It is hard to believe, but it is that time of year again. Christmas, more than any other time of the year, brings about change. We officially plunge into winter and our songs begin to be about snow. Retailers count on the holiday Christmas sales to make their year. Clark G. gets out his Christmas lights and decorates the neighborhood with a dazzling nighttime show. Children begin working on their lists for Christmas, and people in general seem to take on a little bit lighter mood. Christmas has its own sights and sounds. All of these factors, as well as a few family traditions thrown in for good measure, all seem to make Christmas a special time of the year.
Yet, year after year we find ourselves fighting against the same confrontation. As wonderful as any or all of these things may be, they all combine to highjack the simple, but real reason for our celebration. These trappings of Christmas may be wonderful, but we cannot allow them to overwhelm us or distract us from seeing Christmas for what it really is - a birthday. And not just any birthday. After all, while yours may be special to you, and mine may be special to me…they happen every day…by the thousands…all across the globe. No, this birthday was special. Because a God who is too big to be contained by the vast expanses of the universe chose to wrap Himself in the confines of human flesh.
Yes, ‘tis the season for shopping and parties and gifts and families getting together. But what if this year we didn’t allow it to happen? What if we didn’t allow these things to distract us at all from the baby born in a manger? What if we paused there long enough to wonder in amazement at the powerful realization of what this means? ‘Tis the season to be thankful, to be amazed, to be reborn, to receive the greatest gift ever given…the ransom of all mankind! Merry Christmas!!!
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 12/17/2009
This past Sunday, I dealt with a story out of the life of Jesus that still has me puzzled. It is the story in Luke 17 where Jesus heals ten lepers. One comes back to thank Him, but the other nine were never heard from again. Amazing! How could these nine guys who were so desperate previously, under the sentence of death and unable to experience life, forget to even say something as simple as, “Thank you!” While we know nothing of what they did, where they went, or how they lived after this experience, we do know that even Jesus was amazed at their lack of gratitude.
I was shocked at this until I thought about it for a minute. You see, I saw myself in this. Oh, I see it a lot in other people to be sure. But I saw it in myself nonetheless. I was one of those who had grown comfortable with my now thirty-six-year-old faith. Gratitude is based upon a full realization of not only who I am, but who I was. From diseased to delivered, from certain death to a new beginning in life, from outcast to reconnected, each of these men had been given something special. Isn’t it easier to see your problems than it is to see your provisions? It certainly is easier to gripe than it is to be grateful. It all has to do with your perspective and what you are focused on today.
This Thursday, you will be standing around the kitchen with your family; and no, the two burning questions will not be: 1) “Am I really related to these people?” Or: 2) “Is the turkey done yet?” No, the two important questions for me and you this Thanksgiving are: 1) “Am I seeing things clearly?” And: 2) “Am I truly filled with gratitude?”
Has it been a tough year? It has for me. Tough times, a tough economy, and tough circumstances can overwhelm us. Did you know the Pilgrims dug seven times more graves than they built huts? They were the most impoverished people in American history. Yet, they stopped to thank God Almighty for His benevolent blessings. Wow, I am going to remember that this year as we devour the huge meal. Maybe I shift and become the one guy who went back to say, “Thanks!”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 11/30/2009
Over the month of October, our church has taken on a campaign called, “We Love Dayton.” The general gist of this is to surprise people in uncommon ways with small random acts of kindness that catch them off guard. Buying someone a cup of coffee, taking a dish to a neighbor, or paying a bill for a single mom struggling to get by are just a few of the ways that we have tried to tackle this. What I don’t understand about myself is why it takes a reminder to be sensitive to what is happening around me. God has appointed these divine intersections all around us. It makes me shudder to think how many of them I have missed from simply not paying attention. My own problems, along with a sea of humanity around me, make it easy to get caught up in the “cynical seclusion” mode regarding it all. The strange thing, though, is that the times I do get this right, it is so awesome that I don’t know why I don’t do it more.
