Saint Nicholas

Yesterday was the Feast of Saint Nicholas.  This is a time to remember a great bishop that lived in modern day Turkey.  [For all of my friends that don't believe in Bishops ------- just remember they are in the Bible]  He served in his city with the love of Jesus.  DeAnne brought this up to us on Friday and said we should read his story.  We have a great set of books about the saints of old called: Early Saints of God by Bob Hartman.  In this book we are told that Nicholas found out that there were three children that were going to be sold into slavery because their parents had found themselves in debt ------ and in order to pay the debt they would sell their children into slavery.  Nicholas made a plan to give the money to the family without them knowing that it came from him.  He did this out of his love of God and his love of the people God had entrusted to him.  The small bags of gold miraculously showed up on the day that the children were to be sold.  Thus, they were set free from slavery and bondage. 
I wonder what that would look like in our own lives?  To not go around proclaiming how generous we have been.  To not go with trumpets and fanfare [in modern day terms that is social media] sharing what great generosity we have accomplished.  Instead to be a humble servant of God ----- who did  not come to be served, but to serve.
Nicholas lived a life of sacrifice for the common good of all.  Let us go and do likewise, as we participate with what the Holy Spirit is already doing.  Forget all the pomp and circumstance ------ forget the fanfare and horse & pony shows ------- forget the trumpets and bugles ------- forget the Christmas parties and charity events -------- forget the shoe boxes and endless gift giving -------- forget the red sweaters and $80 Christmas trees ------- and instead take on the form of a servant and love your neighbor.   

Luke 21.25-36

In Luke 21.34 it says: "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap." We believe that Jesus will come again and that we will see him coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Therefore, the entirety of our lives are to be lived for him — we are to live holy lives — loving the Lord our God with all of heart, soul, and might — and loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. But instead, we allow the cares of this world to weigh us down and cause our hearts to grow cold to the ways of the Lord.

We give into competing with our neighbors about who has the fanciest car — we compete with our co-workers for raises and promotions, not caring if we leave them in the carnage of our own self-absorption. We let someone driving too slow or too fast allow us to lose our focus on loving our neighbors. We allow gossip and back-biting to steer our angry and vengeful thoughts towards family and friends. We settle into lifestyles that promote bad health — justifying all of that by saying that we will live differently starting January 1^st. We settle into the warm and inviting hell — where we could make ourselves the center of the universe — and constantly turn in upon ourselves and gaze at our own insignificance. We comb the aisles of clothing and toys — hoping against hope that something will bring us happiness. We worship the gods of commercialism — bowing before their plastic altar — as we sign our lives away to Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express. We search for the cheapest goods and services — the whole time riding on the backs of modern day slaves that work in sweat shops that span our globe — in places like Thailand, Indonesia, and Mexico — names that are emblazoned on the backs of plastic angels that announce a phony “Joy to the World!”

And Jesus says to us, in the midst of our depravity — guard your hearts against the cares of this world — the cares that take your focus off of the ways of Christ — and instead flee from the wrath to come.

Advent - Give us Rest!

December - a month that oftentimes causes our blood pressure to go up. During this Advent we pray that "God will give you rest." We would like to invite you to come and worship with us and learn more about the rest that is found in Jesus Christ. We will be focusing on the Gospel of Luke during this time --- below you will find a schedule of our services. We have a warm and passionate atmosphere where God will meet you as you are. Sunday morning worship is at 9am at Chandler's Wharf in their Atrium (225 S. Water Street - at the corner of Ann Street & Water Street in downtown Wilmington) We have a place for you!

Sunday, November 30th @ 9am: "Oh Great God, Give Us Rest" - Luke 21.25-36
Sunday, December 7th @ 9am: "Have You Seen This Place, It's All a Mess" - Luke 3.1-6
Sunday, December 14th @ 9am: "Take This Song, From a Crooked Heart" - Luke 3.7-18
Sunday, December 21st @ 9am: "Open Up Heaven's Glory Light" - Luke 1.39-55
Wednesday, December 24th @ 9pm (gathering at Hell's Kitchen - 118 Princess Street): Communion & Candlelight Service - Luke 2.1-20
Thursday, December 25th @ 10am (gathering at Azalea Nursing Home - 3800 Independence Blvd.): Visiting & Singing at the Nursing Home

"The Barge"

This last Sunday we celebrated our time on "The Barge".  It was so cold ------ which I think was a good reminder of why we need to go inside.  When you don't have walls up at a church ------ both metaphorically & physically ------- there is some extreme discomfort that comes with that.  But, we have also experienced what worship can be like.  It can be in open spaces, it can be in the public square, it can be easy & simple, it doesn't have to cost a lot of money, it can be open to people from all walks of life, and it can be a time to live into God's Kingdom in imaginative and creative ways. 

