Father's Day Reflections

So...It's the time of year again. Yep..Father's Day. For many of us this day has been laced with painful memories....and for some joyous reflection. However, the greatest treasure of all is to realize that God is the Father you have always desired. Placing expectations on anyone is just a precurser from a resentment. When resentments are present in your life it is like a million heavy chains on your ankles which are bolted to the earth. The only way to get through the curse of resentment is .....forgiveness. In my personal life I have been on a journey with Jesus...he has showed me what his Grace has and continues to do for me.

I am human however....One resentment that continues to rear it's head is that of my "father." You see...I did not meet my father till I was 21 years old. We meet and the first time was sureal. The second time....he denied being my father in front of my friends (I tried to kill him). In retrospect I wonder if that is what Jesus was getting at? I then think about the times that I have denied him as my father by allowing other "gods" to take his place?

When I was ready to face my Dad again and offer him the grace that he deserved....I looked up his phone number on Google...

and I found his obituary.....




Whatever rift you have between your father...Don't wait until it is to late.

"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need." Ephesians 4:26-28

"Sunday's are the Most Segregated day of the Week?"

Diversity's Symphony from Emanate Media, Samson Varughese on Vimeo.

Could it be? The one day of the week ironically set aside for worshiping Jesus Christ who emulated equality be the most segregated day of the week? At first glance I would have said "this is just another "fade" that is trying to make it in cultural Christianity." However, last year at Catalyst 2 humble guys were handing out a few shirts and I was lucky enough to receive one. It was a sweet shirt it! It read "Church Diversity: Confronting the Elephant in the Pew."
I actually gave that shirt to one of the Pediatric Cardiologist Surgeon at Boston's Children's Hospital. They did kinda save my new baby boy's life you know =-)

I have a inkling to lean towards the answer Yes. Well at tleast to the statement of Sunday's being Segregated.". I have been refelcting a lot lately on Church Politics and what the call of the Church is....I am sure I am not the only one who see's it as "off target." Most churches today are way to cultural and way to close to being a business. It is a travesty ..nay a sin to become what the world wants you to be as someone who follows Christ. The great thing about Jesus is that.....He DID NOT FIT IN, HE DID NOT BELONG, NOT EVERYBODY LIKED HIM, HE DID NOT HAVE AN I PAD, HE DID NOT DICTATE HIMSELF AS GOD; HE BECOMES SAVIOR WHEN YOU RECOGNIZE HIM AS THAT and HE GOT MURDERED.

Jesus did more in 33 years than I could even imagine....but thats not the point. The point is that we do not need to learn how to be better Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, Presbyterians (etc.) We need to start seeing what WE HAVE in common....If we are true to our faith...that is the ONLY thing that matters. (psst. it's Christ)


So are Sunday's the most segregated day of the week? If not good....If so
Well what are you going to do about it?

Blessings
Art Summers


Okay. So what do you think?

Watch the video again ..HERE