Get Pumped!

We started our new worship series on Sunday, "Get Pumped!" It is on three texts from 1 Corinthians. I shared that I wanted to talk about "Why I Love First Farragut" as we celebrated the one year anniversary of our "Stepping Stones to the Future" campaign. I was drawn to 1 Corinthians because I was looking for what Paul shared with the churches. He always starts out his letters with a Thanksgiving, even when he's going to have to share some things that might be hard to hear. After reading Paul's Thanksgiving for the Corinthians, I saw that 1 Corinthians is featured in the lectionary as the readings for January and February. So, I read those texts as well. What happened was: I read 1 Corinthians + it was the lectionary for this time + our Stepping Stones Celebration + coming off "Becoming" (our last series) + my working out + doing cardio + watching what I eat + losing weight + getting in better shape = this series, "Get Pumped!"

That's what I think Paul is doing with the Corinthians -- he's pumping them up. Later he's going to let them have it. But right here in the first part of Corinthians, he's pumping them up. I connected "Why I Love First Farragut" to four of Paul's pumps: 1) I give thanks to my God always for you because ... of the "testimony about Christ was confirmed among you" (1:6). I Love First Farragut because you step with commitment. 2) I give thanks to my God always for you because ... "you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1:7). I Love First Farragut because you step with sacrifice. 3) I give thanks to my God always for you because of the ... "grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge" (1:4). I Love First Farragut because you step with faith. 4) I give thanks to my God always for you because ... "you are not lacking in any spiritual gifts" (1:7). I Love First Farragut because you step with vision.

BIT: On Sunday we celebrated that First Farragut United Methodist Church now owes less than $3 million dollars!

No Ninjas

We got my son's report card. He is in kindergarten and has struggled with keeping his hands to himself, respecting others, disrupting the class, not listening, not following directions ... yet, he is incredibly bright. His first report card reflected both of these attributes. He got all fantastic grades in subject areas and then the conduct grades: N in class, N in music, N in Art. Each day he brings home a face representing his conduct that day. He gets a smiley face if he's been good, a dot face (dot for a mouth) if he's been corrected twice, a line face if he's been corrected four times, or a sad face (which he has not gotten). Slowly the string of smiley faces has increased ... 2 in a row ... 3 in a row ... 4 in a row ... 5 in a row (his Aunt Jen got him a prize for the monumental feat). Recently, we got to 7 in a row.

So, on this recent report, we got all "S's" in conduct. And we celebrated!!!

Then it happened. The little girl would not share her crayons. My son did not use his manners, he did not tell the teacher, he took action. We came home with a note and a dot face.

As part of his corrective measures, we asked him to write the little girl an apology letter. He likes to write and began drafting the letter. My wife asked him what he was doing, as she could not make out what he was writing/drawing. He replied that he was drawing a ninja. To which my wife said, "We don't draw ninjas on apology letters." It struck me as funny. Who goes into parenting thinking that some day they will put together that sentence, "We don't draw ninjas on apology letters."

I guess ninjas on a letter would not convey sorrow for an action. His ninja (which he drew after completing the apology letter without illustrations) was quite good -- better than my ninja could ever hope to be.

BIT: How often do our apologies contain a ninja? Sometimes we know we should apologize but really don't feel like it was completely our fault. It's like we want to say, "I'm sorry, but ...". Can there be "buts" in an apology? Jesus was teaching about what to do when a brother or sister wrongs you. Peter trying to get his mind around what Jesus was teaching asked a question:

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive
someone who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you,
not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

No, Jesus didn't address the question about the appropriateness of ninjas in an apology. But I'm thinking he would say what my wife said, "We don't draw ninjas on apology letters." And, if by chance we get an apology letter with a big ninja on it. Forgive, "not just seven times, but seventy-seven times." But make sure you keep the ninja. You never know if the artist might become famous.

Overflows

All of this talk about filling cups and saying "when", reminded me of one of my favorite scriptures. It is psalm 23. Of course all of psalm 23 is wonderful, but I'm especially fond of verse 5.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

As I think about my family, about my wonderful place of work and worship -- First Farragut -- about my home and community, about the resources God has given to me ... I feel this scripture. The imagery I have: God is pouring wonderful things into my life -- sure there are things that get in the way (enemies), things that get me down and confuse and frustrate me -- but there are so many good things. I'm a welcomed guest at God's table (which really is enough in and of itself). I say to my God "when ... that really is enough". However, God keeps on pouring. My cup overflows with blessings.

BIT: My God is an Extravagant God. Thanks First Farragut for another wonder-filled year. I'm looking forward to serving with you in 2011. I believe God's got some really great things in store for us.

Enough

Yes, I know it's the title to our recent worship series and congregational study, but I want to take a little different slant with "enough". Our series was about finding joy and generosity in contentment and simplicity. "What is enough?" was the question we were asking.

