Beijing 2008

I haven't watched as much of the Olympics this summer as I have in past years but I have watched a little. As a citizen of the United States I've had the opportunity to root for Michael Phelps in his run towards the history books, watch the men's basketball team attempt to reestablish our reputation as a power-house on the court and last night I witnessed little Shawn Johnson perform an almost perfect gold medal performance on the balance beam. I love being an American and I'm thankful for all privileges that being an American affords. What I was again reminded of last night was the grand international stage that the Olymipics always brings into view. I love seeing the athletes from different nations congratulate each other and communicate good will and fair competition on such a public stage. So many countries, so many languages, so many colors and cultures - One God, creator of all. It caused me to reflect on the fact that God does not prefer Americans over people from other nations. We are not special to God because we're Americans. Most American Christians would agree with that statement but few of us live that way. It's almost like we think that as Americans we get to fly first class on God's airline and everyone else is flying coach. We feel a sense of intitlement to the first portion of God's blessings. We would do well to see the world like God sees it. God values all of humanity and they are for whom Christ died. Regardless of the colors on the flag or the language spoken, God loves people and we have been called to do the same.

The first of many...

Good morning all. Or good evening, depending on when you do your reading. This is the first installment of many to come. I titled this blog "Life in the Process" for a few reasons. For those who attend Haven Baptist Church here in Winter Haven you will recognize that this is the title of the first series of sermons that I began preaching since coming here as pastor. The idea of "life in the process" came from a message that I preached from Jeremiah 18 where we looked at Potter working with the clay in order to make something both beautiful and useful to Him. The idea that we walked away with that morning was that we, as believers, can yield to the Potter because of (1) His person, because of (2) His process and because of (3) the product that He intends to make of us. This message was the springboard into the series "Life in the Process" which is a study of the book of James. In James we find the most practical instruction in all of the New Testament. James' letter gives us many lessons that we must learn in order to successfully yield to the Potter as we live our lives in His process.
The process begins for a person when they first yield to God Father through the person of Jesus Christ, God the Son. When we confess Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation by His death and resurrection, we begin our life in the process. God the Holy Spirit takes us and "baptizes" us into the resurrected life of Jesus and we become followers of Christ. God the Father then begins to mold us, like clay, into the product of his choosing for his glory. The process is not easy. The process is not fast. The process is full of pain and suffering and has little, if anything, to do with earthly comfort and pleasure. The process is life here on earth; God making me more like Jesus while we anxiously await His return to earth.
Though the sermon series will soon be over, the process continues. These posts will consist of the things that God is dealing with me about as I live my life in the process. My hope and prayer is that by sharing my thoughts and struggles with you, you will come to know me more but ultimately that you might know God more.