So, yesterday, in preparation and “research” for the ol’ weekly blog, I took a cruise through Publix (our friendly neighborhood across the street from my office supermarket – truly, it’s the place where “shopping is a pleasure”).
I strolled my way over to the magazine aisle and tried to look nonchalant as I produced a small notepad and ink pen from my pocket.
Yep, Methodist preacher from across the street with pen and paper in the magazine aisle trying to look like everything is just normal.
You see, I was there to steal their headlines. What better way could there be to find out what the magazine people think we’re interested in than to go straight to the source (I know, all these major magazines have websites and you can read their headlines there…but what fun is that?).
Surely, I thought, there would be plenty to write about. That much was true.
I started with the “guy” section. You know, motorcycles, hot rods, guns and ammo, fishing, computers, fitness, all that sort of stuff. Many of them (so I’ve heard) have covers that are not suitable for description on a Methodist preacher’s blog.
“Personal Quests…Exotic Adventures…Epic Escapes”
“25 Easy Ways to Earn More Than You Ever Expected”
“The Easy Way to Hard Abs”
“Very interesting,” I thought. I’d love to take an “exotic adventure,” I probably only need 5 or 6, at most, of those 25 ways to earn more than I’ve ever expected. As for “hard abs,” what I’ve been trying has been pretty easy, but my abs, should I have some, seem somewhat less than hard.
As I glanced up the aisle toward the checkout stands, I tried to see whether any of the cashiers (they were gathered, talking, because it was early and things were slow) were taking note of the weird guy stalking the magazines and making notes.
So far, I was ok.
I worked my way toward the magazines aimed at women. I was scared.
But first, I had to make my way through the celebrity gossip section.
“The Crash of Jim Carrey” (Did he crash? What does this mean? Was he ever stable? I’m so confused.)
“Hollywood’s Obama Drama” (Again, what does this mean? I got the sense they simply couldn’t resist the opportunity to build a nifty rhyme).
Then, there was cooking, gardening and many a magazine dedicated to creating wonderful aesthetic experiences in our homes and for our families ---- or something like that.
We were moving more and more treacherously toward women’s magazine territory. Did I mention I was scared? And that a very fine sweat came forth upon my neck?
“159 Paths to Glorious Gardens” (Again, 159? Why not 6? Or even 1 that would really work? 159 just makes me tired).
“Delicious and Easy Dinners”
Closely followed by…not kidding
“Fight Fat and Win”
Moving to my left (and deeper into a seemingly unrealized irony --- Irony is not really a sought after strength among magazine editors) I found myself now confronted face-to-face with the likes of Glamour, Cosmo and the other female-oriented magazines.
As I stood, pen in one hand and paper in the other, I realized that I had caught the eye of one of the cashiers. Was she pointing me out to her co-workers?
Quickly, I read and wrote…
“Flashy Lashes…Bat Your Eyes with Funky Extensions”
“Updos for Every Length”
Updos? What’s an Updo?
Clearly, I was out of my element.
Quickly and discreetly, I slipped my pen and paper back into my pocket, my little sociological experiment now behind me.
I headed for the cereal bars as though everything was perfectly normal.
Later, the cashier smiled at me as I bought my granola bars, and thankfully didn’t ask if I’d found anything interesting in Glamour.
So…is there a point to all of this? Other than giving you “too much information” about how your pastor spends his Wednesday morning?
I think so…at least I started out thinking so…and of course, I mostly knew in the first place what I’d find on the magazine covers….
The things we “long” for.
Or, at least the things magazine editors think we long for…
Hard Abs!
Big Money!
Flashy Lashes!
Glorious Gardens!
Epic Escapes!
Crashing Carrey!
Obama Drama!
Delicious Dinners!
Updos?!?!
Easy, Easy, Easy!!!
Well…if that’s really the list of stuff that people long for…this preacher’s heart is not encourage.
‘Cause that ain’t what The Gospel is selling.
But maybe there’s hope.
You see, I’ve got my own list that I think the magazine editors may have forgotten…
Love!
Joy!
Peace!
Patience!
Kindness!
Goodness!
