While Christmas is an important time of the year, we as Christians should not limit ourselves to one weekend of thanks for those that have helped to shape and mentor our lives. I wrote last week that we are often impacted by folks we don’t even know personally. These are individuals that followed their passions and the lead of God in their lives who by doing so, touched and changed ours. I am pretty sure that I will never get over the Season of Thankgivings that have impacted me. The Bible has so many answers and motivations for us as Christians about why we should go and by going grow.
This is the week of Thanksgiving and for many they will be spending that time traveling and attempting to rush in one weekend visits to family members, and eating a meal on a time schedule as you can’t spend all day at one place, family duty calls to visit two families for most Americans. While I write this article I am extremely mindful of those that will also be spending this time alone. There are many situations that create this setting. For many it will be the death of a loved one, or children now removed from the home community and not able to gather around the family table. For some it is because their loved ones are serving our nation in the Armed Services. As I write this I am thinking of especially Erik Wesley Thomas and his friends who are serving in Iraq this Thanksgiving. I wrote in a letter to him on Veteran’s Day that I was rather confident his family looked at that day differently as this was their first experience with their child, brother, grandson and nephew who are in service to our Nation. I shared that it often takes experiences like that to change our minds and to cause us to reflect upon a Holiday such as Veteran’s Day differently. It is not a bad thing just that most of us don’t often count the cost of freedom on a regular occasion and we miss that blessing until it comes home to us.
Yes, there are many things that bring Thankgivings alive and well within us.
Thanksgiving is a perfect time for Christians to express thanks through service. In all our communities there are things that we can be involved in that will make a difference. Time doesn’t afford all of us the same opportunities but time does afford each of us the chance to make a difference. As I write this column I am in Haiti. I will be returning to the United States the day before Thanksgiving. I am in Haiti serving 8000 kids a deal meals as one of my personal efforts to make a difference. Haiti is the poorest country in the world. The hurricanes and the last earthquake here have left shanty shacks on the ground and millions with no place to call home. This is my third trip to Haiti and each time I have visited I have been reminded of the blessings I have. My Thanksgivings now are for folks that I never met personally. It is because of Individuals who believed that all the children of the world, red, yellow, black and white deserve an education and food to keep them from staving to-death I am here. The vision for these orphanages and these schools are the product of folks who believed they could make a difference. I pray my coming here encourages their family members as their vision lives on through folks they too have never met. When I return to the United States I will be preparing and serving Thanksgiving Meals through the church. Feeding folks here at home and I pray this too makes a difference.
There is much for us to do, and the fact is no one can do it alone. However, if just one person decided to walk along side another, the impact very well could last for generation upon generations.
This Holiday has passed, and while there yet remains days in the calendar month, there is always December if you too would like to make a difference. Right here at home. Volunteer with a group from a church, call up an organization you know cares about those who need us to care for them and volunteer. You can make a difference and you can find a spirit of Thanksgivings within your own life if you will only say “Here am I Lord, send me”.
Until then
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Mark Robbins - First Priority Season of Thanksgivings
Season of Thanksgivings. Yes, it is not a typographical error; this is the Season of not one item of thanks but rather a Season of many thanks for me. For the past several years I have taken this time of the year to express the impact and thanks of my heart for individuals that made a difference and situations that cause my heart to give thanks. I love Thanksgiving and I have learned to put out of my mind the commercialized season that brings ring ring to the cash registers of retailers. I am not sure that the Christmas season begins sooner every year but I know that Thanksgiving is as fundamental to the Christian faith as Christmas even if retailers, families, individuals and churches quickly move through the Holiday. There are individuals in each of our lives that have brought about a positive impact. Some of these folks we maybe able to name personally, others are folks that because of what they did brought necessary change to our way of thinking or simply influenced a situation that made all the difference. Robert Frost talked about this in his poem, “The Road not Taken”. For Christians, we too make road choices that should bring a sense of peace to our lives even if no one travels that road with us.
