The “Maximum Effort, Minimal Results” Dad

This Dad is always working on a new project. Unfortunately, he probably hasn’t finished the old one.

Recommended Gift: A punching bag and boxing gloves

The Stereotypical “Cool Dad”

This dad thinks he defies all expectations. However, he is exactly what you would expect. Shhhh...don’t tell him.

Recommended gift: Socks with Sandals

The Silent but Deadly Dad (SBD) 

He’s judging you. Silently. He may not say anything to you directly, but man, if looks could kill. 

Recommended gift: Sunglasses

Mr. Fix It

This is the kind of dad that all dads believe they are. Roof leaking? This dad’s got your back...as long as you’re okay with him breaking a window in the process.

Recommended gift: Tinker toys, Legos, or Lincoln Logs

The “Dad Joke” dad

You already know. Every dad has a little bit of this dad inside of them, just waiting to come out. Some dads, however, take it to the next level.

Recommended Gift: "Exceptionally Bad Dad Jokes" via Amazon

The Bear

Big, burly, beard… Best. Hugs. EVER. You just can’t see why everyone thinks he’s scary at first.

Recommended gift: A flannel? A cozy, weighted blanket? Honestly, this dad probably just wants your time and a hug

The Social Butterfly

He wants to meet all your friends. In fact, he’s better friends with your friends than you are, which is weird considering he doesn’t even know how to use his cell phone.

Recommended Gift: Flip phone

The Social Escape Artist

You want him to meet all your friends. Seriously, they’re going to love him.  Wait, where did he go?

Recommended Gift: A ghillie suit

If we didn’t include your favorite kind of dad, we apologize! Dads really do come in all shapes and sizes. Maybe your dad fits into more than one category! Regardless of which dad you have, make sure to honor them in a special way this year! 

We started our watches to count elevation gain and heart rate and bounded up the start of the trail.  We waved and “hello’d” our fellow hikers and stopped to pet the excitable dogs passing by.  We were unstoppable - bounding over fallen trees and jumping over treacherous rocks.  Nothing could slow us down! 

It felt like we had gone 10 miles up until we looked at our watches - .33 miles up. And by this point, our energy was starting to wane.  As we continued on, the water breaks became more frequent, the breathing became heavier, and my trusty hiking boots began to betray me by starting to rub large blisters on both my heels.  

My friend kept up her steady pace but I disguised my sloth-like walk as “taking in the scenery.” By mile 1.5, I was wiped. I didn’t know if I could continue climbing but I saw my friend taking step after step and I reluctantly followed after.  

I kept saying to myself, “Just put one foot in front of the other,” and “Don’t be a weenie - you’re going to the top of this mountain.”  My blistered feet were saying something else entirely… 

As we reached the final leg of the initial climb, we started skating (read: slipping) on sheets of ice from the previous day's snowfall. We held each other’s hands and carefully moved up the path.  “I think the top is around that curve…” Nope.  “It’s got to be close…” Nope.  

It seemed like the mountain kept moving the crest like Lucy and the football.  

Finally, we saw sunlight peeking out through the bare trees and after a few more steps, made it to the top of the mountain.  I would say it was a breathtaking scene but I would be lying.  It had taken us so long to get up the mountain because of my frequent stops and the icy path that the view was basically a filmy picture made even hazier by the winter sun.  Nevertheless, my friend and I were elated to reach the top at last.  We rested for about 10 minutes and then began our descent.  

Back down the icy path, avoiding muddy puddles, and at times, jogging to beat the sunset.  After a quick trip back down the mountain we reached her car. 

We drove to the nearest town and ate every carb we could put into our tired bodies, sat in our fullness, and breathed a sigh of relief and satisfaction.  

As we were driving back home, I was thinking how thankful I was to have someone who was faster to keep me moving forward.  To have someone who was strong while I was struggling.  My friend was the one thing that stood between me and getting caught on an unfamiliar trail in the dark.  

That’s what God is for us - he’s the reason we don’t get caught in the dark. His strength empowers us when we’re weak.  He goes before us to show us what rocks to step on, what logs to jump over, and what’s around the next bend.  

Isaiah 40:29 says “God is our strength in our weakness…” How many times have the pains in life told you to give up, to turn around?  And yet, God takes those things and turns them into power to take one more step and get up the mountain.  

