Monday Morning Meanderings
This page contains archives of Pastor Trey Harris' Monday Morning Meanderings, a weekly wandering devotional sent out to NewSong friends and family. If you would like to receive this directly into your email box, please go to the Email NewsLetter button and sign up.
August 18, 2008
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 4:5-6)
As we ponder the next steps NewSong should take, I’m reminded again how important it is to seek wisdom from God. The verses above are probably familiar to most of you. They are from the Book of Proverbs, a book filled with gritty, pithy, down-to-earth sayings concerning life and the living of the same. Proverbs is a treasure-trove of insights to living the godly life.
So often we do exactly the opposite of what the author advises us to do. We choose to NOT trust in the LORD, preferring instead, to rely on our own experiences and imperfect understandings of life. The verse is clear: Trust God, Not Yourself. It sounds foreign to hear these words in a culture that screams for independence and self-aggrandizement. But that’s how God works. God isn’t interested in how much we know or claim to know. God is interested in how much we can learn to depend on Him and His wisdom.
THE KJV translates our verse: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” A pastor friend of mine once told me about a time when he learned to “lean on God for understanding.” My friend likes to sing, but doesn’t sing very well. During his church’s Christmas Cantata, he volunteered to “help out” in the men’s section of the choir. After several rehearsals, he still wasn’t hearing the music and insisted on singing just a little off key. One of the other men in the choir, a huge, barrel-chested bass, offered to help. “Just lean back on me and listen to the music.” My friend thought the request odd at first, but he did as he was told and leaned back on the big man’s chest. As they began to sing, the notes of the song began to resonate through my friend’s body. “As this big man sang,” said my friend, “his voice filled my head and my heart and the notes to the song became alive and all of a sudden I just knew what to sing. I then understood what it meant to lean on God for understanding.”
That’s the way it works with God. When we stop leaning on our own understanding and start leaning on God, we will somehow begin to know what to do. It’s as though God’s wisdom “sings” into our heads and our hearts. And then we just know. I don’t know about you, but I think I’ll be doing a little less leaning on me and a lot more leaning on God this week.
God Bless and Good Fishin’
Pastor Trey
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July 15, 2008
Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act…Put your hope in the LORD. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. (Psalm 37:7, 34)
The theme is repeated over and over again in King David’s song. It seems as if David, too, had reason to pray for patience and hope. You see, I think that’s the key. Patience and hope.
For the Believer to have patience simply as some sort of ethereal character trait is, in my opinion, a waste of everyone’s time. But, if we exercise patience, as David instructs, it becomes a useful implement in our spiritual toolbox.
First, David advises us to be still. Too often we “wait patiently” like the apostles waited in Jerusalem for Jesus’ return. Instead of waiting they busied themselves casting lots to find a replacement for Judas Iscariot. Being still means exactly that: be still. The original Hebrew root for this word means “to be dumbfounded or awestruck”. That involves being still long enough to be overwhelmed by God’s presence.
Wait. Waiting for a doctors’ appointment has become cliché in our culture. But this waiting is a much deeper experience. The idea is that the wait is actually a little painful. It causes discomfort and even some fear. This waiting is serious stuff. It’s our waiting for God to move and our not moving before God moves. No matter how painful that process might become.
Hope in the Lord. This hope is not the empty hope of the gambler “hoping” he wins the lottery. The Apostle Paul describes this hope to the church in Rome: “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:5)
Finally, we are instructed to: “Travel steadily along his path.” In biblical times, in the ancient near east, travel was a precarious undertaking. One was well advised to travel along well a trodden path and not veer from it lest danger from bandits or perilous terrain befall the traveler. David’s advice is prudent for all God followers in every age. Traveling God’s path is safe and secure.
At last we arrive at our desired destination: “the land.” Obviously, the land for David’s reader was the Promised Land. For you and me, it could mean the answer to our prayers, the resolution of a difficult situation or simply experiencing the peace that passes understanding.
