Wondering Thoughts

Slab

The slab crew was out early this morning to pour cement for our new youth building.

Readings this Week

The changing and dropping of the leaves, the shortening of the days and the cooling of the temperature are all reminders that we have entered into November.  One of the other signs that (or that should) accompany these is that our hearts are beginning to swell with reflection as we prepare to officially give thanks later this month.  The Scriptures in the lectionary this month give us great reasons for thanksgiving; beginning with the truth that God is our Provider.  And I can’t think of a better way to begin our church stewardship emphasis this month than with the thought that God has given us everything we have and has promised to continue providing for our future.  

As you read the texts this week, let your heart begin to swell with gratitude as you remember your Provider.

1 Kings 17:8-16
Psalm 146
Hebrews 9:24-28

A Season of Reflection

The changing and dropping of the leaves, the shortening of the days and the cooling of the temperature are all reminders that we have entered into November.  One of the other signs that (or that should) accompany these is that our hearts are beginning to swell with reflection as we prepare to officially give thanks later this month.  The Scriptures in the lectionary this month give us great reasons for thanksgiving; beginning with the truth that God is our Provider.  And I can’t think of a better way to begin our church stewardship emphasis this month than with the thought that God has given us everything we have and has promised to continue providing for our future.  

As you read the texts this week, let your heart begin to swell with gratitude as you remember your Provider.

1 Kings 17:8-16
Psalm 146
Hebrews 9:24-28

*Photo of FBC steeple by Randy LeBlanc

Maggie Lee for Good Reports

It has been a week and we are still at the tip of the iceberg for reports coming in from good deeds done.  I opened an envelope from students at Barret Elementary last night and was greatly moved by the thoughtfulness of all the good things these students did last week.  The idea came from Joshua Charles, a student there who had been praying for Maggie Lee while in the hospital and, according to his mother Monica, wanted "to do something immediately."  He also told her that "this will make Maggie Lee's parents a little happy and proud."  It is an amazing bundle of papers with "What I Did For Maggie Lee for Good Day."  Some of the responses will be posted on the Maggie Lee for Good website.  

This is but one of countless responses we have received.  While we can't report on all 17,800 something, we will be posting as much as we can.  While our pain of losing Maggie Lee is felt more and more each day, we are amazed and ever-grateful for the way she is being remembered and for the participation in turning a lot of good out of a bad situation.  

A few articles reporting on the day are:

My brother's blog (be sure to read comments for reports)

Bob Allen's article at ABP

Shreveport Times article

Also, on Facebook, search for the Maggielee . . . for good! group

"Living Not Far From the Kingdom"

"Living Not Far from the Kingdom" from john henson on Vimeo.

13

Laughter. Love. Life.
Creating it. Giving it. Demonstrating it to the full.
These you found in Jesus and wore so well. They--and you--remain still.

I miss you so much on this your birthday.  I love you my little girl.

Dada

"Maggie Lee/Best Day" from john henson on Vimeo.

Maggie Lee for Good Day

Today, which would have been Maggie Lee’s 13^th birthday, is Maggie Lee For Good day.  It is a day to do one good deed for someone.  You can learn more about how it started at the Maggieleeforgood site as well as in this morning's Shreveport Times article by Adam Keoloha Causey .  

The idea is that  today we will partner with God in turning good out of the bad and tragic accident involving our youth group and Maggie Lee on July 12.  I give some explanation for this in my sermon (Dreaming of Redemption) from this past Sunday (video is on this blog). Jesus taught (Matthew 5:13-14) his disciples that they were the salt of the earth and the light of the world, calling them to make a difference in their world. 

13 ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

14 ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

He reminded them of their nature to be a partner with God to bring and preserve good in their world and to allow God to shine in and through them, dispelling the darkness of the world. They were to let their light shine, allowing their good deeds to show and give glory to God. I had the awesome opportunity of getting to have conversations about this with Maggie Lee when she came to me when she was 7 to let me know she had invited Jesus to be her Savior and Lord.  As her Pastor, I was able to baptize her, reminding her of these very same words from Jesus.  She took them seriously and launched a life of salt and light.

Today is a great day to let our good deeds show; to do things that make this world a better place; to help answer the prayer of Jesus for the Kingdom to come in this world as it is in Heaven.  This is our way of joining up with God to bring good out of a horrible situation.  I cannot begin to imagine why the accident happened and why Maggie Lee died and I certainly don't believe God caused it.  What I do know and can see is how God has been at work to bring good out of it. 17, 800 people doing good things is great evidence of that. 

Some ways to keep up with what is happening today:

• If you are on Twitter (its free and easy if you are not), search for maggieleeforgood or follow me at jchensonsr or visit here
• Read posts on jinnyhenson or jchensonsr on Facebook
• Atttend tonight's Maggie Lee for Good party at FBC, Shreveport Parlor, come and go from 5-7 pm

"Dreaming of Redemption"

"Dreaming of Redemption" from john henson on Vimeo.

MLFG Celebration this Thursday

I'm putting out the word here that there will be a Maggie Lee for Good party this Thursday, from 5-7 pm in the Parlor of First Baptist Church of Shreveport.  Come by and find out what good things happened in the day and share your good deed for the day.  It's come and go and everyone is invited, so feel free to pass the word.

Learn more at the Maggie Lee for Good Site.

"Searching for the Right Priest"

"Searching for the Right Priest" from john henson on Vimeo.

Texts this Sunday

The Scripture Readings for this coming Sunday are exciting and full of meaning. We find out how Job's life ends up, how the remnant of Israel will get a God-escort back home, how the world gets an approachable-once-for-all-time High Priest and how a man named Bartimaeus gets his sight. There is a lot going on in these texts, slices of delicate life touched by an intervening God. 

I invite you to set aside time to read them (listed below as well as on the church website) this week, considering how God has been and wants to be involved in the events of your life. 

Job 42:1-6, 10-17 
Jeremiah 31:7-9
 Psalm 126
 Hebrews 7:23-28
 Mark 10:46-52

 I look forward to gathering with others in worship this week as we combine our services and voices together to celebrate baptisms, beautiful music and redemption.