Fathers, do not exasperate your children (Stuck on vs 4)

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Love and logic. One thing we emphasize quite a bit is that anything done in excess can easily snare us. It could be something as horrible as reading! Piano! Eating! Drinking! Driving our car! Journaling! Anything that we might run to for escape that is not Jesus is somewhat like our idol.

The real trick is getting a young one to switch to an alternate activity. That is - to not frustrate them as they leave one thing because they have come to know that the other activity is also good. So I ask them "Did you enjoy your time doing this? Do you want to do it again soon? And don't you also like eating dinner (for example)? Then you probably want to be thankful for this time and let's go enjoy some food before that option is taken away and you can simply head to bed."

The other thing is trying not to lecture. You probably have at least 25 years of experience that they are not going to want to hear. My wife and I are careful to not put any words out there that we are not willing to enforce. So if that means bed without dinner, OK. But if that means cancelling a birthday party they already RSVP'd to, we try not to use that as a lever to get them motivated. That would not only impact the child, but also others - who you are not trying to punish.

In both these last points, we have to also show our own submission to each other in the family. Put another way, we do things as a family. It is gloriously inefficient. My wife and I are Leeroy Jenkins Crazy inefficient. But we are modelling that we sacrifice our interests for the interests of others. And we build trust with each other - knowing that we are not competing with each other, but building each other up. We desire to help each other succeed. But sometimes, that means you have to stop doing what you want to do.

So - learning to break your natural desires to be self-centered.

- I better stop before I have another random thought.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Love and logic. What do you do when they want to do something that isn't "wrong" just isn't what we want them to do right now. Perhaps it is a long term habit you don't want to form. In our house, there is a constant draw for screen time, "I'm done with dinner, can we watch a movie?" We really want to give them what they want and not exasperate them. But the constant asking is exasperating to me. What's the balance?

Well, we try to be up front about what we do in a given day. We try to make sure that they know when an appropriate time to ask for screen time is. I was really stoked to see Geoff Baker write in the Seattle Times an article on Shaun Alexander ("Mr. Touchdown") who is focusing on what matters. But he had this excerpt which I instantly fell in love with and shared with the boys in my house:

All eyes are on Shaun Alexander as he kneels on his living room floor and draws a chalk figure of a man on a small blackboard.

Alexander then draws a watch on the man’s wrist, a squiggly line next to him and a staircase in front of him. When he is done, he turns to the young children watching and asks them to name words they can associate with the drawing.

“Timing!’’ one shouts.

“Yes, timing,’’ Alexander says. “That’s from the watch, right? So, what’s timing?”

In unison, the children reply: “Doing things in the right moment.’’

Alexander nods in agreement. “A lot of times,’’ he tells them, “there are many things we’d like to do and want to do. But if people do it at the wrong time, they set themselves up to not get what they really want. Because, guess what? If we do it at the right time, it actually works.’’

When I shared it with my boys, we talked about shooting the gap between the blockers and how that timing is important. I used my fists to show how good timing, the fists are apart, bad timing, those fists are together and you can't get through. This morning, one of the boys asked "Is the wall open?" Then they made the sign with the two fists together? He was exploring whether or not now was good time to ask that question about screen time.

I hope this sticks.

Referenced Article:

http://seattletimes.com/html/seahawks/2022749695_alexander26xml.html

Gift of the Holy Spirit

Originally posted April 28, 2010

Philippians 2:1-18

There are many times that I think about how awesome the gift of the Holy Spirit is. The first thing that gets me is the ability to understand what the disciples could not understand. Those that walked with him and saw the miracles were unable to comprehend the death and resurrection until after it happened.

Then you have the whole nation of Israel in the OT not getting it. Even if they had a cloud by day and fire by night, or prophets, judges, or kings. They often didn't listen.

So two things stand out to me on the idea of the Holy Spirit now. The first is the idea that God is speaking to me through the scriptures. I need to hear His word in order to align my life and actions with Him. There is a wonderful perspective of knowing that this moment - no matter how awful or difficult - is not the end. This perspective allows us to tackle problems with confidence knowing that the outcome is in God's hands.

But the second perspective is more personal. I've been given a gift. The gift is for me, but like any talent, is it really a talent unless I use it? Am I not poured out to be filled up again? Then my service should be fully dependent upon the Holy Spirit. So - the biggest problem I have is not living a life that is honoring to Christ, but sharing the life that is honoring to Christ.

My prayer is that I could be filled up to overflowing again. That I would hear those words "you have something I don't have." And that something would be the Holy Spirit.

SPIES like us

Originally posted April 26, 2010

So our church has entered into a five week study developed by the legacy institute. It is used around town here and across the nation. It has taken modern research and overlaid the truths from scripture. Their goal is to have every age group be attentive to their design.

I work in both a married's class and a high school boys class, sophomores. So I get a double dose of the stuff every Sunday. The first perspective is understanding the differences in our spouse, while the second perspective is understanding the what women want. I'm really starting to latch onto the idea they want "SPIES like us" (more in a bit).

It has been fun as the research on infants reflects that boys are naturally more assertive/aggressive while girls are naturally more, um... relational - they tie things together. An example from my life is this question I put to a gal in college. We were always debating something and we usually had a great time doing it. But this time I was completely caught off guard with her answer.

