A Tale of Two Mornings – Nothing Significant?

God is forever using the ignoble for noble purposes. Take me for instance. I have the honor of leading His people in worship, teaching His Word and proclaiming God’s love to those he puts in my path.

This morning I found myself thinking about how God used two insignificant mornings to make a huge difference in life as we know it. The first came in a small insignificant town called Bethlehem, to two insignificant people named Mary and Joseph. The news of the Savior’s birth came to a group of insignificant shepherds—the lowliest of the low. This Savior was wrapped in strips of cloth and later given burial spices as a birthday present. Who would have guessed that which we celebrate this insignificant morning would have been so significant.

Some thirty-three years later, on another insignificant morning, just a few days after the tragic execution of an innocent man, this Savior, who had been, once again, been wrapped in strips of cloth, was again brought a present of burial spices. However, He was no longer in that grave! And once again, the good news was once again announced by an angel to a group of insignificant men and women.

So, here we are, over 2000 years later, and we still celebrate those two “insignificant” mornings. May this time with family and friends be shared and richly enjoyed, not because we have much under the tree, but rather because we who were once insignificant are now heirs of God.

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:16-17

May you and yours have a Significant Christmas!

Christmas Lifesongs - part 2

This past weekend, our church did had Christmas program. It wasn’t a large fancy production, just something simple to walk through the Christmas story in Word and in song. I got to sing one of my favorite Christmas carols as a solo, “O Holy Night.” I love this song. It is such a powerful song both musically and lyrically I still get goose bumps when I hear a powerful voice like Phelps sing it, especially when you know they understand the meaning. I especially love the second verse. It declares some of the most powerful truths. “Truly He taught us to love one another His law is love and His gospel is peace… Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother and in His name all oppression shall cease.”

I haven’t had the misfortune of spending any time in jail nor chains, but I have come to love freedom nonetheless. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Rom. 8:2) We have been set free! That is tremendous reason to celebrate. “Let all that is within us praise His Holy name!!!!” He has taught us to love. That in a nutshell is the Christian life-- love God, love people.

What is within you? Is it bursting out in celebration to His Holy name or are we just celebrating with our leftovers? Christmas is a great time to start anew.

Christmas Lifesong Notes- part 1

I love Christmas songs. This year especially, it seems like I have noticed, more than usual, how much the old Christmas carols speak of the Christian life and the hope that we have through the Christ child. One of these songs is “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen.” The first line says “God rest you merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay…” Isn’t that such an appropriate message for today?

Given the current financial dire straits, I have heard frequently in recent days people say a phrase that disturbs me, and I think it disturbs me most because I have heard myself say this in years past. The phrase is some version of this, “we don’t have much money this year so we are not going to have much of a Christmas.”

As a man, carrying the responsibility of provider for my family I too have felt the anxiety of not having many presents for those I love under the tree. As a result, in years past I succumbed to the pressure of putting “Christmas” on plastic. And although we haven’t done that for years, we are still paying the ghost of Christmas past. I equated in my mind, as many others do, weather or not there were presents under the tree with “having Christmas this year.” I missed the real meaning of Christmas. As Stephen Curtis Chapman so eloquently put it “Christmas is all in the heart.”

These days I am reading in the book of Romans. It seems that Romans always takes me the longest to read. There is so much doctrine that often I am captivated and find myself meditating on the truth of just one verse. This morning, it was the first verse of chapter 8. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This verse speaks of the same hope as this accent Christmas carol. Rest. The rest that we can experience has it’s root in the freedom from the law of sin and death. Of which the following verses speak. And yet, too often we loose sight of that and allow the world to dictate to us how we celebrate such a wonderful time as Christmas.

My brothers and sisters, this should not be! The next line of the carol calls us to, “remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day.” This Christmas season, are you able to rest well in the truth that you no longer stand condemned before a holy and righteous God, for He has “saved us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.” These are tidings of comfort and joy.

Clock Watchers

"A watched pot never boils." At least that's what the cliche says. We are not a patient people. We are constantly moving faster and faster. Often when I talk with friends and they ask how things are going for me, my new response is it's going in "Fast-Forward." We use flash drives, microwave dinners have mostly replaced home-cooked meals, and the pace seems to quicken the longer I live. And yet, God doesn't move at our pace. He is above our time... he created it!

I began reading the book of Exodus this past week. This book begins its account of the Hebrew people some 400 years after Joseph and his brothers settled in the Egyptian land of Goshen, and even longer since God's initial promise to Abraham regarding the promised land. From this point, they are still a generation away from it. God's people are in bondage and have been for a long time. God has a plan for His people. He made a promise to His people, at yet, it takes hundreds of years to come to fruition. I have to imagine that had they had clocks back then, would they be watching them saying, "Um, hello God? We are a little uncomfortable here. You mentioned something about a promised land?"

God kept his promise, but it wasn't on their schedule, rather it was on His. The Hebrews struggled a lot with this attitude while they wandered in the desert and longed for the onions and leeks they used to have in Egyptian slavery. In the process of wandering, God refines and purifies his people. History tells us that right in his own timing, God answers His people's cry and fulfills His promises. Always has, always will.

