I do not do very well with vacations. Sitting around this resort for the past couple of days playing basketball, shuffleboard, tennis, and watching the boys paddle boat and canoe as well as swim has been fun. What really drives me is to read, pray, and write though. I finally found a place with some wi-fi and now have left the family to take a little time to reflect and to write.
Earlier this morning I read from the first chapter of Colossians and reflected on that truth while sitting on the bank of Holly Lake. Paul prays for the Colossians that they may be filled with the knowledge and understanding of God's will as well as praying for strength to live a life worthy of the Lord in all respects.
I watched the wind blow across the lake creating little ripples in the water. This is what happens with our lives. God blows us where He wills and our lives cause little ripples across the lake of time. Some lives have bigger splashes than others. Some lives leave tiny ripples few notice. Most of us live somewhere in between.
Through Christ we hope to leave influence over our families, friends, and churches. What a sad indictment that people can live six and seven decades and have little influence on others. On the other hand there are lives lived so well they leave huge impacts on their children, spouses, friends, and those they work and live around.
Today I pray the winds of the Holy Spirit will blow across our lives helping us to leave influence on the lives of those closest to us.
While we have a few more days on vacation I will have the opportunity to love, laugh, share memories, and to enjoy my family. Those are things I enjoy about vacation. I will also have the chance to influence them like I did Sunday morning when we sat around the living room of our condo and dug into the scriptures enjoying our own worship service. May we have leave positive ripples on those around us today.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Chosen
There are tough lessons we learn as children. I recall vividly what if felt like to move to a new school. I did not have any friends. This was never felt more acutely than when we went to physical education. Most days we divided up into teams to play football. Over and over again I was the last one chosen. I wanted so badly to prove my worth. On those rare occasions when the football was thrown my way I tried too hard and dropped it. This further cemented my getting chosen last from then on.
Getting chosen early for a team back then had more to do with worth than position. It did not matter that I was a classmate. All that mattered is if I could perform on the field.
I am so glad God does not deal with us in this manner. He chose me. There is no explanation for it. I do not nor did I ever bring anything of worth to His table. He knows my flaws, my sin, and inconsistency. He also knows my passion. He chose me. [Ephesians 1:4-5] for He chose us in Him, before the foundations of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will.
In love, grace, and mercy God chose me to play for Him. I did not have to prove myself first. In fact, I had nothing to offer Him and He had everything to offer me. In pure love He chose me. It is truly an amazing story.
In 1983 I went to a junior varsity football game. I had no idea God had me dead in His sights. I went to watch a game and to hang out with my girl friend. Well into the game I was approached by two guys I knew from high school and a bearded man. Though I knew the two guys from school I would not have considered them friends. They would later become some of my closest friends.
The bearded man struck up a conversation with me that quickly turned to matters of where I would spend eternity. I did not know how to answer His questions. I did revere God though I did not live for Him. I believed in God's existence and Jesus Christ but this had no effect on the way I lived. Soon the bearded man pulled me aside from the rest of the group to talk to me privately.
Before long he introduced me to Jesus Christ as my Savior. I trusted Christ for forgiveness of sin. Yet that is not the end of the story. The amazing grace of God goes much further than that. When I think of how the bearded man was saved being the son of a Jew and a Lutheran, I am humbled. When I think of how God called that man from North Carolina to Lufkin, TX to serve as a student minister I am amazed. When I further dwell on how he left his new wife and the comforts of an evening at home on that Thursday night to travel to Abe Martin Stadium for the purpose of sharing the gospel with anyone he could, I am more humbled. When I contemplate how much God loved me enough to pursue me when I had no intention of seeking Him I am flabbergasted.
He came after me. He loved me. He pursued me. He chose me. Amazing! He wanted me due to no merit of my own. He chose to love me purely out of His will. I did not deserve it! I could not earn it! By simple faith and His will I embraced it.
All these years later, while reading in Ephesians this morning, I am still humbled that He chose me. I think I have some small measure of understanding what motivated John Newton to write that famous hymn "Amazing Grace." I was a wretch but God chose to extend grace to me a very unlikely candidate. Now my mission is to share this good news with others.
Every single good thing I have in my life I owe to Jesus Christ. Brenda. Taylor. Tanner. Tucker. Turner. Jennifer. All blessings given to me through Jesus Christ. I have a purpose for living to preach and write. I have all my needs supplied through His abundant resources. I have been offered the treasure of friendship from people from all over the state of Texas. All gifts from the Lord. All going back to God choosing me that Thursday night back in 1983. Absolutely astounding. Praise to His name in life and even in death. Till that day may I live and breathe to praise the name of Jesus and live like one chosen.
Getting chosen early for a team back then had more to do with worth than position. It did not matter that I was a classmate. All that mattered is if I could perform on the field.
I am so glad God does not deal with us in this manner. He chose me. There is no explanation for it. I do not nor did I ever bring anything of worth to His table. He knows my flaws, my sin, and inconsistency. He also knows my passion. He chose me. [Ephesians 1:4-5] for He chose us in Him, before the foundations of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will.
In love, grace, and mercy God chose me to play for Him. I did not have to prove myself first. In fact, I had nothing to offer Him and He had everything to offer me. In pure love He chose me. It is truly an amazing story.
In 1983 I went to a junior varsity football game. I had no idea God had me dead in His sights. I went to watch a game and to hang out with my girl friend. Well into the game I was approached by two guys I knew from high school and a bearded man. Though I knew the two guys from school I would not have considered them friends. They would later become some of my closest friends.
The bearded man struck up a conversation with me that quickly turned to matters of where I would spend eternity. I did not know how to answer His questions. I did revere God though I did not live for Him. I believed in God's existence and Jesus Christ but this had no effect on the way I lived. Soon the bearded man pulled me aside from the rest of the group to talk to me privately.
