Just Minding My Own Business 

Okay. I'll admit it. I don't like it, but it's true. My family points it out regularly, and no matter how hard I try, I struggle to shake it. I know I am a new creation and must move past it. It lurks. It haunts. It paralyzes at times. I confess it, and I know the Lord is faithful to forgive. He also calls me to repent and trust Him. I try, but not hard enough I suppose. (Cue Quincy Jones 1981 Just Once for dramatic effect). I commit myself to overcome, and then the inevitable happens and concretes my irrational thinking. In that moment, I am convinced, in some other world, my name is Murphy. There is a law of nature written in my honor. Yes, I know the saying originated as an engineering principle, but sometimes I wonder if the law was written for me. You know the one. "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." 

Many of you are too young or too sophisticated to have ever watched Hee Haw. As a child in Mississippi in the 70's Hee Haw was a highlight of my week. Grandpa Jones, Minnie Pearl, Buck Owens, Roy Clark, and many, many more visited our home weekly through the talking box to provide entertainment and laughter for trying times. (Sometimes I miss these shows). During one recurring segment a group of country comedians would sit around with their moonshine jugs, sporting their well worn overalls, and they would sing my theme song. Sometimes I feel like if there was a soundtrack of my life, this sound would be every number on the album. The words went like this:

Gloom, despair, and agony on me. Deep, dark depression, excessive misery. If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. Good, despair and agony on me. 

Here it is for your half time enjoyment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAAKPJEq1Ew

Do I have any current evidence, you might ask? After all, I am pretty good at creating my own trouble. Sin, bad habits, anxiety, busy-ness, and that crazy inner critic create all kinds of chaos in me. What makes me think that bad things just happen because I simply exist.

Cut to stage left for a moment and envision me sitting in a parking lot to make sure my internet connection stays strong on a nice Friday afternoon finishing up a work call . Now watch closely. Notice the black Toyota Tacoma backing out of her parking spot with plenty of room to maneuver. Grab the popcorn because here it comes. As she continues to back out she begins to turn ever so slightly and just at the wrong moment. Hold tight. Brace yourself. There it is!! CRASH. She hit the rear passenger bumper of my car and caught her bumper on the edge of the taillight before proceeding to move forward to finish off what she started. She didn't mean to do it. Distraction. A long day at work. A lifted truck. Who knows all the factors that went into this moment in time. All I know is I was sitting innocently in my car trying to finish an honest day's work when out of nowhere my whole Friday turned to a crunch. Like I said, if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. 

I sighed. I exited my vehicle. I tried to calm the nerves of the young and impressionable 20 year old who interrupted my day. I was kind and understanding. We called the sheriff, and the deputy came promptly. All was settled, and I was on my way. It was a moment in time that will fade away. I have to confess, however, it did have me asking, "Lord, what are you wanting me to learn here? What was I doing wrong? What am I not hearing?" 

As I have contemplated these thoughts, the Holy Spirit has taken the opportunity to remind me that I don't deserve any fabulous life free from interruptions or inconvenience. He also reminded me that yes indeed there are plenty of times I create my own mess. Then, He gently reminded me that sometimes life just happens, and it doesn't always go my way. Maybe it even rarely goes my way. But life really isn't about my way, now is it? Life is about God's way and conforming me into the image of His Son. 

Lately I have had moments where I was minding my own business, and chaos happened. For me, usually this happens on a Sunday morning when Satan knows I am most vulnerable. I feel the pain of people's sorrow and the responsibility to deliver a word of Truth. I sense the vulnerability of those I care for and the need to create a safe space for each one of them. I go into every Sunday with the intention of loving the people completely and serving the Lord wholeheartedly. Then, from around the corner, Satan throws a curve ball. Someone confronts me in what I view as an attack. Another discounts someone's feelings, and the emotion ends up at my feet. Details I thought were handled fall apart (or never materialize). The chaos ensues no matter how hard I have tried to make sure everything is in place. Just right. Settled. Ready for a calm morning of revival.

