Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

-James 3:1

"You're one of those Christians, Brian, what should I do?"  It wasn't the first time I'd heard words like that, and it wouldn't be the last.  It came from a hall mate of mine when I was in college at Chapel Hill.  A down the hall acquaintance had gotten into some relationship trouble with his girlfriend.  He'd made some bad mistakes and knew maybe the relationship was over.  He knew he really didn't deserve a second chance.  And he wasn't asking me as a close friend.  He wasn't asking me as one dude to another.  He was asking me with pleading eyes because he seemed to expect I was some sort of expert or amateur in the subject of grace, something of which he was clearly in need.

I did not feel like an expert, but I realized very much in that moment I had to know at least a little more than nothing, a certain familiarity of personal experience in my faith that he was searching for in that vulnerable moment.  He had pegged me - one of those Christians.  And in his estimation, that made me qualified to give him the advice he needed.  I cared enough to listen.  Maybe I cared enough to share some wisdom.  I don't remember what I told him.  I don't know if it was any help.  I do know how humbling it felt to be asked and how much I prayed in that moment that the Spirit would give me the words he needed.

When we declare ourselves as believers, whether by the clothes or symbols we wear, the words we speak, the social media we share, we are marked, for better and for worse.  Scripture tells us that we should always be ready to give an account for our faith, but it's truthful in its warnings that this will not be easy.  Do we live in such ways that people approach us and accusingly say, "You're one of those Christians, what should I do?" And do we pray, worship, and study scripture so we are prepared to give a worthy answer?  I don't know if I was ready to answer my hall mate that day. 

But I've spent a lot of time since then trying to be ready for that same question.  Who in your life might ask you?  Who is already asking you?  What will you say?  I hope we will study together in worship and our small groups and always be ready to answer.  This Sunday is Scout Sunday, and their motto is Be Prepared.  Come join us as we prepare together.

Prayer for Today

Lord, help me be worthy of the calling you place on my life by always being prepared to tell people about my faith and ready to answer the questions I'm asked in humility and wisdom.  Amen.

Monday evening, Brian and I were invited to meet with Scout Troop 2000. Johns Creek Presbyterian Church members Steve Simpson and Rick Zellmer represented Troop 2000. Steve began the presentation by reminding the scouts and their leaders of the history of Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. Steve noted that we had just celebrated our 25th anniversary as a church. He also talked about the long relationship this church has had supporting our scouts. Steve then presented a check in the amount of $2500 to Johns Creek Presbyterian Church from Troop 2000 in celebration of the 25th anniversary of our church. Steve said the amount represented $100 for every year the church had been in existence.

Brian and I accepted the check on behalf of Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. We thanked the scouts for their generous gift. We told them how important the scouts were as ministry partners making a difference in our community. I also mentioned to them that the total of $2500 had another significance. I shared with them that last fall we counted how many lives were touched on a weekly basis during the school year by the partnership ministries of Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. I told them that the number we had come up with was 2300 -- which was very close to the 2500 dollars given by the scouts to our church.

I then told them that because of their generous gift, we will be able to better support all of our ministry partners as together we continue to make a difference in Johns Creek. I wish everyone could have been there, both to receive that generous gift and to see our Great Hall filled with scouts and their leaders. Not only are we shaping leaders for the future, we are providing the opportunity for community and service in the present. This Sunday is Scout Sunday. We will be recognizing all of our scout troops in the worship service. I hope you will make a special effort to be here to show your support for these fine young people, their families, and their leaders.

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, help us to join together and to make a difference in our community and throughout your world. In the strong name of Christ we pray. Amen.

Have you ever put your hands or feet in wet sand and noticed the impression that you left? Take a moment to remember what that felt like and what it looked like. The places where you have traveled in your life, you have left an impression, a mark.

The words of these Old Testament prophets give us some guidance about ways that we can leave an impression that reflects God.

"But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." (Amos 5:24)

"He has told you, O mortal, what is good: and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

Do others see the face of Christ in the impressions or marks that we leave behind? What can you do this week to leave an impression that reflects God's love, justice, kindness, and humility?

Last week I had the privilege of going to Charlotte for continuing education for a couple of days. During that time I explored the ways that the arts and movement can help us deepen our connection with God and invite us to grow in our faith. I walked on several labyrinths while I was there and the movement during prayer was helpful for me to quiet my rapid internal dialogue and listen to God.

Following that experience I spent my weekly time with our senior adult Bible study group where we are currently studying Old Testament prophets. This week's study of Micah brought new meaning to a very familiar passage. The author, Carolyn J. Sharp's words struck me, "We live in that place between trust and lament, just as the prophet (Micah) did. Our broken world cries out for transformation today no less than in the days of Micah... the challenges facing us are daunting. But Micah shows us a way forward. He urges us to offer prophetic leadership, to engage Scripture faithfully, and to rely on the power of God that can be a paradox to us at times. Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God! These simple words can empower us for a lifetime of discipleship."

