The Meaning of Life

"Man, made in the image of God, has a purpose - to be in relationship to God, who is there. Man forgets his purpose and thus he forgets who he is and what life means."

-- Francis Schaeffer

It's Not About You

This past week as we travelled around in the metroplex, I kept seeing billboards with the phrase, "I am second." My father-in-law also mentioned the same to me. I found out that this is an online campaign promoting for putting God first in our life. The website is cool, and I found that I actually know some of these "famous" folks in the campaign videos, check it out! http://iamsecond.com/

After having found this website, I read in the Word this morning, something that caused me to think. I don't know about you, but I get barraged daily with the idea that life is all about me and my comfort. I see it in the media, and I see it in people's lives (especially driving on the freeway!) I must admit it is a daily struggle to keep that mindset at bay in my own life.

In the book of Acts, I was reading through Peter's sermon to the religious leaders, and something stood out to me in light of the "I am second" website. Look at chapters 3-4. When Peter speaks, notice what he says to the onlookers and to the leaders when he uses the word "YOU." "You disowned..."; "...asked that a murderer be released to you..."; "You killed the author of life..."; "...you crucified...". If it is all about "YOU" this shows what we would do if given the chance to encounter God himself. And yet, God is different.

Now, re-read the same passage, and note what he says God does: "...God raised him from the dead..."; "...God fulfilled what he had foretold..."; "...God to restore everything..." When I put my hands on anything, I just goof things up. But God, on the other hand, sets right everything we messed up and completes everything He begins.

Lord, give me the strength to keep You in the driver's seat of my life.

Knowing God Quote...

Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord.

-- J. I. Packer

Pet Peeve Alert...

I am sorry, but I just gotta gripe about something in the grand scheme of life is pretty silly. Doesn't anyone cook anymore????? I just returned from grocery shopping and it is just annoying that stores are slowly replacing foods that you have to cook with foods that some factory prepared. Grrr.... Okay, I'm done. I am off for a few days, I will write something more of substance later.

Crazy Kind of Love

Love has been described over the centuries in many different ways. One of the most recent I have heard and I think it really fits is "Love is crazy." Steven Curtis Chapman recorded a song called "Something Crazy" on his This Moment project. You can click here to hear this song (and CD). Below are the lyrics of the chorus:

"And it's crazy when love gets a hold of you

And it's crazy things that love will make you do

And it's crazy but it's true

You really don't know love at all'

Til it's making you do

Something crazy"

This morning as I finished my reading through the book of Ezra, I was reminded of this crazy kind of love. Ezra was one of the key people who led the Jews back to Israel having spent 70 years in exile under Babylonian and Persian rule. His primary task was to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed in the siege of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Through nothing less than the providence and the promise of God, the people begin the process of returning to Israel.

In chapter 10, I read something that to the average reader may seem extreme, or rather, crazy. Ezra makes this statement to the general populace in verses 10-11: "Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, 'You have been unfaithful and have married foreign wives adding to the guilt of Israel. 'Now therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers and do His will; and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives.'" How did the people respond? The answer is found in verse 19: "They pledged to put away their wives, and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their offense." I stopped and at that verse and chewed on it a moment. Ezra told them they needed send their wives (and children) away, and they complied willingly. That seems crazy!

Keep in mind, God had specifically told them on numerous occasions to not intermarry with the locals. They disobeyed God, and the result was being led down a path of idolatry that eventually got them stuck in exile to begin with. (Please note this had NOTHING to do with God hating interracial marriages, it was all about getting involved in the pagan religious practices of those indigenous people i.e child sacrifice etc.) So, here Ezra reminds them of what God had told them, and they took the measures to align themselves with God's instruction.

hunderds of years later Jesus says multiple times that demonstration of our love is epitomized in obedience to God's word... even when it seems crazy. Our love for God makes us do crazy things. If you want a concise list of what I am talking about visit Hebrews 11. Okay, those are cool Sunday School stories, but really that is what God calls me to live. The same crazy love-filled life.

1 Corinthians 13 — Christmas Style

My wife came onto this, and I hadn't heard of it before and thought it was too good not to share. I wish I could tell you who wrote it, but was unable to locate the author. Enjoy!

"If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure."

Dash of Salt

In 2 Timothy, chapter 3, Paul writes this instruction to his young protege, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." Do you believe that? I say I do, but often times I find myself skimming through certain obscure passages missing what God has recorded for us. I just get lazy not wanting to mine the truths that are found in the genealogies, salutations and conclusions. And yet, this is God's word, and in the Greek the word "ALL" does mean "ALL." Well, God recently caught my attention with one of those obscure passages as I was finishing a quick reading through Paul's letter to the Colossian church.

In Colossians 4:7-18, Paul writes a handful of parting comments. I found myself zeroing in on the names and ways that Paul described these people. We really know very little about these people beyond what Paul wrote, but I found myself asking, when I am gone, will my life make such an impact that someone would say something like this of me. Here are just a couple of the things written about these "Nobodies":

1. Tychicus was a "beloved brother," a "faithful servant" and a "fellow bond-servant in the Lord"

2. Epaphras was a "bondslave of Jesus Christ" who had a reputation for "laboring earnestly" for others in prayer.

I was convicted deeply. Were these traits that would be said of me when I am gone in the pages of time? I think more than anything I want to be remembered as one who drew others to Christ. Someone once observed, while reading tombstones, that many focus on the start and end dates but we forget it's the dash in between that represents our life. I want to be a dash of salt.

I Am Married to the Underwear Fairy!

Until recently, my home has been shrouded in mystery for quite some time. Every time I went to get underwear out of my dresser drawer there was always clean underwear! I thought it was magic! But when I went home for lunch, I caught her! I caught the fairy that was replacing them... it was my wife! She has been the guilty party.

All kidding aside, I just wanted to say I am blessed with a wife that faithfully keeps our home running all week. She tirelessly (at least seemingly) works behind the scenes making sure we all have clean clothes to wear and the a tidy home to relax and play together in. It is a lot of hard work that too often goes with out thanks. Thank you, Jill. I love you and don't deserve you!

"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just." -- Thomas Jefferson

Who's Fault is It?

Decisions have been made, and along with much of the same pattern of past elections, blame goes back and forth as to how this could happen. Along with it comes the racial slurs and off color jokes. We have a new President-elect. I really don't care about their color, I care about their character-- their skin color has nothing to do with that. I am more sadden that our country has morally decayed to the point where wrong seems right. That speaks more of the lack of influence the Body of Christ has had on the society. I have said it before, I will say it again-- we have failed to be "salt and light."

The testimony of Scripture clearly shows that when evil leaders come to power it has more to say about God's judgment and cleansing of His people. As long as we continue to live in the mind set of "Heaven on earth" rather than "thy kingdom come," we will fail to be effective as a people of God. As long as we fail to do that which God has told us to do, and as long as the body of Christ looks exactly like those who are not indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the result will be God's judgment.

Thus begins the spiral. I told Jill this morning, now more than ever, we must not waver to instill in our children the knowledge of God's word and the perseverance of the saints. Their generation will see persecution, of this I am confident. I am, however, encouraged to know that God is still sovereign and in control, regardless of my comfort level. It is times like this we should be very familiar with the writings of Daniel and Ezekiel. In particular, how God's people should behave under evil leadership.