Before long he introduced me to Jesus Christ as my Savior. I trusted Christ for forgiveness of sin. Yet that is not the end of the story. The amazing grace of God goes much further than that. When I think of how the bearded man was saved being the son of a Jew and a Lutheran, I am humbled. When I think of how God called that man from North Carolina to Lufkin, TX to serve as a student minister I am amazed. When I further dwell on how he left his new wife and the comforts of an evening at home on that Thursday night to travel to Abe Martin Stadium for the purpose of sharing the gospel with anyone he could, I am more humbled. When I contemplate how much God loved me enough to pursue me when I had no intention of seeking Him I am flabbergasted.
He came after me. He loved me. He pursued me. He chose me. Amazing! He wanted me due to no merit of my own. He chose to love me purely out of His will. I did not deserve it! I could not earn it! By simple faith and His will I embraced it.
All these years later, while reading in Ephesians this morning, I am still humbled that He chose me. I think I have some small measure of understanding what motivated John Newton to write that famous hymn "Amazing Grace." I was a wretch but God chose to extend grace to me a very unlikely candidate. Now my mission is to share this good news with others.
Every single good thing I have in my life I owe to Jesus Christ. Brenda. Taylor. Tanner. Tucker. Turner. Jennifer. All blessings given to me through Jesus Christ. I have a purpose for living to preach and write. I have all my needs supplied through His abundant resources. I have been offered the treasure of friendship from people from all over the state of Texas. All gifts from the Lord. All going back to God choosing me that Thursday night back in 1983. Absolutely astounding. Praise to His name in life and even in death. Till that day may I live and breathe to praise the name of Jesus and live like one chosen.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Refiner's Fire
For months we have been piling up branches and brush blown down by storms. The pile has grown and grown. For weeks I have wanted to burn it. Each time we were about to the winds were blowing too hard.
Today was the day. After some early morning mowing we had a five hour block of time where we had nothing to do. The winds were down and so today we lit the fire. It was huge. The boys and I alternated between time in our lawn chairs watching the flames consume and stoking the fire and rearranging the branches so everything would burn. We spent every bit of that five hours managing that fire.
At one point it was just Taylor, Tanner, and me sitting there. As we watched the fire consume everything on the pile I told them about [I Cor 3:12-14] and how at the end of every Christian's life our lives and works will be judged by God's refining fire. Much of what Christians live for, work for, and spend for will be burned up as nothing. I asked Taylor and Tanner what would be left at the end of their lives? Wood, hay, stubble, or precious metals and stones. They responded with the latter. Taylor told me he wanted to remember that lesson and one day share it with his children looking into a fire.
So much of what we think is important will not stand in light of eternity. Many years ago I was working out when a man from our church approached me and asked me what I thought about his sons playing baseball on Sunday. I told him that God was not going to ask what his kids batting averages were when he stood before God's refining fire.
We get so misdirected. In the course of five hours I saw months of brush burned to nothing. I mean nothing. I wonder how many people experience that in eternity. They worked, played, volunteered, bought, sold, built houses and empires for nothing. God's judgment fire will burn it all up. All of it. That means whole lives that appeared successful in this life will be considered failures in God's eyes.
I don't want to be a person who wastes his life. None of us really know how much life we have left. We all think we will live to a ripe old age even though experience has has shown us otherwise. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. With whatever amount of life we have left how will we expend those days. Will we have anything to show for them in eternity? Will we have led people to saving faith in Jesus Christ? Will we have invested our money in building God's kingdom? Will we have served and sacrificed for the Savior? These issues matter in eternity. They need to matter now.
I am thankful for some time around that fire with my boys and for the life lesson we shared today. Maybe one day I will hear Taylor sharing that lesson with his children and my grandchildren. Until then I want to live for that day I will stand before God's refining fire.
Today was the day. After some early morning mowing we had a five hour block of time where we had nothing to do. The winds were down and so today we lit the fire. It was huge. The boys and I alternated between time in our lawn chairs watching the flames consume and stoking the fire and rearranging the branches so everything would burn. We spent every bit of that five hours managing that fire.
At one point it was just Taylor, Tanner, and me sitting there. As we watched the fire consume everything on the pile I told them about [I Cor 3:12-14] and how at the end of every Christian's life our lives and works will be judged by God's refining fire. Much of what Christians live for, work for, and spend for will be burned up as nothing. I asked Taylor and Tanner what would be left at the end of their lives? Wood, hay, stubble, or precious metals and stones. They responded with the latter. Taylor told me he wanted to remember that lesson and one day share it with his children looking into a fire.
So much of what we think is important will not stand in light of eternity. Many years ago I was working out when a man from our church approached me and asked me what I thought about his sons playing baseball on Sunday. I told him that God was not going to ask what his kids batting averages were when he stood before God's refining fire.
We get so misdirected. In the course of five hours I saw months of brush burned to nothing. I mean nothing. I wonder how many people experience that in eternity. They worked, played, volunteered, bought, sold, built houses and empires for nothing. God's judgment fire will burn it all up. All of it. That means whole lives that appeared successful in this life will be considered failures in God's eyes.
I don't want to be a person who wastes his life. None of us really know how much life we have left. We all think we will live to a ripe old age even though experience has has shown us otherwise. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. With whatever amount of life we have left how will we expend those days. Will we have anything to show for them in eternity? Will we have led people to saving faith in Jesus Christ? Will we have invested our money in building God's kingdom? Will we have served and sacrificed for the Savior? These issues matter in eternity. They need to matter now.