In these moments I don't always respond well. I wish I did, but I just don't. I pray the Lord will change me. The inner chaos I carry over from the week bubbles up, and the current situation becomes more significant than it really might me. I am minding my own business .... and the Lord has reminded me that could be the problem. It's not my business to mind. It's His business. He is in control. He is training me for righteous living. He holds the keys to victory and peace. His business. Not mine.

I wonder now that I have taken a pause, if the slight bump from a black Toyota Tacoma was part of God's plan to remind me to relax. I didn't get upset - only mildly stressed. After all, it's just a car. Maybe this moment serves as a reminder that whatever comes my way can be handled when I keep it in perspective. Folks are growing in Christ. People are engaging in the Word of God. Small groups are digging into the Bible and asking hard questions. People are being baptized. The rest? Just a small fender bender in the parking lot, easily fixed, and not as bad as it first appeared.

I am trying to get to the root of my struggle. I see that the calm I desire is in conflict with the chaos of my life. I have created much of that chaos. Jesus can redeem the chaos, just as He has redeemed my old nature and made me new. 

Psalm 46:10 challenges me to "Be still, and know that I am God." Oh, Lord, teach me to be still.

WHEN THE WATER DOESN’T FLOW: A REFLECTION ON GRACE, GROWTH, AND CLOGGED PIPES

Recent developments and an increased desire for authenticity prompted me to revisit Pooh Corner from the view of the porch of my life. Three years ago we actually moved into a house with a front porch so how about that?!? I begin this journey again with some fear but also with hope. As many of you know trust doesn't come easily, but at my age, who knows how many more years I've really got. I might as well let transparency become a new theme.

Shortly after we moved into our new home, our septic system failed. I feel confident I don't need to explain how we knew the system failed, but if so I would encourage you to simply use your imagination. Just don't sit there too long. (Pun intended) We could not find the source of the problem at first, but a reliable and persistent plumber eventually uncovered the cause and offered a solution. We needed an additional pump out back to push some of the more substantive waste further through the pipes. Liquid seemed to move fine, but since we tend to produce more than liquid waste we took his proposal and installed a smaller pump outside the bathroom to handle the problem. The solution worked. 

Abrupt thought shift alert that will come back around: 

David and I left town today on a journey to Mississippi State. We will experience basketball and then baseball together. Yes, he chose to remain for Saturday and enjoy a football game, although for the life of my I can't understand why. Attending Mississippi State baseball brings on so many emotions that my Whoop tells me "Hey dude, High Stress Zone." Maybe I'll unpack the reasons for that stress later, but in the meantime I am looking forward to enjoying the Diamond Dawg Classic with David. He loves it! 

On the way out of town we stopped by the church building where I serve as pastor, and a conversation with a trusted friend got me to thinking that I need to figure out what might be causing me to have some of my own clogged pipes. (Did you follow my thinking - if so that might be scary) I'm not talking about physical pipes in my body so don't worry about having to read some description of my recent gastrointestinal mechanisms. Instead, I'm talking about spiritual pipes. You see, sometimes it feels like my life is like a house with good plumbing overall but some minor issues here and there. The water source is strong, the foundation is solid, and in most places, the water runs clear and life-giving. But in a few lines, something slows the flow. You can sense it. The pressure changes, the rhythm shifts, and you know something’s clogging the line, even if you can’t yet see what or where. 

That’s where I’ve found myself lately. I noticed it several months ago and thought my plans to work it out would prove effective. Then, others began to notice, and that's what my good friend today as well as another last week, plus my family in general called out. The me I know keeps hiding somewhere for some reason, and others wonder what might be happening in Pooh corner. Thus, the journey back here. Maybe you would also enjoy the movie Christopher Robin to better understand the connection. 

