Home

Read Luke 15:11-32 (NIV)

...17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'

20 So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him...

I don't know about you, but I find "shortcuts" irresistible.

I love to believe that I can outsmart the traffic, and find a better route.

I love exploring roads, learning the secret passages through town and impressing those who ride in my vehicle with my superior knowledge and navigational skills.

Of course, we all know that the best shortcuts are known to everyone, and they eventually lose their appeal as they become clogged with all the shortcut-takers.

My sons refer to my shortcuts as "daddy's long-cuts." The groans seep out, whenever we turn off of the main road. They know the trip home may have just gotten more scenic, but definitely not shorter.

The "prodigal son" of Luke 15 likes shortcuts, too. He wanted to strike out on his own, gaining his inheritance early and showing everyone how smart he could be. He wanted to get there now, without paying his dues.

As a result, he found himself a long, long way from home.

Sometimes, the best path is the straight one, right in front of us, however narrow it may be.

We are free to choose our path. Our Father, like the prodigal's, will not put a stop to our freedom, even to keep us safe. But when we stray, and we will, we can know that He waits, looking for our return.

"Filled with compassion...he ran to his son...and kissed him."

The right turn, toward God, is the greatest "shortcut" we could ever take. Even better, is to trust him now, through whatever comes, and know that Dad really does know the way home.

Prayer: Father of the Prodigal, while we were still a long way off, you ran to us, hugged us, kissed us and welcomed us home. May we celebrate wiht heaven when the lost are found, and may we know that you can make all things right, no matter how lost we have become.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end, Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: I Timothy 1:1-11

Found

Luke 15 (The Message)

By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story.

"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.

"Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."

A couple of Sundays ago, I got up early and readied myself for church. Later that morning, I realized I was missing something. The ring finger of my left hand was bare. No ring.

I've had a tough history with wedding rings. I lost my first one ten years ago, about 3 months after we got married. The ring my wife placed on my finger "in front of God and everybody" now resides somewhere in the murky sediment of the Buffalo River in middle Tennessee. Note to self --- take off ring before canoe trips.

In the intervening years, I've never permanently lost my new ring, but I've had several close calls. This last time, the item in question was missing for days.

How hard do you look when you lose something? For me, I know that my gift is not for finding small, lost items. Eventually, I give up, go on with life and know that one day it will turn up. Sad, but true.

Thankfully, my wife is like Jesus' character. She lights a lamp, scours every nook and cranny and doesn't quit until she finds what she's looking for. When she found my ring, she came running with the good news.

It was in the sock drawer. Evidently the socks had consipired against me. But they did not prevail.

Our lives have many cycles of lost and found. No matter how lost you feel this morning, the great good news is that God is seeking. God pursues us with the love and grace of Jesus.

God's nature is the relentless pursuit of his children.

Celebrate what is found today! Jesus tells us that there is nothing more important.

Prayer: When we are lost, you search until we are found. Help us to know that we can never escape your loving care. May your Church have passion for those who hurt and feel lost in this world. May we be your instruments of reconciliation.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.
Tomorrow's Reading: Luke 15:11-32

Restore

From Psalm 14

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."...
...The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men
to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God...
...God is present in the company of the righteous...

...You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge...

...Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

I don't believe in atheists.

Everybody believes in something. All people, I believe, choose to place their faith in something outside themselves. Anger, fear, frustration and pain may keep people from acknowledging their faith in God, but I'm just not sure that anyone actually shakes their deep-down knowledge that God is with us.

That doesn't mean that people who openly believe don't get frustrated, too. Sometimes that same anger and fear gets hold of our old broken places and can just wear us out.

Psalm 14 is a "lament" against the power that "evildoers" sometimes seem to have in this world. Really, it goes even a step further, reminding us that none among us are without sin, and that we've all got our own share of brokenness.

What matters is who we believe in, and who we are becoming.

Salvation...restoration...healing...these things all come from the Lord. Faith in Jesus isn't just a business transaction, it's the beginning of a whole new life. Watch for the places where God is "restoring" your life today. Rejoice and be glad!

Prayer: O God, may you make us a part of the "company of the righteous." Forgive us where we have fallen short and restore the fortunes of your people. May we not turn aside, but always turn to you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Fierce

Jeremiah 4 (NIV)

22 "My people are fools;
they do not know me.
They are senseless children;
they have no understanding.
They are skilled in doing evil;
they know not how to do good."

23 I looked at the earth,
and it was formless and empty;
and at the heavens,
and their light was gone.

24 I looked at the mountains,
and they were quaking;
all the hills were swaying.

25 I looked, and there were no people;
every bird in the sky had flown away.

26 I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert;
all its towns lay in ruins
before the LORD, before his fierce anger.

