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

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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.

Freedom

I love to travel. Up to this point in my life, the opportunities for travel to other countries has come only once in a great while, but I’m thankful for every opportunity that I’ve had.

I’m always surprised at one of my favorite moments. Maybe I shouldn’t be…

It’s coming home.

No matter how wonderful a time I’ve had, or how amazing the experiences have been, it’s really nice to set foot back in the good ol’ U.S. of A. Red, white and blue. Baseball. Cheeseburgers. Sweet Tea. Life is good.

But, really, the best part of coming home happens…of all places…during the immigration/re-entry phase of the trip back at the American airport.

I remember the first time that I came back to the U.S. A traveling companion said, “watch this, it’s really great.”

The customs official took my passport, scanned it, looked me in the eye and said, “Welcome home, Mr. Roberts.”

Good stuff.

There is a lot to love about America.

And, believe it or not, people around the world really do want to love Americans. I’ve often heard other Americans who have traveled to other countries make that statement, and I’ve experienced it myself.

Citizens of Atlanta, Georgia can walk the streets of London, England, and depend on the charity of strangers…just because of our accent.

I’ll never forget how Holly and I accidentally charmed two wonderful old ladies in a pottery shop in Worcester, England. I just walked in and said, in a good Southern drawl, “Good mornin’, ma’am, how’re y’all today?”

We were immediately their new best friends.

“Yes ma’am, we’re from At-lantuh. Yes ma’am, it gets reeeeel hot down there.”

Around the world, people of other countries carry some wonderful stereotypes of us Americans. I like to think the good things are grounded in some truth…that we’re adventurous, optimistic, tough, and entrepreneurial. …Think, “cowboy.”

We’re admired for having “can do” attitudes. We see what is possible, and we believe that anybody can be somebody.

I’ll never forget what an American WWII veteran once told me. He said, “In the War, if the Germans hit a problem, they’d just have to sit and wait until a commanding officer told them what should be done. They were trained not to act on their own. If Americans hit a snag, what do you think happened, son? We by-God started fixing it. That’s why we won the war.”

That story always makes my blood run red, white and blue.

There is so much to be thankful for as this Fourth of July approaches.

Plenty…resources…opportunity…education…freedom.

But please…don’t confuse my words with a Presidential-style “We’re Number 1” pep rally. Folks, we don’t need to let our politicians cause us to confuse love of country with love of God…and they all will try.

We can be proudly Americans…thankful for the blessings that we’ve received…but first we are citizens of another great Kingdom. We are, first and always, followers of Christ.

And how God could use the faithful of this nation in the world. More Americans, growing closer to Jesus and following in his steps, will make for a better America…and a better world.

We should never forget the way Jesus ended one of his great parables in Luke, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” Luke 12:48

That “demand,” and “requirement,” is the wonderful honor of blessing.

When we embrace that call, we do something wonderfully Christian…and maybe even American. We really live out the meaning of “freedom.”

^“13For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. ¹⁴For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14

Baseball…Cheeseburgers…Sweet Tea…

Opportunity…Blessing…Expectation…Humility…Optimism…Life is Good

As churches around the country celebrate the Fourth with their congregations this Sunday, may we first and always celebrate Jesus…his disciples will be the Americans we all want to love.

See you this Sunday…

Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

CAR SHOW SUCCESS: Many thanks to all the SOTH Friends and Family who volunteered to make this past Saturday’s car show such an incredible success. Over 40 vehicles were shown, and nearly $2000 profit was raised for Lifeover Ministries. All that money will assist local families and children in need with the many programs that lifeover is undertaking. Special thanks to John Garrett for his leadership, and to Publix for sharing their parking lot!

MUST MINISTRIES PARTNERSHIP, LUNCH PROGRAM SUCCESS: SOTH’s partnership with MUST ministries in delivering weekday lunches to the needy kids of our immediate community has taken off in a big way. We’ve just completed our first month, and already nearly 1,000 lunches have been prepared and delivered. You ready right, 1000! Huge thanks to all the volunteers who have given money, supplies, and their time and energy. We are learning all the names and stories of our neighbors that we’re serving, and some of them have started participating in the life of our church! This July 4, SOTH will host a cookout at the church for our new friends. Everyone is invited to come help cook, serve and eat together on Wednesday, July 4, from 10 AM until we’re done.

K-2 VBS THIS WEEK: Nearly 20 kids are involved in SOTH’s K-2 VBS this week! They’re learning Bible stories and having a great time. Special thanks to our Children’s Director, Kathryn Beasley, for putting together such a great event.

THANK YOU SOTH! Earlier this week we e-mailed a need to our SOTH family. A long-time family in our church had a specific financial need and we set a goal of raising $2000. So many of you responded that we have met and exceeded that goal, having received a special offering of over $2300. Many thanks from the family that has been helped, and to all of you for your trust and generosity in responding to this need.