As I have reflected back on our time of being on "The Barge" I am overwhelmed with the generosity of Carl Marshburn, who owns the Henrietta III and "The Barge".  He has been so kind to us and so generous with his resources.  I can't say thank you enough. 

Also, I am in awe of the many people that have made The Anchor their home through our time on "The Barge".  You all have truly been a blessing to me and words cannot express how grateful I have been to journey with you all through this time.  You all are passionate in your love for the Lord and in your love for one another.  I have beautiful images in my mind of standing and singing ------- and people are walking along the River Walk getting a glimpse at what "church" can be.  I have images of eating donuts and drinking coffee ------ and in that simple moment walls of division come tumbling down through that grace-filled act.  I have images of dogs coming to worship -------- and in that simple act God smiles as all creation tells of God's glory.  I have images of strangers holding hands and praying ------ I have images of people sharing their experiences with tear-filled eyes ------- I have images of reading scripture -------- I have images of black people & white people & asian people singing with one voice ------- I have images of children running -------- and in that moment, I hear Jesus say: "I make all things new". 

Thank you for a great summer of worshiping together with all of you saints of God.  I am humbled by the fact that I can call all of you my friends.  Let's live lives that are radical ------ and let's do it together.  Let's cast aside all the religious baggage, and the dividing walls of hostility.  And instead let us live lives for the common good ------- for in that grace-filled act we are proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

Hebrews 11.1-19

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Hebrews 11.1-19.  This has one of the most famous passages from Hebrews in it.  It is verse 1: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  This sets up the rest of the 18 verses.  Over and over again we hear the words "by faith".  We see "by faith" in vv 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 17.  And in the midst of this pericope we then hear of a longing for a heavenly city.  In v16 it says: "But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one."  The question that comes to me from this verse is whether we desire that better country? that heavenly one?

In Burlap to Cashmere's song titled "The Other Country" they sing:
Draw near the lamb's awaiting
Where the river runs thru the sky's align
From that painting of a ship
We have all been chosen
To the painter's creation
In his dream design
I can feel it over the line
I see the other country
I see the other side
Do not be afraid of this earthly city
Do not be afraid when the pharaoh's nigh 

In the midst of the stressful and divisive political season let us remember that we do not need to be afraid of the pharaohs that are trying to divide us and strike fear into us.  Our hope is in something greater than the republican party or the democratic party.  Our hope is found in something that is bigger than the political juggernaut that is trying to destroy everything in its path.  Instead, we as the church see something different.  We see with eyes of faith another city ----- a heavenly city ------ a better country.  For the slain lamb of God has called us to his side.  And uses people like us to make things new.   

Hebrews 1:3

Hebrews 1.3: "He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word.  When he had made purification for sins, e sat down at teh right hand of the majesty on high."

In Jesus we truly see who God is ----- and in Jesus we see the imprint of the divine that has come in the flesh.  He has impacted us with the good news of God's grace.  That impact truly changes us and has caused humanity and the very cosmos to change. 

Christ's word has power ----- the power to sustain all things.  That sustaining word holds together the very fabric of the universe.  And the telos is found in Christ becoming the all in all.  For this great God YHWH has made a purification for sins.  Before, this bend that humanity caused in the creation had great influence upon the very cosmos.  But now, Christ has made a purification which affected that bend and is making straight the path before us. 

This imprint that God has placed upon the universe is found in a person.  In the person of Jesus we see the powerful word revealed.  In the person of Jesus we see humanity being created again.  In the person of Jesus we see God's glory.  In the person of Jesus we see YHWH ----- the great I AM. 

This changes everything.  For Christ sat down ----- so that we can know how to stand.  Christ died ----- so that we can know how to live.  Christ was born ----- so that we might know how to die.  Christ spoke ----- so that we might know how to listen.  Christ healed ----- so that we might know how to trust.  Christ fed ----- so that we might know how to eat.  Christ purified ----- so that we might know how to be.  Christ rose from the dead ----- so that we might speak from the ashes. 

A long time ago I wrote in a poem: "I am heaven and you are my answer."  There is a question ----- I am not sure what it is ----- and I am not sure where it comes from ----- but, I do know the answer to it.  It is us. 

The question is found in the homeless guy on the platform in the NYC Subway saying: "The angels have dirty faces."  The question is found in the loneliness and isolation of the man who sits at home by himself listening to televangelists and memorizing his Bible ----- but can't bring himself to be in fellowship with other believers.  The question is found in the business owner asking: "What's in it for me?" ----- knowing the whole time that wasn't the real question.  The question is found in the jailer who falls as Paul & Silas's feet saying "What must I do to be saved?"  The question is a heart beat, a smile, a step, a drop of water, a blade of grass ----- and the answer is us! 

