Stand With God

2 Kings 25:1; It was during his reign that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the country. Jehoiakim became his puppet. But after three years he had had enough and revolted. (The Message) 

Jehoiakim was the King of Judah, in the line of David, through whom would come the Messiah. The Hebrew name "Jehoiakim" means "he whom Yahweh has set up". 

What does it mean that Jehoiakim became Nebuchadnezzar's "puppet"? It means that he served him, bowed to his rule - even his gods. Furthermore, we know that, according to 2 Kings 23, Jehoiakim heavily taxed the Israelites and gave the money to Pharaoh. 

The bottom line is that God desires people that are fully committed to Him, heart, mind, and soul. God is looking for people who will stand for Him, in the good and the bad. 

Will we be a people that stand for God? 

Searching For A Church Home

I was asked by a good friend tonight if I would pray for their family. They are currently in the midst of looking for a church home and are struggling to find a church that truly feels like "home".

I asked a few questions before giving the following advice. Visit a church and see what you think. Have fun with it and make sure you enjoy going to church. Make sure the Pastor and the people trip over themselves to welcome you and make you feel like family, that's how you'll know when you find the right church. You must find a church that blesses you and one that allows you to be a blessing to them. 

I pray that this advice leads them to a church home quickly, but I also pray that God speaks to them in the midst of their "search".

If you are looking for a church to call "home", the above advice is what I would send you out with as well. If you have a church home, take the necessary steps to ensure that the above can be said about you by every member and every guest that walks through the doors of your church this week. 

It is God's desire that we live in community with Him and with one another. The Church - created by Jesus and empowered by The Holy Spirit is God's means of encouraging and equipping His community. So, for the sake of Jesus, by the will of God, let's make it pleasant and easy for people to be a part of The Church.

The Long Walks

I remember the early days of dating my wife. We would take long walks almost every evening and it was the highlight of my day. 

Moments spent away from the stress and strain of life. 

The burdens of life still existed, it just seemed as though they didn't matter near as much when it was just the two of us. 

The second night after we met, we walked the track at Indiana State University and ended up sitting on the bleachers - laughing and talking.

It was times such as these - when it was just the two of us - that we became the best of friends, learned about one another's character, and fell in love with each other. It was through our long walks and talks that we realized that we wanted to share life together. 

Over the past 14 years some things have changed - jobs, homes, friends, and family - and with each comes additional responsibility, stress, and burden. I will admit that I have let the romance slip over the years. I have taken less walks, had shorter conversations, and stole her away for fewer dates. 

On our wedding day I vowed to love, honor, and keep her until death separates us. Yet, looking back I have allowed the simple stresses of life to come between us. 

I think I will take my wife out today, maybe we will take a walk. 

At The Quads

Yesterday I wrote about the lawn of the Quads where I realized that I was falling in love with Kim - now my wife. 

It was during the late night conversation that I became friends before falling in love. We talked about school, family, friendships, food, clothes, hopes, dreams, and faith.

I remember various parts of our 5-6 hour conversation. Some parts I am not proud of. 

One question Kim asked me that night was "Do you go to church?". Now, as of that night I had not yet found a church to attend on a regular basis. However, I was leading a small (6 member) student ministry group on campus - Fellowship of Collegiate Christians (FCC). As soon as she asked me this question I thought of FCC, but I was fearful that she would stop talking to me if she found out - why I'm not sure. So, I answered her question, "No, I don't go to church!"

Later in the week, she asked if I wanted to go out Friday night. I had to say "no" because I was going on a retreat with our FCC group. But, instead of mentioning FCC, inviting her to attend the retreat, or telling her about the details of the retreat, once again, I answered dishonestly. I told her that I was going on a camping trip with some friends. 

Friday afternoon came and she asked me up to her room in the Quads, "you can meet my four roommates", she said. And as I walked in and saw her roommates I froze and I panicked. You see, three of her four roommates where members of FCC. What are the odds that half of the FCC group lived with her? 

Kim began to introduce me and one of her roommates said, "Oh we know Adam. In fact, we are going on this retreat together this weekend!" 

When the truth was exposed she was upset; "Why did you lie to me?". 

The fact that she forgave me and continued to talk with me made me love her more. But, when she began to attend FCC and worked with me to find a church we could attend TOGETHER, that confirmed that she was the one I wanted to spend forever with. 

I try to be honest with her to this day. But occasionally I catch myself holding back part of the truth and I am reminded of Numbers 32:23; "...be sure your sun will find you out".

I Knew I Loved Her

October 2nd, 2001. It had started with a simple agreement to meet. But when I saw the beauty of the young woman walking toward me I was speechless. Unable to form a coherent sentence, I walked right past her and her friend. But, not wanting this to be the end, I turned and walked with them. From 7:00 to about 7:10 I was hopeless, no words were spoken, no glances exchanged, no chemistry was seen. But then, when a disabled veteran lost his pants, we made an instant connection.

It was on this hill, on the lawn of the Quads at Indiana State University that I fell in love with Kim. After walking around the campus for more than an hour, I walked her back to her dorm and we found our way to a picnic table on the lawn of the Quads. We found ourselves talking about anything and everything that night - and into the very early morning hours.

