From the Pastor

 

After awhile the sailor asks, "What are those three huts you have here?"  "Well," the castaway answered, "that's my house there."

 

"What's the next hut?" asks the sailor.  "That's where I go to church."  "And what about the other hut?" the sailor asks one more time.  "Oh, that's where I used to go to church."

 

That would be funnier if it wasn't so sad.  We do live in a generation of church-shoppers and church-hoppers who are prone to switch churches at the drop of a hat, for one reason or another.  Perhaps they were offended by someone, or disagreed with a decision made by the church body.  Or maybe they didn't like the pastor, or the music, or the color of the carpet (or, in our case, the concrete floors).  Whatever the case, it's pretty easy in our consumer society to think it's normal to move on when we don't like the "product" that's offered.

 

The difference is that church is more than the local franchise of God's larger corporation.  It is a family, a connectedness of relationships, melded together by the Holy Spirit into a holy community that is the local expression of the body of Christ.  Like any family, there will always be disagreements and conflict, which provides a great testing ground for seeing how our faith and Christian character operates in the real world--among other sinners like us.  And the big truth most of us discover eventually anyway, when we do pack up and move, is that the grass is rarely any greener on the other side of the fence.

 

The reality is, there's something about commitment and faithfulness that not only reveals our character, it grows it.  God calls us to persevere in tough times--and even in times that aren't so tough but aren't terribly exciting either--and to serve Him faithfully where He places us, even when we might just as well go somewhere else.  No, that doesn't excuse complacency, nor does it give cause for just going through the motions, but it does remind us of the truth of the old cliche:  "Bloom where you're planted."

 

The Church at Shelby Crossings, like any other church, is not perfect.  We will always have our struggles, and we'll probably butt heads now and then.  But God has supernaturally and sovereignly called us together to serve Him, and, in effect, this is where He has planted us together.  

 

I want to encourage each of you to dig your roots deep into the soil of God's word, and to start blooming!  You are an integral part of our minstry's fruitfulness, and I hope you'll commit to being faithful in our fellowship as we seek to carry out His will in this community.

 

There's not another church in this world that I would rather be a part of, or that I would rather have the opportunity to shepherd.  I do count it a privilege to be your pastor.  I am praying for you, as I hope you are for me, and I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

 

It seems that several authors have written books in the past few years about the dangers of boredom in our contemporary society.  They claim that boredom fuels everything from extramarital affairs and drug addiction to coronaries and car accidents.

 

Curiously, boredom seems to be a modern ailment.  The word didn't exist in the English language until after 1750, notes Patricia M. Spacks, author of Boredom: The Literary History of a State of Mind.  "If people felt bored before the 18th century, they didn't know it," she says.  But, once the concept had a name, it became universal.  Philosophers ruminated over it.  Teenagers whined about it.  And psychologists churned out lots of research.

 

One of the more unexpected findings is that the best cure for boredom might be more boredom.  Folks today have a lot more diversions at their disposal--DVD's, MP3's, PDA's and Internet access everywhere.  But we might not be any better off.  One of the great ironies of modern life is that "in an age when we have more entertainment available to us than ever before, there seems to be an epidemic of boredom," writes psychiatrist Richard Winter in his book, Still Bored in the Culture of Entertainment. Winters and other commentators believe society is so saturated with movies, TV, video games and advertising that people are losing their sense of wonder.

 

So, what is a Christian response to boredom?  To begin with, as children of God, we should never be blamed for being bored, or for that matter, boring.  Jesus said He came to give us life, and life more abundantly (John 10:10).  That doesn't sound boring to me.  Though many people have the impression that a life of faith is mundane and excitement-free, I would beg to differ.  Jesus' call to committed discipleship is an invitation to a life of daily challenges and change, to incredible opportunities and possibilities, and to connect with the supernatural God of the universe.  And that is anything but boring!

 

However, if you sometimes wonder if you're catching the epidemic of boredom, let me suggest a few faith-focused solutions, for some real-life "boredom busters":

 

1) Enjoy the mundane.  The apostle Paul said, "Rejoice in the Lord, always.  And again, I say, rejoice!"  (Phil. 4:4)  Boredom is a state of mind, more than it is circumstantial--and so too is enjoyment.  Jesus said He came to put His joy in us, and that our joy would be complete (John 15:11).  Learn the secret of contentment (that Paul explained later in that same chapter of Philippians):  it's what's inside, not what's outside, that counts!  Enjoy the simple pleasures--family, conversation, even eating!  Which leads to...