I am thankful for some time around that fire with my boys and for the life lesson we shared today. Maybe one day I will hear Taylor sharing that lesson with his children and my grandchildren. Until then I want to live for that day I will stand before God's refining fire.
CLOSURE
In the quietness of our living room Brenda and I had closure last night and today. We spent a little time jotting our "John Henry" on a few documents and sent them back to the title company. With that we no longer own 2112 NW Ave B in Seminole, TX.
As I reflect on that answer to prayer for the past two years I am humbled by the faithfulness of God. First, in providing so we never missed a house payment. Second, in providing great renters who took care of the house and ended up buying it. I hope they enjoy it as much as we did. God protected the house from needing major repairs and the minor things that had to be repaired, we thank God for His provision to make that possible.
In a few days we will close on the purchase of our house in Runaway Bay. This is another step of faith but one we feel God leading us to take. We will undertake the arduous process of moving things from this house and our storage unit in a few weeks. I look forward to our first meal together seated around our dining table. I have missed that over the past two years. I look forward to my first quiet time in my home office. That office is space is a direct answer to prayer prayed over the past ten years. I look forward to sitting in our living room to watch a movie as a family and there being enough seating for everyone in our family so nobody has to sit on the floor. I also look forward to using that home to entertain people.
In some ways the selling of our house puts some closure on our ministry in Seminole. Yet in my heart we will always be attached to Seminole and those people who have stood with us through thick and thin, especially over the past two years. We will always hold those people dear to our hearts.
Like the sign reads hanging on our wall, "Love Grows in Little Houses." That sign was given to us by a dear friend and yes it is true. Our love and faith have grown. I just finished eating lunch with Brenda and the boys. We enjoyed non-stop laughter together. I am a blessed man and the size of a house does not alter that fact one bit.
I will never understand why my time in Seminole was so short. Today life and ministry have me in Wise County and it is there that I seek to give my life and service. Seminole, we may have closed on our house today but we will never close our hearts to you. Paradise, you prayed for us to come back and here we are. We are seeking to plant deep roots in the lives of people through Faith Community Church.
Please continue to pray for us as we near the purchase of a home soon to be filled with new memories. Like most things in our lives this is another step of faith.
As I reflect on that answer to prayer for the past two years I am humbled by the faithfulness of God. First, in providing so we never missed a house payment. Second, in providing great renters who took care of the house and ended up buying it. I hope they enjoy it as much as we did. God protected the house from needing major repairs and the minor things that had to be repaired, we thank God for His provision to make that possible.
In a few days we will close on the purchase of our house in Runaway Bay. This is another step of faith but one we feel God leading us to take. We will undertake the arduous process of moving things from this house and our storage unit in a few weeks. I look forward to our first meal together seated around our dining table. I have missed that over the past two years. I look forward to my first quiet time in my home office. That office is space is a direct answer to prayer prayed over the past ten years. I look forward to sitting in our living room to watch a movie as a family and there being enough seating for everyone in our family so nobody has to sit on the floor. I also look forward to using that home to entertain people.
In some ways the selling of our house puts some closure on our ministry in Seminole. Yet in my heart we will always be attached to Seminole and those people who have stood with us through thick and thin, especially over the past two years. We will always hold those people dear to our hearts.
Like the sign reads hanging on our wall, "Love Grows in Little Houses." That sign was given to us by a dear friend and yes it is true. Our love and faith have grown. I just finished eating lunch with Brenda and the boys. We enjoyed non-stop laughter together. I am a blessed man and the size of a house does not alter that fact one bit.
I will never understand why my time in Seminole was so short. Today life and ministry have me in Wise County and it is there that I seek to give my life and service. Seminole, we may have closed on our house today but we will never close our hearts to you. Paradise, you prayed for us to come back and here we are. We are seeking to plant deep roots in the lives of people through Faith Community Church.
Please continue to pray for us as we near the purchase of a home soon to be filled with new memories. Like most things in our lives this is another step of faith.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
New Life
Lord I recall the days many a year ago,
When you saved and cleansed my soul,
When you brought the newness of life,
When I was saved by your sacrifice,
All changed - the old was made new,
The straight and narrow walked by few,
Thank you for inward transformation,
Making me a child of new creation,
Me your servant - you my Master,
You the mold - me the plaster.
When you saved and cleansed my soul,
When you brought the newness of life,
When I was saved by your sacrifice,
All changed - the old was made new,
The straight and narrow walked by few,
Thank you for inward transformation,
Making me a child of new creation,
Me your servant - you my Master,
You the mold - me the plaster.
Celebration of Baptism
Last night I got to enjoy that sacred ordinance of baptism with a teenage boy. I preached from Acts 8 about Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch on the side of a swimming pool with students standing in the pool waters. After Philip preached Jesus to the Eunuch he saw water on the side of the road and wanted to follow in baptism.
My heart sunk as this student had no family show up to support his decision. One parent said they would be there and we waited for over an hour but he never showed up. When I asked the young man if he wanted to reschedule he told me he wanted to do it. I could see the sadness in his eyes.
My heart rejoiced with him as he followed through celebrating his decision to follow Christ months ago and celebrating baptism. It was also meaningful as the church gathered around the pool to celebrate with Jacob. They clapped and cheered as we rejoiced in the celebration of new life.
I wish we celebrated those baptisms more. In recent days I have learned of three others who need to follow through on believer's baptisms. I anticipate the joy of those occasions. I wish every church saw a regular flux of baptisms. I wish more people were coming to experience the new life in Christ. How we must long for those days like in the first church when every day people were coming to salvation in Jesus Christ. If that were to happen in the typical church today we would not know how to handle it. We are not equipped for that kind of growth.
