Growin' Up Gregory

Christmas 2018 has not gone as planned.  But don't feel sorry for me, it has still been a blessing.  We didn't even make it to Christmas weekend before plans went awry.  Friday afternoon, Britt called me at work to let me know she was taking Aubree to the doctor only to find out that she has RSV and needed to avoid being around anyone 2 and under until Wednesday.  Yes the day after Christmas, Wednesday the 26th.  And on top of that, she was still in bed when I had gone to work that morning and with them at the doctor and me doing some elf work when I got home, she was back in bed before I got to see her.  So here I am, waiting on Christmas, and didn't even get to see my sweet, sick baby girl on Friday.   Then Saturday morning began rather poorly.  Mom's eye was throbbing and she was in a great amount of pain and couldn't see out of it again.  I don't do doctors, but thankfully my sister does.  So at 7 something Saturday morning, I headed to Spartanburg

So many of use things on a daily basis and trust them to function properly even though we are completely clueless about how they work.  I know very little about internal combustion engines, but I trust my car to crank and drive me to town every day.  I know even less about amps, volts, and watts of electricity, but I know that if I flip the switch my lights should turn on.  And I don't understand how wireless technology and data is communicated, but I trust that if I send a text out that it will make to wherever in the world it is intended to go.  When the angel came to Mary, she likely didn't fully understand what was about to take place in her life either, but she trusted. Read Luke 1:26 - 38 Trust God's Grace and Presence By choosing Mary to be Jesus' mother, God had bestowed His grace on her.  Sometimes we certainly feel like our calling or purpose in life is nowhere near as significant as Mary's.  And sadly, it isn't since the Savior is already b

Recently, the 1964 movie, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, has faced criticism for promoting bullying, talking down from parents, and being unfriendly.  Here are my thoughts on that...and more. 1.  This movie is a Christmas classic.  If you like it, good.  If you don't fine.  It's a over 50 years old and if it offends you, it's not the problem, your perspective (or overly sensitive feelings) are.  To add to this, if you're offended just now by something that has been around for 50 - 100 years, someone has gotten in your head.  That object hasn't just changed to become offensive. 2.  Why are you focusing on Rudolph being picked on for having a different nose?  Guess what, kids are mean, and adults can be meaner.  Why aren't we focusing on Rudolph shrugging off the criticism of his peers, ignoring the negative talk from his coach, and not letting the discipline of his parents (more on that next) turn him into a victim?  He was an overcomer.  He took all that ne

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where what seemed like a complete coincidence had actually been carefully planned out ahead of time?  Maybe it was a set-up by friends with someone they wanted you to date, maybe it was a surprise party or celebration, maybe even a coach getting a technical foul that would inspire his team to play harder, or maybe you found yourself the victim of being "punked."  Sometimes the coincidences we think we see in life aren't coincidences at all, they are a part of God's larger plan for His world and our life. Christmas, and Jesus' birth, is certainly no different.  This was far from an unplanned pregnancy.  Christ's birth had been foretold many years before.  One scientist actually calculated the odds of 8 prophecies of Jesus being fulfilled in one person at being 1 in 100 quadrillion.  We literally have better odds of winning the lottery (1 in 175 million) multiple times than that Jesus Christ would have fulfilled thes

I have done a lot of observing over the past few years of my life.  Experience is a great teacher, but I believe that if I can learn from the experiences of others that I may be able to avoid some of the 'hard' lessons of life.  The lessons I've learned from watching others have certainly helped me grow and shaped some of my thoughts and beliefs.  A few of those have changed how I believed I could change the world and those thoughts are below. 1.  I used to believe that in order for me to change the world, I would need a fancy title or high ranking position.  I thought that I would have to become an executive officer, start a successful business, or make lots of money before I would have enough clout to influence those around me.  Guess what, the people I thought I needed that status to influence are often so set in their ways that nothing's going to change them.  Remember the saying, "It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks." Through my current mid-l