27 This is what the LORD says:
"The whole land will be ruined,
though I will not destroy it completely.

28 Therefore the earth will mourn
and the heavens above grow dark,
because I have spoken and will not relent,
I have decided and will not turn back."

There are many difficult, but necessary moments in our spiritual growth. There are moments when we need to remember the complete nature of the awe-inspiring God that we serve.

He is all-powerful. And He is jealous. There's a reason "thou shalt have no other gods before me," comes first on that list.

Jeremiah's vision of this devastating apocalypse must have been terrifying. His job was to relate this forthcoming destruction to the leaders of Judah. Perhaps at one time his fear of the king would have stopped him from speaking. Having seen this possible future, no human being could now overwhelm his healthy "fear" of God and force his silence.

The people had turned from God. They had lost focus. They had forgotten who and whose they were. This scriptural glimpse into God's anger and frustration should give us pause. No matter how loving the parent, every well-raised child knows the look in its mother's or father's eye that means, "too far."

Even still, God's grace never fails.

"I will not destroy it completely."

The God of jealousy, and love, and anger....and second chances....loves us still today.

There is hope, and opportunity. And a God who is not to be taken lightly.

Prayer: Father God, forgive our brokenness and heal your creation. We thank you for the grace of Christ that spares us, and we seek to be made holy in your redemption.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Psalm 14

Encourage

Philemon

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Years ago, another pastor told me about his habit of keeping an "affirmation" file. Over the years, when anyone has sent along notes or thoughts of thanks, prayer and support, they've been placed in a plain manilla folder and filed in a drawer.

That file has become an in-case-of-emergency "memory bank" of sorts. When the hard days come, as they surely will, that pastor can physically look and find the refreshment that his soul needs. Encouragement doesn't have an expiration date.

Another wise Christian once told me, "God will send encouragers, just when you need them most." I witnessed the ministry of another pastor who has taken up note-writing and encouragement as a way of life. Nowhere in scripture does Jesus expect his disciples to be in this thing alone.

"Faith-sharing" sounds intimidating. It really doesn't have to be. Show someone a sign of love, encouragement and support today. Small things do matter, and you'll find your own heart "refreshed" along the way.

Prayer: Lord, may our witness for you be effective.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.
Scripture for Saturday (no blog, but a good place to go anyway!) Philemon 8-25

Scripture for Sunday: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
We'll see you at SOTH for worship this Sunday, 9 & 11 AM with Sunday School at 10 AM. Have a great weekend!

Follow

Luke 14:25-34 (The Message)

25-27 One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.

28-30"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.'

31-32"Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can't, won't he send an emissary and work out a truce?

33"Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple.

34"Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it's useless, good for nothing.

"Are you listening to this? Really listening?"

As I've grown older, and maybe a tiny bit wiser in my life, I've become convinced of a few foundational truths.

One is that we humans are always drawn, through some magnetic pull of our own brokenness and sin, toward the famous "path of least resistance." Left to our own devices, we will flow without fail, like water and electricity, through whatever most easily conducts our attention.

But following this man Jesus has to change all of that. Or, at least, following him holds that potential for our lives.

All of us have to make decisions, every single day. For a believer, those decisions are re-framed by the crucified, resurrected rabbi that we follow.

Jesus was clear with the crowd that trailed him, perhaps more for free food and miracle-gawking than for a new way of life. "If you'll be following me," he says, "you'll need one of these." Picking up the cross, we walk in his steps.

Whatever your "cross" today, pick it up. Carry it joyfully, walking behind the one who gives strength for the journey. The cross is not the end of the path, but it's the only way to get there. On the other side there is resurrection, love, joy and peace.

Christians believe that Jesus can redeem any situation, even our own.

Prayer: Father, we do not understand all that it may truly mean to follow Jesus. May we pick up the cross and follow him to resurrection and new life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end, Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Philemon 1-7

Before

Psalm 139 (NRSV)

The Inescapable God

¹O Lord, you have searched me and known me.

²You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.

³You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.

⁵You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.

⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.

⁷Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?

⁸If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.

⁹If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, ¹⁰

even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.

¹¹If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light around me become night’,

¹²even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

¹³For it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.

In your book were written
all the days that were formed for me,
when none of them as yet existed.

¹⁷How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

¹⁸I try to count them—they are more than the sand;
I come to the end—I am still with you.

Over the years, one of my favorite alternative/pop kind of singers has been a guy named Ben Folds.

Like most of his fans, Ben has gotten a little older, settled down and had kids. A few years ago, he wrote a song about his daughter.

I love the way he began: "You can't fool me, I saw you when you came out."

