Where did it all start?

   Where did it all start? The bible offers a couple of different stories that each describe where it all started. Genesis 1 proclaims the world got its start when a word was spoken in the midst of chaos: the word brought order and goodness. Genesis 2 offers a complimentary version, one that describes a partnership between God and man and then one between man and woman, and describes the start of the world as happening in a garden.
   In worship on Sunday, we heard from our church's own history that our congregation got it's start in a pastor who had a vision and another congregation in the Sandy Run area that gave him permission. It was 121 years ago this week that the permission and vision of those two miles up the road were combined with the passion and perseverance of families here in Bonaire to form one church with a purpose.
   My own story starts in a chemistry class on the campus of Georgia Southern College back in 1966, when a young co-ed searched for a friendly face to partner with in lab in order to improve her chances of passing the class. Her eyes landed on a young guy from Screven County and here I am today. I must say, like my mom, I love math and physics a lot more than chemistry.
   What about your story, where did it start?
   Who was there at the beginning?
   Who had a vision for what needed to happen?
   Who were the permission-givers?
   What partnerships were formed that made the difference?
   Let us be thankful to God for the mighty acts of God that have brought us to this place. Let us not stop with thanksgiving for the past, though. Let us be counted as those who are helping to write new history. Let us be among those with vision and commitment and a sense of purpose. Paul, writing to the church in Corinth (2 Cor 5:17), said, "So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!" I believe God is calling us to help people "get started" all over again. I think that looks like one-one discipleship, or teaching children in Sunday School, or praying with people every other Friday in our food pantry and clothing closet, or growing in our giving, or starting a morning devotional routine.
   Grace and Peace, Scott

Runs like new again

"If an ax is dull and one doesn't sharpen it first, then one must exert more force. 
It's profitable to be skillful and wise." - Ecclesiastes 10:10

   While this was not one of the verses I lifted up in this past weekend's sermon that attempted to summarize the entire book of Ecclesiastes, it is a great example of the straightforward wisdom found within those pages. Solomon was talking about axes, but he could just have easily made his point talking about lawnmowers, that is, if they'd been invented at the time. A lot of things can go wrong with a lawnmower, but even if everything else is just right, it does not accomplish its purpose well with dull blades. 

   This was my life until earlier this week. I'd come to realize that the blades on the Troy-Bilt Zero Turn 42" mower were more than just dull - some of them were missing. Over time, the ends of the blades had chipped off and were gone. It was most noticeable when the two blades, spinning side by side, would leave a 4" streak of tall grass, like a mohawk haircut, on every pass around the yard. So, Larry and I set out to replace the blades. After finding the right YouTube video, buying a $2 cheater bar to loosen the hexnuts underneath, and about two hours of work, we accomplished the task. It felt glorious. 

   This story offers more lessons and applications for my life than I can count. The one speaking the most clearly to me is this: it feels good to get things back to right, again. We get dulled and dinged by life. Some of have 'proverbial' parts missing, having been knocked off by some conflict with others or even a self-inflicted hurt. While we cannot go to the parts store on North Davis and find one to match our individual model numbers, there is a method for being restored 'like new,' again.    
   As Mark tells the story, Jesus enters the scene preaching a message that went like this, "Now is the time! Here comes God's kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!" We don't need to go looking anywhere else for the replacement parts; God's power can change us from within. God can sharpen our minds and care for our souls, if we would just trust this good news. 
   Pray this with me: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Grace and Peace, Scott

It all starts with volunteers

   Football players, cheerleaders, kids in the Band, parents in the stands, and even folks behind the counter at the concession stands: everyone knows that football season is upon us. High Schools and Middle Schools have been playing for a couple of weeks now and college teams start in full force this weekend. All of it to the delight of a hundred million fans watching from the bleachers, in their living rooms, or even on some tablet with their toes in the sand.

   To think that it all started with a volunteer somewhere: recreation sports coaches, a mom or a dad in the backyard, or even an older sibling or family member. Whatever passion a young person puts on display, it almost always finds its genesis with the encouragement and supervision of someone who wasn't paid.

   Our church is blessed by children of all ages who run through our halls, sit in our classrooms, and travel with our groups. But, none of it happens without the adults who show up to encourage and supervise. We teach them right from wrong and show them the love of Jesus. We listen to their silly stories, knowing that they are watching how we live out our own life-stories. We have fun with them and give them room to be serious, too. Each of those moments happens best when adults, in groups of two, are working with small groups of children.

   Every church says they believe in children. Every church proclaims that children are our future. The idea is not original to us: think about the place Jesus gave them in Mark 10:14. I love the church who puts their words into actions. Bonaire does that. We're offering two different opportunities for committed adults to receive training in one of the linchpin parts of how we protect children and youth and provide great places for them to learn and grow. Youth parents and volunteers are invited on Sunday, September 13 at 5:30 PM to a Youth Parent's Night that will feature a look ahead to great stuff being planned. Parents and volunteers with children are invited to the Celebrate and Update Event on Sunday, September 20 at 5:00 PM. Both events will include a component of training around the best methods for protecting children and our church.

   We are blessed to have children show up. It is a stewardship of the most important degree. I am thankful to every adult who is willing to be present with them in these early years in order to shape their later years for the good. Grace and Peace, Scott