Monthly Archives: June 2009

Faith Like Potatoes

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It’s been a while since my last post due to a barrage of family events that occureed last week. My mom, dad, sister and brother-in-law ccame into town to witness the marriage of my cousin, Marvin Van Buren, Jr. to his beautiful bride, Cory. So, with the wedding, work at the church and time visiting family, I didn’t have any extra time to hammer out my normal quota of posts. Normally, I choose not to write about the movies that I watch, but what I saw last night has touched me so deeply, that I feel it’s worth sharing to you all.

Faith Like PotatoesFaith Like Potatoes was a movie that some friends gave to us, and to be honest with you, I was hesitant to even watch it. It looked like one of those Hallmark inspirational movies that only strive to lodge a softball-sized lump in your throat, or worse, a Christian movie. Some of you are going to hate that I said that, but I find few of the Christian and inspirational movies available to my liking. Most of them have weak stories, characters, writing or acting. However, I have been surprised lately by many of the new Christian titles, and Faith Like Potatoes has been one of them.

The movie tells the story of Angus Buchan, a Scots-African farmer from Zambia, who is forced to move and buy a new farm in South Africa Zulu land in order to protect his family from the violence of warring factions in Zambia. We watch as he and his family suffer and work hard together to start a new life causing the over-stressed Angus to sink into a deep depression that threatens to destroy the family.  It is at this point when God turns the farmer’s life upside down and begin a revival that has reached across the dark continent.

My wife and I couldn’t recommend this movie to you all more highly. You might want to use subtitles. The accents can be a bit hard to follow. Even so, it will have you gripped by the characters and situations from start to finish.

The Empty Glass

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I posted a video link yesterday to Anne Jackson’s (Flowerdust) vimeo site about a pastor who had experienced what we call ministry burn out. I hope you watched it. Raw and honest, it poignantly portrays the emotion and complexity of this reality for many ministers.

Truth be told, the condition of burn out is not exclusive to ministers. Every human being is susceptible for many reasons, but I believe that the main reason is the water in the glass principle (Yep. I just made that name up, but it’s an apporpriate description.). In this principle, every person is likened to a glass. The summation of their energies, skills, talents, passions and hopes is the water in the glass. As with all glasses, a person can only hold so much water. In othe words, each person has been given the ability to contain only so much energy, skill and talent. When you expend your energy on any project, organization or person, you are like the glass that is pouring out the water inside. Soon, the water will disappear, and the glass must be replenished.

There are several reasons why people will continue to pour out their water despite the danger of burnout (the empty glass). Among them are a false sense of loyalty to a cause or person, an unwillingness to deal with pain in an area of life causing them to pour themselves into other areas of life, a fear of failure and consequently, rejection or an overestimation of one’s amount of water (Good old fashioned pride.). I don’t know which one you may be struggling with, but I assure you that if you continue to burn the wick at both ends, you will burn. I know some leaders in ministry who are thoroughly burnt out, yet tell me that they are still okay. Yeah, they still hold their position and title, but they are not accomplishing anything! They have nothing left to give.

Tragedy or being the victim of authority abuse is not always requirements for burn out. Sometimes, the soul just gets weary and needs a break. The glass needs to be refilled. And that’s okay. There was this thing I read about once that we may wish to consider–a Sabbath rest.

Have you ever felt like your glass was getting empty? How did you refill it?

The Wealth of God

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Throughout the Scriptures we see time and time again God seeking to demonstrate His ability to provide for the needs and dreams of His people. He wants us to know just how rich He is and how we can access His wealth. I believe that I am beginning to realize where His treasury is located. That’s right, folks. I have located the coffers of the Almighty!

Are you ready for it? I am going to disclose a secret to you that could change your life. I am going to tell where all the hordes of God’s wealth are situated. Here we go..

They

are

safely

with

His

Bride. The Church.

And just remember that you heard it here first! Well, actually you heard it somewhere else first.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.           Ephesians 1:18, 19 (KJV)

Can you believe that Paul prayed that we would be enlightened to know the riches of God’s inheritance in the saints? Honestly, I don’t think it takes a genius to realize this, but it seems that we defy common sense at times. If you stop to think about it, where is the money of most men located? With their wives! At least that’s where it is unlocked for spending. If that woman wants something, she’s going to get it. If you are good to a man’s woman, he’ll be good to you. She has his heart and with it, his wallet.

Not only does the Bride of Christ have the glorious riches of the Lord Himself, they are the riches. I see this in my work at Tabernacle of Praise daily. The good people here provide us with the resources necessary to reach this community with the message of hope. Without them nothing happens. With them anything is possible.

Ah, yes. I know where the wealth is at, and I’m treating her right.

How have you experienced the riches of Christ through the Church? How have you been a blessing to others?

Witnessing: Sharing to Obey

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Have you ever read a list of famous people’s last words? You know, the last phrases or word that a person will utter on planet earth. I have, and it is uncanny how these words tend to be a summation of the life and pursuits of the individual giving them. Check out these quotes from Wikiquotes on last words:

This is the last of Earth! I am content!

  • Who: John Quincy Adams, US President, February 21, 1848.
  • Note: John Quincy Adams died on the floor of the U.S Capitol Building, as he had become a U.S. Representative from the 11th District of Massachusetts after his presidency.

To the strongest!

  • Who: Alexander the Great
  • In response to his generals asking the heirless Alexander which one of them would get control of the empire.

Wait a minute…             (This is my personal favorite.)

Are you guys ready? Let’s roll.

  • Who: Todd Beamer, passenger on United Flight 93, September 11, 2001.

France, army, Josephine

I’ll finally get to see Marilyn.

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

Die, my dear? Why, that’s the last thing I’ll do!

It’s hard to miss the profundity of that last statement. I couldn’t have said it better myself!

As you can see, last words are important in the regard that they reveal to all the priorities and passions of the person dying. For Christians, it would do us well to review the last words of Jesus, our Master, on this earth.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  Mark 16:15 (KJV)

These words were spoken for every believer. We all share the responsibility to preach the Gospel to our loved ones, friends and neighbors. This duty doesn’t only belong to the evangelist or pastor. We are here as Christ’s ambassadors to this dying world. As such, we are to clearly communicate the priorities and passions of our Sovereign to this world.

At Tabernacle of Praise, we recognize the command that our Lord has given to us. We will allows encourage and enable our members to share the Gospel with others. We will continue to make a big deal out of it. Why? Because it is a BIG DEAL. We must share to obey.

What do you do to share the Gospel with others? How does it make you fell to share?