BACK To The Future...Whoa, this is Heavy!

MOMENTS in TIME define who we are in the PRESENT and who we become in the FUTURE. Strange that something so little can equally be so big. When was the last TIME you have thought BACK through your PAST and those Moments that have defined who you are today? Think about the people in those situations, for better or for worse, who played a major role in that TIME of your life. Now, think about when was the last TIME you lived purposefully in the moment, not only for yourself, but for those around you in order to help define their FUTURE...

Today, October 26th is the anniversary of the day that fictional movie character Marty McFly from “Back to the Future” goes back in TIME in the year 1985. Here we are today 25 years later.
Yes, I’m feeling a bit nostalgic today thinking BACK about the films impact.
Not only did it have cool special effects for even our day and TIME, way cool actors, great music from across the decades, tons and I mean tons of some of the best one liners found all in one film, but BTTF also contained some great life lessons.

One of those ever-present lessons in the films is the power of a moment. For instance, in 1985, Marty McFly’s parents discuss to the family at suppertime, for what is apparently the hundredth TIME they have heard, about the day they met and how they fell in love. This of course turns out to be crucial plot information once Marty accidentally goes back in the PAST to that fateful same week in 1955 altering some of those Moments.
Similarly, in a scene early in the film, Marty has this conversation with his high school principal:
“Mr. Strickland - ‘I noticed your band is on the roster for the dance auditions after school today. Why even bother, McFly? You don't have a chance, you're too much like your old man. No McFly ever amounted to anything in the history of Hill Valley!’
Marty McFly - ‘Yeah, well, history is gonna change’.”

In the PAST, Albert Einstein once said “Not everything that counts can be counted. Not everything that can be counted counts”. Also, the Psalmist wrote a Prayer to the Lord, “So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom (Psalms 90:12)”. And in the same vein of thought, Charles Spurgeon once wrote that "the place of our habitation is fixed, and we are wrong to remove from it out of whim or caprice, but seek to serve the Lord in it, by being a blessing to those among whom we reside...It is when we are in His work that we may reckon upon His smile".

So, today in this Moment in TIME, I simply encourage you to think BACK on your life’s journey so far. The FUTURE and your FUTURE is in the Lord’s hands and yet He allows you in those simple and profound Moments to make choices. Pay attention to the details. Be grateful for all things that have shaped you in the PAST defining yourself in the PRESENT. I could never begin to express enough thanks to all my varying Family members, Teachers, and Friends who through childhood, teen years, College experience and on into the Marriage with raising children & Ministry years (Poplarville & Starkville) that have shaped my life thus far. Look for the trace of grace in your journey. And in your being thankful, share your lessons learned from the PAST to others in your PRESENT helping to positively shape the FUTURE. That’s the Power of Love!

...And if for some strange reason you weren’t a big Fan of the BTTF films or even this little devotional, I would say in response that both will stand the test of TIME. Or to quote Marty McFly after his big guitar solo, “I guess you guys aren't ready for that, yet. But your kids are gonna love it.”

Your Friend in TIME,
Matt Loving

*For fun, make sure you check out this website www.bttfmovie.com
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Some personal “fun-Facts” connecting me with the BTTF trilogy:
DATE - On October 26th 1985 my Parents took me to see the film Back to the Future, the same day in the film that Marty goes back in time. My Dad and I have reminded each other about that bit of trivia through the years and just talked about it this PAST weekend. That winter my Parents also moved my brother, Alan, and I from Memphis, TN to Brandon, MS(go BHS Dogs!) by which the Lord put in motion many vital Moments and people that have shaped who we are today.
DANCE - In BTTF, the quirky named “Enchantment under the sea” dance is where Marty’s parents must attend and fall in Love, or Marty will be HISTORY(also where He plays the big guitar solo to the song ‘Johnny B Goode’). In my PAST, my wife, Jenny, and I went to our first dance through Mississippi College(go Choctaws!) in April 1993. That dance also had a quirky name called “Company B” featuring music from the PAST. The rest for us is our History together ever since...
MUSIC - Whether in the 1980’s in the film (when I was a kid and middle schooler) or the 1950’s (when my Dad was a kid), Music is also considered to be a ‘character‘ in BTTF because of it’s prominent role in important Moments. Music has always been a big influence in my life. One example is the date that Jenny and I officially began dating Back in 1993 was also the night we attended a Dc Talk & Michael W. Smith concert together in Jackson, MS--I will refrain from posting that pic of us together per Jenny’s request, even though it will always be one of my personal fav’s of us together...Coincidentally, in the PRESENT year 2010 we took our 3 oldest children to see their first concert, TobyMac(formerly in the group DcTalk), in the same location and same month as our first one!
MINISTRY - In 2005, I designed a youth ministry Bible study series for the Crosspoint Youth entitled “Back to the Future-a study on the book of Revelation” utilizing scenes from the entire trilogy to coincide with lessons from Youth Specialties “Creative Lessons in Revelation” series. This PAST January our ‘Disciple-Now’ Retreat theme was ‘Totally Awesome 80’s’ which had a coinciding logo entitled ‘Back to the D-Now’, using a similar logo to the BTTF movie logo.

