From the Heart of Pastor Jacqueline A. Thompson
March 25, 2015
Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,
Hoping this note finds you well. My sincerest apologies for sending this note today. Life happened, the way life often can - in the most unexpected way that just leaves you spinning. On Friday evening, one of my sisters called. I didn't get to my cell in time so she immediately sent a text. "Jackie, call back now. Kevin is dead." Huh? What? Who? Kevin? Wait a minute, what? I didn't call right back. I needed a minute to just collect myself for what I knew would be coming next. After reading and rereading, breathing and reading again, I whispered a prayer and called. It was true. Kevin had passed away from a heart attack and my sister - his wife - had just found out. Kevin was also the Assistant Church Clerk at our church, and has been a part of my life all of my life. He was just there. No fanfare. Just always there. Ready to serve and help in any way he could.
Have you ever had one of those experiences or events in life that left you feeling like a spinning top? You can't prepare for it. You can't control it. You certainly can't fix it and now nothing will ever be the same. I'll be the first to admit. That's where I was and life wasn't stopping and neither did I. I didn't stop. I had to lecture Saturday and preach Sunday. I wasn't Still and I wasn't even present enough to Know. But God in God's tremendous grace and mercy, has a wonderful way of leading us right back to where we need to be. I am grateful for the Holy Spirit's reminder that no email had gone out Monday. Writing this has caused me to stop, be Still and Know. I know what the disciples must have been feeling at the thought of Jesus no longer being physically present. I understand better the questions they asked and the anxiety they felt.
I believe sometimes on the journey to the cross we forget that it was and is a death walk. At the end of the journey, there is no ribbon to break thru or adulation, cheers and medals. It's a cross: pain, suffering and death! Often on our own journey, we experience pain, suffering and death. And yet that same cross, is also a symbol of power, transformation and victory. How is that possible? It does not make sense to the rational logical mind. Even Paul confesses that "the message of the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing but to us who are being saved it is power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18). The cross becomes powerful, transformative and victorious when we understand the truths it reveals and appropriate them for our lives.
One of the truths revealed by the cross is that God is just as present with us in our pain and suffering as when we are experiencing joy and victory. God is with us. Not just bringing us out of it but giving is strength in it. Truly God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. This truth comforts us but also challenges us to find ways to be present with and for those who are in pain and suffering. A view of the cross that only points to heaven leaves an irrelevant and impotent church on earth. After preaching Sunday, my nieces and I drove up to my sister's home. She was comforted in knowing we were just there. No agenda, no plans - just present.
Let's practice the ministry of presence this week. Call someone you haven't seen or spoken to in a while. Send a card. Embrace a one-time service opportunity. Our Pastor Emeritus has made famous leaving a prayer on voicemails. Be intentional about being there for someone in the same way God is intentionally and deliberately present for us while reflecting on the following verses: Philippians 2:1-11; Romans 8:28-38; John 14:1-6; John 15:1-14. The last "I AM" saying of Jesus will be RESURRECTION SUNDAY! Hope to see you there. Please say a prayer for my family this week as we prepare to celebrate the life of a kind and generous man who loved God and God's people. He is not here but I know exactly where he is, therefore I have hope.
On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross.
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
Thank you for being present with me on this journey! We're almost there!
Be still and know,
Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson
Assistant Pastor
March 16, 2015
Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,
Hope this week's note finds you having experienced the Blessed Assurance that comes with knowing God. Our Lenten Sermon Series will resume this Sunday with the fifth and sixth "I AM" sayings of Jesus. In preparation, I really wanted to write something around seeking God. After all, that's what this Journey is supposed to be about. Taking time, to stop and seek the Lord intentionally. It is a worthy subject and one that is quite appropriate. The examples are too numerous to list of this noble bible characters who diligently and consistently sought the Lord. Moses, Esther, David and Daniel are just a small few.
In addition, there are all kinds of scriptures that encourage us, even commanding us to "Seek the Lord". The prophet Amos speaks to the house of Israel saying, "For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought. Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel. Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name!" (Amos 5:4-8, KJV) Clearly, the Lord desires to be sought.
March 8, 2015
Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,
I hope this note finds you well this wonderful day we have been given. I pray this past week you have been able to intentionally STOP, BE STILL and KNOW and in doing so, are experiencing God in new ways. Your feedback is so encouraging. Feel free to check in on the Journey. We are helpers to each other. Our sermon series continued yesterday on the "I AM" sayings of Jesus. The third and fourth sayings were shared at the 8 and 11:15 a.m. services. Jesus said, "I AM THE DOOR" and "I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD".
Many sheepfolds during the time of Jesus had no door which could be opened or closed. It was simply an opening. Once the sheep entered, the shepherds would position themselves at the opening as the "door". No one and nothing could enter in or out without first coming through the door. With the good shepherd, there is protection, provision and promise as he keeps a close and watchful eye on the sheep even giving his life for them. So no matter what threat, obstacle or challenge arises this week, BE STILL and KNOW that are doubly protected. Jesus is both the good shepherd and door of His sheep. He gave his life for you to redeem you! The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy but Jesus came to give you life, abundantly!This week, practice ASSURANCE. Assurance is freedom from doubt. It is confidence and certainty in the truth of something. Practicing assurance is a declaration of that truth. David had a wonderful assurance of God's presence, protection and provision as evidenced in the Psalms. Even during those times when everything was falling apart and he felt as if his life was over, he was sure that God would eventually act on his behalf. In the face of it all David declared, "The Lord is My Rock, My Fortress, My Deliverer". (Psalm 18:2a) When it comes to God, what do you know for sure? As you reflect on the scriptures this week, look for the assurances that you can capture to increase your knowledge of and faith in God: Psalm 23, Matthew 7:13-14, Psalm 121:4-8, John 10:1-10, Ezekiel 34:11-16, and Psalm 103.
March 2, 2015
Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,
I hope this note finds you well this Monday morning. We are on our way! Thank you to so many of you who have joined the Journey this Lenten season and have committed each day to STOP, BE STILL and KNOW! The sermon series began yesterday as well focused on the "I AM" sayings of Jesus. The first two sayings were shared at the 8 and 11:15 a.m. services. Jesus said of himself, I am the Bread of Life and I am the Light of the World.
To know God as Bread and Light is to know that God satisfies, sustains and guides. There is no need to worry, stress or be anxious about the issues of life that are common to all humankind. We are invited to cast all of cares upon HIM, partake of the Bread of Life and walk in the light. The challenge for us this week in addition to our study is to BE SATISFIED. Practice Satisfaction. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:12-13, shares with us the secret to satisfaction: I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.
February 25, 2015
Dear ATBC Family and Friends,
It happened! I don't know if it was because Resurrection Sunday is early this year or what. But it happened. Lent came upon me like a thief in the night and as in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, I was not prepared. I immediately started doing what a good Christian should. Trying to figure out what can I do. What can I give up? I have to DO SOMETHING! But then that still, small voice that is so very often drowned out by the activities and other voices of life whispered, "STOP! Just STOP." I was convicted. This was the real issue in the first place. I have been so busy just doing things. Good things, yes. Necessary things, yes. Church and Ministry things, yes. So busy doing all the should do, must do, need to things, that I forgot my first call is to just BE. Doing Christianity often occurs at the expense of Being a Christian.