Faithfulness!
Gentleness!
Self-Control!
Or, what about this stuff…
Redemption!
Forgiveness!
A Second Chance!
Your Family’s Love!
Real Friendships!
Good Perspective!
Healthy Priorities!
You can’t really put those things on a magazine cover…but they do fit nicely into a book…and even better into a life.
That’s the message of the Gospel…that the things that matter most can be made right. That there is great Good News. God loves us, completely. God forgives us and enables us to live in peace and right relationship with one another.
It’s a lot to believe…you’ve got to experience it to get it. And our prayer is always that SOTH and every other place where followers of Jesus gather together ---- will be those very kinds of places where such experiences abound.
Now, go read something good --- and I’ll see you this Sunday.
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
Many thanks to Kathryn Beasley, Kay Gilstrap, Judy Anderson and the whole Community and Congregational Care Team (CCC) for their excellent presentation on SOTH’s new summer lunch program to the kids of our community. SOTH gave over $700 to this worthy cause. More news coming soon!
Sermon Series Continues: Don’t miss this second installment of Adam’s new sermon series this Sunday, “I Love Jesus, But I’m Not Too Sure About Those Christians.” We’re working our way through Matthew 23, this week looking at verses 5-12.
Sunday School continues to grow and thrive for adults and kids! Come join our Seekers Class, Sue Goldsmith’s “Prayer: Does It Make a Difference” class or Adam’s “Leading Your Child to Jesus,” and drop your kids of any age for our Sunday School program after early worship and before the second service @ 10:15 a.m.
Apr 26, 2007
Apr 18, 2007
Light
Have you ever met someone that you just didn’t like?
It doesn’t mean you think that person is bad, evil, or otherwise. It just means you wouldn’t choose to go to a ballgame together.
What a crazy, odd quirk of humanity this is…the anatomy of “I don’t like you.”
Experts say that we humans size each other up and begin to draw conclusions from our first impressions in about 20 seconds.
Everything from hairstyle to clothing, to speech pattern, to gestures send us subtle yet overwhelming cues about what kind of person this other human being might be…and we begin to segregate them into “our kind of people,” or “not our kind of people.”
Should we make it through the phase of first impressions, there are whole layers of world-view, interests, politics and shared affinities and attitudes that determine how well we jive with another person.
The seeds of “like” and “dislike” implant in seconds but can take years to overcome.
It’s a miracle that any of us choose to like each other at all. Really, it is…it’s a God thing.
Believe it or not, there are people in the world who don’t like me. Amazingly, there are even folks out there who don’t like you, either.
I know this seems impossible, because we are each convinced that we are our mama’s darling babies, and that all the world must surely recognize the inherent goodness and purity of our souls and spirits, not to mention our dashing wit and charisma…right?
Don’t forget our “amazing senses of humor” and “devastating good looks.” We’ve got it going on, right? Surely goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our life, and so must a long line of admiring followers…
Well…not necessarily.
For whatever reason, the history of humanity seems to answer the question, “can’t we all just get along?” with a resounding “no.”
“Why Can’t We Be Friends?” Because I don’t like you.
In light of this reality, should we all just pack our collective marbles and head for the house?
I don’t think so.
There are still all those pesky things that Jesus tells us ---- about loving our neighbors as ourselves, about bearing each other’s burdens, about praying for our “enemies,” and he never once asks us whether we get the warm fuzzies about any of it. He doesn’t really seem to care about how much we like each other ---- but whether we will love each other.
After all, anyone can associate with and pray for their friends. It’s easy to like the people who like us. Even a “gentile” can do that.
But here’s the deal: brokenness is a real thing. You don’t have to look far to know that hatred, violence, war and murder happen every day in this world. Not only do we not like each other, we tend to do some bad, bad things.
In the last 72 hours, we’ve all been overwhelmed by the news of the mass shootings and murders that happened at Virginia Tech. Our hearts and prayers are completely joined to the families of those who have been so tragically killed.
For me, as a pastor many miles away from the scene, and with no one in my congregation directly impacted, watching our human reaction to this tragedy has been fascinating.
