Daddy and Daughter

One of the greatest joys I have thus far experienced over the last 27 years has been the birth of my daughter. She is almost 11 months, and I can’t quite describe what it’s like to know that God has entrusted me to father this little girl. It is just amazing!

Next to diaper changing (after several hundred dirty diapers you better have a sense of humor), seeing my little one crawl, hearing her say Bible, watching her reach out her hands for da-da, holding her, the most precious of these moments to me is watching her sleep. She is just so peaceful, and knowing that she can sleep in my arms ignites a yearning for my heavenly Father like never before. Holding her tonight, I was flooded with emotion, and this thought, “she will see her first picture of God through me.” How do we cope with such responsibility? I think Jesus would advocate the one day at time approach. Bathe the whole process in prayer, absolutely, but just enjoy each day, and the time that we share. The greatest gift we give our children is our time. Thank God that He doesn’t turn us away because He is too busy reading the world news, or watching the angels play the demons on HSPN (Heaven Sports Network). When His children call, they are the most important thing in the universe. Now that’s a father.

God is good…

I have a hard time believing I am not dreaming sometimes. I have a beautiful wife, an adorable daughter, a great church that pays me to be their youth minister, some truly remarkable kids in our youth group, and have seen doors of opportunity open that I never dreamed possible. I marvel at all of this, and wonder how this can be? I am constantly in awe at God’s gracious hand, and His leading. I want to share a quote that sums up the last year of my life. This quote comes from Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life pg. 174-175, “When Joshua was faced with an impassible barrier, the floodwaters of the Jordan River receded only after the leaders stepped into the rushing current in obedience and faith. Obedience unlocks God’s power. God waits for you to act first. Don’t wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings.”

I didn’t grow up in the church, so I when I consider at where and what I came out of, I just marvel at God. Being in Oklahoma is one of those God orchestrated events that only He could have planned.

This next little devotional piece was written shortly after Jennifer and I moved from Ohio to Oklahoma last August.

I have to admit, I was facing a crisis of faith. I heard the call of my Master, and though the wind and the waves were pounding the boat, I stood up, placed one foot over board, and soon the other one followed, and I was walking towards Jesus. It never occured to me that I was walking on water until, I took my eyes of Christ, and looked at the waves, then I realized that the wind was howling around me, and I was terrifed. I lost my confidence and I began to sink. Just before going under, I did the only thing I could do, I called out to Jesus. In typical Savior fashion, He reached out His hand to catch me at the right time.

The little exerpt above, could have been a journal entry in Peter’s peronal journey. The story of Jesus calling Peter out of the boat, and Peter’s subsequent water walking feat is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. But isn’t Peter’s experience similiar to our own. It has been for me. No, I have never walked on real water, but I have been called by Christ out of the boat, and like Peter, I was walking just fine until I took my eyes off of my target, off of my Jesus. I was drowning, the waves of doubt and wind of fear were all around me, and I felt alone. Like Peter, the Hand that reached to rescue the sinking apostle, is the same Hand that reached down to rescue me.

Recently, I was feeling alone, and dreading some changes, but thankfully, I had several wonderful people not give up one me, and more than that, my God did not give up one me. Isn’t it funny, how sometimes, we fret over trivial things, but somehow, the devil knows just how to tweak these experiences to fill our hearts and minds with doubt and fear? This morning at church, the pulpit minister delivered a message that was right from the heart of God. See, this morning on the way to church, I asked God to let me know that He was near, and that everything was okay. I was floored at the timely and relevant message. The preacher talked about facing future fear, and how even though there are trying times, our God has not abandoned us, but has gone before us to help us through.

I learned yet another lesson in fatih and trust in God. It is easy for me to tell others to trust in the Lord, but I have been like Jacob a little to often, wrestling with the Lord. You would think by now, I would learn not to wrestle with God. I am thankful, that He puts up with me, and has used this most recent situation to lovingly instruct me about where I put my trust.

“Thank you Father, for your loving kindness, and your unwillingness to give up on me, even when I feel like giving up myself. I ask that you help those who receive this e-mail who may be struggling in thier walk with you. Help them not to fear, but to trust you. Help them to see your goodness, and Father, like you did for me this morning, show yourself to be very near to your children, in Jesus name, amen.”

In case you were wondering, I had a hard time adjusting to being away from family, and all that was familiar. I have learned what the Apostle Paul wrote, when God spoke and told him that “his power was made perfect in our weakness.” Now granted, I don’t have it all figured out, but one I thing I do know, God is good, and actively working out the deatalis of our lives for our own good of course, even if life and our circumstances don’t make sense. God’s goal for us is Christlikeness.

