The Preacher's Voice

Talking to a friend the other day I was reminded of a childhood memory and how the preacher has two voices. (confession time)


There’s this distinct voice mode *southern Baptist preachers go into at a certain point in their message (or sermon) … as a child when he hit the genesis of that sound he was heading into the highway of preaching, which meant it was my time to travel the roadway of mental imagery and enter into daydream mode. I always made sure I had a hand-fan with beautiful scenery conducive to allowing my imagination to soar. Staring into the scene on that fan my world would transform. The visions of my mind’s eye took me to variant places, adventures and experiences I hoped to one day fulfill.


I lived for the moment when that sound came; it meant my body would still be in church, but my mind was teleported into a conscious state of excitement traveling the world over; being the character in my latest book or creating one I wanted to be. Now as an adult when I hear that sound I tend to zone out, no longer daydreaming but wondering—what is the purpose for that sound. It would excite the church people into all kinds of amen noises, some would even rise to their feet and commence into the spirit mode known as "shouting". I half-watched in amused curiosity but was more drawn to my fantasy and never really heard or understood the point the message or the emotions that voice evoked from the congregants.


However, before the preacher reached that mode he would introduce his topic and give scriptural and/or personal examples; he would talk—and I would hear him, I listened and was interested; that was the voice mode that held my focus on the preacher and what he was saying; it is the voice I would now call—the teaching voice. I’ve already confessed what happens when he goes into the other mode; which I call—the preaching voice. Growing up I liked both voices, they afforded me the opportunity to do two things in church—to learn, and to daydream.


As I matured in my walk with the Lord, I realized I gained more from a teaching voice than a preaching voice.


What about you...



*I say “southern Baptist preacher” because I grew up in the south and it is the basis of my experience.

The Light

Where are you when the light shines on you

Are you standing in the shadows so only a portion of you captures the light

Are you standing full blown so all of you displays the light

How are you capturing the light

Where are you

Are you like the lampstand that’s hidden under a bushel

Are you a mighty tower shining on a hill

So in the face of darkness you know how to stand strong and still

                                  

Almost

...the beauty I seek

That Renaissance Man

I’m ready for that Renaissance Man

The one that descends from the spirit of the Almighty

The one that soars on the wings of an eagle

Embracing the storm on a quiet sea

I’m ready for that man that will look beyond the obvious

And see the best in me

That renaissance man that gives his all to Thee

That knows when to laugh—and knows how to cry

He can touch the soul of my heart with the look in his eye

That renaissance man that can reason the answer to the question—why

That man that governs his home serving the Master on high

I’m ready for that renaissance man

The one that descends from the creator of the earth and sky

He prevails in the waters that run very deep

He conquers the mountains when they get a little steep

He knows when to slow down and rest in peaceful sleep

Where is that renaissance man

The one that in marriage will come and take my hand

Love me in obedience according to the Master’s plan

The Master—where he draws his strength to carry me through the sinking sand

I’m ready for my renaissance man

That man—the one who only exists in Jesus

The Message Butterfly

As a butterfly lover and nature photographer I long to capture a butterfly gliding effortlessly in the air with a beautiful background. My cousin has a green thumb that produces a beautiful yard in front and back, so butterflies constantly add to the scene. I’ve been watching them all summer and sometimes chasing them like a small child, not to capture them in my hand as I did when I was a child; but to capture them with my camera. I was successful one day in making a capture, however, without the beautiful background (see my post Answered Prayer). This morning was no different; I’m sitting on the front patio watching them flying around just out of my reach with the backdrop I desire but again so swift it’s hard to capture the full scene.  

 The difference in this morning as I sit on the patio they are flying around amid my praying and texting prayer warriors to pray for a family crisis. I’m teetering on the edge of worry when suddenly, a butterfly flutters right up in front of me, about a foot from my face…he paused for a quick second like he was talking to me. He didn’t linger long... just long enough for me to want to get a photograph but couldn’t because I was in the middle of texting.

 After I prayed and sent the messages, I couldn’t stop thinking about how close I came to getting the shot I’ve been wanting all summer; then I realized he came not to be photographed, he came bearing a message…to keep me calm and not to worry; God’s got this! He was a messenger that did not have to speak words, the beauty in his wings against the blueness of the sky spoke volumes that confirmed God’s control.

 Thank You Lord.