Hebrews 2:9

I was writing in my journal about Hebrews 2:9 and I thought I would share a portion with you.

"but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."

I don't feel crazy for seeing you ----- but I do feel a great deal of love for you.  I do see Jesus.  I see you in DeAnne and our kids.  I see you in my friends.  I see you in baptism.  I see Jesus while mowing the grass.  I see Jesus in sunsets and dirty walls.  I see Jesus in the homeless guys waiting on a ride Sunday mornings to go and eat breakfast.  I see Jesus in marriage vows and confession.  I see Jesus in forgiveness and scripture.  I see Jesus in communion.  I see Jesus in the river.  I see Jesus in love and repentance.  I see Jesus in his disciples as they laugh together.  I see Jesus in my parents.  I see Jesus in my grandmother telling stories of God making us all different ----- like snow flakes.  I see Jesus in our inabilities and lack.  But I do see Jesus.

Jesus' glory is based on his suffering ----- and it is through his suffering ----- God tastes death.  I love you Lord ----- and I am thankful that you tasted death for all of us.  It is because grace that you tasted death.  It is God's grace that allows us to see you.  It is God's grace that made you a little lower than the angels.  It is God's grace that makes us part of the everyone.  

Acts 17.1-9

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Acts 17.1-9.  In this passage Paul & Silas go to Thessalonica.  While in Thessalonica they go to the Synagogue and argue for 3 days about how the Messiah was to suffer and rise from the dead.  Many people believed what they were saying ----- and not just the Jews ----- but also the Greeks.  Because of this many of the Jews became jealous (v5), and formed a mob and set the city in an uproar.  They went to the city government officials and said: "These people have been turning the world upside down" (v6).

Imagine just for a moment being the people that are accused of turning the world upside down?  What a great compliment that would be in today's day and age.  The church would be living into its peculiar and radical nature of proclaiming that there is another King ------ and it is not Caesar, or President Obama, or Shimon Peres, or Senator Kay Hagan, or Senator Richard Burr.  Instead our allegiance is to the God who overcame death, hell, and the grave.  Imagine the powerful establishment throughout our cities forming mobs to thwart this proclamation.  What a compliment that would be!

So my question is ------- why does this not happen? 

One Year

I have been contemplating a lot lately what a year can do.  We moved to Wilmington, NC on June 18th, 2013.  As a family we have thoroughly enjoyed the friends we have made, and the many doors of opportunity that have opened for us to be actively involved in the life of our community.  I feel like starting in a new place as a family has granted us a time to grow closer with each other. 

As a pastor I feel like this has been a year to grow in faith.  To peal away the many layers of what it means to be the church ------- and attempt to get down to the core -------- it is an intriguing and exhausting process.  Continuously I have people ask me how it is going?  I have learned that I don't even have the language to answer that.  For my vocabulary has changed ------ and that is mostly due to the fact that I can't use words like buildings, land, and money.  When you stop talking about buildings, land, and money ------- what are you left with? 

What you are left with is discipleship, but it is not a discipleship that is programatic or didactic or top-down management.  Instead it is a discipleship that is relational, compassionate, restorative, and eclectic.  It is a discipleship that has to do with following Jesus ------- because followers of Jesus actually follow Jesus.  Therefore, we do not follow buildings, land, money, programing, smoke machines, laser shows ------- which in many ways are just an expensive ad for something cheap.  Instead we follow a revolutionary Messiah who calls us to lay down our own lives for the benefit of others ------ for the common good. 

As I reflect upon this last year I have hope.  Hope for what the church universal can be.  For we are called to a life that is radical ------- but at the same time so simple.  We are called to a life that looks like Jesus ------- not to a life that is a never-ending committee meeting.  The Holy Spirit fills us with the power to embody hope to the world.  And in that calling to lay down our lives, we will find who we are truly to be.  This is the place where we have peeled back all of the distractions of what people have made the "church" ------- and instead we can go and be the church by being a sent people ------- for God so loves the world that he has sent us. 

Restoration

I have been focusing much of my time looking at what it means to live out the value of restoration.  This is through the restoration of our relationship with God, community, ourselves, and creation.  So often we neglect to live out the wholeness that the Lord has called us to, for we focus so much time and energy into our personal relationship with the Lord -- but then forget about that relationship being intricately woven together with community and creation.