There are those who look at brokenness, from the silliest “they don’t like me,” or “I don’t like them,” to the realities of the most depraved acts of violence and say, “see, I told you God is not real.”
But others find a different path.
Wednesday morning, a friend pointed out something they’d seen on a post-Virginia Tech interview with a pastor on Good Morning America. When asked how a person of faith should react to such violence, he simply said, “God is even here.”
To me, the miracle is that as 8 billion people stroll around the planet every single day, acts of unspeakable evil happen so rarely.
So many people are so very good.
Folks, that’s God at work among us.
I know how little consolation that truth must be to those who mourn a bitter loss on this day. One person choosing the path of deepest evil can cause a seemingly infinite amount of pain.
And yet…where that one has chosen the darkness…hundreds and thousands at Virginia Tech, millions in our country, billions around the world…choose the light every single day.
God is even here.
God is good.
Don’t believe me? The next time that person you don’t like does something good for you (and they will), or cuts you some slack, or gives you a break…remember that God is here. God is good, and God is at work in this world. The proof is all around us.
And let’s all stop and say a prayer for the people of Virginia Tech.
Grace & Peace,
Adam
Our new Sunday School classes are underway with great success. Sue Goldsmith's class had a great response to "Prayer: Does It Make a Difference" by Phillip Yancey, and several families took part in "Leading Your Child to Jesus," in the sanctuary between worship services. Don't forget that your primary opportunity for bringing your child to Christian Education happens at 10:15 every Sunday morning. There are now three adult classes, and opportunities for children and teens of all ages.
Apr 12, 2007
Water
The pastor reached deep into pool of water gathered for this purpose. With great pomp and circumstance, he placed his wet hand upon my head. "Adam Michael Roberts," he said, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Or at least that's what they tell me. I don't remember any of it.
I was just a baby.
This Sunday, we'll do something that will look quite odd to those who don't know much about Christianity.
We'll take a little baby, dress him all in white, surround him with family, hold him over a bowl of water and dribble some droplets upon his head.
All of this will be done with a certain flourish, and with particular words, and several grown folks will wipe tears from their eyes.
The baby in question will be our new son Jack. Those tears will be mine, his mama's, his grandparents and great-grandmother's and aunts and uncles and cousins...you get the idea.
What in the world is that all about?
Good question.
Baptism is not easily understood, is it?
"Sure it is," I can hear some of you say..."the Bible says that we should do it, so we do it and it really doesn't matter if we understand it or not."
Point taken.
And yet, while obedience for obedience's sake is not necessarily a bad thing...what if there was just a little more? What if there was a lot more.
It seems to me that if God asks us to do something, there most likely is a reason.
The reason lies somewhere in the mystery of that baptismal moment. It lies somewhere in the mystery of those tears.
But, not all Christian traditions baptize babies. Here in the Deep South of the U.S., the culturally dominant denominations practice "believer's baptism," baptizing only those old enough to profess faith in Jesus for themselves.
For that reason, lots of SOTH'ers will see what happens Sunday as a "dedication," rather than a baptism. It's hard sometimes to understand how an unaware and non-verbal infant can really be "baptized" without the ability to say for himself, "I believe in Jesus."
Now, trust me, there's nothing that turns off someone who is curious about Jesus faster than two Christians arguing about who's "right." That's the last thing I want this conversation to be. Thank God for all the churches out there who are changing lives and doing God's work. Whether dedicated, baptized or otherwise,
But for the many folks at SOTH who grew up in different traditions, and the many more for whom SOTH is their first church family, what's happening at the baptismal font this Sunday morning (and every other time that we baptize a child) might need a little fleshing out.
I'll be the first to admit --- baptism should happen as a response to God's love. Somebody does need to say something --- the occasion just calls for it.
At Jack's first visit to his pediatrician, she spent several moments baby-talking him, asking him questions in the cute little voice we all tend to use when we talk to the newly born.
His brother Sam, age three, observed this one-sided "conversation" between the doctor and his baby brother. With an informative tone, he told the doctor, "He doesn't speak."
Three months later, that will still be the case this Sunday.