Summer, Sun, and the Son…

Here is list of the things that are church is preparing to undertake. Most of these will be youth ministry specific.

1. Camp – In this case I am going for two weeks, one week of high school and the second week is grades 4-12
2. Wilderness Trek - a great time of spiritual renewal, and the great outdoors
3. Won by One Concert - The a capella singing froup from Pepperdine is going to perform a one night concert for us
4. VBS – This year’s theme is Elijah
5. Teen Mission Trip to Ohio – Our kids are doing some work at Midwestern Children’s Home, and also build relationships with other teens that live, and worship in Southwest Ohio.

Needless to say, youth ministry is a very busy ministry. There is a struggle that I think every minister battles with regardless of his ministry focus, and that is one of balance. I leave the office, and head home, and there are several cares, and burdens from the day, or that the teens are going through that I could lend my time too, but I have a family, that needs to know that I love, and cherish my time with them. So, in the crazy, and exciting world we know as ministry, I think the best medicine for now is to bask in the Savior’s presence.

Scripture of the day: Thursday, May 27, 2004

“Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty-
he is the King of glory. “
–Psalm 24:8

A word from the Word: Read Mark 2:1-12
“…Who but God can forgive sins!” Mark 2:7 (NLT)

Food for Thought: Who but God…
Who but God? The question was asked by the Religious elite. Those with PhDs and MDivs. “Who but God can forgive sins?” They were right in their theology, but they weren’t about to admit that a carpernter from Nazareth was God incarnate.See, they had God figured out. They knew how He would operate, and to whom He would operate for. Salvation was an honor to be received for those who worked really hard to be religiously righteous. Now this day their time tested truth was challenged. Standing before them was the One whose word they taught. As was the case when Jesus went to a town to teach, the place became packed. Let’s look at what Mark has to say about this scene.
“2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there wasn’t room for one more person, not even outside the door. And he preached the word to them. 3 Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above his head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there said to themselves, 7 “What? This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins! 8Jesus knew what they were discussing among themselves, so he said to them, “Why do you think this is blasphemy? 9 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man, `Your sins are forgiven’ or `Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’? 10 I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11″Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!”
12The man jumped up, took the mat, and pushed his way through the stunned onlookers. Then they all praised God. “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” they exclaimed.”
Despite the grumbles of the Religious leaders, man who had been lame was made well. He was lowered on a mat into the middle of the room. A mat where he spent most of his life lying and watching children run, lovers dance, and countless others walk. This day would be different, this day he was going to see Jesus. Surely news had to have spread to this man’s home. Maybe he thought it was a long shot, but he found a way to meet the one others were calling the Christ. One touch from the hand of God. One word spoken from the mouth of God. And stiff, rigid legs began to have feeling. First a tingle down the left leg, and then suddenly a burst of sensation as nerves were made new, and muscles made strong. He came to Christ as a cripple, but he left via the front door, mobile and made new.
Don’t we come to Christ that way? Maybe we’re not crippled physically, but the pain of the past, coupled with the burden of guilt we’ve been living with has crippled us in a spiritual sense.Unable to enjoy life. Unable to walk with confidence thatr our lives are directed by the Master’s plan. What is crippling you? Is it fear? Whatever it is, we cling to our mats. We cling to the familiar. It may not be the best place to be, but it’s all we know. We’ve been there so long, we don’t know how to walk anymore. Deep within, there is a desire to get beyond our mats, but we’re afraid of what’s out there, so we stay there.
The onlookers in the story praised God for the healing of the lame man. Theydidn’t seem to have a faith problem linking the power of God with Jesus. The religious leaders asked “who but God can forgive sins?” With actions that said, “Your right. No one but God can. That’s why I am here. Because I can!” The onlookers had witnessed a wonderful act of love. They learned a lesson that we need to learn everyday, when Christ is near, expect the unexpected.
Though the question was asked, “Who but God can…?” It’s a good question to cnsider when we find ourselves stuck on our mats. God can, even when, no especially when we can’t. Together, with God’s touch, we can. See, when God shows up on the scene there is no room for crippling fear or paralyzing doubt. Amen.

Random thoughts…

If the church is to be one, why are we so divided?

If the heritage we share as the “churches of christ” was started as a unity movement, how come some of our brothers would rather hide themselves in self made barracks then join in the fight against the evil one?

What’s with the “brother in error” label? Aren’t we all humans susceptible to being in error at some point?

A question from one of my teen girls last night…Why does God allow bad things to happen? Don’t we wonder this question alot. Job may have wondered aloud all the bad happened to him, but instead answering the mystery, God gave Job himself. Is that our answer today? When we need details, God reveals himself. I would rather have God, than all the inner workings of the world’s problems.