In my own ways, I often begin whining and complaining longing for "onions and leeks" of yesteryear, and yet God is refining and purifying me. I must learn to wait patiently for the Lord. When I read the Bible, so often, for me the action that God takes is but a page turn. But to those in the situation, often times it is years in the making, sometimes, generations.

Lord, Your timing is always perfect. Teach me to trust you, and wait on You. I know that Your "apparent delay" always has a bigger picture in mind and is but a page turn away.

"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Pet. 3:9)

Big Change from Little Words

Sorry for the change in title and picture but apparently, all I did was either offend or confuse. Perhaps this will suffice. If you have heard me teach, you have likely heard me state that my favorite word in the Bible is the word "but." Grammatically speaking, the word "but" is a conjunction, which describes a contrast from one phrase or clause to another, and in my reading this morning, I ran across one BIG "BUT!" I was reading Paul's letter to Titus when I ran across it.

Paul is writing to Titus, the pastor of the church on the island of Crete and one of Paul's converts. The book's outline and message is simple and straightforward. First, Paul speaks about church leadership, then he addresses how a diverse church should interact with one another, and in the third and last chapter, he instructs on how the church should interact with the world. He reminds them of who they (we) once were: "For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another." (3:3) I don't know about you, but I usually don't have much trouble remembering my past. So, why would Paul bring up the past? However, the thought doesn't stop there...

BUT...

"...when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (vs. 3:4-7)

Can you see why I like the word "but?" And this is a big one! This describes a transformation of identity. This, folks, is the Great Exchange! We go from rebels to being heirs! The awesome thing that this verse declares is that we can do NONE of it! God does it all himself, because He is the only one who can do anything about our plight (go back and look at all the times the words "He" and "His" is used)! The verb forms used here state that this is a done deal! And since it is God who is doing this, it is sealed! (cf. 2 Cor. 1:22, Eph. 1:13)

Fabulous... Inspiring Story

Grab your hankies and sit a spell... it'll cost you 20 minutes, beat that in the local cinema!

Then click here for a short movie...

Faith Under Construction

There is one area of my life that has been under construction for a couple of years now. That is in the area of faith. Specifically, I am learning to answer the question, do I REALLY trust God. That is in essence what faith really is, trusting God to do what He says He will do. If you looked into the "hall of faith" in Hebrews 11, you will find a litany of individuals that believed what God told them and acted on it. This wasn't what we would call "blind faith" where someone randomly believes something and then go move into the mountains and drink tainted punch. They first got a word from God, and then even though it may have gone against "their better judgement;" they acted on it.

One of these men I read about this morning is Noah. Beginning in chapter 6 of Genesis is the account of this man. We really know very little about him beyond that he stood out to God in the midst of unprecedented evil on the earth, "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." (vs. 8) and in the next verse, Noah is described as a righteous man who walked with God. Noah didn't have a Bible like we do today, but God spoke to him directly... I believe audibly. Verses 11-21 detail specific instructions God gave Noah about building a huge boat that would keep he and his family alive in a pending flood. Noah's response? Verse 22 says that he did "all that God had commanded him."

Even though Noah was not perfect (cf. Gen. 9:20-21), this was an established pattern for him. God told him, he believed God, and he acted. Even when it didn't make sense. Remember, up until this point they had never even seen rain! (cf. Gen. 2:5). And yet, he is outside building a boat. What did the neighbors think?

In Hebrews 11, God's word says in the midst of the list of "faith-full" people, that without faith it is impossible to please God (vs 6). Today, we have been blessed with a completed Canon of scripture chalk full of promises and descriptions of God's character. We have the task of walking with God, and believing what He has revealed, and acting on it. Even when it doesn't make sense to us. Even when it runs counter cultural. If we desire to please God, we must trust Him.

If God's word tells me He will provide for me if I seek first His kingdom, then I shouldn't worry about my needs. If I trust God, do the last thing he told me, be faithful with what He gives me and He will take care of the rest. When I feel alone, I remember that God told me that He would never leave me nor forsake me. If I want to please God, I must first trust Him. Until He is finished with me, I will press on, knowing that although my faith is still under construction, "...He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Who's Granny Are You?

I subscribe to a daily clean funny, and I got this one today. Although it is cute, it has some toe stomping elements too...

The little boy came home from his first day at Sunday School. He told his mother that his Sunday school teacher was Jesus' granny.

"How did you reach that conclusion?" his mother asked.

"Well, she never stops talking about Jesus," he replied.

I am not a grandparent, but there is definitely a common denominator that connects most. They love to talk about their grandkids. You walk into my in-laws home and you would have thought they wallpapered their home (which is usually museum like) with snaps of my kids. But the reality is we talk about most that which we value to most. God thinks so too! Consider this passage from Hebrews 13:15-16: "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

So, who's granny are you?

In a Class By Himself

As most of you know, we have a new addition in our home. Our new foreign exchange student from Italy, Federico, has blessed us and has begun to challenge me in many ways. He is teenager in every sense of the word, but he is insightful and thinks heavily about life and the things we experience therein. He is often taking in things, things that we see and experience daily without thought, in wonder and amazement. He is frequently asking hard questions about life and politics. These questions are not so hard because I don’t understand my convictions, but because I have to break it down in manageable terms that he can understand in his limited but growing mastery of the English language.