Such is the love, and the knowledge, that a parent has for his or her child.

But imagine...God knew us even before that very "first" moment.

Psalm 139 is an amazing testament to that truth.

Here's a good way to start this day. Re-read the words of that psalm and let the full gravity of the statements settle upon you.

"Your eyes beheld my unformed substance."

"In your book were written all the days that were formed for me when none of them as yet existed."

I will never forget the day of my youngest son's last ultrasound before his birth. We glimpsed, in grainy black and white, a clear image of his lips, nose and chin.

Although he would not be born for a few more weeks, we already knew how much he looked just like his big brothers.

In that moment, my heart leapt with joy at the life that God was knitting together.

All our days rest in the hands of the one who has already written them. Our Father loves us, and will care for us, come what may.

Prayer: Father God, you have known us before we "were." Even in our end, may we always be with you.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

¹⁹

Pain

Today's Scripture: Read Jeremiah 18:13-23

15 Yet my people have forgotten me;
they burn incense to worthless idols,
which made them stumble in their ways
and in the ancient paths.
They made them walk in bypaths
and on roads not built up.

16 Their land will be laid waste,
an object of lasting scorn;
all who pass by will be appalled
and will shake their heads.

19 Listen to me, O LORD;
hear what my accusers are saying!

20 Should good be repaid with evil?
Yet they have dug a pit for me.
Remember that I stood before you
and spoke in their behalf
to turn your wrath away from them.

23 But you know, O LORD,
all their plots to kill me.
Do not forgive their crimes
or blot out their sins from your sight.
Let them be overthrown before you;
deal with them in the time of your anger.

Most all of us can remember exactly where we were when we heard the news that morning six years ago. At first, there was just confusion. Finally, there was recognition and disbelief. In the end, there was so much anger.

Our church gathered for worship that night. I will always remember the words that we prayed together. I had prayed them many times before, and many times since. Never before had they caught in my throat...

"Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."

At that moment, I didn't feel forgiveness for those who had committed unspeakable acts against my fellow Americans. If I'm honest, I wanted vengeance, and like many of us, there are times that it's still really all I want in repayment for the pain of that day.

The prophet Jeremiah knew what pain felt like. He knew anger, and in today's scripture we witness one of the most blatant calls for vengeance that we find in all of scripture.

We believe, and the Bible teaches us, that God is both loving and just.

Somehow, cycles of violence and vengeance must be broken. All the while, we trust God for the justice that must surely "flow down like water."

Just a few verses later, in Jeremiah 20, we hear this promise:
"Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked."

May the Lord save his needy people.

Prayer: God our Father, you are the maker of nations and ruler of all things. Forgive our trespasses and lead us not into the time of trial. We pray especially today for the safety of our armed forces and for all who are in harm's way.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomrrow's reading: Psalm 139

Potter

Jeremiah 18

At the Potter's House

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD : 2 "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

5 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. 9 And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.

11 "Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.' 12 But they will reply, 'It's no use. We will continue with our own plans; each of us will follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.' "

Have you ever received a "message from God?" I know sometimes I wish that God would speak more clearly. At other times, I know that he has spoken, and then I must decide whether to listen.

God told Jeremiah to "go to the potter's house," and there he witnessed a powerful object lesson. A beautiful pot was taking shape, the clay turning quickly upon the wheel and guided by the potter's skillful hands.

But something wasn't right. Things were "marred," in a way that could only mean a total new beginning if the pot was ever to hold its beauty.

Everybody falls short. All of us are "marred" by the shame and sin of this world. But in this scripture lies some great good news. We can be re-formed, re-cast and made new by the hands of the potter who loves us.

If we turn from our brokenness toward the one who can make things right, "I will relent," becomes our Father's promise. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Father, you are the potter and we are the clay. May we give ourselves willingly to your work of molding our lives into the vessels you desire. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

Tomorrow's Reading: Jeremiah 18:13-23

Listen

What a wonderful week I have had.

Monday morning through Wednesday afternoon was spent at “The Academy for the Practice of Christian Ministry,” a continuing education event that will meet once each month from now through April. The group is composed of 14 newly ordained deacons and elders (within the last 5 years). We’re exposed to great speakers and cutting edge vision and training for church leaders.

But more than that, we are becoming connected to one another, and to the other dedicated clergy who lead and mentor us.

48 hours in the North Georgia mountains (Camp Glisson in Dahlonega, GA) did me a world of good.

I’m getting what I asked for.

About 2 months ago, I’d had some particularly frustrating days. Those days come for pastors, too, you know.

My good wife reminded me not to give up when times get tough. She invoked the image of Moses in the wilderness. For forty years, he wandered with his people…lost.

