Pastor’s Blog

I Am “Running” Out of Shoes…

…Well, not really. But the pair of shoes I am currently using for jogging is in need of replacement. Over the years I have developed quite a pile of smelly, worn out shoes. Some I retire to yard work. Others are still in decent enough shape to wear casually. Still some are suitable to donate to charity. There have been one or two pairs that Amy has insisted I bury deep into the woods at an undisclosed location.

Years ago my method in replacing running shoes was pretty simple: replace them when the soles are worn smooth to the point that you could see my socks or the shoe itself fell apart. I have since learned that if you wait that long to replace shoes you are doing harm to yourself. For a person my size (about 205 pounds, give or take a cheeseburger or two) I should replace my shoes every thirty hours of running. At this point the shoes are not particularly worn to the visible eye. There is still ample tread on the soles and aside from dirt and, well, the aroma of sweat, they are in decent shape. The reason they need to be replaced is that the shock absorption of the shoe is dangerously diminished. The shoe helps take in the pounding of a heavy guy like me and therefore saves my feet, knees and back from too much wear and tear.

I suppose there are all sorts of life analogies that can be made: the danger of wearing others out beyond repair; guests that hang around too long stink; or save your “soul” before it is too late (sorry, I could not resist!). The connection I am mulling over is how necessary we are to each other. We the community of faith surround one another to help absorb the poundings, the shocks and the day to day use that wears and tears on us.

The author of Hebrews writes: “…let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…” (12:1), but this is no individualistic pursuit. Spiritual formation is a journey intended for sharing. We are church not because we say we are, or bear a name, or construct a building. We are church when we hold one another up, absorbing and enduring with one another the impacts, poundings, and shocks inevitably encountered in life.

Paul writes in Colossians 3:13 “Bear with one another…” This is family. This is community. This is Church. Bless you for bearing with me!

Greg

Pass the Dumas Please

There are few things in the world that generates more excitement in my life than an opportunity to eat. Going on picnics is a bonus. I do not know if it is the fried chicken or the deviled eggs or chasing yellow jackets, but I enjoy a picnic. When you think about it, what is so great about eating outside? Unless you are an etymologist, few people want to eat their food in the company of ants and flying creatures. The picnics I like best are the ones that are shared in the company of others.

Ten or so years ago I attended one of the most interesting picnics ever in my life. Instead of hearing phrases like, “pass the fried chicken” or, “put another hot dog on the grill”, I heard remarks like, “falafel anyone?” and, “would you like some more dumas?” The red clay and pine thicket of a campground on Lake Allatoona was transformed into a little Kurdistan. I was part of the Georgia Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s effort to resettle Kurdish refugees, and all the participating churches hosted a picnic for our guests. Everyone was invited, but our special guests were our Kurdish friends. There were more than 200 Kurds attending this great picnic.

Some of the Kurdish families had not seen one another for some time because their persecution in Iraq had separated families and friends. You can imagine the joyous reunion many of them shared at our picnic. Perhaps this was a small example of what Jesus meant when he prayed, “thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” On a hot, Saturday afternoon in the middle of the summer I was a small part of God’s realm on earth.

Church is about setting a table for the world. When we support missionaries around the globe or send out mission teams to provide dental care or volunteer time at the Augusta Urban Mission we are setting a table and inviting the world to join us. Throughout the Bible banquets and feasting are used to describe God’s redemption. Through missions we feed the hungry, provide water for the thirsty, and hope for the searching. We do this through contributions, prayers, and presence. Missions is not a program but a way of life for God’s people. In fact, missions is a privilege, life being invited to a picnic or a feast.

As we enter a new school year and a new season of Bible Study, mission, and worship, may we be faithful and attentive in joining in the feast and inviting others to do the same.

Grace and Peace,

Greg