By this point, we’ve all watched or heard the Christmas Carol story many times so I won’t belabor the points.  I will admit, out of all the various renditions, my favorite version is the Muppets Christmas Carol. Maybe it’s the fun, child-like humor, the magical songs, or maybe it’s just the sweet capturing of the Christmas spirit.  I recently snuggled up for my yearly viewing and found that the lessons of this classic story still apply today.  Here are four life lessons we can learn from A Christmas Carol’s Ebenezer Scrooge.   

1.) Don’t put off life waiting for more. 

During the ghost of Christmas past’s visit, we see that young Scrooge’s fiance, Belle, is recounting how they’ve put their wedding off for yet another year due to Scrooge’s insistence that he needs more before they can exchange vows.  Ultimately, Belle realizes that for Scrooge, she is not enough and leaves him.  His desire to accumulate things trumps his ability to share his already good life with Belle. It’s easy to think Scrooge is an extreme person but I find that it’s easy to do the same thing: put off joy because we could always have more.  More is not the goal and the desire robs us of the joy of now. 

2.) Don’t be stingy 

I know this one is pretty obvious but it’s worth exploring. At the top of the story, we see two gentlemen from the homeless shelter calling to ask for a donation.  Scrooge harshly turns them away saying that the poor “should go ahead and die...and decrease the surplus population.”  I’m sure you don’t think that way but it can be easier to let an opportunity of generosity pass us by than we realize.  Sometimes those opportunities are an organization openly asking for money or it can be as little as buying someone a much-needed cup of coffee.  Scrooge was so convinced that he could not part with his money but we know where our financial blessings come from. Use your money and time wisely but be generous nonetheless. 

3.) Enjoy your friends and family now  

Towards the end of the story, we see the ghost of Christmas yet to come showing Scrooge the ominous future that awaits him and his town should he not change his ways.  We peek inside a frosty window into the home of Bob Cratchet (Kermit the Frog in the Muppets version) and see the family sitting down to a meager Christmas meal.  Unfortunately, there is a crutch in place of Tiny Tim who has passed away.   As the small family eats, the children begin to cry.  Bob comforts them and says “It’s alright children. Life is made up of meetings and partings. That is the way of it.”  

Christmas is a wonderful season that reminds us to spend time enjoying our loved ones.  You never know what tomorrow will bring so enjoy your friends and family today.  

4.) Invest in people

We also see right before Scrooge’s great turnaround his impending funeral, attended by people only to mock and guess at where his large fortune would end up now that he’s dead.  Not a kind word was spoken, only snide comments.  At the end of our lives, people will not really remember us for the things we had or the money we stored up but how we invested in others and God’s kingdom.  

At the end of the story, we see Ebenezer Scrooge generously giving to the charity he gruffly turned away, buying a Christmas feast for the Cratchit family, and merrily singing and dancing with the joyful townspeople.  Everything is right in the world and Scrooge has turned his life into a happy one that will be remembered for his kindness and generosity.  

I hope that we learn these lessons and that we also remember the true reason for the season: Jesus.  

Merry Christmas, church family and as Tiny Tim would say, “God bless us, every one.” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6oZ8rEnO_w 

Make Rock Springs YOUR home for Christmas 2020 and join us for our Christmas Eve services at 1, 3, and 5 PM at our Milner campus and 3 PM at both our Branch and Macon campuses.  As always, we will be live streaming our services as well. 

Maybe it’s my recent need for comforting, familiar things that has led me down the rabbit hole of old hymns and traditional worship.  

One song in particular has been on repeat: Be Thou My Vision.  This hymn traveled across the sea from Ireland and blares a bagpipe, drums, and fiddles that send chills up my spine every time I listen to it.  And since it’s been on my mind (and in my ears recently), I took the chance to really hear what it’s saying.  

Have you ever listened to the words? If you haven’t, here they are: 

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise

Thou mine Inheritance, now and always

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart

High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art

High King of Heaven, my victory won

May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'n's Sun

Heart of my own heart, whate'er befall

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all

The line that sticks out to me is “thou my best thought, by day or by night.”  Over the past few weeks and months, I know I haven’t been the only person who’s had ideas or thoughts that we consider to be our “best thinking.” 

If that’s not clear enough, what I mean is that election season usually brings out our “intellectual” sides, causing us to think very deeply about our beliefs, and thus our preferred candidate.  But as I listened to Be Thou My Vision, I was deeply convicted by that line.  

