Mark Beeson

Wyoming Shiras Moose

 

 

I took this picture in Wyoming last year.

I was thrilled when I saw the bull approaching. He was over six feet at the shoulder and pushing 1000 pounds. It was exhilarating to see him walk so near. I was still electrified as he faded into the forest. 

I wasn't upset because our encounter was brief; I was overjoyed that it happened at all. What's to complain about when you've had a once-in-a-lifetime-experience? 

Asked if all I got from the experience was this picture of the south-end of a north-bound moose, I answered that I'm grateful to have seen the beast at all. Rather than complaining because life's wonderful experiences seem so brief and fleeting, I intend to give thanks for them.

May GOD give us the grace we need to joyfully live within the limits HE has set, as we cherish each sacred moment. 

Titus 2:12b  -   Grace teaches us to live in the present age in a wise, self-controlled, upright and just way. 

 

Prayer Tower at Epworth by the Sea / Day 31

 

- George Wright Prayer Tower at Epworth by the Sea, St Simons Island, GA - 

 

After reading the thirty preceding chapters of Proverbs, we come to Day 31 of our 40 Day Experience of GOD: reading scripture, praying for GOD's Spirit to fill us and FASTING together from 4:00 to 5:00.

I'm experiencing GOD today at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island.

I'm here to preach throughout the course of the 2014 Georgia Pastors' School. It's an incredible opportunity for hundreds of United Methodist Clergy to experience connection, community and training. Sheila is beside me on this assignment, and her faithful example of devotion to Christ is especially encouraging to many of the clergy spouses participating in this week's school. We are working together, side-by-side in the life GOD gives us. 

Not every pastor knows the joy of shared ministry with a loving spouse. In fact, John Wesley, the Anglican Clergyman who founded the movement of "the people called 'methodist'" was only a few miles from where I'm sitting when he "courted" an intelligent, beautiful woman ( Sophia Hopkey Williamson) ... but their relationship didn't turn out well; ending in controversy, embroiling him in serious court proceedings and, eventually, forcing him from the Georgia colony.

John Wesley knew a lot, but he didn't know a lot about women.

In his own words, from his meticulous personal Journal, he describes the end his pursuit of Sophia, and her rebound response to the breakup.

On March 4, 1737, Wesley wrote of his need for wise counsel. He simply didn't trust himself to resolve his relationship with Sophia. He chronicles his dilemma with these words:

"'From directions I received' from God this day touching an affair of the greatest importance, I could not but observe, as I have done many times, the entire mistake of those who assert, "God will not answer your prayer, unless your heart be wholly resigned to His will." My heart was not wholly resigned to His will. Therefore, not daring to depend on my own judgment, I cried the more earnestly to Him to supply what was lacking in me. And I know and am assured He heard my voice, and did send forth His light and His truth.'"

Three days later, after ending their relationship, he added to his private Journal:

"March 7.—When I walked with Mr. Causton, to his country lot, I plainly felt that had God given me such a retirement' with the companion I desired, I should have forgot the work for which I Was born, and have set up my rest in this world."

The very next day Wesley notes:  

"March 8.—Miss Sophy engaged herself to Mr. Williamson."

A few days later, Sophia was married:

"On Saturday, 12th, they were married at Purrysburgh; this being the day which completed the year from my first speaking to her. What Thou doest, O God, I know not now; but I shall know hereafter.'"

John Wesley shared his disappointment with his brother Samuel, who responded with words only a brother could get away with; in summary he said, "You are pitiful. You blew it." Samuel wrote:

"I am sorry you are disappointed in one match, because you are very unlikely to find another." 

 

 

So what's my point? 

Simply this:  Oh! How I thank Almighty GOD for my wife Sheila!

When John Wesley came here as a young Anglican Clergyman, he failed to accomplish everything he intended, but he accomplished more than he knew. Those who followed him recognized his impact. George Whitefleld, who landed in Georgia on May 7th, 1738 (shortly after John Wesley fled Georgia and went back to England) spoke eloquently of the results of his friend’s work in Georgia.