 

The Gate

Answered Prayer

I’ve been watching the Monarchs flying around the yard all summer waiting for one to light on a flower and stay there long enough for me to capture a photo. Their movement is usually so swift it’s hard to capture, and they would never light on a bloom. I eventually stopped following them because my attempts were futile.

Watching them this morning I thought soon they will migrate, and I won’t see them anymore. Without a second thought I spontaneously said, "Lord please let me get a shot before they leave".

God is faithful...He hears, and He answers. I followed one...it was like he knew what I wanted; or, was he being obedient to the voice of God; he slowed down—and even perched on a bloom; on second look it wasn’t a bloom, it was a leaf. How astounding is that! Even more astounding he allowed me to capture him in an area of the yard that is the least beautiful. Nonetheless, I was excited! To my delight this is what I captured:

God answers even the smallest of prayers...

and teach us lessons in the answer.

1. The swiftness of the butterfly
2. My futile chase
3. Acknowledging my desire to God in a spontaneous request
4. The butterfly cooperating, choosing a barren site to land
5. Lighting on a leaf instead of a bloom
6. I stumble trying to get a closer view but don't fall
7. My eventual victory

What Does God Look Like

What does God look like…

He looks like joy when there’s no reason to be joyful
He looks like peace in the midst of a storm
He looks like praise going up from wherever you are
He looks like strength in your moments of weakness
He looks like power when your strength is gone
He looks like courage when fear is overwhelming
He looks like victory in times of adversity
He looks like compassion caring for a broken heart
He looks like kindness intentional and unintentional
He looks like laughter when sadness reigns
He looks like sacrifice when you want to do your own thing
He looks like justice when you do the right thing
He looks like truth when it’s easier to tell a lie
He looks like honesty when you unveil the beauty hidden under the mask
He looks like forgiveness when you’re too hurt to forgive
He looks like the love of a mother cradling her newborn child
He looks like healing on a grief-stricken face
He looks like the smile of a homeless man when given a hand up to a better place
He looks like mercy abounding with grace
He looks like radiance shining in a believer’s face—wrapped in unconditional love

He is not a color

He is not an economic status

He is not a language

He is joy

He is peace

He is praise

He is strength

He is power

He is courage

He is victory

He is compassion

He is kindness

He is laughter

He is sacrifice

He is justice

He is truth

He is honesty

He is forgiveness

He is love

He is healing

He is a smile

He is mercy

He is grace

He is radiance

What does God look like…He looks like love—unconditional

Comfortable Favorites

You ever want to walk up to someone that’s sitting at your favorite table at your favorite Starbucks and say, "excuse me, you’re sitting at my table" all the while smiling politely. That’s how I feel right now, that lady is in my favorite place. 😏

I keep watching for her to leave so I can grab my spot.

With that said we often get stuck in comfortable places. God says branch out, I can bring you comfort in new places.

As I was writing that last sentence I looked up and the lady had been replaced by a couple. When did she leave?! Now I’m forced to stay in this new spot since I didn’t grab my opportunity to get my favorite one back.

Do I like this new spot...not really, it’s not comfortable or familiar; the view is different, the feel is not the same. Is that a bad thing? Probably not. It’s a new experience in the same place with a different perspective. I’m sure there is a lesson in this and could be considered a God moment.

Strange thing...this is the second time this has happened, in separate locations (I have several favorite Starbucks locations with a favorite spot in each one).

The couple finally left and I ceased my opportunity to get my spot, and guess what...it feels good to be home.

Moral: What feels good to you feels good to others too...share the comfort.

What Can We Do

In my previous post I expressed my view on homosexuality. I have since engaged in some research on how the church should respond to this issue. I was struck by a passage I read in a pamphlet entitled “How Should We Respond? - An exhortation to the church on loving the homosexual” By Joe Dallas

"If you have a homosexual loved one, relative, friend or co-worker, you can do them a powerful service by asking them, “What is life like for you? I want to know you. I want to hear about your experience. I want you to know I’m interested in you, not as an object of conversion,  but as someone I care about."

How different could we be if this was our sincere response...I have a whole new perspective on my emotions.

Joe also brought out some very convicting points on how the church has responded and how we should respond. While I’m not faced in my personal space with anyone struggling with this I do see it everyday on the media and wonder how to react if I am faced with it up close and personal. If like me you are wondering how to respond I suggest reading the literature I mentioned above. You can find it among other resources here:  

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/understanding-the-issues/thriving-values-resourcess on the Family