“Yeah,” I said, “but at least Moses had a burning bush.”

She reminded me that God still speaks, and my answer might raise the hair of the average pew (well, it’s SOTH…so, table) sitter.

“I wish he’d speak up,” I said.

Wow…He really has.

In the weeks that have intervened, God has posted his notices before me at every turn.

The very night after my flippant “prayer” to hear God’s voice, he began to speak loudly. We had invited the parents of our youth to an informational and visioning meeting.

So many parents and youth attended, that the parents could not fit in a circle in our largest Sunday School room. A wonderful spirit filled the place as people began to hope for what might yet come to pass for the young people of our church and community.

The next weekend, SOTH hosted a district event where George Morris was the speaker. His words hit me like a hammer.

“Four things,” he said, “will guarantee a decline in the life of your church.”

1. Surrender the authority of scripture and its central place in the church’s life.

2. Lose your passion for lost and hurting people in your community

3. “Stiff-arm” (push away) the Holy Spirit

4. Forget that everything is about one thing --- Jesus Christ.

That presentation was followed by more conversations, by prayer, calls, worship and deeply penetrating encounters with scripture.

God is teaching me some lessons. In these lessons lies some wonderful good news.

All the work that you can ever do…all the learning you can ever acquire…all the leadership training that you can absorb…all the admirers that you can ever win…none of them count for anything next to the mighty power of a transformed life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

That sounds like something a pastor should know, doesn’t it? It does. And I’m learning…not to ever give up what I’ve known in my heart for many years, no matter how hard the world works to steal my focus, and attention and heart.

I know another man who came to feel exactly the same way. He had worked hard. He had done the right things. He had followed all the rules…and still come up empty.

His name was Paul, and here’s what he had to say:

Philippians 3 (The Message)

To Know Him Personally

1 And that's about it, friends. Be glad in God! I don't mind repeating what I have written in earlier letters, and I hope you don't mind hearing it again. Better safe than sorry—so here goes.

2-6 Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they're interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ's praise as we do it. We couldn't carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God's law; a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting the church; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God's law Book.

7-9 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness.

10-11 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

Focused on the Goal

12-14 I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

15-16 So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

What a wonderful thought. And a wonderful week. My deepest prayer is that you will reach out to Jesus. That you will follow him and know what it means to be his disciple. There is nothing as good as the peace that God offers us in redemption, and hope and grace-filled goodness.

Land…Buildings…Programs…Vision-Statements….God can handle them all, and he will add all of these to us…when we seek him first, and his great righteousness.

May we be people of tender hearts…prayer…passion and possibility.

If it’s not Jesus…may the people of SOTH “dump it in the trash,” just like the Apostle Paul. With great joy in my heart, and the freedom of Christ, I look so forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Adam

LIFE AT SOTH: SOTH exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ through ministries of...

Worship -- We’ll worship this Sunday morning, 9 and 11 AM. Our series, “Celebrating the Differences” will conclude with a word from Jeremiah about God’s passion for all his children, “God said.” Don’t forget to stay for Sunday School between services, for children, youth and adults at 10:15 am.

Scripture -- This Sunday we’ll look at Jeremiah 1:1-9

1 The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. 2 The word of the LORD came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, 3 and through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.

The Call of Jeremiah

4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew ^[a] you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."

7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth.

Prayer: If you don’t receive SOTH prayer concerns, please email your address to sothumc@bellsouth.net. Thanks to God for the wonderful news received by Debbie Garrett, cancer free report last week! Thanks to all of you who have kept the Garretts in your prayers, and please continue to do so!

Relationships: Our youth visioning process continues to bear great fruit! Let’s give thanks to God for the near 30 kids who continue to participate each week. This past Sunday we traveled to see the great things happening at West Ridge Church in Dallas, GA, and this Sunday we’ll be participating in First UMC Douglasville’s “Back to School Bash.” Our next big parents’ meeting will happen on Sunday night, September 9!

We are beginning a similar visioning process for our children’s ministry. Children’s Director Kathryn Beasley and I will be on hand with all those who have kids and who are interested in the future of children’s ministry at SOTH on Tuesday night next week, August 28^th. Contact Kathryn@sothumc.net for more details and to reserve childcare.

Proactive Evangelism Ministries, led by Rev. Jim Hollis will be present on site with their staff the weekend of September 28, 29 and 30 to begin their process known at “Discovery and Reflection.” Jim and his team will spend time listening to every ministry team and committee in our church. They will also seek input from individuals and families, as all SOTH members and attenders (past and present) are invited to interview and submit surveys about their experience of our church and what they feel that God might be calling us to in the future. This is an outstanding process for ministry discernment and vision and big thanks are due to our Church Council for the vision and confidence to approve taking this next step!

