Life, liberty, and the pursuit....

So, the roller coaster continues...I have been doing a lot of reflecting since we are about to do a sermon series on the movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness". I am not much of a philosopher, but if I were I think the study of tragedy and happiness could send me down some serious metaphysical rabbit holes.

It amazes me that God gives such simple instructions about joy in the midst of, well... life. Life happens, but our joy is complete in Christ. Life happens, but happiness is as simple as a choice. Taxes happen, flat tires happen, our metabolisms slow down (some of us start with slow ones as it is :), our bones get weaker, our memories fade, our wounds scar but heal, bad things happen to good people...but this is the amazing thing about how God made us; our ability to be happy is our choice. No one, nor anything on this planet has the ability or the right to make us feel happy or sad...ultimately, it is simply our choice.

I think that this is what Paul was talking about when he wrote, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. "(Philippians 4:12)

The secret...now that is a word that draws us in. I was watching Oprah one day (by accident I promise) and they had some lady on there with a book called, "The Secret", promising all of your dreams to come true, and the answer to perfect happiness on earth! That book is probably a best seller now, because everyone wants to know the secret to being happy. That is why our nation leads the world in the sales of anti-depressants and mood stabilizers (not something I researched, just a guestimation, hehe). We all want to be happy.

Happiness, or the Pursuit of it anyway, has led so many people down so many paths of emptiness, destruction, and despair. It has led some to addiction, chasing that moment where they can feel happy, if only for a short moment. It has led others to sexual sin...once again, momentary and never satisfied. It has led some to relationship, after relationship, after relationship, in hopes that one day the approval of another human would fill that void. It has led others to sacrifice all in pursuit of that little green paper that we are convinced can meet all needs. Yet it comes and it goes, and so does the happiness it can provide.

I could go on and on, but this is the bottom line...what is the secret Paul. How could you be so arrogant as to say that you can actually be content in any and every situations. But you don't understand my situation Paul. You haven't worn my shoes.

Then Paul leans over and whispers to me, "
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches." (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

Then I say, "Dang it! You really do know what you are talking about! O.k. Paul, what did you conclude...what is the secret? How did you still find contentment?"

Then he smiles and say, "Freddy, it is actually not very complicated....
I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

He smiles again and says, "So stop feeling sorry for yourself and get over it"

So that is what I find at the bottom of this rabbit hole...something so simple yet so complex...letting Christ be my strength...letting Him carry me through "everything". Sounds like such a "churchy" thing to say...too simple for problems that are so complicated...so the answer is simple...but really, besides Christ, what else do I need?

The pursuit continues...

The Greatest Movie of All Times

I just sat down about ten minutes ago and turned on my t.v. I checked to see what was on, and I turned it to TNT HD. As I turned to the channel, the end of Forrest Gump was on. Every time I watch this movie I am blown away all over again! I believe that this movie has to be the greatest movie ever written. I am not sure if I can pinpoint why this movie is so great, but there are probably many reasons! It is a love story. It is an adventure. It is a comedy. It is a drama. It just is. It is the story of a guy who, though simple, faces lifes challenges with extreme optimism and unexplainable joy. He changes lives, changes hearts, and changes situations! Whether standing in the rain in Vietnam, staring at the horizon on a shrimp boat, or running beside the mountain lakes of the midwest, Forest Gump saw the world in a way that most people only dream of. Maybe that is why I believe it is the greatest movie of all times. Because it is the fictional story of a man who encompasses so many of our dreams. The dream to experience something new, the dream to be loved, the dream to live an adventure, the dream to make a difference.

I am not sure how many times I have seen the movie, but I will always remember the first time I saw it. I was 16 years old and lived in Havelock, N.C. I was with my parents and two brothers. It was the night before my older brother and I would leave to drive 27 hours to the great state of Texas. In a way, I guess it was a glimpse into the adventure I would begin the next day. That trip to Texas was the start of my adult life, as it was the day that I moved out of my house, and moved back to Texas to pursue God's calling in my life. My brother had signed up for the Air Force and was supposed to report to Lackland AFB in San Antonio three days later. I was moving back to Victoria, TX to rejoin the church where I had been saved and discipled for my first year as a Christian. I left my house at the age of 16 because I knew that going back to Texas was the only way that I would be able to grow into who God wanted me to be. If I hadn't ever made that drive, I don't believe that I ever would have ended up in Virginia pastoring Freedom Life Church today. It is amazing how the choices we make can impact the future in ways we will never know!

When I got back to Texas I jumped back into my involvement in the youth ministry at First Baptist Church, Victoria. After graduating from high school I went to Victoria College and became a college intern for the youth group. Because I was an intern I was asked to help chaperone a two week mission trip to Newport News, VA, in the summer of 1996. While on that mission trip God called me to move here and be part of the church plant we were here to help start, Hope Community Church. The rest is HIStory.

Where were you the first time you saw Forest Gump?