I asked, which sport produces the most well rounded athlete? Baseball.

What?! And here is how she came about that answer. Who is the most well rounded athlete I know? What sport does this person like the most? Therefore, the most well rounded athletes come from this sport.

She completely neglected the other sports the guy played. Just picked his favorite. Relation to connection to theory to story. Now, mind you, this gal played competitive volleyball and softball and went on to be a scientist that developed gold crystals. So she was just having a moment where her brain made connections.

So it has been fun. But let me set the stage for potentially more postings. The idea is that we become individuals that are "whole" or have "integrity" in the following areas: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social. If I live with integrity in these areas, it will be not only fulfilling to me, but it will be attractive to others.

In my marriage, I still want to woo my spouse. There is fun in love and I don't ever want it to stop.

With these sophomore boys, they need to learn what it means to become men. I'm looking forward to sharing more. After all, I have four boys hitting this stuff head on. I want to be able to share this social perspective which has such strong Biblical roots.

I just believe

Originally posted April 23, 2010

There are many times when we are called to stretch our faith and just believe. Sometimes it is required that we defend our faith and an answer like "I just believe" doesn't seem sufficient.

So in personal matters, it seems sufficient to lean on God fully. But when someone you are trying to bring to Christ loses a loved one/unbeliever, how do you say "well, I believe that they may be on their way to hell, but you still have a chance!"

Those are hard moments and not exactly comforting.

I think that you have to admit that if a person spends their lifetime ignoring God, saying things like I just don't believe, then it stands to reason God won't make them be with Him in the end. It also stands to reason that if you believe, then you believe the whole enchilada. God says we won't have suffering in Heaven. So likely he will change my desires such that I don't long for the loved ones I may have missed here on Earth.

Sometimes you take comfort in the things you hope for. A day when your desires are changed.

Just Me.

Originally posted April 21, 2010

Today I'm just writing.

It is interesting to me that Charles Stanley wrote about Eschatology. Just this morning, I was with my guys group again and we were trying to figure out where we landed on the whole end times story (Pre-Post-A-Millennial, Pre-post-tribulation). We took scripture out of Matthew to see what Jesus said about it. Not a lot of Rapture first - sort of leaves you A-millennial. Then you get Paul and John and you have to lean a little Pre-Millennial. But who really knows?

In the end, we made sure to let God sort it out in the end. That makes us Pan-Millennialists. Meaning, it will all pan out.

But then I went and read the rest of the scripture in Philippians 3. This is where Paul gets into his whole I'm not boasting, but if I did boast I would have the most to boast about schpeal. Which is interesting because for last night's study, I was in 2 Corinthians 12 where he is doing something similar.

Ironically, Paul says he would boast about the person who FOURTEEN YEARS ago had a vision of the third heaven. I sort of missed that before. Not the third heaven part (Remember Genesis 1 Heaven 1=atmosphere, Heaven2=sun,moon,stars, Heaven3=God & Angels). The part about the fourteen years. Seems like a long time to not mention that someone had a pretty cool insight to heaven.

But again, who knows. I imagine that Paul and the rest spent time trying to figure out if this vision was legit or whatever. But that is just it. Here's Paul, rock star for Jesus, and God uses another part of the body for this vision. We aren't all Pauls. We aren't all Billy Grahams. We aren't all John Pipers. Some of us need to stack chairs and serve food. So long as I'm counted worthy to be with Christ in the end, I'm content.

Difficulty that won't leave

Originally posted April 19, 2010

Sometimes, I find my devotionals lead me to weird places. The first thing I was interested in today after reading 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 was this idea of Paul being swept away to "third heaven."

Come to find in Genesis 1:8, 20 we might consider the first heaven the atmosphere of Earth.

In Genesis 1:14, 16, we might consider the second heaven the sun, moon and stars.

Finally, in Genesis 28:12, we get the "Heaven of Heavens" which seems to be the place where God and the angels are about.

Well, the rest of the verses I read were getting along to Paul's thorn in the side. Many thing this was a partial blindness or complete blindness. How he thinks about this is not strange to anybody who has been afflicted with some ailment. Nobody likes being sick. Nobody likes to suffer or to be dependent upon others. We often cry out to God when we are in pain or experiencing difficulty.

The trick then is how we respond.

“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

Of course, God has a plan for our lives. Paul chose to rejoice or even boast in his suffering. Perhaps, that is the trick. Knowing that God is working out something in me or in his creation and that my present sufferings (big in my eyes) are nothing to be concerned about. It is my job simply to trust and obey.

Saying it is one thing. Living it is something completely different. I feel we need to practice it in the small things first. Faith is demonstrated in so many ways. Do not merely listen to the word, but do what it says. How are you at loving your friends? Now stretch, your neighbors? Now stretch further, your enemies - those that always get under your skin? How about seeking first his kingdom?

My gut says that if we do things like this, we will find very little time to worry about ourselves and we will end up living a life of love out loud.

Oaks and mushrooms

Originally posted April 16, 2010

I love this quote from Rick Warren:

"When God wants to make a giant oak, he takes a hundred years, but when he want to make a mushroom, he does it overnight."

Sometimes the challenge for us is we want something and we don't have the patience to wait to see if that is what God wants for us. There are so many things that could fall into this category; a car, a house, a job, a dating relationship (future spouse), how to spend time, how to spend money.