His family will speak for him. We will state our belief in Jesus Christ, and in the love of God that is available to us all. We'll affirm that none of us earn God's love, that grace is a free gift, and that we're placing his feet on that grace-filled path.
And that is good enough.
A "believer's baptism" is a powerful and wonderful thing. Few moments in worship have stirred my heart so much as those spent with adults, both young and old, who profess their faith for the first time and receive this outward sign of God's inner work of love.
But a baby's baptism is beautiful too --- the same grace, but with a different emphasis. Jack's baptism this Sunday will be the same for him as for any other person, and it is the baptism that he will carry throughout his life. In a way that defies my ability to explain it, the goosebumps and teary eyes are a sign and token of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
We celebrate the first half of the divine handshake...God's extension of his love and grace to us all. SOTH will accept its responsibility to lead and teach Jack and all of our children in such a way that they will one day grasp God's hand for themselves.
But that will be up to him, as surely as God leaves that decision up to each of us.
I'm thankful for those who have gone before me...who brought me to that moment of baptism. I may not remember it...but it has marked my life and given more strength than I can probably begin to know.
I'll see you this Sunday...
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
Thanks to everyone who came out to take part in some wonderful Easter Sunday services. We had a packed house for worship two times and the positive spirit and connection in our church was very powerful. It was exciting to welcome many visitors and we hope to see them all again.
As mentioned above, we'll be baptizing Jack Spitzer Roberts this Sunday at our 11 a.m. worship. Adam's dad, Mike Roberts, a clergy member of the Memphis Annual Conference will be on hand to preach and lead the baptism. Don't miss this exciting time of worship!
New Sunday School Opportunities!
New Adult classes forming this Sunday!
All classes, children to youth to adult -- 10:15 AM
Pastor's class: "Leading Your Child to Jesus" by Adam Roberts, sanctuary
New Class: "Prayer: Does It Make a Difference?" by Sue Goldsmith, conference room, Ranch
Seekers: Favorite Bible Verses, adult classroom, Ranch
Or at least that's what they tell me. I don't remember any of it.
I was just a baby.
This Sunday, we'll do something that will look quite odd to those who don't know much about Christianity.
We'll take a little baby, dress him all in white, surround him with family, hold him over a bowl of water and dribble some droplets upon his head.
All of this will be done with a certain flourish, and with particular words, and several grown folks will wipe tears from their eyes.
The baby in question will be our new son Jack. Those tears will be mine, his mama's, his grandparents and great-grandmother's and aunts and uncles and cousins...you get the idea.
What in the world is that all about?
Good question.
Baptism is not easily understood, is it?
"Sure it is," I can hear some of you say..."the Bible says that we should do it, so we do it and it really doesn't matter if we understand it or not."
Point taken.
And yet, while obedience for obedience's sake is not necessarily a bad thing...what if there was just a little more? What if there was a lot more.
It seems to me that if God asks us to do something, there most likely is a reason.
The reason lies somewhere in the mystery of that baptismal moment. It lies somewhere in the mystery of those tears.
But, not all Christian traditions baptize babies. Here in the Deep South of the U.S., the culturally dominant denominations practice "believer's baptism," baptizing only those old enough to profess faith in Jesus for themselves.
For that reason, lots of SOTH'ers will see what happens Sunday as a "dedication," rather than a baptism. It's hard sometimes to understand how an unaware and non-verbal infant can really be "baptized" without the ability to say for himself, "I believe in Jesus."
Now, trust me, there's nothing that turns off someone who is curious about Jesus faster than two Christians arguing about who's "right." That's the last thing I want this conversation to be. Thank God for all the churches out there who are changing lives and doing God's work. Whether dedicated, baptized or otherwise,
But for the many folks at SOTH who grew up in different traditions, and the many more for whom SOTH is their first church family, what's happening at the baptismal font this Sunday morning (and every other time that we baptize a child) might need a little fleshing out.
I'll be the first to admit --- baptism should happen as a response to God's love. Somebody does need to say something --- the occasion just calls for it.
