What a Trip!

Beverly and I returned home late Tuesday night from our incredible trip. We are still feeling jet-lagged, and I am dealing with another issue as well. I was on some medication that has caused me to have the hiccups. I'm talking for up to 4-1/2 hours at a time! Whew! Hopefully it will be out of my system by Sunday, because once they start I can't carry on a conversation.

We were able to visit the cities of Rome, Athens and Jerusalem. We saw the ruins of the great cities of Ephesus, Corinth and Pompeii. We toured the islands of Crete and Rhodes, and the beautiful coastline of Italy. We enjoyed quaint villages that I thought only existed in movies. It would be hard to pick out only the highlights of our trip. Probably gelato -- both Italian and Greek (they each claim to have invented it). It is awesome! Unlike any American ice cream.

Can't wait to share more about our trip in coming days. It will forever shape the way I see the Biblical text.

Mavs in 6?

Can the Mavs do it? If they do, I am really hoping it is in Game 6 on Sunday night. If not, Game 7 will be played while we sleep in Rome.

Can we please lay aside these comparisons of Lebron James being as good as Michael Jordan? What an insult to Jordan!

And Dwyane Wade is a guy that, if he was on my team, I would like. But he has been known for his theatrics through the years. So I found it ironic that after Game 4, he said something to the affect of Dirk is a great player without the dramatics. Really? Playing with 102 temperature is hardly being dramatic. And Dirk NEVER used it as an excuse, nor did he draw any attention to it.

But last night, there's Wade acting like his leg is broken. The courtside announcer (do those people ever tell you anything insightful?) said Wade was questionable for the remainder of the game. That lasted for a couple of minutes.

Come on, Mavs! Let's do it in 6. PLEASE!

Catching Up on the News

I am trying real hard to live in the moment right now. Beverly and I are preparing for a trip that I am SO excited about. We will fly to Rome and spend a day or so. Then, we will board a cruise ship that will take us to Naples, Athens (and Corinth), Ephesus, Rhodes, Crete, Jaffa and Ashdod (both in Israel). It's going to be great!

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What a cool gesture by the Rangers in drafting a guy who was paralyzed when he and a teammate collided in a game a couple of months ago. I am not going to say more because a friend of mine (Jeff) is going to be blogging about it. But what a classy move by the Rangers. And the Astros did something similar, I think.

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Anyone who ever accuses Dirk of being soft again needs to be flogged. Torn ligament in his finger? 102 degree fever? No biggie. Climb on my back, boys.

Have you ever tried to function AT ALL with 102 temperature? I can't get out of my bed -- unless it's to move to my recliner.

Any discussions of greatest players in NBA history that does not include Dirk Nowitzki are craziness. Note: I didn't say "the greatest" -- but he has to be in the mix of top players.

Colin Cowherd, are you listening?

Hollywood's New Low

There is a new show ABC is promoting that they have entitled, "Good Christian B*tches." What in the world is happening?

Can you even in your wildest dreams imagine Hollywood naming a show, "Good Moslem B*tches"? Or "Good Jewish B*tches"? I know Christians are often viewed as hypocrites in our culture. This is probably because we are the majority faith -- and thus more visible. But I am a little tired of the bashing of Christians -- even by our own! Take Christians out of this world, and what would it be like? Who on this planet are most concerned about taking care of the hungry? providing pure water for third-world countries? building hospitals for the sick? And by the way, this is not something that originated with the "emergent" Christians movement.

Can we do a better job? Absolutely! But the constant bashing and condescension toward our own is self-defeating.

But I digress.

What should our response be to ABC's plans? Well, I imagine what they WANT to happen is a loud public outcry. Why? Because, as Jerry Jones has said, even bad publicity is good. It will stir interest and get people to watch.

So here is my proposal. Let's ask ourselves what Jesus would do. And Scripture even provides us an answer in 1 Peter 2: 21-23. I am summarizing: ". . . follow in his steps . . . When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."

