Newsletter Jan Feb 2013

Dear McKendree Church

Greetings in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, The Son of God

I am struggling with the newsletter article this month.

First, it’s supposed to be for Jan and Feb of 2013, but the events of Dec 2012 are so fresh in our minds.  We have members facing major illness and for some, death.  We have those fighting a long term battle against Cancer.  We have those who are experiencing either the first or another, still heart wrenching, Christmas without a loved one.  And of course, like others around the world, we are still reeling from the senseless murder of 20 6 and 7 year old children in CT, along with their teachers.  So, what do I say in a few short lines?

Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany—the Christmas “cycle” in the Christian Calendar.  A time of preparation and expectation, a time of celebration, and a time of growth.  Yes, that fits.  We all have these times in our lives.  Even in dire circumstances, as a Christian people, we still have hope and anticipation of the things that God is creating, yet already creating.  We journey together through the difficult times of anticipating His return, when all shall be made right with the world and sorry and pain and death shall all pass away!  We celebrate that which God has done and is doing in and through—and FOR us, His Children.  And as the New Year comes upon us, we are called to a time of growth—growth in our understanding and knowledge of Him, growth in our relationships with one another, and in our ministries to the world beyond our walls.

And so, as 2013 opens, we do…what we’ve always done as a people of faith.  We question and mourn, cry and struggle for understanding through the painful events that simply exist in this imperfect world.  We celebrate the presence of God in our world, in our lives, in the midst of tragedy, and in our hearts as we join in the mission that is ours—to Go and Make Disciples.  And too, we commit ourselves in the new year to grow—intentionally grow through the process of Sanctification as we, through study, mission, worship, devotion, and prayer, become more like JESUS.

I look forward to serving with you in 2013—and beyond.

First Church of the Waffle House, Lincolnton, NC

Ok, I admit it...I'm a Waffle House Junkie.  I eat there most every morning.  I just have grits and bacon, a cup of coffee, and my morning paper.  I sit at the bar, eat, read....and I watch and listen, interacting with both customers and employees.  And I learn about church...Yup, I sure do.  Everything I need to know about what a church should look like, I could learn at Waffle House--at least the one in Lincolnton, NC.  It's pretty amazing, too.

I see a couple of the cooks who are always willing to step up when someone needs something.  Somebody needs something fixed... "I'll stop by and look at it after work."  This doesn't just apply to employees, but to regulars as well.  There is a microcosm of the larger community there.  There are a core group of regulars, all with nicknames...Preacher (that's me), Cowboy, Santa Claus, and Uncle Eddie (plus the one they just call the Pecan Waffle Lady).  They all seem to know were the others live, crossing both ways over the counter--employees and customers.

I think it was this atmosphere that lead me to feel so compelled when one of the cooks had a fire at his house and everything in the house needed to be replaced due to smoke damage.  I rallied my church and a couple other churches to DO something and we did...but it wasn't just us. Don't get the impression that they NEEDED the church.  They already have that type of community within the walls of the ole Waffle House.

While we were supplying mostly money and gift cards, others (again, customers and employees) were offering rides, paint, furniture, TIME, and other items of need for the cook, his wife, and three teenage daughters.  And my God, they are soo appreciative.  And these are not "church folk" doing all of this stuff we consider to be "church work."  In fact, most of them are right there at the Waffle House while we are in church on Sundays...

What too many of us church folk don't realize is that we don't own the patent on helping others.  In fact, they seemed to do it more naturally than the church in most cases.

I watched this morning as they celebrated when one of them won $1000 in a scratch off.  I realized as I listened that Uncle Eddie and his wife had cooked a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and brought it to the Waffle House for those having to work.  Yup, he brought the servers Thanksgiving meals.  Today, he brought Red Velvet Cake (recipe's been in the family for 150 years).  The young employees all have his number so they can call for a ride if they find themselves in ANY situation where they feel they shouldn't drive, or they need a ride, or they need someone to bail them out of whatever trouble they might find themselves in.  Uncle Eddie's a Vietnam Vet with a big heart and a short temper ("I've got my issues, Preacher!"...Don't we all) but he protects those kids up there like they are his own.

Santa Claus is struggling with his own issues with aging and a wife that took a tumble and had a break.  Employees know right where he lives and go visit.  They take care of their own.  And, too, while they aren't perfect by any means, they genuinely try to share the love with all who enter their doors, whether they know them or not.  Today, there was a couple there and well, based on their accents, they "weren't from aroun' chere."

That sat at the bar with me and Uncle Eddie on a crowded morning and soon, they were laughing, and asking questions about the town.  Then she began to share.

We came down last weekend, me and my sisters and our families to visit our mom.  She got tangled up in her walker the first day we were here...she fell...she broke her hip...she just couldn't muster the strength to survive the surgery...we're taking her body to Florida...keep questioning if we did the right thing...tears, laughter, sadness, hope, fear, feelings of guilt...waffle house sharing...

Soon, the regulars and employees (no preacher needed) were offering comforting words of support and encouragement to these strangers passing through on a tragic journey.  They left as if they, too, were regulars--laughing, hollering above the noise--"Thanks everybody.  Really, thank you so much!  You guys have a great day!  We will be back!"

Yup, there's a lot to learn about church from Waffle House.  And if we could take those lessons back to church with us--there just might be hope for us yet...

WAFFLE HOUSE PORN! Life in the south.

Life in south often takes us places we didn't expect to be.  I like southern life.  I love that my kids have those southern accents, much thicker than either their momma or daddy do.  Trey sometimes reminds me of one of the Dewberry brothers from that cute little move, Because of Winn Dixie.  He has the ability to add syllables to just any ole word and I must admit, it's cute and he wears it well.  His sister, too--can turn on the southern charm and her accent kicks it up a notch when she does.

Then there's southern dining at it's finest.  And today, we decided together that we were going to have one of those southern cuisine experiences in a fine dining establishment.  We went to Waffle House.  Yeah, I know, but we went anyway.  If it means nothing to you to say that I like mine covered, not smothered, sometimes chunked, NEVER diced--then you won't understand.  It's a part of the southern charm to watch your server walk away from the cook and YELL your order to her in code.

The kids were good, the food was good (I had the grilled chicken--WOW--wonderful) and the service was surprisingly good (there were only 3 other people in there the whole time we ate)...The server talked me into splitting a piece of chocolate pie between us, which again, was excellent!  All in all a good time out to eat...

On the way home from supper, my kids were rambling about something while I phased out for a bit--thinking of how much I enjoyed our little trip--it's the little things in life that count.  Being together, sharing, laughing, talking about our day...that's what life is all about.  But suddenly I was interrupted mid-thought by my daughter, almost yelling, "PORN, PORN, PORN, PORN!"

Cautiously I said, "Emma what are you saying and why are you saying it?"

"I said, 'It's Porn!  Because-- it is!"

  

I waited a while before I just HAD to ask again, "What do you mean."

"It's raining very hard Daddy!  Why, it's PORN down out there!"

She was right, it was raining hard--PORN cats and dogs, in fact.

Bless her heart!

Dinner at Waffle House, $24.00.  Gas to get there and home, probably the same.  Talkin' Southern...Priceless...

Blessings

Pastor Tommy

Nobody likes a jerk.

Nobody

Don't let being a jerk be your witness for Christ...

If you are a recipient of God's grace 

That means you didn't deserve it...

So act like you know that...

It's important

Really

It is.

That is all

Blessings,

Pastor Tommy