Enough means "an adequate quantity" or "as much as necessary". Sometimes it is used in a way that expresses that someone has had more than what is "adequate" or more than what is "necessary." I'm reminded of the movie, "Regarding Henry". The main character, Henry, played by Harrison Ford, suffers a wound that changes his life. He has to relearn everything. One of the things he learns is "an adequate quantity" when his secretary starts adding milk to his cup and says, "say when". Henry is confused about what she is asking him to do and he doesn't say "when" even as he has "an adequate quantity". The milk runs over the side of the cup. His secretary tells him to say "when" when you have "enough".

Later in the movie, Henry discovers that he is not going to be able to continue to work at the law firm where he had become somewhat of a legend. So he says good bye to his bosses and then goes to say good bye to his secretary, Jessica. Jessica asks him, "Mr. Turner what happened?" Henry replies, "Well, I had enough, so I said 'when'."

There are times when we feel like we've had more than enough ... more than what we can process. The challenge is to say "when" with grace and to say "enough" before the milk spills over the side.

BIT: Today I had my second 30 minute fitness session with Colemun. I should have known I was in trouble when one of the first exercises I did was called "surrender." In Literature, I believe this is called foreshadowing. I am sad to say that during the second dreaded "plank", I had had enough. "Grace" would not be the way I would characterize my "when" as I collapsed onto the floor. You would think there would be a break time. A short recess. No. On we went to do something with the name "death" in it. Colemun's idea of a break is a fast lap around the room. I remember during one of those laps praying that we would not do anything else involving my 40 year old arms. As God does with a lot of my prayers ... more arms.

BITTER: After forgoing the recommended stretching, I made my way somewhat dramatically home. Yes, "The Biggest Loser" would have had some really good footage of me trying to pull myself up the stairs to get into our jacuzzi bathtub. [Congregation members, please note that every parsonage or pastor's residence should be outfitted with a jacuzzi tube ... make it happen] And then poured in the "Juicy Pomegranate and Mango Infusions." (It was all VERY manly) All because I didn't know when to say enough. But, I must be making progress. I HAVE to be making progress. Well, at least I'm getting my money's worth.

Ouch

This is a follow up to a recent post. Yesterday I had my first full workout session with my fitness coach, Colemun. This is my new accountability method of getting into shape. A few days ago I had a half session. Most of the time was spent weighing, testing, and setting goals. Then we did some stretching and exercise. After that session I thought, "that's not so bad." Nothing like "The Biggest Loser." I didn't sob, or fall off any machinery in exhaustion, or puke (I feel like if they show it on TV, surely I can talk about it ... but I'll not mention it again).

Yesterday was a different story. I had a thirty minute session and Colemun quickly let me know that I was going to get my money's worth. It was his objective to see how much of a full hour-long session he could fit into 30 minutes. All of it is somewhat of a blur. I do remember Colemun mentioning that I had broken a sweat (everyone loves a smart alec). And 20 seconds into holding what I believe was my 15th plank maneuver he asked me if I had another 10 seconds. I believe I said, "I don't know." His response was, "I'll take that as a yes." It was not a "yes", but I did make it.

In the previous blog entry, I shared the wisdom of a friend -- that sometimes we can't do it on our own. We have to have help to make the changes. My help is that I know there is no way in the world I would push myself to the extent that Colemun pushes me. I would have shortened each exercise to a more comfortable number of repetitions. I definitely would not hold the "plank" anywhere near as long as Colemun makes me hold it. He is my helper, even though his help is painful.

BIT: Sometimes the healing and wholeness can only come through struggle and pain. Today, I can still feel my workout from yesterday. No pain No gain. I should be gaining.

Days of our Lives

Today I'm thinking about the signature phrase from the soap opera, "Days of our Lives". You know it -- say it with me -- "Like sands through the hour glass, so are the Days of our Lives." The reason I'm thinking about this strange topic is that it really hit me today -- so often there is so much we don't know. One of the reasons we don't know is that we don't stop and take the time to figure it out. We allow the days to just fly by and they lack impact.

Our worship series "Keepin' It Real: A Life-giving Christmas has been helping me to keep perspective and to prioritize the "real" things. This past Sunday our congregation "kept it real" as we reached out to so many who are struggling this Christmas through our Community Christmas Dinner. It was one of those days that have impact.

Take time to stop. Figure out (praying really works) what's "real". Allow our "days" to have impact. Happy Holy Days!

BIT: Great "Keepin' It Real" lunch with my PI and two of three Angels ... Charlie.

Appointment

Those who have followed this blog for a while will remember that I started 50 in 5 about 5 months ago. It was my program to lose 50 pounds in 5 months. On December 1, after 5 months, I weighed, knowing that I was no where near my goal. In 5 months I managed to gain 1.5 pounds. A friend of mine reminded me recently that sometimes we can't do it on our own. With the encouragement of some of the staff at work and an angel (messenger from God) from our congregation, I sent an email for help.

So, I have an appointment tomorrow at 4:40 p.m. to meet with an organization which tortures people into getting fit and healthy. Notice that I have some psychological work to do in this regard. I know that I need to lose some weight. I know that I need help. 50 in 5, my program for losing weight failed. Someone once said, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

BIT: For me it's more like, "If at 30th you don't succeed, by all means don't give up. Try, Try, again." I'm going to get there.