I was working with a young man that is wrestling with many of these decisions and that was the very question that came up. How do I know when God wants me to (all of the above).

James starts off his letter by encouraging us to consider it all joy when we face trials because "the testing of our faith develops perseverance."

Don't we create our own trials? "God hasn't told me if I'm supposed to marry this person yet." And so we fret and get anxious over this big decision. But I feel God calls us to be faithful to Him. The Bible clearly says to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. It clearly says not to worry about what to eat or wear because we are so valuable to Him that he will care for our needs. So persevere. Develop your faithfulness to Him.

I believe that when we are true to God, our reward will come. If you are waiting on a decision, it will become obvious what the answer is. Maybe that "incredible deal" goes away. Or maybe the dating relationship dissolves as a result of your pursuit of God. But if it does, haven't you chosen the better things? And isn't this "answer" a demonstration of your faith, that God has greater things for you?

When it all comes down, you want that decision to be based on knowing you are walking in God's desired path for you. Then no matter what the decision is, you will be sturdy like the oak, and not fragile like the mushroom. And your resolve will be based in the faith that produced perseverance. And that faith will last a lifetime and beyond.

Christian Eschatology, And Great Responsibility

Originally posted April 14, 2010

So, I'm going through a series with a group of guys on "The story of God." Which summarized is this. The Old Testament points to Christ. The New Testament points to Christ. The future points to Christ. And looking at it from the beginning... In the beginning God... So the story is about God.

We are wrapping up next week, so this time we are focusing on the different views of the end. I've heard it all before but never put big words on it like "Eschatology" and I've never tried to remember the various theological differences between Pre-millennial, A-millennial, or Post-millennial. And while I don't trust wikipedia for real facts, someone has taken the time to put up a few graphics that might help.

Which brings me to the topic for today. What is our responsibility?

Perhaps a more sobering experience was a dream I had one time. The wonderful moment of the rapture finally came. We were caught up in the air and many of us were on a golden flight to a fantastic party in the sky. And along the way someone said to me "Did you leave your garage door open?" (It was a dream) But the idea that when He comes, we are not to look back for mother, father, or child for "no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Immediately, the party was over and I was back on earth. My garage door was not only open, it was gone. The whole top half of all the homes was gone. The Earth was scorched and gray.

And as I came across other people I realized I had a new responsibility.

My responsibility in my dream was much like that in the Left Behind series. I started to help pick up the lives of the broken people and point them to Christ. To get ready for that final judgement.

In life now, we still look forward to the day when we get to be with Christ. And there is an important question to ask - if I could have Heaven, all its fruit, all the reunions with relatives past, all the peanut butter and chocolate I could, but not have Christ, would I still go? And if the answer is "Yes." Then it really isn't heaven that we want. For Hell is separation from God. He is life. To be with Him is to be IN love. And there is nothing that tops this.

Think about how you will forsake your friends and parents for someone you "love." You'll skip meals for a moment with them. You'll drive wasted miles to see them. Being IN love is the closest all consuming feeling we have. Being with the author of Love... Imagine.

So - our great responsibility then is from 1 Thessalonians 4:18 and 5:11; "Therefore encourage each other with these words." and "encourage one another and build each other up." (Remember these chapters are about Christ coming).

Be expectant and joyful at the prospect of Christ's coming. Don't worry about how exactly it is going to take place.

Sowing Generously

Originally posted April 12, 2010
This is the first time that I can recall my men's devotional overlapping directly with the reading for the sophomore guys group I lead. I happens we are going through 2 Corinthians and we are in Chapter 9. Today, Rick Warren made a great point out of verse 10.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
The important note is the origin of the seed. God can provide water from a rock, speech from a donkey, or honey from a lion. Sometimes we get caught up thinking he can only provide for us in one way. We get locked into our jobs and worry or fear of losing the source of seed creeps in. But we need to recognize that God has plenty of seed and he may be calling you to a new place in your walk in order to continue to receive that seed. So listen up.

But reading the passage as a whole made me ask the question, what did my parents teach me about money matters? What did you learn growing up about money matters?

As a kid, I was one of those that saved my money for no particular reason, although I do remember the bike I really wanted....$80. It was at BI-MART, a club shop where we literally got buzzed through the door like security. I started saving for that bike. I must have had close to $70 when Christmas rolled around. For some reason, I didn't even think that Santa might bring that bike - but he did. And what happened to my $70, I may never know. Money wasn't important to me. So my guess is I just kept saving it.

During this same time in my life, I can remember my mom paying bills at a large roll top desk. She would talk about the importance of it. But perhaps most important was the gift she gave me when she told me about the credit cards. They had three credit cards in my memory. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. They used Discover EVERYWHERE they could. I asked why.

So Mom expressed the importance of first, never spend what you don't have. So in other words, if you don't have any money in the bank, you need to put away the credit cards. You can't spend money you don't have.

Second, she expressed the importance of always paying off your credit cards. Remember in the 80's when interest rates were through the roof? I don't. But she pointed out that if she spent $10, and didn't pay off her balance, that whatever she bought for $10 now cost $12. And wouldn't it have been nice to spend that $2 on something else? Then showing me a $200 credit card bill made me figure that it was now worth $40 additional dollars just to spend money I didn't have.