Are we all going to be the same height in heaven?

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a blow-pop? Does it even matter?

My dad’s favorite…if a canoe had wheels how many pancakes would it take to cover a dog house?

Why does God put up with humanity? I know He loves us, but have you ever stopped and thought about this? Most of the world lives like He doesn’t exist, those that do believe in a higher power have convulted His truth so much, that much of the religious world is even divided over who, what, where, this God is. We lie, cheat, steal, murder, commit adultry, abuse drugs, abuse each other, and how this must hurt God’s heart. Thankfully the answer to deepest longings, and our sin problem is Jesus. I can think of no better way to spend my time, or use words to mention that in the person of Jesus Christ, God has revealed His heart, and enabled us broken down, messed up sinners to spend eternity with Him. It’s just simply amazing.

Wednesday Night @ The Trail

Youth group started like most other youth group gatherings do. Teens talking, laughter, typical teen stuff.

Last night we began talking about “temptation.” We had some good conversation, and we used as our initial Scriptural introduction, James 1:13-15. I also had the kids list the top temptations that teens are faced with, and then tried to narrow it down to the top five. Here are the top five:
1. Sexual temptation
2. Gossip
3. Swearing
4. Disrespect to parents
5. Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking

I don’t know what the top five teen temptations would be across the country, but I’d be willing to bet that they are pretty similiar. What I think is also interesting, the older you get, the top five tempations change. Don’t worry, I am not going to list my top five, but if you were to make a list, what would they be?

The teens don’t know this yet, but where we were last night in conversation is moving us closer to a couple important truths.
1. The mind is often the greatest battle ground of tempation.
2. Tempation is not sin
3. The characters in the drama of Scripture were human beings, who
didn’t always make the right choices, and that if God can forgive
them, He can, and will forgive us when we fall.

Birthday Revisited

On a more serious note, I really do think it amazing that 27 years ago, God allowed two inexperienced parents to give birth to the likes of me. Their upbringing, and love would mold me into who I am today. Born and raised in Southwest Ohio, now living in Southwest Oklahoma. It’s weird, and mysterious how God moves, and guides our lives.

As a boy, I wanted to be either He-Man, or my dad, who by the way was the closest thing I saw until I saw pictures of Arnold Scwarzanegger (sp), and then I wanted to be like Arnold, until I met Jesus, now I want nothing more than to follow in His footsteps, and hope that one day when my little ones say that they want to be like me, I can breath a sigh of relief, and tell them about Jesus, and why I am following Him.

My fondest brithday memory was probably around my 18th birthday, when my parents gave me 1992 chevy s-10 pick-up truck as a birthday present, and an early graduation gift. OKay, that’s not entirely true, any birthday with chocolate cake, ice-cream, and my family was memorable. What does my wife have up her sleaves this year? Hmm, chocolate cake anyone. A freind of mine, Jeff Slater mentioned he may begin running today to get back into shape, “Jeff, just one thing, do you want a piece of my birthday cake first”?

It’s my birthday, I’ll cry if I want to…

I don’t know why, but there is stangeness in the air today. Yesterday I was four years away from 30, this morning when I woke up I am only three years away from 30. Yikes! Pull out the wrinkle cream, and order me some cholestrol medication. What is it about getting older that bothers people? I am not really bothered by my turning 27, it’s just that in 1095 days I will be 30. My twenties are all but almost over. What shall I do?

What Theologian Are You?

Travis Stanley had a link to see what theologian you were like. I thought it amusing. I was an Augustine. He was my favorite personality my Intro. to Christian Thought we studied at LCU.

“God will not suffer man to have the knowledge of things to come; for if he had prescience of his prosperity he would be careless; and understanding of his adversity he would be senseless.”

You are Augustine! You love to study tough issues and don’t mind it if you lose sleep over them. Everyone loves you and wants to talk to you and hear your views, you even get things like “nice debating with you.” Yep, you are super smart, even if you are still trying to figure it all out. You’re also very honest, something people admire, even when you do stupid things.

What theologian are you?

A creation of Henderson

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The short conspiracy…

I am not very tall. I probably only stand about 5 foot two. I am taller than my 10 month old daughter. Anyway, being that I am short, I have trouble buying clothes that fit. Yesterday, case in point, I was trying to buy some new shorts for the summer, and well everything I tried on is so long. It looked like I was trying on capris (sp). After an unsuccessful day of clothes shopping, I have decided that retailers are biased against short people, so I am going to draft a bill for my senator that would give short people equal access to quality clothing, and while I am at, maybe also suggest that all manufactures make two set of product, one for the average in height, and the other set for those of us who are vertically challenged. By the way, I prefer “short” over vertically challenged.