In the book of Jeremiah 30.17 it says: "For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, says the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: 'It is Zion; no one cares for her!'"  Here the Lord is saying that he will restore the Israelites health, heal their wounds, and restore their status.  God's restoration is holistic ----- it is a restoration of our relationship with creation, with community, and with ourselves.

Lesslie Newbigin writes: "To man thus in bondage and in self-contradiction, the message of salvation is sent.  Salvation means that man is released from this bondage, and that the contradictions of which we have spoken are overcome ..... It means the healing of that which is wounded, the mending of that which is broken, the setting free of that which is bound."

We believe that we are called to live lives of restoration ------ where we live as God's ambassadors in the world ------- offering healing, health, and the restoration of the status of people as children of God.  The Lord has called us to live lives of embodying hope ------ therefore the miracle of restoration can be seen through our actions and words.

An important part of our restoration with creation is our willingness to live simplified lives.  Therefore, we are called to re-use, recycle, and re-purpose.  Because God's restoration is holistic we also know that it is of vital importance that we live out our calling of restoration through simple actions that benefit all of the world. 

Hebrews 6.13-20

I have been spending a lot of time with Hebrews 6.13-20 lately. The more I learn about the book of Hebrews the more I am intrigued by it. The writer crafts the words on the page in an intriguing and provocative way. A way that calls for us to respond in a tangible way ------- the way of hope.
In v15 we see that Abraham responds with patient endurance based on God's promise and oath to him. In the midst of that patient endurance he obtains the promise ----- the promise that was embodied in a son. The two unchangeable things are God's promise and God's oath. In v18 we can then find our refuge in those two unchangeable things. For in refuge we can seize the hope ------ the hope that is based on God's promise and God's oath to us. A promise that the Lord will bless us ------ so that we then can live lives that are a blessing to the world. A blessing that embodies hope in real and tangible ways.
In referring to those who have taken refuge, the commentator John Calvin writes: "By these words he intimates that we do not truly trust in God except when we forsake every other protection and flee for refuge to his sure promise, and feel assured that it is our only safe asylum." In this refuge we then find hope from the cares of this world. But it is not just a hope that is future oriented, but instead it is a hope that is found in the now. For this hope denotes a firmness, something that we can hold in our hands.
Continuing to v19 we find the image of the anchor. In this verse we see that the anchor is useful. Sometimes it is useful as a tool, and sometimes it is useful because it gives us hope
just by being on the boat. The anchor gives us hope because we know if the seas get rough, we can drop the anchor to give us firmness in the midst of the storm. John Calvin continues to comment on this group of verses by saying: "As long as we sojourn in this world, we stand not on firm ground, but are tossed here and there as it were in the midst of the sea, and that indeed very turbulent; for Satan is incessantly stirring up innumerable storms, which would immediately upset and sink our vessel, were we not to cast our anchor fast in the deep. For nowhere a haven appears to our eyes, but wherever we look water alone is in view; yea, waves also arise and threaten us; but as the anchor is cast through the waters into a dark and unseen place, and while it lies hid there, keeps the vessel beaten by the waves from being overwhelmed; so must our hope be fixed on the invisible God."
The anchor is sure and steadfast, safe and firm. From the anchor is a cable or chain that comes and links the boat to the anchor. That chain is to be God's people ------ that have committed to be linked together by the very blood of the lamb. For the chain links to the anchor ------ which is Christ. And Jesus has entered into the heavenlies, the inner shrine, as our great high priest ------- and now his followers are linked to him while also linked to the world. In this cable we then embody hope ------ for we are to no longer live for our own best interest ------ but instead live our lives for the common good. This is a life of self-emptying and self-abandonment ------ and in that we embody hope.
We have been impacted by this Jesus and now we are to be trained to be ambassadors of this good news. Ambassadors that proclaim a hope that is bigger than our circumstances and situations. For in that embodied hope we then can find who we are to be ----- one who imitates the ways of Christ in this world.

Sunday, April 13th @ 9.45am

The question that we will be looking at this Sunday will be: "What has changed since the resurrection?"

Sin & Salvation

I was looking over Lesslie Newbigin's book Sin and Salvation and found this great section on salvation. I had to share this challenging question that he lays out for us.
"But when all this has been said, there are still two serious difficulties which have to be considered. The first is this: love must be shown not only in deeds, but in deeds which are actually directed to the need of the other person. If I am drowning in a well and another man jumps into the well and rescues me, while he himself is drowned in the effort, then there can be no doubt about that man's love. He has given his life for me. But if I am attacked by a tiger I need a different kind of help. My friend may jump into the well and drown himself, but that will not rescue me from the tiger. In that case, even though my friend may jump into the well and drown himself, but that will not rescue me from the tiger. In that case, even though my friend gave up his life, I cannot say that he loved me or saved me. Christ gave up His life on the cross, but how does that save me? How does it rescue me from my sin? Unless we can show that there is some connection between Christ's death and my sin I cannot believe that Christ's death is a proof of love for me, or that it has saved me from sin. Clearly it is not enough simply to say that the cross is a revelation of God's love, unless we can answer these questions."

