I Get it Now!!

I have long held the belief that parents are the craziest people on the planet, followed closely by grandparents (who are in fact parents..). I first stumbled upon this discovery during my days as a youth minister and when my wife began teaching in the public school system. Since then I have discovered what a genius I am. Let’s face it…parents are nuts.

I can’t tell you how many Senior Sundays at church I’ve been to where the strongest, toughest dad you’ve ever seen will get up in front of a crowd to brag about his graduating teenage daughter, only to break down in uncontrollable sobs. Crazy. I’ve had parents sit in my office overcome with tears and worry, not for themselves, but for the spiritual well-being of their children. Insane. And then there are those ball games. Oh boy. This is where my theory really proves to be true. Think about the craziest, loudest, most obnoxious person you’ve ever heard yelling at a referee, and I guarantee you that he or she is a parent of someone on the field. Moms and Dads who coach their kids are my favorite to watch. They always work real hard to remain level headed and even keel, giving balanced encouragement and criticism to all members of the team. Until suddenly their kid gets the ball. You know what I’m talking about. You’ve seen it, too. Dare I say that some of you might be guilty of it? “TAKE IT TO THE HOLE JOHNNY! GET IN THERE AND SCORE! WOOHOOOOO!!!! Man those are my favorites. Talk about some real psychos!!

Yeah for the longest time I didn’t get it. I would look from afar at this crazy group of people and wonder what made them tick. All the crying, and the over-worrying, and the insane cheering and whooping and hollering. What is wrong with these people? I just didn’t get it. And then I became a Daddy. I have seen the light and the scales have fallen from my eyes! I have officially joined the Crazy Club. I won’t have to wait for my daughter’s Senior Sunday to become a blubbering idiot. I’m already there. Every time she hurts, it kills me. Darn it all, I even tear up when she laughs at me. Man am I in trouble! There’s also that whole worry yourself sick about your kids thing. Guilty. I know worrying isn’t good for you and all, but man you just can’t help it you know? The scary part is that she’s not even crawling yet. Yeah go ahead…laugh. I know…I know….I don’t even know what worrying is yet. My daughter has obviously never played team sports, but I’ll tell you this. She’s a champ and she’s better than your kid. You’ll see. Oh man. I sound like a real wacko already.

There’s also one more thing that daddyhood has made clear to me. Now pay attention because I think this might be important. There have been several instances in my life where I have struggled to comprehend how God can love man. Yeah some people are more likable than others, more pleasant and fun to be around. Some are just genuinely good people. Some are nasty as can be. But even the best of us are prone to depravity, and if you hang around anyone long enough that monster undoubtedly rears its ugly head. At our best we are sinful, imperfect beings and left to our own devices we will always fail. How could He love us? Why would he send his only Son to die for such wretched creatures? I get it now! We are His children and there is nothing He wouldn’t do for us! He loves us no matter how good or how bad we are, just as us crazy parents love our own children unconditionally. Not only that, but He lets us choose. You see, as much as God loves us, we aren’t required to love Him back, unless of course we want to be with Him forever. If we choose to be with Him (and who in their right mind wouldn’t?) then we show Him our love by obeying His will. Not always easy for sure, but nothing worth while ever is. Being a Daddy is not easy and I know it won’t get easier, but the joy it brings is indescribable. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Now that would be crazy!

 

How Can I Stand Here With You And Not Be Moved By You?

The question posed above comes from the lyrics of the song Everything by Life House. When I first heard this song several years ago I was struck by that line. Everything is a powerful song that explores the depths of our faith and reminds us that Jesus truly should be everything to us. However, the song also is a hard reminder of how we can walk so close with Him, yet still remain unmoved.