In our discussions, he often has shown that his opinions on America and its ways have been shaped not from personal experience, but by exposure to the media in Italy. He is young and shares many opinions that are consistent with his peers on both sides of the ocean, but he is teachable and open to discussion which is encouraging. I have found that we are all at a disadvantage when we look at things from a limited point of view. This is especially true when it comes to our experience with God.

I am currently reading a refreshing easy read by Chip Ingram called God As He Longs for You to See Him. I love Ingram’s teaching as he tends to, as Hendricks puts it, “put the cookies on the bottom shelf.” In his chapter on the holiness of God, he makes this statement, “God’s holiness, like His other attributes, is in a category by itself. He isn’t six or ten or one hundred times more holy than the best person you know. God himself is an entirely different category in which he is the only member.” WOW! That is humbling, because that means I am sinning just in how I am thinking about how holy God is, because I am thinking differently than He is. Often I think of God in terms of being more holy than I am, but he is so much more than that, he is in a class all by Himself. He is, as the angels declared, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.”

Ingram goes on to say, “When we get a high view of God, we stop comparing ourselves to others because we understand how much we fail to measure up to Him. Instead of trying to figure out how close we can get to sin without actually sinning, we begin trying to figure out how we can get as close to his purity as possible.” That is when we cry out in the same manner that Isaiah did, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." (Isaiah. 6:5)

May God today expand your knowledge of who He is as He has me, and then worship Him for who he truly is!

"Thus says the LORD, 'Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?'” (Isaiah 66:1)

Home Sick

It has been a while since I have written anything, I find my life allowing not much more than short Facebook blurbs on how life is going, and yet there is so much more to my life than that.

We are awaiting the arrival of our new exchange student and family member, Federico from Italy. He arrives Tuesday. So, I find myself thinking about traveling. I think about some of the travels I have made over the years. Road trips alone and with family. An insanely long flight to Thailand. One thing that all travels have in common is that point in them that you get the desire to get home.

I sit for extended periods of time, and my body cries out to be set free from the shackles of my bucket-seat prison. I desire to get out and stretch, but more than that, I just want to get home. The closer you get, the more you want to get there even quicker and flirt with the vertical pedal on the right. Then, finally you pull into the driveway, turn off the ignition and begin unloading the car. The kids run and play with all the toys they haven't seen in days as if the toys were missing them too. Then, when the kids are in bed, you take a quick shower to rinse off the road grime and then crawl into your own bed... ahhh! Nothing beats the feeling when you are finally in your own bed after you've been gone.

This weekend I hit the wall. You know the wall don't you? That invisible place you get to when you have run and run and then you just don't want to do anymore. You just need a break. You just want to go home. You begin to cling to verses like John 14:1-3.

My pastor has been preaching on faith. Tonight he continued from this morning, talking about faith's hope-- our ultimate destination. I don't remember much about what he said as I was lost in being home sick for my eternal home. Where I truly belong. No, I am not feeling suicidal. But there are times like right now, when I long for the rest that is promised in Hebrews.

Paul wrestled with the same feelings, when he said to "live is Christ, and to die is gain." Maybe I need to go crawl under a tree by a stream, and let the ravens feed me meat and bread. I am just homesick. I will a picture of our new son in a few days. I am going to bed. I pray the Lord will give me visions of my place he has gone to prepare for me...

Duct Tape for Churches

They say that duct tape can fix anything. I wonder if there is a spiritual duct tape for churches? Next week, I have the privilege of preaching for a local church while the Pastor, a friend of mine, is on mission. In my preparation, yesterday, I was listening to a sermon on community by Matt Chandler at the Village Church. The front part of the sermon he was describing the kind of life we are called to live. He says this:

"Romans 6 has one of my favorite ways to put it. It says, 'In the same way you once chased what is sinful, now chase what is godly.' So think back on when you were a scoundrel. For me, I would stay up late for my sin of choice, I would rearrange my schedule for my sin of choice, I would forgo sleep for my sin of choice. There were things where I enjoyed this or I wanted to do that or I wanted to go here, and I wired my life in such a way. And this is saying, 'In the same way, you once chased sin, now with that same energy, with that same zeal, with those same sacrifices, chase what is righteous.' That’s profound if you let your mind think on it and chew on it and wrestle with it."

That is profound, but how do you make that happen? He concludes that without living in community, where someone has free access into your life - in which to speak truth in love, to walk fully this out is virtually impossible. That is what God designed the church to be. He is the one who empowers us through His indwelling Spirit, but the body works in us to love one another, encourage one another, and rebuke one another to make this happen in our daily life. I need my brothers and sisters in Christ and I am grateful to those of you who know me and love me enough to speak the truth in love into my life when it is not well reflecting Christ. The body is what God designed for accomplishing His will in your life and on this earth. If you are not connecting in community to the Body of Christ, you are missing out! You will not likely be all that God has created you to be.

It breaks my heart as people are leaving churches in droves, much in response to bickering and complaining within the walls over things that have absolutely no eternal significance. If we are going tell people about the love of Christ, we must first show the love of Christ to one another. This takes hard work... sometimes ALOT of hard work. But the payoff is out of this world. The church, when functioning as it intended, is irresistible to the world. We have got to keep it together! I believe there is a spiritual duct tape. It is called love. Love covers a multitude of love... love never fails... love preserves all things... It is when we live together in love that the world knows that our Christian faith is real.

