that we much like the weathermen do not know exactly when or where STORMS may hit. We can have an idea sometimes but often times, they can just pop up and even be much larger and last longer than we could have ever imagined. So, you and I must have a plan in place for when the STORMS of life show up because truth be known, you have either gone through a STORM, are going through a STORM or there is one brewing on the horizon! So what do you do when the STORMS of life come?
#1 Understand that God Knows the Outcome...Verse 22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that He went into a ship with his disciples: and He said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. Amazing thought here is that before the STORM ever showed up that Jesus told his disciples in that boat that they were going to the other side...Jesus knew the outcome before the first rain drop fell!
#2 You Are Gonna Get Wet...Verse 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. The Bible says in Matthew 5:45 that it rains on the just and the unjust...With that being said, just because you are a christian doesn't make you exempt from the STORMS of life. You may not be able to choose the STORMS you go through but you can choose how you go through those STORMS!
#3 Take Your Fears To Jesus...Verse 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. I guess the big question is who do you go to when the STORMS of life come? These men had the right idea about what to do with their fear...they took it to Jesus! Notice that the scripture says that He rebuked the wind and waves and they ceased...they stopped! The Bible then goes on to say that there was a calm! Could it be that that calm was not of the wind and waves but a calm that came over those men who were in fear? Why...because they took it to Jesus! 1 Peter 5:7 says to cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for you!
#4 Have Faith for Future Storms...Verse 25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this? For he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. The final lesson these disciples learned while out on this boat was that Jesus calmed this STORM and that he has control over every area of our lives, including the STORMS.

So what do you do when the STORMS come? Are You Ready? There is a STORM ALERT and what you need to do is have a game plan, and be ready because the plan of Jesus is to take us to the other side! Trust in Him. Run to Him. Have Faith in Him!

See You @ The River...Pastor John

Just A Swinging....

It is a new year and two, now almost three months in and this is the first thing I have written on my blog! I know...it's been a while. With everything I have going on in my life I just take it day by day and not worry about tomorrow because tomorrow never comes (Thanks Garth for that life long lesson)! At the ripe old age of 42, I'm beginning to understand a bit about channeling my life into a few things so that they are done well instead of a bunch of things that are done crappy...can I say that? It seems that life too often times starts pulling me in so many directions that the next thing I know, I'm not feeling well, eating right, loving people as I should and neglecting the call God has given me as a christian husband, father, friend and pastor.
So with that said, even though I have not been writing things down for you all to read, I have still be taking mental notes along with some interesting pictures along the way and for your uttermost enjoyment, I will share one with you today.
If you turn out from my neighborhood and head west on Gallatin Road, on the left hand side you will see a church next to a large field. I spend a lot of time looking out into that field because I love to hunt and the local deer herd likes to frolic in that field on a regular basis. This field is lined with huge power line poles that stretch as far as the eye can see in both directions. As I was driving by and looking out into the field, I couldn't help but notice something that was swaying in the breeze as it hung from the power lines. I pulled back around to see exactly what it was and stepped out and took this picture. It seems that this buzzard or for some of you that might call it a vulture had gotten all tangled up in a broken support cable and there he/she hung and flopped around til its death. I know you have probably seen your share of weird things and so have I but I have never seen anything like this...and as of today, it is still hanging there!
As I thought about that bird hanging from that tree, I also thought about my life. I wondered about what it is actually that I am resting or placing my support in. In the midst of life and all these things that it throws at us, if you and I don't get a grip on the things that are important, the things that really matter, we much like that buzzard will wake up one day all tangled up in a mess. You see what that buzzard placed its support in was eventually the thing that entangled it up! My question for you is what or whom have you placed your support in? When life gets you down, when it seems that there is no where to turn, where do you end up perching your feet? Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-29...“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. The Apostle Paul states in Hebrews 12:1...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. So you see this life we all are in is a race. We will get tired. We will get frustrated at times and to top it all off, we have to deal with this stuff called sin! What you and I must remember though is we can find our support in the one who created us and His desire is for us to trust and rest in Him so we don't wind up all tangled up in a mess and leaving others wondering how you got there!