Regardless of who is in the White House, God is on the throne. So, if our nation goes to hell in a hand basket, whose fault is it? It's my fault.

This Little Light of Mine...

This weekend, we went shopping in Arlington with our exchange student. I prefer to avoid malls on the weekend as I tend to be a introvert and avoid large crowds. This weekend was no different, and yet for some reason, I had my discernment turned way up. When I am in large gatherings, I like to watch people. I look at the way folks are dressed, what they do in groups, what they do by themselves, the language they use, etc. I was just overcome with the lost-ness and emptiness I saw in their eyes. It has been said by someone that the eyes are the window to the soul. I guess I saw this this weekend. My heart was broken over the despair that I saw.

It reminded me of when Christ had the same experience in Matthew 9:35-36. "Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd."

At the same time, I felt overwhelmed by the vastness of the need. I mean, what can I do? Sometimes we just need to be reminded that there are masses of folks that are just trying to survive wandering in darkness. We are the light of the world. Even the smallest light can make a difference. Let your light shine!

Tunnel Vision

Melody is learning to ride her bike. Recently, she participated in a bike-a-thon fund raiser. Periodically, she would avoid a near collusion because she would busy herself looking back at me instead of watching where she was going.

I don't know about you, but I don't do so well trying to go in one direction while I am looking elsewhere. It seems when we take our eyes off of where they should be, we get into trouble. There are a number of passages in scripture that speak to this issue. Here are a few: 2 Corinthians 4:18, Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 14:29-31.

When we lose sight of where we are going, we can stumble, sink or be destroyed. I read this passage this morning, "Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil. " (Proverbs 4:25-27)

Thank you Lord for Your Word helping me to stay focused.

Yokes on Us

It has been too long since I have posted. The busyness of life has pretty much dominated mine, hence the 6 weeks lag in postings.

A member of our church owns a local bed and breakfast. The other day I was taking an informal tour with Polly (our exchange student). As we moved from room to room, we were talking about the antiques therein and American history. Each room has it's own unique theme: garden, safari, angels, and Texas. While in the Texas room, she noticed a single yoke on the floor of the bathroom thinking perhaps it was a pair of six shooters (don't you have a pair of revolvers in your bath-- this is Texas after all). I then began to explain that it was, in fact, a yoke. A yoke of course is a farm implement that fits over the shoulders of a beast of burden used to pull a plow or cart.

It immediately reminded me of Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus is talking to the crowd and saying, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

In this passage, Christ is talking to a crowd of folks including teachers of the law. He had just rebuked those present that had rejected Him. They rejected Him because He had come in a manner of kingship different than they had expected. At this point, Christ turns to those who were willing to repent and follow Him, and He utters these words. It is kind of a strange phrase, and for a long time, I used to think that He was talking about sinful people that are burdened down with life in general.

However, history and context says otherwise. When ancient teachers would gather pupils to themselves, their system of teaching the pupils would undergo was called a “yoke.” In context, Christ is contrasting that following His teaching was not going to be burdensome like the teaching of the Talmud. Of course, keep in mind He is not saying that it would be easy, because He later said in the upper room that in this life His followers would have trouble (cf. John 16:33).

Nevertheless, today, I find myself asking have we created our own Talmuds? Have we once again placed yokes of burdens on those under our spiritual care? I think, so often, we spend so much time trying to get people to “DO” that we fail to teach them to “BE.” In truth, when we learn to “be,” the “doing” takes care of itself. Perhaps, this is a big reason why so many are skeptical of the church today. Christ’s warning to the Pharisee’s in Matthew 23 is very sobering.

Are you burdened today? Has anyone placed a yoke upon you? Have you placed one on yourself? On others? Be free!

Play the Fool

When I was a child, I had a traumatic experience. My sisters sang frequently for churches, and I was added to the trio. It was my solo debut and I was five or six. I looked out into the crowd at our church, sang one note and ran off the stage in tears right to my mother who was standing in the choir behind us. I froze up.

For weeks, my little friends picked on me and made fun of me. I was ashamed. I had made a fool of myself. That event scarred me in such a way that I refused to sing in front of people for a decade.

Nobody likes to make a fool of themselves. And yet, there is a certain degree of foolishness that is required for us to really be followers of Christ, isn't there? I mean think about it, God becoming a man, dying on a cross because He believed He was fact in the flesh, and much more. Still more, we are called to lives our lives drastically different in response to this.

I read a really cool quote this morning. Madeleine L'Engle wrote, "We try to be too reasonable about what we believe. What I believe is not reasonable at all. In fact, it's hilariously impossible. Possible things aren't worth much. These crazy impossible things keep us going." The Apostle Paul echoed this same sentiment when he wrote to the Corinthian church, "but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong," (1 Cor. 1:27) You see God's economy is opposite of our own. So how should we as the church function as a result?

I have been thinking about this today, how much emphasis do we place on conformity. Mark Batterson says often we measure spiritual maturity by how well we can get others to look and talk like us. But when you look at the church, at least as God designed it, we should use our diversity to make us stronger since we all have different gifts and functions. Perhaps we are missing out on some really awesome impact we could be having on the world around us.

Of course the other extreme is being so different we needless draw attention to ourselves. I think the balance is that we live and talk and act so differently that we draw attention to God! Are we willing to make fools of ourselves for God? If we are wrong, what do we lose? We help people, love each other, etc. But if we are right, and they are wrong. . . now who's the fool? I'll take my chances.

Riding in Circles

Some people have made it a habit of reading through the Bible in a year. While I see the merit of this discipline, my personality dictates that I use a different approach. I tend to be task-oriented, and if I were to follow a reading plan, I would follow it, place the check in the box and benefit little from it. I also realized in recent years that I cannot just read and re-read the stuff that is easy to read and familiar to me. So, instead I am systematically reading through the Bible, although it will take me longer that a year, but I am reading sections instead. It has provided me variety, as well as, continuity for understanding. And more importantly, it has made it easier to apply God's word to my life. In addition, I am reading things that I either had not read before or not finished reading.

Yesterday, I began reading a book that I am not as familiar, the writings of the prophet Jeremiah. As I read the first couple of chapters, I found myself thinking through how dense we can be as a people. Here, God has sent Jeremiah to rebuke the Jewish people, that God has blessed time and time again, and within a relatively short period of time, they forget who they are, and more importantly, Whose they are and return to what God describes through Jeremiah as spiritual prostitution.

I was reminded of one of those circus acts where the guy rides inside of a steel cage on a motorcycle in a circle, over and over again doing a really cool trick, but never really going anywhere. He eventually comes right back to where he started at-- the bottom. So, I immediately liken the nation of Israel to this cyclical behavior... and then I began to think about how much America is like this... and then the American church. But finally, God showed me this is not really about those groups of people, although it definitely applies. Rather, this is about me. How often I lose sight of how God has blessed me, and I prostitute myself by running after the world and its way of thinking. I return to my "lover" rather than remaining faithful to my First Love. I settle for imitations and trinkets when all the while I miss out of the preciousness of the intimacy that Christ has bought for me with His own blood. I keep getting back on the cycle and riding inside the cage, when God has an amazing journey of trusting Him and taking me to new places. I would get really discouraged with this, and then the Lord is abounding in love and mercy reminds me that I am not alone in my struggle. When I genuinely repent and return to my Lord, He welcomes me with open arms.

