God's Grace

We’ve heard the song “Amazing Grace” so many times that it has become a cliché to many. It’s often played at funerals and for coverage of solemn events. But the back-story of the creation of Amazing Grace is, itself, amazing. It was May 10th 1748 that the song’s author, John Newton (1725 - 1807), credits as the day he was inspired by providence to write what is one of the most beloved hymns in the world.

Newton was an unlikely candidate to write hymns. He was a slave trader for years, both as a sailor and eventually as a captain of his own ship.

The moment of his inspiration came while sailing home from one such slaving journey. A brutal storm hit his ship and, despite all efforts, the ship began taking on water. Newton left the main deck to return to his quarters. A moment later, the sailor who replaced him on deck was swept overboard and lost. Convinced there was nothing more they could do to save the ship, he retired to his quarters, and in a moment of release that can be understood only by those facing imminent death, accepted whatever fate lay ahead, asking only, “Lord, have mercy upon us.”

Amazingly, the ship held together and it was then he came to the conclusion that God had personally addressed his request and saw the ship through the storm. Later, when they found land, they docked for repairs only to be told the ship would likely not have stayed together more than a day due to all the storm damage.

Newton would eventually renounce the slave trade and become an abolitionist and minister. In addition to his preaching, he would also write hymns. One of the first works was what we now know as “Amazing Grace”, actually written sometime between 1760 and 1770. Though at least a decade had passed, he still remembered vividly the event that he referred to as his “deliverance” as he wrote:

Some additional facts about the song:

• An additional stanza was incorrectly attributed to the song by Harriet Beecher Stowe in her book, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin. But the verse became so popular it’s been left in.
• The song was translated into Cherokee by Samual Worcester and was sung by tribe members as they were forced along the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee version of Amazing Grace is still a popular song within the Cherokee nation as a way to pay respect to loved ones who have passed.
• Though the song was pretty much forgotten in Europe for over a century, it remained popular in America and was adopted by the pop culture when folk music legend Judy Collins recorded an a capella version with a men’s choir.
• Through the years, the song has become a metaphor for so many forms of grace and can be adapted to each person’s private moment of deliverance. Amazing Grace has been recorded and performed by more artists and genres than just about any other song.
• This live performance, by II Divo, is one of the finest I’ve ever experienced and is a fitting tribute to a hymn written by a man humbled before the power of Grace.
• In 2006, a must see movie named Amazing Grace was released.
• Finally, in regards to his recording of the song for the 2006 movie Chris Tomlin said “I wanted to keep the hymn exactly the way it was, as much as I could, with the heart of what I feel like John Newton was writing,”

I have only scratched the surface on this remarkable story and song. I encourage everyone to refer to the links included above. Also I would love to hear from you. Tell us how this song or how God’s amazing grace has affected your story.

Grace and Peace,

dave

Raw Reasons Recap

"Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,* where our ancestors worshiped?" Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:19-24

If you have ever had the privilege of worshiping with a group of believers around a pool in a backyard using the deck as a stage, then you would realize that this poor lady to whom Jesus was speaking had no idea of the implications of the prediction being made to her at that moment.

In fact, I believe that as Jesus spoke those words he had knowledge of 56 people, sweating profusely due to August humidity, sitting in the backyard of a gracious Chesapeake resident, fellowshiping, worshiping and discussing the possibilities of forming a local church that would keep Him central to their core, a people that would come to be known as Vertical Life Church. What’s most amazing is that He could see well beyond that, years from now when Vertical Life Church has continually…

• Used infinite Truth to help guide their finite lives,
• Told people the story of why Jesus is supreme in their own personal lives,
• Bowed down daily and declared, “God is awesome, and I am not.”,
• Had hardcore, nitty-gritty, long-term, Christ-like relationships,
• Taken personal responsibility for their own spiritual relationships,
• Put their $ where our mouth was,
• Stuck up for those who can’t stick up for themselves,
• “Had a clue!”,
• Done things right, or haven’t done them at all, and
• Seen 1000’s in their local community come to enjoy the freedom that they have found.

Oh, and I should have mentioned that He probably saw us sitting inside air conditioning in the near future (more about that in a future blog).

I am thankful that He has allowed these believers, who will in the near future be Vertical Life Church, to be a part of those who He had foretold would worship Him in spirit and in truth. We would love for you to be a part also. Continue to pray over the role God would have you to play inside this new fellowship, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Freedom In Him,
Pastor John (8:36)

Anticipation

Anticipation. That’s what I woke up feeling this morning.

Anticipation, to discover how God is working.

Anticipation, to see those to whom God is speaking.

Anticipation, to participate in what God is doing.

Anticipation, to begin the discovery of the future God has in store.

Anticipation, of what will be Vertical Life Church!