See You at The River...Pastor John

Where's My Bacon?

It is Christmas time. All you have to do is listen, look and at times even smell and you can get the sense that it is "The Most Wonderful Time of The Year"! People are bubbling over with excitement. Kids are anxious, anxious for no school and what will be awaiting them under the tree Christmas morning. Parents have spent time and money looking for that perfect gift for their child. Work parties and dinners along with school programs and ugly Christmas sweaters have all become part of the excitement...Yes it is an exciting time of the year.
As I thought about it, what should excite Christians is not all of the things that were just mentioned. What should excite us is that, now more than any other time of the year, people are more receptive to listen and to hear about the Greatest Gift of All! We have numerous opportunities during this Christmas season to share our faith with others and point people to Jesus.
This morning, I was by myself drinking some coffee at Cracker Barrel. I was reflecting on the great day God gave us yesterday at church and watching the fire when I happened to catch a bit of the conversation of the two older couples sitting next to me. After listening for a while, I made the assumption that these two men were pastors. One was retired and only preached occasionally while the other still pastors a church. As I listened too them talk about the music and message from the day before, my ears tuned in more for what they had to say as their conversation went on.
Minutes later, the waitress appeared with a tray that had their breakfast. As she placed the food down in front of each person, one of the pastors said in a harsh, disgusted voice, "Where is my Bacon?" The waitress replied, "Did you order bacon?" He then said in a more stern voice, "What's the matter, didn't you listen"? As I watched her walk away to get his bacon, I then witnessed this man lead the rest of the people at the table in prayer. A few moments later as he thanked God for the food and all the blessings that He has given them, yes there stood this waitress with her head bowed down with bacon in her hand listening to this man pray.
I sat there in disgust and anger. Here was a man who had a great opportunity to take this "Wonderful Time of The Year" and to point her to the road that Jesus is on but instead, he placed a roadblock in front of her. The way that he treated her was in no way warranted nor right. I then quickly snapped a picture of these men at the table with my phone, drank my last swallow of coffee and went on my way. I wondered as I paid my bill and headed out the door why the Lord allowed me to see that today? I couldn't help to think what the Lord was telling me is as a reminder to you and all you come in contact with, especially this time of year...it is much better for you to focus on the countless number of blessings you have received (like this Gift named JESUS) than on the bacon that you didn't!