Somehow, my problems seem to become diminished when I am focused on helping someone else. Somehow, my own heart is lifted whenever I am able to help someone else lift some type of burden that they carry. Somehow, there is no feeling to compare to that of seeing someone completely blown away by an unexpected act of kindness. While people are used to the ‘ways of this world’, when someone reaches out to them with a ‘no strings attached’ gesture, they don’t really know how to respond. It is such an unusual thing that it sticks out on its own.
Love is such a powerful gift. Recently, my wife, my kids, and I were able to help a struggling young single mom. God just kind of arranged the whole deal. But there she was standing in front of us with nowhere to turn for help. We were able to step in through a small gesture and tie two ends of her life back together. Her words were, “No one has ever done anything like this for me. No one has ever helped me like this.” I know we helped and encouraged her. But you have to understand, the reason I am telling you this is because of what she did for us! I think our family will do more of this…it is just too good not to. Let’s go change somebody’s world today!
Experiencing Grace
John Jackson
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 10/26/2009
This has been a pretty tough year for those of us growing a little older…and refusing to admit it. The eighties were our decade. I remember the emotional blow I felt the first time I heard a radio station talk about the “oldies” and then saying, “We’ll be playing 80 minutes of the 80’s.” Wow…oldies? Yet the reality of life is setting in that time does pass forward. It stops for no one. This year already we have lost such icons as Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and most recently Patrick Swayze. For all of these people who were the envy of a generation for their good looks and good life, life has come to a somewhat tragic end. Michael Jackson was on top of the world as The King of Pop. Time and drug abuse brought his life to a strange and untimely end. Who would have thought that gorgeous Farrah, who sold all those bathing suit posters, would end up tortured and ravaged by cancer? The same goes for Patrick Swayze. He was the male heart-throb of his generation. And yet, he too would dwindle from a chiseled picture of health and muscle to a victim of this terrible disease.
I guess their passing has left me a bit reflective. James 4:14 (NLT) says, “How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone.” I heard tragically this week of a group of teenagers heading home from school when an accident took one of their very young lives. We all know the possibilities of this. We know we are not going to live forever, but we don’t really stop very often to think about it. Most of us don’t live today as though it COULD be our last. Most of us live as though life will go on and on and on. It won’t. So, take a moment to ponder today. Take a minute to reflect on your values and your investments. Are you living as though you will never die, or are you living in such a way so as to welcome death whenever it comes as a champion’s finish line?
Beauty, power, fame, and wealth will all fade away! From my melancholy reflections came a motivational thought. John, you don’t have forever. Get busy! Not busy for busy sake, but busy in the things that last beyond this life!!!
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 09/17/2009
The kids are back in school. For all practical purposes, vacation season has come to a close, and many are returning to regular church attendance. I have to tell you, though, we have had some of the best weekend celebrations over the last four weeks that I have experienced in a long time. I just finished a series called The Heart of Worship. For four weeks, we took a look at what real worship is all about. It was great to have many of these things refreshed in my heart. God moved in visible ways on people’s hearts and created a wonderful spirit in our gathering.
Worship has been so abused by religion and man-made substitutes. Many have wrongfully confined worship to what takes place on a church campus for an hour or two on the weekend. Others have behaved both selfishly and stupidly fussing over styles and preferences of worship. I am so grateful for our people here at The Gathering. We are not wasting time having “worship wars” over petty opinions. No, I watched as we were able to have an honest and open dialogue on worship. I watched as people openly wept. Others laughed uncontrollably. Still others found joy in circumstances. All of us were provoked and challenged to dig deeper than the routines we have established. To move past the expectations and rituals of our culture, and seek God with all our hearts.
Oh, by the way, some of that took place at church, too! You see, I think the biggest reminder to all of us was that worship is not a song, or a style, or even a church service. All of those things can be done completely devoid of any true worship. Worship is a lifestyle of walking with God. Worship is a passion for an insatiable appetite toward an inexhaustible God. Worship is love and service and obedience and compassion and selflessness. Worship is when God moves to the center of YOUR universe. It has been sweet to reconnect in a new, fresh, and deeper way. I encourage you to check your connection. You may need to move some other things out of the way. It is worth it!