Still celebrating baptism has taken on added meaning for me starting this church and doing them in a swimming pool. In fact, I would like to plan on an outdoor baptismal pool when Faith Community ever builds permanent facilities. The simplicity of those outdoor baptisms make all the sacrifice, all the perseverance, and all the steps of faith worth it.
O Jesus, you are the one who saves. You continue to do it even as I write this. I ask you for more souls. I ask you for more celebration of baptisms. I ask you for more new life and more sinners brought to repentance and new life. May this be something the church never tires in asking you for and celebrating. More celebration of baptism is the desire of our hearts.
My heart sunk as this student had no family show up to support his decision. One parent said they would be there and we waited for over an hour but he never showed up. When I asked the young man if he wanted to reschedule he told me he wanted to do it. I could see the sadness in his eyes.
My heart rejoiced with him as he followed through celebrating his decision to follow Christ months ago and celebrating baptism. It was also meaningful as the church gathered around the pool to celebrate with Jacob. They clapped and cheered as we rejoiced in the celebration of new life.
I wish we celebrated those baptisms more. In recent days I have learned of three others who need to follow through on believer's baptisms. I anticipate the joy of those occasions. I wish every church saw a regular flux of baptisms. I wish more people were coming to experience the new life in Christ. How we must long for those days like in the first church when every day people were coming to salvation in Jesus Christ. If that were to happen in the typical church today we would not know how to handle it. We are not equipped for that kind of growth.
Still celebrating baptism has taken on added meaning for me starting this church and doing them in a swimming pool. In fact, I would like to plan on an outdoor baptismal pool when Faith Community ever builds permanent facilities. The simplicity of those outdoor baptisms make all the sacrifice, all the perseverance, and all the steps of faith worth it.
O Jesus, you are the one who saves. You continue to do it even as I write this. I ask you for more souls. I ask you for more celebration of baptisms. I ask you for more new life and more sinners brought to repentance and new life. May this be something the church never tires in asking you for and celebrating. More celebration of baptism is the desire of our hearts.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Overcoming
I spent a good portion of yesterday watching Tanner play in a golf tournament in Witchita Falls. Depending on how you choose to look at things Tanner had a bad day and a good day all wrapped up into one. He has not played golf since the end of golf season back in early May. He loves to play but, as we all know, golf is not a cheap sport and therefore does not fall in the line of necessities in our home often.
His lack of playing showed early. He became more and more frustrated as golf shots went wayward. When you also take into account the temperatures were near 100 it was not a fun day. Things hit a low when in the span of two holes he lost half a dozen balls in the same patch of tall grass. For the day I think he lost close to a dozen balls. I wish we could keep score that way.
He was frustrated and I could tell near giving up. He walked with his head down and shoulder slumped. This was taking place on hole five and six. He had a long way to go to finish. This did not set well with me since I had given up my whole day to support him. I walked hole to hole to him on the front nine. My feet and back hurt but my heart hurt more for him. I know he wanted to give up. That was the last thing on my mind. I wanted him to get mentally tough and finish. He wanted to give up and walk away.
He didn't. He battled through the disappointment. On the back nine he mixed in some really good shots along with some misplaced ones. He landed several shots on the green with precision. He began to drive the ball extremely well. He finished strong. He overcame.
What makes me more proud is that he chose to go workout with his brothers that evening. Again he overcame. He did not just show up to work out. He worked hard. I told him repeatedly how proud I was of him.
Now we can all learn something from Tanner. I know there are days and seasons in life when it seems like everything is against you. There are times when quitting seems more attractive than finishing, when leaving looks more appealing than staying, and when thoughts of giving in dominate more than standing firm.
Overcoming means to get the better in a struggle, to prevail over, and to gain the victory. You do not overcome by quitting. Overcoming is not easy. Often there are battles of the mind. There are obstacles to overcome and there is opposition to withstand. The fight can be fierce which often means wounding. Wounding of the psyche. Wounding of the heart. There can also be the wounding of weariness from the strain.
Overcoming starts in the thoughts. When I'm pushed to the limits in a workout, in a challenge, or in life overcoming starts with me in what I set my mind on. When I dwell on the difficulties and not the solutions I often crater. When I set my mind on God and the fact that He is working all around me, new faith is summoned to overcome. God grants the resolve to overcome.
We all need that. Whether it be to overcome a challenging marriage, a horrible workplace situation, lack of finances, health issues, or delayed dreams; God helps us overcome. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." [Rom 8:37,39]
We do not overcome by our will, resolve, and determination alone. We overcome through leaning on Jesus and constantly remembering that He loves us. In that love, He will test us from time to time. The faith we grow as we lean on and trust in Him becomes an enduring faith. This kind of faith helps overcome obstacles, opposition, and oppression.
Tanner, thanks for reminding all of us to lean on God and to overcome. What looks impossible today looks manageable on the other side as we learn to overcome. Don't throw in the towel yet. Victory is for those who battle in God's strength and determination not to quit.
His lack of playing showed early. He became more and more frustrated as golf shots went wayward. When you also take into account the temperatures were near 100 it was not a fun day. Things hit a low when in the span of two holes he lost half a dozen balls in the same patch of tall grass. For the day I think he lost close to a dozen balls. I wish we could keep score that way.
He was frustrated and I could tell near giving up. He walked with his head down and shoulder slumped. This was taking place on hole five and six. He had a long way to go to finish. This did not set well with me since I had given up my whole day to support him. I walked hole to hole to him on the front nine. My feet and back hurt but my heart hurt more for him. I know he wanted to give up. That was the last thing on my mind. I wanted him to get mentally tough and finish. He wanted to give up and walk away.
He didn't. He battled through the disappointment. On the back nine he mixed in some really good shots along with some misplaced ones. He landed several shots on the green with precision. He began to drive the ball extremely well. He finished strong. He overcame.