“The good Mr. John Wesley has done in America is inexpressible. His name is very precious among the people, and he has laid a foundation that I hope neither men nor devils will ever be able to shake. Oh that I may follow him as he has followed Christ.” 

As I considered Whitefield's words of praise for Methodism's founder (in the light of Proverbs 31) I came to this thought: "Apparently, a capable, trustworthy, encouraging, virtuous wife (who comforts her husband and does him only good) is not a prerequisite requirement for serving GOD ... but if you are a married man, it's nice to have an encouraging wife."

So, when I took this picture I prayed for all the men and women who'll become husbands and wives in the little chapel beneath this Prayer Tower at Epworth by the Sea.

Proverbs 31 inspired my prayer. "Father, make all those who become husbands here, honorable men who are worthy of respect. I pray you will empower every woman who stands in this chapel and pledges herself in marriage, to encourage and comfort her husband, as long there is life within her. In the strong Name of Jesus. Amen."

 

Proverbs 31:10-12 (Amplified)

A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman — who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.

 

Continuous Partial Attention

 

Amazing isn't it.

People dressed in black can lug big shoulder-mounted cameras around GCC's platform virtually unnoticed (largely because the continuous partial attention of our cultural conditioning enables us to look right past such things). Wires, cables, light-stands, mic-stands, music-stands, props and well-positioned camera operators quickly blend into the background as eyes and ears tune-in to the Gospel Story.

...  a lot has changed in recent decades. The Gospel hasn't changed but the culture Jesus Christ sends us into certainly has.

Tech-toys and tech-tools are now ubiquitous. Smart phones and wi-fi enabled tablets guarantee anyone anywhere can touch everyone everywhere. Today's social media nodes and networks don't merely help folks stay in touch; with these tools we're all in constant contact.

... and we think we love it.

Everyone wants to connect and be connected, so we're always-on: anywhere, anytime, anyplace. We pay continuous partial attention to everything and everyone. We feel chronic stress and anxiety because we're desperately fearful we'll miss an opportunity, conversation or experience. The problem isn't that we might be distracted; the emerging issue is that we are always distracted. Share dinner with a few friends (as they look at their smart-phones every few seconds) and you'll quickly see what I'm talking about; we're so accessible that we are inaccessible. We can look at everything and see nothing. We can be active everywhere without impact anywhere. Grandeur is missing when everything is noticed and nothing is note-worthy.

We're conditioned for continuous partial attention so when we finally see and hear the essential Truth (previously hidden in the cacophony around us), our lives become rich and full. At GCC we're doing our best to help people get past our culture's distracting white-noise and experience God.

I honor the volunteers who work each weekend, helping us recognize "the still small voice" of God. They help us sort through the ambient noise and focus on what matters most - giving Jesus our full attention.

 

1 Kings 19:11-13  -  Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Credit: I believe Linda Stone coined the phrase "Continuous Partial Attention" here. 

A Food Drive to Impact the World

 

I stood looking out the window of my hotel a couple of years ago. Before me was this cityscape of Cairo. Millions of people were packed together inside my minuscule view of urbanized Egypt. I came from my place - on the other side of the world - to experience a culture of remarkable distinction: ancient and dissimilar but yielding to a new and remarkable connectivity with the rest of the world - a connectivity previous generations could have never imagined. 

Globalization is the place where the distinctives of juxtaposed cultures get noticed. And it's the place where the distinguishing characteristics of the gospel are exposed. Globalization has taken us into a new kind of connectivity, which means local practices speak globally about beliefs and values.

The world has taken notice of our belief in the Lord's missional strategy. Christ's followers understand the message of Jesus isn't just another message (from among thousands of equally weighted messages) which can be accepted or rejected without consequence or implication. It stands apart. It is the gospel of salvation, and the Lord's entire Church (not just a special group of ordained professionals within it) is characterized by its mission.