Consider Your Ways...Pastor John

20 Years of Reflection

20 YEARS...There are absolutely no words to say when I think back that long. As a matter of fact, as I try to do so, it becomes like a year in review video where everything is played in super fast forward and all you do is hope that you can catch a single memory or two. On December 7, 1991...which happened to also be the 50th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, my wife and I decided to jump into this thing we call marriage. At that time, we lived in Texas. She was 19 years old and I was the manly age of 21. Neither of us knew what all we both were getting into but looking back, I sure am glad that I did. Our life over the years, just like many others has been full of ups and downs. In 20 years of marriage, we have moved 16...yes 16 times. Our first was to Grand Prairie, Texas then twice to Arlington, Texas. We then thought we would try the north a bit so we moved to Waterford, Michigan then to Clarkston, Michigan then back to Waterford again. Our travels then took us back to Arlington for two more moves then back to Grand Prairie for another three. In 2001, we left for Gallatin, Tennessee which led to two more moves and then on to Marion, Illinois for what we had thought would be our last but God had other plans. Good ole Rockytop came calling again and Gallatin, Tennessee became home again in 2009 and we have moved two times since arriving back here! I wonder sometimes when I look at the lives of other people and wonder why it is that they can grow up in an area, marry there, raise a family there, make friends there and live a happy life there without ever having to leave while on the other hand we have moved all over God's creation...then it hit me, that wasn't God's plan! You see going back to that 7th day of December in 2001, there was also a third party involved in the ceremony. That covenant was not only between my new bride and I but also God. When Shelly committed to trusting me and I her, we also committed to trusting God and that we have done, regardless of where He has led or how much it didn't make sense or how much it was going to hurt. That is the most important message that we have taught our kids, to trust God. Speaking of kids, God has blessed us with three awesome children. Emilee came to us in July, 1995 while we lived in Michigan. Mollie showed up in Arlington, Texas in January 1998 and this world hasn't been the same since and John Luke, my "mini me" arrived too in Arlington in October, 2000 and our family was complete! Since then, all three have accepted Christ and are wonderful followers of Christ, students and friends. I said all of this because there is no way I could speak about 20 years of marriage without mentioning the best gifts that God has given us along the way. Yes these 20 years of marriage have brought about many memories, many good and many not so good! Our hearts have been broken many times but also mended along the way. Our vision of what God wanted has been clouded but later restored. Our GPS...God's Positioning System has led us to 4 different states and 16 stops and looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. I am thankful for all of the stops along the way and connections made with others but none of this would have been possible if it wasn't for my wife by my side. She has been the best mother, friend, encourager and helpmate that anyone could ever ask for. She loves me for who I am and far too often times, I am not so lovable. We never argue, except for last Sunday when putting up the Christmas decorations and we always see eye to eye on everything! Not really...we don't always agree on everything but we always make up and support whatever decision is made!

Yes 20 years is a long time. Statistics say that here in the US that the average marriage last less than 7. We have blown that out of the water, not by anything other than by loving God and loving each other. It has been a great ride that started off as two, grew to five and one day will be back to two again. Lord willing when we celebrate the next 20, we will look back and see how even farther God has brought us since the first 20! I LOVE YOU SHELLY!

See you @ The River...John

NO TRESPASSING

Yesterday morning I headed out in the woods with our student pastor to try to see if I could get him a whitetail deer. We arrived plenty early before the sun began to even break the eastern sky. As we sat there with a strong south wind, warm temperatures and a moon bright enough to read a book, I knew that this was not going to be a great hunt.

Later that morning, after only seeing a few does and one small buck, the idea of bagging a huge buck was overshadowed by biscuits and gravy at the Four Corners Restaurant so we decided to end the hunt. We headed down the tree stand and decided to walk a different way out of the woods, just in case a deer might have passed us by using another way. When we were about 30 yards, I noticed something that was hanging in a tree. It was a rag tied to a rope that obviously had been used to put some type of deer scent on and then hung to attract deer. I immediately thought to myself, someone has been TRESPASSING and they are hunting out of my deer stand! Now I will be the first to tell you that hunting is not about killing something and more about the experience that is shared with others and God as I enjoy the quiet and the stillness of His creation but I still was upset! I went and asked the landowner if she knew of anyone else that was hunting and she said that no one else had permission. As I left her place, I was angry and a bit nervous about the situation. I was angry that someone had TRESPASSED and used my property and also nervous wondering if the next time my son and I walk out there that someone would be sitting in our deer stand and aiming a gun at us as we approach. This concern and anger led me to action. I went down to the local hardware store and purchased numerous NO TRESPASSING signs and I plastered them all over the property boundaries. I even placed one on a tree directly in front of the stand so that the next time the TRESPASSER got up in my stand, he would feel the guilt and shame of what he was doing and maybe fall and hurt himself... (Can I feel that way?)

So the next day, I was home outside with my son and he noticed all of my hunting stuff out by the truck. He also noticed the rag and rope that I had grabbed from the woods that was left by the TRESPASSER. It was at that time that he told me that that rag and rope that I had found was one that we had left last year and that the rag wasn't actually a rag but an old glove. I then felt so stupid! I was so concerned about the TRESPASSER and the TRESPASSING that he or she had done that I overlooked my own fault and that was that I left that hanging last year and had forgotten.