At the time, Discover was the only rewards card out there. They gave 1% back on all their purchases. So then she pointed back at the benefit of Discover. Now for $200, we got $2 back. Over the course of a year, we could get a fist full of dollars.

Today, the rewards cards are insane. You can get 5% back on specific purchases. We regularly check between our MasterCard, Discover, and American Express to see who is giving the highest percentage based on where we are shopping, hardware store, groceries, gas, travel, etc... And as a result, my wife and I have nearly $1000 in reward money to spend.

That's paying attention to 1) never spend what you don't have 2) always pay off your balance and 3) use cards that pay you to use them.

To get back to the scripture, some of you out there may think, that's fine if you aren't already in debt. But I don't make enough to do that. I believe that is a lie. Two things I would say to that. First, are you tithing?

Don't you hate that answer? The truth of that answer is that it hits you at the core of the issue. We read in Hebrews and throughout the Bible, that God desires obedience, not sacrifice. And with regards to money he throws down the gauntlet.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
So my second response is like it. Trust in the Lord, you are more valuable than the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. He will pull you through. And when you look back, you will be amazed.

When my wife and I were first married, we made less than $15000 that year. We were both going to school. We lived in a one room apartment. By working at a fast food restaurant, we found we didn't have to pay for as many meals, and in the end we didn't have to take out any school loans. Yet we were faithful in our tithe, and faithful in giving of our time and energy. During that year, we taught Sunday school and helped flooded people move out of their apartments. We actually were moved out ourselves. We lived in a dorm on the school's campus and hey - they paid for our meals. But as a reflection of how poor we were, we literally saved a gallon of milk from our condemned building because it was still mostly full. We hung it on a rope outside our window in the new dorms, just to not be wasteful.

Just because I'm faithful in giving to God, doesn't mean I can be wasteful. I must be a good steward. It may feel like sacrifice, but the blessing he has turned from those early days is so hard for me to count.

A battle without me

Originally posted April 9, 2010

Yesterday, the reading in second Kings was about having our eyes opened so we could see what God was up to. The battle is all around us and many times we don't see it. The one man dies as a result of his unseeing (perhaps unbelieving) eyes.

Sometimes I think the battle is in us. Or rather, the battle is us.

How often do we do anything out of selfish ambition? When I think about my daily life, beginning to end, there is very little I do except that the ends would somehow satisfy me. I go to work hoping to get paid. I eat what pleases me or is healthy for me. I compliment my wife and kids because I find joy in this. It ultimately boils down to making me happy. Which I am.

So the question becomes, in all this, am I also content? Am I also able to give these things away?

“I have set the Lord always before me.” Psalm 16:8

“My eyes are ever on the Lord.” Psalm 25:15

“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34:1

When we read the words of David, the king of Israel, what seems evident about his life? Was God just a morning devotion time - or a Sunday pick me up? God is everything, always and forever.

My small group is trying to plan an outreach of some sort. We are looking to serve in a shelter, collect food donations, or maybe even just knock out someone's house for yard work's or cleaning' sake. In any case, we want to be God's hands for a moment.

But what we really want to do is be God's hands always.

At some point, I have to ask myself when am I doing things for the glory of God rather than to meet my needs. When is the battle no longer about what I want, but what God wants?

In my life, I see my finances as a means to serve God. The battle is also serving myself in the short term.

In my life, I see my wife as someone that opens doors to broken people. The battle is also seeing her as the object of my affections/desires.

In my life, I see my children as arrows in my quiver that should be prepared to take on the world. The battle is the stress this inflicts on my time and resources.

In my life, I see my hobbies as a tool to reach others and build and encourage them. The battle is using the hobby to simply gratify my desires for an outlet.

In my life, I see my friends as fellow workers to share and spread the gospel. The battle is making sure we don't just stand around looking at our belly buttons all the time.

I want me out of the picture. I want the battle to be against the dark forces and not my selfish ambitions. I want the battle without "Me."

Open my eyes, lest I die

Originally posted April 8, 2010

Today I read from 2 Kings 6 & 7. There was Israel, maybe three times threatened in these two chapters. Each time God delivered them. How awesome is that?

But the thing that caught me the most was the prophet that somehow has been given the eyes to see what God was up to.

In 7:2 & 19 it says "Then the royal officer answered the man of God and said, "Now behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, could such a thing be?"

This, right after Elisha tells him that the famine will be over tomorrow afternoon. It happens that the Royal officer sees deliverance, but is trampled as the people run out to get food. He dies.

But in 6:15-18, we get that classic bad guys after the prophet scene where they are surrounded. And Elisha says "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see "

The story follows that the bad guys are blinded and then led to the king of Israel, who sets a table of food before them. They eat, drink, and never bother the Israelites again.

Now to me, I have to believe that God loves Israel and delivering them from catastrophe is part of his plan for our great good. How strange it is to me that the "bad guys" get away with a "please don't mess with us, we have a great God. Ya'll don't come back now..." while the Israelite guard at the gate gets killed.

The same thing happens in the New Testament in Acts 5 when Ananias and Saphira sell their land and don't bring the full price of the land to the church.

Before I get all mad at God, I must realize that God's ways are not my ways, and his thoughts are not my thoughts (Isaiah 55). And further, I can't see what God is up to. Certainly, I wouldn't have set up the plan of salvation the way he did. Not that I've even thought about how to save the world.