You might think, "But that won't work!" Really? Ask Gandhi. Or Martin Luther King, Jr. Or Nelson Mandela.

Perhaps the best way to handle this is for every Christian to simply not watch it. That alone would be enough for the show to bomb.

Fun with the Grandkids

The last few days have been filled with activity, much like most of you have experienced in the month of May. We were blessed to have our Memphis family (Josh and his family) here for several days, and that was such a treat. Truitt and Noah are so much fun!

Yesterday Jonathan and his family were with us. Beverly and Jennifer were looking through a lot of Jonathan's stuff from when he was a kid, when they came across his pocket New Testament.

Later while Jonathan and I were playing golf, Beverly and Jennifer were in the back yard playing baseball with the kids. When it was Jocelyn's turn to bat, Jed told Beverly he was going to read his Bible (Jonathan's NT). Now, Jed is 4 years old -- nearly 5. He opened the Bible and acted as if he were reading it.

After a few moments, he put it down. He told Beverly that he had found the passage about baseball. She asked him what it said. He said, "It says, 'Be kind when you are playing baseball.'"

It must be buried somewhere in Revelation. It's been a while since I have read that.

So Proud of My Granddaughter

Last night my precious granddaughter sang at a "Kids' Stand" event in Grapevine. This is a non-profit ministry that goes into schools to teach the kids moral lessons, and then invites them to an off-site event where they share Jesus with them. Jenny was very involved in the ministry.

The weather did not cooperate at all. We had to evacuate the auditorium twice. But when Malaya sang, it made EVERYTHING worth it. Jenny had a voice that would always give me goosebumps and would make me cry. Well, her daughter inherited her gift. When she finished, she got a standing ovation.

The song she sang is a popular song by Sidewalk Prophets. Malaya sang it as if it were advice her mom would have given her. Here are the words, with one word changed -- which I have highlighted:

Three in the morning and I'm still awake

So I picked up a pen and a page

And I started writing just what I'd say

If we were face to face

I'd tell you just what you mean to me

Tell you these simple truths

Be strong in the Lord

And never give up hope

You're gonna do great things

I already know

God's got His hand on you

So don't live life in fear

Forgive and forget

But don't forget why you're here

Take your time and pray

These are the words SHE would say.

Last time we spoke you said you were hurting

And I felt your pain in my heart

I want to tell you that I keep on praying

That love will find you where you are

I know cause I've already been there

So please hear these simple truths.

Be strong in the Lord

And never give up hope

You're gonna do great things

I already know

God's got His hand on you

So don't live life in fear

Forgive and forget

But don't forget why you're here

Take your time and pray

These are the words SHE would say.

Say . . . from one simple life to another

I will say . . . come find peace in the Father

Be strong in the Lord

And never give up hope

You're gonna do great things

I already know

God's got His hand on you

So don't live life in fear

Forgive and forget

But don't forget why you're here

Take your time and pray

These are the words SHE would say.

Thunder Collapses, Rangers Thunder, and Other Weather News

OK, so I'm not a rabid Mavs fan. I do like this team a lot, and I watch the games, but usually while I am reading a Western. I'm just in general not a huge team sports guy anymore.

So last night, with 5 minutes left in the game and the Mavs down by 15, my eyes were getting heavy. So I turned off the TV and went to sleep.

Imagine my surprise when I went out and got the paper this morning! Mavs win in overtime! Wow! Dirk is playing like he is on a mission.

My youngest son and I have a little humorous thing going. He keeps trying to get me to say I like Shaun Marion. Sorry. And while he is getting kudos for the block of Durant's desperation shot at the end of regulation, I think it was a poor choice in seeing the replay. Even in the replay, I could see that he could have easily been called for a foul. It wasn't, but I have seen lesser defense called a foul. The chances of Durant making that shot were very slim. But a foul would have meant a certain OKC victory.

Will the Mavs wrap it up tomorrow night in big D?