This week's session on prayer is focused on what is a favorite topic for most of us - ourselves.  While it is important to pray to honor God, for His kingdom, and seeking His will, part of the Model Prayer has a line where we pray for our personal daily needs.  But part of discerning what those needs should be is in seeking God's will first so that we can better understand our true needs. One such story of a prayer like this is found in Isaiah 38.  The prophet Isaiah delivered the news to King Hezekiah that he was dying and had only a short time to live.  Hezekiah did what many of us would do, immediately turned to God in prayer.  Why?  Because he wanted to live!  And he understood that the greatest need any of us have is for life itself. And look at how God answered Hezekiah's prayers - Isaiah received a word from the Lord to tell the king, "I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears.  Look, I am going to add fifteen years to your life.  And I will rescue yo

Some may already know, but for those who don't, I've been teaching Sunday school for a little over a year or so I guess.  After starting out in your Young (and I use that term loosely lol) Adult class, Britt and I have started focusing more on the truly young adults - the College & Career Class with 20 and 30 somethings. I'd be lying if I said that every week was easy.  It's not.  But every week is worth it.  Some weeks, I hope the class gets the most out of the lesson.  But other weeks, I know that the lesson was for me and something I've been dealing with.  Long story short, it's hard showing up week in week out prepared to teach and hopefully inspire, but when you're seeking God's will (as Jordan pointed out this morning) it doesn't matter if it's easy - you do what you've been called to do. In this social media world, we always share our success, our cute pictures, and our wins, but what are my biggest struggles teaching? 1.  Ma

Many of us (and with literally billions of users, don't act like you're not in this group) use social media on a regular basis to post, look at, or like pictures of ourselves, our friends, our pets, our kids, or any random object we find amusing at the moment.  With the movement of posting pictures of oneself becoming so popular that we've even gotten a new word from it, selfie.  But how does this selfie mentality fit into one's Christian walk?  One writer shared this, "The scene of someone being on their knees before God may be one of the only selfies that can convey humility." It's hard to only talk about me, me, me, and still be focused on God, God, God.  Shifting away from this selfie culture toward surrendering to God's will is necessary for spiritual growth.  We rarely think of the word surrender in any positive light.  But when it comes to surrendering to God's will in our life, it is vital. The Point:  Approach prayer with humble submis

This week in our Sunday school class, I asked the question:  "What's a name you associate with greatness?"  Instantly, one young guy responds, LeBron!  You can tell he's younger because even my much younger (brownie points!) wife spoke up and said that when she thinks of 23, she thinks of Michael Jordan.  We stopped the debate there in the interest of getting into the lesson as well as not starting an argument in church. While we all likely have different names that we associate with greatness, we all recognize the importance of having an honorable name.  "Without question, one name above all others deserves honor:  the name of God.  Jesus taught us to honor the name of God when we pray." The Point:  Our prayers are driven by the desire to honor God. This week's primary verse was Matthew 6:9b, "Hallowed be your name," as well as Psalm 96:1-9. Part 1 - Praise thru Proclamation In the Model Prayer, Jesus directs us to place praise at the

In our College & Career Sunday school class this week, we started a series titled, "How to Pray."  I plan to try to and share the lessons each week in case anyone wants to follow along with us here...or you can come join us Sunday mornings at Tabernacle at 10 AM in room 218. Any good speaker, teacher, or presenter knows that the #1 rule of public speaking is to know your audience.  You don't want to prepare a discussion about retirement for preschoolers and a presentation themed with Disney princesses most likely wouldn't spark the interest of a group of businessmen.  In order for someone to prepare a dynamic and engaging presentation, they must know their audience, who they're preparing to talk to. The same is true in our prayer life.  The Point of this week's study is: "A right view of God fuels how we pray."  The conversations we engage in with our friends about are often focused on topics that interest them: their favorite team, favorite

