When Worlds Colide

This past Sunday I was in Chattanooga visiting family, and while I was there I went to my old church. There were several Russians who had flown into the country to be able to go on a retreat that the church had put on over the weekend. During the worship portion of the service, the worship leader called up one of the Russians, who was the worship leader for the church back in their home town, to join him on stage. It was there that I experienced the beauty of hearing "How Great is Our God" sung in RUSSIAN! What was truly beautiful was when all the Russians began singing and, at the same time, the Americans in the room began singing out in English. I was lost in a in the miscellany of voices and the intense combination of language.

In that moment I saw the beautiful side-effects of Pentecost, people of various languages and cultures singing in unison of the glory of God and the wonder of our Christ! This is the beauty of the new covenant! That all peoples and all tongues and all cultures are now welcomed into the fold of God! That the Gospel will infiltrate the fabric of humanity and all men will sing together "Holy Holy Holy Lord, God of power and might. The heavens and the earth are full of Your glory! Hosanna in the highest!" From the East to the West, the Church shall be united once again. From the East to the West Christ will be Glorified. From the East to the West there will be peace, love, prosperity, and an end to injustice, poverty, and evil. All by the power of our God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Who is our "world without end".

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

"God Is The Ruler Yet"

I recently stumbled across the Gungor cover of the song "This is My Father's World" and for the first time in my life I really listened to the words of that beautiful hymn, and in the midst of some trials and difficulties I have found great comfort from these words. 

There are days where I have to be reminded that "though the Wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet." I have no words of reflection to share for this. The song speaks for itself. May we all remember that God is still here with us no matter what happens, whether North Korea attacks, or we enter war with Syria, or we face natural disasters. 

Peace be with, 

Stephen

The Darkness Within

A friend of mine recently introduced me to a band called "Imagine Dragons" and I immediately fell in love with three songs in particular. I would advise listening to their songs "Radioactive" and "Bleeding Out", but the song that I am currently most compelled by is the song "Demons." As a courtesy, I have add the link to the song via youtube for your listening pleasure, as well as a point of reference to what I am now writing about.

This song pulls upon my desire for perfection and reminds me of the overwhelming reality that I simply am incapable of reaching perfection. I am full of darkness and I am prone to greed, pride, deceit, and failure. This is the reality of the human condition; we are ever seeking greatness but always falling short because of the sin that taints our souls.

Those of us who have been Church leaders (whether voluntary or paid staff) can deeply relate to the words of this song as is screams of a need to be there for others and the "need" to hide the demons that lay just beyond the surface of our skin. Church leaders are often too concealing of the faults and sinful natures for a variety of reasons. While it is not possible for a Priest, Church leader, or volunteer to be completely transparent about their sinfulness, it is necessary that a certain level of transparency be maintained.

Despite the fact there is always going to be a measure of sin within our hearts (until the final purification, at the end of all beginnings) we can stand in the comfort that the True and Holy One knows and understands all and has deemed it is a meet and right and joyful thing to shower grace upon humanity and upon His redeemed. We can never be perfect, but that does not mean we are not useful or that we have lost our value as God's special creation on Earth!

I hope that you listen to the lyrics of this song and that it moves you in such a deep and wonderful way; that you will allow the Holy Spirit to speak to through the words of another.

Be intentional in all action, attentive in daily encounters, and be present in life.

Peace be with you,

Stephen