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The Short Bus

So, most of my friends and family know that I drive a school bus for our local public school district.  I have enjoyed that job, off and on, for more than 30 years.  I am Commercial licensed and like to drive all sorts of buses and RV coaches for churches, for tourists, for entertainers.  I am a wandering spirit, so I love to “go”, and especially enjoy the drive.

I am a Substitute Driver which means I “sub” for regular route drivers who call in sick, or take vacation or personal days off.  This week I drove the “short bus”, as we once called it during my school days.  Today we call it the SPED (Special Education) bus.  These select buses are specially equipped with seat belts, anchor straps for wheelchairs, and hydraulic lifts for wheel chairs.  Plus a few other small safety features and dashboard buttons to remember as a driver.

The students assigned to these buses range from learning disabilities to physical and emotional limitations.  Most of these students in our district are beautifully gifted children who show extravagant love towards their caregivers, teachers, and transportation helpers.

My helper this week — Bus Monitor (by title) — is Ms. Ann.  The students on my bus love Ms. Ann.  And she loves them.  They have a very special bond because she has watched many of them grow up from babies to elementary, middle, and now high school age.  Ms. Ann knows most of their families, and the various challenges they face.  Ms. Ann might as well be Mother Teresa in their little minds, because she loves and cares for every one of them unconditionally.  And, when necessary, she can ‘draw the line’ so that they know what is appropriate behavior, and what is not.  We all love Ms. Ann.

I know some of the stories of these students and their families as well.  I look into the eyes of parents and grandparents of these students every morning at dawn and in the afternoons.  I see the sleepless nights, the weary wondering, the tiredness in their faces.  I feel the ache in their tired voices and in their bones as they slowly, but methodically help their little loved ones onto and off the bus every day.

But, I see Love. I see the unconditional, never-ending love for God’s gift to them. These beautiful boys and girls who will not get the education, the nurture, and the chance they deserve, if not for the love of these champions called mama, daddy, teacher, coach, principal, bus monitor, bus driver, and caregiver.

I also see Jesus.

I see Him when I watch the way the mamas and daddies carefully and gently hug, affirm, and speak gentle, yet firm instructions and guidance to their special babies.  I see Him when I look into their sleepy eyes every morning, as I wonder what they are thinking about with yet another ‘new day’ to live and learn and dream.  I see Him when these babies recognize their mamas and daddies at the end of the day.  I see Him when they sing along to Ms. Ann’s fun songs and laugh at her funny stories.  I see Him when they tell me, “good morning”, or “bye-bye”, each day.

I see Jesus on the short bus. I see Jesus in Ms. Ann.  I see Jesus in the eyes of educators and coaches and principals.  I see Jesus in my coworkers and administrators in the Pascagoula-Gautier School District.

I love driving the “short bus”.  Thank you God, for letting me see Jesus this week … on the “short bus”.

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Revival On The River

So, I met this kid.  Ethan Oltremari from Greenwood, Mississippi. More specifically, we started communicating by email as I began to observe how God was using his music ministry in the Mississippi Delta to unite churches of diverse races and cultures. Did I mention … in the Mississippi Delta?  Unite … churches … of diverse races … in the Mississippi Delta.

So, as Ethan and I upgraded our communications to actual “live” phone calls — it was immediately evident that this ‘kid’ has an anointing on his life and his music.  Ethan is a Methodist college student attending Delta State University, leading worship for United Methodist churches and other worship gatherings in his region … and leading a revival movement that has spread across the Yazoo River delta … and, now to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Ethan and his folks have called it Revival On The River Greenwood.  You’ve GOT to see this!  If you can go … you must!

In December 2018, Ethan and I prayed.  He met with his board members in Greenwood, Mississippi and prayed.  I prayed with my pastors and a few local friends who love worship and prayer gatherings. We set a date. In a few weeks, we are going to gather at the Point Park Ampitheatre in Pascagoula — my hometown.  April 27, 2019 — mark your calendar.  COME if you can!

We are praying from Greenwood to Pascagoula … that God will do here what He is doing in the Mississippi Delta.  It’s spreading to Jackson, Mississippi … and it’s already spread to Tupelo, Mississippi … and to Gulfport, Mississippi … it’s covering our Magnolia State like a contagious positive cancer!