Walking with the Good Shepherd, pt 6

"Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (vs. 6)

Every time I read these words it conjures a memory of my grandmother singing one of her favorite hymns. In my childlike understanding, I always thought she was just paranoid of being followed by two people named Shirley Goodness and Lovey (I was a Gilligan's Island fan) Kindness. But as I have matured, I have come to a growing understanding of the richness of David's words here.

This verse is the culmination of verses 1-5. It describes the result of walking with the Good Shepherd. A Shepherd that is Soveriegn God, that is our Provider, our Comforter, our Protector, our Instructor who disciplines us, our Servant and Healer... when we walk with the Good Shepherd, we have the evidence of goodness of lovingkindness as fruit in our lives, but the verbiage here describes so much more. This goodness and lovingkindness is personified. The words "will follow me" shows that David is not saying just that we will develop these qualities, but that the One who embodies these traits PURSUES us. Our Good Shepherd, so longs to be with us that He pursues us! Often, I hear of people say they "found the Lord." But if we read this right, the opposite is closer to truth. He was always pursuing us.

A few weeks ago, my girls and I decided to wash mommy's car. I fixed Melody and Selah a bucket for them and a bucket for me. By the end of the washing, they were wanting to dip their rags into my bucket. They wanted to be with me, everywhere I scrubbed they wanted to scrub, every time I dipped into the bucket they wanted to dip. They demonstrated exactly what the Good Shepherd longs for from me, He wants me to go and do whatever and wherever He is. To dwell in His presence forever. That's not just a heaven bound thing, but it is a now and forever thing.

Lord, thank you for pursuing me all the days of my life.

Walking with the Good Shepherd, pt 5

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows." (vs. 5)

A few weeks ago, my wife and I went to a conference / retreat in the DFW area where we were blessed to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge at a fraction of the cost. We had ample time to play at the indoor water park therein. In the center of the park was one of those huge buckets of water that is constantly filling and then dumping out 1,000 gallons of water on whomever happens to be lingering below. It reminded me of this verse as it is a great application.

First I ask, who is it that prepares this table? There is that "you" that keeps recurring in this text. The God of the universe is serving us! And where is He serving us? In the presence of our enemies! I remember when I was growing up, it gave me incredible sense of safety to eat lunch at school with big kids that liked me. None of the bullies would mess with me if I was hanging out with my befriended behemoths. So, spending time with the Good Shepherd has its benefits, especially when it comes to being around the ravenous wolves.

In the next part of the verse, David describes some of those benefits. "You anoint my head with oil..." this can be strange imagery to us in the 21st century, but in that time this usually was a symbol of two different things: healing and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Like the large bucket at the water park, we must constantly be connected to the steady stream of water of God's presence in His Spirit through prayer and time in His Word. As we do, we are constantly being refreshed and healed, but not only that, when we are being filled, our cup runs over and splashes out onto others.

Unfortunately, too many of us are trying to splash out on others when all we get is the trickle we get on Sunday mornings... if that much. If we long to make a real impact in our world, we must have that constant filling of the Spirit. "...be filled with the Spirit, " (Eph. 5:18) The verb phrase "be filled" is the command in this verse, and its tense literally means to constantly continue being filled. It is not a once and for all, but rather a continual process.

Is your cup being filled daily, or are you trying survive and minister with only the grounds left in the bottom of the cup. Your Good Shepherd has an incredible feast set before you daily in front of the Enemy. Come and get it!

Walking with the Good Shepherd, pt 4

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (vs. 4)

Right off the bat, this verse affirms the same thing Christ stated that in this life, trouble is guaranteed. The verse begins with "...even though..." not "in the unlikely event." My own life has been wrought with trials, testings, and downright irritations-- be that from people or circumstances. I meet person after person that longs for a life this side of heaven that was never promised by our Lord. The first person I meet is the guy in the mirror each morning. I have the audacity to think that I should live a privileged life free from harm and free from trouble. That is a lie. Truth be known, as much as I moan and complain in the throes of discomfort, I have grown more during those times than any cushy period of my life.

The other things I notice when I look at this verse is first, that I "walk through." That gives me hope; this valley is not my destination, but rather a thoroughfare. Why? Because it is but a shadow, not the real thing. If we are in Christ, we have life. He is the resurrection and the life! The second thing I notice is that "I fear no evil." Why is that? The Psalmist tells the Lord that it is because "You are with me." Remember who that "You" is? The Lord, our Shepherd, our Provider, our Comforter. This same Lord is our Protector. David records in others Psalms that He is our fortress, and our shield. He is the One with me. Why is it, in spite of God's track record, that never seems to be enough for me? Maybe I am the only one with that problem.

