Calling

My daughter went out to ride her bike in the parking lot. I watched her through the window for a few minutes and then turned my attention away. Looking back two minutes later I saw her bike parked in the driveway but she was not with it. 

.

Minutes later I still did not see her so I opened the front door and called for her. 

No answer. 

I walked to the back door, opened it and called for her. 

No answer. 

Walking through the house, back toward the front door, I called for her. 

No answer.  

Stepping out the front door, into the driveway, I called for her. 

No answer. 

Scanning the parking lot, the front yard, and the side yards, I called for her.

No answer.

Running to the back yard, looking in the pool and into the woods, I called for her.

No answer.

Back inside, frantically running from room to room, I called for her.

No answer.

Through the front door again, panicked in the front yard, I called for her.

No answer. 

.

Turning toward the swing set there she now stood - smiling and waving - without a word.

.

So I asked;

Did you hear me call for you?

Why didn’t you answer me?

.

And I wondered;

How often does God call for me?

How often do I hear Him call?

How often do I answer Him?

#preparetheway

Blessed

I keep my hair short - in fact I shave my head every two weeks - mainly because I am going bald at a very rapid rate. 

I joke about my "baldness" and my kids often poke fun of my lack of hair. For me "bald" is inevitable and "balding" is my reality. 

Yet tonight, as I spent time shaving my head I felt the hair being cut and I watched the hair fall to the ground and I became aware that I do have hair. 

Strangely enough - as I continued shaving my head - I began to ponder. Why do I so often focus on my lack of hair instead of celebrating the hair that I still have left? The answer, perhaps, is because I do not have as much hair as  once did. Or, maybe it is because I do not have as much hair as others do. 

Often this same mindset creeps into our lives as we consider our wealth, our possessions, and all of our blessings. If left unchecked we let our mind - and our heart - focus on all the things that we don't have - or no longer have - instead of celebrating all the blessings that we have been given today. 

This evening - as the freshly trimmed hairs on my healthy head hit the cotton sheets around the soft pillow on my comfortable bed in the cool, secure home that I live in with my wonderful family - I will be sure to thank God for the blessings He has given me today. 

Green Eggs and Ham

 

Tonight I read Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham" to my youngest daughter. I've read this book several times to my other children, yet this particular time I was struck by the conclusion of this book. 

The Cat in the Hat has declined the various invitations from Sam-I-Am to try green eggs and ham - he will not try them! Yet, as Sam pursues him, the Cat in the Hat finally gives in. 

Sam!
If you will let me be,
I will try them.
You will see.

Say!

I like green eggs and ham!
I do! I like them, Sam-I-am!
And I would eat them in a boat!
And I would eat them with a goat.
And I will eat them in the rain.
And in the dark. And on a train.
And in a car. And in a tree.
They are so good so good you see!

So I will eat them in a box.
And I will eat them with a fox.
And I will eat them in a house.
And I will eat them with a mouse.
And I will eat them here and there.

Say! I will eat them anywhere!
I do so like
Green eggs and ham!
Thank you!
Thank you,
Sam-I-am

Just think, the Cat in the Hat could have continued to refuse to try the green eggs and ham. Or, after trying them, he could have denied that he liked them. 

It occurs to me that often we act much like the Cat. When change is introduced we deny the possibilities that the change might bring a favorable impact. Instead, we outright refuse it! Maybe, after we are worn down, we agree to "try" the change just to appease someone - all the while refusing to give it a true chance.  

What is required, from us all, is to, first, listen; listen to the thoughts and insights of others. Then, second, we must put our own opinions aside and give true consideration to the suggestions of others - this may require us giving the suggested "change" a chance. And, finally, we must set our own pride aside and do what is best - for ourselves and others. 

Say! I will eat them anywhere!
I do so like
Green eggs and ham!
Thank you!
Thank you,
Sam-I-am

Bedtime Conversation

I'm not really sure how my bedtime conversation with our 10, 8, and 6 year-olds tonight turned to dictators, Kim Jong-Il, and the present conditions of North Korea...

This led to Bennett crying with great confusion as to why someone would run a country this way and great uncertainty about the future of  the people living under his regime. 

When I thought all was better and Bennett was calm, I left the room. 

Within minutes he was crying out again.

I went into the room to console him once again and I asked, "What has got you the most upset?" He replied, "That man that cares more about himself than he does about the rest of his people."