As I said, we made a connection the moment I first spoke to her, we developed a friendship as we walked through campus, but I knew that I loved her somewhere around 2:00 am on October 3rd.

As I reminisce about the night that I met and fell in love with my - now - wife, I thank God for His hand working in various ways. I am thankful that Kim agreed to meet me that night. I am thankful that a disabled was unable to get inside without our assistance. I am thankful that his pants fell to his knees giving me the opportunity to speak to Kim for the first time. I am thankful that Kim's roommate left us alone to walk through campus that night. I am thankful that there was a picnic table to sit at on the lawn of the Quads. I am thankful that Kim never invited me up to her dorm room that night. I am thankful that we never had an awkward moment of silence that night.

I can't say just how Kim felt about me, but I know that I fell in love with her that first night we met as we talked on the lawn of the Quads. And I've fallen in love with her countless times from that day forward. 

A Man On Cherry Street

Yesterday I wrote about the spot where the most beautiful woman in the world passed by me on the Indiana State University campus. But it was not at this spot that I first met or first spoke to this woman that I would soon fall in love with. The spot where I first spoke to the girl of my dreams was here, at 607 Cherry Street in Terre Haute, directly across the street from the College of Technology.

As Kim (now my wife) and her roommate, Anna, walked down Cherry Street I walked closely behind (don't worry, they knew I was there). Anna had come along to ensure that I wasn't a creep and as a means of protection in case I was. She was walking closely to Kim that evening.

Then we heard the voice of a man calling for help. So, as any decent human being would, we crossed the street to assist. As I lifted his two casts from the front his caregiver pushed the wheelchair. And - in a moment of brilliance - I threw his glove on the ground for Kim to pick up (this kept her nearby). After assisting this elderly veteran and his caregiver into the building we were asked to assist him as he boarded the elevator to go to his room for the evening.

I still, at this moment, had not said a single word to this beautiful young woman. But, as the veteran that we were helping rose from his wheelchair to board the elevator to his room, his pants - the only pants he chose to wear that day - dropped to his knees revealing, well, everything else beneath his pants. And, in a moment of shock and concern - without thinking at all - I leaned closely toward Kim and I whispered in her ear; "don't look".

We soon made our way out of the building (although we did decline an invitation to his room for tea). And, from that moment on, I had no difficulty talking to this young woman about anything. 

I thank God on a regular occasion for this man, with two casts, his single glove, loose pants, and no underwear. I thank God that Anna was so grossed out that she took off from this spot on Cherry Street and left me alone with Kim, to walk, talk, and fall in love soon after. 

On This Spot

Almost 14 years ago, October 2, 2001, the most beautiful girl in the world - Kim Conder - passed by me on this spot. She stole my heart and she's had it ever since.

Also with her was Anna Baldwin.

Today is an extra special day. It's always a special day when Kim Conder lets me hang around her. But today is an extra special day because today Anna Baldwin is getting married. 

A Walk Through ISU

This afternoon I had some extra time in my schedule. This is not typical! My wife and kids are away and I found myself in Terre Haute with two hours to spend. What was I to do? I did not want to waste this time. As I drove through town the idea struck me; "head toward campus". The Indiana State University campus is where both my wife and I went to college.

As I continued through town, headed north, the rain was coming down quite hard. My thought was that I would drive through campus and reminisce about the years spent there. But as I arrived on campus the rain had diminished and the clouds were clearing off. Perhaps I would have a few minutes before the storm continued. I parked and jumped out of the car. 

I ended up spending more than an hour walking through campus, walking more than three and a half miles. As I walked through campus i was reminded of many ways God blessed me in the three short years that I attended college at ISU. 

Indiana State University is not only where my wife and I attended college and received our degrees. The campus is also where we met, where we fell in love, and where I proposed to her. Likewise, it was during my time at ISU that I truly experienced Christ's transformational power in my life and discovered what it meant to live a Christian life. Through Fellowship of Collegiate Christians, I began to lead a campus ministry - skills that I still use today in striving to lead a local church. 

As I returned to the car, I said "thank you Jesus, for leading me to campus today". And, as I climbed in and shut the door, the rain began. A downpour had stopped for over an hour as I walked through campus and reminisced, now it had returned. 

So now I say, thank you Jesus, for blessing me with his widow of amazing weather. God is good!

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. 

God Is Speaking

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1) 

Currently I am preaching a sermon series entitled "God is speaking". In this series we are considering the way God spoke to the Israelite community and - from a practical point of view - the way God is speaking to us today. Through this series we are asking the question "are we listening?".

As I read from Psalm 19 this morning I could not help but think how often we miss the voice of God speaking to us through everyday occurrences. Of course we know that God is speaking to us through Scripture and through prayer. But sometimes God is speaking to us through other people, sometimes, He is speaking to us through situations, and often times He is speaking to us through His creation.

The question is not whether God is speaking to you or not. The question is whether you are listening and hearing God's word for you today.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)