My best thought is not my political ideology or having a bullet-proof argument to shut down opposing thoughts.  My best thought is Jesus.  And I’ll be the first to admit that Jesus isn’t always first in my heart or mind.  And I often let my vision get clouded by the issue du jour.  

But what if we strived to make Jesus our first thought, our best thought and our ever-present vision? I think the world would be a better place if our focus was God.  

I challenge you to make Christ your highest and best thought. Recognize Him as that and everything else falls into place.  

P.S. Listen to the song here and let me know your thoughts.  

You can reach me at vtesshammock@gmail.com 

If you found this article helpful, check out our other blogs and make sure to tune in to Sunday services at 8, 9:30, and 11 am.  

Thank you for being a supporter of Rock Springs Church! 

It can be easy to check religion at the door, especially if you work for a strictly secular company or organization.  Many places of work don’t support or even allow overt religious practices (e.g. no prayer in school).  

So if you can’t hang a cross on your classroom wall or pray to open every meeting, how can you witness in the workplace? 

A clear way to demonstrate your faith is simply by working hard, being excellent, and having greater passion for your vocation, even if it’s not your dream job. 

The bible says in Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…”  From taking coffee orders to preparing reports to giving a presentation, commit to be excellent at your work.  “In all toil, there is profit...” Proverbs 14:23 

God has always had a purpose for work even in the garden… “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it,” Genesis 2:15. So if Adam and Eve had to work, we must as well.  

Your coworkers who may not know Christ often find the actions and demeanor of believers to be the curious, unique quality that piques their interest.  You can easily inspire others by dedicating yourself to a strong work ethic.   

It can be easy to think that the work you do may not further the kingdom unless you’re on the front lines at your church, building wells in Africa, or enhancing children’s lives in a third world country.  But it’s imperative to understand that right here in America, we have a great deficit of our own: the poverty of lost souls.  

And we work next to many of those people five days out of the week. 

As Christians, our great commission is people and extending grace and patience, congeniality, and joy in your workplace can be an open door to others to see the love of God.   

So as you rejoin your coworkers in your offices, consider the great influence you can have with the person sitting to your right or left, even your customers.  

And remember, sharing the gospel has never been easier.  Even as we reenter the workplace, so much of our lives still remain online, including our professional network. Now, with Rock Springs Church providing an online worship experience, you can invite your friends and colleagues with the click of a button.  

Since March, over 500 individuals have given their lives to Christ because of our online streaming services.  You never know who in your circle might catch a live stream, rewatch a past sermon, or even come to church because of your willingness to share the good news. 

You can watch and invite your friends, family, and coworkers every Sunday at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram or on the Rock Springs Church website.  

Now that we know why we practice conflict resolution, let’s talk about how.  

It can be argued that in America, we just don’t know how to do it.  It’s not taught in schools and there certainly isn’t a Conflict Resolution 101 course at college.  And we see its detrimental effects in the staggering divorce rate, amongst our political leaders, and certainly in the workplace.  

The Bible gives us an outline for approaching disagreements in Matthew 18:15-17.  But before we even begin that process, it’s important to evaluate if confrontation is even necessary.  

Everyone has a bad day here and there and it’s important to remember that no one is perfect.  So try to honestly ask yourself if you can forgive and forget it.  Most of the time, a little distance is all we need.  But if the problem persists, then you can proceed with a conversation.  

Step 1: Speak Quickly 

We’ve all held onto anger longer than we should have but if we resolve issues quickly, it preserves the relationship and keeps every party moving forward.  It’s also important to approach the other person one on one.  We do this to keep from embarrassing the other party and protect their reputation as well.  

What do you say when you speak? There’s only two pieces of information you have… 

1. What the other person said or did 
2. How it affected you 

When you start off, simply state what the problem was and how it made you feel.    

E.G. “When you say x, I feel y” rather than “You tried to hurt me, You’re a terrible person.”  That second approach won’t get you very far and will 100% damage the relationship.  Remember, the goal is to speak truth in love so that we will grow. 

Step 2: Choose the Right Time 

In addition to not waiting too long, it’s also important to choose the right time.  Obviously, you wouldn’t pull them aside at a funeral or right before a big test.  Ask them when a good time is and plan around both schedules.  

By giving them a heads up, it allows them time to prepare to have a conversation.  No one likes to be blind sided.  