Lord, show me how to not get back on the cycle.

Noteable Quote

I read this quote this morning, it speaks to what God is teaching me these days:

"Nothing will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must first be overcome." -- Samuel Johnson

Tangles

Last night as I was putting the girls down for bed, we read through the story of Joseph in their children's bible. Even in the simplified version, it addresses one of the focal passages in that account. All of the bad things that happened to Joseph happened for a reason. Sometimes God allows us to get to see the reason, sometimes He doesn't. Joseph, had amazing clarity in this area. In retrospect, he says this to his brothers, "'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.'" (Gen. 50:19-20) He says this decades after having be sold into slavery, wrongfully accused of sexual misconduct and spending years in a dungeon as a result.

I think one of the hardest questions that followers of Christ face is why does God allow bad things to happen. We may never know all the specifics. I have had horrible things to me and to those I love. Some of it I have gotten to see good result, others not yet. I read a story this morning about Corrie ten Boom that really captures the whole issue of perspective. I wanted to share it with you she has incredible insight into the whole world of suffering,

"Corrie used to speak to audiences about her horrific experiences in the concentration camps, and she would often look down while she talked. She wasn't reading her notes. She was actually working on a piece of needlepoint. After sharing about the doubt and anger and pain she experienced, Corrie would reveal the needlepoint. She would hold up the backside of the needlepoint to reveal a jumble of colors and threads with no discernible pattern. And she'd say, 'This is how we see our lives.' Then she would turn the needlepoint over to reveal the design on the other side, and Corrie would conclude by saying, 'This is how God views your life, and someday, we will have the privilege of viewing it from His point of view.'"

- Mark Batterson, In a Pit, With a Lion, on a Snowy Day.

Bugs worked out...

I guess Blogger finally got the bug fixed that was blocking video posts. The result was my multiple attempts (made last week) finally uploading. I deleted the extra ones... I wasn't trying to be twice as funny.

Don't Come Empty Handed

Have you ever come to a party that was given in someone's honor, and when you arrived everyone but you is carrying presents? It is a feeling that can only be described as shame and embarrassment. Yes, you have the honor of having been invited, and yes you can wish the person well, but when you are empty-handed, you miss out on the joy of showering this person with gifts to whom honor is deserved.

I recently began reading the Revelation of John the Apostle. It has been a while and since I have been reading John's gospel and epistles, I decided to spend some more time with the Lord's earthly best friend. Beginning in chapter 4, there is a description of the throne room of heaven that defies the imagination. It is obvious that John struggles to adequately describe what he sees, as the beauty is just amazing.

In verse 4, he mentions that the throne of God is surrounded by 24 other thrones, and seated on those were 24 elders, whom I believe to be or represent the 12 Apostles and 12 tribes of Israel. These Elders were all wearing crowns. The bible uses two different words that we translate as "crown" John uses the Greek word "stephanos" for these crowns. A stephanos is a wreath-like crown used to honor one for their victory or accomplishment- much like the medals we see being given in the Olympics. These are crowns that are described in passages like 2 Timothy 4:8 that the saints are rewarded with for their obedience and faithfulness. These Elders then take these crowns that they earned with their lives, and then lay them at the feet of the One seated at the throne in the center.

In our society, culture tells us, "hey, you deserve the best!" or "you worked hard for it; treat yourself!" This picture is opposite. Here are those who suffered and died and followed Christ, and yet they are laying their crowns at the feet of the Lamb. John hears the words, “Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise!” (Rev. 5:12)

I was then convicted by these thoughts. How often do I do things for my own pleasure and reward? When I do obey, is my motivation for His ultimate glory or my own. Scripture teaches that when our motives for obedience are impure, we get our reward here on earth and will have nothing to lay at His feet. When I stand before this King of kings, will I be empty handed or will I have gifts to express my gratitude for how He saved me? He definitely deserves it, and after all, it is His party!

Welcome to the Family!

We have added a new member to our family this weekend! I would like to introduce you to Polly my daughters' new big sister. Polly (her new "American" name. Her real name is too long for me to remember yet) is an exchange student from Thailand that will live with us for the next year. She is sixteen and will be learning about America and all the various things it offers. In addition to that, I am so excited to have her live with us as it will give me a unique insight into Thai culture since I will be going on mission to Thailand in January 2009.

Please pray that Polly will see Jesus in our family over the next few months. Pray that she feels safe and welcome in our home. I know the anxiety that my 10-day trip brings me, a grown adult. I cannot imagine her feelings, at her age, and for this length of time. She has such a sweet spirit and willingness to jump in and be a part of our family. Of course, Melody and Selah just LOVE having a big sister to play with. I will love her the way that I love my own daughters, and am grateful that her family entrust her with us. I do not take this privilege lightly.

Grab the Rope and Swing!

Our girls love playing outside, and God has blessed us with a big back yard that accommodates much play. Out back, we have two swings tied a large pecan tree: a one-rope swing and a two-rope swing. Both have plastic seats, but I was noticing that the single-rope swing doesn't get as much use by the girls. It has less to hold onto, but swings higher.

My oldest, daughter, really struggles with fear. She has an amazing imagination, but that imagination causes her trouble sometimes, like being afraid of the dark, and it also prevents her from doing some fun stuff... like swinging on the one-rope swing.

I too have been struggling with fear: fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and fear of rejection. However, God has been teaching me lately that the child of God does not need to be afraid. Apparently this is a very common problem we all have and the Bible deals directly with this. The New American Standard version of the Bible mentions the words "fear" and "afraid" over 500 times, and many of those references include commands to individuals and groups to not be afraid. Why is that? Well, I believe that our fear comes from a lack of trusting God to the point of not obeying Him. In my reading through the Apostle John's letters, I read one verse that really speaks to this issue in my life. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4:18) Later, John describes this love that expresses itself in obedience to what God tells us to do. (cf. John 14,15; 1 John).

What God is showing me right now is that to grow in this area I must face my fears-- head on. When I do, it's amazing God takes care of the fear. He literally casts it out! Does that mean that nothing bad happens? No, but it helps us to stretch out a little bit more next time we are faced with fear, because God has shown us His faithfulness. It is not a fear issue, as much as it is a love issue. Do I love God more than I fear my circumstances?

Back to our swing story. Knowing the fun she was missing, I recently came along side Melody, and began encouraging her (aka forcing her :-D) to get on the single rope swing. She was afraid at first, even to the point of tears, but after a few times, she learned that her daddy loves her and was there with her. She is beginning to enjoy the new heights to which she can go. She is still hesitant, but her fear is being cast out by the result of her obedience. There is always a possibility she might fall, but she is learning that her daddy is near to pick her up when she does fall.

Sometimes facing our fears takes a little nudge from our Heavenly Daddy, but when we fall, it gives great peace knowing that our Father is there to pick us up when we do fall. Let's take a step, grab the rope put our heads back and swing!