UNITY is spreading across Mississippi.  LOVE for the ‘other’ is spreading across Mississippi.  COMPASSION for the hopeless is spreading across Mississippi.  RECONCILIATION is spreading across Mississippi.  WORSHIP and PRAYER is spreading across Mississippi.  It’s time Mississippi.  Revival is HERE!

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College at 55 … and 1/2

Six months ago, I blogged that I was venturing [back] into the journey of college — at age 55. Here’s what’s up today.

So, college is a privilege to begin with. Not everyone who wishes to attend college or university is afforded that luxury. Even, in America. With that said, I am extremely grateful that I am even afforded the option of returning to college having given it my ‘shot’ at 18 years of age the first go ’round.

My friend Luke Gambill, as I have mentioned before, is an extremely talented and gifted musician. Much smarter than me. And, an excellent educator. We reconnected a few years back and began keeping up with one another’s careers and ministries. Long story short — Luke compelled me to consider completing my college education as he was transitioning towards completion of his doctoral studies. I took him up on the offer.

Dr. Wes Dykes began to guide me towards admissions and the rigors of course selections, I got started, and … six months later … I have completed two trimesters of study as a #CareyMusic student in the Winters School of Music and Ministry Studies.

I really did not think I could pull this off. I’ve enjoyed the journey, but it’s been a challenge. It’s thrilling, no doubt! But, a challenge.

My sweet wife Sheryl has become my greatest cheerleader, all over again. She has always stood by me, through the horrors of our darkest days of pain and loss, through the craziness of raising three amazing kids [now adults], and through the joys of mountaintops and accomplishments in life and ministry together. But — this is a new adventure, for the both of us. We literally feel like teenagers again!

So, I dive in to my next trimester at #Carey next week.

As I observe these ‘kids’ around me at #Carey who are fast becoming the Worship Leaders and Worship Pastors of today’s church — I must tell you — I am amazed! These kids “get” it.

They are wise beyond their years. They are consumed with Jesus. They love pleasing the audience of One. They love the local church. They love tradition. They love creativity. They love excellence. They love diversity. They love others. They love themselves. They work hard. They produce amazing results.

I highly recommend you follow our websites and social media sites as the music departments and ministries at #Carey are growing and developing. I am honored to be part of this movement of Music Education, Worship, and Church Growth in south Mississippi!

Hang on … the best is yet to come! #OneGoalOnePassion #CareyMusic

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FOMO

FOMO. Fear Of Missing Out. It’s the new buzzword. And, everybody’s using it. Well, everybody who’s that annoying over-the-top-my-life-is-amazing arrogant sales person that just won’t leave you alone about the greatest new MLM or investment deal they’ve discovered that you will be sorry you missed out on … unless you act NOW!

So — what are you really missing? Is life really that urgent that you simply must act now — or, your life is going to be miserably boring or hopeless unless you dive in to this amazing opportunity?

Well, sometimes — yes. You need to “jump”, as Will Smith teaches. Maybe if only to overcome an unfounded fear of the unknown, or to boost self-confidence, or literally to get off the fence of doubt and disbelief. Sometimes we all veer off the path of strategic plans and goals that are good for us. Sometimes we all get a bit distracted by time wasting efforts that do not really produce the good things in life. If you’re ADHD, like me, you get distracted more often than …. hey, squirrel!

Then, there is that nagging inner demon that every over-achiever and workaholic ultimately will have to face: you are addicted to the rush, the next deal, the next win. And, in fact, you are probably very insecure and lacking in self-confidence, so you push for the next big win, simply to get the recognition you so deeply crave. Else, you are such a loser and life is worthless, and you’re the epitome of failure.

King David of Old Testament days wrote this biblical song, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

Just a few short verses before that he’s telling himself and his hundreds of servants and musicians how God is a refuge and a very-present-help in times of trouble. Keep in mind, this is the same ‘little David’ — the shepherd boy — who was ridiculed and mocked by all his older brothers, tasked with all the grunt work like shoveling sheep dung, overlooked by his own Dad when the prophet came calling for a new king … probably burned up his entire childhood and teenage years trying to belong, to receive some sort of atta-boy, some kind of recognition, some sort of promotion … and, then it happened.

He’s delivering hot wings and beer to the older brothers and the chicken little warriors — including King Saul (!) — who won’t go kill off the boasting bragging giant Goliath. David pushes his way to the front lines, declares “I can take him”, throws off the king’s armor, grabs his slingshot, and fells the giant with one smooth stone. Then he chops off the head of the potty-mouth heathen warrior so he can go mount it on his wall back home and boast of his kill.