The Tri-State and the Tri-County area of Southeastern Kentucky is blessed with the impact of vision, determination and leadership through the long time Executive Director of First Priority, Mark Robbins. Mark was the person tapped by the national leadership of First Priority to begin the movement and empowerment of young people to follow Christ and to exercise their constitutional right of assemble, prayer, praise and worship all in the name of Jesus to our middle schools and high schools. When First Priority began it was a simple call to action, where churches were encouraged to get behind young people with their financial resources, energy and volunteerism as students developed leadership skills and the practice of their faith and for thousands, those who came to believe in Jesus Christ because someone dared to tell the story of Jesus and His love.
Today, First Priority has grown in Southeastern Kentucky to two different areas of focus. At the inception it was a Claiborne County Tennessee, Bell, and Harlan County movement. Once that organization proved itself, and with the spreading of the word about the success students were having in schools and the difference churches were seeing because of the impact of First Priority on students, soon the network grew deeper into the State of Tennessee and neighboring counties and in Kentucky too. Knox, Whitley and Laurel Counties also heard of the results and impact and the network continued to expand reaching thousands of students every week, many of whom never walked through the doors of a church on regular bases or had never professed a belief in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. The amazing thing to me as a pastor about First Priority was that it sought the influence, support and connection of the local church too. Many organizations want to be stand alone but not First Priority. First Priority aggressively pursued the church as the real connection and began to build bridges to connect students with churches that believed Jesus was the answer.
Mark Robbins is an individual I admire and appreciate for taking this vision to heart and for committing himself to the cause of students and First Priority. Working with Mark to build the network and expand the impact of churches in the lives of students and our educational campuses has been and remains a top priority of my life and one of those rewarded blessings of God that has impacted and also changed my life.
Today, the Tri-State First Priority Network is lead by Junior Minton and the Tri-County First Priority Network is lead by Tim Bargo. I am most thankful for the leadership of these men in the lives of our students. Our communities are different because these guys lead the networks and our students in school are able to exercise their constitutional rights because of the due diligence of these men who work to secure volunteer leaders, raise funds and press toward the prize of God and His calling on their lives. As I begin my Season of Thankgivings, it begins with Mark Robbins and it is easy to see what happens when one person does what is right. Others follow. Thanks Junior and Tim for continuing to build a foundation that others can build upon.
Until then
The Tri-State and the Tri-County area of Southeastern Kentucky is blessed with the impact of vision, determination and leadership through the long time Executive Director of First Priority, Mark Robbins. Mark was the person tapped by the national leadership of First Priority to begin the movement and empowerment of young people to follow Christ and to exercise their constitutional right of assemble, prayer, praise and worship all in the name of Jesus to our middle schools and high schools. When First Priority began it was a simple call to action, where churches were encouraged to get behind young people with their financial resources, energy and volunteerism as students developed leadership skills and the practice of their faith and for thousands, those who came to believe in Jesus Christ because someone dared to tell the story of Jesus and His love.
Today, First Priority has grown in Southeastern Kentucky to two different areas of focus. At the inception it was a Claiborne County Tennessee, Bell, and Harlan County movement. Once that organization proved itself, and with the spreading of the word about the success students were having in schools and the difference churches were seeing because of the impact of First Priority on students, soon the network grew deeper into the State of Tennessee and neighboring counties and in Kentucky too. Knox, Whitley and Laurel Counties also heard of the results and impact and the network continued to expand reaching thousands of students every week, many of whom never walked through the doors of a church on regular bases or had never professed a belief in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. The amazing thing to me as a pastor about First Priority was that it sought the influence, support and connection of the local church too. Many organizations want to be stand alone but not First Priority. First Priority aggressively pursued the church as the real connection and began to build bridges to connect students with churches that believed Jesus was the answer.
Mark Robbins is an individual I admire and appreciate for taking this vision to heart and for committing himself to the cause of students and First Priority. Working with Mark to build the network and expand the impact of churches in the lives of students and our educational campuses has been and remains a top priority of my life and one of those rewarded blessings of God that has impacted and also changed my life.
Today, the Tri-State First Priority Network is lead by Junior Minton and the Tri-County First Priority Network is lead by Tim Bargo. I am most thankful for the leadership of these men in the lives of our students. Our communities are different because these guys lead the networks and our students in school are able to exercise their constitutional rights because of the due diligence of these men who work to secure volunteer leaders, raise funds and press toward the prize of God and His calling on their lives. As I begin my Season of Thankgivings, it begins with Mark Robbins and it is easy to see what happens when one person does what is right. Others follow. Thanks Junior and Tim for continuing to build a foundation that others can build upon.