I then asked, "Have you prayed for him?" And our daughter, Addison, responded, "Yes! He keeps crying, and wailing, and mourning for him!" To which Bennett sits up straight in his bed, looks to the sky and raises his arms; " Dear God, help that Kim guy to start caring about other people and to stop killing people that love you."

I love these kids!

Connected To My Truck

Two weeks ago I got a new (used) Ford Ranger. It was a deal that I could not pass up! When my wife told me about this truck, she mentioned that it was a manual transmission and, knowing that I have driven automatic transmissions since she met me, she asked if I knew how to drive a manual. I don't, but I'm sure I'll pick it up, it can't be too difficult.

For the first day or so after we got the truck I skipped around in the parking lot and down some of the side streets throughout our neighborhood, I killed the engine a couple dozen times as I learned the delicate balance of shifting into first gear, and I jarred the kids heads into the headrests several times as I they rode along with me. Then, I began to get the hang of driving a manual transmission truck.

The key to learning to drive this truck was simply getting a sense for when I was about to stall the engine and applying more gas or more clutch. Once I was connected to the truck in this way I found that getting it into first gear was simple. Likewise, having an established connection, where I could feel when the engine was being strained gave me the knowledge needed to shift up or shift down when I would drive this truck around town. And, this connection could only be established through time spent driving the truck.

When I considered this new connection with my truck I also considered other connections in my life; my connection with my children, with my wife, and with Christ. Wouldn't it be amazing if I could establish a connection with people in my life in the same way I have created a connection with my truck? Wouldn't it be amazing if I could sense when I am drifting away or, even better, if I could sense a need in their life or in my life to draw closer? wouldn't it be amazing if I could establish a connection so great that when their is pain, hurt, or sorrow, that I could immediately make an adjustment to correct the situation before the relationship begins to strain or, much worse, stalls out.

I desire this type of connection with my children, my wife, and with Christ. And I desire this level of a connection, where I can sense a drift and a strain int he relationships that we share. However this level of a connection can only come through one thing. This level of connection comes through the same thing that I was willing to pour into my truck and into learning to sense its needs, time.

I wonder what relationships are important to you. I wonder if you have the same desire to see a connection to people in your life as I do - to sense a drift or a strain as it is happening. I wonder if you are willing to pour in the needed time to see the connections made in these relationships established. Let us begin today.

Pray Together

This weekend I have the honor of officiating a good friend's wedding (whether she considers me a good friend or simply a friend by association, it doesn't much matter). And in a couple of weeks I have the blessing of officiating my brither's wedding. 

As I prepare for the wedding ceremony and reflect on marriage, my thoughts went back to a statistic reported by Cheryl Sacks in her book "Prayer-Saturated Kids".

A 1993 Gallup poll revealed that among married couples who attend church together regularly, the divorce rate is one out of two. That’s the same statistic as for marriages outside the church. However, among married couples who pray together daily, the divorce rate is one out of 1,153.

As a Pastor, of course I believe Prayer works and that it draws us closer to Christ, who helps build our marriages around His will and His way. Likewise, as a husband, I have seen that prayer brings my wife and I together. We communicate better and resolve conflict quicker when our shared prayer life is strong. 

Sacks writes, Prayer builds unity and intimacy. We become intimate to whom we pray, for whom we pray, and with whom we pray.

Randy Willis adds that this statistic highlights that couples who pray together are intentional (praying together requires intentionality). And couples who are intentional about praying together are likely to be intentional in other areas of their relationship as well. 

So, whether you are soon-to-be married, you are early in your marriage, or you have been married for a long time, let me encourage you to be intentional in your prayer life with your spouse. Begin today!

 

Thanksgiving in the Late 1980s

It was a Wednesday afternoon in November in the late 1980s. My mom had been laboring around the house all day, cooking, cleaning, and preparing. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving and there were several relatives coming to our house to celebrate. 

Everything smelled wonderful; the aroma of pumpkin pie, oyster dressing, and roasted turkey filled the air. Everything looked perfect; not a finger print to be found on a mirror or window, you could see your reflection in the linoleum, and there was not a speck of dust in the air. 

My dad had left three hours before to pick up my Great Aunt, who would be spending the holiday weekend at our home. She was set to arrive at any moment. 

