While I Mused The Fire Burned "Beyond the Music"

Last evening America's beloved gospel singer, George Beverly Shea, joined the heavenly crusade choir at age 104. My whole life is filled with memories of this humble man whose music has been heard by millions all around the world. The last time I heard him in person, he was in his 90s and his voice was still strong and resonant. I was amazed at the control and his ability to communicate the message of the song, but as much as I loved that rich baritone voice, it was never about the voice or even the music.

Bev Shea gave us all a powerful lesson in telling the story of Jesus. Whether one likes his style or the genre of music, it is refreshing to see a man who in such a simple, forthright way went straight for the heart. When he sang "I'd Rather Have Jesus" (which he also wrote) you immediately knew how personal that story was and it sent arrows straight to the heart of the listener.

For many singers, the music becomes the message. Not for Bev Shea. The tune was only a vehicle to bring the love and comfort of Jesus to a parched and aching heart. Much of the time his accompaniment was only a piano or organ because he wanted to keep it as simple as possible. Billy Graham said he never wanted to preach unless Bev sang first because when the song was over the audience was ready for the sermon. It was a perfect combination; both used their gift to tell The Story. In an age when music can become a cacophony of noise, George Beverly Shea spoke to the heart and the message he shared brought Jesus close and very personal. It was beyond the music.

Rex Bullock: It Was Love

Rex Bullock: It Was Love: It Was Love I love Easter.  It is the greatest day on the Christian calendar.  In fact, for me, every year Holy Week becomes more meani...

It Was Love

It Was Love

I love Easter.  It is the greatest day on the Christian calendar.  In fact, for me, every year Holy Week becomes more meaningful and significant to me.  The chance to commemorate and celebrate all that Jesus did for me grows richer and deeper.

This Easter weekend is already proving to be like a drink of clear water on parched lips.  Last night, our very young and still forming church community (transFORM Communities) held a love feast, climaxed with worship and holy communion.  It seemed so reminiscent of what the Early Church must have done--eager believers sharing life together.  The reflection on Christ's sacrifice was deep and the cheers by beaming believers were throaty and love filled.  It was pure joy to be together.

Today (Saturday) was such a highlight for LaWanda and me.  We hosted all our family (3 kids, their spouses and all our grandkids) for Easter dinner, an Easter egg hunt and a rousing game of kickball for all of us.  What a blast!  And what love radiated all over the place as innocent children scampered through the house and all over the yard.  The food was great, but the love that we share for one another was the greatest, by far.  The hugs when we all parted were so warm and heartfelt.

And now, I'm left to reflect on it all.  There's only one thing that can make this happen.  Jesus Christ is the center of it all.  Once again, it washes over me.  It was love.  His love is the reason we can know the kind of human love that we have for one  another.  My heart almost burst with love just watching kids and grandkids today, but that can only happen because of Him.

"It was love that sent a Savior

To this world of sin and woe;

It was love that left heav'n's portals,

And came down to dwell below;

It was love that stilled the waters

On stormy Galilee;

It was love that paid sin's ransom,

One dark day on Calvary.

Refrain:

Love so divine,

Love so sublime,

Love that is deeper than any sea;

Love for us all, oh, how can it be!"

And I'm still trying to understand it all, but I'm learning more about it when I commemorate His death and tomorrow (Easter Sunday) we will celebrate His resurrection.  Hallelujah!

While I Mused The Fire Burned--"It's Still All About Jesus"

When we think of the "Bride of Christ," the Church, we still think of buildings and programs. Our consumer-driven society has deeply affected how the Body acts and how we perceive ourselves. In order to have an effective, successful "church," we think we have to have all the right "stuff." That means the building has to be customer-designed, with nice grounds, convenient parking and breathtaking bathrooms. Once we get to the building we have to have state-of-the-art programs which have been focus grouped and tweaked for just the right outcomes.

But is this really what God had in mind for His Church? Never once in the New Testament is the church described as a physical building. I've never read about one customized program in the New Testament. A large amount of what we do today is extrabiblical at best and unbiblical at worst.

When you read chapter after chapter of the New Testament there is the picture of a body made up of members. There's the picture of a family with brothers and sisters who have died to themselves and their selfish ways and who are living in Christ. In this picture of the church, people aren't just parking for an hour and participating in certain programs. Instead, Christ's Church is comprised of people who share the life of Jesus every day.

So how do people come to know Christ without all our paraphernalia? Well, Jesus said, "if I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me." Indeed, it's still ALL ABOUT JESUS.

"Down Into the Mess"

In my early morning fireside musings ("...while I was musing the fire burned," Psalm 39:3b) thoughts on personal leadership continue to emerge. In the arena of life, as a Christ follower, what is my responsibility to those who are broken and bleeding? After all, those people are all around me. What is my attitude? More important, what is my action?

As Jesus was teaching throughout the country, He would go into towns and villages and there he would see people who "were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36 says that He said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."

The clear implication is that He was confronting broken and confused people who were crying for someone to help. Jesus looks around and pleads for helpers...workers who will pour in healing oil and bind up wounds.

The need for harvest hands has not lessened in our post modern world. Will I turn my back and fail to inhabit this space? In her book, "Concerning the Inner Life," Evelyn Underhill says, "(The saints) do not stand aside wrapped in delightful prayers and feeling pure and agreeable to God...They go right down into the mess; and there right down in the mess they are able to radiate God because they possess Him."

Today, go down into the mess and He'll go with you!

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