And how about the Rangers? Two straight complete games from their starters. And Hamilton and Cruz came back in style -- both hitting homeruns. It reminds us of what we have been missing. Hopefully, they can get on a winning trend now.

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Another tragedy -- this time in Joplin, Missouri. I never cease to be amazed at the devastation left in the wake of a tornado -- taking only seconds to destroy a lifetime.

Here in Decatur, we are under a severe storm warning today. Let's pray that nothing serious develops.

Does Anyone Get Drug Ads?

I cannot ever remember purchasing anything because of a TV ad. I admit that there may be something at work subliminally. But I raise this issue because I watch with amusement the drug ads. It seems to me that in a 30-second ad, they spend 25 seconds warning of the side effects and dangers of taking this particular drug. I cannot see how this could lead anyone to want to use it.

I mean, really, if you go to the doctor and need a medication, don't you pretty much depend on him / her to tell you what to take? I don't think it would even enter my mind to say, "Wait a minute, Doc. Instead of what you are prescribing, how about let me try ___________. I saw this TV ad about it, and think it's the drug for me."

Maybe someone can explain the marketing strategy. I would much rather see these companies save those millions they spend on TV ads -- and lower their prices!

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From Rabbi Abraham Heschel, as quoted in Philip Yancey's book, Disappointment with God: "Faith like Job's cannot be shaken because it is the result of having been shaken."

Thoughts on Prayer

The events of last year, with over 12,000 people praying for my daughter's healing, really shook up my "theology of prayer." I feel like I am trying to walk across an iced-over lake right now. My footing is very unsure. I am continuing to explore and journey through this, and hopefully will come to a God-centered conclusion.

One thing has really struck me. It is something that will make the "health-and-wealth" crowd uneasy. Scripture doesn't have a lot to say about praying for physical stuff -- even health. Maybe the most-used passage for that is in James 5, where James says (v. 13) "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord." Yet even here, MANY scholars believe James is referring contextually to spiritual sickness.

Now please don't roast me here. If you want to pray for cataract surgeries and things like that, I don't think it is wrong. It's just NOT where I am right now. I do find it sad that when we take prayer requests at church, nearly 100% of them will have to do with physical stuff. This just does not seem to align itself with Scripture.

So I've been thinking about "the Lord's prayer." Remember, the disciples asked of Jesus: "Teach us to pray." And so He did. Hear what He said (Luke 11: 2-4).

"Father, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

Give us each day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us,

And lead us not into temptation."

In this prayer, Jesus urges His disciples to:

1. Honor God

2. Pray for the inbreaking of the kingdom here on earth.

3. Pray for DAILY SUSTINENCE.

4. Pray for forgiveness of one's sins, as well as for a forgiving attitude toward others.

5. Pray for SPIRITUAL strength to overcome temptation.

Five things He urged them to pray for. Four are spiritual, and one you could say is physical. But listen to what even the physical one implies: "Give us this day our daily bread." Hardly the prayer of Jabez! To me, it implies something spiritual. "Let me be satisfied with Your daily care." If anything, it diminishes / discounts concerns about the physical.

So for me in my journey right now, prayer is about SPIRITUAL things: strength to overcome temptation, being made more into the likeness of Jesus, dependence upon the Holy Spirit, etc.

Again, I am not writing this as the final authority on the subject. Nor am I telling anyone not to pray for "stuff." I am just giving an honest assessment of where I am.

It's a Sweep!

If I had not been watching it, I never would have believed it. The Mavericks put an old-fashioned whipping on the Lakers yesterday to sweep them. 20 3-point shots made!

Would anyone have believed it last summer if I had predicted that 1. the Rangers would beat the Yankees to get into the World Series and, 2. the Mavericks would SWEEP the Lakers in the playoffs, and 3. Bin Laden would be caught? I'm curious: Which of the three would you have considered most unlikely? least likely?