Giving and Service: Don’t forget SOTH’s currently ongoing outreach efforts: The Pantry, The Foster Clothes Closet and Faith in Action. The Pantry is a new food ministry located in downtown Douglasville. You can bring non-perishable food items to SOTH and they’ll be collected and delivered to the Pantry. Contact Mara Cleveland at maraigolf@aol.com for more information. The “Foster Clothes” closet is located on the back patio of “The Ranch,” and donations of gently used children’s clothing goes to foster families as they clothe the children they welcome into their homes. Faith in Action is an email of churches and concerned citizens who work together to meet DFACS needs when notified via email. SOTH will always send along these requests and we’re committed to helping this network meet needs in our community.

Big congrats to the SOTH Co-ed softball team who finished its season in first place!!!

Leave

Today is a big day.

It’s the first day of school.

This morning, a wonderful member of SOTH told me what it was like to watch her “baby boy” go off to his first day of high school, strong and confident. “Blink your eyes,” she said, “and that second grader of yours will be doing the same.”

Throughout their home there is excitement for all the kids who are heading into new adventures. Of course we all know that there is also bittersweet relief for parents as the fluid schedules of summer settle back into more predictable routines.

What a wonderful feeling that first day of school really is. My oldest began a new leg in his academic journey today at the new Chapel Hill Elementary School and excitement is in the air there, as students fill that new facility for the very first time.

Our middle son started his year at SOTH’s preschool. Both were happy and excited to “leave home,” if just for a little while.

As time continues to march on by, we learn that part of living life is leaving home. But there’s another part, too. A balanced life is tough to achieve unless we stay grounded in “home,” even once we’re “gone.”

Leaving is hard, but it’s life. If we’re honest, we have to admit that there’s a lot of leaving we never want to do.

At the same time, there is nothing more exciting, and striking out into the world is the real path to growth.

Life, if you consider, is really just a series of departures and arrivals. In all our of comings and goings, we venture out into the experiences God holds for us, while staying connected to the tether of those we love.

I could do better at tether-maintenance. There’s always a phone in my pocket, e-mail on my desk (or phone, or pda, and I’m pretty sure you can get e-mail in some flavors of pop tarts now).

I’ve heard that now you can even write messages on paper and give them to some people who will deliver to other people who you choose. Truly, I don’t know that I’ve ever tried it, but it sounds fascinating.

Even with all the modern tools for communication, I let my tether get pretty threadbare.

We could all do better.

This morning, an e-mail I received made me remember what it felt like to leave. Alumni brothers from my old college fraternity had spent this past weekend getting together to help the current members clean and repair the old chapter house. It’s almost the first day of school there, time to recruit new members, and the old place needs to look good.

The attached pictures brought back memories of people and places that formed the core of who I am. Years ago, I stood in that empty house, the afternoon after my graduation. The excitement was bittersweet, as I wondered about all that life would hold. I knew that life was changing, because it was time to leave.

A wife, three sons, five houses and four pastoral appointments later, I’m so thankful for all that has been. I don’t know much, but I’ve learned enough to know that the future is better than I can possibly imagine it.

But none of it would have happened without all the people, wherever they are, who chose to be my home.

“Train children in the right way,” the Bible tells us, “and when old they will not stray.” Proverbs 22:6

As you make your departures on this day, remember that you don’t really leave the people and the places that matter most, no matter where you go. Remember your core identity, that you are worth so much that God would make a way for you to be redeemed and restored. Faith in Christ can’t be left behind.

So get going! Leave…but not altogether. Go! But always come back home.

Today is the first day --- for the students of Douglas County, and for all the rest of us, too.

Give thanks to God for all that is to come. And, go call your mama.

Grace and Peace,

Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

Worship: This Sunday we’ll begin our August worship series, “Celebrating the Differences,” with a look at what God has to say about men, women and the ways we relate to one another. This series promises to speak to all of our relationships and bring understanding to us all. This Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m., “He Said: What Women Need to Know About Men.” Don’t worry – there will be equal time in August 19^th’s sermon, “She Said.” Come out this Sunday for a great time of singing, prayer, fellowship and scripture, two services – 9 and 11 a.m.

Scripture: Sunday School for all ages happens between SOTH worship services, 10:15 a.m. Following early worship, Adam will review this Sunday’s scripture in a session of small group discussion called, “Talkback.” Two other adult classes are meeting at “The Ranch,” and we offer a full compliment of Sunday school for children and youth.