Now, who’s the man?! Look what I did! Check out that nasty Goliath mount on my wall!

Of course, there were rewards at stake. The king’s daughter and NO MORE TAXES for life. What a deal! How’s that for motivation?! Talk about FOMO!!

So, how does that guy become the King who writes Psalm 46? Hearing God. Waiting. Contemplating. Waiting some more. Listening, not boasting. Waiting, not hurrying. Waiting, not self-promoting. Waiting, not over-achieving. Waiting, and evaluating. Waiting, and worshiping. Waiting, and listening more. Waiting, and looking upward, rather than only forward, or backward!

See, David was ultimately installed as King following a really nasty transition of power. King Saul despised him, deceitfully promoted him, and maliciously sought to murder him — but God always seemed to help David escape.

He did win the prize. He did take the throne. And, he was the greatest king Israel has ever known — to this very day. But he abused his throne. And he sinned greatly. Before God and the entire nation. And he was ashamed. And he suffered multiple consequences of chaos and disorder because of his sins.

So now, he’s asking God to help him. And he’s afraid. Not of missing out, but of losing his fellowship with God. And of losing his only hope of restoration and redemption with his family and friends. With his entire nation of fans and followers. So, he’s waiting. And listening. And worshiping.

I wanna be that guy. Yes, I wanna be a king. Yes, I wanna be a rockstar. Yes, I wanna get my shot. Yes, I wanna win the prize, and the reward! Or, do I really?

I’m finding that being “the man”, the big dog, the king-of-the-hill … is really just a pursuit in egocentric idolatry in many ways. Men age and grow weak. Big dogs get replaced by bigger dogs. Some kings become wild-eyed paranoid pimps and get dethroned.

I want to be the man in Psalm 46. I want to listen more than boast. I want to worship more than make war. I want to love deeply and be loved. I want to be honored and not just feared. I want to lead by serving not by enslaving. I want to be a better old man than I was an over-achieving workaholic young man.

O Lord, teach me to wait. Teach me to listen. Teach me to worship. Teach me to be still and know that you are God.

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Hickory Ridge

Hickory Ridge is a small rural community south of Jackson Mississippi and west of Hwy 49 at Florence Mississippi.  These are salt of the earth country folks.  Hickory Ridge Baptist Church popped up on my radar about five years ago, as my friend Gerald Simmons shared with me his visits there as guest worship leader and evangelist.

Gerald began to tell me of his newfound friendship with Pastor Terry Fant and how God had gloriously redeemed Terry from a life of alcoholism and anger.  HRBC allowed Terry and Tina and their sweet family to come onboard, continue to heal, and to share their Story with anyone who would listen.  That began in a small 200-seat country church building.  Today, the story is shared with more than 1,000 people who attend HRBC weekly, who in turn are taking the Story of Redemption to all of Rankin County Mississippi.  The ongoing story of Hickory Ridge is nothing short of a “movement”, as we have heard this week from Pastor Rick Ousley during anointed and Spirit-filled revival worship services.

I have led worship for more than 40 years now.  I began in my teenage years leading traditional Baptist congregations in the ‘new songs’ of the 1970s which sprang out of the 1960s Jesus Movement.  This week at Hickory Ridge, we are singing the ‘new songs’ of worship which have sprung from the 90s modern worship movement as well as the beloved hymns of the past 200 years in the Church.  These folks LOVE to sing and that simply draws on the creative in me as a worship leader!

This week I have watched a small town country church turned “move of God” congregation now reaching thousands in Rankin County, as they pour out their hearts in worship, love and restore broken people, and serve the needs of everyone God will place in their paths.

Pastor Terry Fant’s passion is to preach the Gospel to broken people — people ‘in the ditch’, as Rick Ousley calls ‘us’.  We who have failed, messed up, and missed the mark more times than even our friends and family can tolerate.  Still, God the Father “runs” to meet us as we return from our prodigal pig pens of failure.

If you are in your ditch, or pig pen, or have found yourself fallen and messed up from the crazy turns of life … KNOW that God cares. And He has already planned your comeback party!  Run HOME.  The Father is waiting … and Hickory Ridge will be the first in line to love you back to the Family!