My mom was in the kitchen finishing up the final preparation on the evening meal when I asked for a drink of milk. She answered me, "I'll get you a glass of milk in a minute". But I did not want a drink in a minute, I wanted it right then. So, I walked into the kitchen and headed for the refrigerator. 

As my mom walked past me, she reminded me, "I'll get you a glass of milk in a minute".  Then she headed into the living room. 

I continued toward the refrigerator and opened the door. There it was, a gallon jug of milk, three-quarter full, plenty of milk for a glass. I pulled it off of the top shelf. As the jug came off of the shelf I suddenly became aware of the weight of the milk, particularly the reality that it was heavy - too heavy for me at the moment. 

As the jug of milk fell from my loose grip it was as though everything was moving in slow-motion. The milk fell to the floor with a thud, the cap flew off of the jug and shot across the room, and the milk began to gurgle out. Suddenly everything sped up, now the milk was pouring out at an increased speed.

I watched at the milk flowed freely from the jug, "gulg, gulg, gulg...". With every "gulg" that I heard I could see precious moments my life flashing before my eyes. Soon my mom was going to return to the kitchen and see this spill - the milk was now throughout the kitchen and was flowing like a river behind the refrigerator and into the hallway where it was saturating the carpet. 

"Aunt Alice is here", my mom called out as she turned to come into the kitchen. I'm not sure what happened at the moment. I woke up several months later in the hospital and, to this day, I shiver every time I walk through the dairy section. 

Why did I disobey? Why didn't I simply listen to my mom and wait for her to get me a glass of milk? Was I so thirsty for milk that I couldn't wait another minute? Perhaps. Did I not believe that my mom would get me a glass of milk? Maybe. Or, more likely, I wanted my way and I wanted it now. In short, I was being selfish, thinking of me - my wants and my desires. 

I find this same issue - selfishness - has presented itself in my life time and time again. Even at the age of 35 I find that I want my way and I want it now. 

Selfishness is what drives all wrong - all evil - all sin - in our wold today. And, this has been the issue that mankind has dealt with from the very beginning - in the Garden of Eden.

But the consequences are much worse than a milk-covered floor in need of another mopping . The consequences for our continued selfishness is the consequence pronounced by God in the very beginning, death. 

We must get past our selfish desires - past a our me-mindedness to an eternal Kingdom-mindedness. We must fix our eyes on Jesus - making Him our focus. As Hebrews 12:2 states, Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. 

I think about this "spilled milk" incident and the phrase "don't cry over spilled milk" immediately comes to mind. Perhaps we are not to cry over a glass - or a gallon - spilled milk yet we are to cry - and be broken over our selfishness and our sinful desires. This is what Paul wrote in Romans 7:21-24, I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

Yet, Paul goes on to to give the answer to our brokenness, our selfishness, and our sinful desires, Romans 7:25; Thank God! The answer is Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Quiet House

I have four children, so there is rarely a quiet moment around the house. This past week my oldest daughter has been at church camp and my wife took our three youngest children to her parents for Independence Day weekend.

Our house grew a bit quieter on Monday, after we took our daughter to camp. But on Wednesday, when my wife and I three youngest left, the house crew silent.

To be fully honest, I thought that I would enjoy the time alone. I looked forward to getting some extra work and reading done while the family was away. And, I look forward to watching television and sleeping in.

Of course I missed my wife and children from the moment they left, however I was enjoying having the house and the television to myself. 

But by Thursday morning - less than 24 hours after they left - that I was missing them terribly. I woke up to complete silence, no beds or breakfast to make, no one to pick up after and no one to talk with. Almost two days later, here I sit, still missing my family terribly! 

As I walked through Walmart today I thought of how different life would be if I were single - if I lived alone. I cannot - I do not want to - imagine my life without my family. 

Whether you live alone or not, are single or married, have several children or none at all, you were not meant to be alone. 

There is something within each one of us that longs for family or friends - or both. There is something within each one of us that  desires a life in community. 

Daily Tasks

There are several tasks that I (try to) do every day. Some of these tasks are simple, others are more involved. Some of these tasks take only a moment or two, others are more drawn out. 

The most important - and most contemplative - task that I (try to) do every day is in regard to my time of prayer and a time of questioning. 

Every day I (try to) have three times of prayer; in the morning, at noon, and of an evening. In the morning my prayer focuses on me and my plea is "God, help me love You". At noon my prayer focuses on The Church and my plea is "God, help me love Your Church". Of an evening my prayer focuses on my family and my plea is "God, help me to love my family". 