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July 7, 2008
3Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:3-6)
Paul’s words to the Philippians ring with joy and hope and expectation. It’s obviously as you read the Book of Philippians that Paul had a special relationship with this church. We church planters tend to be very fond of our people.
The verse I want to call your attention to today is verse 6. Let’s read it again: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
That verse is particularly important for us at NewSong. I don’t think God starts something He isn’t willing to see through to the end. Just think about it for a minute. With the creation of the universe, God didn’t stop until it was all just right. There’s a delicate balance to our environment that wouldn’t be there if God had left the job half done.
This is also true of God’s plan for our salvation. God completed the plan for the salvation of the human race through one man: Jesus Christ. From the virgin birth, to the perfect life, to miraculous signs and wonders, to his substitutionary death on a cross and finally with his victorious resurrection, God completed the good work He started in and through His Son Jesus Christ.
God has begun a good work through NewSong. I’ve seen glimpses of where God is taking us, but I don’t yet know the details of the final outcome. But I do know this: God’s plan for NewSong is bigger and better than you and I can see in the here and now. Even if we can imagine what we will look like ten years down the road, we can’t see all of God’s good work being done in and through NewSong; we might not see it until we get to heaven. So, like Paul we simply have faith, faith that God will indeed “continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Make sure you don’t miss the chance to be part of this “good work” God is doing through NewSong on Old Perkins Road.
Your Pastor and Friend,
Trey
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07.01.08
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. (Colossians 4:2)
Yesterday, Monday (yes, the day I’m actually supposed to write and send the Monday Morning Meandering) Suzanne and I set out for a morning of errand running and appointment keeping. We left the house at around 8:00 AM and didn’t return until almost 3:00 PM. We stopped briefly for lunch and then it was off to another appointment. On the way to each appointment, we were each answering and making phone calls (setting more appointments) and visiting with each other in between. We ended up at Sam’s Club to fill a list of food items, personal goods and whatever sale items without which we couldn’t live. By the time we finally headed home, we were both exhausted and tired and ready for a nap. After a short nap and a BLT for supper, I headed out to wrap up a few last details that weren’t handled earlier and Suzanne settled in to doing Mom stuff as our kids came and went to their various activities.
Whew! And that was a day when nothing unusual or out of the ordinary happened. It was a day in the life of the Harris family.
To the church at Colosse, the Apostle Paul wrote: “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” (Colossians 4:2)
The word we translate “devote” comes from a Greek word meaning “to be earnest towards or to persevere in or be constantly diligent concerning or to attend assiduously to all the exercises thereof. (Strong’s Hebrew/Greek Dictionary) The people of Colosse and therefore, the church at Colosse were just as busy and harried and scattered as we are in today’s society. To make matters more complicated, Colosse was besieged with legions of false prophets and fake religions claiming to be the real thing. So, not only were the people busy and distracted, they were also continually confronted with confusing religious information. Hmmm, sound familiar?
Aristotle once said, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.”
We face many of the same challenges, frustrations and obstacles to a fulfilling life that the Colossians did. Perhaps that’s why Paul was so adamant about the church having a vital, vibrant, vigorous prayer life. Applying ourselves to a life of prayer and thanks would surely be as beneficial in our day as it was in Paul’s. Don’t you think?
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June 23, 2008
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. (Philippians 2:1-2)
I can’t tell you enough what a privilege it is to be in ministry with all the wonderful folks at NewSong. Paul wrote to the Philippian church about a fellowship in the Spirit, belonging to Christ and tender compassionate hearts. I think these characteristics must be what enable the church to then be agreeing, loving and one-minded and purpose-filled.
When I was called to start NewSong, I was excited for several reasons. First, I would be able to plant a church with a vision I felt God was giving me. Most times when you go to a new church, you are inheriting the vision of the former pastor or the vision of the church or encountering no vision at all. At NewSong, we are trying to discern and move in God’s vision each day. It’s refreshing and challenging and exciting. It’s also s a lot of fun.