The past several weeks I have been doing a sermon series on the 12 apostles. Tomorrow I am finishing the series with the 2nd part of my sermon on Judas. The man is an enigma to me. How could someone spend every day with Jesus, hear the things he taught, and witness all the miracles and remain unmoved by Him? How is it possible that a man could be in the group of 12 that was so close to Jesus, the group that walked with Him, ate with Him, set around the campfire with Him, prayed with Him…..how could such a man not get it? How could he betray the Son of God?

Then I think of my own life, and if I am really honest with myself I find the answer. It is frighteningly simple. Judas let the world get in the way, just like I do in my life so often. Even when we are close to Him, we still have the ability to take our eyes off of Him. Judas may have had eyes for Jesus when he began following Him, but in the end he only had eyes for money. It was his passion. It drove him and controlled him. He gave up being with Jesus for some cash; the worst bargain imaginable.

I want to believe that I am not like Judas…that I am so far separated from that enigma of a man. But like Judas, I often let the world in and I let it consume me. I don’t really want it to happen, and I actually abhor the reality of it. But I can’t deny it happens. Thankfully though, there is some good news. Some great news.

Even though I may let the world in, Jesus doesn’t leave. He is always there with His eyes on me waiting for me to turn back to Him. And when I do, He is right there with open arms. All it takes is the realization that He is Everything to me, and suddenly He is there showering me with His undying love.

The video below has been online for awhile, but I think it wonderfully describes the thoughts I have been sharing. It’s an amazing message set to an amazing song, all made possible by an even more amazing Love.

 

Do You Hear That?

If you listen closely you can hear it. Granted, it’s hard to hear because of all the other noise, but it is there. Do you hear it? It’s the sound of a lost world crying out. It’s the collective voice of millions who are looking for something more…something bigger and better. Something that lasts. They may not know it, but there is an answer to their problems; there is relief from their plight. There is a Savior. He’s bigger than any hero Hollywood creates and what He offers is eternal, steadfast, and pure.

The problem is that they are separated from Him, and sadly many don’t even know He’s there. They may know His name, but they don’t know He is real. To so many He is no more than another Santa Clause figure or a symbolic rabbit’s foot. “Oh well”, we say. “They can choose to believe in Him or not. They know the truth….”. Do they really? Is that really our attitude and response? Sadly, I’m afraid that often it is.

At other times we have decided that what this lost world needs is man-influenced traditions and corrupted doctrines. So often our answer is, “Let’s get ‘em to church! They need to be in the pews! That’ll do the trick.” Reality check time: It’s NOT doing the trick! Our methods are failing yet we continue to use them. Why do we require others to be just like us before we will reach out to them? Jesus was a master at being relevant and meeting people where they are. Can the same be said of the church today?

The answer is so simple we have overlooked it: They need JESUS! That’s where it starts! Why do we insist on cramming tradition and doctrine down someone’s throat without ever teaching them about Jesus? Maybe we assume they know about Him and they understand who He was and they appreciate the sacrifice He made for us. But I don’t buy it. I’m not even sure the majority of people who claim to be Christians really know and appreciate Jesus.

Maybe that’s the crux of the problem. For Jesus to be real to the world, He must be real to those who follow Him. Is it possible that to so many Christians Jesus has simply become just another tradition or good luck-charm? I sincerely hope I am wrong.

I believe that the fate of the lost rests upon our decision to reach them. It’s not OK to say, “That’s someone else’s job…someone else’s responsibility.” We need to not only hear the cry that is overwhelmingly there, but we need to respond. Do you hear that? If so, then what are you doing about it?

Thoughts?

 

Go Towards The Light

A few years ago my wife and I took a trip down to San Antonio, TX. On the way back we stopped at Natural Bridge Caverns, where you can actually explore some subterranean caverns on a guided tour. At one point on the tour, the guide gathers everyone together in a large room and turns off the lights to show everyone what true darkness is. Never have I been in that much darkness. I couldn’t see anyone around me and I couldn’t even see my hand when I held it an inch from my face. There were no visible shapes or forms. Just absolute, complete blackness.

