This Road

In 1967, the Beatles released their song, “All You Need is Love.” A simple, catchy tune that is still in the modern vernacular today. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a Beatles fan through and through. The lyrics, the melodies, the remarkable story of four young chaps from Liverpool. It really is astounding.

That song, though...All You Need is Love.

The thought is not dissimilar to the words of Jesus when a scribe asked him what the most important commandment was.

Jesus replied, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

There is no greater commandment to follow than to love God and love thy neighbor.

Throughout human history, we have been divisive people. The root of evil is one that divides to conquer. Think about it, we are still seeing this division today.

But what if we would just love each other? What if we could put aside our differences in the name of love? A few weeks ago, while chatting with a friend, I mentioned that I don’t like to choose sides without knowing the facts. Yet, one side I will always be on is the side of love.

I know it may seem childish to think that love could solve the world’s problems, but maybe I am just childish enough to think being on the side of love can save the day.

This Road is a production of Worthwhile.Media

Music:

Timeless by Soul Shifters

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Today, I would like to read a passage from the Bible, reading from Romans 12:9-21 (ESV). It states:

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

How will the church respond in light of the evil of racism and white supremacy? How will a follower of Christ respond toward those who have been downcast? Will we weep with those who weep? Will we bless those who persecute us? Can we love one another with brotherly affection? Can we live in harmony with one another?

Too many times, the Church has not done a good job of being Jesus to the world. Maybe we can find it in ourselves to read what the scriptures say and live them out.

This Road is a production of Worthwhile.Media

Music:

Timeless by Soul Shifters

Licensed through soundstripe.com – Use code WORTHWHILE to get 10% off your subscription!

These last five months have been tough, and, in my opinion, these last two weeks have been the toughest of all. When I saw the video of the murder of George Floyd, I was appalled. How could one human so devalue the existence of another human?

I am a white man. I experience privilege without even recognizing it. As a result, I think the only thing I can offer in this situation is listening. I want to hear the cries of pain. I want to listen to stories of injustice. I want to understand that which I cannot fully comprehend.

I can only do this by listening.

I have to listen, even when it is uncomfortable. I have to listen, even if I don’t entirely agree.

There are a lot of opinions floating around. We need to remember that opinions, by definition, are not facts. To understand the facts, we have to be willing to listen.

My heart goes out to the family of George Floyd, and to every person who has ever felt less than. It’s not right. It is not Biblical. It is not the way of Jesus.

I am ready to listen.

This Road is a production of Worthwhile.Media

Music:

Escape by Memory Theory

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Why are we afraid of silence? We are always watching something on television, listening to a podcast, reading, listening to someone else read, scouring the internet for information, or partaking in a social media discussion.

Over time, we have trained ourselves to avoid silence at all costs.

But what is wrong with silence?

In my opinion, we have grown afraid of the silence because it is in the silence where we are most vulnerable. In the silence, when our mind is still and quiet, we feel all of our fears, anxieties, pains, and questions.

But I truly believe that God is in the Silence. In his conversation with the prophet Elijah , scripture tells us that God did not appear in the fire, wind, or earthquake. No, he appeared in the silence. It was in the silence, in his most vulnerable, that Elijah found God.

Maybe it is time we enter into silence again.

Maybe it is time we slow down, turn off our phones, computers, tablets, and TVs. Maybe we just need to spend time sitting with our vulnerabilities and allow God to speak to us again.

This Road is a production of Worthwhile.Media

Music:

Escape by Memory Theory

Licensed through soundstripe.com – Use code WORTHWHILE to get 10% off your subscription!

Our perspective can directly impact our reality.

Do you believe that statement?

Having a proper perspective does not change our reality, but it can change how we proceed in that reality. When we watch the news or scroll through social media, our perspective can be altered. Our reality doesn’t change, but we can have a different view of that reality.

I would hope that my perspective is grounded in the teaching and works of Jesus Christ. He saw the reality of a hurting world with no hope, but His perspective did not change. In this broken world, all creation was still deserving of salvation.

The season we are currently living in can be challenging to our perspective. As our reality has changed, we must be vigilant to keep the perspective of Christ. We are here to help people, to love them, and to show them,  Jesus Christ.

This Road is a production of Worthwhile.Media

Music:

Places In Dreams by Alsever Lake

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Why is everyone in a rush to get back to “normal?”

Let me explain...I am ready for the news cycle to change. I am ready for the protests to end. I am ready to go to a movie theatre again. But...I am not prepared to get back to normal.

Why was normal so good anyway? Perhaps my normal wasn’t all that great. That’s something I have been learning. I was busy all the time. I was tired. I barely had time to do the things I enjoyed doing. I realize this may not be true for everyone, but I have been much more productive during this time when things weren’t normal.

So why are we in a rush?

Hopefully, during this moment, we realize the things about normalcy that aren’t that good for us. The challenge becomes, how will we create a new normal for ourselves? What are the things we will leave behind because they were more of a hindrance than a help? What are the things we once deemed critical that no longer seem that important?