Until then
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Elections-Responsibilty-Duty
Kentucky has just experienced another statewide election. All elections are important and I take a sense of personal pride in knowing that I have never missed a single election process. Be it a special election, primary or general election, I have enjoyed exercising my legal right and what I also consider a personal responsibility to vote. I have friends that do not take very seriously the responsibility and privilege of voting in America. I have struggled and will continue to struggle with attempting to understand what individuals think that do not vote.
I can think of many issues that would cause me to desire to exercise my right to vote. I enjoy praying, and I don’t believe that right should be removed as a free choice and exercised right. The United States of America is a Nation that was founded upon the Bible, God’s Holy Word. His name is inscribed on the buildings of the United States Supreme Court, and throughout the historical documents his wisdom has been invoked, sought after and prayed for. Our Presidents take their oath of office with their hand placed upon the Holy Scriptures of Jesus Christ yet, no longer can a school district have a moment of prayer before a sporting event or program. Yes, all these concerns and others reasons serve me as motivation to participate in democracy.
The frustration as to why folks don’t want to be a part of the mess of politics I understand. Yes, things are a mess, but I would suggest they are a mess because good folks have stood by and done nothing. Individuals have decided best just to not get involved, and then been chief complainers once something was done. In my opinion that’s not the way we should be. Are we always going to agree with each other? No. Are different opinions and points of view important to hear and consider? Absolutely they are. Should status quo be maintained just because this is the way it has always been? Again, no to this question too. Being involved in the debate of issues is important and being involved in the lives of individuals is most important for those who profess the name of Jesus as Savior and Lord. Making a difference is not about just putting out a position paper, sharing your belief or telling someone this is what they should do. Involvement is a personal decision about sharing ourselves, our struggles and successes so the wisdom of experience can be properly applied to the next decision we are about to make.
The elected politicians of today can learn from Jesus. We constituents are in this group that can learn too. Jesus may have had a different opinion but he never closed the door of conversation, even with His enemies. Jesus saw someone in need and looked to see what He could do to make a difference and He did, without thought to His own life first. Jesus saw the possessions He had as working tools and if used properly they could help to built up another man’s life and family. Jesus told the truth. He didn’t tell the truth in a mean spirited way but He told the truth out of love and concern. Imagine what would happen if the political figures of today had that type of genuine spirit toward others. Jesus was never afraid to get involved. An individual who was hurt and lived in pain He was interested in. Someone who felt harmed or wronged He would hear them out. Jesus was no electable to public office, no He was put to death by lying testimony, judges that acted cowardly and unruly mobs. Yet, through all that, He still believed the positive side of folks even when they were showing their worse.
Voting may not be important to you but it is to me. As a Christian I feel compelled to vote and to do my best with what I have. I believe the lack of voter turn-out in Kentucky General Election is a disgrace to the men in women who have fought and continue to fight for democracy. For Christians who are not involved we have a duty and responsibility for the cause of Christ to do our part as He did his for us. This election has come and gone, but more elections are on the way. We won’t know if any hearts have been changed until we see you in the voting booth.
Until then
I can think of many issues that would cause me to desire to exercise my right to vote. I enjoy praying, and I don’t believe that right should be removed as a free choice and exercised right. The United States of America is a Nation that was founded upon the Bible, God’s Holy Word. His name is inscribed on the buildings of the United States Supreme Court, and throughout the historical documents his wisdom has been invoked, sought after and prayed for. Our Presidents take their oath of office with their hand placed upon the Holy Scriptures of Jesus Christ yet, no longer can a school district have a moment of prayer before a sporting event or program. Yes, all these concerns and others reasons serve me as motivation to participate in democracy.