Next, with what does our Good Shepherd protect and comfort us? The rod and the staff. Is David being redundant? Rod AND staff? What's the deal? Well, here's the deal. The shepherd's rod is a twofold instrument. It is a short handled stick often described with a knobby end on it. It can be used as a close range weapon and a long range weapon. But here's the catch, this weapon can be used against enemies of the flock, or on wayward flock as well. God's discipline can be very comforting. God lays out His boundaries, and when we get into dangerous territory, he sometimes whacks (note: "whack" is not in the original text) us back on the path. (cf. Heb. 5:8)

Not only does he whack us when we need it, he also, uses the staff. The shepherd's staff is the traditional instrument most of us are familiar with-- the long pole with a hook on the end. That hook, is what I would call the "grace hook." That is when we have disobeyed and gotten off the path disregarding the chastisement (whacking) and in need of rescue and in need of grace. The Good Shepherd, doesn't leave us to the elements nor predators, but rather, leaves the 99 for the 1. That's His heart. He left the privilege of heaven for the peril of earth, all to go after those of us sheep that have gone astray. Have you gone astray? Perhaps you are in the midst of some whacking. Maybe you should stop and re-evaluate the path you are on. The Good Shepherd is there to comfort and protect.

Walking with the Good Shepherd, pt 3

When we have spent time at the quiet deep waters and in the green lush pastures, we find the result in the beginning of the next verse, “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.” (vs. 3) He restores our souls. That is such a tremendous promise.

Today you cannot turn on the television without seeing an advertisement for some herbal concoction or new pill to counter stress and renew energy. It is obvious how our world, which in large part, has rejected the one source of true restoration. And yet, they continue to look for renewal and freedom from stress. Conversely, I cannot tell you of the countless people I have known that, although they have been through so much physically, emotionally and mentally and yet in the strength of the Lord, always have something to give and always are ready to encourage. They can do this not through their will power, but because they regularly lie down in green pastures and drink deep of the still waters. The prophet Isaiah offers this version of the same promise, “Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” (40:31)

The promise of restoration is so important because we must walk in this life. Everyday, we choose our paths. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Contrary to popular belief, there are right paths and there are wrong paths. But when we linger at the deep waters and in the green pastures, we are guided in the paths of righteousness. These are the paths that do not lead to destruction. The Psalmist describes how to know the right paths from the wrong, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” (119:105) Friends the more we stay in God’s word, the less likely we are to follow the paths that will destroy us.

At the end of this path is God’s glory, “for His namesake.” When we shine, He shines. I read this morning in Hosea 6, that God doesn’t long for our religious activity and empty rituals, but rather, he longs for us to be what He designed us for and to do it for His glory. That is when we will most experience true joy. Have your been restored recently? What are you waiting for?

Walking with the Good Shepherd, pt 2

So, if we shall not be in want or shall not lack anything, what kinds of things is David writing about? I think He captures in verse two the heart of what God desires for us. "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters." The first part of this verse talks of God causing us to rest, not just in pastures, but green pastures, some Bible versions use the word "lush." God desires not just a restless night, but desires that we experience peaceful refreshment. But where does this come from? Is it posh surroundings, deluxe accommodations and a sleep-number bed? I don't think so. God Himself is our supply. It comes from resting in Him. He is the green pasture.

Look back at John 10, verse 9. Jesus describes Himself as the door. What ever comes at us, must first go through Him! That gives me incredible peace of mind, and no pricey mattress can offer that-- regardless of what the adds say. Ever wonder why so many of us have trouble sleeping at night? We, and I do include myself, too often allow ourselves to not rest in the fact that Christ Himself is at the doorway of the sheep fold.

The next part of the verse reinforces this. He leads me beside quiet waters. Life apart from Christ is a rushing river and to step into it without His leading can destroy us. His leading, rather, is beside quiet, calming, peaceful waters. Waters that refresh. Waters that are clear and pure. You see, God has our best in mind. Contrary to cultural norms, we don't achieve this through having no pain and all comfort. We get this by abiding in Him, hearing His voice, and following him. I am just as guilty as anyone. I pursue things that are counterfeits and don't satisfy. David wrote in Psalm 37, that is when our delight is in the LORD, He gives us the desires of our heart. Again, David uses YHWH here for LORD.

Are you resting well? My prescription is to take a nap in a lush pasture beside quiet waters of the peace of God. Then, call upon the LORD in the morning.

Walking with the Good Shepherd, pt 1

In recent weeks, ever since I saw a picture on my friends blog, the Spirit has given me encounters with the world famous 23rd Psalm. So, I decided to camp there for a couple weeks. There were no earth shattering truths that I learned, but rather gentle reminders of my God and His character and desires for me as His sheep. So, I thought I would record some things about which He reminded me.

Verse 1, "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want." First off, I read that "the LORD" is my shepherd. ok, yeah that seems kind of a duh statement, but think about it. In our English translation, whenever you see LORD in all caps, that is literally the Hebrew, YHWH, or in Latin Jehovah. Big deal, so what? It is a big deal. That is God's covenant name; it is how God describes himself in Exodus when he identifies Himself to Moses at the burning bush- "I AM." Now, for you theologians, this may be old news for you, but I have tremendous comfort knowing that my shepherd is constant, never-changing, never affected by world markets or political changes. That is a ground I can built my house on! This is the God who ALWAYS keeps His promises. That is who is my Shepherd.

Second, another entry from Captain Obvious, but He is "MY" shepherd. God, the great I AM, is a personal God. Sorry to disappoint all you deists out there, but God wants to be our personal Shepherd!

Third, He is my SHEPHERD. Now, this may be weird language to us here in the 21st century, but written by a guy who hung out a lot with sheep, this is a very intentional word choice here as it best communicates who we are. Isaiah, describes our role in this, "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;..." (53:6) Our tendency is to go astray, and to go our own way. This tendency has done nothing for me but cause destruction in my life and hurt those around me. And yet, the Good Shepherd, who has my best in mind, is the one Who guides me.

