Back to the Future

Back to the Future has been one of my favorite movies since I first saw it. (If you are reading this there is a good chance you know about this movie) It introduces us to Marty McFly, a 16 year old high school student and Doc Brown a hair brain scientist with a stroke of genius who invents a time machine using plutonium stolen from terriorists. On the night of the first test the terriorist show up and Marty McFly jumps in the time machine and is taken back to 1955. (As a child I couldn't figure out the title because in my mind he didn't go to the 'future' he went to the 'past.' I didn't realize the focus was about him trying to get back to 1985.) Once 1955 we begin to see the events that had to come together for Marty to be born...His Dad had to fall out of a tree to get hit by a car so Marty's Mom could fall in love with his Dad...they had to go to the Fish Under the Sea Dance together so they kiss for the first time...once this happened Marty was able to go Back to the Future with the help of a lighting strike and Doc Brown...

There comes a time in our life we need to go back. Wednesday morning God took me there. I don't know about y'all but I do my best thinking in the shower. It is the one place I can go, turn the fan on, turn the water on and not hear anything going on anywhere in the house (For those at Providence, many of my sermon outlines are developed in the shower). Wednesday my thoughts were different...I was taken back to the Lakeview Lodge as a 19 year old kneeled at his chair realizing his Christianity was not about heritage... I was taken back to the third floor of Childs Hall on the campus of Southern Wesleyan as sophmore was on his knees praying about a major, ultimately attempting to bargain with God. I was taken back to sitting in the office of Dr. Hayduk putting a schedule together realizing there was a lot of elective time needing to be filled, so for some reason it was filled by religion courses. I was taken back the library on the same campus as I looked at a catalogue for a seminary I had really never heard of in Wake Forest NC...I was taken back to a visit made to this campus and ultimately receiving an acceptance letter...I was taken back to a wedding ceremony at Covington Memorial Wesleyan Church where a 21 and 22 year old thought they had life figured out...six months later this same couple packed up a U-haul moving into their 700 sq. foot mansion to begin 5 year journey of growing up.

I was taken back to that Seminary as a 23 year had his on  'Wrestle-Mania' with God. God kept saying 'I want you as THE pastor.' the 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 year kept saying, 'What about a chaplian in a Christian school...What about being a teacher...What about being an assitant pastor.' God kept saying, 'local church ministry is where I want you.' Finally on the phone a question was asked, 'Would you be okay with being a solo pastor?' There was a sigh and finally a 'Yes.' God got the 3 count.

I say all this because it is amazing how God preapres us with small steps. We may not realize it at the time but it is these small steps God uses to make us into who He wants us to be. Sometimes while taking the step we can't figure out how this fits but when we go back it becomes so clear. As I was standing there I kept I realized these steps involved people...I think of Matt and Kris LeRoy that night at camp. I think of Dr. Black when I think about SWU. I think of my Uncle Greg and Aunt Karen who helped us through a lot of junk during seminary. I also think of Greg and Erica Bowman, Dr. Beck, Dr. Stuart, Schodt and Sons Auto Sales, Millbrook Exchange Park, Northview Community Church which includes Derrick and Paula Lemons, Darrell and Cindy Burrows and all the members...the list could go on and on...without these people and these places I would not be the person I am.

So when life seems meaningless or confusing be encouraged the place you are is God's way of developing you into the person He wants you to become...You are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand (Is. 64:8)

One 'Unique' Word

I remember the first sermon I ever preached. I had no idea what to do so I tried to follow my Dad's model. Over time I continued searching for a model. To begin with I wanted to sound like Billy Graham. Then I  heard the evangelist Tony Nolan. I wanted to preach just like him. Anytime I had the opportunity to preach I would pull out the tape and listen to it hoping I could develop something just like him. But nothing felt comfortable until I discovered I had to figure out my own style which included every aspect from preparation  to speaking. But just like life it is a process in motion, I am continually learning.


The reason I needed my own style was God has not created two people alike. Imagine out of all the people who have been born and died and continue to be born, there has never been a repeat. Just take a look at your finger right now. What do you see? Something called fingerprints...these fingerprints are unique to you and  you alone. No one in this world has had those fingerprints or ever will.


This is same for churches as well. Every church has it's own unique set of fingerprints. We have been called by a Specific Person (God), for specific reason, to be accomplished with a specific attitude. What does this mean? As a church ministers it must do so within it's God given uniqueness...a church must be intentional about getting our fingerprints all over the area we've been called to impact and it begins with LOVE...Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your mind and all your soul. Love your neighbor as your self.

Practicing what I preach...At the Feet of My Father

Ash Wednesday kind of snuck up on me. I will be honest I hadn't given it much thought until I read a couple e-mails from other churches and a blog I follow. But God being God has guided the sermons lately with an idea that meshes with it...At the Feet of my Father...1 John 1 spends time talking about light and darkness and how they are incompatible, much like oil and water. If we commit to sit at the Feet of our Father we may have some uncomfortable moments because light reveals the ugliness darkness hides and if we want to maintain true fellowship we must deal with the sin that is being revealed.