Boy what a lesson we all ought to take from that. Most of the time, we spend a lot of time looking at the injustice and wrong that someone has done that we forget about what we have done as well. We worry about all the TRESPASSES against us that we forget about our own that we make. Matthew 7:1-5 states.. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Yes, yesterday I spent the day focusing on this TRESPASS, this wrong thing that I believed had happened to me when I should have focused on my mistake. So the next time you have a wrong done to you, before you judge, before you react, you better make sure you haven't left anything hanging in the tree!

See You @ The River...Pastor John

A TEXAS RANGER LESSON

Today begins the 2011 WORLD SERIES which happens to feature my two favorite teams. Obviously, the TEXAS RANGERS are my favorite because Arlington, Texas is my home town where I grew up and the RANGERS are the team I have cheered for my entire life. The St. Louis Cardinals are my second favorite because for a number of years, I lived outside of St. Louis about 90 miles and I had the choice of watching them or nothing at all. During that time, I enjoyed many games and watching this team with a lot of baseball history.

As I prepare for tonight's game, I wish that my son and I were able to attend one of the World Series games. With that not being an option, we will build our memories sitting at the home in our RANGER gear!

Thinking of memories that my son and I will be making, I couldn't help but think about the young boy and father who were out doing the same thing at the RANGER BALLPARK this past summer when the father accidentally reached for a ball and fell over the red railing and to his death while in front of his son. As I witnessed that scene, my mind raced back to just a short time before that I and my son sat almost or in exactly those same seats. That could have been me? I reached just as that father did for a ball and I could have just as easily fallen over the railing! As I saw the story on the news, the thought of that tragedy hammered home the truth that the Bible says in James 4:14 that "Our life is like a vapor, here for a moment and then it vanishes away". We are not guaranteed of tomorrow, only right now! What started off as a fun, memory making day between a father and son ended with a terrible accident that not only changed their life but mine as well!

So keep your overpriced WORLD SERIES tickets. Enjoy your $6.00 sodas, $5.00 hot dogs and peanuts that are more than just a few "peanuts"! I'm gonna sit at home, snuggle up to my son, cheer on the RANGERS and be thankful that I have another day to live, another day to love and another day to serve!

See You @ The River and GO RANGERS!

Pastor John

Who's The Dummy?

This past Saturday, I was heading home with my son following his football game when we both came across a sight that for most people would have been unusual but living in Tennessee, unusual things have become quite the norm! As we drove through Hendersonville, we noticed and old, rusty car pulling up next to us on the left side. At first glance, it was the car that caught my eye. I and my son immediately took a second look as he passed by and took a quick picture. We tried to catch up with him to see more but he simply got away.

What we noticed was an older man driving and a female mannequin or in other words, a dummy riding shotgun with him. As I thought about it, I said to my son "Which one do you think is the dummy"?

I have heard some people refer to Jesus being their co-pilot, the one in the seat next to them as they travel down this road called life. Just a few years ago, Carrie Underwood sang a song that was number one for a long time where she describes getting to the point in her life where she needed to let "Jesus Take The Wheel". The problem with Jesus being your co-pilot is that is NOT where He is suppose to be. A co-pilot is simply there in case the pilot can't do his job or something goes wrong. When things go bad in our life as they do, it is then that most of us hand the wheel over to Jesus so that He can fix our mistakes. If only we would all just scoot over and let Jesus take the wheel from the beginning and let Him drive our life we would avoid many disasters! Yes, Jesus should have the wheel now and we ought to slide on over and let Him drive. Proverbs 3:5,6 says "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will make direct your path"...Yes what this dummy ought to be doing is trusting God and sitting where that dummy was sitting in that car so that Jesus can lead me on! Where are you sitting you dummy?

Consider Your Ways...Pastor John