Be Still

There’s nothing quite like having half a verse memorized is there? I was reading in Psalms one morning this week and came across a familiar scripture. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God…” Great songs and poems have been written on those words, but it’s not the whole thought. The verse goes on to say, “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

One whole thought; be still and know that I care about every person and nation on the planet. I got it under control. There are a lot of people out there that are concerned that things are spinning out of control in our country. In our own county, I’ve spoken to local builders, bankers, construction workers, and others who are making less money than they were a year ago, have less than they used to, or have lost jobs completely. Be still.

Being still reminds us that God is in charge, that He cares about us, but it should also remind us that God has the whole world in His hands, not just yours.

He’s a great big God, and no matter what is happening in your life today, He’s got you…Be Still.

New Beginnings

It’s a two ‘wedding’ weekend for me. In a couple hours I have the opportunity to do the wedding for a couple of West Ridgers (Ronda and William) who have been through a lot in life. They have each been married before and are blending families. This time something is different. They have done the hard work of premarital counseling and soul searching and are starting again putting Christ at the center of this relationship. It’s a new beginning.

 Last night I had the opportunity to co-preside over a renewal of vows service (a kind of wedding ceremony) for my friends David and Tara. My friend Matt Willmington helped oversee this one with a pre-recorded reading and prayer. He gets honorable mention for that. David and Tara have walked a road in their marriage that no one would choose in advance, but God has given them victory over the rough road and has created a ‘highway in the wilderness’ (See Isaiah 35).

This ceremony had a couple of themes to it that David and Tara had chosen. One of the most memorable pictures they painted was with the use of color. White was punctuated with the use of the Calla Lilly. Red was punctuated with the use of Red Roses. The Calla Lilly is a symbol of Death. The Rose, a symbol of love and life. For a follower of Jesus, life always follows death.

When you are around David and Tara it becomes very clear that they have put to death old circumstances, and as a result have had new life breathed into them by God himself.

For me both of these couples become living, spectacular reminders that when God is involved the ‘old’ has gone away and a ‘new’ beginning has come.

Everyone Belongs, 

Paul

Introduction

I saw a t-shirt one time that said, “No one cares about your blog.” Hopefully, I’ll never forget that. I can only hope this encourages and edifies (and maybe amuse) a few.

More and more there are thoughts I need to get down. My hope is to edify anyone that reads, and perhaps spur you to action. Specifically, I hope that you would feel an invitation to join me in the work that God has called me to. You may not live near me, but perhaps you’ll be inspired to seek God in your community or ministry context. I am the Local and Global Outreach guy at West Ridge, and I have been given the privilege of forming a new non-profit called, Engage Atlanta. I am passionate about the local church, and I’m incredibly blessed to be a part of West Ridge. I feel an incredibly strong bias for action to try and make the love of God known in Paulding County and Northwest Atlanta.

I love being the Missions guy, because it helps me understand that God is a lot bigger than I thought. It also is one of the most challenging things. The American church should be a launching pad for missions. However, missions test our values and the desires of our heart. I’m learning most people are not desperate enough for people or about the Great Commission to give up their time and their money. We all need to grow together in this one.

God sent me to Burkina Faso last year and I have been ruined by a people and people group that I still barely know. I’ve met men and women of God now in several countries, and regularly pray for leaders in Cuba, Jamaica, Romania, Kenya, Israel and Burkina Faso. You’ll hear about many of them here as well.

So here’s the disclaimer: My wit is dryer than the Sahel in March. Wit and sarcasm don’t always translate in writing, so I’ll try and keep it to a minimum. Please don’t hold it against the church if I say something that you don’t exactly agree with. By the way, if you agree with everything then I’m not doing my job. I’m a Pastor not a politician.

I’m passionate about reading and studying. Currently I’m reading “Wild Goose Chase” by Mark Batterson, and “The First Christmas” by Marcus Borg and Domminic Crossan. I’m not one of those people that could read “The Shack” in one sitting. In fact, I couldn’t finish it. Inevitably, I’ll post about stuff I’m reading.

Finally, the thing I love the most is being a husband and being a Dad. I married my high school sweetheart. She (just like me) gets better looking every day. I still get excited to see her and hear what she has to say every day. She still takes my breath away.

Yep, I’m a Daddy. This is thing I feel the least qualified for, the most challenged by, and the most humbled by. My boys are extraordinary. My oldest Will, has the looks of his Dad and the spirit of his Mom. He loves God and loves people, and his IQ is already higher than mine. Wesley looks nothing like either of us. At three I can tell he has my bent towards sarcasm. Angela calls him her little bulldog, but at the same time he has a tender heart like his mom. Make no mistake, he’ll hurt you. He has my Father-in-law’s hairline. I will be making fun of that for the rest of his natural life.

Ok. Posts will get smaller. May God draw you to Himself from wherever you are.

Everyone Belongs, Paul