But the challenge for me is wondering if I'm not walking around dead already. If I had his eyes to see, what would change in me? If I had his hands to work, what would I do? If I had his feet to carry me, where would I go?

I often do find myself praying this prayer of vision that I might know Him, his will, and his purpose for me in my daily life.

Vision: Ability to see.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all

Save the Earth

Originally posted April 7, 2010

Green is the new Black. Maybe I'm only saying that because it seems only in Seattle you can wear lime green and look fashionable. That is one of the primary colors of the Sounders FC Soccer team and the Seattle Seahawks.

But more seriously, we as a society have become obsessed with being green. We enforce taxes on our corporations if they aren't green - but then pay China to make the same product for less because they don't have the same environmental restrictions we do.

While I'm all about the development of China's middle class (something that has only taken off since they acquired that non-communist region of Hong Kong), I'm not at all in support of their labor regulations. It seems that child labor and unsafe work conditions are OK because people are their greatest commodity. You can throw a million people at a project and don't have to worry about losing a few here and there.

But the Bible teaches something different. Luke 12:6-7:

“What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.”

I don't see when we should be putting the creation over the people created in God's image. If I throw a few million dollars into a "green" building, people might by my product because I'm a green company. But if I throw a few million to Haiti, will people even notice?

My green building will last for a long time, but does throwing money at a corrupt government ever make it to the people that need it? I am so skeptical. It's like giving to the bum on the street. Is that money going to be used for food or drugs?

My responsibility is to be responsible with what God has given me. I am a vessel that has been designed to be filled up and poured out. Therefore, I must give. I need to give my finances. I need to give my time. I need to give without expecting anything in return. Then in faith, I need to let God take care of the rest.

Easter Past

Originally posted April 5, 2010

Easter is now one day past. Mine was a very traditional Easter with more emphasis on family than anything else. We are blessed to have four generations still kicking. Sure, grandpa is quite fragile and grandma tells the same stories over and over, but they are quite aware of the blessing of being together with their great-grand children. I just wish my children were half aware of the short time they have left with their great grandparents.

In Hebrews 3:4 it says "Every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything."
I get amazed by the story of God. I look at four generations together and am so happy and grateful. But God has woven together a promise from Abraham (blessed to be a blessing) through David (a king on the throne forever) to Christ, the sacrifice for the sinners of the world.

We think (I think) sometimes I'm in control. But when we look at how grand the design of God is, we have to realize that we are only getting a small piece of the picture. "For now we see but through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known" 1 Corinthians 13:12.

As I reflect on Easter past, I feel blessed to be a part of a grand plan to bring me and my family to salvation. How could God be mindful of me? And as Christ endured the cross, he knew that some day I would come to know his message. Christ would define time for humanity. Nobody has ever had more songs written about him. Nobody has had more books written about them. Nobody has ever been like Jesus.

Today, I'm grateful for Easter past. I'm grateful that my family has embraced the truth of his death and the power of his resurrection. What about you? Do you believe?

Nothing but the Blood

Originally posted April 1, 2010

What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

There is an interesting thought about the redemption of sinners. It is that we are cleansed by Christ's sacrifice - the actual blood of Christ. Hebrews 9:22 says, “…without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

We see sacrifice as a thing of the past. We no longer put lambs or doves on alters and give them up to God. We don't relate to this type of thing anymore. Or do we? Back then, sacrifice showed two things, obedience and love. They sacrificed because they trusted God. And in trusting him he poured his blessings on them. In receiving blessing they returned to him in love, praise, adoration.

There are times today in my workplace where someone will sacrifice. Someone might have to leave and therefore someone else has to pick up the slack. What they sacrifice may not be immediately obvious, but they are doing it for the greater good. When the person returns, they are grateful and feel the debt of gratitude.

Or how about in the home, with your spouse or children. Or what about with your family. How many times have you sacrificed for them? When you think about this action, at the core, you find love.

When Christ died for us, it was for a greater purpose than anybody at the time could fully understand. Even today it is a bit mystical. But the core of what occurred is one man sacrificed himself so that the rest of humanity might know the love of God. There was pain and suffering for Christ, but there was grace and mercy for us.

With sacrifice, one hurts, another is healed.

Social or Solitude?

Originally posted March 25, 2010

“I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.” Psalm 119:15

There are times when solitude is better than community, and silence is wiser than speech. We will be better Christians if we take more time to be “alone” with God, and gathering spiritual strength through meditation on His Word, so that we will be refreshed to work in His service. - Charles H. Spurgeon

I'm going through Ian Fleming's "For your eyes only" which seems to be a collection of short stories he never put enough effort into in order to stretch them into their own books. The last one I got through was Quantum of Solace. It wasn't an Bond story at all, but Fleming's reflections on fate. Interesting to today's topic in as much as the title goes.

Quantum is a the minimum quantity of a material in an interaction. Solace is some sort of consolation - or comfort. So it is the minimum one has to give to be able to say "It's not like I'm providing nothing to this relationship."

We learn so much from each other. We busy ourselves with social interactions. So often I find myself playing comparison games. I could do better (because I know so and so is doing better). I care about what people think. My self-worth is tied to their perceptions. In my mind I say I don't care, but I realize that I really do.

