Hands-On Bible

I had a gift card to the Family Christian Bookstore that was given to me for Christmas in 2012. I actually forgot that I still had this gift card and that I had not used it up to this point. I found it tucked away in my wallet several weeks ago and considered what I might purchase with it.

Then, about two weeks ago, a friend of mine posted about the Hands-On Bible and told how much they enjoyed reading this Bible with their children and how involved their children were in this version of the Bible.

As I read the reviews of the Hands-On Bible online, my excitement grew. We own several Bibles but this one is different in that it gets children involved by giving experiments and activities as they relate to different passages and stories.

Without hesitation, I went online and placed the order and two-weeks later, our family's new Bible arrived in the mail.I have to say, I am quite disappointed! Stay with me and I'll tell you why.

Our children have not gained anything from this version of the Bible. Our children do not get involved, at all, in the Scripture passages or in the stories as was promised by the publisher. Our children are not drawn in to the Bible accounts as the reviews promised that they would. As a parent, I am frustrated. As a Pastor, I am disappointed.

I decided I had to write this post this morning, as I walked past my nightstand and saw the Hands-On Bible laying there, with its cardboard cover and protective plastic wrap collecting dust.

What do I need to do to get my children involved in this version of the Bible? Perhaps I need to take the packaging off, sit down, and read it with them. Perhaps, I need to take the time to open it up and get into the Scripture.

Although we have had this Bible in our home for almost a week, we have not yet opened it as a family. And, because of this, we have taken nothing out of it and nothing away from it. Perhaps this is the issue with so many of us - both children and adults. We are not sure why our relationship with God struggles, we are not sure why we lack the wisdom, encouragement, and answers for so many of our daily burdens, yet we allow our Bible to remain closed - collecting dust on the shelf.

What Are You Compelled To Do?

1 Corinthians 9:16-27

16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. 19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

• What are you compelled to do? 
• What reward are you earning?
• Who are you a slave to?
• For what purpose have you been made a slave?
• What prize are you running after?
• What are you compelled to do for the sake of the Gospel?

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!

I Have Been Looking Forward To This All Week

I just sat down on the couch to watch the game I have been waiting all week to see. The Indianapolis Colts are playing the (hard-to-like) New England Patriots in the NFL playoffs. When the Colts play the Patriots it is always an exciting game, especially when they face each other in the playoffs. Add to it the fact that the Colts are playing better than they have in a long time and the fact that the Patriots have not lost a game at home all season and you have the makings of a wonderful evening.

Because this is the 7:00 game I have cleared the rest of my evening - knowing that I will be watching this game late into the night. I took an early shower, put the kids to bed a bit early, fixed a snack, grabbed a drink, and emptied my schedule. Why? Because I have been looking forward to this game all week!

On a separate note, I am looking forward to our church service tomorrow morning. Because of the winter storm last weekend we had to cancel our worship service last Sunday and it has been almost two weeks since our church family has come together for worship. Tomorrow is the first time I get to preach this new year, I've been looking forward - with great expectation - to this new series for the past three months, and the sermon that I get to preach tomorrow is one that I have been excited to preach for several weeks. Excitement, anticipation, and energy are high. I can't wait for tomorrow's worship service.

In anticipation for tomorrow's service, I have invited several individuals and families, I promoted and announced the service many times on Facebook and emails, I have confirmed the worship music and many details with our leaders, and I have reviewed and prayed over the sermon various times. Why? Because I have been looking forward to this worship service all week!

As I consider both of these events - tonight's football game and tomorrow's worship service - I wonder; "how much preparation are we giving to our worship services". Are we preparing our schedules, our bodies, our minds, our hearts, and our families for an encounter with the Almighty God? Are we giving even minimal preparation before we walk in to meet with our creator. Is our preparation prior to worship adequate for The One that sustains us and waits to spend eternity with us? Is  our preparation for God comparable with the preparation we make prior to a football game - or some other activity.

Given all of this, I believe that the amount of preparation we make and the amount of anticipation we have truly shows how much of a priority it is in our life. I think this is a good illustration - a good measurement device - of the value we place on a something or someone.

So, what sort of preparation are your making prior to worshiping The Lord tomorrow? What sort of anticipation to you have to coming onto His presence in the morning?

Apostle Paul, You Are A Funny Guy!

In 1st Corinthians 4 the Apostle Paul writes about being an Apostle of Jesus Christ - Paul compares it to being a servant of Jesus'.  Not only does Paul write about being an Apostle, he also writes, to the church in Corinth, what they are in comparison.

Verse 8; Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! This goes back to what he had written to them at the opening of this same letter; For in him you have been enriched in every way and you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
This was great encouragement for the church in Corinth. Then Paul outlines what it is like - in comparison form - to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ.

Verses 9-13; For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;  when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

I read this passage yesterday morning. And, as I read it, I underlined the various points where Paul described what it is like to be called an Apostle of Jesus Christ. I know that Paul was not looking for sympathy from the church, instead he was simply describing what his life was life and how others viewed him and treated him - all in comparison to what life was life for the church members in Corinth. He was trying to illustrate how easy their life was.

This morning I revisited this passage to review some of the descriptive terms of Paul's. Is this what I am called to? Is this what we are all called to? Dishonor? Brutality? Homelessness? Hard work? Persecution? Slander? Have we been called to become the scum of the earth? I wanted to know!

And then I saw it, something that I actually underlined yesterday but didn't understand. And when I saw it - keeping in mind the difficulty Paul described above - I began to laugh.