“Walk On” - Isabelle Learns to WALK - Fall 2010

Jenny and I have both worked towards this and waited for it to come - our youngest child, Isabelle, has finally decided to walk during the month of September.
At the first MSU football game tailgate, she was content to sit, eat and play in one spot.
The past 2 weekends, at the MSU vs. Georgia & the Alcorn State games tailgating, things were completely different as we observed her making her way around to greet everyone. Maybe she was just showing off. Maybe she was just vying for free food. Most likely, it was an equal combination of both.
Nevertheless, this video attached is a short compilation of the summer to fall 2010 journey for Isabelle learning to walk on... of course it includes the classic U2 song “Walk On”.

Additionally, J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote in his ever-popular story Lord of the Rings lyrics to a song about the paths of life we will walk on. It read as follows:

“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

And on a final note, the apostle Paul once recorded in the Scripture passage of Ephesians 2:10 that “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them”. Yes, this article has been yet another shameless method to brag on one of my children. But, let me ask you this question: compared to my families joy over Isabelle, how much more does the Heavenly Father rejoice in seeing you learn to walk in the ways that He has gone before you to prepare and created you to walk in? The Road goes ever on and on...

An Arrrow Pointing To Heaven

"I grew up hearing everyone tell me 'God loves you'. I would say big deal, God loves everybody. That don't make me special! That just proves that God ain't got no taste. And, I don't think He does. Thank God! Because He takes the junk of our lives and makes the most beautiful art." - Rich Mullins

The website article listed below is a commentary on the life of the late Rich Mullins, musician and minister of the most unlikely kind. The author does an amazing job of introducing the reader or, if you're like me, reminding the reader about the simple and profound impact of Rich Mullins life. Be changed...

http://www.saturdaynothing.com/index.php/saturdaynothing/article/tasting_art_the_story_of_rich_mullins

"Miracle Drug"

This Sunday Christian churches across America will host a “Compassion Sunday”. Many other churches will host this at a later date, but at CROSSPOINT, where I currently serve, we will be hosting one, putting a Biblical spotlight on this much needed issue.
As I personally prepare to share about the ministry of Compassion International, several things have been on my heart and mind.

1) Compassion Definition -
compassion [kəmˈpæʃən]n:
a feeling of distress and pity for the suffering or misfortune of another, often including the desire to alleviate it
[from Old French, from Late Latin compassiō fellow feeling, from compatī to suffer with, from Latin com- with + patī to bear, suffer]

2) "Miracle Drug" lyrics -

“...The songs are in your eyes
I see them when you smile
I’ve had enough of romantic love
I’d give it up, yeah, Id give it up
For a miracle, a miracle drug, a miracle drug

God I need your help tonight -

Beneath the noise, Below the din
I hear a voice Its whispering...
In science and in medicine
I was a stranger, You took me in

The songs are in your eyes
I see them when you smile
I’ve had enough of romantic love
Id give it up, yeah, Id give it up
For a miracle, miracle drug. Miracle, miracle drug”

by U2 2004 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXT8QeOxHFc&feature=related


3) SCRIPTURES to Study: Proverbs 28:27; Isaiah 3:13-26; Jeremiah 5:26-29; Amos 2:6-7/4:1-3/8:3-10; Matthew 25:41; Luke 6:24-26; James 1:27/2:14-26/5:1-6; 1 John 3:11-24

When the people of God study the truth of God’s Word coupled with seeing the need around them in the world, they will respond with the compassion of Christ!
So, to help you know where to begin on your part in the story, check out these amazing compassionate organizations listed below...

WEBSITES to get you started:
www.samaritanspurse.org
www.worldvision.org
www.compassion.com
www.salvationarmyusa.org
www.operationworld.org
www.bloodwatermission.com
www.mochaclub.org
www.one.org/us

And of course, please check out your towns Local food pantries, soup kitchens, Foster care programs, Mentoring children in local schools...

BOOKS:
Operation World by Patrick Johnstone
Jesus Freaks: stories of those who gave their lives for Christ by Dc Talk
City on our Knees by TobyMac
On the Move by Bono
Radical by David Platt

School days, school days. Dear old golden rule days. ...

Well, it has been a little over a month since my 3 older children returned to the Classroom and as much as they "love" their school, the poem below seems to already sum up their honest mindset. Hope it makes you laugh, remember your days in school, and reminds you to make the most of every moment of each day you are given, especially taking time to play and laugh with your kids...

Sick by Shel Silverstein

"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more--that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut--my eyes are blue--
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke--
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb.
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is--what?
What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is. . .Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

“LOST" Life Lessons

from my Journal -- May 25th 2010

What is LIFE really all about? The answer often gets LOST in our busyness.

This question has been on my heart due to my brain being immersed in finishing reading David Platt’s new book RADICAL, finishing watching the series finale of 2 of my current favorite TV shows that are ending after many years on TV, LOST and 24, the proposed Staff Restructure(and then not)in the church I currently work in, and the fact that today is Jenny and I’s 14th year Wedding Anniversary. The LOST series finale in particular, similar to the ending of the final book of the NARNIA series, really got me thinking about the importance of the people in our lives. These relationships at the conclusion of this show outweighed the “hidden meanings” of all the things they had been through. Also, the character that finally opens a door for the reunited friends to enter into together forever outside of a church is aptly named ‘Christian Shepherd’.

