Heros

I've been working this week on the SWAT team material for our next sermon series..."Old School Good Guys". We'll be spending the next month looking at some Old Testament heros. Caleb and I have been talking a lot about David and Goliath this week...it's been a lot of fun.

One of the things I love about the Bible is it doesn't gloss over the failures and weaknesses of it's heroic figures. You think about a guy like David....a man after God's own heart....but in times he left his heart unguarded...an adulter and murderer. Or what about Samson....incredible strength and gifting from God...but could not control himself. Jonah...an unlikely hero.

Here's the "aha"for me. First, I want to be my kid's hero....but that doesn't mean I have to be perfect...or to try to hide my weaknesses from them. Just like I am learning from the great steps of faith....and the missteps of failures made by my Old Testament heros...I want my kids to learn from mine. (Note....that will require being honest and sharing those hard stories with them) Second, it encourages me to have more grace with people. God uses people who have done major boneheaded things! As a matter of fact, it seems they may be His favorite folks to use. Maybe it's because our big failures create the humility and transparency required for Him to receive all the glory.

So, don't count yourself out of being a hero of the faith yet!

Get Happy

I read an article in Reader's Digest this week called "Why We're Happy". It's basically a study of the key indicators showing if a person will be happy. Here are the biggest predictors they found:
1.) Faith (Gather!)
2.) Work (Go!)
3.) Marriage and Family
4.) Charity (Give!)
5.) Freedom - this included economic and political...but ironically they found where freedom from moral standards increased, happiness decreased (Grow!)
God knows what we need. Feeling down this week....Give something away, find believers to get together with and encourage each other in your faith, hug your wife and kids, find purpose in the work God has given you to do, celebrate your freedom! Have a happy week!!!

A "no excuses" person in a "not my fault" world

Never teach anything to your kids that you don't want to have to live up to! They will remind you...

I heard this statement on the radio: "being a no excuses person in a not my fault world". I loved it and after our SWAT team last week I started sharing it with my son, Caleb. Here's the verse that brought it back to my mind in SWAT team: 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life" Phil 2: 14-16.

The context of this instruction comes right after an explanation of how Jesus....being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be held onto...but made himself nothing, taking the very form of a servant. Here's where most of my complaining and arguing comes from....I'm trying to hold onto something I think I am or should be....and trying to make sure my "rights" are not violated. So, I've been trying this "stop complaining" thing; and it does definately stand in contrast to how the world does things. Want to amp up the effectiveness of your witness? Try to complain and argue less....and you'll shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life!

Life Comes at you fast

It's been one of those weeks for me. One of the hard things about being involved in Christian community is that if we do it right....we end up carrying each other's burdens....and sometimes its amazing the things folks are carrying. Just this week....I've talked to believers whose marriages are hanging on by a thread, whose finances appear to be one step away from losing it all, whose health is failing, who just received devastating news, and whose jobs are in jeopardy. It really does rain on the just and the unjust.
I remember this phrase I heard a lot as a child about saving "for a rainy day". As I watched people around me go through stuff this week and the different ways they handled all life handed them....it became evident who had been spiritually "saving up for a rainy day" and who had not. I'm amazed at how we run to God when it's all falling apart...and then wonder why He seems so silent. There is a strength and confidence that is built in a child of God who has learned to listen to His leading and is armed with His word that gives us peace in the storm.
So what? Well, if it's raining in your world right now....take a step back and see what God has done in your life, count your blessings, and run to His word. If it's sunny....turn to Him, learn to listen to Him, and prepare...it's likely rainy days are coming. Life comes at you fast.....

Do you swear to listen to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

So, I've decided to pursue peace. Here's a snapshot of my life right now: new job that I am learning with limited training and feeling somewhat inadequate for, new baby on the way that I don't know how I'll afford, house on the market that we just found out is 200 square feet smaller that we bought it at, Mer overwhelmed with her workload in the embroidery business right now, and I'm having trouble finding time to get everything done. (Note...I'm so grateful and excited to have my new job and that we're having a baby....it's just all overwhelming right now)
I think the biggest enemy of peace for me is fear. Fear that I won't measure up, fear that we won't have enough money, fear that I'll disappoint those I love and that are counting on me. I'm realizing today how those fears get a hold of me. One hint....the devil is called the Father of Lies for a reason.
So, how will I pursue peace? "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. ....And the God of peace will be with you." (Phil 4) I gotta change who I'm listening to! I'll take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. From this day forward, I swear to listen to and think about the truth........you know the rest.

What's most important?

I had a cool conversation with Caleb, my 6 year old son, on the way to school today. Caleb began a relationship with Jesus a little over a month ago. I'm looking forward to baptising him a little later on this summer in a swimming pool...it will be very cool!

Right now we have our church services on Saturday night....just due to the fact the facility we rent is not available on Sunday mornings. That can make scheduling tough...especially as we get into summer sports and vacations. We're normally at the school starting around 2:30 to set up and finish around 7:30...and then go out to dinner afterward.

The last two weeks we've had last minute game schedule changes for Caleb's t-ball team that have allowed him (and either Meridith or myself) to be at his games. I really believe that has been in answer to Caleb's prayers....he is so excited when they change and we're able to be there. Well....this week, for the first time, it looks like we'll have a true scheduling conflict. So, this morning we're talking and I gave Caleb the choice.....I told him if he wanted to be at the t-ball game, I would arrange for him to have a ride there and home with a friend. He said "No, I think church is more important" I had one of those winking moments with God....then asked him why it's more important. His answer was simple....."because of Jesus".

My prayer for him now is that all of his choices will be "because of Jesus".....and not just church. It is all pretty simple to him....Lord, would you make it that simple for me? Mt 18:3 "Truly, I tell you , unless you change and become like little childeren you will never enter the kingdom of heaven".

So, what's most important to you? Not just what keeps you from church......more importantly, what keeps you from Jesus?