"MIssion" is fundamental to the identiy all who proclaim "Jesus Christ is Lord" and globalization means our missional actions expose the world to its Savior.

As surely as we're watching the world, the world is watching us.

So when you fill boxes with food and participate in the Food Drive at one of GCC's services this weekend, make note of this truth: what you say and do may have global implications. 

You matter more than you know.  

Live on mission.

Live strong.

Acts 8:4  -   The followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus.

Why Do Some Return to Folly After Tasting Amazing Grace?

 

 

Justin & Tricia Davis are speaking at GCC this weekend. Theirs is a story of mission-drift, betrayal, redemption and a return to The Way of Jesus. Since people learned they were coming, the looming question has been, "How can someone touched by the love of Jesus turn from HIS Way? How does that happen?" I've heard the question many times over the years, and more frequently since announcing Justin & Tricia would be joining us.

Here's the simple truth. People awakened to the love of God are given an opportunity to "deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus" into a new life, but some don't do it. Instead of yielding their plans to God's plans and gladly trading their ways for God's ways, they return to their old habits and life-styles. They're invited to adjust their lives and follow Christ wherever HE leads, but they don't deny themselves to walk The Jesus Way. The results are devistating.

John Wesley said it better. Here's a small portion of his sermon titled "Self Denial." (For Wesley buffs, it's Sermon #48.) If you'd like an answer to the question, this is worth reading.
 

A few instances will make this plain. A man hears the word which is able to save his soul: He is well pleased with what he hears, acknowledges the truth, and is a little affected by it; yet he remains "dead in trespasses and sins," senseless and unawakened. Why is this? Because he will not part with his bosom-sin, though he now knows it is an abomination to the Lord. He came to hear, full of lust and unholy desires; and he will not part with them. Therefore no deep impression is made upon him, but his foolish heart is still hardened: That is, he is still senseless and unawakened, because he will not deny himself.

Suppose he begins to awake out of sleep, and his eyes are a little opened, why are they so quickly closed again? Why does he again sink into the sleep of death? Because he again yields to his bosom-sin; he drinks again of the pleasing poison. Therefore it is impossible that any lasting impression should be made upon his heart: That is, he relapses into his fatal insensibility, because he will not deny himself.

But this is not the case with all. We have many instances of those who when once awakened sleep no more. The impressions once received do not wear away: They are not only deep, but lasting. And yet, many of these have not found what they seek: They mourn, and yet are not comforted. Now, why is this? It is because they do not "bring forth fruits meet for repentance;" because they do not, according to the grace they have received, "cease from evil, and do good." They do not cease from the easily besetting sin, the sin of their constitution, of their education, or of their profession; or they omit doing the good they may, and know they ought to do, because of some disagreeable circumstance attending it: That is, they do not attain faith, because they will not "deny themselves," or "take up their cross."

But this man did receive "the heavenly gift;" he did "taste of the powers of the world to come;" he saw "the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ;" the "peace which passeth all understanding" did "rule his heart and mind; and "the love of God was shed abroad" therein, "by the Holy Ghost which was given unto him;" -- yet he is now weak as another man; he again relishes the things of earth, and has more taste for the things which are seen than for those which are not seen; the eye of his understanding is closed again, so that he cannot "see Him that is invisible;" his love is waxed cold, and the peace of God no longer rules in his heart. And no marvel: for he has again given place to the devil, and grieved the Holy Spirit of God. He has turned again unto folly, to some pleasing sin, if not in outward act, yet in heart. He has given place to pride, or anger, or desire, to self-will, or stubbornness. Or he did not stir up the gift of God which was in him; he gave way to spiritual sloth, and would not be at the pains of "praying always, and watching thereunto with all perseverance:" That is, he made shipwreck of the faith, for want of self-denial, and taking up his cross daily.