Back to my pipes. I hold awareness that the Spirit’s water is still running in my life, but not as freely in a few places. I can’t yet identify the source, and I’m open to the possibility that part of it may be completely in me. Honestly, sometimes that thought brings anxiety back into my life, because I sense the clog could be something I can’t fix on my own.

When that tension rises, it sometimes comes out as frustration or even anger. And I know that, from the outside, that can seem hypocritical or unpastoral and unchristian. I don’t take that lightly. I want to be transparent here. I am confessing that inconsistency and expression to the Lord and working with Him to manage those responses in real time — learning to pause, to listen, and to let His Spirit calm what my heart wants to fix too quickly. These moments are reminders that undershepherds are still sheep too, finding ourselves still learning, still growing, still dependent on grace.

The good news is that the foundation is solid, and the water source, the Spirit of God, never fails or dries up. We’re not dealing with a broken house but just a few pipes that need attention. And I’m learning that attending to them doesn’t mean forcing a fix; it means slowing down, staying humble, and trusting God to reveal what He sees in His time.

So I’m paying attention. I’m praying. And I’m asking the Lord to clear what’s clogged, in me and in us, so that the water of His grace can move freely again, bringing renewed unity, health, and fruit for Christ.

If you’ve ever found yourself feeling that same mixture of longing and frustration, take heart. The flow may slow, but the Source is still strong. And grace has a way of finding its way through.

From My Heart

I share this because I believe transparency invites grace. I also share this with some fear. Trust does not come easily for me, and past relational hurt screams for me to stop typing and definitely do not post. I am choosing grace and authenticity with the hope that my friends and family sees me as one fully and not just as the me I try to portray. 

Even when my tone feels heavy or my expression seems sharp, what’s beneath it is care and a deep burden of responsibility. Beneath what could be a strong and maybe rough exterior lies a longing for God’s best, not control; for life, not pressure. My prayer is simple: that I will walk with others in humility and love, trusting the Lord to clear what only He can, and letting His living water run freely through every part of my life.

If anything in this reflection stirs a question or concern, please know I’m open to conversation. I welcome it actually, with the same grace and compassion I hope to offer, and the same grace and compassion I also need to receive.

For Righteousness

Have you ever wondered why the cook seldom comes to the table as hungry as everyone else? One day it dawned on me watching my Mamaw cook and then sit down to a meal. She never seemed to be as hungry as others gathered around the table, and on this particular day, I realized the reason for this crazy situation. Mamaw nibbled a lot while she cooked, tasting and seasoning, and of course, stirring. All of her nibbling made her almost full well before the true meal began. As a result, her food began to settle as she ate smaller portions. Then, when everyone else was filled with the plentiful feast, she was ready for a healthy portion of dessert. Others, just a small piece. Now I know the truth. The reason she was always ready for dessert immediately following the meal is because the main part of her meal happened an hour or so before.

I'm like Mamaw when it comes to my spiritual life. I do a lot of nibbling. A podcast here and there. A 20 minute message. A challenging quote. A quiet time rushing me into my day. I wonder if you nibble as well.

Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Mathew 5:6). Hungering and thirsting for right standing with God paints quite a different picture from the nibbling that simply tides us over to the next snack. Too often, my commitment to a right standing with God is like deciding to get healthy and quit eating ice cream. I do it for a while, but then I start to miss the ice cream. I know that the spare tire around my middle won't go away without discipline, yet the allure of Gold Medal Ribbon, Rocky Road, or a Spanish Sundae pulls with greater intensity the more I resolve to stay away.

Satan knows just how to get us full before we are satisfied. He soothes our hunger with relationships, with reading posts on social media, with random quotes and devotions that pop up from time to time. He fuels our hunger with politics, with press, with piety, and with petty arguments. In the end, we settle for tidbits of God rather than transformation from God. Or at least I do. Do you? Satan is a professional when it comes to tricking our spiritual hunger into feeling satisfied by the nibbling, tasting, and stirring that happens occasionally in our lives. We think that because we got small pieces of something healthy we must be well nourished. Jesus disagrees, and I desperately want to be on His side of spiritual health.

