Moving On Up!

"We're moving on up, to the east side, to a high rise apartment in the skies." That is a lyric that brings back some memories. This last week the world lost Sherman Hemsley. He was most known for his portrayal of George Jefferson on All in the Family followed by the spin off The Jeffersons. I love the opening phrase of that theme song. "We're moving on up!" I often think that as the Lord has moved me and my family into new arenas of life and ministry. Isn't it funny how the Lord uses television pop culture from the 70s to lighten my heart in the face of change, uncertainty, and adversity? If you're familiar with the program you know that George worked his way to respect and prosperity through hard work in the face of adversity and bigotry. The adversity and bigotry didn't stop, but he didn't allow it to stop him either. We can learn from this.

In The Wake of Tragedy

I grew up near the waters of Long Island Sound. My grandparents lived on a canal that lead out into the sound and had a motorboat. I always enjoyed going out in their boat, or going out in the rowboat with my dad. I remember school trips on the Thames River with Project ‘O’ and learning about the ocean and things of the sea. One of the things I always enjoyed about being on the water was watching the wake from the boat. That was one of the things that amazed me when I was stationed on a nuclear submarine. The wake the submarine left was less than that made by my grandparent’s motorboat or the research vessel with Project ‘O’. I learned that the wake a vessel leaves behind has little to do with vessel size, but much to do with the design of the vessel. That is the summation of my knowledge of naval architecture and aqua-dynamic engineering. It is also the beginning of my understanding of how to cope and work through the wake of tragedy in our lives.

Arrows Pointed Out and Arrows Pointed In

There is a popular concept in emerging churches today. It is arrows pointed out. The main premise is to make sure you are focusing on others before you focus on your self. I have many friends who are part of churches that use this to describe the way they achieve the Great Commission. It is a concept I have taught and preached on many times. There is a potential for imbalance though. As with anything, when the heart attitude is wrong, the action has no lasting effect or spiritual advantage.