STAFF POSITIONS OPEN: SOTH is now accepting resumes for its Preschool Director and Youth Director positions. Interviews will happen during July for each of these exciting opportunities.

SOTH Preschool Director Leslie Mousa has done an incredible job, bringing financial stability and expected full fall enrollment to the SOTH preschool. We celebrate the opportunity that she and her husband Jeff are taking for church-planting in the Pittsburgh, PA area.

Thanks to Cindi Bartlett for 6 ½ years of awesome, volunteer youth ministry coordination! Cindi is “retiring” from this place of service in her Life at SOTH, but we know that she’ll jump right in somewhere else. SOTH will be hiring a paid Youth Director this summer and we hope to have someone on board by back-to-school time. Thanks to Amber Bartlett, Ryan Rigby, Troy Edwards and Andrea Vantrees for the volunteer leadership that they are providing in the interim time.

Resumes can be mailed to the SOTH office at 4283 Chapel Hill Road, Douglasville, GA 30135, or delivered in person at the Ranch, Tuesday-Friday from 9AM to 3PM.

WELCOME JUNE NEW MEMBERS: Welcome to the Jacqueline Powell family, to Dina Harbour, to Lina Adams and to Tim and Karla Mantooth! We also celebrated the baptism of youth member Tyler Jefferson this month!

SUMMER IS JUMPING! Much, much, more is happening in the life of our church. Want the details? Visit www.sothumc.net where our newsletter will be posted by tomorrow.

NO BLOG NEXT WEEK: The bloggin’ pastor will be taking a week off from the blog to celebrate the 4^th next week. Thanks for your faithful reading!

Tradition

June is here, and over the years, it has come to mean two things for me: The Braves will swoon, and Annual Conference will meet.

Yes, we do win the “creative naming” award as United Methodists, don’t we?

We have this conference…and it meets annually…and we call it…

“Annual Conference.”

That’s what I love about United Methodism --- we don’t need no stinking fancy names.

Annual…Conference. That’ll do.

Last week, almost 3,000 of us gathered in Athens at the Classic Center. Every UM clergy person of North Georgia, and an equal number of representatives from the laity, met from Monday morning until Friday afternoon.

New clergy were approved and ordained, ministry reports were heard, worship was celebrated and delegates were elected to represent us on regional and national levels.

Other than my annual trip(s) to Weaver D’s, the best moment of the week comes on the very first day, when all those thousands of voices join together at the official opening of the Conference.

We always sing a particular song, written by Charles Wesley (brother of Methodism’s founder, John Wesley), back in ’49…1749. It’s a tradition.

The song, “And Are We Yet Alive?” was written, as Charles Wesley wrote himself, “For the Society, at meeting.” The song is still sung every year when Methodists throughout the world open their “Annual Conferences.”

And are we yet alive,

and see each other's face?

Glory and thanks to Jesus give

for his almighty grace!

For the traveling preachers of 18^th century Methodism, the meaning was not metaphorical. They were thankful to have survived another year of ministry, and to unite together in each other’s physical presence once again.

But what about us?

For the 3,000 Methodists staying in Athens’ lovely hotels and eating in its outstanding restaurants, the question of our physical well-being seems less in doubt than it did for the preachers of 250 years ago.

But the song’s real meaning should be every bit as powerful.

Another year has passed, and we are all still alive in our faith. Thankful to God, we should rejoice in seeing one another.

But I think the thing I love best about “And Are We Yet Alive?” is that it’s just supremely “real.”

What troubles have we seen,

what mighty conflicts past,

fightings without, and fears within,

since we assembled last!

Fighting and fearful sums up how we all act sometimes, and for all of us, the 12 months just passed have certainly had those exact kinds of moments.

But there is always hope…

Yet out of all the Lord

hath brought us by his love;

and still he doth his help afford,

and hides our life above.

Then let us make our boast

of his redeeming power,

which saves us to the uttermost,

till we can sin no more.

As the music swells and the lyrics move toward resolution, I am reminded of the true wonder of this thing called church.

In that moment, worship accomplishes what only worship can. It imparts a sense of perspective, and strengthens our hearts with the deeply felt assurance that we are not in this thing alone.

It could imagine the voices of 258 years’ worth of Methodist preachers, joining together with the faithful disciples of today…

Let us take up the cross

till we the crown obtain,

and gladly reckon all things loss

so we may Jesus gain.

The power of good tradition…relevant for today. We are not the first, and we are not alone.

Grace & Peace, and I’ll see you this Sunday,

Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

Lifeover Ministries Charity Car Show this weekend! Don’t miss the first ever car show to support the work of Lifeover Ministries, an independent ministry of outreach and mission, closely connected to Shepherd of the Hills. Lifeover first came to prominence through its ministry to “Baby Noor,” the Iraqi child brought to the U.S. for lifesaving spina bifida surgery. Lifeover continues to work on many local and international helping ministries in the name of Jesus Christ.