Secondly, we would be bringing together a group of people who, more than likely, had nothing more in common than their common love for Christ and the desire to introduce others to Christ. Which brings me to the third reason, I really believe we are creating a church that looks and acts and lives like the Spirit together, tender-hearted compassionate church Paul was urging the Philippians to be.
As we continue to grow and mature as a church, nothing would please me (and Paul) more than for us to look up one day and realize that we are the wholeheartedly agreeing, loving, one-minded, purpose-filled church God is calling us to be. I think we are well on the way, how about you?
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June 16, 2008
Well, it's Monday afternoon and I've just witnessed the most incredible golf game in modern times, perhaps history. Tiger Woods just won his 14th major championship, closing in on Jack Nicklaus' record 18 majors. For Tiger to win another championship even another major might not be all that newsworthy, after all, he's already won 64 times with13 being majors right? But here's the deal, he did it after an additional 18 hole plus one playoff, on a bum knee (surgery only a few weeks ago) on one of the nation's most difficult golf courses (Torrey Pines) in front of tens of thousands of fans and with millions watching on TV (first prime-time major golf event ever broadcast) around the world.
Then, on the other side of the story, there's the man who took the Tiger to task: Rocco Mediate. Rocco's golf career was in the tank as of a few months ago. In order to play this particular tournament Rocco had to qualify, he had no automatic invitation because his game has been so bad. With recurring back problems, bad knees, a faltering swing and millions of people just waiting for him to crumble under the weight of Tiger's fame and formidable game, Rocco Mediate rose to the occasion with grit and nerve and a sense of humor that kept him lovable and the game interesting and fun to watch. Rocco lost by only one stroke, after 19 holes of plaoyoff, aginst the world's best player. After this week's performance, I would imagine Rocco will get plenty of invitations at plenty of tournaments.
In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul writes: Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (1 Corinthians 9:24)
Both Tiger and Rocco played to win; only one man could win. The play and attitude of these two was a great example of how people can rise to the occasion and be gentlemanly, polite, sportsman-like and professional. You don't see too much of that in professional sports today. In the wake of so many scandals with so many spoiled millionaire bad-boys, it's nice to see a couple of guys go at it tooth and nail, but in stellar fashion.
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June 3, 2008
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. (Matthew 5:13)
So What? That’s the question I feel compelled t ask about NewSong. So what? I’ve asked this question of every church I’ve ever served. So What? I think that’s how we could boil down this verse from the fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel which we refer to as the Beatitudes. So What?
Suzanne and I ate breakfast in our hotel’s restaurant this morning (breaking my rule of not sleeping in restaurants and not eating in hotels). I tried the grits and noticed immediately that something was missing. Salt. Those of you who count yourselves official grit aficionados understand already. Grits need salt. Plain and simple. A mouthful of grits without salt make you want to say, “So what?”
We’re followers of Jesus Christ, so what? We’re members of the United Methodist Church, so what? We’ve been baptized and discipled and been to meetings and attend weekly worship and Bible study and give our tithes and offerings. But, if we’re not making a difference for the better in the communities which surround us, so what?
If NewSong were to simply evaporate today and cease to exist, so what? My prayer is that NewSong’s presence to her community would be as salt is to grits. Just not the same without it.
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May 26, 2008
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)
This verse from Hebrews is found immediately after a chapter that chronicles the lives of generations of faithful followers of God. In chapter eleven, the author takes great care to recognize and remember the lives of those who had endured hardships and perils and even paid the ultimate price for the cause of faith. In “remembrance” of these faithful ones, we are encouraged to “run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
On this Memorial Day Weekend, it would be well for each of us to remember the “huge crowd of witnesses” who have served this country in the cause of freedom. Fortunately, not many of us will be called to pay the ultimate price for our country; most of us will live out our lives simply reaping the benefits that our sisters and brothers in uniform have earned for us.
Perhaps you and I can run the race of endurance with our military counterparts by remembering those who have fallen while serving in harm’s way, praying for those who are still serving in dangerous places and finally by praying that hostilities which require such sacrifice of our youngest and bravest will cease to exist.