Prayer: Thank you for all of your continuing prayers for God’s guidance in our land sale and building process! Last night, SOTH’s land use application was approved by the Douglas County Commissioner’s. This means that the property we are pursuing for our new church site is now certified by the county for use as the future location of SOTH UMC! Please continue to pray as we work through final details with DOT, our buyer and move toward the specifics with our architects and engineers. More information will be shared as it becomes available. Your prayers make a difference!

Relationships: Over 60 youth and parents were in attendance this past Sunday night as we gathered to discuss our vision for the future of youth ministry at SOTH. We will be going out for pizza and bowling this Sunday night, and then traveling to three other vibrant youth ministries to get ideas and insight for what God is calling us to with youth at SOTH. Thanks to all the parents who are bringing their excitement and energy into youth ministry!

Don’t forget our monthly fellowship meal! Wednesday night, August 15^th, we’ll gather for food, fellowship and music at SOTH. Sign up at church this Sunday.

Giving and Service: SOTH’s summer lunch partnership with MUST ministries wrapped up this week. Thanks to all who participated (see the wrap-up bulletin board posted in the hallway at SOTH). In total, 2,453 lunches were assembled and delivered to children in need this summer. What an incredible ministry! God is good and faithful when his people respond in faith! Additionally, nearly 50 book bags full of school supplies were distributed in a nearby neighborhood. Thanks to all of you for your hearts of service.

Friend

Well, our fervent prayers were answered this week.

The Braves got Mark Teixeria.

Not only that, but there were extra bountiful blessings. Octavio Dotel now patrols the bullpen.

Life is good, we hope.

In case you’re wondering what in the world I’m talking about, maybe I should start by telling you that July 31 is a big day for baseball fans.

That’s the “trade deadline,” the last day that a major league team can obtain a player for the “stretch run” without going through the “waiver” process.

If you don’t know what “stretch run” means, and if you think a “waiver” is somebody motioning goodbye to somebody else, it’s probably too complicated to explain.

Just know this: the Braves just got maybe the all-around best first baseman in baseball, and also picked up a very good relief pitcher.

Even though they’re in third place, they feel like they’re on top of the world. This morning’s AJC is all about how their players feel like they could not just rally to win the division, but they really think they could win the world series.

Thinking it is at least half the battle.

That’s the power of a shot-in-the-arm.

It was fun watching old veterans like Chipper “Hoss” Jones get excited when “Tex” walked into the dugout in his new Braves’ uniform.

There’s a swagger in knowing you’re stacked, and that the other team’s pitcher didn’t sleep well last night.

That’s what happens when The Big Kid joins your team.

Now, if a new first baseman and an aging relief pitcher can do that for our boys with the tomahawks on their chests, what should faith in Jesus do for his followers?

I know. Life can be hard. Truly, I know what frustration is, what fear feels like, and the stress of wondering whether your resources can meet everyone’s demands.

But we’re not in this by ourselves.

Jesus said:

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command you.

¹⁵I do not call you servants^* any longer, because the servant^* does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.

¹⁶You did not choose me but I chose you.

And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.

¹⁷I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.” John 15

Jesus is on our side.

The Big Kid plays on our team. Actually, it’s we who get to play on his.

He chooses us, calls us “friends,” and he lays down his life for us.

Evil ought not sleep well at night --- not if Jesus’ people believe his promises, act on them, and set about the awesome task of living and giving in courageous ways.

I think Jesus' followers ought to have a kind of humble swagger.

Oxymoron? Not quite.

We're humble, because life shows us clearly that we can't do it by ourselves.

But there's a swagger, because "The Word," who was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be -- the biggest of them all --- walks with us and within us.

Now, let’s roll to the playoffs!

Tomahawkin’ Together –

Adam

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And, some travelin’ music for the day:

“Find Out Who Your Friends Are” by Tracy Lawrence

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare

This is where the rubber meets the road
This is where the cream is gonna rise
This is what you really didn't know
This is where the truth don't lie

You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think 'what's in it for me?' or 'it's way too far'
They just show on up with their big old heart
You find out who your friends are

Everybody wants to slap your back
wants to shake your hand
when you're up on top of that mountain
But let one of those rocks give way then you slide back down look up
and see who's around then

This ain't where the road comes to an end
This ain't where the bandwagon stops
This is just one of those times when
A lot of folks jump off

When the water's high
When the weather's not so fair
When the well runs dry
Who's gonna be there?

You find out who your friends are

LIFE AT SOTH:

Today is the last “Kids’ Day” of the summer, and we’re expecting about 30 little folks to join SOTH children’s director, Kathryn Beasley for WATER DAY!!

Summer Lunch program is wrapping up Tuesday of next week. What an awesome ministry! Over 50 kids were served lunch every day who might otherwise have been in need. Many thanks to all the people and churches who helped make this effort possible. And, thanks to all of you who also helped make and deliver back to school book bags to those same kids yesterday.

