The following is an article I wrote for this month's newsletter at Lowes Grove Baptist Church. I have to confess the article was inspired by another article I read here.
If you look in my church mailbox everything is extreme. I mean everything is "Xtreme". Everyone everywhere wants to give you kids the most Xtreme Xperience you have ever had. You wouldn't believe the kinds of Xtravaganzas that are being put together in order to Xcite your faith. Almost everyday I receive mail from spike-haired Christian rockers, weight-lifters, magicians, skiers, comedians, motivational coaches and skateboarders who want to fill you full of their Xtremely Xpressoed Gospel Xpression.
Xasperating.
Don't be duped by the hype. Jesus Christ is not an Xtreme sport. The life of faith is not about tricks and gimmicks. Authentic discipleship is about doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God.
On Friday Aug. 19th the new members of our youth had the opportunity to meet a woman doing just that. As a part of our strategic youth plan to be more attentive to service and spirituality in the coming months, we traveled to Raleigh and visited the home of Sheila Stumph and her husband Scott Langley. Answering a call God placed upon their hearts, the couple began opening their home to family members of death row inmates visiting loved ones at Central Prison. In the spirit of Christian hospitality they are providing, free of charge, a place of "safety, peace, unconditional love, support and friendship" to whoever shows up at their door. Our time with Sheila was challenging to us all as we saw Christian faith being lived out in a very deep and life-affirming way.
Welcome Katie, Kourtney and Myra. We are all very excited to have your talents and spunk among us! I pray deeply that you will also grow deep in your faith. And I pray you come to realize the most Xtreme thing you can do in this world is learn to love your God and your neighbor likewise.
Your brother,
Ryon