Happy Memorial Day
Your Pastor and Friend,
Trey
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May 19, 2008
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1:5-8 NLT)
I was talking to a pastor friend of mine yesterday who planted a church back in the 1940’s. He was interested in how NewSong was doing and we shared stories of setting up chairs and loading equipment. My grandfather was his District Superintendent and baptized his first child. His eyes glowed with excitement as he told about how new families kept coming and coming and how each Sunday they seemed to take in new members. Always interested in learning new ideas and new techniques even if by looking over my shoulder, I asked him how they got the work out about their new Methodist venture. He couldn’t put his finger on any one thing they had done, but said, “Well, back then, people wanted to go to church. They weren’t as busy, not as distracted.”
The passage above is from the first chapter of the Book of James, I love this book and quote from it often, I think I would have been golfing buddies with James. The passage is about asking God for wisdom and includes a warning against divided loyalties. “Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”
Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Community Church in California and author of the wildly popular book “The Purpose Driven Life” was quoted recently in an article in Saturday’s Morning Advocate. He said, “The entire nation, the entire culture, has ADD. Most people don't commit to anything long term.”
The church my friend planted over 50 years ago is still alive and well and doing vital ministry. I wonder if the same will be said of NewSong 50 years from now. If we each decide to be settled and unwavering, not tossed “to and fro”, if we are single minded and not of divided loyalties, then I’m sure that 60 years from now, new families of Christ-followers will be reminiscing about generations of vital ministry at NewSong. Sounds good to me…how about you?
God Bless and Good Fishin,
Pastor Trey
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May 12, 2008
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. (Acts 2:1-4)
It’s no wonder people were drawn from all over Jerusalem to see what was going on at the “Upper Room” (1:13) where the disciples had gathered together. Before the Day of Pentecost, Jesus had promised to send the Holy Spirit to his followers. In fact, he commanded them to stay in Jerusalem until they had received the Holy Spirit.
Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4, 5)
But, there seems to be a difference between the actions and attitudes of the disciples before they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and their actions and attitudes after being filled with the Holy Spirit. Pre-Holy Spirit they were content to gather and blather. Post-Holy Spirit they were compelled to scatter and chatter. Before Holy Spirit they hid from the world, hoping no one would discover what they were doing in their Upper Room religious club. After the Holy Spirit came they couldn’t wait to share with the world what God had done and was doing through Jesus Christ.
Hmmmmm. Perhaps that’s why Jesus commanded His followers be filled with the Holy Spirit before they went out to represent Him to the world. What do you think?
God Bless and Good Fishin'
Pastor Trey
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May 5, 2008
12The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit…26If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 26-27 NLT)
There was a fast-food commercial out a few years back advertising one chain’s chicken tender meal. This company boasted that its chicken tenders were whole chicken, not parts. The competitor’s chicken was portrayed as being just a bunch of parts mashed together. When asked what parts of the chicken made up the nuggets, the competitor’s counter help simply offered: “Parts is parts.”
Paul paints a beautiful, intriguing picture of the church in these verses from 1 Corinthians 12. His letter to the church in Corinth was written to both answer some questions the church had of him and to address some issues Paul had with the church. Apparently, part of the problem was individual members acting like, well, individual members.
It’s clear that Paul saw the church as a living, breathing organism rather than a staid, static organization. His very clear that even though each part is unique and precious in its own right; it is none-the-less an integral part of a larger body. That’s how it is at NewSong, or any church for that matter. We each bring to the family table different backgrounds and experiences, different pains and joys, strengths and weaknesses, different gifts and graces, different talents and abilities, but we are all still part of a larger body.
As NewSong continues to grow, it will be a challenge for all of us to know each other and for us to remember to greet each new face on Sunday and to speak to everyone we can, not just our friends and the people we already know. But, if we always think of ourselves as individual parts of the larger body, understanding that each part is as important as the next, then it’s easier to keep things in perspective.
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body…All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. (12, 27)
Parts may be parts, but you are a precious part of Christ’s Body, the church. Be sure to bring your part (s) to church this Sunday and join the rest of us parts in worship.
