Who Defines Your Self-Worth?

I have worked with students in some capacity for the last 13 years and I have found one theme that surfaces in their lives over and over again, self-worth. Self-image and self-esteem impact the guys and the girls, the younger students and the older students. No one is immune. I have also found that this area of concern both for students and the ones that care for and work with them has multiplied exponentially. A recent statistic I came across said that 84% of TV sitcoms have sexual content in them. The growing trend of students asking for plastic surgery for their graduation present or even earlier, the support of parents to provide "safe" environments for alcohol and sex in their homes is alarming to me. The media and the culture in which teenagers find themselves immersed in are sending strong messages about who and what defines their self-worth. Body image issues, diet and exercise issues, popularity issues all strike at the core of a person's self-worth. And yet, I can't help but be reminded about what scripture teaches "All of us are what you made us," says Isaiah. David says, "You formed me in my mother's womb... Body and soul, I am marvelously made." Paul says, "We are God's workmanship, his masterpiece." John reminds us that the Father has lavished us with his love. The challenge for students and adults alike, is to see themselves as God sees them, and to allow God's view of us to define our self-worth NOT the media and culture around us. Like great pieces of art by Van Gogh, Picasso, and others God has made each of us unique and perfect in our own right, for he is the artist that defines our self-worth.

VOL Live at Eddie's Attic

Vigilantes of Love have a new release!! A live disc, recorded earlier this year at Eddie's Attic, a great music venue in Decatur, GA. In college Cyd and I drove up to Decatur to catch a VOL show that was utterly amazing. An intimate setting but a club that has helped a lot of folks in the greater Atlanta area get some coverage and recognition. I wanted to make it to this show, but we just couldn't make it work. The CD is available at www.volsounds.com for only $4.50, a steal to say the least. The newly reformed band is a great mix and balance of their earlier sound with a heaping dose of Bill Mallonee's solo work of the last several years. It just might surpass the VOL live at the 40 Watt in my book. I was listening to it as I finish getting things ready for Wednesday night and realized I hadn't written about it yet.

The thing that's yours for free
Is the thing I need the most
Oh, stifles every boast, every boast
And this thing we cannot speak of
To painful to behold
Oh, this blister soul

First Communion

I preached and led in communion for the first time in a full church service this Sunday. I have served communion to students many, many times, as well as in the contemporary service at FBC. I have even helped deacons distribute the elements in church services and at nursing homes, but Sunday was historic for me. As I prepared what to say, I continually thought about the first time Martin Luther celebrated Mass as an ordained priest. According to the story, Luther was so nervous that he trembled so much the wine in the goblet spilled out all over the floor. Thankfully we don't use goblets and that didn't happen Sunday. It was a wonderful time for me, to get to gather around the Lord's Table to celebrate together. As I was preparing last week, I reread Henri Nouwen's book Can You Drink The Cup?. It is a wonderful book that asks the question that Jesus posed to James and John when they wanted to know if they could sit at Jesus' right hand. In his characteristic style Nouwen weaves the gospel with life to make one see with fresh eyes the way of the Savior. This quote stuck out in my mind, "We need to remind each other that the cup of joy, that precisely what causes us sadness can become the fertile ground for gladness." So often we forget this truth, but the cross is a living reminder of the source of our sadness, the death of our Lord and Savior becoming the source of gladness as we experience new life and walk with him daily. Perhaps as you approach Holy Week you can be encouraged that the difficulty you are going through will eventually turn to praise to God.

What Does the Cross mean to You?

I actually scribbled this down in one of my notebooks a few weeks ago as I was preparing to preach on the sayings of Christ from the cross and leading the Lord's Supper service this coming Sunday, but it has been a little crazy so I haven't had a chance to get it posted till now.

I read something today that asked the question "What comes to your mind when you hear the word cross?" I immediately thought of several song lyrics. "Girl with crimson nails, Jesus round her neck" (U2). "It's not my cross to bear" (Allman Brothers). "Yeah, you cross yourself those three times and step into this skin" (Bill Mallonee). "The Southern Cross" (Crosby, Stills, and Nash).

What does the cross really mean to me? Is it a theological explanation for a major world religion? Is it a piece of jewelry? Is it a metaphor for a burden or a difficult task? Is it a sign of blessing and peace? Is it an empty piece of wood that bore the mangled body of the savior? For me the cross is that symbol that reminds me of the love of God. It is the length to which a loving God went to redeem a stubborn, rebellious sinner like me. The cross has the power to humble me when I become prideful, cheer me when I become downcast, and boost my hope that God's love is bigger than my sin.

The Importance of Story

I am preaching and leading in the Lord's Supper service this Sunday in 2 of our morning services. In preparation I was doing some reading and studying and came across this quote that stuck out in my mind. For Christian faith, what happens in history is important; we believe that God acts in history to provide revelation and salvation. History is not important in all religions. What is important about the Buddha is his teachings, not his story. With Christ it is different. His story, the events of his life, are important to Christians. In fact, they are indispensable for Christian faith. (Fisher Humphreys in Proclaiming the Baptist Vision: Baptism and the Lord's Supper)

Seeing things for the First Time

I am a huge fan of The Black Crowes! I would argue that they are one of the greatest rock bands of the last 2 decades. There mix of gritty rock,laid-back blues, and southern sound are magical. They have a song that says, "Seeing things for the first time, in my life..." Don't you have moments like that when it feels as if you are seeing things for the first time, even though you probably have looked at it several times. I do that a lot with scripture. I will read a passage that I have read dozens of times and then all of a sudden something clicks, something connects with me that didn't before and it is as if I am seeing things for the first time. I think our faith is full of moments that are like that perhaps because it is through our faith that we view everything else. I'm not talking about rose-colored spectacles to put on when the world is dark and gloomy! I'm talking about looking at people around us, situations we encounter, and the world at large through the lens of the cross. Everything we see, do, and experience is because of our faith. Our belief in God shapes everything about our lives not just Sunday mornings. C.S. Lewis wrote, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else" (The Weight of Glory p.140). Do we agree with Lewis? Is our relationship with the Living God something we set to the side or is it the very foundation of our lives?

Bunny Pictures