Verse 16; Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

Ideal Parents

We just got the call, school has been cancelled - yet again. With the winter storm that came across the area last Sunday morning, what began as a 2-week Christmas break is on the verge of a 3-week Christmas break.

Our children have, of course, enjoyed the extra time away from school. They have spent their extra time off time playing games together, using their imagination, watching movies, and pretty much doing what kids do.

And - because worship services, small groups, mid-week prayer services, and Bible studies have all been cancelled due to the storm - I have enjoyed a bit of a break as well; worship, sermon, and other teaching preparation has been minimal and all normal visitation and hospital calls have been limited this week. As a family we have played board games and card games, we have completed puzzles together, played in the snow, baked cookies, and watched a few movies. All-in-all it has been a good time together.

Of course, when you have a house of three small children (and a pregnant wife) with the inability to get out of the house, things get a bit tense at times - especially when you have a three-year-old struggling to overcome pneumonia (sleeping 2 hours at a time). Nerves seem to fray quickly and tempers are easily lost. While my wife and I have enjoyed a little extra family time - a little "together time" - we are looking forward to a bit of "separate time" at this point. A time when peace and quiet fill the home again and a time when we can all choose to stay home and enjoy one another's company.

This evening my wife and I were confronted by the "perfect mom" - cheerful and "blessed" that she had this extra time to stay home with her little ones throughout this break and unsure why other parents were on edge. After all, "aren't children a blessing from God?"

At first we were frustrated by "Super Mom". Was this her true feeling and true personality or was she simply faking it to shame us "bad parents"? And, as soon as this horrible thought came to mind, I was flooded with the comforting reality; "WHO CARES!" What does it matter if she truly is "Super Mom" and if she is cheerfully enjoying this extended break with her children? Why should we look down on her if she cherishes the time she spends with her children and if she feels blessed by every moment that she has to spend with them? Who are we to call her "fake" or "insincere"? After all, we have watched the show "19 Kids and Counting" and asked; "How do Jim and Michelle Dugger manage a home of 19 children without losing their cool or pulling their hair out?" Not only do we watch the Dugger family - especially Jim and Michelle - and ask questions such as "how do they do it", we find inspiration in the peace, joy and love within their family and their home.

But, as I considered all of this tonight, one thing occurred to me; we will never be the Dugger family - and I don't want us to be. And, what's more, my wife and I will never be perfect parents (our children will probably never call us super parents). Honestly, we have times of unease, stress, and tension in our home. We have moments when we loose our temper and have to apologize to our children and ask for their forgiveness. But, by the grace of God, we move forward and we improve.

So, maybe Jim and Michelle Dugger should not be the goal for my wife and I as parents. Hmmm...I'm thinking Cliff and Claire Huxtable!

37 Pictures To Restore Your Faith

Earlier today a friend of mine posted a link on facebook "37 Pictures That Will Restore Your Faith In Pit Bulls". The title of this article alone got me to thinking and then, as I went to the page and read; "Remember: judge the deed, not the breed" I decided I needed to blog about this.

I have nothing against pit bulls - not anything more than I have against many other animals or breeds of animals. What I take issue to is that people feel the need to "restore faith" in a breed of a dog while the majority of human beings have no faith in God - The One that created and sustains all things.

See, this website - just as it promised - presented 37 pictures of pit bulls along with taglines. So, I took the honor of recreating the website. Let's call this "37 Pictures That Will Restore Your Faith In God". (It might be best to check out the original first in order to gain a point of reference)

1. God is sometimes stereotyped as a uncaring, unjust being.                   

2. Anyone looking at His creation can tell that beneath it lies nothing but love.

3. God cannot be stereotyped by our finite minds.

4. Come on, look at that smile.

5. Unfortunately, God's strength has led to being exploited by humans and fighting in His name.

6. …which is heartbreaking once you realize violence is not in God's nature but merely a consequence of mankind's sin.

7. Because God's Name has been used for war it may require reading His Word and getting to know His true nature.

8. Remember: “God is not bad, but mankind may present Him in bad ways.”

9. God's true nature is love.

10. Let’s stop and talk about this hero who died for those He loved.

Don’t worry! He rose again.

11. God also loves to cuddle.

12. And smile!

13. He has the best smile in the world.

14. The Bible confirms God’s propensity toward “courage and intelligence.”

15. Rumor has it, He gives some pretty grand hugs.

16. And loves and respects His children as every Father should.

17. Did I stop and talk about His smile yet?

18. This should confirm to you that God is love.

19. God simply desires love from humans.

20. He is very polite.

 

21. And cooler than you’ll ever be…

22. …way cooler.

23. But He’ll hang out with you just the same.

24. Many Christians assert that God has a great sense of humor.

25. He is certainly not foolish though.

26. Hey, remember when this happened? 

And it just kept getting better...

…and better…

And better!   

       

The love!

Has your heart exploded yet?

Yes, He is real, and yes, He is God.

27. Here He's showing off His preferred method of fighting.

28. One of many examples of God taking part in interspecies friendship.

29. He's actually extremely patient.

30. Which makes Him a great friend.

31. Jesus Christ said, "I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you"

32. God introducing His Heavenly Son to His earthly children fills us up with so many feelings.

33. Basically, God can be your best friend.

34. So maybe we should all think twice before judging God…

35. And give Him the love that He deserves.

36. Can we get once last “Awwww”?

37. Awwwwwww