For instance, does it matter to me that I have a truck on the side of my house that is just collecting moss? No - it doesn't cost me much. But it looks like trash. Worthless. But it isn't. The truck runs like a top. It is remarkable. I know that but what do the neighbors think? Could I donate this? Should I sell it?

How much do I judge my wife and kids? Often! How well should a sixth grader be able to read and write? I must compare! How often should my wife bake cookies to deliver to the neighbors? I must compare! And then what? I get so tied up with the social discrepancies that I have only given the quantum attention to God, the one I really care about. The one I really need to aim to please..

What does it say in Matthew 6:33-7:1?
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Do not worry... Do not Judge...

I am convicted that it is very easy for me to get wrapped up in the world. I am the seed currently being choked by the weeds. I am social and I judge myself, and my family by the environment that is my world. And when I fail to meditate on His precepts and His ways, I can crush the spirit of my wife and children.

Finding solace where sorrow has been

Originally posted March 23, 2010
I liked this thought:

Truthfully, no person can share a message of hope unless he or she has first suffered. When we are hurting, we seek comfort from people who have faced similar hurt. Likewise, others will trust our comfort if we have known pain.

Today I sat with someone who had been through a divorce. They didn't see it coming. If they had known "I would have done something different."

I realized that I was at a loss as to how to support this person. In my mind, you don't want to wait until there is a problem to do something different. So I would be inclined to say "You blew it." On the other side, I don't know how difficult the situation was, how invested this person was in the other activities trying to hold everything together; thinking all the while that the strength in the situation was the marriage. How devastating that could be!

So I find myself saying nothing. I have no leg to stand on. No perspective that brings light to the situation. All I can do is be there to help going forward.

How different is it when you can say, "Yeah - I had my wife walk out on me. You know what I learned? You can't wait until there is a problem to do something different."

God definitely has plans for our lives. I have been so blessed. I don't want to take away from that. But sometimes I know I need some hardship in order to minister more effectively.

The Dark Days

Originally published March 22, 2010

Living in the Seattle area causes a sort of depression that people don't feel coming on. It's because at first, you have a cloudy day, then another. No big deal. It isn't until the 20th cloudy day that you notice that you and everybody else is a littler more irritable. Some people get it bad.

I've heard of people just hopping a $50 air fare to Vegas - or others start a February/March annual mecca to Hawaii. What are they missing? It's the sun. It isn't the rain in Seattle that gets people - it's the lack of sun.

I like the way the author puts it in today's http://powertochange.com/blogs/experience/devotionalformen/ he notes that the Sun doesn't go anywhere just because the clouds appear. John Piper also makes a nice note of saying the sun is not the author of darkness. But if we didn't have the sun we wouldn't know what darkness really was.

If you have ever been to the Pacific Northwest, you know that when the clouds part, it is the most beautiful part of our country. From one vantage point, you can see two to three snow capped mountain peaks, two mountain ranges, a beautiful body of water, and a lovely city skyline. As if that wasn't enough to take in, the sky seems to be more radiant blue than anything you've seen before.

Those moments are AWESOME! And for many people that live in that area, it is a wonderful reminder of why you would choose to live there.

Isn't my spiritual walk much the same? I live for those moments of praise. Those moments of seeing a young one come to Christ or someone else make a public declaration of their decision in the act of baptism. How about when your son or daughter "gets it" and they ask for forgiveness. Or when they pray.

Many times, my life is walking under clouds. But I know there are beautiful things behind the darkness. My faith is sure of the things I cannot see. And this brings me hope of those AWESOME days in the future.

Leaving a legacy

Originally published March 8, 2010

Remember that whole every "one bring one" plan? I bring someone to Christ and they bring someone to Christ and so on. That would be a legacy. That seems to be the first legacy I think about. But then, I went and had four boys. OK - That gives me a new thing to think about. What legacy can I leave with them? How far are those apples going to fall from this tree? Should I be proud if they do fall close to the tree or should I worry?

Today in the sermon, the pastor said that we do need to raise our children in a line with the Bible says. And perhaps through my children I will be able to multiply the kingdom. I would be so proud if that were the case.

But day after day, I can't help but fret that I'm not doing enough to further God's kingdom. In any given day I may be one that sows the seed or I may be one that waters. Sometimes I may be the one to harvest. But only God makes the seeds grow. And so I cannot let myself be worried about what is perceived while I try to live out the gospel.

My hope is that I will be seen as a Christian who loved God, loved his family, and loved others... it wouldn't hurt if they knew I loved soccer too :)

How Bad Could it be?

Originally posted March 8, 2010
http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2010/03/08/what-if-things-only-get-worse-2/

The author suggests that world things might cause us to worry. But the Bible tells us that things are going to get worse, and that the world's catastrophes are just the signs of the end times.

As a Christian, you have to both live like today is the day... "Rapture Check!" and at the same time, you read things like Matthew 24 and realize that things are not all that bad. A couple earth quakes? Yes they are bad, but the world is not at war and there is no threat on my life as a Christian today.

My biggest fear then is not that some horrible thing will hit my family or myself, but that I'm not devoting enough to further the gospel. I'm constantly haunted by the end of Shindler's List, a movie where a man started a factory and employed it with people that would otherwise be headed to a concentration camp. But at the end of the war, he had grown profitable and complacent and as he saw the devastation on the people, he cried saying "I could have done more. I could have done so much more."