But perhaps he has not made shipwreck of the faith: He has still a measure of the Spirit of adoption, which continues to witness with his spirit that he is a child of God. However, he is not "going on to perfection;" he is not, as once, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, panting after the whole image and full enjoyment of God, as the hart after the water-brook. Rather he is weary and faint in his mind, and, as it were, hovering between life and death. And why is he thus, but because he hath forgotten the word of God, -- "By works is faith made perfect?" He does not use all diligence in working the works of God. He does not "continue instant in prayer," private as well as public; in communicating, hearing, meditation, fasting, and religious conference. If he does not wholly neglect some of these means, at least he does not use them all with his might. Or he is not zealous of works of charity, as well as works of piety. He is not merciful after his power, with the full ability which God giveth. He does not fervently serve the Lord by doing good to men, in every kind and in every degree he can, to their souls as well as their bodies. And why does he not continue in prayer? Because in time of dryness it is pain and grief unto him. He does not continue in hearing at all opportunities, because sleep is sweet; or it is cold, or dark, or rainy. But why does he not continue in works of mercy? Because he cannot feed the hungry, or clothe the naked, unless he retrench the expense of his own apparel, or use cheaper and less pleasing food. Beside which, the visiting the sick, or those that are in prison, is attended with many disagreeable circumstances. And so are most works of spiritual mercy; reproof, in particular. He would reprove his neighbour; but sometimes shame, sometimes fear, comes between: For he may expose himself, not only to ridicule, but to heavier inconveniences too. Upon these and the like considerations, he omits one or more, if not all, works of mercy and piety. Therefore, his faith is not made perfect, neither can he grow in grace; namely, because he will not deny himself, and take up his daily cross.

It manifestly follows, that it is always owing to the want either of self-denial, or taking up his cross, that a man does not throughly follow his Lord, that he is not fully a disciple of Christ. It is owing to this, that he who is dead in sin does not awake, though the trumpet be blown; that he who begins to awake out of sleep, yet has no deep or lasting conviction; that he who is deeply and lastingly convinced of sin does not attain remission of sins; that some who have received this heavenly gift retain it not, but make shipwreck of the faith; and that others, if they do not draw back to perdition, yet are weary and faint in their mind, and do not reach the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Luke 9:23   -  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 

"That Thing" Camp

For the last few years my friend, Stan Buck, has offered a "Leadership" workshop at That Thing Camp. (That Thing is a summer camp ministry for United Methodist High School students on the shores of Lake Webster.) This year Stan has a battle on his hands, so as he fights the cancer that attacked him, I'm helping out with his workshop. That way Stan doesn't need to worry about it, and the camp doesn't need to cancel the class. So I'm giving three Thursdays in a row to leading Stan's seminar.

This morning's workshop went well and I stuck around camp long enough to join my friend Nick Yarde for a part of the worship assembly (pictured above) and a tour of the new Deucker Lodge.  I had a good morning serving the kids at camp, helping out one friend in need, and catching up on old times with another. 

Now...it's back to the work at hand.

Philippians 2:3-4  -  Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Uncle Jan and Aunt Michelle Are Awesome

   - Photo by Josh Hunter

Three of my four nephews are pictured here. (The bifurcated ungulate is the deer; all bipeds are nephews.)  Left to right: Joel (brilliant ophthalmologist), Buck, Isaac (incredible pastor and leader) and Josh (the managerial/business guru who is the brains behind the towering success of his two brothers).

There are plenty of hard times in life so these brothers schedule time together to share some good times too. Their family time is always good time.

You may wonder how three men from the south are able to hunt together every year in Ohio - where big bucks roam. I'll tell you how. It's because of the outrageous love and generosity of their Uncle Jan. He invites them to join him on his land. He and Aunt MIchelle feed them, house them and create an environment - year after year - where these brothers can reconnect with each other, their family and God. It's good times. Uncle Jan and Aunt Michelle are awesome.

2 Corinthians 1:5  -  We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.