What will you do to leave an impression in the coming days or weeks?

Prayer for Today

God of Truth, Let our faith show in how we treat others. Let our worship reflect who we really are. In Christ's Name, Amen.

Our 10^th annual Prayer Vigil is scheduled at the end of the month. Our Ash Wednesday will be held on the evening of February 26 and the Prayer Vigil will be held on Friday, February 28 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 29 from 9:00 a.m-4:00 p.m. If you have participated in the past you will recognize that we have changed the format. This year we will still be praying, but the time frame has moved away from a 24 hour prayer vigil.

I'm excited about the vigil this year in that we are including the large prayer labyrinth in the Great Hall. Many of you have shared with us the deep experiences you have walking the labyrinth so we wanted to include it in this year's vigil. We will also be hosting prayer in the sanctuary for those of you who prefer this sacred space for your prayers. Each Sunday in February you will find index cards in the worship bulletin on which to write your prayer requests. Alice Ann Nilsen will compile the cards and create a list of prayers for you with which to prayer during the prayer vigil. I imagine you will also be praying prayers dear to your heart. Walking or sitting mark your calendars to participate in the 10^th annual prayer vigil.

When I pray it can either be sitting or walking, but what both have in common is who and what I hold dear in my heart through prayer. My oldest sister lives in Indiana and her grandchildren live in Arkansas and Colorado so she yearns more physical time with them. She posted this picture on Facebook this week and I want to share it with you. It touched my heart and speaks to the heart of prayer.

Prayer for Today

Keep us mindful, O Lord, of the ones we hold dear. Remind us that they are as close to us in prayer when they are far away because each resides in our hearts. Amen.

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone.  -Proverbs 23:5

The mischievous artist Banksy pulled off another practical joke. His painting Girl with Balloon sold for one million pounds at Sotheby's auction house in London. Moments after the auctioneer yelled "Sold," an alarm sounded and the painting slipped halfway through a shredder mounted inside the bottom of the frame. Banksy tweeted a picture of bidders gasping at his ruined masterpiece, with the caption, "Going, going, gone."

Banksy relished pulling one over on the wealthy, but he need not have bothered. Wealth itself has plenty of pranks up its sleeve. God says, Do not wear yourself out to get rich . . . . Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. 

-Proverbs 23:4-5

Few things are less secure than money. We work hard to earn it, yet there are many ways to lose it. Investments go sour, inflation erodes, bills come, thieves steal, and fire and flood destroy. Even if we manage to keep our money, the time we have to spend it continually flies. Blink, and your life is going, going, gone.

What to do? God tells us a few verses later: always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off  (vv. 17-18). Invest your life in Jesus; He alone will keep you forever.

Prayer for Today

God, help me to give my insecurities to You and to trust in Your goodness and faithfulness. Amen.

Everything the Lord has made should praise him in all the places he rules. My whole being, praise the Lord.

-Psalm 103:22

If you have not yet seen the Netflix special, Two Popes, make some time. The depth of the story and faith of the men it portrays and is challenging, moving, and inspiring. There are so many small conversations from the film that I've been thinking about for weeks now. In one, Cardinal Bergoglio (to be Pope Francis later), tells Pope Benedict a story. Bergoglio says as a young man, he asked an older priest if it was permissible to smoke while praying. The priests says of course not. Bergoglio asks the follow up... May I pray while I'm smoking? Pope Benedict chuckles, and Bergoglio says, "Perhaps we don't always ask the right question."

I think that's a point worth considering, especially in the context of prayer and worship, perhaps even more so in the western world and America. How often do we seek to make our prayer and worship more comfortable? Can I have a padded pew? My favorite pew? Can we skip singing new hymns? Only hymns? Only praise songs? Timpani, but not snares? Guitar but not electric? A specific time slot? Different day of the week? I'm as guilty as anyone. I'd love to have my coffee with me in worship. I have preferences for certain songs, styles of preaching. But what I like about what Bergoglio says is that it's not so much if we like the answer to our question but whether we are asking the right question. What if instead of asking if I could have my coffee in worship or more acoustic guitar or a comfier seat... what if I were to ask myself... when I go for coffee with friends, could I ask them what I can pray for them, and then we pray together? What if when I play my guitar, I pray? What if when I sit in my comfiest seat at home, I think of all my blessings and close my eyes and thank God?

This week, when you think of questions, preferences, statements that focus on your needs or desires, think of a new way to frame them. Get creative, especially about prayer and worship. Imagine a new question, a new perspective. Imagine inviting God into your life in new ways and new places. Invite God to your commute, your meals, your quality time with loved ones, your morning routine. And then share that with someone. Definitely share it with me. I'll be curious what you find.