I'm working to try to figure out how to put my money where my heart is. I've spent hundreds on season tickets to watch soccer, but I've only sent $35 to Haitian relief efforts. I can do more. I should do more.

That I would be seen as a person that loves in both word and action. How bad could it be? No - how good it could be.

The Body and The Mission

Originally posted February 25, 2010

Charles Stanley challenges us today to recognize the Body of Christ and then asks the tough question, How do you see your current role in God’s Kingdom, as it has been revealed so far on Earth?

On the body, I was recently thinking about the different types of churches. Some are charismatic, while others are apathetic. But do not both have a place in the body? One may be needed to make your hairs stand on end once in a while. The other might be needed to minister to the shy and quiet. But like Paul says, so long as Christ is preached, we should rejoice.

So then becomes the personal question of me. What is my current role?

For me, I find myself working on my witness at work. People know I'm a Christian. People know I'm working with youth. People know I take vacation for "church" reasons. But does that attract them to Christ?

When the rubber hits the road, I need to know what to say to the guy who gambles his paycheck away finally says, "My dad is on his death bed. Where is God?" Or the outspoken atheist says "My kid is ... " and breaks off dismissing the hurt she obviously feels.

I'd say that the hardest thing is to want to scream out in tough love "Your dad ignored God all his life, why would he want to be with God now?" or "If you raise your kids to have no standard for right and wrong, why would you expect them be able to make good decisions?"

But when people are hurting, they are trying to close the gate after the horses have left. We as Christians have hope regardless of our circumstances. Do they see that? Probably not.

What to do with Fear

Originally posted February 18, 2010

Fear is an interesting topic. There is the question of what to do when a car comes careening around the corner and you are in the street with your kid. There's the moment your boss walks into your office with the HR director and closes the door. There's the time you are standing at the top of the mountain not realizing that you took the lift to the double black diamond run. Or the time you wake up and peek out your tent to see the cougar on the trail head. Then there's the two words that seem to always be heard on the black box recorder of every air plane disaster. How do you respond?

I've had all these things happen except the black box recorder. And I would say that the biggest challenges are not these. The biggest challenge I have encountered was when ...

1 Peter 5 says

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

In all the challenges that the world tosses me, I'm able to say "God is in control. I may not like it, but He will lift me up in due time. Therefore, I will trust him."

But when I was at my worst it wasn't a worldly situation I was facing. It was when I got the faith kicked out of me by my own church leadership. This was as evil and painful of an experience as I have gone through. It certainly made me realize how much faith we put in leadership rather than in God. And it knocked me out of Christian service for about two years.

When I compare this to the "time out" that other Bible characters faced, this is nothing. How long did Joshua and Caleb have to wander around in the desert? How about Paul from conversion to ministry? God has all the time in the world to make corrections in me. I pray that I would be able to identify when the devil has had a time with me and then lean on God and his Spirit to get me back in the game.

Hearing from God

Originally posted February 11, 2010

When I was a youth, I became an important part of a small group study. The leader was just a lay person that had received some great spiritual insight over the years and he was pouring it into our mostly teen age group. But see, I was a college and career guy - so I was older and therefore looked up to in the group.

The group as a whole was pressing on me to press on the leader to get out and do. Let's put our hands and feet to work. It sounds like the right thing to do. We wanted to feed the homeless, pass out tracks on the streets of Washington DC. We wanted to do food drives or clothing drives or just go sing Christmas Carols. But out leader said it wasn't time.

Finally, he said something that I will never forget because this is the first time I clearly "heard" from God.

He told me to pray that God would give me two verses that we could use to determine the direction the group should take. He would do the same. So I did. I spent a couple days praying and then one day it happened.

"Joshua"

"Joshua" I said out loud.

"Joshua 4"

"Joshua 4" I said out loud.

"Joshua 4:8"

"Joshua 4:8" I said out loud.

And then I tore into my Bible to look it up. The summary of which was that the people of Israel did what their leader, Joshua, said to do.

I waited. And in the same manner, I received another verse and it was similar to the first. "AWESOME!"

The danger in this and the danger in all the scriptures is sometimes difficult to see. I believe that the Bible holds the truth I need for salvation and it is the ultimate standard for all things in my life. However, my interpretation of the scriptures may be flawed. I have a finite mind, with eternity set in my heart.

When you read that scripture verse, did you think... Well, the group should fall in line behind the leader? Good. But who was the leader? The group had nominated me to represent their desires to go into the community. So I saw myself as the leader - but you might now consider that I was playing the role of Aaron, melting the gold into a fire and "Wa-la! a golden calf!"

Yes - I played the role of Aaron based on my interpretation of those scriptures. The group split and was never the same again.

To this day, I know I heard from God. But I was not careful in my interpretation of those scriptures. In the same way, I have been praying for more verses. I don't know how it will turn out, but now I also pray for the wisdom to interpret those verses correctly.

Encouragement

Originally posted February 4, 2010

There are some definite times of encouragement in my faith journey. The first is by my pastor when I was just in elementary school. Here's something that really speaks to me. As an elementary student, I didn't have to go to some special retreat - I'd never been in fact. I didn't have the pristine example of my parents, they were new at exercising their faith. I didn't have Godly friends, I was in a public school and really - elementary, how bad can you be?