In less than 48 hours the first gathering of curious and searching believers will take place. Together we will fellowship around munchies, worship together through music, and then grow together through scripture and discussion centering on the 10 Raw Reasons why there should be a Vertical Life Church in the Hampton Roads region. It’s going to be a great time, and we hope you can make plans to attend…

Date: Sunday, August 23

Time: 6-8 PM

Place: 2900 Sir Walter Cresent. Chesapeake, VA 23321

Bring: Bible, Lawn Chairs, Covered Dish, & Open Heart

Our time together will be mere preparation for what will be Vertical Life Church, so by no means expect to see a finished product. Rather prayerfully begin to consider how you might be one to help Vertical Life Church be devoted to spreading and following the teachings, lifestyle and supreme reality of the God-man, Jesus Christ.

We anticipate seeing you soon!

Pastor John

The Perfect Time and Place

Judea, 4-3 B.C. Controlled by Rome, yet governed by Judeo law due to the volatile relationship between religion and the state. As long as Jewish religious leaders kept the people in check, there was no real long-term threat from Rome.

This land mass sat at the crossroads of civilization. No matter where one might travel in the world at the time, it virtually required that they pass through Judea. This would mean that the world's ideas would also assimilate there, and if one were wishing to proselytize a new message for mankind, then Judea would be the ideal place for it's initial announcement allowing it to spread quickly to the four corners of the known earth.

Being ruled by Rome, it meant that capital punishment often came in the form of a gruesome practice called crucifixion. Crucifixion would require the shedding of massive amounts of blood by it's victim, and would have played a deep role in the Jewish psyche in that blood letting of innocent creatures for cleansing sacrificial purposes was the demanded order of the day to receive forgiveness of one's sins.

This was the perfect place for the arrival of the Genesis chapter 3 promised Messiah. God in His omnipotence knew the exact right time and place in human history to deliver His Son for our redemption! However, although He delivered His Son to accomplish the promise at this time and place, He did not complete the sharing of this promise to the world. He left this task for you and I.

Just as God in His sovereignty chose to place His Son at a point in human history where all the necessary prophecies could be fulfilled, He has chosen to place each of us at a time when we can more effectively tell the story to more of mankind, then has ever been reached before. Through up-to-the-minute venues like television, radio, podcasting, Twitter, Facebook, and any other networking, message-spreading opportunity that may soon arrive on the scene, the significance of Jesus can be shared and spread at a more rapid rate and to more people than ever before.

From the beginning, Vertical Life Church will determine to utilize every available means to promulgate the goods news of the freedom Jesus Christ is offering to all who will believe and follow. This is why we are asking you to join us in using such promotional methods. Begin now by personally participating in and telling people how to engage through this blog and the following resources…

www.facebook.com/VerticalLifeChurchVA

www.twitter.com/vertical_life

We look forward to your involvement with what many are referring to as “social networking” tools, but what we believe are God-given connection points so that all might know His memorandum of forgiveness!

Tell somebody today!

Pastor John

Welcome!

Bang, and it was big! This is not referring to the origins of the universe, but rather the destruction of a perfectly created order designed for you and me. In a moment, our ancestors made a tragic and selfish decision. Rather than worship the God who had been so kind as to create them, they in turn decided they could be like Him. They ate the fruit, and our genetic code has never been the same. What once had been eternal life became a life cycle with death being the final stage. Don’t be so hard on them, if they hadn’t of made the decision, you and I would have. In fact, we do everyday.

God could have said, “One strike and you’re out.” at that point, but He didn’t. Instead, He provided some boundaries to live by, and made a promise of future redemption. Once again, humanity blew it with the boundaries, and a chance for redemption arrived when God came down and embodied His Son in human flesh as Jesus Christ. Jesus became the supreme, sterling example of how to walk, talk, live and most importantly love God and others. For this we tortured and murdered Him!

Two strikes and you’re out? Not quite. Since it seemed that mankind wasn’t getting the message that He is God and we are not, He went ahead and bodily rose from the dead three days after He was buried. This is a feat, and corresponding science would corroborate, that mere mortals cannot achieve. It was the ultimate statement of, “I AM GOD, and maybe you should start paying attention to Me and worshipping Me as such, instead of looking to yourselves for the answers.”

At this point, some people started to get it. They began submitting to God by saying that they recognized His authority in their lives and not their own. They confessed that they had been selfish, and they became everyday followers of Jesus. His way was determined to be the only way, and in turn He commanded them to go share what they had discovered with others, so that all could have an opportunity to be redeemed for their original design and purpose before he calls “strike three” upon His ultimate return.

These are the types of people that make up Vertical Life Church. People devoted to sharing and following the teachings, lifestyle and supreme reality of the God-man, Jesus Christ. Sure there is more to be said about music, youth opportunities, missions, children’s ministry, etc. but at the end of the day, and for that matter eternity, Jesus and your relationship with Him is all that matters.

We invite you to learn more about and be more like Jesus through the opportunity of Vertical Life Church. If we can assist you in anyway, then please don’t hesitate to let us know!

Pastor John