At Jack's first visit to his pediatrician, she spent several moments baby-talking him, asking him questions in the cute little voice we all tend to use when we talk to the newly born.
His brother Sam, age three, observed this one-sided "conversation" between the doctor and his baby brother. With an informative tone, he told the doctor, "He doesn't speak."
Three months later, that will still be the case this Sunday.
His family will speak for him. We will state our belief in Jesus Christ, and in the love of God that is available to us all. We'll affirm that none of us earn God's love, that grace is a free gift, and that we're placing his feet on that grace-filled path.
And that is good enough.
A "believer's baptism" is a powerful and wonderful thing. Few moments in worship have stirred my heart so much as those spent with adults, both young and old, who profess their faith for the first time and receive this outward sign of God's inner work of love.
But a baby's baptism is beautiful too --- the same grace, but with a different emphasis. Jack's baptism this Sunday will be the same for him as for any other person, and it is the baptism that he will carry throughout his life. In a way that defies my ability to explain it, the goosebumps and teary eyes are a sign and token of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
We celebrate the first half of the divine handshake...God's extension of his love and grace to us all. SOTH will accept its responsibility to lead and teach Jack and all of our children in such a way that they will one day grasp God's hand for themselves.
But that will be up to him, as surely as God leaves that decision up to each of us.
I'm thankful for those who have gone before me...who brought me to that moment of baptism. I may not remember it...but it has marked my life and given more strength than I can probably begin to know.
I'll see you this Sunday...
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
Thanks to everyone who came out to take part in some wonderful Easter Sunday services. We had a packed house for worship two times and the positive spirit and connection in our church was very powerful. It was exciting to welcome many visitors and we hope to see them all again.
As mentioned above, we'll be baptizing Jack Spitzer Roberts this Sunday at our 11 a.m. worship. Adam's dad, Mike Roberts, a clergy member of the Memphis Annual Conference will be on hand to preach and lead the baptism. Don't miss this exciting time of worship!
New Sunday School Opportunities!
New Adult classes forming this Sunday!
All classes, children to youth to adult -- 10:15 AM
Pastor's class: "Leading Your Child to Jesus" by Adam Roberts, sanctuary
New Class: "Prayer: Does It Make a Difference?" by Sue Goldsmith, conference room, Ranch
Seekers: Favorite Bible Verses, adult classroom, Ranch
Apr 4, 2007
Fail
Thanks again to Robin and Shane who posted in the comments section last week and shared some personal stories of those who’ve gone before you and how those loved ones shaped their lives. Robin, SOTH continues to pray for you in the loss you’ve gone through in these last several months. Shane, congrats good buddy on the birth of baby Oliver! He’s a lucky little boy, born to a wonderful family.
Without much further ado…on to the Holy Week blog. And, glad to be back on a Wednesday morning by the way…
Well, it’s official…Spring is here.
OK, there have been moments when it’s felt as though summer is actually upon us.
It’s spring break week, and those of us who, by successful matriculation, have earned the privilege of easy weekday transit on our town’s highways and shopping aisles find them clogged with kids who ought to be somewhere learning something.
Everybody’s Bermuda is a deeper shade of green each day. I have discovered a 72nd type of Georgia pollen that will send my histamine production into overdrive. We have these things called leaves again…and man, did I miss them.
A distinct cracking sound can be heard all across the country. Nope, not the sound of baseball bats ripping line drives (though not much could sound better)…it’s the sound of millions of too-old elbows popping as amateur third basemen and left fielders try to throw softballs much further and harder than their anatomy now allows.
And so the seasons, and the cycle of life, move forward together.
Those softball fields (home to the above-referenced cracking sounds) can be a place of deep spiritual reflection, you know. There’s a reason churches tend to play the sport, after all.
Nothing builds character like failure. Occasional humiliation, even.
A ball the size of a really large grapefruit comes floating toward home plate at the speed of 12 mph. As a good friend of mine (and mighty talented ballplayer) once told me, “There’s no reason a grown man should hit less than .900 in slowpitch.”
For those of you unschooled in the ways of batting average, that’s a reference to getting a hit in at least 90% of your at bats.