Watch for your SOTH newsletter, which should have arrived in your e-mail earlier this morning. If you’d like a paper copy and don’t receive one, call Sandi at 770-920-1551 or e-mail sandi@sothumc.net

Upcoming worship series, begins August 12: “Celebrating the Differences,” takes a look at men, women, our differences and the God that made us all. The Bible has some good advice for relationships, and whether you’re married, single, or single again, these three services offer practical insights that promise to help with all our relationships.

Lead

So, go get yourself a nice big Americano, with an extra shot of espresso and take a stroll through the “Leadership” section at your local Borders, Barnes & Noble, or Mom ‘n Pop (does anybody still have those?).

Take a look at what you’ll find: lots. Lots and lots.

There are a bunch of books on “getting groups of people to do what you want them to.”

Oh, I mean, “leadership.”

There are books on “how to get ahead in your company so that you land on top,” though usually a little more tactfully named, but always written by folks who have worked through their companies and landed on top.

There are reams of paper devoted to the nebulous and grainy concept of “vision.”

How does a person, a business, a church, decide the direction that it will go, or the desired future that it seeks to create?

Many times, churches have followed the world’s lead on the process of “vision.” We study, research, theorize and deduce. In the end, the pastor says “let’s do this,” or the leaders say, “this is the way,” and the job of vision selling begins.

Right now, I’m reading my way through three of those books on leadership and vision. I’m taking a course through the North Georgia Conference called, “The Academy for the Practice of Christian Ministry,” and this pre-course reading has been pretty enlightening.

In their book Spiritual Leadership, Henry and Richard Blackaby put forward a concept that should be the plain as the nose holding up the glasses on this pastor’s face.

Christian vision…Church Vision…comes from God, not us.

It’s really not a vision at all. It’s a revelation.

Nope, don’t get excited, I’m not talking about that last book of the Bible (Revelations, with an “s” if you grew up in the deep South like I did).

I mean revelation…God’s process of revealing himself to the world. What we know of God, we know because God has shown us. Scripture is the primary revelation source, which means it really is that “lamp to our feet” that it claims to be.

Of course, that’s a faith proposition, isn’t it?

Exactly.

God gives a vision to the people, consistent with scripture, and directs our way in the world.

Jesus said the last will be first, and vice-versa. In his world, real leaders have got to first become followers.

This week, SOTH had an open meeting with a pastor from our conference who works at the task of helping congregations listen. “It’s a powerful thing,” he said, “when someone says, I want to hear what you have to say.” In listening to each other, and seeking the voice of God, it’s just possible that the right path will be revealed.

Truly, that kind of leadership is powerful. That kind of ministry is always relevant. Even God likes to be heard.

At SOTH, we’re beginning a process of listening, and of “visioning,” but not in a traditional, worldly way. We believe that God will give the vision and the grace, and the tools and the strength to bring the vision into reality.

What a wonderful place for the work of leadership to begin. And a wonderful prayer to begin it with: “Reveal yourself, O Lord.”

Grace & Peace,

Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

Envisioning Meeting Follow-Up: Thanks to all who attended Tuesday night’s “Envisioning” meeting with Rev. Jim Hollis of Proactive Evangelism Ministries. Jim led us through a great devotional and time of sharing about our hopes and dreams for SOTH. Church Council will evaluate the ministries offered by PEM and we may continue our process with them this fall through a “Discovery and Reflection” weekend. Keep this process in your prayers as SOTH seeks God’s will for its future.

Our summer lunch ministry to community kids in need of a helping hand has been a huge success! Thanks to MUST Ministries for its partnership, and to the many, many people of SOTH, St. Theresa and Trinity Anglican who have made this great work possible. We’ll continue the lunch route through the end of the first week of August when school gets back in session.

We’re currently collecting school supplies to fill backpacks for the school age kids of these neighborhoods to get them started back to school this year. Donations of supplies can be left at the church this Sunday and next.

Kids’ Day at SOTH was a huge success this week with over 20 kids taking part in arts and crafts. Next Wednesday, August 1^st, we’ll have our final Kids’ Day of the summer. It’s water day, so come out with your little ones and plan to get wet, 10 AM until Noon. Contact Kathryn@sothumc.net with any questions.

Our middle school youth trip to Lake Junaluska leaves this weekend. Thanks to Cindi Bartlett for making one more trip with the kids before her “retirement.”

Wednesday Night Suppers will begin again in August. Make sure to put Wed. night the 15^th on your calendar for a great night of food and friendship.