The order of these prayers - to me - are important. If my day does not begin with the plea for God to help me love Him - and if I do not have a pure and true love for Him - the rest of my day is useless. At noon I focus on The Church - including my family, all those in our local church and those that our local church can minister to, and all those in The Church (worldwide) and those that The Church can witness to - because this is the point in the day when I am most focused on my calling as a pastor. Of an evening I focus on my family - my wife, my marriage, and my children - because this is the point in the day when I am most focused on my calling as a husband and a father. 

Every day I (try to) end my day asking - and mentally answering - three questions; (1) How did you prepare for the moment you will stand before God and answer to Him? (2) How did you prepare your family for the moment they will stand before God and answer to Him? (3) How did you prepare others for the moment they will stand before God and answer to Him?

I believe that the purpose of my life is to prepare - myself and others - for the moment that we stand before God and answer to Him and therefore I believe it is necessary to ask - and contemplate - these questions. Some days these questions bring to my mind exciting conversations and thoughts of development from the day. Other days I am met with discouragement and thoughts of failure to lead as I should. Yet - to me - this is a very important daily task. 

So, what is your purpose and how are you fulfilling it? Perhaps God has called you to a specific job. Are you doing it with all of your heart? Perhaps God has gifted you with talents or influence. Are you using them to your greatest ability? Perhaps God has trusted you with great resources or money. Are you being a good steward? Perhaps God has blessed you with family, friends, and relationships. Are you being the witness that You should be. 

Whatever your purpose is. Identify it and live it out. Only you can serve this mission that God has created you for and called you to. 

I Think I'll Call My Mom

I haven't called my mom at all this week. Last week I probably called my mom 30 times.

My grandfather passed away last week and I was putting the funeral service together. So, I called my mom several times to run over details about the funeral, and gather information from her. Also, As we were grieving the loss of my grandfather has a family, I felt the need to call her more then normal and just talk.

But, as I think about it now, I haven't called my mom at all this week. She sent me a text message late last week and said she missed hearing my voice. Apparently she too was aware of the increase in the number of phone calls that I gave her last week.

I sometimes wonder if this is how God feels. That when we have a drastic change in our life - something that we are anxious or disturbed over, something that we sense an increased burden or stress over - or if we need something from him, then we call him more than normal. Yet, when things seem to be going just fine in our lives then we somehow forget to call on him, we forget to go before his throne and just visit a little while.

Perhaps it's normal that when things in our lives have changed, when we are anxious or disturbed, when we are heavy burdened or stressed, that we go before God more than normal. But, let us not forget to go before God's throne regularly, let us not forget to visit with him often.

I'm going to go now, I have to pray. And then, I think I'll call my mom.

Poppy

I'm sitting on a plane - in Traverse City, Michigan - as we taxi down the runway, headed toward Detroit. 

Our family vacation began on Friday and - as we arrived at the lake cottage - it began with some difficult news. My grandpa - "Poppy" - passed away on Friday afternoon. 

This morning I am headed to my parents to prepare for the funeral and to try and bring some comfort and encouragement through a funeral meditation. This morning I am headed to my parents while Kim and our children stay in Michigan.

I am reminded at times such as these just how brief life is and how important family is. I will miss Poppy, his jokes, his stories, and his life. Most of all I will miss his character, his humility, and his family values. Poppy was God-fearing, family-focused man. 

I pray that I can be a husband such as he was - loyal and honoring for 63 years. I pray that I can be a father such as he was - a loving and gentle leader. I pray that I can be a friend such as he was - patient and forgiving. 

As I head south, I miss my wife and I miss my children. And, in our brief separation from one another, I pray that I will learn how to - and I pray that I will grow to be - the husband, father, and friend that Poppy was - the husband, father, and friend that they deserve. 

Words From A Father

It has been quite a week for our family! Early in the week I was drawn to a verse in the Bible - throughout the week this verse became my theme, my comfort, and so much more.