What makes me more proud is that he chose to go workout with his brothers that evening. Again he overcame. He did not just show up to work out. He worked hard. I told him repeatedly how proud I was of him.
Now we can all learn something from Tanner. I know there are days and seasons in life when it seems like everything is against you. There are times when quitting seems more attractive than finishing, when leaving looks more appealing than staying, and when thoughts of giving in dominate more than standing firm.
Overcoming means to get the better in a struggle, to prevail over, and to gain the victory. You do not overcome by quitting. Overcoming is not easy. Often there are battles of the mind. There are obstacles to overcome and there is opposition to withstand. The fight can be fierce which often means wounding. Wounding of the psyche. Wounding of the heart. There can also be the wounding of weariness from the strain.
Overcoming starts in the thoughts. When I'm pushed to the limits in a workout, in a challenge, or in life overcoming starts with me in what I set my mind on. When I dwell on the difficulties and not the solutions I often crater. When I set my mind on God and the fact that He is working all around me, new faith is summoned to overcome. God grants the resolve to overcome.
We all need that. Whether it be to overcome a challenging marriage, a horrible workplace situation, lack of finances, health issues, or delayed dreams; God helps us overcome. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." [Rom 8:37,39]
We do not overcome by our will, resolve, and determination alone. We overcome through leaning on Jesus and constantly remembering that He loves us. In that love, He will test us from time to time. The faith we grow as we lean on and trust in Him becomes an enduring faith. This kind of faith helps overcome obstacles, opposition, and oppression.
Tanner, thanks for reminding all of us to lean on God and to overcome. What looks impossible today looks manageable on the other side as we learn to overcome. Don't throw in the towel yet. Victory is for those who battle in God's strength and determination not to quit.
Monday, June 10, 2013
The Sweet Voice of God
I heard the Lord speak this morning. I heard His sweet voice. He knew the need of the hour and His message to me was very timely. He knew exactly what I needed to hear. His voice comforted and reminded me of the path of righteousness.
His message did more than comfort and remind me of the right way to go. His sweet voice inspired resolve in my heart. My faith received new strength.
O that sweet voice of God is a life line. I cling to that voice of guidance, peace, counsel, discernment, wisdom, and strength.
You know where I found that sweet voice of God. Right in the pages of II Corinthians chapters ten and eleven. God knew where I would be on this day and planned my daily Bible readings. Right out of the pages of scripture I received strength, hope, encouragement, and guidance about how to cope with current challenges.
How I pray you would make reading the Bible more than a dutiful religious exercise. I pray you would read them longing for, expecting to, and ready for God to speak through the pages of His Holy Word. He knows your need. He knows your lot in life. Rest your elbows on either side of the Holy Bible and listen for the sweet voice of God. His words are life and life transforming. We all need that.
His message did more than comfort and remind me of the right way to go. His sweet voice inspired resolve in my heart. My faith received new strength.
O that sweet voice of God is a life line. I cling to that voice of guidance, peace, counsel, discernment, wisdom, and strength.
You know where I found that sweet voice of God. Right in the pages of II Corinthians chapters ten and eleven. God knew where I would be on this day and planned my daily Bible readings. Right out of the pages of scripture I received strength, hope, encouragement, and guidance about how to cope with current challenges.
How I pray you would make reading the Bible more than a dutiful religious exercise. I pray you would read them longing for, expecting to, and ready for God to speak through the pages of His Holy Word. He knows your need. He knows your lot in life. Rest your elbows on either side of the Holy Bible and listen for the sweet voice of God. His words are life and life transforming. We all need that.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Stormy Sunday Morning
Yesterday was a beautiful day. The skies were blue and the breezes were mild giving some relief from the heat of the day. The boys and I spent the day working outside while Brenda enjoyed some much needed time away for the weekend with some high school friends.
I awoke around 3:00 a.m. startled by a loud clap of thunder. Not long afterward I awoke again to the sound of torrential rain. The rain fell heavily for some time and when I awoke this morning it was still drizzling.
Isn't that just like life. One day things are going great and suddenly and unexpectedly the storms come and the floods come. They pound against us. I have seen it happen to young and old, poor and rich, obscure and the famous, as well as the lost and the saved.
In life it is not a matter if storms are going to come; it is a matter of when and how intense they will be. Granted certain people seem to go through more storms than others. Some storms are worse than others like the death of a child or spouse.
Jesus addressed this subject in [Matt 7:24-28]. The key to the story is verse 24. Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house upon the rock. In the next verse the rains descended, the floods came, and the winds blew against the house but it did not fall.
What rains are blowing against the house of your life today? What floods are slamming against you today? What winds are howling and pressing against you today? For many of us the answers would vary. Identifying the storms in our lives is not the point this morning. The point is are you hearing the words of God and acting upon them?
Later this morning many of you will attend some type of worship service. Christians will gather to sing songs of worship and to hear a sermon of some kind. Here is the point. Will you really hear? I am currently preaching through the book of James. It is not irony that on the weekend our high school seniors graduated the morning text from James is about wisdom from God and earthly wisdom. Will they listen intelligently. Then will they act upon what they hear?
Throngs of people will hear sermons today. Some will do so glassy eyed lost in their own thoughts. Others will listen sleepily trying to stay awake and endure to the end. A few with listen attentively and intelligently. Fewer will take all they hear and apply those truths to the way they live. This is building your life on a firm foundation.
As I sit writing this the winds are still blowing gustily though the rain has tapered off. The skies are overcast. I never saw this coming yesterday. We have been blessed with steady rain this spring. I am not overly concerned with the storms that have blown through this morning or that continue to blow through in the form of trials. It is well with my soul because my soul is anchored in God and his word. I have peace. It is a peace that comes from walking with God and receiving his instructions.