The Lakers are often lauded for their "class." Really? Two completely indefensible cheap shots in the 4th quarter. Give Kobe Bryant credit for calling them both inexcusable. The Zen master was not as direct. He said it shouldn't have happened, but his team was frustrated. Oh? So can every team that is frustrated start throwing elbows intentionally meant to hurt another player? Come on! Be big boys.

Oh, and the culprits themselves actually tried to defend their cowardice. No words of regret.

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Please be praying for the people of Memphis, Tennessee -- as well as other areas along the Mississippi River that face flooding over the next couple of weeks. My oldest son and his family have a passion for Memphis, and so that city is on my mind and in my heart today.

Better Than a Hallelujah

I know that most of you have heard the song, "Better Than a Hallalujah" by Amy Grant. Beverly said she thinks it might have been released last February as Jenny was in the hospital. I confess: If this song had come out 2 or 3 years ago, I would not have been able to relate very well to its words. Now it makes all the sense in the world. Here are the lyrics:

God loves a lullaby in a mother's tears in the dead of night

Better than a hallelujah sometimes.

God loves a drunkard's cry, the soldiers plea not to let him die

Better than a hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a hallelujah.

The woman holding on for life, the dying man giving up the fight

Are better than a hallelujah sometimes.

The tears of shame for what's been done, the silence when the words won't come

Are better than a hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a hallelujah.

Better than a church bell ringing,

Better than a choir singing out, singing out.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a hallelujah.

May 1: Anniversary Day

Yesterday was my anniversary here at the church. Six years! It hardly seems possible that I have been here that long. I love this church with all my heart. To me, this is what church was intended to be: a place of encouragement and mutual support as we journey together arm-in-arm.

This is truly my family. I love our ministry team! And I actually look forward to elders' meetings! Man, do I love these guys!

As I said yesterday, I hope I am about 1/4th through my time here as preaching minister.

On another note, I found out yesterday that May 1 is also our secretary's anniversary date. She has been serving this church for 14 years. Congratulations, Joy!

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I watched with rapt attention last night as the news about Osama Bin Laden was coming down. I have read stories about Navy SEALS, and am amazed at the effectiveness of these guys. They must be the equivalent of David's "mighty men."

I do have mixed feelings about the celebration of this event. As I watched this morning, drunk college students slurred the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner" on national TV (I had to listen closely to figure out that is what they were singing). Others shouted, "Nah-nah, hey, hey, goodbye." I can only imagine the reception as these videos are shown in Arabic countries throughout the world.

It seems that our interests would be better served by being matter-of-fact about this incident, as we express a confident resolve in letting terrorists know that they can expect the same. But it is not something to be celebrated like VJ Day in 1945. That is just my opinion.

Friday's Fumblings

So how many of you are spending the day watching the royal wedding? I can truly say that I have no interest in it at all. I saw the results of a poll that asked if you will be watching the wedding, and only 23% said yes. So apparently, a whole lot of people are not buying into the media overkill.

The couple of shots I have seen from the festivities do bring back memories of when Beverly and I were in London last year. This morning I heard the bells chiming at Westminster Abbey, and remember how that sound carried across London.

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The Mavs won their 1st-round playoff series! They will now be taking on the Lakers. One can only wish that they somehow knock them out the way the Rangers knocked out the Yankees last year.

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My heart so goes out to the hundreds of families that have lost lives, homes and so much in the tornadoes that ravaged the South this week. We have a couple of men from our church that have gone to assist in whatever way they can. I am praying that God will reveal Himself in the midst of this tragedy.

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I never cease to be amazed at conspiracy theorists, and how easily people fall under their thinking. Do you realize that there are still people who think that the earth is flat and that the 1st moonwalk was staged in the desert?

Regardless of one's opinion of President Obama, the birth certificate issue makes the accusers look worse than silly. Do they really think that nearly 50 years ago, someone was already plotting to cover up Obama's "foreign birth" by placing a birth announcement in the paper? And even with the President having produced his birth certificate, now they are alleging that it is a forgery because it "doesn't look old enough."