Our week began with a sick child on Sunday. Bennett started with the stomach flu on Sunday afternoon. He complained of a "sore tummy" as he was eating lunch and complained more as he laid down for his nap Sunday afternoon. By mid-afternoon Kim and I were aware that he was suffering from the stomach flu and that our weekend had become a little more trying than it was before. Throughout the afternoon, into the evening, and then throughout the night Bennett was making regular trips to the bathroom. Our poor 3 year-old boy was helpless and at times he was too weak to walk out of his room. I would carry him to the bathroom and support his little head as he sat on a tiny stool next to the toilet. As we sat next to the toilet, around 12:30 in the morning, with tears in his eyes, he cries, “my tummy won’t stop hurting”. It breaks my heart to see any child sick or in pain, but when it is my own child, my heart completely shatters - I hurt for him. At one point - he was so weak and so helpless – he looked up to me and cried, “I can’t stop getting sick”.

Bennett's fever presented itself around 1:00 in the morning – accompanied by cries; “ouch, my ear hurts”. I laid down next to his bed to comfort him. Every few minutes - throughout the night - he would stir awake and call out to make sure that I was still there as he reached for my hand. "Daddy, don't leave me, stay." All through the night – and into Monday morning – the trips to the bathroom continued.

A trip to the doctor on Monday morning confirmed that Bennett was dealing with the stomach flu...along with a double ear infection. And, as a bonus, bronchitis on the brink of pneumonia! All day Monday Kim and I held a helpless, very ill, little boy who just wanted to be taken care of and to know that everything was going to be alright.

Tuesday arrived with better health. Bennett was home but he seemed to have fully recovered from his stomach bug and his chest sounded much better. Kim had an appointment at the doctor and I enjoyed a morning at home playing board games with Bennett. Around 10:00 Kim called and said, "do you want to have a baby?" Her doctor was sending her to the hospital! After some comotion at home - getting bags in the car and working out childcare - we made the short trip to the hospital and we were in a room by 11:00. Tuesday evening at 7:53 we welcomed our second daughter – fourth child – and we named her Korah.

Korah was beautiful from the moment that she arrived and Kim and I were filled - once again - with the joy of being parents. The nurses took little Korah over to the other side of the room and began to gather her stats - length, weight, and more. Then they told Kim and I that they wanted to take her back to the nursery because her breathing was labored. "We'll bring her back in when we have her stable", the nurse told us.

So we waited as the nurses and doctor looked after her in the nursery. The feeling of joy never left, yet it was soon joined with a feeling of aprehension and uncertainty. "What is going on with our little girl?" and "When will they bring her back in?" were just a couple of the questions on our minds. We were anxious to see her and to hold her and yet we understood that she was being cared for. When Korah was not back to the room after an hour, I walked out and asked about her and was informed that she needed more care than the hospital in Robinson could offer, she was going to have to be transported to the Neonatal ICU in Champaign - two hours away.

Korah left around 2:00 in the morning on Wednesday and Kim and I followed up after her. Thoughout the remainder of the week we watched as she labored to breath, oxygen being supplied to her tiny nostrels, a feeding tube down her throat providing her with the nutrients she needs, wires measuring her every vital sign, and monitors telling us about her progress. We watched as X-rays were carried out, blood was drawn, and multiple tests were completed on our tiny newborn girl. All the while praying for her, talking to her, and singing over her.

"Everything is going to be alright". Countless times this past week I have spoken these words - to Bennett as he was laying in bed or sitting next to the toilet, to myself as I sat in prayer, to Kim and we embraced one another, and to little Korah as she lay in her bed. Countless times this past week I have spoken words of comfort and encouragement. Countless times this past week I have spoken passages of Scripture to bring encouragement. Yet no passage has spoken more to me than Zephaniah 3:17; "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

This week - as I sat next to the bed if my 3 year-old dealing with the stomach flu, as I sat at the hospital next to my wife in the midst of labor, as I sat in the NICU with my newborn daughter - I was reminded of God pressence - at all times and in all ways - and I was reminded that He is mighty to save. This week - as I rocked my son to sleep and as I watched my daughter sleep - I was reminded that God takes great delight in us as His children. This week - as I comforted Bennett and as I sung to Korah - I was reminded that God comforts us with His love and rejoices over us with singing.

Maybe you can identify with what it means to care for a helpless individual, assuring them that you aren’t going to leave them and that everything is going to be alright. Delighting in them as you pour your love down on them and share in a feeling of joy. Or maybe right now you are longing for someone to care for you - to know that you are dearly loved - to know that someone delights in you and rejoices when you are around.

Zephaniah 3:17; "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you in song."

