Midweek Message: Strong Fortresses

Psalm 31:2b Be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. (NIV)

Dear Friends,

My wife and I returned home from Europe recently. We had an amazing cruise vacation around the Mediterranean. We saw ports, towns, and cities in Italy, Croatia, Monaco, France, and Spain. It was a wonderful trip, filled with many happy memories and beautiful experiences. We know that jetlag will kick in soon, but we are grateful to have taken the opportunity to go and see different places, eat some new foods, and speak in different languages including a little Croatian!

In most of the ports on the Mediterranean Sea, there is usually a formidable fortress overlooking the harbor. This reminds us that throughout history, the Mediterranean has seen many conflicts. A lot of the ports also have narrow winding streets which were used to hide the inhabitants from invaders, as well as entrapping pirates and other conquerors from pillaging their towns. These days, those fierce-looking castles still experience many foreign invaders, usually carrying cellphones to take photos of the stern stone walls. Instead of being impenetrable powerhouses, the fortresses are now largely welcome centers and magnificent museums where tour groups and their guides gather to marvel at the structures and hear about their history.

At one time, large churches were also formidable buildings which were meant to make people feel small and vulnerable, sinful and unworthy. These fortresses of faith often presented a stern type of Christianity which sadly is still experienced in some congregations today. Thankfully, places like our own church, have become wonderful welcome centers and sanctuaries of refuge for the marginalized and victimized, as all as for the lonely and lost, where everyone is accepted as a child of God’s grace and truly loved by Christ.

May God’s grace be with you and all your loved ones.

Pastor John

Midweek Message: Play Joyfully

Psalm 33:3 Sing to God a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. (NIV)

Yesterday, the whole world was stunned with the news of Dolly Parton’s death. She was such a joyfully charismatic person, whose songs brought a great deal of happiness and meaning to millions of people across the globe.

For those of us who live in East Tennessee, it feels as though a dear and beloved family member has passed away. Dolly’s commitment to the folks who live in this region was wonderful to behold. She never forgot her humble roots and her international success meant that she could invest in the lives of East Tennessean families and children with her book ministry. Dolly cherished the richness of her own education and wanted to ensure that millions of children throughout various states were sent a book to read each month.

Dolly’s talents have been admired and celebrated since she was a teenager. Her positive attitude endeared her to many Americans. Her passing made us realize how much we all loved her as a person, as well as a performer. She was a National Treasure and one whom we will all dearly miss. She treated everyone as a child of God’s grace and showed us what really makes America great – compassion, tolerance, faith, and love.

Every year, Evelyn and I go to Dollywood in the Fall. It’s not just a beautiful season, but Dollywood is such a charming place to walk around, to see other people, to go on the rides, and, of course, to listen to the music being played all over the park. Dolly’s legacy will continue there for years to come and the good folks in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Knoxville will always be grateful for what she accomplished as an artiste, a Tennessean, and a Christian.

Just like the psalmist of old, Dolly sang joyfully to God and played skillfully. We have all been truly blessed by a remarkable woman.

May God be with you all.

Pastor John

Midweek Message: Keep Going

2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (NIV)

 When I was in High School, I enjoyed all sorts of athletic sports, especially anything to do with running. I was on the school’s senior sprint relay team, but I much preferred the middle and long distance events. I enjoyed running laps around the track and usually ended up as one of the first three runners to finish a race. The secret was to pace myself and to endure the number of laps required and then, with a burst of speed on the last lap, overtake most of the other runners.

 One season, my gym teacher invited me to represent the school in a cross-country race. I had never done this before, but I thought it would easy because I could cover the distance. When the race started, I was determined to keep up with the leading pack, but they were running much faster than I anticipated. I very soon got winded and fell back down the field. I had not anticipated the difficulties of running up and down hillsides, instead of being on a flat track. As I watched many other competitors gleefully run past me, I realized I was in the wrong kind of race. After it was over, I was glad to get back to running on a flat field.

 I still admire cross-country runners to this very day. Their perseverance and stamina, as well as their focus and determination, are qualities I deeply respect. They taught me a lesson about endurance which I often find relevant in today’s church world.

 Maintaining our faith in these trying times frequently requires patience and perseverance. The ups and downs of our daily lives are sometimes difficult to endure. Congregations like our own sometime experience bumpy roads and even a few setbacks. Thankfully, however, just as today’s verse amply expresses, God’s love always guides us while Christ’s perseverance helps us to prevail.

 May Jesus continue to bless us as a church of God’s people who faithfully keep going on.