Sunday in our worship gathering we talked about three keys to being satisfied, and this week I am trying to meditate on those and consider how to make them more of a reality in my life. The three keys were

1. Satisfy desire with substance - stop nibbling, and dig into the main dish - the living and active Word of God.

2. Seek perfection over pleasure - stop reading posts and press for agreement - instead look deep into the word for challenges to our current way of thinking - generational sin and biased can be changed if we will open our minds to what the Spirit teaches from His Truth.

3. Season truth with love - Spices make foods a lot more palatable - who eats a plain potato and really enjoys it? The seasoning of love can make truth more palatable to the world around us. Truth is essential for health, and love is essential for hearing. I pray that I will cease being bland and instead will be a pleasing tasting of Christ to those around me.

Blessed - satisfied - those words sound ever so sweet. Are they possible? Jesus offers a resounding "YES." Hunger and thirst after righteousness, and you will be both blessed and satisfied. Amen.

Eighteen

In case you are wondering, none of the tricks actually work. No matter how hard you try you will never be able to stop time. Of course, during this quarantine for COVID 19 we may all feel that time has come to a grinding halt, but with all of the cancellations COVD 19 has brought our way, the one cancellation I was hoping for pressed on and pressed hard. Today marks the day when the world became a better place for me and for many others. May 29, 2002, my precious Caroline Donnelle Permenter entered the world with a heart of independence and passion. Oh how I thought I could hold onto every moment, while all along the moments were slipping by.

New born became preschool which became elementary school which became middle school which became high school which now will become college. Why are our lives marked by the educational levels we have reached and surpassed? We have pictures to remind us of school plays, of dances (my daughter is the most beautiful dancer you will ever see, by the way - and of course, I am not biased), of sporting events, of birthday parties, of proms, and of so much more. Photographs fail to grasp the most important part of humanity and more specifically the most important part of my princess.

Deep beyond the shutter, the flash, the negatives (for those who are older) and deep beyond the three cameras of the latest iPhone (for those who are quite a bit younger), a daring and brave little girl waits for the next chapter of her life. Deep behind the smile, a caring and brave young woman anticipates all the future holds. Deep, deep in her soul, one blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places reaches forward to embrace life to the fullest.

Because of Caroline's life, friends have been encouraged. Because of her life, a little brother has been protected. Because of her life, an older brother has learned to deal with various emotions (which will aid him greatly as he enters marriage in a few months.) Because of Caroline, younger girls have grown deeper in their walk with Christ and Christian leaders have been challenged to be true to their own teachings. Because of Caroline some children who are victims of trauma will have a caring advocate working to help them recover and rebound. Because of Caroline I have seen the value in taking an honest look at life and doing the hard work to change a trajectory heading toward destruction. Because of Caroline I have seen what a Christ follower with a bold tenderness can do in a world that rejects you more times than you might prefer. When I write "because of Caroline," I am thinking "because of Christ in Caroline" because when I take time to stop and consider who she really is, I see Jesus - and more than anything seeing Jesus in her makes me smile.

I have a playlist on my phone entitled "Caroline." The time I lost with her during a trying part of our family's history provides the context for the playlist. As the songs resonate in my inner being, I am challenged to take every moment and ask "What now?" No one can change the past, but we can certainly adjust the future. Two songs on the playlist are Cinderella by Stephen Curtis Chapman and My Wish by Rascal Flatts. Caroline and I used to dance together to Cinderella, and My Wish reflects much of what I hope for her moving forward. What is my wish for Cinderella? My wish is that midnight would never come. My wish is that she would know deep in her soul that she is a princess no matter what the world may tell her. My wish is that she would embrace her belonging in the world, with her friends, in her church, in life. My wish is that the evil of so called high school friends would make her stronger and more discerning. My wish is that any pain I have caused from the mistakes of figuring out life after my own trauma will diminish and blossom into a beautiful rose. My wish is that above all Caroline will love the Lord her God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength, and that she will love her neighbor as herself. What a blessing the Lord gave me 18 years ago to participate in the life of this dynamic, distinct, deep spirited, dearly loved lady.