Remember that God is with you - He will not leave you. Remember that God is mighty to save - when you are weak and helpless. Know that Everything is going to be alright - that God delights in you and that He will quiet and comfort you with His love - that God will rejoice over you in song.

Right now, I invite you to take a few minutes to allow God’s words to permeate your life- to pause before the Lord and allow His love to flood your soul - to kneel, bow, sit, or stand before God and know that everything is going to be alright - to know that He loves you and He delights in you - And to know that when He thinks about you, He breaks into song

Zephaniah 3:17; "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you in song."

Your Connection Has Been Lost

On January 1st the law went into affect in Illinois, making it illegal to talk on a cellphone while driving without a hands-free device. Because of this law, I broke down and purchased a blue-tooth hands-free device.

I have been enjoying this device for talking on my mobile phone, becoming more productive while having a conversation. I have also been enjoying the ability to listen to music and podcasts throughout the day. 

The other day I left my phone on my desk and, as I walked through the church, I got out of range. As this happened my blue-tooth device notified me, in the most polite way, "your connection has been lost". 

Wouldn't it be nice if we had such a notification when we had lost other "connections" in our lives? What if a gentle voice spoke to is when we were loosing connection with our children or our spouse? We could, then, restore the line of communication or spend more time and attention reestablishing this needed connection. What if this same notification came to is when we had lost connection with God? We could be alerted that this essential life-sustaining relationship was strained or broken and take the required steps toward restoration. 

"Your connection has been lost." The fact is, God gives us just this type if notification, if we simply listen to it. God's Spirit lets us know when we have walked to far away - or gotten out of range. God's Spirit notifies us when we are in danger of loosing one of the connections in our life. God's speaks to us, daily, at just the right time and in just the right way. But, we must be tuned in, we must listen, and we must take notice when He speaks!

The Traditional Elf On A Shelf

Last year our family began participating in this "Elf on the Shelf" craze. The elf was delivered to our home and our children decided to name her Elle. Although the elf came to keep an eye on the children it turned out to be a fun activity for my wife and I as well. Every night (and sometimes throughout the day) the elf moves around the house and the kids find her in crazy places participating in crazy activities. Once the elf built a zip-line across our living room, another time she decided to watch a movie, and the morning the kids found her in a pile of M&M's making "snow angels". We are having fun with our family's elf and the kids are enjoying the time she spends at our house.

However, it has come to my attention that some families have elves that get into mischief and are causing strive, arguments, and heartache. Now, to each his own so perhaps I should stay out of their family business. Yet it occurs to me that when an inanimate object is causing messes in your home, when a toy is ruining good food and clothing, when a doll is causing you to repaint portions of your home, perhaps it is too much. When arguments are starting over your breakfast table and carrying on for days because your elf on the shelf can't behave and when the children - who are suppose to enjoy having the elf around - watch as their parents fight about the elf, it has gone too far.

I write all this (based on information obtained through my facebook friends and their family members) to simply say, maybe your family traditions are getting carried away and perhaps these traditions are getting in the way of your celebration. This does not just pertain to elves. Think through some of your Christmas traditions - even the practice of buying and giving of gifts. Is anything keeping you from truly celebrating what matters most this Christmas? Even if it is a tradition that has been a part of your family for generations - if it is keeping you from fully celebrating - get rid of it!

Our Family Gives Thanks

Tonight, as we sat down for our evening prayer, we stated what we were most thankful for this Thanksgiving;

Bennett is most thankful for God and for Jesus

Zion is most thankful that he is alive, for God, for our family, for his Kindle.

Addison is most thankful for family, me, house, food

Kim is most thankful for our family, for our health, for God, and for the freedom that we enjoy.

I am most thankful for God's blessings (including our health and wealth), for Jesus' love, and for our family members (and that we can be together).

A Pause Button

We have three (soon four) children in our home - a seven year-old daughter, five year-old son, and a - soon to be - three year-old son. Perhaps I am partial, but I do believe they are the most beautiful (or handsome), the smartest, the funniest, and the greatest children in the entire world. It is a great joy to watch them growing and becoming all that God has created them to be.

Last week my wife and I were talking about how much they have grown this past year and just how quickly they seem to be growing up. Then I asked my wife a very hypothetical question; "If you could stop them from growing up, at what age would you do so?"