"I shall not want..." It is out of the supply from the Good Shepherd, according to His riches in glory, we shall always have what we need. Don't misread this, it isn't saying we always get what we want, but rather, we will lack nothing. The next verse, describes what that is...

Today, meditate on this as I have the past couple weeks, it will refresh you! More later, maybe tomorrow if my schedule allows. Have a great day with the Good Shepherd.

Busted!

I love how God gives us life lessons that reinforce biblical truths. This morning, I was "blessed" to have one of those reminders. I was taking Polly to school via our normal route. Along this route, through a neighborhood, there is a strange T-intersection. At most T-intersections, the through-traffic has the right of way and the cross traffic has a stop sign. At this intersection it is reversed and the through-traffic has the stop sign. I came to this intersection, came to a "rolling stop," look to my left, see a patrol car sitting there, and proceed through the intersection. I immediately saw the cop pull in behind me with his flashers on. I had not stopped completely. He pulls me over, gets my information and moments later, hands me a freshly printed citation for running a stop sign. This kind of irked me as I did not run the stop sign. My car did not have that little lurch that comes from coming to a full and complete stop, but I did not run it.

I dropped Polly off at school and began rehashing the scenario pleading my innocence with the oblivious passers-by. I was arguing semantics and the letter of the law. I didn't like being lumped in with those who drive dangerously and plow right through these intersections with out even slowing down! Then, I was reminded by the Spirit that I BROKE THE LAW! and I am subject to the laws of the land, and the law requires me to come to a full and complete stop. I was guilty, I could argue the verbiage, but I broke the law.

Then, I was reminded of how much this morning scene parallels our lives. I may not be as guilty as the next guy blowing through the stop sign, but I am guilty- regardless of to what degree. The Lord's half-brother James tells us that if we break one law, we stand guilty of breaking all of the law. So, if we break the law and stand before God guilty regardless of how we compare to others what hope is there? We are not judged by our own standard which varies with the weather, but rather by God's. If we cannot be right before a holy perfect God, that doesn't seem , right? I mean no one is perfect! If we could never fulfill the Law, why does it exist? Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians, "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." (3:24-25)

You see, God really gives us two options to get right with Him: righteousness by the Law or righteousness by faith. If we choose the latter, the standard is perfect obedience, and NO ONE can do that...except Christ. When we trust that Christ alone can satisfy the Law, and receive His righteous as a gift of God (so that no one can boast), then we must no longer seek righteousness through the law. The Law shows us what God's standard is, and that we must rest on His grace and only His grace to save us.

Now, I wonder if I will find grace when I go to the courthouse... we'll see... but I am not going to hold my breath.

Happy Birthday Selah

My baby is three today. She is growing up so fast.

Shadowboxing

I love movies about boxing. One of my favorites is Cinderella Man, with Russell Crowe. I would even admit that I have watched my share of the infamous Rocky movies. I love how these movies portray great comebacks and I get inspired. I am no boxer, but one of the things I know about boxing is that a boxer, if he is going to be great, must train his body. So, they undergo months and years of exercises that fine tune the fighter to do one thing... box! One of these exercises is called shadow boxing. Shadow boxing is kind of a funny thing to do. It is simply when a boxer practices throwing punches at nothing to refine his technique and warm up the muscles to avoid injury. However, if he never gets in the ring, all his efforts are in vain.

I, recently, reading through the "pastoral epistles" of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. I like to visit these passages at least once a year to remind and refresh what it takes to be a shepherd of people. In these letters, in particular those to Timothy, Paul uses an interesting phrase 3 times. "Fight the good fight." The first two are instructional, the last is himself reflecting on his own life. Something that stands out to me when I look at this command is that it assumes that there is a bad or no-so-good fight. He doesn't just say fight the fight, but rather fight the good fight. In the 1 Tim. 6:12, he further describes it as the "good fight of faith."

He is telling Timothy to give himself to that which matters most. I began to think about this and was reminded that we ALL give ourselves to something. But is it the right thing. We are all fighting a fight... but is it the GOOD fight. If I am not giving myself to Jesus daily, I am just shadowboxing. I can chase all sorts of good things (money, stuff, people, family, health, church, etc.) but I will come up wanting every time, because only Jesus truly satisfies. What do we spend our time pursuing? Jesus said where our treasure is, that is where we will find our heart. It's time to stop shadowboxing and to get in the ring... the right ring... and fight the good fight.

Great Quote...

"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."

-- C. S. Lewis

In EVERYTHING...

As I finished off my breakfast this morning, I looked up and saw the trash can that was in need of attention-- as this morning was the day for curbside collection. I stared at it for a moment and was suddenly struck with a verse of which the Spirit reminded me. "...in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thes. 5:18) Why on earth did the Lord give me that verse at that moment? Am I supposed to be thankful for a full trash can? Being a little dense, it took me a few minutes of meditation for the tho't to finally click as I drove to work.

