“10 Years Later: Now What?”

Where were you ten years ago today?  Many of us can remember exactly where we were on that infamous Tuesday morning.  Some were still eating breakfast.  Many had just arrived at work or school and were getting their mornings started when it seemed liked the world stood still, and history would never be the same.  I was seated in my doctoral class that morning at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY, when news reached our classroom that the first plane had flown into one of the Towers of the World Trade Center.  We soon dismissed class as we all found ourselves glued to the television watching in horror.   Some 3,000 people lost their lives that morning, what seemed to start off as any average Tuesday, September morning.  I know I watched in disbelief, thinking to myself–this only happens in the movies!

Indeed, our thoughts and prayers should go out for the thousands of families this morning whose wounds are perhaps somewhat reopened as the pain flares with every 9/11 that rolls around, especially this ten year anniversary.  The question that resonates in my mind is: “Ten years later: now what?”  Is there any hope?  How should we respond to such a tragedy? 

God, however, grabs our attention as He bridges the gap between our hopelessness and despair with the cross of His only Son, Christ Jesus.  God knows, better than anyone, what it is like to experience pain and tragedy—He did this in the death of His own Son.  Yet, God used this event to rescue us from our own hopelessness and restore us to a right relationship with Himself through Christ Jesus.  Is there hope today, even ten years later?  Absolutely!   

The book of Revelation shows us that Christ, the one who bridges the gap between hopelessness to eternal hope, is coming again.  In fact, this same Christ has promised us that He is going to make all things new.  Injustice will be gone forever in His new heaven and earth.  There will no longer be planes flying into buildings because of hatred for humanity.  All of our sadness and grieving will be no more.   Finally, we as the church are to compel, and lovingly share, with all peoples to look to Christ who is the hope of all eternity.

Ten years later, is there any hope?  You bet there is.  We can lovingly share this good news to everyone God allows us to meet.

“Power In Whose Name?”

We’ve been journeying through the book of Acts on Sundays since January of this year.  It’s been neat to track the working of God through the power of the Holy Spirit as the Son of God was preached to the nations.  Is our task any different today as Christ followers?

 

The following is my blurb for my message this coming Sunday morning:

 

“I invite you to take your Bibles and turn to Acts chapter 16:16-40 this morning.  Last week we looked at what “Spirit-led ministry” should look like in our lives.  I pray that the Lord used His word in your lives this past week as you reflected over what type of ministry you have.  Truth is, many of us Christians know that we have a task to do for the Lord, but we often fail to tap into the reality of the power that we have in Christ alone.  

 

Did you notice that I said, ”in Christ alone?”  We live in a day and age when there are numerous names that are tied to religions.  Names that are given, in the world’s eyes, validity and used as acceptable ways to find truth.  I remember a neighbor of mine once saying, “as long as you have faith, even in a rock.”  Christ, however, is not just one name among a smorgasbord of spiritual options.  Christ is the one and only way to know God.  He is truth.  He is the way to find true salvation according to God’s plan for His creatures. 

 

As we look at the journey of Paul, Silas and Timothy this morning, notice that they operate in the power of Jesus’ name, not their own.  Even in the midst of their struggles, confronting a demon possessed woman as well as being thrown in prison, they still found joy in Christ alone.  I pray that we will each glory in Christ, and carry His name to the nations–beginning right here in the heart of Midtown!  Thank you for your faithful service.”     

Never A Dull Moment

There really is never a dull moment around the Fleming household these days. Our little 15 month old, Kara, keeps us on our toes at all times. From her sleepless nights to her constant roaming of the house, I feel like I have a wild puppy on the loose!
At the same time, I promise that she is the most awesome thing, besides Jesus and Jenna (two J’s with Jesus coming first, babe:)) that has ever happened to me.
I don’t know if it is because she is a girl or not, but I feel like I am always trying to protect her from bumping, or let’s be honest, just flat out knocking herself out.
I am thankful for beautiful little girls! God knew what this ole’ boy needed. Don’t let time escape you! Men, let’s not allow our families to be robbed of our quality time. Let’s interrupt our dull moments with some solid QT with God’s most precious commodities.

Easter Sunday

We had a good weekend of Easter activities at Union Avenue here in Memphis, TN.  It started with a reflective, worshipful, somber service on Good Friday in our chapel.  I am very thankful to my wife, Jenna, who chose all the songs and even helped me think about what type of service to plan.  We had “8 Stations of the Cross” with readers to read Scripture passages based on Christ’s road to the cross with appropriate music afterward.  I also made some comments after each passage was read.  Christ was in our midst. 

Furthermore, Saturday we had a good turn out for our community cookout and Easter-egg hunt.  I was proud to see our UABC people turn out to help work and make gospel ministry possible.  I pray that we will be able to connect with the different guests from our community.

Finally, we celebrated this morning in our corporate gathering.  Easter Sunday is the Super Bowl; it’s the State Championship; it’s the title game for preachers.  It’s a chance to declare the greatness of Christ and His resurrection and the free offer of the gospel to all who are present.  Yet, as I looked out over the congregation, I couldn’t help but wonder what is going on in the lives of those present.  Many of the persons never come on the other 51 Sundays out of the year.  What road are they on currently?  My prayer is that they would look to Christ and His free offer of grace and forgiveness.  If Christ brought a saving, conversion experience to Saul who persecuted the Church, then no one is outside of the hope and mercy available through Christ.  We all are on a road spiritually.  Question is, “Which road are you on today?”  Christ said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no on comes to the Father but by me”  (John 14:6).

Christ is risen, and He is calling us to come and follow after Him–not just on Easter Sunday, but everyday of the year!

Life Moves Quickly

My first blog post–although I am about 10 to 15 years behind times, it is never too late to enter the 21st century!

Life moves quickly.  Does it not?  I can remember first entering seminary, after college, and I thought to myself, “Man I don’t want to do another 4 year degree!”  When I first started Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY, I thought time dragged on and on.  Time, however, doesn’t drag on and on.  It moves more quickly than a weaver’s shuttle according to the Bible.  Sometimes it seems as if we want it to fast forward to get to where we want to be in life (at least where we think we want to be), and other times we want it to just slow down so that we can capture the memories and enjoy the laughter of where we are in life.

Right now, I wish I could slow time down.  I want to spend more time with my wife, Jenna, and our beautiful little daughter, Kara.  It is hard to believe that she is about to turn 1-year-old on May 6.  I can still remember vividly the very morning that Jenna went into labor.  Kara came four weeks early, so we were really surprised that she arrived so soon.  What joy we experienced that day that she arrived.  Jenna and I were both amazed at the awesome gift of life that God gave us that day. 

Now, around 11 months later, we are looking forward to yet another little one as Jenna is around 4 weeks pregnant.  Just as I want time to stand still, I also want it to move quickly so that we can meet this second child.  Is the baby a boy or girl–we”ll have to wait and see.  However, at the same time I don’t want to miss out on each day that God sends our way.  I want to bask in the here and now, and I want to make each day count. 

How about you?  Are you wishing away today in hope for a better tomorrow?  Or, are you looking to Christ to treasure each and every day as a gift from Him?  May we treasure and give glory to Him for His love and mercy in our lives.

Pastor, T

I’ve Made It!

Never too late to get in on the blogosphere!  Welcome to my blog page.  I will be posting shortly!