Happy Birthday Caroline.

If I Have To Be Lonely

For some reason a common theme surfaces early in the morning when I am able to sit a while and mediatate on the goodness and mercy of the Lord in my life. Relishing His presence, I long for deeper and more meaningful time with Him. As the sun rises and the birds begin their chorus, the stillness of the moment hangs in the balance. Soon life will begin and chaos will likely storm into the moment. Chaos refuses to carry a pattern. Any disruption to solitude can be chaos. Even pleasant disruptions break the calm, and in an instant, chaos, whether managed chaos, organized chaos, or hot mess chaos forces the quiet away until another time. The calm hides while the chaos hurries in, and the common theme hunts for a bridge between the two. Folks I hear from feel it. Articles are being written about it. COVID 19 has made the subject even more popular. Some seek help, and others send messages. Some choose to avoid the feeling with substance or suicide. Both are happening in greater numbers lately. The emotional pandemic fights against discrimination and affects families and individuals from all walks of life. Economic status? No discrimination. Race? No discrimination? Religious background? None here either. Christ follower or not? Nope, the pandemic doesn’t discriminate even at that deepest level.

Loneliness invades our being and does things to our emotions and bodies that even the best psychologists are still trying to understand. While scientists work to understand the various effects of a virus, loneliness travels deeper and deeper into our core and wins battle after battle in a world where many are forced by fear or caution or sickness or compassion to be alone. The lonely know a secret about the virus. Loneliness can be asymptomatic at times. In a crowded grocery store, a jammed theme park, a full worship gathering, a classroom, or a senior prom people are infected without others knowing it. Loneliness doesn’t pass from person to person in the same form it holds within us. Usually loneliness passes to others as anger, bitterness, harshness, aloofness, shyness, quietness, or any other “ness” you can think of. Loneliness remains, often, undiagnosed because it is so well disguised.

Reba McEntire (you knew she had to surface again at some point, right?) sings a song with this lyric, “If I have to be lonely, I’d rather be lonely alone.” Most who suffer from this emotional weight agree with her statement. Being lonely in a crowd intensifies the pain. Better to be alone and have a reason for the feeling than surrounded by activity and beat yourself up about why you can’t seem to enjoy the moment, right?

During my time with the Lord this morning, I was reading one of Max Lucado’s books, Traveling Light. As he always does, he brought Psalm 23 to life. One part in particular he focused on was “for you are with me.” That’s when he talked about loneliness, and the Lord reminded me that as a Christ follower I am never really alone. Perhaps I feel alone. Maybe physically I am alone. With the Holy Spirit, though, I am never really alone. Now that truth doesn’t always make everything okay. Don’t be tricked into more shame for not being able to “snap out of it” just because some author reminds you of God’s presence. Likely, you already knew in your mind that God is always with His children. What we know in our minds does not always connect with what we feel in our souls. What the truth does, however, is point us to a raft. Perhaps it’s a tiny, poorly built raft, but the raft floats. It’s a little far on the ocean of our pain, but if we can just draw from His strength for a moment perhaps we can get to the raft. Give it a try. Breathe deep and make some movement. It can be like treading water at first. If that is all you can muster, then tread like never before. Treading will keep your head above water. Now begin to move forward. No need to go too fast. We aren’t swimming in the Olympics here. We are just swimming to survive. Once you get to the raft, hold on. No need to climb yet. Baby steps. Now climb on. The raft reminds me of the cross. Jesus gave His life on a rugged (not so tiny and unfortunately very well built) cross so we could have something to see in the middle of our loneliness that could bring us hope. Where will the raft take us? Likely somewhere different for each of us, so at this point the blog becomes yours. How does your story continue? Maybe take a minute and journal some thoughts about your loneliness, your raft, and the rest of your journey.