Without the light I felt completely alone and helpless. If I had tried to find my way out of the room, I would have just wandered around aimlessly, probably hurting myself in the process. Just when the darkness began to creep me out the guide flipped a switch and the light flooded the room. Light never looked so good.

We often choose to wander around in our own darkness. We ignore the light that Christ offers us, and instead we trek out on our own, convinced that we can find the way. We can’t see where we are or where we are going. There is no direction or point of reference. In our effort to help ourselves we face the harsh reality that we are helpless. It’s only when we turn to Him and embrace His light that we find hope and salvation.

Father,

Thank you for the Light of the world. May we embrace Him and give our lives over to Him. Forgive us when we turn away from the Light and go out on our own. Help us to always follow You so others may see You in us.

Amen.

The only way out of your darkness is through Jesus. You can try everything else, but it is a futile quest. Salvation is only found in Him. Don’t be afraid. Go towards the Light.

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” NIV

 

 

Life To The Full

As humans we strive to get everything we can out of life. We work as hard as we can to make as much money as we can. We collect as much stuff as we can: the latest technology, the newest cars, the biggest homes, the most toys. Sometimes we think the answer lies in giving into our selfish desires and wants. All of these things have one common characteristic: They don’t satisfy. As a matter of fact they always leave us wanting more.

Jesus came to give us true life….life to the full. What is life to the full? It is complete submission to Him. It is a life that is full of hope for eternity. It means being content with what God has blessed you with and finding true joy in the simple things. You find relief because you no longer want or desire the things that don’t matter. Life to the full is life forever. It doesn’t end.

Father,

You offer us life to the full. Please open our eyes so we can see it and open our hearts so we can receive it. Help us to realize that true life can only be found in you, not in the things of this world. Thank you for sending your Son to die for us so that we could have eternal life.

Amen.

John 10:10b
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” NIV

 

The Prodigal Brother

Yesterday I started a new sermon series on the Parables of Jesus. I began with the parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-31. We often refer to the son who squandered his inheritance in wild living as the Prodigal Son. He was lost, and when he returned to his father and repented he was then found.

As I was preparing for this sermon I began to realize that the character who was truly lost in the story was the older brother. When his younger brother returns, he becomes jealous and angry because his father threw a party for his brother. He was wondering where his party was and his gifts. He deserved them more than his brother. Instead of having hope and love for his brother in his heart, he instead had hatred and spite.

What’s scary about the older brother is that it is so easy to be like him. I’ve never actually known anyone who was angry or jealous when someone else came to Christ, but I have known people who had no hope in their hearts for those who are lost. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve been guilty of it myself. There are certain types of people that we can look at and shake our heads and say, “There’s no hope for them.” In our minds some people are so bad, so evil, so wrong that we are certain that they will never come to Christ, and worse….we may not even want them to.

I don’t know about you, but God blessed me with a lot of people in my life who never gave up on me. They didn’t care what I had done or how bad I might have been. All they cared about was my soul and they wanted more than anything for me to come to Christ. I thank God for them and I pray that God will always help me to be more like them.

Luke 15:31-32
31” ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ” NIV

 

The Simple Life

Today Angie and I visited with an older couple from church. I hate that phrase, “old couple”, because I don’t see their age. They’re just friends with more life experience. We sat down to a wonderful meal and then set around talking for an hour or so. We were enthralled by their conversation and the stories from their childhood. They both grew up in Arkansas, and they were sharing story after story of what life was like for them as kids. As kids they didn’t have much and they learned to never throw anything away. Someone’s trash was their treasure, and they learned how to make toys out of everything from string to old cigarette cartons. They would make their own kites out of sticks and newspaper and it wasn’t until they were older that they knew that you could actually buy a kite!

We hear stories like that and we think, “Man it must have been tough to be poor.” But as I watched their faces and the twinkling of their eyes as they reminisced, it was obvious that their lives were anything but poor. They learned to be content with what they had and they embraced the simple things in life. They look back now and are reminded that God has always taken care of them and always will.