Politics in America has reached a low point. Where is it going to stop? "Well, they did it to Bush!" "Well, they did it to Clinton!" It is SO childish. At some point, someone has to say, "ENOUGH!"

And we patronizingly look at the Middle East and wonder why they can't get along.

My Last Two Days

Sunday was a wonderful day. Emotionally exhausting, but wonderful. Our worship was powerful, and then our time together with some family and friends at the graveside was moving. All my hope is resting on Easter.

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Yesterday I played golf in the Gregg Pearson Benefit Golf Tournament. Storms were all around us, but other than a brief sprinkle we played dry. I thoroughly enjoyed the day, especially getting to spend time with Art, my ol' golfing buddy from Mesquite.

I love what this foundation is doing. They provide assistance to families who are battling health crises -- mostly cancer. I was encouraging to see survivors there last night -- individuals and families whose lives have been changed as a result. The foundation was so helpful to us through Jenny's battle. I will forever be indebted to them. I am humbled to see how a family that suffered the pain of losing a child has channeled their energies into making life better for others.

If you think you might be interested in supporting such a foundation, visit at www.greggpearson.org.

The Easter Story

Today is a day commemorated with sadness. For me and my family, 14 months ago today we let our daughter go to be with Jesus. I have never experienced as heart-wrenching a day as that. The feelings of despair and hopelessness were overwhelming.

Approximately 1,980 years ago today, sadness overwhelmed the followers of the one called Jesus. (As a sidenote, there is reason to believe that Jesus was actually crucified on Thursday rather than Friday. But I will follow tradition here). No doubt, they too were overcome with feelings of hopelessness and despair.

But praise God that because of the events of Sunday, a Christ-follower never has to remain in hopelessness and despair. In fact, Sunday IS hope. And so I will camp on Sunday. The tomb is empty. He is risen! He is risen indeed! And because He is risen, I can rest on God's promise that my daughter is risen too.

I live in the Easter story.

Reviewing My Grief Readings

I have read a number of books over the last year on grief. Some I could never really get engaged with and deserted them halfway through. But a few I have found very helpful. Here is my review. If you find yourself on the grief journey, I hope you find it helpful.

First, the ones I could not fully get engaged in. This does not mean that they are not helpful. In fact, they could be exactly what you need:

I had trouble with C. S. Lewis' A Grief Observed. I love reading quotes from Lewis, but I find his writings difficult as a whole. This was written after his wife died from cancer. He is honest as he deals with his struggles and doubts and victories.

Randy Alcorn's If God is Good. This book is exhaustive in dealing with the subject of good and evil. I began it when things were really raw for me, and so maybe I should go back and give it another shot. I don't always agree with his Calvinistic views on things, but there are still things to gain from it.

John Mark Hicks' Yet I Will Trust Him. Written in response to the death of his wife. Again, no doubt a good book that I just had trouble engaging with. I will give it another shot at some point.

Now, for books that have been more beneficial for me:

Philip Yancey's Disappointment With God. I am a Yancey fan, and this book is one of the best I have ever read. I intend to read it again soon.

Terry Rush's God Will Make a Way. Simple, practical advice from someone I know personally as "the real deal."

Jerry Sittser's A Grace Disguised. Excellent book written by a man who experienced the loss of his wife, mother and daughter in a car wreck. A MUST-read for anyone in the grief journey.

I just finished a book that a friend of mine who is acquainted with grief mentioned to me a couple of times. Along with A Grace Disguised, it will be at the top of my "recommended list." Written by John Claypool back in the early 1970s, it is entitled Tracks of a Fellow Struggler. It is a short book, actually four sermons he preached during his 10-year old daughter's battle with, and subsequent death from, leukemia. In this book, Claypool speaks into my heart things that I probably would not receive very well from someone saying them to me (ESPECIALLY someone who hasn't "been there"). I have to sit with the book and chew on them. His last chapter about viewing life as a gift was challenging -- yet rewarding.