 

2) Simplify your life.  Have you noticed that more gadgets, toys and information don't satisfy your longings?  The more you have, the more you want, and the more your dissatisfaction is magnified.  Don't allow yourself to get sucked into the trap of thinking the world owes you constant entertainment, and don't just hurry from one activity to another, missing out on the meaning along the way.  Take stock of the "wonder" in and around your life.  "Be still and know that He is God."  (Psalm 46:10)

 

3) Serve somebody.  There's always something else to do, somebody else to serve.  My kids know to never say, "I'm bored," because they will get one of two answers.  One is, "It's not our joy to entertain you."  And the second is, "If you need something to do, we'll find you something to do!"  If you are complaining that your life is boring, I doubt you've looked very hard for something to do.  Jesus said He didn't come to be served, but to serve (Matt. 20:28), and He called His followers to be servant-minded like Him.  I don't know about you, but I just can't imagine Jesus ever whining about being bored.  And neither should we who call Him Lord ever be bored, as long as there are people to love and serve and reach out to in the world around us.

 

I hope and pray that as a child of God, you'll never get bored with your relationship with Him, or of your involvement in His church.  I pray also that He will pour out His abundant blessings on your life, from the inside out.  I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

 

I would consider myself pro-life, in every sense of the word.  I have marched in the streets for the cause of life, I have voted for pro-life candidates, and have given my time and money to ministries that are on the front lines every day, fighting for the unborn--and their mothers.  So, you might expect me to use this space today to rail against the evils of abortion and to say that it is time that we as the comfortable American church get on our faces before God for our nation.

 

However, I hope you don't mind if I use the occasion of today's anniversary to go in a slightly different direction.  We are often naive when we deal with the subject of abortion, as if it is an "us and them" discussion.  That is, the typical evangelical Christian who takes a stand in the public arena for life, and againstabortion, often acts as if it's the church against the world, the conservatives against the liberals, Republicans against the Democrats, or whatever other category of opponents you prefer.

But the giant reality is that often, we are....them.  The person working in the cubicle next to you may be living with a hidden secret.  Your neighbor across the fence may have made their own "choice."  The friend sitting next to you in worship or in Bible study on Sunday morning may themselves have been one of those statistics.

 

The truth is, most every one of us--in the church and out--have been affected, either directly or indirectly, by the tragedy of abortion.  You may know a friend or family member who was faced with an unplanned pregnancy, and did not choose wisely.  Or, perhaps it was you, or your partner, who made that decision at an earlier time in life and have lived with the unspoken regret and grief and pain from which you feel you can never recover.

 

To each of  you, the message of God's word is clear:  His grace is sufficient for you, too.  Regrets are normal, and grief is to be expected, but forgiveness is real, and God is still the God of second chances, no matter the sin.  The apostle Paul said in Romans that "even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.'  He even died to pay the penalty for the sin of abortion.

 

Or, you may be one of the many who have finally given up on making resolutions.  I read this week that only 37% of Americans make New Year's resolutions any more, and that means that almost two out of three people are either satisfied with the way they are or don't want to fail again in 2010.

 

Of those who do make resolutions, they are usually pretty predictable.  The number one resolution people make is to get control of their money.  Next is to stop smoking, followed by losing weight and exercising more regularly.

 

It's not hard to figure out the general theme of all those typical resolutions--discipline.  And perhaps that's why 63% of us don't resolve to do anything different, because we realize it requires discipline.

 

May I make a suggestion for a good New Year's resolution for 2010.  Choose to take seriously the Scriptural call to "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness."  (1 Tim. 4:7, NAS).  Or, as the NIV translates that verse, "train yourself to be godly."  In other words, make up your mind and resolve in your heart that by God's grace you will make the effort to get your spiritual life under control in 2010.  I have a feeling that the other areas of your life will follow if you do.

 

It all comes down to getting your life in order, beginning with the priority of your relationship with God.  That's the kind of resolution that can cause a revolution in every area of your life, and in the life of your family.

 

I pray that you'll make a renewed commitment to follow Jesus in the year ahead, and then follow through as you walk with Him day by day.  

 

Have a safe and blessed New Year.  I'll see you Sunday.