I have no control over the future. Storms will come and storms will pass. What I do have control over is the foundation of my life and family. As we seek to hear and to act upon what we hear we are able to press on. We are able to produce fruit. We are able to overcome.
On this stormy Sunday morning I hope you will listen to your minister or read the word of God for yourself. I hope you will act on what you hear or read. I trust if this becomes your habit your life will be sturdy regardless of what storms come your way.
I awoke around 3:00 a.m. startled by a loud clap of thunder. Not long afterward I awoke again to the sound of torrential rain. The rain fell heavily for some time and when I awoke this morning it was still drizzling.
Isn't that just like life. One day things are going great and suddenly and unexpectedly the storms come and the floods come. They pound against us. I have seen it happen to young and old, poor and rich, obscure and the famous, as well as the lost and the saved.
In life it is not a matter if storms are going to come; it is a matter of when and how intense they will be. Granted certain people seem to go through more storms than others. Some storms are worse than others like the death of a child or spouse.
Jesus addressed this subject in [Matt 7:24-28]. The key to the story is verse 24. Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house upon the rock. In the next verse the rains descended, the floods came, and the winds blew against the house but it did not fall.
What rains are blowing against the house of your life today? What floods are slamming against you today? What winds are howling and pressing against you today? For many of us the answers would vary. Identifying the storms in our lives is not the point this morning. The point is are you hearing the words of God and acting upon them?
Later this morning many of you will attend some type of worship service. Christians will gather to sing songs of worship and to hear a sermon of some kind. Here is the point. Will you really hear? I am currently preaching through the book of James. It is not irony that on the weekend our high school seniors graduated the morning text from James is about wisdom from God and earthly wisdom. Will they listen intelligently. Then will they act upon what they hear?
Throngs of people will hear sermons today. Some will do so glassy eyed lost in their own thoughts. Others will listen sleepily trying to stay awake and endure to the end. A few with listen attentively and intelligently. Fewer will take all they hear and apply those truths to the way they live. This is building your life on a firm foundation.
As I sit writing this the winds are still blowing gustily though the rain has tapered off. The skies are overcast. I never saw this coming yesterday. We have been blessed with steady rain this spring. I am not overly concerned with the storms that have blown through this morning or that continue to blow through in the form of trials. It is well with my soul because my soul is anchored in God and his word. I have peace. It is a peace that comes from walking with God and receiving his instructions.
I have no control over the future. Storms will come and storms will pass. What I do have control over is the foundation of my life and family. As we seek to hear and to act upon what we hear we are able to press on. We are able to produce fruit. We are able to overcome.
On this stormy Sunday morning I hope you will listen to your minister or read the word of God for yourself. I hope you will act on what you hear or read. I trust if this becomes your habit your life will be sturdy regardless of what storms come your way.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Affliction and Comfort
Serving Christ is not easy. It never has been. There are many afflictions along the path of serving Christ. Afflictions may come in the form of persecution, trouble, pressure, and distresses. The affliction Brenda and I have had to endure the most has been lack of finances and trusting God to meet our needs. He has done so wonderfully but we have felt the pressure and the distress.
Yet even in our poorest times God has comforted us. He has consoled us, encouraged us in His word and given a solace no person on earth could manufacture. Like I said in the beginning serving Christ is not easy. To truly submit your life to Him and follow wherever He leads takes courageous faith. Many shrink back at this point choosing a safe and secure life.
For every step of faith God leads His servants to take, and with every affliction taking those faith steps brings, God is there to comfort. When Moses felt the pressure of Pharaoh and Egypt pressing down on the nation of Israel at the Red Sea God comforted Moses with [Ex 14:14] "The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent." When Joshua was about to lead Israel across the Jordan River to possess the promise land God comforted with these words in [Joshua 3:5] "Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." God told Gideon He would deliver the Midianites with only 300 men. God comforted Elijah in the middle of a drought even when the brook began to dry up. God comforted Elisha when Elijah was taken away. God comforted David while running for his life and we now have many of the Psalms to comfort us as well. God comforted the apostles though they faced persecution and some martyrdom in their service for Christ.
God also comforted Paul in his afflictions. That is why under the inspiration of God he could write the following. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ." [II Cor 1:3-5]
You know what jumps out at me in these verses? The last verse, "FOR JUST AS THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST ARE OURS IN ABUNDANCE, SO ALSO OUR COMFORT IS ABUNDANT THROUGH CHRIST." Paul understood that following Christ meant embracing a life of many afflictions. Those to whom Paul wrote also understood this truth. They faced intense persecution. We feel insulated from this kind of life in the United States. We have equated God to a genie in a bottle to give us our wants and wishes. Afflictions seem foreign. So does following Christ with reckless abandon. The God preached in the American church does not call people to lives of risk, suffering, and affliction. This is not the God of the Bible.
Following Christ holding nothing back is both frightening and thrilling at the same time. Frightening because He leads His followers to do things that require complete trust in Him. Thrilling because this opens the door for people to experience His miraculous intervention and His comfort.
Don't hold back. Even though following Christ leads to some afflictions He will be there to comfort in the middle of it. One day you will be used to comfort others going through the same stuff you have seen God bring you through.
Recently at our church I was made known of a person who needed a car. As a church we asked God for it. Why would I confidently lead the church to ask God to meet that need? Three times in my life following God I have been in need of a vehicle. Once in college. God used a family to bless me with a car. It was not a "cool" car but it was God's provision. The second time I was driving a truck with 207,000 miles on it traveling as a full time evangelist. I was given a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The last time I was given money for the truck I am driving currently after giving a vehicle away in obedience to the Lord. I prayed and waited for seven months for the truck I drive now. In that time we were a one car family. God comforted and sustained us and gave me a huge blessing.