Having a full trash can means that we have had an abundance of trash which included food (and Easter candy) and other "necessity" wrappers... so I thanked God for being my provider. I was then reminded in a rush of many things that I take for granted, or worse complain about, that are actually blessings. I thanked Him for dirty clothes in the hamper that meant I have more than one pair of clothes to wear. I thanked Him for furniture that needed dusting as it meant that we had places to sit on and unmade beds that meant we had warm places to sleep. I thanked Him for a noisy house which meant my children are healthy and loved.

When I arrived at work, I looked up the verse and confirmed what I already knew. The word "everything" in the Greek means... can you guess... everything! We are so blessed in so many ways that we take for granted.

Lord, please forgive me for not giving you thanks for EVERYTHING, even when the road is marked with suffering. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

The last part of the verse, tells us that this is the will of the Lord. Why is that? Well, I was reminded that the world does not revolve around my comfort or my vain pursuit of heaven on earth. It ain't gonna happen on this side of the millenial kingdom. It gives us the right perspective on life.

P.S. Oh yes, thank you Lord for the wonderful wife that takes care of so many of the things that I complained about!

How Do You Respond?

Having spent most of the last 2 decades of time in youth, children, and family ministry, I have established a few hard convictions. One of those, is that my primary role as a parent is to teach my children to obey (Ex.20:12; Eph 6:1-2). So, like many parents, I have my own phrases and looks that communicate a certain expectation from my kids that even my almost 3 yr old understands.

One of these comes in the form of a question, "How do you respond?" And at this stage in life their expected response is "yes Daddy/Mommy" and do it. Because of their current maturity level, we do not give them much choice in the matters. Our expectation at this point in life is compliance. Of course, as they age, we will allow for interaction as to the "why," but still expect obedience. Their motivation for obedience right now is extrinsic, but eventually, we desire for the motivation to become intrinsic. As I continue to think about what God is teaching me in what I am reading, one of the things I keep noticing about Ezekiel's response, as well as, the vast majority of God's prophets, to God's commands is, "Yes, LORD" and do it.

Think about some of these things God has asked these people to do: sacrifice an only and long awaited son; lead a couple million people out of Egypt and into a new land filled with hostile people; leave business and family and follow former carpenter turned itinerant preacher. Each one of these were blessed and held in high regard by God (see Hebrews 11 for a Cliff Notes list of these). Jesus Christ is the ultimate example to follow. He, though perfect and blameless, was told to do die a gruesome death and take on the punishment of the sins of the world, and his response, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will" or "Yes, Daddy" and did it.

I find myself asking what is it that God has asked me to do today, and then He asks, How do you respond? "Yes, Father and do it?" My life is not my own, I have been bought with a price.

Thy kingdom come...

I heard a fabulous quote while listening to a sermon on prayer this morning...

"Prayer is a wartime walkie-talkie, not an domestic intercom to summon the butler to change the thermostat."

This hits way too close to home for me. Lord, teach us to pray.

Galactic Discovery

I am in a house full of girls. My wife, my two daughters and the exchange student that lives with us. I grew up in a house full of girls (my mom, 3 sisters, and a grandmother). I have been outnumbered all my life in this way, and so I can confidently say I know my way around in the mall. It is not only because I have been there a "bajillion" times with these females, but also because of a fixture that I personally believe was placed there by a female... the directory. I am confident that a female placed this item in the mall because we men never ask for directions. So one time while I was waiting for my wife to finish trying on shoes, I needed something to do. So, I read the directory... I have read many and they all have one thing in common... a little arrow or man on the map with the words, "You are Here."

This morning, I was reading a friend's blog who finds the coolest websites. He posted a link to this sight and it was all photos and info taken from space of galaxies and other space phenomenon. And lo and behold, I found this picture! Hmm... okay, so maybe I altered the pic a little, but given what I have been reading in the Word, it just fit well.

The book of Ezekiel is just weird to me. Some of you Old Testament scholars may eat it up, but so much of the things God asks Ezekiel to do are just foreign to my 21st century brain. And yet, one truth keeps popping up over and over again that I think is very appropriate for us today. He communicates this in two very common phrases, "'This is what the Sovereign LORD says..." and "know that I am the LORD.'"

You see, after almost 30 chapters, God keeps telling Ezekiel to give the people of Israel these graphic images of what He is and will be doing in their near future. After the imagery is drawn, God says these phrases over and over again. I think He does this, because like us they thought they were the center of the Universe, and God is telling us all, "Ah, NO! I am Sovereign." He is God, he is in charge. You would think, as a pastor, I would have this one down, but I still always have to be reminded of this truth. My nature and all of culture is always trying to tell me that I am the center of the universe. But that is just not true. Just look around, and God will reveal Himself that He is in fact in charge.

"...because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:19-20

Promises, Promises

Back in my youth, during the mid-eighties, there was a popular song by a group called Naked Eyes called "Promises Promises." The song simply talks about how two people, while growing up, made promises to each other that were not kept over the years. I have been working through the book of Ezekiel recently, and it is a rich book with much to say about God and his character--especially His justice and grace. God and only God can perfectly balance these two traits. Much of what the prophet records is God basically saying, "I warned you of what I would do if you didn't obey me, now I am going to do it." He would, in the near future, be withdrawing His presence from the Temple and causing judgement to be inflicted through the pagan nation of Babylon just like He said He would.

In the midst of all the judgement, in chapter 11, God offers this hopeful promise, "I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.'" After 70 years of exile (which God promised), God begins the process of bringing His people back to Israel.