If you've been following along, you've seen what authentic joy is and the foundation that it comes from.  But what does it look like in our everyday lives?  How do we live our lives in such a way that others can't help but see our joy and faith? Read 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10 True authentic joy is infectious.  People can spot someone who has true passion, true care, and true desire to be doing what they're doing.  This goes from the girl waiting on you at the fast food restaurant to the boy bagging your groceries.  If they are joyful in what they're doing, you can tell it because real joy is set apart. True joy does not ebb and flow with the environment around us.  It doesn't matter if your team won, your new car got a dent in it, or your favorite show got cancelled.  True joy goes beyond the trivial things that make us "happy" to the point that we are joyful in what God has given us - nothing else is needed.  The people in Thessalonica saw that t

It was a good thing that the church at Thessalonica was strongly rooted in its faith in God.  Its founder and leader, Paul, had been run out of town by mobs and attacks leaving this new church with new believers to wade through its early days without its top leadership.  If you want further proof that God does things bigger than us, consider how many businesses would survive, let along thrive, if you removed their CEO shortly after their organization.  But that's exactly what was happening here. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6 Just like the early Thessalonian church, our foundation should be built on the salvation that we have through faith in Christ.  Having that confidence, we should be filled with an authentic joy that spills over into all of our actions and emotions.  So what does authentic joy look like? "Authentic joy is deeper than emotion."  Our joy must come from somewhere.  Remember my earlier statement that true joy isn't manufactured from within.  So as w

Working at a bank, we occasionally have counterfeit money that comes in.  Some of it looks and feels very much like real money.  With its color, size, and feel, it's understandable how it passed initial inspection by a cashier. However, some of it barely looks better than Monopoly money and really leaves you wondering what the cashier was thinking when they accepted it.  But no matter how good the counterfeit, eventually, it is found out to be fake.  "Inauthenticity will always be revealed - even when it's in a Christian's attitude.  We can tell the difference between a fake smile or handshake and genuine joy and compassion.  This joy cannot be manufactured, but we can be filled with it when we are filled with the love and truth of Jesus Christ. Read:  1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 Paul and his companions begin these verses by sharing how thankful they are for three very specific traits of the early members of the church at Thessalonica. First, is that their works were p

Millennials are categorized as people born between the years 1982 - 2000.  This would put us somewhere between the ages of 18 - 36 (and makes me one of the senior members of this group).  I've read, seen, and heard many different trains of thought on millennials over the past few years as we've become the largest group of members in the workforce in America.  Some has been positive, but some not so much.  Like any other generation, we aren't perfect, but we do have potential.  We just need you to give us a chance, and here's why? Consider this - If you are a 50ish year old individual with a business, how much longer do you plan to keep working?  Based on the current social security rules and typical retirement ages, I would guess another 20 years give or take.  Would you want a business partner who was only planning to work another 5 or 10 years?  Certainly not.  You would want a partner who is going to be there for you and with you the rest of your career.  If you be

I haven't typically followed Supreme Court nominations very closely.  It's not that I don't appreciate what they do, the power they possess, and the decisions they make, I just hope that I never have a personal matter escalate that far...plus I don't have a lot of influence in that level (or any) of politics.  But since the media continues to push this story and people are asking questions, I want to look at it from three different perspectives. First, what would I do if I was the father of the accuser - how would I respond if Dr. Ford was my daughter?  I would cry.  I would feel sadness, pain, anger, and likely some hostility.  I would want to bring justice to whoever had caused my daughter this type of pain and agony that she had suffered with in silence for so many years.  I would talk with her, I would pray with her and for her.  I would seek counseling and help and do whatever I could to help her move past this terrible experience.  But eventually, we would all b

My job, like most everyone else's, can be frustrating at times.  I have friends, clients, or random potential customers who contact me about a financing need or a loan product that they've heard about through some ad on the radio, online, or on TV.  Sometimes, what we have to offer may be much better (or at least much simpler) and other times the larger company is simply able to offer something that a bank our size isn't equipped, capable, or willing to offer.  I like the way one of customer (and now friend) put it:  "A community bank may not be able to do everything, but they can do some things that other banks can't."  He unknowingly nailed what sets community banks (and other small businesses) apart - their ability to see more clearly what a customer wants and needs, and the willingness to customize a solution for their particular need (without all of the ridiculous corporate approvals that are sometimes required). For people who do a lot of traveling, ha

