April Reads

Fairly honest book, as Groeschel speaks about the things that irk him about the entity called the church. One thing that really lights him up is when Christian people judge others. It is good for a few laughs and is a good representation of the heart of many pastors. I give it 3 stars.

So, I tried to read this a few months back and was disappointed. I was too busy comparing it to his other books instead of taking it as a work unto itself. Upon revisitation, I appreciated Don Miller and his ability to share a good story or two. Shhh, I still like Blue Like Jazz and Searching for God Knows What a lot better. I still give it 3 stars.

Pretty disappointed in this book. There were a few stories but all in all it seems to be slick marketing with not a lot of substance. I give this one 2 stars.

Scripture translated by a scholar team and creative team. It is an attempt to make the scripture speak with a different tone and spark creativity. I liked it and purchased several of the others in the series. Is it an adequate translation? No--but it does make sparks fly sometimes and as a communicator, I like that.

Interesting work, although I do not buy into everything he espouses. I do see the value in looking at yourself and asking "Why am I the way I am?" Often it reverts back to parental and familial structure. Valuable in premarital counselling and other issues. I give it 3 stars.

I am a big Calvin Miller fan. This book speaks to the value of pastoral care vs. the Mega church--CEO--approach to ministry. Get off the golf course and get into the hospital. Amen, my friend and 4 stars to you.

Sometimes I read something other than Christian material. This one was an attempt to explain why men are the way we are. Interesting, but it reduces men to a bunch of sex starved dogs. I picked up a cheap copy at Barnes and Noble, it was much different from my usual reading. I give it a 2.5 on the Jenkins star scale. Are all men dogs? Really? If you care to be critical of my reading this book, I ask that you read the first book on this list. Groeschel may not care for you, too much!

Loved It!! Loved It!! Loved It!! 4.5 stars! In the top 5 books I have read over the past 3 years.

Sermon Recap--MAP testing

For the past two weeks, I have been overseeing kindergarten and first graders taking the MAP tests. My job consisted of going in each morning, equipped with a large coffee and espresso beverage, and turning on the computers. I would then log into the system and pull up the appropriate test. I would have the students names up on the computer when the arrived into the lab and give them last minute instructions. Most importantly, I maintained order and prevented cheating.

The instructions given to the kids were as follows:

1- This is not a race. Do your best and take your time.

2- No looking at your friends computer.

3- No talking during the test.

4-There will be answers that you do no know. So, Do your best and then give it a guess.

5- When you are finished, raise your hand and then your teacher will get your score.

6- Read quietly and show respect for those who are still working.

Despite the warnings of difficulties to come, the kids responded differently when they encountered a hard problem on the test. Some followed my instruction and "did their best and then guessed." One little guy actually said a bad word when he encountered division for the first time. Many sat there, staring at the screen refusing to budge until they "got it right." Some even cried because they did not know multiplication (as a kindergartner). The two week period made me think a lot about tests and trials and wondering what the bible has to say about it.

James 1 says to us this day:

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Now the first part of this passage is most difficult to grasp. Troubles are an opportunity for Joy??

Some things just go great together. Peanut Butter and Jelly, Salt and Pepper, and Ham and Cheese. But Trouble and Joy--wow, almost too much to believe.

How can we be joyous when the garbage is heaped on our heads? How can we be happy when our lives seem to be falling apart?

The key is seeing that we are not to be Joyous because of the trouble. But the trouble is a chance for God to prove himself as a mountain mover.

On this Mother's Day, I am reminded of the things that my mom taught me. There were many and she taught a lot by using the word "Don't."

"Don't pick your nose!"

"Don't hit your sister!"

"Don't you speak to me in that tome of voice!"

"Don't leave the house without clean underwear."

"Don't play that music so loud!"

"Don't drink and drive!"

But in light of this verse she also taught me the following that works today:

"Don't Give Up!"

"Don't Give In!"

"Don't Give Out!"

So--what test is bringing you the chance to look back later and see that God is faithful? What are you and I doubting God to help us with?

The purpose of the MAP test is to put the kids in a national percentile and see how they measure up. Some were great--some not so great. Many were just average.

The good news of the Gospel is that although our test scores in life are "below the expectation" of the perfection of our Holy God, Jesus takes the results and makes us all have perfect scores.

Trials and Tests provide the avenue for Faith and maturity!