Simply put, through the lens of prayer and the filter of one specific passage of Scripture(LUKE 11:13), the Lord stilled me with the reality that I have found myself living for accomplishing “to do lists” instead of loving Him and others.
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

We all struggle with this mentality of practical busyness but especially in our American culture. There is this unspoken pressure of getting to the next thing or that you must be pursuing what is ‘out there’, a type of ‘other than’ life. This mentality quite often leaves the people in your life in the dust.
So, recently I found myself driving home from work being at complete peace in this truth. Simultaneously, I found myself confessing to the Lord that I realized in my life over the past few years I have sinned greatly according to this principle. The one thing He waits to give us that we need the most, namely Himself(Holy Spirit), is what is usually pursued last.
LUKE 11:13 revealed for me that I had been loving another besides Him and the people in my life by pursuing an elusive ‘other than’ life. Whoa, right?

The ‘other than‘ that I realized I have loved is the pursuit of WHAT I DO with my life and What I GET from life.

For at least 3 years, Jenny and I, family members, and other friends have had had serious conversations together as to WHAT I should be doing with my life OTHER THAN being a Student Pastor and how to prepare for that time. I have taken the GRE and have researched working on a doctorate. I have applied to teach at junior colleges in hopes to get experience teaching college students, so that someday out there, along with earning a Doctorate, I could be a university or seminary teacher. And perhaps, somewhere along the way, fulfill another dream to write a book or two.
The steps taken toward being a professional college teacher have failed several ways so far. The beginning of the long process for writing a book may come to light this Fall, but it may not. Even if it does not, what will I “do” then? Does that mean all else in my life is for naught?

Jesus promises us Himself. To be loved by Him and we in turn grow in love for Him as we walk with Him. And always, that journey He gracefully calls us into, will equally revolve around a journey with other people. He wants us to let ourselves be loved by and to learn to love. The point then is the Journey, not the places along the way, the destination, or our career paths.

Francis Chan puts it this way in his book, Forgotten God, “...we forget that we were never promised a twenty-year plan of action; instead, God promises multiple times in Scripture never to leave us or forsake us. God wants us to listen to his Spirit on a daily basis, and even throughout the day, as difficult and stretching moments arise, and in the midst of the mundane...
Jesus Christ did not die in order to follow us. He died and rose again so that we could forget everything else and follow Him to the cross, to true life...” (pgs 120/122)

Additionally, Oswald Chambers explained about this struggle between focusing on the Journey or a destination, by saying:
“God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the appropriate thing to consider, if you were not living the life of faith. But if you are, you will joyfully waive your right and allow God to make your choice for you. This is the discipline God uses to transform the natural into the spiritual through obedience to His voice...
Many of us do not continue to grow spiritually because we prefer to choose on the basis of our rights, instead of relying on God to make the choice for us. We have to learn to walk according to the standard which has its eyes focused on God. And God says to us, as He did to Abram, ‘. . . walk before Me. . .’( Genesis 17:1 )"
“...We tend to think that if Jesus Christ compels us to do something and we are obedient to Him, He will lead us to great success. We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God’s purpose for us. In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular end or a desired goal, but He is not. The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way. What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself.”
from My Utmost For His Highest MAY 25th & JULY 28th

So, what I have had ingrained into my heart over the past day and a half is the simple but life changing truth that we all desperately need to get LOST in living out:

Life is not about WHAT we Do OR What we Get.
Life is about WHO we let Love us and WHO WE Love in return--that is all we can take with us when this life ends.
Most importantly, the WHO is found in allowing Jesus Himself to love us and we in return growing in love for Him. We must then daily give ourselves to Him and His leading in the midst of all our frail human relationships being loved by others and loving them in return(1 JOHN 4:7-12).

“And now these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. But the greatest of these is LOVE” 1 Corinthians 13:13
See www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbPqVw6HTfE&feature=related (Lost season 6 final scene - Ending video)

DREAM

"You and I have an average of about seventy or eighty years on this earth. During these years we are bombarded with the temporary. Make money. Get stuff. Be comfortable. Live well. Have fun. In the middle of it all, we get blinded to the eternal. But it’s there. You and I stand on the porch of eternity. Both of us will soon stand before God to give an account for our stewardship of the time, the resources, the gifts, and ultimately the gospel he has entrusted to us. When that day comes, we are convinced we will not wish we had given more of ourselves to living the American Dream. We will not wish we had made more money, acquired more stuff, lived more comfortably, taken more vacations, watched more television, pursued greater retirement, or been more successful in the eyes of this world. Instead we will wish we had given more of ourselves to living for the day when every nation, tribe, people, and language will bow around the throne and sing the praises of the Savior who delights in radical obedience and the God who deserves eternal worship. Are you ready to live for that dream? Let’s not waver any longer…"

quote from pastor and author of book RADICAL , David Platt