My Boo-Boo

Just over a week ago, I did something stupid. I slammed my finger in the door to my pickup. It really isn't that bad, although, I don't care to repeat the experience anytime soon. As it has healed, I have been able to watch God's magic happen. Each day I can feel the finger get better, I am literally regaining the sense of touch in the tip of my finger where just a few days ago, it was numb. God is a master of restoration. He takes that which is wounded and useless and transforms it into something that is well and valuable.

The awesome thing is that God doesn't just stop at slammed fingers and cuts and bruises. He is a mender of broken, wounded lives. He gives us new lives...

"Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin." (Romans 6:4-7)

Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. (Isaiah 53:4-6)

Thank you, Lord for my little "boo-boo" that reminded me of how you have healed all my big "boo-boos!"

Caution, Challenge Ahead...

I read the following lines this past week, and it has really challenged me at the core of who I am, what I really believe, and what I am doing about it. I just started a new book that falls right in line with what God has been teaching me called, In a Pit, With a Lion, on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson. I haven't read it in this book rather, I read it in an article, but I believe it comes from this book. It is called the Lion Chaser's Manifesto:

"Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion."

We only believe what we live.

GPS (God's Protection System)

My oldest sister, Sheryl, is coming for a visit! I have been looking forward to her coming. She is working very hard these days as she has a high-responsibility job at a university; plus, she is working on her PhD. So, she has taken some much needed time off and is coming for a visit today.

Before coming here, she ran out to Georgia to see her daughter who lives in a rural community (a.k.a. the sticks) north of Atlanta. I asked her about her trip out there. Sheryl had told me earlier that she had purchased one of those GPS systems for her car that tells you, not only how to get from point "A" to point "B," but also tells when there are traffic issues ahead and how to route around them. She explained that she hadn't quite figured it all out and on her trip she ran into a lot of construction, traffic jams, etc. that prevented her arriving being earlier. I told her it would be wise to get it set so it would help her avoid that stuff when she headed this way.

When I spoke with her this morning, I asked whether she got it working for her. She said it was. Then I asked what she had to do adjust, and she told me, "my attitude." She went on to explain that it had been working right, she just didn't trust it. She placed her faith in it this morning; and lo and behold, it worked and she was able to avoid some traffic jams. Hmmm. I told her that sounded like a good spiritual lesson. She agreed.

She had called while I was spending time in the Word, when we were done talking, I got back to it. In typical fashion, God's Word was very appropriate this morning... what a "coincident!" I am working through the Gospel of John and was in chapter 12 this morning. Following the triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the donkey, verses 35-36 had this to say, "So Jesus said to them, 'For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.'" This is a lesson that God has been teaching me lately. So often, I am heading in a direction in life and want to stay on the straight and narrow, but sometimes life's path gets rocky, and I gets scared, but God's Word tells me to trust and obey. But oftentimes, I don't trust Him, and try to go my own way. Consequently, things end up a big mess. Had I listened to God's GPS, I would have been protected from a lot of pain.

God's Word is always true and will always guide us in the paths around destruction. It is not because God doesn't want us to have fun, but rather He knows what is best, as He has a much broader perspective. I was reminded of a famialiar Proverb that also speaks this very issue, "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (14:12) At times we don't understand God's directions, but we need to follow our GPS, He loves us and He always knows the best way!

Pucker Up

In past posts, I have written about how we must know the Word, and know it well. Over the years I have been a part of some really awesome teaching churches, and I attended a seminary that is world renown for it's instruction on the exposition of the scriptures. God's word itself teaches us clearly that we are to grow in our knowledge and understanding of it, in fact, the writer of the book of Hebrews scolds his readers that they still were only babes needing the milk of the Word instead of the meat, and he tells them to grow up in their faith. (cf. Hebrews 5:11-6:3)

Unfortunately, this true teaching has become a stumbling block for some in sharing the gospel with those around them. I see three errors that has resulted: 1. they don't share because they, "don't know as much theology as those who are educated"; 2. the other extreme, they share too much and go too deep into theological issues and confuse the hearer; or 3. they have such a pre-packaged "1...2...3..." approach to sharing the gospel that it becomes mechanical and disingenuous. I think most of the time, instead, we should use the K.I.S.S. method in sharing the gospel: Keep It Simple Silly!

I was reading in John 6 this morning, and it gives a great example of this. Jesus heals the man born blind from birth, and his followers try to make it a deeply doctrinal issue by asking who sinned the man or his parents. Christ cuts to the chase and tells them it isn't about that stuff, but rather, so that God can be glorified. Later in the passage, the Pharisees in their interrogations of the former blind ask him theological questions about his Healer, and he too cuts to the chase and says this, "Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." He simply shared what Christ had done for him.

When sharing the gospel, one of the most important elements we need to share is not just the doctrine and theology, which is powerful in itself, but we must share what Christ has done in our lives. Our personal experiences can be powerful, and we are to be witnesses, but in order to be a witness we must bear witness of what He has done in OUR lives, not just the facts.

So, keep studying, keep preparing so that you may be ready to give an answer, but don't wait till you have all the answers. Read and grow in the Word. Share what you know. Pucker up and keep it simple silly!

Overcoming Spiritual Gluttony

I recently added to my repertoire of Pixar flicks seen. Melody and I enjoyed a Daddy/daughter date and took in the newest movie, Wall-E. While it was probably my least favorite of their productions, I found myself reflecting on some parallels I saw in the movie with the Christian church in America. I won't belabor nor ruin the plot for you, but in the movie, earth civilization has evacuated the planet due to excessive waste and pollution. They all board an "ark" of sorts to escape sure demise, leaving robots behind, of whom Wall-E is the last, to clean up the mess while the eco-system returns to normal.

While in space, the humans, being the consumers that they are, are encouraged to relax, take it easy and let the ship and all automated services do everything for them, chores, all movement, spoon-feeding them among others. The result after 500+ years of inactivity, is hoards of massive people floating around in hovering lounge-chairs who, when they fall out of the chairs, need robots to help them back into their chairs!

One of my primary responsibilities as a minister, and a follower of Christ, is to make disciples. However, the church today has taken on such a consumer mind-set. Many people go to church to be fed, but they don't want to learn to feed themselves. The result is what I would call spiritual gluttony. We have at our finger tips a vast amount of resources, and yet we are probably one of the most spiritually illiterate cultures in history. It's like they want spiritual growth by osmosis. That is not what scripture teaches. Spiritual maturity comes at the price of exercise and suffering. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." (Hebrews 6:12-14)

Having been a believer, myself, for over 30 years, I am ashamed that I am still as immature as I am. God's patience and grace in my life has sustained me, even in those days, weeks, and years that I wasn't hotly pursuing Him. I think we all get into dry times in our lives where we don't sense growth happening; nevertheless, it is the constant practice of spiritual disciplines that yields growth and strength. John Ortberg, in The Life You've Always Wanted, likens this to the difference between trying to run a marathon verses training.

So, there they are, both of them on the coffee table. The remote and the Bible. Everyday we get to choose. We can either try or we can train. And don't forget... it ain't about the knowledge, it's about the transformation. If all our training does is make us more versatile at Bible trivia it is useless. We only truly believe, what we live. (cf. James 2:26)

A Love Letter...I Choose You!