WikiWorship Question #5

On Sunday, April 6th at 9.45am we will be gathering for WikiWorship at Hell's Kitchen (118 Princess Street - Wilmington). We will be covering this question that came to us online: "Why do Christians tend to pick and choose verses out of the Bible as scriptural support, yet dismiss other verses that may contradict their claims? Is it not okay to view the Bible as bits and pieces, rather than a whole?" All are invited to come.

Divisive

This Sunday, March 30th at 9.45am we are covering this question for WikiWorship: "How does the church reconcile the hostility toward homosexuality when it seems that it is no more vilified than divorce or even lust?" This is about as divisive of an issue we can have now-a-days. We see this in the news, and what we find are talking heads yelling at each other about opinions. What I long for is a respectful conversation that allows us to be authentic and real. In this we can embody hope ----- where we can create a place where it can be safe to talk about some of the most difficult questions of life ----- rather than a dangerous place to talk about little to nothing. In the book of Ephesians the Apostle Paul writes: "He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it." [Ephesians 2.15-16] Here we learn that in Christ he makes a new humanity ----- even though there was hostility ----- and this new humanity is reconciled at the cross. I would urge us all to approach this question from the foot of the cross. For at the foot of the cross we find who we are ------ sinners in need of a savior [1 Timothy 1.15].

WikiWorship - Sunday, March 30th at 9.45am

On Sunday, March 30th at 9.45am we will be gathering for WikiWorship at Hell's Kitchen (118 Princess Street - Wilmington). We will be covering this question that came to us online: "How does the church reconcile the hostility toward homosexuality when it seems that it is no more vilified than divorce or even lust?" All are invited to come.

WikiWorship Question #3

The question we will be covering on Sunday, March 23rd at 9.45am is this: "Why are people born in poverty where they have been sexually, physically, and emotionally abused; while others are born into 3 bedroom homes with some hope; while others are born in Landfall?" This will be at Hell's Kitchen (118 Princess Street - Wilmington).

End Time Headlines - WikiWorship

I never would have thought that WikiWorship would have made it to a website like End Time Headlines ------ so I had to comment on that. They do not write any commentary on the website ------ so I don't know if there using WikiWorship as a sign of the end times or they are using it as a compliment that we are working diligently to reach into the darkness during the end times. Which ever way we take that ------ I have to say that is truly a resume builder if you get an article written on the End Time Headlines page ;-) http://endtimeheadlines.org/uncategorized/wikiworship-lets-church-members-edit-pastors-sunday-sermon/

WikiWorship Question #2

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Thank you

Thank you to all of you that were able to come out for the kick-off of WikiWorship.  We tackled a really hard question ------ and you all did it with kindness and respect.  That is really hard to do in today's culture of talking heads yelling at each other on the television, through the blogosphere, and through soundbites.  I appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you all at the next gatherings.  Remember we will be gathering for 5 more weeks.  March 16th, 23rd, 30th; April 6th, 13th.  This is at 9.45am on Sunday mornings at Hell's Kitchen (118 Princess Street - downtown Wilmington).  Also, if you have a question you would like to submit please go to this website and insert on in the Google Form: anchorwilmington.org/wikiworship

First Question

WikiWorship - Request for Questions

Gathering Questions - Embodying Hope

Over the past few weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed gathering questions.  Recently I was in a bar gathering questions and I received some terrific ones.  It seems so easy just to ask folks if they have questions about God and life.  This ends up opening up some great doors for real conversations about the deepest matters of life. 
Over and over I am awe-struck about the ease of just being a listener.  So often we feel like we have to talk and talk and talk.  But in reality, being present in the conversation as one who is willing to listen is even more important.  Sure there are times where we need to talk ------- but that should always be tempered with the ear attuned to the conversation in front of us. 
Two words that have been sticking with me over the last couple months are these: Embodying Hope.  In so many ways we can live into that embodiment of hope by being good listeners.  This is much like Job's friends (at the beginning of the book of Job ------ not the end).  It says in Job 2.13: "They sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great."  They literally sat with their friend ------ they didn't give advice or try to convince him to think the way they thought.  Instead, they sat.  And in this action they embodied a hope that there was something more in this life.

WIND Missional Community Dance Party