So there it is, for what it is worth. I would be interested in your feedback.

This is THE Week!

Due to a couple of ministry circumstances I found myself in last week, I feel like I was in faith-crisis mode. But a reorientation over the last couple of days is helping me. I must remember that faith and trust is a daily decision. My devotional reading this morning reminded me that, like the manna in the wilderness, we must seek peace with God every day. It can't be gathered up for tomorrow. He supplies us what we need each day. This is so that we will remember that it comes from Him.

This week is the week in which Christians place ALL their hope. I can't remember Easter ever falling this late in the spring. I NEED it. I am so ready.

I can't tell you how much Paul's words from 1 Corinthians 15: 12-19 mean to me today. So I want to end this blog sharing them with you:

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

From Banquet to Buffet

Monday night was the 6th annual Wise County Christian Counseling dinner. YHWH-Jireh (The Lord Who Provides) continues to bless this ministry beyond anything I had ever dreamed. I am so proud of my wife and the way in which she spends herself for others. And she has so many loyal friends and coworkers who the Lord uses to make this happen.

I pray that the Lord will continue to provide this place where people can find healing and wholeness.

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Last night was our 2nd "Meat Night." There were 16 men who gathered to put down some ribs. Unfortunately, the restaurant ran out of ribs long before everyone got to order. But I think all the guys still enjoyed our time together. I don't know if there is any place we get to know people better than when we sit down at table. Maybe that is why we find Jesus eating so often with folks.

Prayer Requests and Masters Recap

I would like to place a couple of prayer requests before you:

Donna Moon, a member of our church, has been in the hospital for several days with an infection in her brain. Although she seems to be doing better, I know she and her family would appreciate your praying for her complete recovery.

A friend, John Scott, longtime preacher for the Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland has a son named Shane. Shane went on a mission trip to Ghana recently, and upon returning discovered last week he has malaria. He is in very serious condition at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Please be praying for Shane and his family, John and his wife Teresa.

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The Masters was great this year. Only one shot separated as many as 10 people as they reached the back nine yesterday. Tiger Woods looked like he was going to pull off one for the ages halfway through the final round, only to go cold. I was pulling for Adam Scott down the stretch. But it was a South African, Charl Schwartzel, who ended up winning.

The tragic figure in the story was Rory McElroy, the 21-year old phenom from Ireland. Going into the final round with a 4-shot lead, he hung in for 9 holes yesterday. Then disaster struck, and he ended up falling way down the leader board with a final round 80. However, what I will go away from this with is not so much remembering his collapse, but the grace he exhibited when interviewed after his round. He is a very impressive young man.

"For What It's Worth" Friday

So the government may shut down this morning. Think of all that productivity coming to a halt! (That comment was intended as sarcasm, in case you didn't notice).

The fight is over $40 billion dollars in tax cuts. Now here is a Congress that is really serious about dealing with the national debt. Right now it is running in excess of $1 TRILLION a year. If my math is right, $40 billion in cuts would reduce the deficit by .4%. That's right -- not even one half of one percent. And these guys can't even agree to that? What hope do we EVER have of dealing with the deficit issue?

And the scare tactics are incredible. Of course, the one issue that is being paraded is that our troops would not receive their checks. Is today payday? Or do they get paid every day? If the government shuts down today, it will not last long. All of this is political posturing. It would be political suicide to actually allow our troops to miss a paycheck.

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The state of Texas is considering raising the posted speed limit on some roads to 85. I have never been one who has a "need for speed", so this has no appeal to me. But 85? Doesn't that seem awfully fast?

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If you want to see what the "new earth" will look like, tune into the Masters this weekend. God is allowing us to get a peek at heaven there (this conclusion comes with a lot of scholarly research). By the way, my sermon Sunday comes from the last half of Romans 6 where Paul discusses our choice: slavery to sin or slavery to righteousness. We choose our master. So my title? "The Masters."