July 14, 2008

Dear Jill,

I can’t believe it has been 18 years. I would have never dreamed that anyone would have put up with me for 18 years. Sometimes, I don’t even think I want to be around myself that much. And then I stop and think about what we did 18 years ago, without fully realizing it. We made a commitment to each other. “To have and to hold,” “for better for worse,” “in sickness and in health,” “till death us do part.” What it all comes down to is a choice to love each other. Because sometimes, I know I am not so loveable. Sometimes, I don’t feel so warm and fuzzy around you. Sometimes, I deliberately do selfish and say hurtful things. But you chose to love me, in the best time and the not so glamorous, and I have chosen to love you the same. It is no surprise we had some folks, along the way, say that we wouldn’t make it. But just as you chose to love me in spite of, I choose to love you in spite of.

18 years is a long time, and yet I am still getting to know you. Each stage of life brings a new set of challenges and a new set of opportunities to trust God. Really, with all the things that we have faced, it really doesn’t’ surprise me that marriages fall apart. But two things have kept us together. Our love for God through a relationship with Jesus and our choosing to love one another.

Thank you for an awesome adventure in life. I know that our life has not turned out how we expected, but whose has? All I know is that I wouldn’t trade the world, and all it offers, to do it over again with someone else.

Thank you for loving me through it all. I love you, Jill. I always will.

Happy Anniversary!
Tony

Letter or Intent

If you are like me, when I was younger in my faith and understanding, I believed that the New Testament showed God's grace and the Old showed His wrath and the Law. Since then, I have learned more about what the scriptures really do teach and what they don't. I have learned that in reality the Old Testament is filled with example after example of God's grace. Many of the Jews erroneously believed that it was following the letter of the Law which brought the pleasure of the Lord. I read a great example this morning that God's intent was something entirely different.

The next good king in Judah's line of kings was Hezekiah. His story begins in 2 Chronicles 29 and continues for several chapters. Now, Hezekiah was a king of great reform. He called together the priests to renovate and restore the temple to prepare it for worship. Once complete, he issued an invitation to all who would come and worship the true Lord, even those Jews who were in the now pagan northern kingdom of Israel and many came enduring scorn and ridicule. They prepared to celebrate the Passover; however, it was not in the right time of year but they desired to worship God with their whole heart. It is clear that his motivation was to honor God.

The thing that jumped out to me is that not all those who came from far and near had followed the letter of the Law in preparation to participate in the festival, but their hearts had been captivated by God and they desired to be restored to the God of their fathers. Hezekiah realized they had not been consecrated, and he lifted up an awesome prayer on behalf of these wayward followers of God. "'May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.'" (2 Chron. 30:18b-19) This is in stark contrast to Uzziah's attempt to skirt the rules. And watch God's response in verse 20, "And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people." WOW, the poeple realized that God is what made them right, not the law!

David, the man after God's own heart knew well what it was all about. After his fall with Bathsheba was revealed, he threw himself on the mercy of God, "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (Psalm 51:16-17) I believe that the first step to a transformed life is brokenness. We must come to the end of ourselves. Sometimes this comes at the expense of tragedy. For others the light just comes on. Make no mistake, God wants your heart, and He is willing to do anything for it. Even send His only perfect Son to take the punishment that we deserve. It's only by grace. It was always by grace alone. Once the light came on for me, I began the journey of really beginning to understand how depraved I really am, and how awesome God 's grace is. And now, that is my motivation. Paul tells Titus this in chapter 3 of his letter to him. I really like the way Eugene Petersen renders this passage:

"It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this."

We can NEVER be good enough, it is only by grace, that is His intent.

Dee-luxe Occomoda-shuns!

My family and I had the blessing of a few days off. While we were gallivanting around North Dallas, we had the privilege of staying at the illustrious Chateau Shaw. This fine establishment pictured here boasts fine sleeping and exquisite dining. the proprietors take pride in their establishment and maintain a high level of excellence in ambiance and service.

Should you ever have opportunity to be a guest Chateau Shaw, you will no doubt enjoy your stay. I would post the number for reservations, however it is a private establishment and open only by invitations.

Thanks again Steve and Judy for your hospitality! We had a great time!

When the Fall Comes

God has blessed us with a few days off and I finally get a chance to record a few thoughts. This morning I was drawn quickly to a topic that I am all too familiar with. It is not just because we sat around the table discussing this last night after dinner. It's not just because my reading in 2nd Chronicles dealt with this topic, but it is also because I have experienced this bitter taste in my mouth first hand. It is mornings like this that I am reminded that God's word is not archaic and irrelevant, but like Hebrews says it is "...living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword...able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

In the line of Judah's kings, there lived a man named Uzziah. Now in the grand scheme of things. Uzziah was a great king. So, great that his death marked a time of dispair that the prophet Isaiah alluded to it in his famous heavenly encounter with the Lord, "In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted..."(Isaiah 1:6) There was great reform and victory under Uzziah's leadership. I even noticed that Uzziah was credited with inventing a war machine for shooting multiple arrows and large stones! (cf. 2 Chron. 26:15).

However, one of the most powerful words in the Bible follows this verse: "But." The word "but" is a conjunction which creates a contrast. Simply put, it is a word that tells you something is about to change. What is about to change is what happens all too often especially amongst those in leadership in God's church. What happens is what, all too often, has caused many to fall by the wayside. What happens is what causes many to doubt the truth of the gospel. What happens is the primary example why God tells us that those in positions of leadership and teaching will be judged with a harsher judgement. "But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly...". Proverbs 16:18 says it best, "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. "

Uzziah thought because he had done so much good stuff, he didn't need to follow God's laws for worship etiquette. He arrogantly went into the temple to burn incense before the Lord, and that wasn't his job. The result was that he was struck with leprosy, and had to live out the remainder of his life in isolation.

Pride is a dangerous thing. It can give us a sense of accomplishment when we have worked hard for something and the results are excellence. However, when pride turns into arrogance and self-reliance, the results can disastrous, especially when it happens to a leader in the church. I heard someone once say that the true test of a man's heart is success. There is a tendency to begin trusting in our own ability rather than God's grace and mercy. I think over the times in my life that I fell the hardest it occurred when I, "got too big for my britches." Everything that we are, have or do is a result not of our own ability, but rather God's goodness and lovingkindness. Don't think so, I don't recommend trying God on this one. Everything we have and are can be taken away with one bad decision, an accident, or a tragedy.

We have been created with the purpose of bringing honor and glory to God. When we become center stage or think that we are indespensible, God always has a way of reminding us otherwise. I made this mistake, and it resulted in several years of God reminding me that I was not as important as I thought I was. Sometimes, I still find myself slipping into that mindset, but I catch myself before I go down that path again. I do not want to go there again. I am still paying for it, and my family is still paying for it.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones."
-Proverbs 3:5-8

Taking Care of Business

It doesn't take very long watching the morning or evening news to get frustrated with the idiocy of how people think and behave. Both news features and commercials remind us of the depravity of human nature and the desperate need for a Savior. In James 4, the writer tells us that "friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (vs. 4) So, we are supposed to remove ourselves from interaction with the secular world, have only Christian friends, buy Christian's goods and services, work for Christian employers, etc. right? I am not so sure that is what this verse is instructing.