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 09/02/2009
This past weekend our spiritual community once again met on a hillside. This hillside happens to be on the bank of an area park here in town. But for our purposes this hillside was transformed into sacred ground. For the third time now in our brief history, we have gone to this bank to paint the picture of life transformations. We celebrate a custom, a ritual, an ordinance that dates back to the time and example of Christ. As Jesus began His earthly ministry, He went to John the Baptist and was baptized. Immediately, the Holy Spirit descended on Him and the Father declared, “This is my dear Son with whom I am greatly pleased!” What a privilege for every Christ follower who has chosen this path to one by one walk into the water and emerge from it into a new life with Christ!
Once again, God gave us absolutely perfect weather. Like a biblical picture, over 200 people gathered on the sloping face of this hillside as one by one eight different people shared their stories and faith journey to Christ. With an ancient and biblical artist brush, Christ then would paint the portrait of life, death, burial, and resurrection to new life! Finally, Bob, who is eighty-four and on an oxygen tube…who cannot be submerged, shared how he had recently come to find Christ through the death of his wife. Gently, we poured water over him as he giggled with joy!! This week we were transported over 2,000 years back in time. And God blessed the journey.
As we watched the sun explode over the water and God just plain shows off with a breathtaking sunset, we experienced peace. We broke bread together. Our children ran, laughed, and played. We visited with one another. We were a community. And for that day in the park, we were a part of the invisible, universal, greater community. We were a part of the celestial tie that binds us together. We were the body of Christ!
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 07/30/2009
There is a saying that sits on my desk. It is one of my favorites. It is a quote of someone who I admire and consider a hero. Mother Teresa said, “I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle…I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.” I know with the down turn of the economy, the uncertainty of times, and the cloud of heaviness of our days, many are feeling the painful effects and results in their own personal lives. I talk every week with people who are experiencing the weight of painful circumstances. There is a weariness that results from carrying these concerns. Weariness carries with it the constant nagging and pull of giving up or giving in to the burden.
Perhaps there have been times in your life (as there have been in mine) where you have had the proverbial argument with God of His estimation of your endurance capacity with that of your own. He always seems to think more of us than we do ourselves. The truth is, if we could remove all weight, all obstructions, all encumbrances, we would. He does not! I have come to know that God teaches us of our ability to stretch, to grow, and to deepen from going through times when we would otherwise seek an exit door. More often than not, He is not going to provide an exit from the economy, job insecurities, or personal stresses. Instead, He is willing to walk us through them.
Our choice is the journey. We can walk through the weight of life and carry the load. We can live with weariness and a depressive outlook. We also have a choice to take a broader perspective and see God at work in life and in us. Paul walked with God and went through many adverse circumstances. He wrote about it in Philippians that is often characterized as the book of joy. Sixteen times Paul uses the word joy in four short chapters. Through great travail came the richness of unbelievable and indescribable joy. You and I get to choose. Choose wisely…it determines the nature of the ride.
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 07/16/2009
I love Summer. Cooking out, trips with the family to the pool, vacations, shorts and flip flops. Oh yeah, I left out the best part of all…No snow and your skin doesn’t hurt from below freezing temperatures. Can you tell that I am biased toward Summer? It is an age thing. I am told that old people don’t like the cold. What’s that?…you’ll have to speak up; I can’t hear you. Summer is just more laid back. Whether it is the weather, people’s schedules, or the outdoor activities, people are just more relaxed around Summer time.