This Saturday, June 23, Lifeover and SOTH will host a classic car show in the Publix shopping center parking lot, just across the street from SOTH. Many thanks to Publix for their partnership, and to all the hardworking volunteers who have made this day possible.

Registration will begin at SOTH at 8 AM, with judging at Publix at 12:30 PM and awards presentation at 3:00. Contact John Garrett at jgarrett@rematiptop.com for more info, and we’ll see you this weekend!

Summer Children’s Ministries: This week, a second Drama Camp is being held at SOTH, and next week is our VBS for kids age K-2. E-mail SOTH Children’s director Kathryn Beasley at Kathryn@sothumc.net for more information, and sign up this Sunday at SOTH!

New Members and Baptisms: Welcome to the Powell family who joined SOTH on June 3^rd, and to Dina Harbour and Lina Adams, new members who joined SOTH on Sunday, June 10^th. Congratulations and special welcome also to Tyler Jefferson, baptized at SOTH this past Sunday, June 17^th!

Pray

Hard. Mysterious. Confusing. Inadequate.

Uplifting. Powerful. Connection. Assurance.

What do all those words have in common?

They all describe the ways that Christians experience prayer.

What is prayer?

Well…libraries full of books have been written in response to that little question.

Prayer is to speak.

Prayer is to listen.

….to God…the Creator of all that exists…I AM…the one before and beyond time…

No problem, right?

Christians feel inadequate when their secret prayer struggles are revealed. After all, somehow we’ve come to believe that it should be an easy process, and that all folks who follow Jesus have an easy time getting their prayers “beyond the ceiling.”

The simple part is true. The easy part is not.

Sometimes, in my frustration with prayer and as I talk to other Christians, I want to give the theological version of the “Bull Durham” speech.

You remember the Bull Durham speech, right? OK, probably not.

In that great baseball movie, the manager of the struggling, minor league Durham Bulls baseball team hurls a bag full of wooden bats up against the locker room wall to get his players’ attention.

“Baseball is a simple game…” he says. “You throw the ball…you catch the ball…you hit the ball.”

Simple, but not easy.

Jesus’ teaching on prayer was pretty straightforward:

7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:7-11

Though not easy, I really do think prayer is that simple.

Ask. Seek. Knock.

Then wait…and look…and listen.

In a wonderful new book on prayer, Christian author Phillip Yancey says that the very act of praying does wonderful things for our souls because it keeps us humble.

Prayer, Yancey says, reminds us that we need to ask. It shows us that we are not independent. We played no role in determining where we would be born, at what point in history, into what family and with what genetics. We have absolutely no power to stop the earth from spinning, to cause the sun to rise or impact its setting. We are marvelously, and completely dependent upon God.

Real prayer starts in humility…and then some marvelous things can unfold.

God goes to work within us.

“God helps those who help themselves,” says the Book of ME. That often quoted scripture exists only in our minds, not within the Bible.

Jesus says (my paraphrase), “God helps those who ask.”

This week saw SOTH pass a major milestone of prayer, faith and action. Tuesday morning I sent an e-mail asking for your prayer as the county heard our request for property re-zoning. Whether the results of that meeting had been “favorable” or not, prayer acknowledged our dependence on God and faith in his provision.

Tuesday night, the door was opened. Our application has been approved, and SOTH is now on a clear track toward completing the sale of its property, purchase of new land and the construction of a brand new and improved facility.

Humbly, we will continue to ask…and seek…and knock.

The path is unfolding before us, and the God of all things will never fail us.

I’ll see you this Sunday ---

Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

Land Update: Cornerstone Development Partners was successful in their application for the re-zoning of our property for commercial development. This is a major milestone as we move forward. Please continue to support SOTH with your prayers as we hope to close this sale and the purchase of our new property (24 acres located ½ mile west on Dorsett Shoals Road) by the end of this year.

More stuff on prayer: Many thanks to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church here in Douglasville! Did you know that St. Teresa’s is our “covenant partner” in ministry --- and they pray for us at each and every mass! To the people of St. Teresa’s, thank you so much and please keep praying for us as we pray for you.

Great prayer website ---- looking for a new way to pray? Check out www.pray-as-you-go.org . This site is run by the British Jesuits, and is one of the best uses of the internet for spiritual growth that we’ve ever seen. You can download a podcast of a week’s worth of devotional music, scripture and guided prayer. Great stuff!

3-5 Grade VBS starts Monday at SOTH! Have 3^rd through 5^th graders at home this summer? Bring them to SOTH for VBS, beginning Monday morning. More details on our website, and this Sunday in worship! K-2 VBS will be held the week of June 25-29.