1 Peter 4:10-11 - "Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.  If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God's word; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.  To him be the glory and the power forever and ever.  Amen." God gives His children spiritual gifts, not for our sake, but for the sake of building up others.  He has given us all various gifts that we need in our services for Him.  Peter calls on each of us to be good stewards of the spiritual gifts that we have been given.  As a steward, we know that our duty is to manage the concerns of someone else.  That is to say that believers offer God service from the gifts that He has given to us.  We are stewards of His provision, not owners.  Those who spoke were to recognize that they were representing God's words and not their own opinions. "Think of this di

Part 1 of Showing Hospitality was shared yesterday if you want to read it first.  Otherwise, jump on in here. 1 Peter 4:8-9 - "Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.  Be hospitable to one another without complaining." Love is not a feeling; it's a deep commitment for another's good that is shown through action.  The word translated "love" designates a decision of the will rather than an emotion.  Biblical love is often characterized by self-denying commitment.  Love covers a multitude of sins because of its readiness to forgive and its ability to breakdown walls of hostility and bring reconciliation. Like love (our highest command) hospitality is not a suggestion.  The above verse reads, "Be hospitable to one another."  It didn't offer an option of when convenient, when you feel like, when you want to - we are commanded to show hospitality.  But hospitality is more than a few simple acts,

The City of Union is affectionately known as "The City of Hospitality."  But what does being hospitable really look like?  Hospitality is nothing new, and being hospitable is certainly a spiritual characteristic - actually a command that Christians must embrace as we welcome those coming to faith in Christ.  Our graciousness and hospitality to those outside our circle is what attracts people to the gospel that we profess.  So what does all this mean?  "Ground your service and love in hospitality." 1 Peter 4:7 - "The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer." First, let's look at where Peter is coming from with his declaration that "the end of all things is near" so that no one has the idea that he was some sort of crazy end times prophet kind of guy and to protect his credibility since he wrote this letter nearly 2,000 years ago.  Peter shared later in his writings (2 Peter 3:8) that the Lord's timeta

I heard a sermon this morning that also had a lesson in English for me.  It contained a verse that I've heard many times before, but never heard it explained this way.  "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21 Pastor Michael Todd breaks it down this way, "Your heart follows your treasure.  Your treasure does not follow your heart."  We often lie to ourselves by saying that if we really love something that we will give to it.  But the truth is that if we give to something, we will love it.  He went to suggest that we should think of like investing in a stock - if you invest in a certain stock, you start watching its price go up or down, you start checking it on it daily.  Why?  Because that's where your treasure (money) is. By willingly putting your money and finances into something, be it a charitable organization, a church, a club, your marriage - you will lead your heart there as well. Look back at what the verse sa

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I was getting out of English class preparing to head to a CEP event during my freshmen year at Presbyterian College.  That morning had all the makings of an ordinary day until America got punched in the mouth.  I remember the feelings of anxiety and anger upon realizing that the land of the free and the home of the brave was under attack.  Everyone who loved the freedom and opportunity that this nation offers was ready to fight to defend it, and rightfully so.  Countless military and first responders went out risking their own lives to save as many as they could during the aftermath of these horrific attacks.  And it was almost like a patriotic revival in our country. But this has me thinking today, what is worth fighting for?  Many of us would fight over almost anything during our younger days.  But you reach a certain age, or point in life, where fighting is no longer fun.  And the only reasons now that I would fight are to defend or kill.  So what w

So Facebook wants to know, "What's on your mind, John?"  Well, I'll tell you if you feel like listening... Right now my mind is wondering what the real problem is.  You see, everyone is either upset right now with Nike or Papa Johns, Kaepernick or Trump, the NFL or that their team will end up left out of the playoffs at end of the college football regular season (okay it's a little early for that one).  But the real problem isn't pizza or shoes, it's not the former QB or the current President, and it's not the leagues that develop and display some of the greatest athletes in our country. The real problem is a lack of love and the presence of hate.  It's not about if you play sports, like pizza, wear a suit and tie, or can throw a football.  It's about if you respect the people around you.  It's about if people are treated fairly in this country. The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States reads like so: "We the People