I believe we have been offered space at this time. Space to reflect and take stock of the road our life is on. Have we been wandering, and we didn’t even know it? I have heard several people say this time in our homes is a gift from God, and I agree. In my opinion, He is trying to remind us that normal isn’t what is best for us.

I am all for our lives to begin to operate at full capacity again, but I have no desire to go back to normal.

Perhaps you will join me?

This Road is a production of Worthwhile.Media

Music:

Places In Dreams by Alsever Lake

Licensed through soundstripe.com – Use code WORTHWHILE to get 10% off your subscription

Why do we always have to argue?

In my opinion, we argue so much, because, for the first time in human existence, every person has a voice and platform that is equal to anyone else. With social media, the internet, and even podcasting, we can all project our ideas to anyone who would listen...and anyone who might disagree. Yes, I realize I am doing the same thing right now, but please understand, I am not here to argue.

One of my favorite U.S. Presidents is Teddy Roosevelt. He was quite the quotable leader, and one of his better-known quotes came while he was still vice president. In regards to foreign policy, he is quoted as saying, “speak softly, and carry a big stick.”

As big of a fan of Roosevelt as I am, I cannot disagree with this sentiment more. If we are to approach people who have different opinions than us with threats, even silent ones, then we are not approaching them with the right attitude.

Instead, I want to fall in line with the teaching of Jesus that says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”

Jesus isn’t asking us to pick fights, spout arrogant opinions, or even be inflexible when it comes to having conversations with others. He is asking us to bring peace. In a world that is full of unrest, we don’t need to keep adding fuel to the fire, we need to listen to Jesus and bring peace.

What peace can you offer in your sphere of influence? Is it choosing not to fight with your politically opposite uncle or co-worker? Is it choosing not to rant and rave as a faceless avatar on social media? Is it choosing to accept people for who they are instead of hating them because they are different?

The world needs peace, and no government or earthly power can bring it into existence...only the God and creator of all...and his children who are called to be peacemakers.

This Road is a production of Worthwhile.Media

Music:

Places In Dreams by Alsever Lake

Licensed through soundstripe.com – Use code WORTHWHILE to get 10% off your subscription!

(Full Disclosure: Using Soundstripe through this link does give Worthwhile Media a small % – Thank you in advance!)

This past weekend, I joined a group of friends and family who were watching home movies through live stream. Technology is wonderful.

These videos were of a church vacation Bible school, circa 1998. A lot has changed in 22 years, but as they say...the message stays the same. For most of us, we hadn’t watched these Bible school skits in at least 20 years, but it’s amazing what you can remember.

It’s also amazing what you forget.

My father and mother were the pastors of the church we attended, and they organized the VBS. My dad was the one who would lead the skits with the help of a few others. They were fun times. Watching these skits again, it’s amazing how poignant and precise my dad would be in bringing the gospel message to a group of kids. The thing is, to us adults sitting on our couches, the message meant the same to us today.

Using the illustration of removing a nail from a piece of wood, my dad described how Jesus can remove sin from our life, but the scars will remain. Just like the hole in the wood, things can be removed, but something will remain. Hopefully, we can use that idea to help us avoid sin or wrongdoing altogether, but to take it one step further, the scars we do carry can also serve as great reminders.

They can remind us of the life we left behind. They can remind us of the goodness of God to remove our stains. The scars can also be used to tell a story to someone in need of hope. By telling the story of how Jesus saved me, perhaps I can help someone understand how Jesus can also save them.

There’s a reason when Jesus was resurrected from the dead, that the scars remained. The scars were used to show his followers it really was him. There was something different about his resurrected nature, but the scars remained, and they were used to help a disciple named Thomas to believe again.

Our scars can be ugly, scary, moments we want to forget...but they can also be used to help us remember why our faith lies in Jesus Christ. The scars he carries shows us we too can be saved, and the scars we carry can express that good news to others.

This Road is a production of Worthwhile.Media

Music:

Places In Dreams by Alsever Lake

Licensed through soundstripe.com – Use code WORTHWHILE to get 10% off your subscription!

Welcome to THIS ROAD, a short encouragement for the road your life is currently leading you down.

Can you see it? A small, faint light at the end of the tunnel? We’re gonna make it through this, right? With a hint of optimism, we are given the opportunity to hope again. I know, I know, we still have a way to go before things are quote–normal–again. But we can still have a glimmer of hope.

Psalm 43:3-5 says:

Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!

Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy,

and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

The Psalmist is asking God to send His light...to be a guide in the darkness. And when the light comes, the first place the Psalmist will go is into the house of God bringing praise. Even when our soul is cast down, we can know that we will praise again. God will provide a light to guide the way, and our hope will be restored.

So yes, the light might be faint right now, but we can hope anyway. We can praise God anyway. 

Even if the light is faint, our souls can praise God.

This Road is a production of Worthwhile.Media

Music:

Places In Dreams by Alsever Lake

Licensed through soundstripe.com – Use code WORTHWHILE to get 10% off your subscription! (Full Disclosure: Using Soundstripe through this link does give Worthwhile Media a small % – Thank you in advance!)