And, although this was a very hypothetical question and - as far as I know - not an option yet, it was a very intriguing thought. See, if you stop a child's growth too early you have to deal with diaper changes, highchairs, and car eats for the rest of your life. If you stop a child's growth in their childhood, you deal with their attitude and "sass" forever. But if you wait until their teenage years you have the attitude and independence to deal with.

Perhaps a stop button isn't what we want or need - but wouldn't a pause button be nice? Just to pause everything in their life and cherish it for a bit longer? Wouldn't it be nice to pause and spend a little more time with you three-year-old child? Wouldn't it be wonderful to pause their growth and spend more time with your children while they still "need" you - while they still want to be with you?

Our children's lives aren't the only thing though. Wouldn't it be nice to have a pause button on life in general? To pause everything and have a bit more time before deadlines and obligations? Wouldn't it be nice to pause and spend more time on the important moments in life? Wouldn't it be wonderful to pause and have more time?

This morning we wrapped up a series - "Be Still" - in our church. In this series we, as a church, have been encouraged to stop and spend more time with God, simply being still in His presence. As we are still in His presence we come to realize that we are working on His time.

What If Your Purpose...

 

What is the purpose of your life?

Most hope, dream, pray that their life will impact many people.

At times I have listened to and watched well-known preachers, and pastors of mega-churches and thought; "what would it be like to be in such a place of influence. Challenging? Stressful? Perhaps.

Yesterday I stumbled upon another pastor's blog. I have never met this gentleman, I have never heard of him, his church, I can't even recall where he lived. But I did notice that he had more than 1,000 blog followers - people "subscribed" to his blog and who semi-regularly looked at the thoughts that he recorded on his blog. Then I thought of my own blog, I have several "regular readers", a couple "subscribers" - yet I still influence others.

Today I stopped by McDonald's to get a drink. While I was standing in line a man seemed to be peaking over my shoulder. I made eye contact with him and he apologized. Then he explained that he was trying to see the title of the book I was reading (Praying The Lord's Prayer for Spiritual Breakthrough). We had a brief conversation - in line and at the drink station - then we parted ways. 

What if your life came down to one "post", one thought? What if your life came down to one moment of encouragement? What if you were created to touch - to speak into - the life of one person for one moment?

What if my purpose on this earth was to preach one sermon? What if my life came down to one conversation in a line at McDonald's? What if I was created so that I could speak truth and love and encouragement and peace and encouragement into the life of one person or one small group of people?

Lessons from Candy Crush Saga

Like thousands of other people, I have recently become addicted to Candy Crush Saga. The premise of Candy Crush Saga is simple, you match pieces of candy on a grid to score points. As the levels increase, the difficulty increases. Most recently I have struggled to get past one level, failing time after time. This all got me thinking of how we can learn many lessons from this simple game in relation to our life and days on earth.

1. You only have so much life - use it wisely
In Candy Crush a person has a limited number of lives and each life must be used wisely. If these lives are wasted, a person must wait a given amount of time before receiving another life. This applies to our earthly life as well. We each only have one life to live and thus we should use our life wisely - to accomplish the purpose that we have been created for and to spend our time on the priorities that matter. 

2. Don't take the move that seems obvious and "feels right"
In Candy Crush there are a wide variety of moves that are available at any given time. Making the wrong move is irreversible and could cost you the entire game (a life). Therefore, it is often required to look over the entire board to look for available moves, to consider how a particular move might affect the future of your game. This is true in life as well. We are often faced with situations and decisions that need to be made. We should not take the first and most immediate choice available, instead we should stop and consider how this decision will affect our life and our future. 

3. Friends and family are necessary to our success
In Candy Crush you can ask friends and family members for additional lives, additional moves, and additional tickets to help you proceed throughout he various levels of the game. What is more, you can ask friends and family members for tips and tricks to help with particular levels that you find yourself stuck on. The same is true in life. A solid and dependable foundation of friends and family members - people that we know love us and will support us - are required. Friends and family members bring us inspiration and encouragement at our times of deepest need and desperation. Friends and family members can speak truth and life into us when we think we can't go any farther. 

4. A faithful "higher power" is a necessity
In Candy Crush pieces are dropped from the top of the game board, with little to no knowledge of what pieces might be coming next. (I often complain to my wife that the "man upstairs" is failing to drop the pieces I need). In each one of our lives we need help from The Almighty God, who cares for us, sustains us, and gives us everything that we need to carry on and to find victory in this life. 