“The Staff,” SOTH’s newsletter, will come out early next week. We e-mail the letter to the congregation, but we’re glad to “snail mail” to any who prefer a paper copy. If you’d like to be added to either list, let Sandi know in our office, sothumc@bellsouth.net

Drought

This morning, I met God in my backyard.

It’s possible that you didn’t know that’s where he spends his free time.

I know, it’s a little surprising to me, too.

There’s a lot going on in the world, after all, for “I AM” to be hanging around enjoying a dewy summer morning in the backyard of a Douglasville, Georgia, subdivision, right?

All I can say is that the whole experience just seemed a little “Genesis” if you ask me.

I mean, I am “Adam,” after all, so wouldn’t it make sense for me to walk with God in a garden?

But until the last couple of days, the garden has not looked too much like Eden.

What we’ve had is a bona fide drought. No rain. Not even any “fake” rain of late, from faithful garden hoses attached to outdoor nozzles. Illegal.

Genesis 2:4-5

“…When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth…”

Mercifully, God started sending that rain this weekend.

The rain came down, and came down some more, and kept coming yesterday. It’s supposed to come on down some more again today.

Where there’s rain, there’s life…

Genesis 2:6-7

“…and there was no man to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

…and life…is good. God said so himself.

As my toes slipped their way through the morning-wet grass of my backyard, I was amazed to see example upon example of deep-green life re-emerging from the drought of summer.

There was a temptation…a temptation to say, “wow, look what we did!”

After all, my wife, my children and I have done all the hard work, right? Perhaps we have endured my namesake’s curse:

Genesis 3:17

"Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat of it
all the days of your life.

It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.

By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return."

When we bought our house two years ago, it included a scenic expanse of rock-hard, grade-A, deep-red, Georgia clay. There’s not a single, living, photosynthesizing being in our whole backyard that we didn‘t plant with our own two hands.

Since our arrival, we have done one thing with true passion…we have played in the dirt, and we have planted. The sweat of our brows (and the brows of our wonderful friends who helped us lay every piece of sod, stand of irises, new crape myrtles…) has surely dripped into that old clay.

I think my neighbor once said it best: “We all bought 1/3 acre lots, but Adam thinks his is a 100 acre farm.”

Well…any hard-working-hundred-acre-farmer would be the first to tell you the real truth. Down deep in their bellies they know that they don’t have a whole lot to do with the crop.

The Creator does.

Genesis 2:15

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

“Caretaker of the Garden” is our first and oldest job description. There’s no way Adam ever stood in Eden and thought he built that garden himself.

Or did he?

Yeah, I guess he did.

The good news is that God redeems the “curse” into a wonderful dance of creation.

The seeds my sons planted with their beautiful little hands have now grown into sunflowers, taller than the very boys who planted them. As I peered into the forming seedheads this morning, I knew that God was there.

The tomatoes we hoped for in spring are now becoming a reality. Yellow blooms cover them up and down, and the first dozen red beauties of summer sit on our kitchen table. Every day, there are more to pick than we can eat.

The seeds of last year’s Halloween pumpkins found their way back into the ground this spring. Dark green vines are now spiked by huge orange-yellow blooms, and already the smallest and youngest of this year’s crop have appeared.

Even the baked-brown Bermuda grass is teasing us with signs of healthy, green life. For now, there is rain…and life…and growth.

I know…the drought will surely come again. But so will the rain. For this day, it’s enough to be thankful…I think we should even dare to be hopeful. We are wonderfully dependent on the one who has made us, who sustains us, who never changes and will never leave us.

Take a walk in the garden first chance you get…God is there.

Grace & Peace,

Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

A new two-part worship series begins this week as we start rounding out summer (is that possible?). July 15 --- “Let Go,” the story of the Good Samaritan, and July 22 --- “Let God,” the story of Mary and Martha with Jesus. We’ll see you in worship at 9:00 or 11:00 each Sunday morning.

Don’t forget Sunday School. SOTH’s primary offering of children’s ministry happens at 10:15 each Sunday morning. Stay a few minutes after early worship or come out early for the late service and make sure that your kids are learning all that they need to know about the Bible, Jesus and God’s love. 2 Adult classes and a youth class meet at “The Ranch” at that time, and Adam teaches a “talkback” lesson, building on his sermon, in the sanctuary at the very same time.

Many thanks to Cindi Bartlett for her 6+ great years of service in leadership of SOTH’s youth program. We had a wonderful roast honoring Cindi after 11:00 worship this past week. A big thank you to Andrea Vantrees, Amber Bartlett, Troy and Trevor Edwards and to everybody who had a hand in making that event happen.

SOTH is now accepting resumes for your Youth Director position. We will begin interviews in a few weeks and hope to have a new youth director on board at SOTH by Labor Day.