I pray that as Angie and I grow old together we have that kind of faith and contentment. I spend so much time worrying over finances and pursuing earthly gain, and the end it gets me nowhere. I don’t want to spend my life longing for the “big things.” I want to embrace the simple ones. God has always taken care of me and if I continue to trust in Him, He always will.

 

Old Friends & New Faces

Last week our good friends John Anthony and Kristen Renwick and their 8 month-old Brennan, came to visit us for most of the week. They are currently missionaries in Aberdeen, Scotland, and they were here visiting their supporting congregations. It had been 2 years since we had seen them and our week with them was such a blessing. John Anthony and Kristen are both friends Angie and I knew at Harding University. We were all a part of the same social club on campus and we have all remained close since our college years. This was the first time we had met little Brennan, and we absolutely fell in love with that kid! While they were we here, we spent an evening with some more of our closest friends from Harding: Marcus and Stacey Neely, and their little guy, Sam.

As we spent the week together I was flooded with memories of the “good ole’ days”, and at the same time I was amazed at how close we all still are, despite the thousands of miles between us. It is so incredible to have friends that you always feel close to, no matter how far apart you live or how long its been since you’ve seen each other.

When I think about those relationships and others in my life, I realize that I shouldn’t be surprised or amazed. The reason we are all so close is because of our bond in Christ. There is simply no better relationship than a Christian relationship. No other mere friendship or acquaintance compares. As I look back on that week, I am reminded again of how God has constantly blessed me with incredible relationships. From my wife, to my family, to my friends I am surrounded by people who love Him. No wonder I love being around these people so much.

Psalm 133:1
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! NIV

 

See You At The Prayer Bench

Where do you stand on the issue? To vote or not to vote? Does your vote really matter? Is an uneducated vote really better than no vote at all? Is it OK to just walk in there and vote straight down the line based on your political party allegiance? Is it a Christian’s responsibility to vote? We could debate these issues all day long.

One responsibility Christians do have is to pray for our current and future political leaders, and to pray for our governing body as a whole. Whether or not you choose to cast your vote, I hope you are choosing to get on your knees in prayer. I don’t believe it is enough for us to try and get “our man” or “our woman” into office. We need to be continually praying that God will lead our leaders, and that they will be receptive to His voice. Shall we pray?

Epehesians 6:18
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests…” NIV

 

God Is Near

I don’t know about you, but I am a people watcher. If I am at an airport or any other crowded place I can’t help but watch people. They fascinate me. When you watch people you notice all sorts of things: funny little quirks, body language, nervous habits. One thing I notice about so many people is that they seem to be searching for something. It comes out in their speech or maybe the way they dress. Sometimes just the look on their face gives it away, or the way they stare out into space as if they feel like they are the only ones in their lonely universe.

I’ve often wondered if these people know that God is near. Their search, that need to belong to something bigger, that desire to be a part of something great, is found in Him. Everyone has heard of God. His name is mentioned by millions each day (though usually not in an ideal way). But do people really know Him? Do they understand what He has done for them? Do they know that He loves them more than anyone ever could or ever will? Do they know He gave his Son to die so they could have eternal life?

No? Then maybe we should tell them. At my weakest moments I have a tendency to look at certain types of people and inwardly I shake my head and wag my finger and think, “You know better. You better get your life straightened out. Shame, Shame.” When I think that way the only thing I accomplish is being judgmental. We just can’t assume the world knows the truth. I’m so thankful that my friends and family didn’t just assume I knew the truth. Instead they gave me every opportunity to know that God is near, and that because of His Son, Jesus, I can have eternal life. This news is too great and too powerful for us to sit on. The world needs to hear it. Maybe someday I’ll learn how to move from watching people to sharing the truth with them. We have the answer. Let’s share it.

Psalm 145:18-19

“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” NIV