Prayer for Today

Lord, help me to ask new questions and invite you into more of my life. Amen.

Yesterday, Brian and I were coming back from lunch. We parked behind the church offices and were walking toward the sidewalk by the playgrounds behind the church. There was a woman standing there on the sidewalk leaning against the playground fence. She appeared to be waiting for a ride. I couldn't help but notice her breathing apparatus, wondering if that is why she was waiting for a ride -- because it would be hard for her to walk to a car.

As we approached her, we both spoke and she cheerfully replied. After we had walked a few steps past her, she called out to us and said, "You know you're saving a lot of lives here, and we appreciate it." It was at that point that I realized she probably attended one of our many 12-step meetings that take place on our JCPC campus every week. You're saving a lot of lives. I remarked to Brian, "Now that's not something you hear every day." And yet that is why we are here. That is why Johns Creek Presbyterian Church exists -- to save lives. In our New Testament, the Greek words for "to save" and "to heal" come from the same root word.

This Sunday we will be looking at a story from Luke's gospel in which Jesus is healing the sick inside of a house. Because there are so many people, a man who has been paralyzed for life and who is brought by his friends to be healed by Jesus cannot get into the house where Jesus was healing. So, his friends take him up on the roof of the house, cut a hole in the roof, and lower the man down on his mat so that Jesus might heal him. Jesus notices the faith of the man's friends who brought him and lowered him into the room. But the first thing Jesus says to the man is this, "Friend, your sins are forgiven" - which is the language of salvation. Only then does Jesus then tell the man to "get up" and he is healed.

I am grateful that God is still in the business of healing and saving -- especially in a place like JCPC!

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, we thank you for sending Jesus into the world to save sinners like each one of us. We also thank you for sending Jesus to bring healing and wholeness to each one of us. What a friend we have in Jesus! Help us to bring our friends to Jesus -- the Friend of sinners. Amen.

This past week my life has been eventful, filled with challenges and celebrations. As I take some time to reflect this morning, I am reminded of the importance of friendships in the body of Christ. In our friendships, we find comfort in times of grief, we share joy in moments of celebration and we provide support in the challenges of each day.

"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father." John 15:12-15

Jesus Christ sought out friendships on his journey here on earth. He reminds us of the importance of these bonds in times of joy and sorrow. Take some time to lift up in prayer those that have been your support through challenges, shared in your joy, and provided comfort in your grief.

As you go through your day, be challenged by Christ's command to love one another as He loved us.

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, Open our eyes to the friendships we have in lives. Help us to turn to you as our example for how we can care for one another. In Christ's Name, Amen.

We are in the middle of a sermon series entitled Get Up that Gray is preaching. Joseph is instructed by an angel to get up and go to Egypt in order to escape the violence of Herod and when the threat had passed to get up and return home. Jesus commands an invalid at the pools of Bethesda to get up and enter into a strange new ambulatory world.

Both of these stores have me thinking of the dynamic of out of the box thinking. You have probably heard or used this phrase, out of the box thinking on numerous occasions. Typically, it is referring to doing something different, radical and entering into a paradigm shift. The gospels are a prime example of out of the box thinking and living!

I came upon the illustration below that illustrates what out of the box thinking and doing might look like when following Jesus.

I especially like following Jesus includes taking naps in boats. At our JCPC 25^th anniversary our Presbytery Executive, Rev. Aisha Brooks-Lytle and I were talking about a theology of rest and now I have the perfect excuse to get a boat...or maybe I'll work at taking a nap. Following Jesus should have its perks!

Prayer for Today

Loving God, help us have the mind of Christ so that we will think outside of the box and experience your grace on the road less traveled. Amen.

I have made you and I will carry you.

-Isaiah 46:4

Sometimes when my Labrador retriever wants attention, he'll take something of mine and parade it in front of me. One morning as I was writing at the desk with my back turned, Max snatched my wallet and ran off. But realizing I hadn't seen him do it, he returned and nudged me with his nose-wallet in mouth, eyes dancing, tail wagging, taunting me to play.

Max's antics made me laugh, but they also reminded me of my limitations when it comes to being attentive to others. So often I've intended to spend time with family or friends, but other things occupy my time and awareness; and before I know it the day slips away and love is left undone.

How comforting to know that our heavenly Father is so great that He's able to attend to each of us in the most intimate ways-even sustaining every breath in our lungs for as long as we live. He promises His people, Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you.  -Isaiah 46:4

God always has time for us. He understands every detail of our circumstances-no matter how complex or difficult-and is there whenever we call on Him in prayer. We never have to wait in line for our Savior's unlimited love.

Prayer for Today

You always have time for me, Jesus. Please help me to live every moment for You!  Amen.