Here is a caution, though. Don’t relax your relationship with God. We tend to allow those other great tendencies of Summer to creep into our spiritual lives as well. We are not as committed to be alone with God, not as committed to hearing from Him in His Word, not as committed to our spiritual community. Shorts and flip flops are great for relaxing, but we have to be careful about a shorts and flip flop approach to God in our lives! Take some time to spend with Him. Watch the sun come up or go down and just reflect on Who did that! Take a walk by yourself on a vacation and reconnect with Him. Encourage someone going through a tough time. Serve somewhere around you to meet a need. You might be amazed how hot your spiritual heart gets from ramping things up just a bit.
Don’t miss what I am saying. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with down time. Most of us don’t get enough of it. Relax! Enjoy your time and your family and friends. Just don’t chill out your spiritual life in the process.
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 07/09/2009
This past weekend I shared a message with our folks about “words”. Our words are powerful, reflective of who we are, and timeless. Although we use a lot of throwaway chatter, God tells us we are responsible for every word we utter. I talked about how church people are often among the worst. We bless and praise God in one breath, and in the next paragraph we slaughter others with our words. Gossip, slander, divisive and destructive words plague the church unlike anything I have ever seen. Blogs turn cowards into zealots, small groups can become fodder for fueling ungodly conversations, and thoughtless words do, in some cases, irreparable damage.
One of my friends Sunday said to me, “Boy, you really hurt my feelings today.” He was joking about how direct this message hits home. I told him, “That’s nothing. I hurt my own feelings today!” I cringe to think of some of the words I have used. Some of the mistakes that I have made in my speech and the concentric circles of influence that may come through those words. On the other hand, there are times that my words have lifted others, offered hope, provided needed instruction, and set someone back on the right path.
This week, think before you speak. Words matter! Try to avoid some of the usual habits of our lesser nature that provide opportunities for the enemy to discourage or even divide. Think of how your speech might be seasoned (like salt) with grace. Think of how you can lift someone’s spirit, cast a vision for them, declare a new destiny. That is a powerful thought. Good and evil…both should not come from the same mouth.
The last thought I will leave you with is that God indicates this is one of the most sure-proof ways we indicate the condition of our relationship with God. Angry, jealous, bitter, negative, cutting, and destructive words are not in His vocabulary. They shouldn’t then be in ours! If we can control our words, the scripture says we can control every other aspect of our spiritual lives. If we don’t, we are like a city whose walls are broken down. Bless God…but bless others, too!
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 06/25/2009
Life is tough and filled with one obstacle after the other! Just about the time you get everything pulled together, it seems another challenge presents itself. I have discovered that life is an effective teacher of two things…humility and persistence. Humility comes in realizing how little control we really have over our own lives and destinies. Persistence is the stuff that sees you through when you feel like giving up.
This past weekend, I officially entered mid-life crisis. Over the last two years, I have really turned my focus toward getting healthy. Diet and exercise have changed my focus and my attention. Because of this, I decided to enter a triathlon. Never mind that I had three weeks to get ready for it…I knew I was in great shape and could conquer what was in front of me. In fact, I got greedy. Twelve years ago, I competed in this very triathlon. I finished the half-mile swim, eighteen-mile bike, and four-mile run in just over two hours. Two hours and two minutes to be exact. Never mind I am twelve years older and that I trained for three months the last time…I knew in the shape that I am in, I could beat two hours. This is where the humility comes in. I started the swim which is in a lake, not a pool; and about five hundred yards in, I began to hyperventilate. That simply means you have so amped your body that you cannot slow your breathing enough to catch your breath. From a lack of oxygen, your muscles begin to seize up. I am panicked thinking I am going to have to stop before I even get started. While my pride was wounded, I was able to get my mental focus back, right myself, and complete the half-mile swim. I went on to complete a decent bike and run considering how little time I had prepared for this.
There was no breaking of the two-hour goal. In fact, I added seven minutes to the previous attempt (most all of that in the lake J). However, I finished! Two hours and nine minutes. While my pride had endured the humiliation of being reminded of my age and over-confidence, my heart learned again the power of persistence. You just keep pushing through when you feel like giving up. One of these days, you will cross the finish line! Galatians 6:9 (Msg) “So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit.”
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 06/18/2009
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