I’m on my raft. I see some others. Paddling along moving somewhere. Anywhere. Do you see others? Alone, but also together. Working to get to the arms of Jesus and suddenly realizing that we aren’t the ones paddling the raft. His arms are doing the work for us. Be encouraged today.

Thrown In

Rarely in our lives do we have the chance to watch history unfold and to recognize that we are part of something that will change the world forever. Sometimes we live in the moment and later come to understand the impact of the experience on society. Other times the dramatic impact slows down the pace of life and forces us to stop and consider what the future will hold. We are living in one of those times now as the year 2020 enlightens us with a reminder that we are not in control of much in this world. As human beings, we boast of our intelligence and our might. We live in the worlds we have made and convince ourselves that we are in charge. This COVID 19 crisis requires us, however, to embrace a new way of thinking and to adapt to a new way of living. How we choose to respond will in large part determine the quality of our lives moving forward. What will we do? Will we resist the pull of the future or will we jump in and engage with what lies ahead?

John 21 gives life to an experience that some men had thousands of years ago after they experienced an event that would change the world forever. The death and resurrection of Jesus brought their world to a screeching halt, and they spent time considering what their future would hold. These men found themselves pondering whether they would embrace a new way of thinking and adapt to a new way of living or if they would, rather, resist the pull of the Holy Spirit in their lives into a whole new world.

Seven of the remaining eleven disciples decided to go fishing for the day, and like many fishing excursions, they caught nothing. As they were about ready to give up, a man called out to them from the seashore, inquiring about their catch. As they relayed their sad story, the man suggested that they cast their net on the right side of the boat. They did so, and a miraculous load of fish filled their nets. John realized the man was not just any man, but instead, they were seeing Jesus for the third time since his resurrection. He looked to Peter, and he said, "It is the Lord." The narrative reveals that Peter immediately threw himself into the water to get to Jesus. He jumped all in, embracing the future like never before.

Many interesting thoughts surface as I read this chapter. Questions like, "what is the significance of Jesus' third appearance to them?" Raised after three days. Peter's third denial before the rooster crowed. Questions like, "what prompted them to go fishing this day?" Just looking for something to do. Going back to the comfort of the familiar. Another interesting thought circles my mind when I visualize Peter throwing himself into the water. Rash behavior characterized Peter's life from the little we read of him in the gospels. His boldness often got him into hot water, but this time he literally chose to dive in.

When Jesus called Peter to follow him, Peter threw himself into the miracles and the mystery of Christ. Peter's experience with Jesus opened his eyes to a world he had never known before. A relationship with God filled with more than religion captured his heart, and he found himself following with reckless abandon. When soldiers arrested Jesus, Peter threw himself into a mess of confusion, at times fighting back while at other times running away. This day on the sea introduced a new opportunity for Peter. This time he threw himself into the mercy of Jesus. For the first time since his denial, Peter would spend significant time with Jesus over a meal. The other appearances allowed the disciples to see Jesus alive, but this appearance would allow them to see Jesus live - and would allow them to decide if they would live with him or without him. Peter threw himself into the mercy of Jesus not knowing what the future would hold. Seemingly, he decided the only hope he had was Mercy, and if there was no Mercy from Jesus there would be no meaning for his life.

How is your time alone panning out? Are you anxious or restless? Have you filled your days with virtual work and extended your hours into the evening? Eating more and exercising less? Have you taken the time yet to stop and to reflect on Jesus? This COVID induced retreat allows us to ask ourselves some challenging questions about our walk with the Lord. What have we thrown ourselves into? Miracles, mystery, mess? Or Mercy? Could I invite you to consider along with me using this next week to bathe in the Mercy of Christ? At this point we all could use His Mercy. At this point we all could share His Mercy.

