I don't typically write blog posts like these, but I had to tell this story for the world to read! Actually, I did a couple of posts along the way on Facebook but some only received the last post and had no idea what I was talking about. So here's the story.
Last week while going through the drive thru at some fine fast food establishment (I honestly don't remember if it was McDonald's, Starbucks, or the like), I took the change that I received and went to drop it in the cup holder of the center console like I typically do. However, I missed. When this happens, the change normally falls between the seats and is sucked up by the vacuum the next time I clean up the car.
Unfortunately, this time the penny fell directly into the seat belt buckle. I only found this out when I went to buckle up the seat belt and came against the opposition. As I tried to fasten the buckle, I looked and realized that the penny was wedged perfectly. When I explained to a few people what had happened, I received simplistic solutions like "get out with a magnet" or "use tweezers" to remove it. If you could have seen it, you would have realized that it just wasn't that easy. On retrospect, I wish I would have taken a picture of the sheer perfection of its lodging. After having tried several options for removing it, I decided (while driving) that maybe trying to force the seat belt into the clasp would force it out. To my surprise, the buckle engaged. At that same moment I had the fearful thought that I may not be able to disengage it. My fears were pretty much justified. Try as I may, the buckle wasn't going to open. Once I arrived at my destination, I had to somehow get free. I got as much slack in the seatbelt as possible and then wiggled my way out like a snake. I wish I would have had a video camera to capture the moment.
So, for those of you that saw my Facebook post with the picture of the penny, this is the rest of the story. But that wasn't the end of the story. My seatbelt was still stuck. That's where Carl comes in. No, I did not name the penny Carl. Carl is my friend and great mechanic that took my seatbelt apart to free Abe and allow me to drive safely again. Thanks, Carl. And for the rest of you, be careful where you drop your pennies.
As a child growing up, I can remember many Easter mornings. Yet, I can’t recall many of the Easter sermons. However, there is one Sunday in particular that I can distinctly remember to this day. My hometown pastor began sharing about various religions and their gods. Every god died, was put in the grave, and is still dead. He went down the list one after the other and the conclusion was the same — they died, were put in the grave, and are still dead.
But not our God!! He died, was put in the grave, and three days later He defied the odds and broke through the veil of death and is alive today!! But the story gets even better! Romans 8:11 says, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”
The same spirit that raised Jesus lives and dwells in us! We have a reason to celebrate!! As we approach Resurrection Sunday, I encourage all of you to allow the Spirit — the Holy Spirit — to live and be alive in you. Allow that same power that raised a corpse to life to dwell and flow through you. As we begin to allow that power to live fully alive in us as a body of believers, we will see this region reached by the power of an ALIVE God!
Living Stones — I’m looking forward to worshiping with you Resurrection Sunday!
While I was away in Florida, I woke up in the middle of the night half awake and half asleep one night. I’ve experienced times like this in the past. I had to wonder, “Am I dreaming or am I awake.” Whatever state I was in, it’s odd because when I awoke, I heard clearly three things. I’m not quite sure why out of no where God chose to give me these things other than He wanted me to know it. What He spoke wasn’t anything new or profound, but I believe in this season for some reason He wants us to know it in an even greater measure.
He spoke to me regarding submission. We’ve all heard about it. It’s an ugly word because it has been misused so often. I had to go back and actually look up the word. What is submission?
Submission is “the action or fact of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person”(New Oxford American Dictionary). Whether in marriage relationships or in the church, most have experienced or seen the misuse of this concept by those in authority. As a result, we resist submitting to anyone — even God. Yet, this is something about which God is very serious.
1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
I can feel those of you reading this cringing as you read the above verses. Our problem today is that these verses are used to demand submission. However, submission is something that can’t be demanded but can only be given. As an authority, I can’t demand submission, but those under me can freely give it. I can encourage them to submit because God commands us to, but I can’t command it or demand it. Having said all of that, allow me to share what God reiterated to me.
First of all, I was reminded that submission is complete obedience. When we submit ourselves to God or to authorities placed over us, we can say that we submit but the true test of submission is our obedience. And further, how do we obey? Do we obey outwardly only? Or do we fully obey with all of our heart? Most of us know that we can appear to be obedient and do what is required outwardly, yet within us there is a rebelliousness although it may never be spoken. True submission requires our obedience outwardly and inwardly. If we aren’t submitting to what God is doing in our lives and what He is speaking by our complete, inward, heartfelt obedience, then we might as well just outwardly rebel.
Secondly, those truly submitted do so even when they disagree. I can remember sometime ago thinking that I was really submitted to my leader. However, God exposed to me my heart by asking me this simple question, “You think you’re submitted because you typically agree with him.” From there, He reminded me that true submission occurs when I disagree with the person. What I realized from that encounter is that I can’t measure my level of submission to an authority (including God) by when I agree. I can only truly measure my level of submission by how I respond when I disagree. Submission is truly tested in the times of disagreement. How do I respond when God speaks to me something with which I disagree? How do I respond when a leader who is in authority over me corrects me, and I actually think they are wrong? Do I submit to the correction or do I criticize God or the person and become bitter? True submission is tested on the grounds of disagreement.
Finally, if I am truly submitted, I will do so even when it causes me pain. No one loves pain. Actually, no one even likes it. The reason we were created to feel pain was to keep us from making the same mistakes again. The reason it hurts when you touch something very hot is so that you are reminded not to do it again. The reason I spank my children is to remind them that the consequences of their sin is that it will hurt! I have heard my “runner friends“ talk about how you learn to love the pain. I guess I can see their point in a larger scheme because although it hurts, the gain is well worth the pain. It’s the same thing when we’re truly submitted to God and His delegated authority. There are times when we are presented with correction. I like to call it “getting my chain jerked.” I never like it. Yet, I am learning that if I respond correctly and embrace the pain, I will in the long run be much better off. Runners do the same thing; they may not like the pain but if they embrace the pain, the gain is well worth it. We must learn that those in authority over us (both God and man) who truly love us and are committed to our success will correct us. It may cause us pain yet it is for our good.
As I’m writing this, in the room next to me, history is being made. We’re at the next stage of recording our first ever Living Stones worship project. Rich Downing is in my office which has now become a temporary recording studio and just finished recording Great Big God and is now laying down the drum tracks for Hope of Glory. You can feel the excitement in the air as this dream is coming into fulfillment.
If you’re a Living Stoner, keep this project in your prayers as we move ahead. Our desire is to see God glorified through what He has given to us.
More to come . . . 
Unfortunately, this time the penny fell directly into the seat belt buckle. I only found this out when I went to buckle up the seat belt and came against the opposition. As I tried to fasten the buckle, I looked and realized that the penny was wedged perfectly. When I explained to a few people what had happened, I received simplistic solutions like "get out with a magnet" or "use tweezers" to remove it. If you could have seen it, you would have realized that it just wasn't that easy. On retrospect, I wish I would have taken a picture of the sheer perfection of its lodging. After having tried several options for removing it, I decided (while driving) that maybe trying to force the seat belt into the clasp would force it out. To my surprise, the buckle engaged. At that same moment I had the fearful thought that I may not be able to disengage it. My fears were pretty much justified. Try as I may, the buckle wasn't going to open. Once I arrived at my destination, I had to somehow get free. I got as much slack in the seatbelt as possible and then wiggled my way out like a snake. I wish I would have had a video camera to capture the moment.