But I was bright enough to listen in "Big Church" and hear the Word of God clearly speaking to me that I needed to be saved. Week after week, the pastor would end giving an invitation. No matter what the scripture references, it was important that we received Christ for our salvation. I often refer to this as Chinese Drip Torture; after a long time, the dripping gets to you.

This was just the first step of encouragement...

The next time I was moved spiritually was when I started dating this girl. I dated lots of girls, but this was the first girl that was challenging me to think about my faith. What I didn't know was that I was also challenging her to think about her faith. We started a journey of questions like any High Schooler would ask, "Are tattoos OK?", "What does the Bible say about dinosaurs?", "Young earth, old earth?", "What is wisdom?", "What is love?"

With time, we encouraged each other to press into the things of God and his word. The result is we both grew closer to God.

My last great awakening was in College. I was coming off the most violent emotional roller coaster you could experience in college. Spiritually low - but still a men's Bible study leader, member of InterVarsityChristianFellowship, Ski Club president elect, Student Council - and yet not representing Christ at all in my life. I came home that first summer thinking I knew plenty about God and the Bible. But I was wrong.

My younger brother invited me to a Bible Study. A High School Bible Study. I had to drive. But God had something very special in store for me. This was the launch point for real Christian living. Quinn was his name and what he started in me has continued to this day.

Pastor Larry Allen Married my wife and I. And I married the girl that I dated that I spent hours on the phone with asking questions about God and the Bible. We both accept God's will and have a solid faith in his Word as a result of the work God did in Quinn (and other encouragers of the faith).

Father, I thank you for each person who’s encouraged me on my faith journey. I want to encourage someone else today and build them up in the faith.

Gethsemane and me

Previously published January 21, 2010

There are many things that strike me when thinking about Gethsemane. First, who had the voice recorder on Jesus while everybody was asleep? Perhaps, this is one of the things Jesus shared with them post-resurrection. Second, how similar am I to the disciples in that when people pray, my mind tends to wander. Or even when I pray on my own, I will start on topic, but stray all over the place in my thoughts. No wonder the disciples fell asleep, it was late, they didn't get what was going on, and they just had a meal with wine.

But there is a bigger question here. What can we learn today by observing what Jesus did do here in the garden?

First, I see Jesus doing what he does best, connecting with God. There is a certain amount of acceptance in this scripture. As in, he tells the disciples to keep watch while he prays. This indicates that while he knows the time is near, the Father hasn't told him the exact time. So he has a sense of urgency in his prayers too. "God, is there another way?"

The interesting thing is that we know the wrath of God is just, but perhaps the wrath of God is not near as terrible as separation from God. For in that moment on the cross, Christ is utterly forsaken. How desperately lost are we without God? But for our sake, and His ultimate joy, Christ endured the shame and the pain.

The lesson for me is accepting that which God has set before me. Walking in faith toward the goal God has for my life. Sometimes, I find joy in the journey. Sometimes, I find pain. I have come to accept (like Job) that God gives and takes away, but my heart will choose to say "Blessed is the Most High."

So I strive to walk in faith and repentance. I don't want to cause others to stumble and I want to be an example for my family and others to follow.

Christ endured the ultimate. Surely I can endure a little inconvenience here and there for the sake of the gospel.

AWOL on Monday

Previously Published January 25, 2010

I am struck by the verse mentioned in today's Devotional for Men that simply says:

"I will not offer to the Lord my God sacrifices that cost me nothing."

The thing that this verse stirs up in me is a thought that sometimes haunts me. I live in a good neighbourhood in one of the areas least hit by the recent economic downturn. I've been blessed to be employed and valued at my work. My kids have access to good education and they lack nothing (much to my dismay). My wife is able to get involved in activities she wants to without hesitation. So what gives?

Well that's the question that haunts me. It is strange to think that when I was first married, we gave faithfully without question. But when your pay check is only $1000 a month, writing a $20 check every week doesn't seem like a big deal. But to think what that has cost me since our first year of marriage? Do you know what that would look like?

What if I didn't tithe? What would that look like? I could afford landscaping services, private schools, my first kids college education could be paid in full. I could own a boat and pay for mooring or storage. I could afford to rip out the carpets that are stained and replace them a couple times BEFORE the kids leave the house. Or paint? Wallpaper? Shop at Nordstrom rather than Wal-mart.

Sunday is a wonderful day in my heart. I love getting the feeding and nourishment I need. But to think that in this world that one day of week will be enough food to last all week is insane. When I think about going AWOL on Monday I'm literally thinking about choking myself. And if I'm choking myself with the weeds of the world, I forget that by giving sacrificially, I've supported God's word being spread by missionaries in all parts of the world. I've helped my local schools who's funding has been cut. I've helped by brother in need whose house is falling in around them. Sure, I've also paid some ministry staff positions - but those people are reaching others for Christ in the best way they know how.

My sacrifice is small, but it is enough to remind me that it does cost me. But if God can be glorified in my actions, then that is enough. For there is no sacrifice I can do to earn his grace. There is nothing I can do to say thank you enough for Christ. The least I can do is give of my finances. The greater things I do I will do with my hands and feet. That I might serve Him more would be a great delight - not a sacrifice. Help me not to go AWOL on Monday.