I couldn’t agree more. But, for me at least, it’s still impossible.
That’s what makes softball such a fun, and deeply aggravating pastime. I don’t play golf, but I’ve heard plenty of guys tell me that they have similar feelings about the little white ball that sits on the ground, motionless, taunting them.
As Springteen's “Glory Days” plays loudly in our heads, we look back through the hazy crystal ball and somehow remember a time when we knew we really could hit a much, much smaller object, thrown by much, much more athletic young men at speeds of over 80 mph. Oh yeah, it could change direction at the last second, too.
Now, we pop this beachball up to the second baseman.
And, if we’re getting anywhere in our journeys at all…life is still good.
Those guys who play at “The Ted,” the ones making 29 bazillion dollars a season…they pop up, too. Hitting .300 (only getting a hit in 30% of your at bats) in the big leagues will make you very, very wealthy.
40% success is the stuff of legend.
Baseball…softball…life…it’s all about perseverance and the overcoming of much failure.
And Jesus, especially this week, has something important to tell us.
This morning on sacredspace, I was reminded that in a very real way, the cross can be a sign of failure. On Good Friday, it must have seemed to every single person who witnessed Jesus death that a wonderful dream had come to a bitter end.
Until Jesus, no one believed that God could “fail.” No one thought that the messiah might die. No one knew that God might love us so much that he would come among us…and allow us to mock him, beat him, reject and kill him.
Think you’re having a bad day? God incarnate…Emmanuel, God With Us…Jesus Christ…has walked that path before you.
The cross redeems our failures.
The cross redeems our shame.
Because the cross is not the end. The story of Jesus is unique and so important for the realities of life that we all face.
Real success, you see, lies at the bottom of the trough of failure. What great good news.
On Friday night, we will remember the crucifixion at SOTH. We will remember the failure, the rejection, the shame. We will begin in light and move toward darkness. We will leave our sanctuary with these words from John…
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
The darkness of failure will do it’s worst…but it can never win.
Easter Sunday morning, the son rises. “Failure,” is transformed into the very vehicle of eternal victory.
Think of that the next time things don’t roll your way. Real success lies just around the corner.
Grace & Peace,
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
Well, not everybody’s in Florida this week (not that I’m bitter or anything…), and for those of you who are in town, we really hope that you’ll come out this Friday night to our “Service of Darkness,” commemorating the crucifixion of Christ. I can promise that the service will be deeply moving, and your experience on Good Friday will deepen the joy of Easter morning. Friday night, sanctuary, 7PM.
Easter Sunday schedule:
7 AM Sunrise Service @ The Pavilion (Dorsett Shoals Road) to be led by our Youth Group, “The Flock.” Everyone is invited to come out and take part in this very meaningful service of resurrection.
9 AM & 11 AM Morning Worship: Two great worship services and we’re expecting full houses for both. A great day of music, scripture, prayer and preaching, plus a special presentation for our youth. Childcare will be available at both services for children 1st grade and younger, with SS available for children through adults at 10:15. Don’t forget to bring fresh-cut flowers for the Easter cross which we’ll post out by Chapel Hill Road.
6 PM Evening worship in the sanctuary --- a wonderful way to end your Easter Sunday. No youth group Easter Sunday night.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Easter Egg Hunt this past Sunday after worship! Lunch was great, the turnout was huge and it was a blast for everybody. Great Job, Kathryn!!!!
Without much further ado…on to the Holy Week blog. And, glad to be back on a Wednesday morning by the way…
Well, it’s official…Spring is here.
OK, there have been moments when it’s felt as though summer is actually upon us.
It’s spring break week, and those of us who, by successful matriculation, have earned the privilege of easy weekday transit on our town’s highways and shopping aisles find them clogged with kids who ought to be somewhere learning something.
Everybody’s Bermuda is a deeper shade of green each day. I have discovered a 72nd type of Georgia pollen that will send my histamine production into overdrive. We have these things called leaves again…and man, did I miss them.
A distinct cracking sound can be heard all across the country. Nope, not the sound of baseball bats ripping line drives (though not much could sound better)…it’s the sound of millions of too-old elbows popping as amateur third basemen and left fielders try to throw softballs much further and harder than their anatomy now allows.