Following Christ is not easy but it is worth it not just because of vehicles. He is worth it. Just getting to spend time every day relating to Him is worth all the afflictions. Life over the past two years have brought many afflictions but also there have been many comforts. He is worth all of it.
Yet even in our poorest times God has comforted us. He has consoled us, encouraged us in His word and given a solace no person on earth could manufacture. Like I said in the beginning serving Christ is not easy. To truly submit your life to Him and follow wherever He leads takes courageous faith. Many shrink back at this point choosing a safe and secure life.
For every step of faith God leads His servants to take, and with every affliction taking those faith steps brings, God is there to comfort. When Moses felt the pressure of Pharaoh and Egypt pressing down on the nation of Israel at the Red Sea God comforted Moses with [Ex 14:14] "The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent." When Joshua was about to lead Israel across the Jordan River to possess the promise land God comforted with these words in [Joshua 3:5] "Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." God told Gideon He would deliver the Midianites with only 300 men. God comforted Elijah in the middle of a drought even when the brook began to dry up. God comforted Elisha when Elijah was taken away. God comforted David while running for his life and we now have many of the Psalms to comfort us as well. God comforted the apostles though they faced persecution and some martyrdom in their service for Christ.
God also comforted Paul in his afflictions. That is why under the inspiration of God he could write the following. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ." [II Cor 1:3-5]
You know what jumps out at me in these verses? The last verse, "FOR JUST AS THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST ARE OURS IN ABUNDANCE, SO ALSO OUR COMFORT IS ABUNDANT THROUGH CHRIST." Paul understood that following Christ meant embracing a life of many afflictions. Those to whom Paul wrote also understood this truth. They faced intense persecution. We feel insulated from this kind of life in the United States. We have equated God to a genie in a bottle to give us our wants and wishes. Afflictions seem foreign. So does following Christ with reckless abandon. The God preached in the American church does not call people to lives of risk, suffering, and affliction. This is not the God of the Bible.
Following Christ holding nothing back is both frightening and thrilling at the same time. Frightening because He leads His followers to do things that require complete trust in Him. Thrilling because this opens the door for people to experience His miraculous intervention and His comfort.
Don't hold back. Even though following Christ leads to some afflictions He will be there to comfort in the middle of it. One day you will be used to comfort others going through the same stuff you have seen God bring you through.
Recently at our church I was made known of a person who needed a car. As a church we asked God for it. Why would I confidently lead the church to ask God to meet that need? Three times in my life following God I have been in need of a vehicle. Once in college. God used a family to bless me with a car. It was not a "cool" car but it was God's provision. The second time I was driving a truck with 207,000 miles on it traveling as a full time evangelist. I was given a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The last time I was given money for the truck I am driving currently after giving a vehicle away in obedience to the Lord. I prayed and waited for seven months for the truck I drive now. In that time we were a one car family. God comforted and sustained us and gave me a huge blessing.
Following Christ is not easy but it is worth it not just because of vehicles. He is worth it. Just getting to spend time every day relating to Him is worth all the afflictions. Life over the past two years have brought many afflictions but also there have been many comforts. He is worth all of it.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
The Words We Speak
There is life and perversion in the words we speak,
Not just on Sunday but all other days of the week,
Our tongues are a restless evil ready to kindle fire,
Doing damage and wounding as the Devil desires,
O Lord, we cry for help over the words we say,
Please help us speak life and not words of decay,
May we not kindle fires that set the forest aflame,
While on the other hand praising your holy name,
We need You to help us Holy Spirit to control,
To police what we speak as an officer on patrol,
Though small our tongues have got to be tamed,
We can't do it - so we look to Your mighty name,
May our words bring health, life, used to inspire,
Not set aflame by hell and Lucifer that old liar.
[James 3:1-12]
Not just on Sunday but all other days of the week,
Our tongues are a restless evil ready to kindle fire,
Doing damage and wounding as the Devil desires,
O Lord, we cry for help over the words we say,
Please help us speak life and not words of decay,
May we not kindle fires that set the forest aflame,
While on the other hand praising your holy name,
We need You to help us Holy Spirit to control,
To police what we speak as an officer on patrol,
Though small our tongues have got to be tamed,
We can't do it - so we look to Your mighty name,
May our words bring health, life, used to inspire,
Not set aflame by hell and Lucifer that old liar.
[James 3:1-12]
Fire Starter
"So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire." [James 3:5]
Though the tongue is such a small part of the body it can sure create a mighty amount of destruction. The words we speak to others can bring life or cause great damage. For many the tongue is the fire starter that wreaks as much damage as any wild fire. Words are uttered carelessly but the wounds inflicted are devastating. Fire starter words can be said in a matter of seconds but the damage done may take years to recover.
Many destructive emotional fires have been started with careless, thoughtless, and angry words. How many fights could have been avoided if people just heeded [Prov 15:1] "A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger." [Prov 15:4] is another verse we can learn from. "A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit."
Our words can be used as instruments of righteousness or wickedness. [James 3:8] "But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison." The word "tame" means to curb or restrain. We are not able to tame our tongues no matter how hard we try. The Holy Spirit can. Through the fruit of self-control we can learn to restrain our tongues. We can submit to Him as He restrains us from saying what we should not as well as to season our words with grace.
With our little words we can kindle a huge forest fire of damage in our families, churches, and communities. Our words can serve like the kindling to set off a powder keg explosion of hurt and destruction. Some of this damage will take years to be undone and for broken lives to be healed.