The frustration as to why folks don’t want to be a part of the mess of politics I understand. Yes, things are a mess, but I would suggest they are a mess because good folks have stood by and done nothing. Individuals have decided best just to not get involved, and then been chief complainers once something was done. In my opinion that’s not the way we should be. Are we always going to agree with each other? No. Are different opinions and points of view important to hear and consider? Absolutely they are. Should status quo be maintained just because this is the way it has always been? Again, no to this question too. Being involved in the debate of issues is important and being involved in the lives of individuals is most important for those who profess the name of Jesus as Savior and Lord. Making a difference is not about just putting out a position paper, sharing your belief or telling someone this is what they should do. Involvement is a personal decision about sharing ourselves, our struggles and successes so the wisdom of experience can be properly applied to the next decision we are about to make.
The elected politicians of today can learn from Jesus. We constituents are in this group that can learn too. Jesus may have had a different opinion but he never closed the door of conversation, even with His enemies. Jesus saw someone in need and looked to see what He could do to make a difference and He did, without thought to His own life first. Jesus saw the possessions He had as working tools and if used properly they could help to built up another man’s life and family. Jesus told the truth. He didn’t tell the truth in a mean spirited way but He told the truth out of love and concern. Imagine what would happen if the political figures of today had that type of genuine spirit toward others. Jesus was never afraid to get involved. An individual who was hurt and lived in pain He was interested in. Someone who felt harmed or wronged He would hear them out. Jesus was no electable to public office, no He was put to death by lying testimony, judges that acted cowardly and unruly mobs. Yet, through all that, He still believed the positive side of folks even when they were showing their worse.
Voting may not be important to you but it is to me. As a Christian I feel compelled to vote and to do my best with what I have. I believe the lack of voter turn-out in Kentucky General Election is a disgrace to the men in women who have fought and continue to fight for democracy. For Christians who are not involved we have a duty and responsibility for the cause of Christ to do our part as He did his for us. This election has come and gone, but more elections are on the way. We won’t know if any hearts have been changed until we see you in the voting booth.
Until then
Saturday, November 5, 2011
College creates a gratful heart
Class reunions or as academic institutions like to refer to them, milestone marks, can be a lot of
fun. In this column I have written many times on the speed at which time seems to pass. Things just fly
by as you get older and there appears to be no control switch to regulate the pace at which things in life
arrive. If there were to be such a knob I am quite confident that we would never be able to settle the
debate of when to turn the speed of things down, yet, extremely confident we would all want things not
to pass so quickly. A 25 year college reunion is one of those events that “officially” give you the
distinctive status of getting older. When began to think about college I really only considered two
colleges. Because of the influence of Dr. Harold Wortman as my long time music mentor, Cumberland
College in Williamsburg had the edge by a mile over Georgetown College just north of Lexington. The
influence at Georgetown was Dr. Dudley Pomaroy who believed strongly that Georgetown was the place
for me. Both of these Kentucky Baptist Institutions would have served me well I believe, but I decided
to become a Maroon and White Indian over a Tiger and as Robert Frost wrote, that has made all the
difference for me.
Deciding where you will attend college is filled with pressure like: you need to attend a good
college or university; you need an excellent education to make it in the world; you are led to believe
with the right seal on your diploma you will land a high paying job; Lots of these thoughts I heard and
many of these same lines are used today when students begin to think about under-graduate degrees. I
know folks who studied here in the mountains from Union who went to Princeton and I know folks from
Cumberland who went to Harvard. With those facts it can be said you can get to anywhere from
anyplace if you want to. Looking back 25 years there are some things you will not know when you begin
the journey. #1 you don’t know it yet, but some of your best friends in life you will make in college. #2
exposures to ideas and concepts are vital for a solid academic education. From these exposures you will
be able to test the theories of your belief system, the values you say are yours, and the character you
think you are will be challenged. These experiences are building blocks from which will build upon the
foundation that we received from our parents. The pursuit of an academic degree is not for everyone.
If your child landed this fall on a foreign land of higher education then I know there were fears of just
how much they are going to change along with the realization that your little one is not little anymore.
For some, this past fall landed them on a job field, or in a career zone. This too is a foreign land.
Hopefully they learned in high school how to be instructed, how to take orders if you will and hopefully
they learned that life is a journey. Best advice at this juncture for encouragement would be the thought
of Christian ideology. It is not how you start but how you finish that is most important.
In college I was introduced to practical skills I needed and that I use today. Some of them are
pure academic learning moments that do apply to life. Mathematics are an important understanding to
a person who loves to cook, as is science to a police officer or investigator. Growing up there is
difficulty in seeing how any of these things relate, but they do, it just takes time, sometimes.