I share this because I am trying to practice what I preach...tonight has been one of those experiences of light revealing ugliness...confessing those things that hinder my fellowship with God. As I said it can be uncomfortable or maybe I should say down right painful. The crazy thing was where I felt the conviction. It wasn't just in my head, it wasn't in the pit of my stomach it was litearlly on the left said of my chest. The pain was in my heart. I have had heart burn and let me tell you it doesn't compare to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. But when sin is acknowledged, confessed, released and forgiven it is better than drinking Mylanta...

As Lent starts I encourage all those who attend Providence and for all others who are reading...Take time to rest at the feet of your Father...utilize this time as a time of confession because it is not just about giving up carbonated drinks or secular music, etc...go through the sometimes painful process of discovering things about yourself that may be hindering your fellowship with God...do so with this knowledge, 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness...' through 'Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is THE (meaning God's unique and only solution to sin) atoning sacrifice for our sins and not only for ours but also for the the sins of the whole world (1 John 1:9 and 2:1-2).

Crazy Dreaming

If there is one thing I am trying to do is give myself the freedom to dream and not tell myself why it won't work. After church today I shared a crazy dream with an individual and was amazed at their response, 'I have had similar thoughts this week.' I am excited where this dream goes (as I get more into it I'll share details).  Amazing confirmation when we are willing to put 'feet to faith.'


Also this week Providence is going to be turning our fellowship building into a coffee house. I am very excited about the interaction we will have with our young adults. In my heart I believe this is going to be a big step for our church and I believe it is going to be the beginning of something fantastic.


God is taking us to a new frontier. While it is exciting it can be a bit unnerving but I am loving it...something I couldn't have said a few years ago...as the saying goes 'Let Go, Let God.'

Shock and Awe

Last year in a conversation a statment was made that continued to plague me, 'If I didn't know so and so I wouldn't even know y'all's church was there.' This statement was not reflective on the people, just more on our location. Providence is situated about a mile to a mile and a half off two well traveled roads.


After that statement was made I continued to pray about it not real sure what needed to be done or even how to do anything...then a couple months later I attended The Gathering in Jacksonville Fl. It was there things began to go into motion. Now I have attended many meetings only to leave very cynical (not sure I spelled it right) but there was something different about this one. God began confirming things He had laid upon my heart over the last couple of years.


How does this fit together? I left there with one thought, how to turn imagination into reality that included how Providence could make a greater impact on our community...then God began answering questions. One night I was sitting on the couch and received a text from a friend wanting to know if we'd be interesting in being a potential site for Laurel University in High Point to launch a Rockingham County Campus. I text back I'd love to talk about it...God was sending me into shock...I approached the Deacons they became very excited about the possiblities. I approached the local church they too were excited about the possibilities...what better way to get the word out about Providence Baptist Church...there is the potential for all kinds of advertisment at minimal cost to the church...this opportunity will be one that is unique to our community. In the process I have already met many people I otherwise wouldn't have and who knows where God will take us from here.


What this did besides send me into shock was grow my amazement about God. While creating a solution to a question that plagued me it has also given me the confidence to continue dreaming. I even began taking a  a writing pad with me just in case I have a thought. I even have a page I call my 'Crazy Dreams' page. These are things that seem outrageous but I am willing to see what God can do.


My message is for all people but for ministers who find themselves in small pastorates...continue dreaming...continue listening to God. No matter how small the congregation God can do big things. Just as we have been created by God for a purpose...your church has been created by God for a purpose...a church in motion can't be stopped...in those times when things seem difficult don't turn and run looking for greener pastures keep watering the pasture you are in with the Truth that knows no impossibilites.

Finally Did It!

I've been thinking about doing this for a while and nowI finally did it. I've shared with many that this is the year of not giving into fear. It may sound funny but this is one of the steps to not giving in. That being said, I would like to explain the name, N-Motion, a little. Over the last few years God has been leading me in developing a simple philosophy for life and church...the idea is we must be in motion at all times...Today I happened to be reading Philippians 4:6. As I read I noticed the lines I'd placed underneath the words and thought about what was happening when I placed them there. That was when I thought, 'boy I'm a lot closer to God than I was then.' God quickly put me in my place with this (not sure if this is uique  or if I read it somewhere) 'The closer I get to God the further I realize I have to go.' To paraphrase Steve DeNeff (I hope I'm accurate), in one sense upon salvation we've arrived but we are always arriving. We must never become content with where we are...we must be encountering Christ through daily worship, encouraging others through daily fellowship and engaging the world daily through telling, by the power of the Holy Spirit who sets us N-motion...Zechariah 4:6, Not by might, Nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.