 

You may remember the story from a few years back about a Gadsden church that had it's Nativity scene looted.  It was in the newspaper and all over the nightly news as a sad sign of the times we live in.

 

The thieves walked away with figures of Mary, Joseph and a wise man, as well as a camel.  They also stole the exhibit's centerpiece--a figure of the Christ child.

 

A cardboard sign in the shed covering the Nativity scene which read "Put Christ in your Christmas and in your life" was not taken.

 

Bethel United Baptist Church had displayed the same Nativity scene annually, without incident, for nearly forty years.  Needless to say, church members were disheartened by the yule-tide pilfering.

 

"It broke my heart to think someone would steal something like that from our church," the church's custodian, J.T. Hollingsworth, was quoted in The Birmingham News.

 

Now, it would be easy to use this story to illustrate the depravity of our society, that some dastardly individual would stoop to such a low as to steal Jesus and Joseph and Mary--and a camel--from a church's outdoor manger scene.

 

However, I'm not sure that many of us don't do the same thing, figuratively if not literally, each year.  When we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season--decorations, shopping, parties, and busy holiday schedules--and leave Jesus out of His birthday celebration, are we not also "stealing" Jesus from our Christmas?

 

So once again, like the sign left over a vacated manger scene in Gadsden, Alabama, let me encourage you to "Put Christ in your Christmas."  It may be a cliche, but it's still true.

 

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday--morning and evening--as we celebrate the glorious birth and life of our Lord.  He is Immanuel, God with us.  May He be with you today.

--Pastor Ken

December has finally arrived, which means it's almost time for the annual showing of my favorite Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life.

 

Through the magic of re-runs (or a trip to the Holiday Film Series at the Alabama Theater), we can all make a visit back to the black-and-white world of Bedford Falls and experience a snowy Christmas Eve with George and Mary Bailey, Clarence the angel, and Bert and Ernie.  (Rumor has it that the Sesame Street characters got their names from the movie's characters.)

 

What makes that movie so popular is still a mystery.  When it was originally released in 1946 it was considered a box-office flop.  It wasn't popular with audiences or with critics.  It did get five Academy Award nominations but won none.  And yet 63 years later it is considered a holiday classic.

 

There's a simple theme of It's a Wonderful Life that is consistent from first to last.  Clarence sums it up perfectly in these words:  "Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around he leaves an awful hole."

 

How true that is.  George Bailey got to find out the hard way.  Many of us often wonder what life would have been (or would be) like without us around.  But the fact is, we are around.  For a reason.  And God has called us to touch the lives of those around us.  When we miss out on touching others, we too "leave an awful hole."

 

That's such a wonderful picture of Biblical community.  Each of us are interconnected in so many ways, that if we are not around, we truly are missed.  Whether we are reaching out to the lost and hurting of our world, or encouraging and exhorting our brothers and sisters in Christ, God has given each of us opportunities to impact the lives of hundreds around us.

 

The question is, in what way are we impacting them?  Let us not miss the "divine appointments" God sets for us this Christmas season to reach out and touch someone with the love and life of Jesus.  It might not make bells ring (or angels get their wings), but it sure will honor the One who came to give us "a wonderful life."

 

I trust you'll have a blessed weekend.  I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we celebrate Jesus together.

--Pastor Ken

The day upon which most of Alabama waits for 365 days a year has arrived.  That's right, in case you were so fixated on Black Friday that you missed the news, it's time for the Iron Bowl, that much-anticipated gridiron contest between Alabama and Auburn.

 

From trash talk to expert predictions, the newspapers and airwaves and Internet message boards have been filled this week with pre-game reports, hyping the biggest annual event in our state.

 

Want to know my prediction for the game?  Okay, here it is.  There will be frenzy and excitement.  There will be hype, and more hype.  There will be a tremendous traffic jam.  There will be lots of noise.  And, as someone once described it, there will be 22 college students who need rest chasing each other around in front of 90,000 people who need exercise.

 

And then, when it is all over, players from both teams will gather together on the field for a little perspective-shaping. 

 

There on the turf of Jordan-Hare Stadium, opposing gladiators, football enemies for 60 minutes, winners and losers alike, will lay down their arms, kneel together, clasp hands, and pray.

 

Perspective is everything.