I began reading the second Chronicle of the history of Israel and Judah this morning. It is a familiar passage to those who have grown up in Sunday School. Solomon is now King and God, in a vision, tells him in chapter 1 to ask whatever he wants. As the story goes, Solomon requests wisdom to govern well, and a pleased God blesses him in every other area in addition to great understanding. Solomon then seeks to complete the task his father David has entrusted to him: to build the temple for worship of the LORD.

Now remember, God is still a Holy God expecting His people to be a holy people. The definition of holiness is being set apart. If this is true, why is it that one of the first decisions that this wise king did was to seek alignment with the King of Tyre a pagan man? Shouldn't he have gone to the people of Israel, the holy people of God to build the holy temple for the Name of the LORD? I believe that Solomon in fact did the wise thing. One, he wanted to honor God with excellence. He wanted the best for God (there is a lesson in there too, but we won't go there today).

He contracts with this pagan King and two good things happens. One, using the best skilled workers in the area, he has built a temple for the Most High that has no parallel in all history. The other, we see in chapter 2. "Then Huram, king of Tyre, answered in a letter sent to Solomon: 'Because the LORD loves His people, He has made you king over them.' Then Huram continued, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has made heaven and earth,'" (vs 11-12). Huram honors the one true God. Now granted, there is no record that Huram then becomes a follower of God, but because of a respectful relationship, Solomon earns the right to be heard.

This is a lesson we would do well to heed. Peter writes of this same lesson in one of his letters. He urges the readers to keep from being influenced by the world, but not to be removed from the world. In Jesus' high priestly prayer in John 17, the Messiah prays that His disciples would be in an amongst the world but protected from its influence. If we are not to be around people that believe just like us, how do we influence them?

We should not rush to get out of the world, but rather, to be Salt and Light as we have been commissioned. How can we do this if we aren't around the world? So, before you quit your secular job, before you stop doing business with those who don't care about the things of the Lord, keep in mind, you may the only godly influence in those people's lives. Perhaps, God will grant you wisdom and people will honor God as a result of your life. Hang in there.

"'You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;'" (Matt. 5:14)

Ouch!

"If our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot because our charitable expenditure excludes them."

-- C. S. Lewis

Hard Lessons Learned

If you have children, you are no stranger to the reality that raising kids can be very difficult. As a parent, I am given the responsibility by God to teach my kids obedience, and in turn teach them about being obedient to God. Sometimes, kids do foolish things out of ignorance, and sometimes they do them defiantly. An effective tool that we use periodically in discipline, we call natural consequences. Simply put, when the child insists on ignoring warnings, sometimes experience is the best teacher. Sometimes, experience teaches regardless of the circumstances, for example, when we learn the reality of death when we lose a loved one. Those are hard lessons in life. When we fall, we learn not to climb where we do not belong.

This morning in my reading in 1 Chronicles, I was reminded of this truth. In a narrative that begins in chapter 13. David, recently made king, begins the process of bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to where it belonged -- with God's people. In it's transport, one of the animals pulling the cart that was carrying it nearly over turned it. One of David's men who was nearby reached out to keep it from falling. He stopped it by putting his hand on it, and the man was immediately struck dead. Wow! The first time I read that, I tho't to myself, "that seems a little extreme! He was trying to keep it from falling." David felt the same and scripture recorded the fact that he was mad at God about it. However, the harsh reality is that God had established His standard for moving the Ark, and David and his men had not followed those instructions.

They pulled back and regrouped and did their homework, and God began to bless them in battles in chapter 14. This was a message repeated all through out the Old Testament, obey God, He would bless them, disobey God and He would curse them. Later, when they finally did move the Ark in chapter 15, this time they followed God's instructions to the letter.

Funny, how we so often get upset when we fail to follow God's standard because we either want to do it our way, or rather we just go about things haphazardly, and things fall apart. we mishandle money, and we go broke. We marry someone who doesn't love the Lord, and surprisingly they get mifted when we want to go worship. But had we consulted the Lord to begin with, we could have saved ourselves much grief. This is a hard lesson that I know I am still learning. It gets easier with maturity, but I cannot say that I have mastered it. The awesome thing is that God is a gracious God and he doesn't destroy us when we mess up. He allows us to get up and try it again.

In Their Wisdom They Became Fools...

Mensa is an organization whose members have an IQ of 140 or higher. A few years ago, there was a Mensa convention in San Francisco, and several members lunched at a local café. While dining, they discovered that their saltshaker contained pepper and their peppershaker was full of salt. How could they swap the contents of the bottles without spilling, and using only the implements at hand? Clearly this was a job for Mensa! The group debated and presented ideas, and finally came up with a brilliant solution involving a napkin, a straw, and an empty saucer. They called the waitress over to dazzle her with their solution.

"Ma'am," they said, "we couldn't help but notice that the peppershaker contains salt and the saltshaker?"

"Oh," the waitress interrupted. "Sorry about that." She unscrewed the caps of both bottles and switched them.

A Heavenly Preview

Jill & I are in the habit of previewing all the movies that our girls watch since there is so much garbage out there that teach a plethora of worldly messages. There is a movie that came out recently on DVD that I have been wondering about, so I rented it and previewed it this weekend. I am not sure of the intention, but not only did I find it to be pretty safe, but even saw some really cool lessons that I could use to teach about Christ.

The movie is Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. At first, I found the main character, Mr. Magorium, a little weird, but as the story unveils, I saw that one of the primary plots was about facing death. Magorium, played by Dustin Hoffman, knows he is about to die, and trying to get Maloney, played by Natalie Portman, prepared to take over the toy store. Maloney is a would-be concert pianist who is stuck writing her first concerto. And although everyone believes in here talent, she can't seem to break through and finish it. I don't want to ruin the story for you, but Maloney learns that she really comes alive once the one she believes in dies and she takes over his work. Not did she believe in herself, but did she believe in this mysterious man who brings toys to life. This immediately reminded me of the verse where Christ is foretelling of His own death and the life that results. "'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.'" John 12:24.

Unless we embrace who we are in Christ, we can never truly come alive to see all that we were created to be and do. If we do, wonderful things can happen! Enjoy the movie. I did.

Lame Duck Faith

In the light of a political climate like ours, there is a phrase that becomes increasingly popular and relevant. I haven't done any research on the term "lame duck" and where it comes from or how long it has been around, but it most often used in describing a politician who is on their last term and because of term limits they can not run again for the same office. It refers to the tendency of this individual who, in seeing the final days nearing, begins to give up the passion that once put them in office. I think many of us do this even on smaller scales when we see the end coming in a job or school change. It is easy to do really. The thought is, "What's the point? We are leaving soon anyway. No one is listening."

I began reading Paul's letters to the church in Thessalonica recently, and I noted one theme in chapter one of the first letter that followers of Christ of today would do well to implement. "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (vs. 3) As I unpacked this verse, the rest of the chapter developed what I was seeing. Any time I see a list in scripture, it makes me stop. Paul commends the church on three things: their work produced by faith, their labor prompted by love, and their endurance inspired by hope.