I wasn't real sure how to recap nearly one full year of officially being a Sunday school teacher so below is my best attempt to do so in an open letter to those below... To my class, my community, and my generation: When I asked a year or so ago about starting up a College & Career Sunday School class at church I wasn't sure how to react.  I was honored to have been considered for this role (honestly a little too honored becoming somewhat prideful and overly expectant of what would happen).  I was also excited for the opportunity to reach a group of people that has become more and more scarce in church, and even a little scared of what would happen if the class failed (or more so how I would be judged if that happened while I'm being honest here).  It was truly a gamete of mixed emotions of both hope, excitement, and fear. I tried a few ideas my way through online invites and even trying to meet in a different room and area of the church to possibly seem more invi

How's your faith?  I'm willing to bet that if most of us are truly honest, our faith is often times "iffy" at best.  We make statements like: -  God, if you'll give me a child, I promise I'll dedicate him/her to you. -  God, if you give me good job or a raise, I'll be more generous with my giving. -  God, if you give me a prominent position, I'll talk about you more with people. And while we've all probably made "deals" like these with God before, they are not how our faith should operate.  God listens, but He doesn't negotiate.  I believe that He hears our prayers and that He is compassionate to our concerns and our hearts, but I also know that ultimately His will will be done. Rather than having if, or iffy, faith, perhaps we should focus on having EVEN IF faith: -  Will you trust God EVEN IF your child becomes deathly ill, develops some severe condition, or worse dies?  Will you still trust His purposes for that child in y

There are a couple things that I have noticed recently during my early morning runs: 1.  There are a lot more loose, free, stray, or whatever you want to call them, cats roaming the streets of Union than I had previously realized. 2.  The last two mornings, especially today at 58 degrees, felt amazing. I've picked up a few lessons from the cats that I've seen out and about.  Most of the ones I see are your typical housecat variety - small and not very ferocious looking.  When I come running by, they duck behind a curb or mailbox, or flee to the shadows, or lay down as flat and still as possible.  Why behave that way?  Why wouldn't they come up me to be petted or offered food?  It's because they don't know me or my intentions.  In that moment when I run up on them, they go into survival mode.  Regardless of what they were doing, it's put on hold and their main priority is to just stay alive.  (Just as information, I have never nor do I ever intend to harm any

I have made many mistakes in my life.  I have gotten a lot of things wrong, missed opportunities, missed chances, made bad choices, and done harmful and hurtful things.  But tonight, I saw fruit of at least something I'm getting right in this life. Each night, when I take Thomas to bed, we read a short Bible story and then after lights out we say our prayers.  I usually say the "first one" where I pray a typical adult prayer thanking God for what He's given us and asking Him to be with those we love.  And then Thomas will finish it up by saying his "second one" which will have a familiar ring to many: "Now I lay me down to sleep.  I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." But tonight he told me that he had a different one.  I'm slightly fearful at this point given his mouth sometimes but at least no one in public will hear it lol.  He then proceeds to talk to God.  Let that s

Before I start, I hate to "steal" someone else's sermon.  But I listened to this one on the way home yesterday and then couldn't find after looking for over 30 minutes to share it.  So below is my best attempt at the meat of Michael Todd's (quickly becoming one of my favorites to listen to) sermon on having a vision. The text is based in 2 Kings 4 and is the story of "Elisha and the Widow's Oil."  If you're not familiar with the story, it would be beneficial to give those few verses a quick read first. At the start of this story, we see the widow in a desperate situation - her husband has died, she has no  job, no money, and may potentially lose her children and everything else she owns.  It doesn't get much worse.  The first question that Elisha asks her in v2 is, "What shall I do for you?"  The first thing that Elisha asked her was not what she has, rather she wants, what she feels like needs to happen.  Think about that.  How