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April, 28, 2008
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (John 17:20-23)
The verses above are from what many theologians call Jesus’ high, priestly prayer. It’s found in the seventeenth chapter of John’s Gospel. John recorded this prayer as prayed by Jesus for his disciples during his final days on earth. It’s filled with valuable insights into the Savior’s heart for his closest friends as he faced the imminence of his own death.
Understanding this, we get the impression that these words were intended to communicate to God and the disciples Jesus’ most intimate concerns. Jesus speaks of the disciples living holy lives (v 17) and being compromised by their association with the world (v 13-14) and the gift of eternal life (v 2, 3). But it seems that the main thing on Jesus’ mind for his disciples is a life of unity; unity with God and unity with one another. (v 20-23)
As I look around at the condition of unity in the church in the U.S. today, I find it no wonder so many people choose to sit at home Sunday mornings rather than go to church. From the divisions between Catholic and Protestant to divisions between denominations to divisions between individual members within individual churches, there seems to be little unity in the Body of Christ. I wonder if un-churched people think: “If the people who claim to know all about God and Jesus can’t get along, what could they have to say to the rest of us.”
If Jesus thought Christian unity important to mention it so prominently in one of His last recorded prayers, don’t you think it might warrant our attention? I think so, too. The United Methodist Church is meeting over the next couple of weeks in what we call General Conference. It’s a quadrennial gathering of Methodists from across the globe to discuss and pray and discern God’s will for the church. My prayer for this GC is that we could remember the words of our founder, John Wesley. Wesley understood that Methodists came from all walks of life and brought to the church all sorts of experiences. He also understood the potential for division and disunity. That’s why he urged the early Methodists to have unity in the essentials of the faith and in all else charity. Sounds like sage advice.
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March 13, 2008
“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” (Matthew 5:10-12)
This passage of Scripture is recorded by Matthew in a section of his gospel we refer to as the Beatitudes. It’s a collection of pithy, powerful sayings Jesus spoke while delivering what we have come to know as the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount was probably taught over a three or four day period on the hillsides surrounding the city of Capernaum. No doubt hundreds, if not thousands, of people heard this seminal discourse. My point is, Jesus is obviously making a very important point. Matthew realized how important Jesus’ words were and gave them prominence in the book bearing his name.
So, why would I take such care to detail the context of this particular passage of Scripture? It’s because this week it became personal to me. Jesus warns that, when we do Kingdom work, there will be those around us who either misunderstand or misjudge or simply don’t like what you are doing. In some cases, the result of those feelings is mocking, lying and persecution. That’s to be expected and to anyone who has been involved in ministry long enough it comes as no surprise. It comes, if you will, as part of the territory.
The truth is, when we are laboring in God’s vineyard there will be people who would rather stand outside the vineyard and throw stones than jump in and get busy leading people to Christ or feeding the hungry or caring for widows and orphans. They see short comings in their own walk with Christ or perhaps their efforts in ministry are not sincere or maybe they are just plain lazy and are upset when they see people actually working at doing ministry. Whatever the case, there will be those people who don’t appreciate what you are doing and who will set about to undermine you or gossip about you or go running to the principal whining that you aren’t playing fair. Again, all that, and more, is expected when you are making a difference in the world in the name of the Kingdom of God.
What really hurts is when the people who begin throwing stones at you are people you thought were your friends or colleagues. That is painful, it stings, it breaks your heart and it puts separation between you and the ones making the accusations. That’s when we have to remember the words of Jesus. “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” (Matthew 5:10-12.
So, according to Jesus, we should not only expect for people to dislike us when we do Kingdom work, we should be glad they dislike us and mistreat us because it puts us in very good company. Jesus says God blesses us when we are persecuted for doing the right things and that when this happens we will be rewarded for our good deeds in heaven. I know it can be difficult, but when people speak evil of you, when they talk-down your ministry or your church, try to do as Jesus instructed: “Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”
I’ll try to do the same. God Bless and Good Fishin’