The work produced by their faith refers to the repentance that resulted. They were not just saying that they believed in Jesus, but they were turning form the idol worship they were so heavily entrenched in their old lives. True faith, as James discusses in his letter, produces good works and repentance.

Then Paul talks about their labor of love. At first, I thought he was just repeating himself, but I don't think so, because he uses two different Greek words here and this one refers more to a work done with intensity and sorrow. This church, as we see described later in the letters, is experiencing persecution. They were buckling down when it was getting hard, and possibly getting toward their end, and their love for Christ was the motivating force. Paul himself describes this in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians when he said that Christ's love compelled them.

Finally, he mentions steadfastness or endurance that results from having a source of true hope. This is no milk-toast hope. It is rooted in a deep-hearted trust in a returning Savior King based on the powerful work that has already been done in their midst. They were facing persecution, and folks they knew were being killed for their faith in Christ, and yet Paul commended them for not giving up and finishing the race.

In these final days, we are living in what my friend refers in his blog as shadow days. We cannot become lame ducks in our faith. We must buckle down, turn our heads toward the wind and keep marching. As long as we remain, God is not done with us. Unfortunately, many in the church today have given up. Their mindset is the same as a lame duck politician. "What's the point? We are leaving soon anyway. No one is listening." We must press on. We must encourage one another. We must not grow weary. For He is faithful, and we will be united with Him soon.

Does our faith produce real life change? Does our love for Christ compels us to do good deeds? Does our hope in Christ keep us moving forward? Or have we become lame duck in our faith? I hope you are challenged as much as I have been.

In Our Shoes

Selah is in copy cat mode. Everything we do; she mirrors... and I mean everything. Big sister is finding out the hard way that that doesn't always have the most pleasant outcomes. There have been a few times that Selah will say or do something that she has heard or seen big sissy do or say that wasn't a wise choice, and guess who gets in trouble for it! Well, one of Selah's more benign parrotings is she loves putting our shoes on. Here, she has Daddy's sandals on and trying to lift the "12 pounders" with each belabored step. As she was posing, I was immediately reminded of a verse that tells us that Christ, God himself, knows all about our troubles we face because He's been in our shoes.

In theological circles, this is called the hypo-static union. The fact that Christ was both fully God and fully man. Listen to how the writer of Hebrews describes this concept, "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (4:14-16)

The context of this passage is finding God's true Sabbath rest. We can find tremendous rest for our weary souls if only we trust in the One who can sympathize with our weaknesses.

Looking for Answers

I have been alive and in the ministry long enough to know that death is one of the things in life that is certain. Death comes as a natural result of our bodies breaking down over time, or it happens when we are shoved into the reality that we are fragile and held on to by naught but a thread. Though I have participated in and witnessed many funerals, they always have a significant impact on me and I find myself very reflective for days afterward. Sometimes, I think about my own mortality and am reminded not to waste a day. Sometimes, I am challenged to keep pressing on so that I may join the ranks of the few that can say that they finished well.

This week was not the norm. While death is never easy to contend with, it is always difficult to swallow when the life of a child ends suddenly. Many are crushed, all involved are changed forever. There are some things that are just accepted as the norm-- expectations that we all share, whether they are really true or not. One is that parents are not supposed to bury their children especially young children. Unfortunately, experience teaches us all that this is not always true. Parents do bury their kids. Kids are killed in tragic accidents. Kids get horrible disease and die.

In the wake of death's "premature" arrival, many look for answers to the same hard question - "why?" Often, some with the feeling of helplessness, rush to try to answer that question. Most have foolish answers and cause unintentional harm. I have experienced loss at the hand of crime, disease, and accidental death of both family and friends, both young and old. I have witnessed the devastation on a few occasions that this loss brings first hand, and I have tasted of the bitter fruit of losing a child through miscarriage. I have found myself looking for answers to questions like: What color eyes did they have? Was it a boy or a girl? What games would we have played together? There are questions like those that will never be answered. I know it is not the same as seeing a bed that will no longer slept in or toys that will not again be played with. I love both of my girls and will cherish them as long as God's grace allows me to.

Our community lost a preteen boy to an accidental drowning. Ministers were called in to go to the elementary school to talk with those children that needed to talk. I visited with four different kids. All of them sought answers, few left with any. I spent my time grieving with them and assuring them that God was good and that He loved them and the child that died. I heard stories of things they had done with the boy and memories that they will have. Some expressed fear of the same happening to them. This same school had lost a child the year before to sudden sickness. So, this loss was especially stinging.

I have learned that sometimes the only answer to those questions are that God wants us to embrace life and each other because life is always shorter than you realize. Sometimes the best things you can say to those grieving is, "I am so sorry, and I love you." Period. Don't rush to say anything more. Don't try to make sense of it and talk of the "good that will come out of this tragedy."Just pray for them, love them, embrace them and weep with them. Usually, there are no answers even years later. The main truth that I have learned is that God is good regardless of tragedy and that He loves us.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. " - Romans 12:15

Lips Smacking Good

I received this story on one of my email subscriptions... enjoy the smile for today!

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So, we had this great 10 year old cat named Jack who just recently died. Jack was a great cat and the kids would carry him around and sit on him and nothing ever bothered him. He used to hang out and nap all day long on this mat in our bathroom.

Well we have 3 kids and at the time of this story they were 4 years old, 3 years old and 1 year old. The middle one is Eli. Eli really loves chapstick. LOVES it. He kept asking to use my chapstick and then losing it. So finally one day I showed him where in the bathroom I keep my chapstick and how he could use it whenever he wanted to but he needed to put it right back in the drawer when he was done.

Last year on Mother's Day, we were having the typical rush around and try to get ready for Church with everyone crying and carrying on. My two boys are fighting over the toy in the cereal box. I am trying to nurse my little one at the same time I am putting on my make-up. Everything is a mess and everyone has long forgotten that this is a wonderful day to honor me and the amazing job that is motherhood.

We finally have the older one and the baby loaded in the car and I am looking for Eli. I have searched everywhere and I finally round the corner to go into the bathroom. And there sits Eli. Applying my chapstick very carefully to Jack's...rear end. Eli looks right into my eyes and says "chapped."

Now if you have a cat, you know that he is right--their little rear ends do look pretty chapped. And, frankly, Jack didn't seem to mind. And the only question to really ask at that point was whether it was the FIRST time Eli had done that to the cat's behind or the hundredth.

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ewww!

Happy Birthday Boo!

God is awesome, He has given us two years of life with my youngest girl. Selah Joy is growing up so much and has been a real joy. I love you Boo!

Hail Caesar!

Does the name Caesar Cardini ring a bell? No? Well, I will give you a hint, he wasn't a Roman ruler nor a Mafia Don. His name may not be familiar, but I would venture to guess that most of you are familiar with what he is famous for... the Caesar Salad! Wow. Woohoo. Who cares? So, you are one question smarter in the game of Trivial Pursuit. But as I was enjoying a Caesar salad with my family and friends, I was reminded of a truth that God has been teaching me in my daily readings through the book of Kings and even in my studies in Romans.