We all make promises, most we intend to keep and do, many we intend to and cannot due to circumstances beyond our control, and if we are honest, on occasion some we really never intend to keep in an attempt to placate someone. I am so thankful that I trust in a God that keeps His promises. Because, not only does He want to, but also because He is able to. Only God has the complete authority to follow through with what He says every time.

In a time that many are crying out in despair, I am reassured by His word and His promises. His word is full of promises to us and He is a God who is able to keep His promises. "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us..." (Eph. 3:20).

Raising the Bar

"Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally."

-- Abraham Lincoln

I read this quote this morning and smiled. It complimented my scripture reading this morning very well. In Matthew 5, Jesus, having shared the famous beatitudes with the crowd on the mountainside, begins speaking about the Law. He states that not a stroke of the Law will pass away until, "all is accomplished." Then, He says that unless their righteousness is beyond that of those teachers of the Law, they could not inherit the Kingdom of God. This was quite a statement considering following the Law was very difficult and most people probably felt, if anyone can follow the Law the Pharisees could!

However, beginning in verse 21 through 48, He starts using a phrase repeatedly, "You have heard it said..." and follows that with, "but I say to you..." With each of these contrasts, he highlights a handful of familiar Laws and raises the bar. It was already extremely difficult, and then He makes it harder! What's that all about?

Well, I see two things in this passage. One, He goes to the heart of the issue, it's a matter of the heart. He was saying that if even if the Pharisees and teachers of the Law might on rare occasion get part of it it right, they aren't dealing with the heart. Secondly, God's standard was not following PART of the Law, SOME of it or even MOST of it, but rather, ALL of it. And, anyone failing to follow ALL of it would not see the Kingdom of Heaven. I have said it before, and I will repeat myself again, always obeying God is not difficult, it is impossible.

So why the high bar? Christ addressed this earlier in the passage, "until all is accomplished." You see, He is the only One who has accomplished all of the Law, and He is the One who can justly deal with the heart. Through Him alone can our righteousness surpass all the "i-dotters" and "t-crossers" Abe Lincoln's above words are appropriate here. The Pharisees expected everyone else to follow their version of the Law, and yet they themselves could never fulfill all of it.

This lie continues today. Oh we may not be concerned about how many steps we are taking on the Sabbath, but we often have our own version of the law that we ourselves cannot live up to, and yet, we expect others to live by it. Christ raised the bar, and unless our heart is changed, we will never be good enough. We must have a heart transplant. Christ has done that for us, and we must rest in His completed work on the cross. For in Christ, we are new creations. In Christ, we are set free from the Law of sin and death. So stop trying to jump over anyone's bar, Christ has done it for you. Abide in Him, and He will transform you.

Ain't this true! I Love this quote!

"Jesus promised his disciples three things - that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy and in constant trouble."

-- G. K. Chesterton

Jesus Wore a Size 10

I was reminded this morning that the Savior and I share the same shoe size. Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." You see that, he's been in my shoes! Okay, well maybe in a figurative sense.

This morning I walked through another familiar passage in Matthew 4-- the temptation of Christ. The Scriptures record that there were at least three specific temptations that the Devil tested the Savior with:

1. Need for Provision (vs. 2-3)

2. Need for Security (vs. 5-6)

3. Greed for Power at all costs (vs. 8-9)

When we consider the things we ALL struggle with, don't we all want to know our needs are going be taken care of? Right now is especially a trying time for many folks in this area. Also, we all want to know that we are safe from harm and discomfort. And finally, we all want to be masters of our own destinies. These are the same things that Christ faced in this case.

And yet, Christ, using the Word of God correctly (important here because the Enemy also used the Word) in defense against these wiles of the Devil. First, in verse 4, He declares that God and God alone will sustain and provide for us with His Word. Secondly, in verse 7, He reminds the Accuser that God is always there, and we should trust Him and not test Him. Finally, Christ tells the enemy in verse 10, that God and God alone sits on the throne, and He is sovereign.

The world is constantly at odds with God, and these same temptations continue today, each day in our lives. But, we can rest and have victory in these tests, because Christ has been in our shoes and knows what we go through. He has shown us the way. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Looking Down the Road

Few adults that I know can say that their lives have turned out exactly how they expected or planned. I think that is because life, much to our chagrin, is really outside of our control. Little decisions can take you down paths that can forever change your expected destination. Circumstances beyond our control push us down paths we never intended to go. And yet neither of these situations is unexpected to God. He knows what He's working with from the start... from before the start to be truthful... and He knows where He is going with us. But the truth us we really may never know what our ultimate purpose in this life is in the grand scheme of things.

Today, I began reading the book of Matthew again. And like many times, I was wading through the genealogies in Chapter 1 trying quickly to get to the "good stuff." Then, the Holy Spirit teaches me something unexpected. It really does help to have read through the Old Testament a few times because you can know a little of the stories of those mentioned in passing. I found my myself zeroing in on who some of these names in Christ's lineage are. Some of these dudes are not so cool. Some downright evil. And yet, here they are in the line of the King of kings. God used them in the path to His purpose.

You never know how God will use you in His purposes. This can be hard to see because our view is limited by the now, and few of us really think with an eternal perspective. So, as you look down the road, be encouraged. God can use you for great things. God's not done with you!