 

I expect that like most of you I'll be in front of a television later today, watching the game.  But I pray that each of us will have the same Godly perspective off the field that those players will have on the field when they join together and give thanks to their Heavenly Father.

 

For whatever the game's outcome, He is still God, and He has made us eternal winners through the sacrifice of His Son.  Now that is something to get excited about!

 

Have a great weekend.  Enjoy the game.  And then join us on Sunday morning at Shelby Crossings for a real celebration!  I look forward to seeing you there.

--Pastor Ken

 
What that in mind, I hope your Thanksgiving this year isn't anything like Scott Nelson's.  You've probably never heard of him; I hadn't either until I came across his story a few years back.  His is the story of a truly stressed-out holiday.
 
Back in 1990, the 33-year old Nelson was charged with assaulting his wife on Thanksgiving Day.  Apparently he became enraged that his turkey had not defrosted.  So he went out in the parking lot of their apartment complex and threw the frozen bird and a pie on the pavement.
 
It gets worse.  When his wife, Jackie, gathered up her child to flee, he hurled the frozen turkey at the car, breaking the windshield.  Scott ended up spending part of Thanksgiving Day in jail, charged, I suppose, with assault with a dead(ly) turkey.  He definitely lost perspective.
 
That's not hard to do this time of year, especially with all the trappings of the holiday season.  When we do, we miss out on what Thanksgiving is all about.  In our increasingly secular culture, it's easy to become ungrateful--not unlike the TV cartoon brat Bart Simpson.  When called on to say grace in one episode, he prayed "Dear God, we paid for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing."
 
The reality is that Thanksgiving for the non-believer is one of the most perplexing days of the year.  Why?  Because giving thanks, by definition, requires that you are thankful to Someone.  And as Mary Ann Vincent says it, "The atheist's most embarrassing moment is when he feels profoundly thankful for something, but can't think of anybody to thank for it."
 
Though Thanksgiving Day is not a distinctly Christian holiday, thanksgiving as an act is a major biblical teaching.  Scripture is full of admonitions to give thanks, and examples of those who did.  There is no more specific exhortation than the apostle Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians 5:17:  "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
 
There it is in a nutshell.  It is God's will for us to be thankful, in everything, even when times are tough.  And, for whatever it's worth, it's not just mouthing words of Thanksgiving before we slice into the turkey, it's living life with an attitude of gratitude, day by day.  Thanksgiving is thanks-living.

 

Here's hoping we don't miss the significance of the Thanksgiving holiday festivities this year.  May we count our blessings, and make our lives count with hearts that are truly grateful for all God has done for us through Jesus Christ.

 
Oh, and one more thing:  don't throw your turkey.  You could get in a lot of trouble. 
 
--Pastor Ken

On my way in to the office this morning, I saw them hanging the holiday snowflakes on the light poles along Highway 31 in Alabaster.  I also noticed the other day that Magic 96.5 has already started playing their non-stop Christmas music.  And, as I drove through my neighborhood last night, it was hard to miss that one of my neighbors already has his Christmas tree up and decorated with bright lights.

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Already?

 

It does seem that Christmas season comes earlier every year.  Even Thanksgiving is viewed by many as little more than an opportunity for more Christmas sales.  But as far as I'm concerned, November is still Thanksgiving month.  I can only handle one holiday at a time.

 

But then I found out that I don't have to wait until the fourth Thursday in November to celebrate.  There's more to November than I ever knew!  Did you know that this month has also been officially designated as both Peanut Butter Lover's Month and International Drum Month?  (Try celebrating both of those at the same time!)

 

It's a little late to celebrate now, but Nov. 3 was Sandwich Day, the birthday of John Montague, the Fourth Earl of Sandwich, creator of the world's first fast food.  (Wonder if he ever used peanut butter?)  Maybe we can begin now planning for next year's observance.

 

Or perhaps we could just focus our attention on tomorrow's big celebration.  What's so special about Saturday, Nov. 14, you ask?  It's National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day, of course.  I bet you've been waiting all year for this special day.

 

The truth is that for those of us who have been redeemed by a gracious God, every day is worthy of celebration.  Why don't you take a little time today to celebrate the wonderful gift God gave us in Jesus Christ.  You don't have to wait for Christmas to celebrate Jesus, and you don't have to wait 'til Thanksgiving to be thankful.

 

Happy today to all, and to all a good night.