National Treasure

            I was reading LEADERSHIP JOURNAL a while back, when I encountered a story that moved me deeply.

            Back in 1944, James Hampton, “a quiet, virtually unknown janitor” from Washington, D.C, began to search for items discarded by people. He collected anything from old furniture to kitchen foil, from coke bottles to cardboard—anything he could find.

            He was moved by a verse in the Bible—Prov. 29:18: “Where there is no vision the people perish.” James Hampton believed that people should have a vision of the glory of God, so, using his collection of abandoned materials, he set to work creating an artistic work portraying the throne room of God.

            Using glue, tape, tacks and pins, James precariously fitted together his articles of art. James worked on his project for twenty years, and then he died; he had not told a soul about his endeavor.

            Perhaps he decided his project should be for God’s eyes, and God’s eyes only. It may be James thought his work was not very good. Maybe, in time, he thought to himself, “I’m a janitor. Who am I kidding? Who would ever want to see my work?”

            After his death, someone found James Hampton’s artwork in his garage. Today, all 180 pieces of James’ work reflecting the throne room of heaven is prominently displayed near the entrance… of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Art.

            James Hampton’s composition is now considered a national treasure.

            When I read that story, it brought tears to my eyes. Here is a man, who labored on a work he believed no one would see.

            Millions did.

            It inspires me to hope.

            All of us will die having done work we believe is beneath God’s standards, or incomplete. Yet, we can die hoping God will take that work and bless lives with it, bringing glory to Himself.

            And why not hope? Millions of people have entered a museum, some surely expecting to see neutral works of art, only to be transported into the throne room of God.

           Five Things I Think I Think (with a nod to Peter King for this idea)

1. What a series! First, the Rangers became the third team to come from behind and win a World Series game after trailing 1-0 in the ninth inning. They did so against a closer, who only allowed one hit (and base runner) for the past month.

            Then, Saturday night, Albert Pujols became the third player in MLB history to hit three home runs in one World Series game.

            As of this writing, the series is tied 2-2. Why not stick to my original prognostication—the Rangers in six games?

2. I had a great trip to Miami over the weekend. Joining me was my sermon-visual go-to-guy, Travis Gilbreath. We traveled to take a closer look at Dr. Rick Blackwood’s preaching ministry and the evangelistic work of his church. Rick is the author of The Power of Multisensory Preaching and Teaching: Increase Attention, Comprehension, and Retention.

             I have written much about this book before; I consider it to be exceptional. Moreover, his church is made up of members from over seventy nations, spread over five campuses in the Miami area.

         Rick graciously hosted us in his home on Saturday. We also received an extensive tour of their Palmetto Bay campus and attended one of their worship services. I have never seen such a multi-cultural collection of church members in a worship assembly. We closed out our trip by meeting with Rick in his office after the worship service.

          I consider what Travis and I did akin to college football coaches traveling to another university to see what the staff does there. This can be invaluable for church leaders.

         I thank Rick and his staff for being so hospital to us. I left inspired and with many new ideas.

3. While on the plane, I read Rick’s book for the second time. I was blessed as much as I was the first time back in 2008.

4. Incidentally, some of you may be familiar with Eric Geiger. He joined Thom Rainer in writing the book SIMPLE CHURCH a few years ago. He was formerly on the staff at the Palmetto Bay campus, having left earlier this year.

5. Fun fact from our Miami trip—Travis Gilbreath and I got one of those HOTWIRE deals where we got a great hotel for the price of an inexpensive motel. Consequently, we stayed in the MIAMI AIRPORT HILTON, which hosted the Chicago Bears during the Super Bowl of 2007 as well as three other NFC teams in years past. One of those teams was the 1989 World Champion San Francisco 49ers. Just think, Joe Montana could have stayed in our room 22 years ago!

The Gift

            One of the most compelling stories I have ever heard comes from the experiences of Charles Swindoll. In his book ELIJAH, he writes about an experience he had many years ago when he visited a man in a Veteran’s hospital. The vet was a rather young man, who had unfortunately suffered a number of heart attacks.

            The man had a young son. On the day of his visit, Swindoll noted that this father had made a little wooden truck during his hospital stay for this young son.

            As was customary in those days, the boy was not allowed to go into the area of the hospital where his father was a patient. Consequently, a worker from the hospital brought the gift down to the child. The son was standing in front of the hospital with his mother.

            Out of the fifth floor window of his hospital room, the father watched his son unwrap the present. As the little boy opened the package, he became excited. Seeing the marvelous little truck, he embraced it, holding it close to his chest.

            The little son set the truck down and gave the hospital orderly a great big hug. He thanked him profusely for the gift. Meanwhile, standing behind the windowpane, the father began frantically waving his arms to get his son's attention. The son did not notice. The father cried out, “It's me, son. I made the truck for you. I gave that truck to you. Look up here!”

            Finally, the mother and the orderly were able to encourage the little boy to look up to the fifth floor window. At last, the son understood. Then he cried out, “Daddy! Oh, thank you! I miss you, daddy! Come home, daddy. Thank you for my truck.”

            In the end, the father experienced the joy of knowing his son had received his gift. Tears poured down his cheeks.

            As Swindoll so aptly asks, how often in life do we as God's children receive his gifts—food, friends, refreshment, relationships—and then we fall in love with the gifts, rather than the giver?

            He gives us wonderful wives, and we fall in love with them more than him. He gives us wonderful jobs, and we fall in love with the jobs more than him. Meanwhile, he stands at heaven’s window and cries out, “Look up here. I gave this to you!”

            What he yearns for is for us to say, “Oh, thank you Father! I want to be with you.”

            We know from what Jesus’ brother tells us in James (1:17) that God is the giver of good gifts. We may not know those gifts point toward him. He yearns for us to respond in gratitude and to enjoy a relationship with him.

Five Things I Think I Think (with a nod to Peter King for this idea)

1. Way to go Rangers! I feel good about their matchup with St. Louis and predict the Rangers win the World Series in six games.

2. This sounds strange, but Dallas’ loss to New England yesterday makes me feel BETTER about this team than their two wins. Dallas’ defense is much more powerful than I previously thought. Really, my only concern now is the offensive line. However, I think this team is going to win a playoff game come January.

3. I enjoyed having our first born in for Fall Break. It is easier to say goodbye the third time than the first (or second.) I think both family and Haleigh are adjusting to our new lives.

4. I took Haleigh and Abby to see the new Steve Martin/Jack Black/Owen Wilson movie, THE BIG YEAR, Friday. We went expecting to see a comedy about bird watching. It WAS funny—lots of times. Nevertheless, it was not a comedy. It was a movie addressing profound relationship themes within the midst of a humorous story line. This movie addressed friendship, marriage, parenthood, father/son relationships, romance, and the pursuit of a life to the exclusion of the above. I give this movie a big thumbs-up. Oh, by the way, I learned a lot about birds, too.

5. Friday, Travis Gilbreath and I depart for Miami for brief trip to study a church. More specifically, we’re observing the role the preaching ministry plays in a growing, multi-cultural church. The preacher’s name is Rick Blackwood. He wrote the book THE POWER OF MULTI-SENSORY PREACHING a few years ago. That is the book I bought all of our elders, staff, worship team, and sermon advisory group. I believe multi-sensory preaching is theological and biblical. I have been attempting to engage in it the past few years and am very pleased with where we are.

            I am taking this trip in lieu of a traditional minister’s conference. In addition to attending a worship service, I will be meeting with Rick, and Travis will be meeting with his counterpart. I would appreciate prayers for safe travel as well as personal and professional growth.