Step 3: Speak from Heart 

Easier said than done but it’s important to set your heart posture when bringing issues up.  Our goal is to preserve relationships, help others grow, and speak truth.  We don’t attack someone else from a win-lose position.  

Whether the other person is a Christian or not, our goal as Christ-followers is to be more like Jesus and in turn encourage others to do the same.  Jesus approached each interaction with the goal of grace, not shame.

Remember, we speak truth in love so that we can grow together.  

______ 

Confrontation doesn’t have to be scary.  It’s not pleasant but when we learn how to engage each other elegantly, we have a better chance of winning others for Christ and growing the Kingdom together.  

Let’s learn how to come to conflict in a way that’s God-honoring.  And you can start today.  

***If you or your family are in immediate danger, it’s best not to confront a violent party alone.  Please seek help from community or local law enforcement. 

___

If you found this article helpful, you may enjoy our other post: The WHY of Conflict Resolution.  Thanks for being a supporter of Rock Springs Church! 

The old adage says “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes”.  It can be argued, though, that there’s a third, just as certain issue: conflict.  

It’s one constant that will perpetuate itself throughout our lives and if we don’t learn how to deal with it (and well), we will go through life disturbed and unhappy.  

So what should we, as apprentices of Christ, do when we disagree with others?  

Whether the other party is a fellow Christian or not, there are ways to approach conflict.  Before we get into the how, let’s look at the why… 

The WHY

No one wants to have that conversation; it’s awkward.  Most of the time, both parties walk away feeling defeated and deflated.  Confrontation is an intimidating process so why would we subject ourselves to it?  

Generally, conflict happens when we’ve been wronged or when our ideas encounter friction with another’s.  And usually, we store up the hurt or anger until we become bitter towards another person.  When we do this, we allow a wall to be built between us and others but more importantly, it blocks our fellowship with God. 

1 John 4:20 “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” 

If for no other reason than to be able to continue communion with Christ, we also engage in tough conversations to make each other better.  

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”  

When you sharpen a knife, you don’t bang another piece of metal against it.  You go along with the other metal to shave away anything that doesn’t belong.  By walking with each other, challenging our brothers and sisters to remove those things that keep us from growing, we are making the body of Christ more holy.  

As Christians, we don’t simply accept our brothers and sisters as they are. We love them, but we don’t let them stay in sin or continue destructive behaviors.  

The kid at the drive through accepts you for who you are; you won’t get a lecture alongside a quarter pounder.  

A good coach or mentor doesn’t tell you how wonderful you are all the time - their job is to make you better, to disagree with you, not keep you just as you are.  

We do the same to grow the body of Christ and increase our sanctification.  

The why can be summed up in one sentence: we speak the truth in love so that we can grow together.  

On July 4th, over 240 years ago, Congress officially signed the Declaration of Independence signifying the genesis of a liberated country. 

It wasn’t until 1787 that the war was over, though.  In those 11 years, countless lives were lost, power shifted back and forth, and the future of a now great nation hung in the balance.  After a decade-long struggle, the hard-fought battle for freedom was won due to the innumerable sacrifices of it’s loyal citizens.  

This weekend, Americans will gather around BBQs, enjoying the carefree luxury of living in a free country.  This celebration allows each of us, no matter our background, to fully reflect on the precious gift of our liberties.  

As we come together to take part in the traditional festivities of hot dogs, star-spangled paraphernalia, and scintillating fireworks, let us take a moment to remember the true reason this day exists.  Our forefathers came to this land in order to escape the crushing religious persecution.  

Since the days of the revolution, thousands more from across the world have immigrated here to enjoy our freedoms as well.  In many countries, however, the institution of individual worship still does not exist.  

This is something that we as Americans can so easily take for granted.  So let us, on this day especially, take the time to remember the struggle of those who have come before us so that we may worship God without fear.  Let us thank God for the blessings He has bestowed on this country, including its establishment so many years ago.  

And let us continue to freely share the good news of Jesus Christ so that more Americans may come to know His endless blessings.  

May God bless you, your families, and our churches.  And may God bless America.  

We'll be celebrating America in a special way this Sunday with Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell!

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In tumultuous times like these, the weight of this world can feel heavy.  But God tells us in John 16:33 “...take heart!  For I have overcome the world.”  

He overcame it then and in His omnipresent glory, He continues to conquer it now.  