My learning from the Historical Cumberland College now known as the University of the
Cumberlands is one I am thankful for. I appreciate the moments I thought I learned nothing and learned
everything. I appreciate the friendships I made and cherished. I value the new introductions and
moments of memory that cause reflection about people, places and moments locked in time. I applaud
David Bergman, Director of Alumni Relations, and my long time friends Jimmy Huddleston and Melanie
Mackey Evans for their efforts in making Homecoming #25 special for me.
The biggest applause for the weekend goes to the Master of Direction and the Guide of Life. I
am so glad I learned to trust in Jesus, for He and He alone has made all the difference in my life.
Following Him has not always been easy, but it has always been fruitful. Thanks Jesus for the way you
have directed my life and created so many opportunities, Cumberland College being one.
Until then
fun. In this column I have written many times on the speed at which time seems to pass. Things just fly
by as you get older and there appears to be no control switch to regulate the pace at which things in life
arrive. If there were to be such a knob I am quite confident that we would never be able to settle the
debate of when to turn the speed of things down, yet, extremely confident we would all want things not
to pass so quickly. A 25 year college reunion is one of those events that “officially” give you the
distinctive status of getting older. When began to think about college I really only considered two
colleges. Because of the influence of Dr. Harold Wortman as my long time music mentor, Cumberland
College in Williamsburg had the edge by a mile over Georgetown College just north of Lexington. The
influence at Georgetown was Dr. Dudley Pomaroy who believed strongly that Georgetown was the place
for me. Both of these Kentucky Baptist Institutions would have served me well I believe, but I decided
to become a Maroon and White Indian over a Tiger and as Robert Frost wrote, that has made all the
difference for me.
Deciding where you will attend college is filled with pressure like: you need to attend a good
college or university; you need an excellent education to make it in the world; you are led to believe
with the right seal on your diploma you will land a high paying job; Lots of these thoughts I heard and
many of these same lines are used today when students begin to think about under-graduate degrees. I
know folks who studied here in the mountains from Union who went to Princeton and I know folks from
Cumberland who went to Harvard. With those facts it can be said you can get to anywhere from
anyplace if you want to. Looking back 25 years there are some things you will not know when you begin
the journey. #1 you don’t know it yet, but some of your best friends in life you will make in college. #2
exposures to ideas and concepts are vital for a solid academic education. From these exposures you will
be able to test the theories of your belief system, the values you say are yours, and the character you
think you are will be challenged. These experiences are building blocks from which will build upon the
foundation that we received from our parents. The pursuit of an academic degree is not for everyone.
If your child landed this fall on a foreign land of higher education then I know there were fears of just
how much they are going to change along with the realization that your little one is not little anymore.
For some, this past fall landed them on a job field, or in a career zone. This too is a foreign land.
Hopefully they learned in high school how to be instructed, how to take orders if you will and hopefully
they learned that life is a journey. Best advice at this juncture for encouragement would be the thought
of Christian ideology. It is not how you start but how you finish that is most important.
In college I was introduced to practical skills I needed and that I use today. Some of them are
pure academic learning moments that do apply to life. Mathematics are an important understanding to
a person who loves to cook, as is science to a police officer or investigator. Growing up there is
difficulty in seeing how any of these things relate, but they do, it just takes time, sometimes.
My learning from the Historical Cumberland College now known as the University of the
Cumberlands is one I am thankful for. I appreciate the moments I thought I learned nothing and learned
everything. I appreciate the friendships I made and cherished. I value the new introductions and
moments of memory that cause reflection about people, places and moments locked in time. I applaud
David Bergman, Director of Alumni Relations, and my long time friends Jimmy Huddleston and Melanie
Mackey Evans for their efforts in making Homecoming #25 special for me.
The biggest applause for the weekend goes to the Master of Direction and the Guide of Life. I
am so glad I learned to trust in Jesus, for He and He alone has made all the difference in my life.
Following Him has not always been easy, but it has always been fruitful. Thanks Jesus for the way you
have directed my life and created so many opportunities, Cumberland College being one.
Until then
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