This morning--We awoke to thunder and lightning and torrents of rain! How interesting that on this day of preaching about trials, I have one.

We have been having about 80 people each Sunday in worship and today we have 15. But you are here and I feel that perhaps someone needs just this sermon in this intimate group.

Look at the rain falling down. It serves a purpose and it will pass, but God's love endures forever.

Sermon Recap--"The Discovery"

On Monday, I received a phone call from a young lady needing a wedding performed. She asked me a few questions and I gave her a few answers. The conversation lasted about 10 minutes and concluded with an amazing piece of wisdom given by me.

"The most important thing that you need is a marriage license. There is a 24 hour waiting period for a license in SC. You will need to contact the Clerk of Court, in a city in SC by Thursday, in order to receive the license in time for the wedding. They are not open on the weekend. Sometimes, people in NC (where she was from) go just across the state line and get a license and drive down and are married here in Horry County. Remember---there is a 24 hour waiting period."

Her reply--"Yes sir, I understand."

I hate it when young people call me sir!!

So, on Friday while pulling into SONIC for our daily limeade fix, my phone rang. The young lady frantically said, "Mr. Jenkins, I have a big problem. I arrived at the office to get my license and they told me it would be a 24 hour waiting period. Since today is Friday, they will not be able to get me a license until Monday. You are supposed to marry us tomorrow--what are we going to do?"

Do you remember our conversation where I gave you instructions and told you the most important thing was the license?

"Yes--but I thought that if I brought you a receipt then you would do the ceremony. Now they are saying that they will not give me a receipt or mail it to us. I have to pick it up--and the earliest it will be ready is Monday. What am I going to do?

"I am so sorry--It could be that someone here will perform the ceremony for you--but it would be illegal to do so. I wish I could help you, but the license is the essential part. One good thing--after all this issue, I am sure that it will give you great practice for handling stress when you are married."

She laughed--and replied, "Well Chaplain, I guess I will have to have my honeymoon before the wedding."

My answer--"I hope you have a great weekend--no license is needed for that!

So this week I made a great and valuable discovery.

NO ONE LISTENS TO A THING I SAY!!

The next day, Douglas and I went to Kroger to pick up part of a surprise for Sarah's birthday. On the way there, we talked about how it would be a surprise and a secret. We walked to the bakery and picked out a small cheesecake. Just above it, was a rack of candles--so we picked a box and walked toward the checkout. Again, I took the time to talk to Douglas about the cake being a surprise. He told me he understood. We walked to the car, hand in hand. I unlocked the door, and he got in and buckled up. After getting in, I cranked the car and looked in the rear view mirror and we went over it again.

We get home, Douglas rings the doorbell. Shhh--It is a surprise, Douglas. I will hide the cake behind my back.

Sarah opens the door and Douglas says,

"Mommy, we bought you a cheesecake and a lot of candles and we are going to have it for you tomorrow."

As I said, NO ONE LISTENS TO A THING I SAY.

So, I do not have a great deal of confidence as I stand before you as your pastor. Based on this past week, "Ain't nobody listening anyway."

But, is that really a bad thing?

Let's go to the scripture and see what is there for us today.

Acts 3

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.

Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this.

So, we see a healing, something miraculous. Peter gives all credit to God. He could have said, "Wow--look at what I just did!" Instead--all the good stuff was because of God.

The preaching event is peculiar. I spend some time getting sermons together. I hope to use correct grammar and have a flow of meaning and structure. It would be nice for some emotion to come forth from the sermon. A good sermon often has laughter and tears. Good stories remind us of our frailty and need of restoration and healing. Stories by themselves do nothing.

We go to scripture and see how God works in the lives of his people. We are reminded of his faithfulness and his precepts for his children. But the bible does nothing by itself. It is not a magic book filled with abracadabra and hocus pocus.

But something magical happens when "Word and Spirit" come together.

If anything of any eternal consequence takes place--it is all because the Spirit of God is at work.

I cannot get someone to follow through with picking up a marriage license or teach my son to keep a secret. How can I really speak words that make a difference?

How does that make me feel?

Great--It is not all about me, it is about the Word of God and the Holy Spirit working together.

Guess what? The same thing is at work in your life.

Guess what? The cheesecake was fine although the surprise was ruined. The couple will get married soon, after this little bump in the road. You will try again after failure--and will be given grace. It is all about God--now what a great DISCOVERY.