And so the seasons, and the cycle of life, move forward together.
Those softball fields (home to the above-referenced cracking sounds) can be a place of deep spiritual reflection, you know. There’s a reason churches tend to play the sport, after all.
Nothing builds character like failure. Occasional humiliation, even.
A ball the size of a really large grapefruit comes floating toward home plate at the speed of 12 mph. As a good friend of mine (and mighty talented ballplayer) once told me, “There’s no reason a grown man should hit less than .900 in slowpitch.”
For those of you unschooled in the ways of batting average, that’s a reference to getting a hit in at least 90% of your at bats.
I couldn’t agree more. But, for me at least, it’s still impossible.
That’s what makes softball such a fun, and deeply aggravating pastime. I don’t play golf, but I’ve heard plenty of guys tell me that they have similar feelings about the little white ball that sits on the ground, motionless, taunting them.
As Springteen's “Glory Days” plays loudly in our heads, we look back through the hazy crystal ball and somehow remember a time when we knew we really could hit a much, much smaller object, thrown by much, much more athletic young men at speeds of over 80 mph. Oh yeah, it could change direction at the last second, too.
Now, we pop this beachball up to the second baseman.
And, if we’re getting anywhere in our journeys at all…life is still good.
Those guys who play at “The Ted,” the ones making 29 bazillion dollars a season…they pop up, too. Hitting .300 (only getting a hit in 30% of your at bats) in the big leagues will make you very, very wealthy.
40% success is the stuff of legend.
Baseball…softball…life…it’s all about perseverance and the overcoming of much failure.
And Jesus, especially this week, has something important to tell us.
This morning on sacredspace, I was reminded that in a very real way, the cross can be a sign of failure. On Good Friday, it must have seemed to every single person who witnessed Jesus death that a wonderful dream had come to a bitter end.
Until Jesus, no one believed that God could “fail.” No one thought that the messiah might die. No one knew that God might love us so much that he would come among us…and allow us to mock him, beat him, reject and kill him.
Think you’re having a bad day? God incarnate…Emmanuel, God With Us…Jesus Christ…has walked that path before you.
The cross redeems our failures.
The cross redeems our shame.
Because the cross is not the end. The story of Jesus is unique and so important for the realities of life that we all face.
Real success, you see, lies at the bottom of the trough of failure. What great good news.
On Friday night, we will remember the crucifixion at SOTH. We will remember the failure, the rejection, the shame. We will begin in light and move toward darkness. We will leave our sanctuary with these words from John…
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
The darkness of failure will do it’s worst…but it can never win.
Easter Sunday morning, the son rises. “Failure,” is transformed into the very vehicle of eternal victory.
Think of that the next time things don’t roll your way. Real success lies just around the corner.
Grace & Peace,
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
Well, not everybody’s in Florida this week (not that I’m bitter or anything…), and for those of you who are in town, we really hope that you’ll come out this Friday night to our “Service of Darkness,” commemorating the crucifixion of Christ. I can promise that the service will be deeply moving, and your experience on Good Friday will deepen the joy of Easter morning. Friday night, sanctuary, 7PM.
Easter Sunday schedule:
7 AM Sunrise Service @ The Pavilion (Dorsett Shoals Road) to be led by our Youth Group, “The Flock.” Everyone is invited to come out and take part in this very meaningful service of resurrection.
9 AM & 11 AM Morning Worship: Two great worship services and we’re expecting full houses for both. A great day of music, scripture, prayer and preaching, plus a special presentation for our youth. Childcare will be available at both services for children 1st grade and younger, with SS available for children through adults at 10:15. Don’t forget to bring fresh-cut flowers for the Easter cross which we’ll post out by Chapel Hill Road.
6 PM Evening worship in the sanctuary --- a wonderful way to end your Easter Sunday. No youth group Easter Sunday night.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Easter Egg Hunt this past Sunday after worship! Lunch was great, the turnout was huge and it was a blast for everybody. Great Job, Kathryn!!!!
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