Today I offer three things to do in response to this truth. First, REPENT! You know where it is needed. Second, ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to have more control over your tongue. Lastly, make it right. If you are convicted that your words have hurt and wounded someone go to them and make it right. Let's not start any more forest fires of damage with our wicked tongues.
Though the tongue is such a small part of the body it can sure create a mighty amount of destruction. The words we speak to others can bring life or cause great damage. For many the tongue is the fire starter that wreaks as much damage as any wild fire. Words are uttered carelessly but the wounds inflicted are devastating. Fire starter words can be said in a matter of seconds but the damage done may take years to recover.
Many destructive emotional fires have been started with careless, thoughtless, and angry words. How many fights could have been avoided if people just heeded [Prov 15:1] "A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger." [Prov 15:4] is another verse we can learn from. "A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit."
Our words can be used as instruments of righteousness or wickedness. [James 3:8] "But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison." The word "tame" means to curb or restrain. We are not able to tame our tongues no matter how hard we try. The Holy Spirit can. Through the fruit of self-control we can learn to restrain our tongues. We can submit to Him as He restrains us from saying what we should not as well as to season our words with grace.
With our little words we can kindle a huge forest fire of damage in our families, churches, and communities. Our words can serve like the kindling to set off a powder keg explosion of hurt and destruction. Some of this damage will take years to be undone and for broken lives to be healed.
Today I offer three things to do in response to this truth. First, REPENT! You know where it is needed. Second, ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to have more control over your tongue. Lastly, make it right. If you are convicted that your words have hurt and wounded someone go to them and make it right. Let's not start any more forest fires of damage with our wicked tongues.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Give Your Life Away
Are you giving your life away to others? Do you give of yourself to family, friends, co-workers, and in the community where you live? Brenda and I did that today. We watched a young man in our church with some special needs play baseball. We enjoyed ourselves and then went to eat with the family after the game. We learned more about that family over our meal than we have in the entire year they have been attending Faith Community Church.
These are the moments I enjoy as a pastor. I love the little investments we make in the lives of others. Attending ball games, plays, sharing meals, and having meaningful conversations all are a part of giving our lives away.
Jesus did that. Paul did that. Amy Carmichael did that with little girls being sold into prostitution. George Mueller did that with orphans. Martyn Lloyd-Jones did that through preaching in his own church on Sundays and other meetings during the week for multiple decades. Hudson Taylor gave his life away to the people of China as well as Lottie Moon.
Are you serving a cause bigger than yourself, namely Christ? As you give your life to Him, His purposes, and to other people you find true life. [Matt 16:24-25] [Gal 6:14] When I am crucified with Christ [Gal 2:20] I want to give my love, money, time, and service away. When I live for myself I hoard my life. I don't want to give it away. I grow selfish and resent the very opportunities I have to minister and to serve others.
There are multiple ways to give your life away to others. Acts of service done anonymously is a great place to start. Paying it forward is another great way. You can send a text, email, or letter to let others know how much they mean to you. You can take time to support someone in something they are passionate about. You can bless someone by paying for a meal or have someone over to your house to eat. There are countless ways you can give your life away.
Pick one this week. Pursue it. It does not have to be big. Just find some small way to give your life away to someone else. Make them feel special. Serve their needs over your own.
Now a word of caution. You can overdo this. You can burn yourself out if you give, give, and give some more without ever being replenished. This can lead to burnout. I am not talking about that extreme. I am urging all of us to find small ways we can give our life away. Just like big doors swing on tiny hinges, tiny acts of kindness can add up to make a big big difference. Go ahead. Give your life away in healthy but meaningful doses.
These are the moments I enjoy as a pastor. I love the little investments we make in the lives of others. Attending ball games, plays, sharing meals, and having meaningful conversations all are a part of giving our lives away.
Jesus did that. Paul did that. Amy Carmichael did that with little girls being sold into prostitution. George Mueller did that with orphans. Martyn Lloyd-Jones did that through preaching in his own church on Sundays and other meetings during the week for multiple decades. Hudson Taylor gave his life away to the people of China as well as Lottie Moon.
Are you serving a cause bigger than yourself, namely Christ? As you give your life to Him, His purposes, and to other people you find true life. [Matt 16:24-25] [Gal 6:14] When I am crucified with Christ [Gal 2:20] I want to give my love, money, time, and service away. When I live for myself I hoard my life. I don't want to give it away. I grow selfish and resent the very opportunities I have to minister and to serve others.
There are multiple ways to give your life away to others. Acts of service done anonymously is a great place to start. Paying it forward is another great way. You can send a text, email, or letter to let others know how much they mean to you. You can take time to support someone in something they are passionate about. You can bless someone by paying for a meal or have someone over to your house to eat. There are countless ways you can give your life away.
Pick one this week. Pursue it. It does not have to be big. Just find some small way to give your life away to someone else. Make them feel special. Serve their needs over your own.
Now a word of caution. You can overdo this. You can burn yourself out if you give, give, and give some more without ever being replenished. This can lead to burnout. I am not talking about that extreme. I am urging all of us to find small ways we can give our life away. Just like big doors swing on tiny hinges, tiny acts of kindness can add up to make a big big difference. Go ahead. Give your life away in healthy but meaningful doses.
30 Day Quest
Today marks the end of a thirty day quest to seek God I entered in with a few others. We devoted ourselves to seeking God intensely as well as praying for one another mainly for God to speak and to show us where He is at work.
For the month of May I have prayed diligently for those I entered this pact with. I am excited to see what God has revealed to them as well as to share what Christ has been doing in me and speaking to me.
For the month of May I have prayed diligently for those I entered this pact with. I am excited to see what God has revealed to them as well as to share what Christ has been doing in me and speaking to me.
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