Repeatedly, throughout both books of Kings, one of two phrases comes up in these chronicles of the lives of the kings of Israel and Judah. The beginning of the account of their life either reads, "He did evil in the eyes of the LORD..." or "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD...". Some of these life records are short, even as short as a few days, some of them are long lives filled with evil or good deeds. Later in Romans 1, in the middle of Paul's salutation, verse 8 heralds the same truth that challenges me at the core of my being. "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world." The faith of the church in Rome, was being talked about in places all over the known world. That is a real wow!! Anytime I begin thinking that I am all that, I read something like this that really humbles me. I am not sure that people in my community have heard about my faith let alone folks all across the world. And yet, that is what we are called to be- light and salt in the world.

Is the way I love my wife and kids talked about elsewhere? Is the way that I spend God's money in a godly, responsible way part of my legacy? Do people hear about how my work is glorifying to God? Peter instructs the church to live such good lives that people around us take notice and glorify God and give ear to our witness of God's work in our lives.

I may not create the latest greatest salad, but I want to live my life in such a way that people glorify God in years to come. What will you be known for?

Lesser of Two Evils

If you are like me, you are longing for November and the end of all the political circus perpetuated by the media. One of my primary frustrations is the lack of candidates that best represent my core values. Those voting in the Democratic primary face choosing between the lesser of two evils, and regardless of who wins the Democratic nomination American voters are left again with getting to select between the lesser of two evils. In short, no matter where you stand in the political arena, the horizon doesn't look so bright.

This morning I read a passage that mirrors what I see in the political races, but more importantly gives a bold statement about who God is. In 1 Kings 20, just after the story of Elijah's victory on Mt. Carmel, there is a lesser known story that is an Old Testament example of 2 Peter 3:9. King Ahab, of the northern Kingdom of Israel, is no King David by any means. Truth be known, he is described in early chapters as one who "did evil in the sight of the LORD more than all who were before him." (1 Kings 16:30) The subsequent chapters detail how deep this guy goes into the mire of immorality. Yet, here in chapter 20, we see, not a silver lining in Ahab's character, but rather another shot in the ever-constant character of God. Ahab is about to be attacked by a mighty army conglomerate assembled by Ben Hadad of Aram. In my eyes, Ahab is about to get what he deserves... obliteration. And yet, I am not God. Instead, God extends grace to this evil, evil king of Israel.

In verse 13, after a long game of testosterone-laden verbal tennis between Ahab and Ben Hadad, God's prophet steps onto the field and tells Ahab, "Thus says the LORD, 'Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver them into your hand today, and you shall know that I am the LORD.'" The following verses describe a massive demonstration of God's might that could be likened to my daughter's preschool class of 13 whooping up on the Super Bowl champion NY Giants.

This story is not about Ahab's turning to God in repentance (which doesn't happen), but rather God showing us once again that He loves His people and gives us every opportunity to turn to Him. When I was young, I once thought the main difference between the Old Testament and the New was that the Old was about God's wrath and the New about His grace. But as I have matured and actually read the Old Testament in the past years I learned nothing could be further from the truth. You see, God is the same yesteday, today and forever. He was full of grace and righteousness then, and He still is and always will be. So if you are like me and get frustrated with the world and ready for God just to step in and finish it all off, keep this Psalm in mind,

"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness." -- Psalm 103:8

Ahab's heart didn't change, but thanks to the grace of God, some of us have experienced heart change that enable us to call Him Abba Father.

What's Your Legacy?

This weekend, as we returned from our retreat, Jill & I passed this sign on the road home, and I couldn't help but stop and snap a picture. It had "blog about me written all over it." This was a first for me. I have seen signs, plaques and banners all commemorating the legacy of someone who gave money, fought for a cause, led as an example of different things. This person, while I am sure was a pioneer in the field of environmental excellence, is being honored by having a landfill, of all things, named after them... hmmm...

Given the marriage retreat we just completed, it immediately caused me to remember one of the main things discussed in our sessions-- the legacy that we will leave. You see, everyone of us come from different family backgrounds, many unhealthy ones. Our culture screams at us that we use excuses to justify our being undisciplined and lazy in how we function as a family. Many folks at our retreat however, rejected this mindset, as Jill & I have already done, drove a stake in the ground and decided that they would break the cycle of an ungodly heritage.

Joshua, as he led the people into conquering the Promised Land, challenged the people with this, "'Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14-15)

Joshua drew a line in the sand. Perhaps you had a childhood that was filled with abuse, neglect or just worldly, and God has given you a family of your own. You get to choose, are you going to follow in your parents footsteps, or will you choose to serve the Lord. I can say with confidence, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. The line is drawn for you, what is your legacy going to be?

A Tale of Two Dorothy’s

Yesterday, I found myself talking with Dorothy. Dorothy is my brother's-in-law grandmother. A sweet woman of 80+ who lost her husband of 60+ years several months ago. I pray that the Lord would grant me life that long with Jill. We are almost at 20 years together and I cannot imagine life without her. And yet, as I listened to Dorothy share her pain of missing her beloved, she said something that struck a cord with me. She told me that she longer wanted to live since her partner was gone and yet the Lord wouldn't take her home yet. I think anything I would say to her would trivialize her pain, and yet there is something in her statement that I think most people struggle with. Why are we here?

I have lived long enough to witness hundreds, if not thousands, of people chase the answer to this question. In the old Billy Crystal movie, City Slickers, Billy’s character does this. He encounters an old cowboy who challenges him at the fiber of his being because he seems to have what he lacks- reason for living. Curly, the cowboy, tells him that he has to find his “ONE THING.” Some people try to find the one thing in people. They tie up their identity in their spouse, their kids or friends. For some, it’s stuff, they drive a new one, redecorate the old one and although it never satisfies, they continue to chase the lie. For others, it is their job or a cause. There is only one problem, what happens when, like Dorothy, it goes away? Well, for many they pine away the days wishing for what once was. Some, sadly enough, lose their will for living and go to unspeakable extremes to end the pain.

There is another woman I know named Dorothy. She too, only a year ago, lost her husband of almost 60 years. She misses him dearly. He was a pastor, and she was his partner in ministry. And yet, while she still feels the sting of his absence, she has made the decision to continue on in her life. She has a ministry to those who are shut in and cannot get out. She faithfully visits them and brings God’s love every week. She has figured out the ONE THING. She knows that one day she will stand again with her beloved never to be parted as they share eternity together.

So, what are we here for? Well, I believe the Apostle Paul speaks of this early in his letter to the Colossians. It is at the heart of his prayer for them. He prays that they, “may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” (Col. 1:9-12)

If we cling to that which is temporary, we lose our purpose for living when it goes away. Notice I didn't say "if" it goes away, but "when" it goes away. I have experienced loss, both great and small. I have known betrayal and deep pain. I have known want, and while none of it is enjoyable, God is teaching me the lesson of contentment. For me, reason for living is simple and it cannot be taken away by anyone or anything. It is first, to know Christ, and then to make Him known. 2 Corinthians 5 explains this. God has reconciled us to Himself, and thereby given us the ministry of reconciling others to Him.

I love both Dorothy's dearly. They have lived long and loved well. Pray that Dorothy #1 remembers her reason for living. Pray that we all do.