The nets are empty. Loneliness, job loss, financial stress, health issues. Empty. Listen ..... "Cast your night on the right side ...... that's where you will find Mercy." Overwhelming mercy fills the net. "It is the Lord!" Will you throw yourself into the water and swim to the feet of Jesus?

The Heart Of Worship

Do you remember the song, Heart Of Worship? It first appeared on the worship scene late 1990's and early 2000's. Maybe you've never heard the song at all. If you are interested in listening, click on this link. The song takes us into a reflective moment of what worship truly means. Romans 12:1-2 come to mind.

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

A contemporary worship service introduced me to the song, Heart of Worship. Lights, cameras, and staging surrounded the band, and as they went from upbeat sounds into this thoughtful tune, the lights dimmed to prepare our senses for what would come next. A quiet space encompassed the crowd as coffee cups settled nicely onto the floor. Hands began to be raised as voices lifted words of praise and affirmation to the God of Creation that our worship was really about nothing other than being in His presence. Pure intent tells me the song was meant to create a movement among God's people of focusing more on the Creator than the created environment in the room at any given moment. What happened?

History certainly repeats itself, and the historical struggle in the church over worship provides another example of the cycle. Over the last twenty years, we as God's people have been blessed with worship music, creative arts, and powerful messages that engage our minds, our bodies, our emotions, and sometimes our souls. Crowds gather regularly to connect with one another, to join in singing, and to hear challenging teaching from God's word. Or at least they used to gather. That was before COVID 19. The way things used to be. One generation's story to tell a new generation. A front porch pondering as folks remember what it was like "in the good ol' days." Large buildings turned into convention centers or museums much like we see when we travel to Europe - or when we used to travel to Europe. We are at a moment in time that will be a pivot point, a reference point, a new chapter in the virtual school books of the future.

Could the introduction of the song Heart of Worship during another pivotal time in history (Y2K) have been a prophetic foreshadowing or even a warning that we as Christ followers desperately need to connect with the Holy Spirit on more than a physical and emotional level? Could the Spirit have been calling us into a deeper relationship with Him that we somehow missed? Instead of letting the music fade and all be stripped away, we created flashier sets, bought more lights, tuned more instruments, added more flair. Instead of bringing messages from God's word that helped us grow deeper, we filled the space with words about happy marriages, fulfilling our dreams, fighting against society's evil. What if we heard the call for a more intimate relationship with Christ and have settled for a pornographic mockery of what it really means to worship Him?

Our time at home during this pandemic and economic shutdown challenges our belief system. John 20:24-29 tells the story of Thomas wanting his own experience with Jesus. He refused to settle for the experience of his friends. Jesus received Thomas and allowed him into his personal space. Oh I long to be in Jesus' personal space. From posts on social media and comments in other places, many in the body of Christ are waiting for the gatherings to resume before engaging with the Spirit. Many spiritual journeys are on hold. What could happen if the Lord allowed this shutdown to continue until He got our attention? What if gatherings were closed until we realized that worship is not about where we gather or who we are with? What if the music, the media, and the messages are more of a distraction than a help? What if the Lord is wanting to speak into our hearts and is trying desperately to get into our lives through the noise? What if we lived in a place where worship gatherings were always prohibited? Are we only able to worship because we were born in a free country? Would we be able to know God if we lived in Asia or the Middle East where the noise would invite possible death?

Working from home, schooling from home, and finding ways to occupy our time during this stay at home part of our lives does not always mean quiet time. We still may have to work to find time to be still. Now is the time. Revival and renewal can start today right where you are in your chair, on your porch, by your pool, in your yard - wherever you are. If we would pour ourselves into being living sacrifice and meet the Lord in a personal way without the distraction of everything else around us, revival would begin. And then what if your neighbor did the same thing? And then her neighbor? And then his neighbor? Now it's your neighborhood. Then your community. Then your church even in various places. Perhaps this time in history can become known as the Bug That Brushed Casual Christianity to the Curb.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose." (ESV)