Annual Conference 2007: The United Methodist North Georgia Annual Conference will meet, beginning this Monday in Athens, GA. Derrick Fountain and Adam Roberts will represent SOTH. You can follow everything online at www.ngumc.org with live video feeds of all sessions.

Summer Lunch Update: Our summer lunch ministry has taken flight! In its first week, over 120 lunches were delivered. This week, the number is climbing over 150 toward 200 lunches! Thanks to all of you who have supported this ministry financially, and for those of you who are working each day to make and deliver the lunches to community kids who are home alone this summer and in need. Your efforts make a difference in the life of a child! Want to help? Take a moment to sign up on the summer lunch bulletin board, located in our entry hallway at SOTH. Lots of slots are still available.

Trash

In my world, today is “trash day.”

Everybody has a “trash day,” right?

If you live way out in the country, “trash day” comes whenever you choose it. There’s no trash service...no one you can pay to do your dirty work.

Indeed, years ago, my dog’s favorite day of the week was that time when we’d jump in the pickup and head to the local dump with a bed full of trash bags flapping in the wind behind us.

But now that we’ve been officially citified (that’s pronounced city-fide if you’re struggling) trash day has changed significantly, though it is certainly of no less importance.

Early this morning, before the sun had risen, I heard the big engine chugging its way down our street. I was just getting out of bed, beginning to order my thoughts and make my way toward a life-giving cup of coffee.

The noises of gears and hydraulics floated into our home a second time.

TRASH!!!

That brutal moment of pre-coffee realization sends a shot of adrenaline jarring its way through the bloodstream.

You don’t want to miss trash day.

Especially not on the Wednesday after Memorial Day weekend. Gross.

You miss trash day, and things are going to get UGLY by the next Wednesday.

After my experience this morning, I really believe that the timed “trash can roll” could make its way into the next summer Olympics. The event involves strength, balance, clarity of thought and grace under pressure.

As I opened our backyard gate and wheeled the beast (three extra bags precariously balanced atop the can and barely held together by the jammed-down lid) toward the street, I saw that the truck had already passed us.

Strains of “Pass Me Not” from my childhood churches ran through my head.

“Pass me not, O gentle trash man...Hear my humble cry. While on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.”

As the “trash guys” worked their way on down my street, one of them saw my pitiful figure wheeling a mountain of refuse to the curb.

We made eye contact.

He waved.

A greeting? Or an acknowledgment of, “way to go Chief. We’ll get you when we come back by.”

I hoped for the latter. And since this was the second time the scene had unfolded this way in two weeks, I felt sure that those good men would save me from my own mess.

And they did.

It’s a good feeling, wheeling an empty trash can back to its resting place for another week.

Life can go on.

But trash-making never stops. And to keep things civil on the inside, the bad stuff has got to go somewhere.

Life without the “trash guys” would be tough.

As you walk through your life today, think about all of the ways that we really are dependent on each other. How many people got out of bed, showed up and did their job so that we could all eat and work and play today? How many people fill our lives with little kindnesses, going the extra mile when they certainly don’t have to?

The belief that we do it all ourselves, and that it all depends on us is the very heart of stress and worry and frustration. We’ll do plenty ourselves, with God’s help, but we would still be lost and helpless without God and other people.

The great news is that God’s love doesn’t fail us. And he’s always willing to take away our trash. It’s never too late.

If I can clear out a little bit of pride and replace it with humility…a little bit of self-importance and replace it with dependence…a big bag full of greed and replace it with the love of Christ…what a great day this can be.

We’ll see you this Sunday ---

Adam

LIFE AT SOTH

We'll be back to our regular worship schedule this Sunday...9 and 11 AM with Sunday School for all ages at 10:15. Sunday night worship is taking a break for the summer, but look for its return around Labor Day.

SOTH Men played in a great Memorial Day softball tournament at New Mountain Top Baptist Church in Winston. SOTH advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated. Men’s and Co-Ed teams for summer are forming now, with play to begin June 18^th. Contact David Pearson at 678-982-7638 if you’d like to be part of this great recreation ministry.

Our youth group is undertaking two fundraisers to support their summer trips:

Parents’ Night Out: This Friday night, June 1^st beginning at 6:30 our youth will be babysitting at the church (with adult supervision) and parents are encouraged to come out and take advantage. If you haven't made a reservation, e-mail Andrea Vantrees andivan01@comcast.net or Cindi Bartlett cindi.bartlett@comcast.net to sign up.

Yard Sale this Saturday: This Saturday, June 2, 8 am to 4 pm. Items for donation can be brought to the church this week. Please place items along the wall near the church entrance. If anyone has stuff that needs to be picked up in a truck, contact Cindi by cell (404-375-2250) or e-mail and we will arrange to have it picked up before Saturday.

SOTH Church Council meets tonight, 7PM in the Sanctuary.