Our country has seen a new health pandemic with dire economic consequences and now, we are also seeing a cultural pandemic.  Along with stressful times, we often see the worst side of people.  In the flurry of Facebook comments, Twitter wars, and ‘cancel culture’, it can make us feel like the human race is running in all different directions.  

Proverbs 15 says “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  It can be tempting to return fire with fire, to interject our opinions into the heated fray but rather than fight on an Earthly plane, fight with truth, wisdom, and love.  

It is not people, things, or worldly institutions that give us hope… It is the everlasting, immutable grace given to us by Jesus Christ.  Wherever we go (in person or online), we are representatives of God.  Let our words be seasoned with salt, let our hearts long to give love to all His creation, and let our minds be set on things above for  “...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  

Have you ever met those people who are so endearing that you’re just drawn to them?  They’re the people who when asked to volunteer quickly jump on the chance to serve others or give up telling you about their most recent vacation to listen to your story about your kids.  These are the people who we immediately walk away from and say “I really like them!” 

But what is it about them that makes them so likeable?  Is it their charming smile?  Their impeccable, laser-focused eye contact?  Or their ability to make you feel like the only person in the room? For all the things they are and do, there’s one thing they’re not: prideful.  

When someone willingly puts aside their desires to boost yours or they allow you to shine in the spotlight, they’re showing true humility.  But how do they do that?  Are these people born that way? 

No! Humility is one area of spiritual growth that we must constantly pursue as it goes completely against our nature and our culture.  But if you’re not sure how to start honing your humility, take a look at these five simple ways you can begin today… 

1.) Take no offense 

Think of offense as a present in the outstretched hand of the giver.  Whether it’s a snide comment or an accusation, we have the ability to let that present stay in their hand.  When you realize you have a choice in taking on that emotion or letting the other person keep it, you become free to say “no thanks” and walk away.  

Also understanding that we are in a constant state of learning can help keep those feelings of “I’m always right” at bay.  Being human means one thing for certain: we are bound to make mistakes.  So why take offense at something we already know will happen?  

Proverbs 19:11 says “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” You hear that?  We get glory when we decide to overlook those little offenses.  

2.) Accept a lowly place 

This can be the biggest opponent to pride.  Our culture says “Take what you want!  No one else is going to give it to you!  You’re responsible for your success!”  Having a Christ-like mindset is the antithesis of that thinking.  We can be at peace knowing God sees our willingness to take on a servant attitude in the lowest of places.  

When Jesus came to Earth, he wasn’t born a king or politician.  He was a carpenter.  So while society beckons us to self-promote, our rubrik encourages us to seek promotion from Christ.  

Jesus drove this point home in Luke 14:7-11 “When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.  If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  

 3.) Routinely (and actively) confess your sins to God 

 There’s nothing that quells the campfire of pride quite like admitting your wrongs.  There’s no one on Earth who can escape ‘falling short’.  If you believe you are one of these people, please go back to the beginning of this article and read it again.  Then once more for good measure.  

Jesus uses another parable to illustrate this point in Luke 18:9-14:  “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get."

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Starting to see a pattern? Jesus flips worldly ideals on their heads by raising up the humble and humbling the proud.  When we humble ourselves before God, we will be exalted.  As crazy as it sounds, that’s literally God’s promise to us!  So take heart in knowing your humility isn’t unseen. 

4.) Share your struggles with others 

 Another great tool to keep your pride in check is sharing your struggles with other people.  In 2020, the allure of a perfectly curated life has never been stronger but another thing that those endearing and relatable people do is admit when they’ve made a mistake.  Whether it’s apologizing to someone they hurt or letting others know that they’ve sinned, it’s biblical to admit your wrongdoings.  

James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

One of our founding fathers even kept a written record of his most grievous mistakes… You might not have to keep a detailed ledger of your shortcomings but it’s a good exercise to acknowledge our failures.  

As Christians, we also have a huge responsibility on the flip side of that coin.  When someone shares their struggles or tries to make amends, we are called to have grace and withhold judgement.  

5.) Submit to authority 

 There’s no getting around this one.  Even the President of the United States has a boss so if that position still has an authority, so do we.  

If you’ve ever had an employer or a boss who abuses your talents or your time, it can be difficult to “submit”, especially when you can see ways they’re wrong.  Nevertheless, the Bible is explicit in this instruction:  1 Peter 2:18 says “...in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.” 

If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out our other blog “The importance of Prayer” as well as our other posts.  Thank you for supporting Rock Springs Church!