God is too Good

I was out of town at a conference this past Monday and Tuesday, which made Wednesday my "Monday". As I entered the church I knew that I needed to start the day in God's Word and with Him in prayer. However, I also wanted to knock a few things off my to-do list.

So, I compromised and began to pray (aloud) as I say down at my desk and, as I prayed, I began to look through the papers on my desk.

Noticing that this was not working, I took another approach. Opening my Bible to Sunday's sermon text, I began to read, study, and make notes for this week's sermon. 

Minutes in, I realized that this approach too was neglecting God. So I walked in to the Sanctuary to pray. When I saw the computer in the sound booth I decided to turn it on, wait for it to boot up, and then I began to take care of some things. 

Moments after the computer warmed up, I recognized that I had onvce again become distracted and, once again, I had lost my focus on God.

Has this ever happened to you? You know that you need to connect with God but you struggle - out of business, a loss of focus, or some other trivial excuse. 

I finally made it up to the front of the Sanctuary. Nothing would stop me now! 

As I turned toward the back of the Sanctuary I caught a glimpse of the attendance board in the foyer -"116" last Sunday. And God's Spirit came over me!

116 in attendance last week! My thoughts, my words, and my cry; "GOD YOU ARE SO GOOD!" Almost ten years ago the average attendance at our church was 16. Now, less than a decade later we are worshiping with 100 more people. 

I could go on and on with the blessings God has bestowed on our church family and on our family. But the bottom line is that "God is good"!

God is so very good! God is so good to our church family. God is so good to my family. God is so very good! 

Words just cannot express this. God is good - far too good to me!

There is Comfort in Safety

Yesterday morning an inmate escaped from the prison in the town that we live in. He has been on the run for more than 23 hours now. Over the past 23 hours police offices, sheriff deputies, and state troopers have been called in from all of the surrounding towns, cities, and counties. SWAT teams, U.S. Marshals, and other law enforcement personnel have also been called in to join the "hunt". We have seen multiple police cars zipping up and down the street, officers posted at the various intersections around town, dogs searching vehicles and homes in specific areas around town, and the very noticeable search helicopters flying above our city with search lights turning about.

The schools went on "lock-down" twice yesterday, the students were held for an extra hour before being released, and busses were loaded with a police officer before sending children on their way home.

Both of the city parks were closed and cleared out yesterday afternoon with every person being questioned and every vehicle being searched.

Two of the trailer courts in town were evacuated and a thorough search through homes and vehicles - with dogs and officers - was done.

Reports are flying about on the television, newspaper, internet, telephone, and - of course - by word of mouth. Many stories are circulating of how this gentleman escaped, who is to blame, whether he is armed, where he was last seen, and what he is wearing.

But, in each and every report - as far-fetched as they are - the advisement is the same; "Stay inside, lock your doors, lock your cars, and do not approach this man. If you see him, call 911 right away."

Last night we went to bed and locked our doors - we do every night. We went to bed with the sound of hovering helicopters above our home. We went to bed with the sight of search lights circling our home. We went to bed with many different reports on the location and danger of this man.

But, although some thought was given to my own safety, I wasn't primarily worried about myself. I was worried more for my family - my wife and three young children. We were sure to pull them a little closer to our bed last night. I was sure to check the locks on the doors, and then recheck them, and then check again. I was sure to turn on all of the exterior lights around our home. And, I was sure to sleep with one eye open. Again, not because I was worried about my own safety, but because I worry about my family.

We woke today to hear that this man I still on the loose and that they have called in more search dogs and more U.S. Marshals to search and find this man. I do hope they find him soon!

There is something comforting about knowing that your family is safe. There is something comforting about being able to sleep knowing all is well.

As I thought about this situation this morning it occurred to me that the same is true when it comes to our faith in Jesus, our salvation, and our eternity. There is something comforting about knowing that your family is safe. There is something comforting about being able to rest knowing all is well.

Perhaps you need this comfort for yourself today. You need to assurance that you have been saved and that your future is secure.

Romans 10:13 states that; "Everyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved."

Acts 4:12 states that; "Salvation is found in no one else [but Jesus], for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

See, there is something comforting about knowing that you, that your family, and that your friends are safe. There is something comforting about being able to rest knowing all is well.

If you have never made this commitment to Jesus, I invite you to do so today. If you have, I invite you pray for and make an attempt to share the message of Jesus with all of your friends and family members.