She gets it

It was toward the end of the service.  Communion was being served on this particular day and everyone was seated while we (the band) played a song to lead in to the taking of communion.   

...and then I looked out from the stage and noticed it.  It was one of those things that will forever be etched in my memory bank.  Not caring who was around her and truly feeling God's spirit, my 13 year old daughter stood up in front of hundreds of people, reached out her hands and was worshipping God the way I imagine angels worship him.  In her mind, it was just her and God at that moment.  I can't prove it, but I'm quite sure that God was smiling down on her as a Father does when he is pleased with his children.

Here's the rest of the story though...there was 1 other person that was already standing in the midst of hundreds of people.  My incredible wife, the one who has taught our children to unapologetically honor and worship their God, was already standing there with arms high and heart abandoned.  My daughter was not only following her own heart and the Holy Spirit's prompting, but she was also remembering and following what she had seen her mom do countless times before.  She had seen the Word lived out through someone and now she was doing the same in her own life. 

That, my friends, is a game changer.  It's a generation changer.  It's a "She gets it, I want it, and how do I get more of it" kind of lesson for us all. 

I'm thankful for a wife that "gets it" and passes it on to our daughters in a way that's not only going to change them, but will change the world.  If that doesn't make you smile, then you need to go get your smiler checked out!

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.  Proverbs 22:6

Faith: Could vs. Would

Today was one of those days when God worked something out fast for us...not just fast, but God fast.  I'm talking super, 1.21 jiggawatts fast!  It was truly amazing.  What was it you ask?  Well, frankly it's none of your business so stop asking.  Seriously though, here's my point.  I had faith that he could work fast but when it happened, I was both happy and shocked at the same time.  So that brings up a question...I had faith that he COULD do something in my life, but did I have faith that he WOULD?  Which brings up another question to me about our faith.  Do you think that sometimes we just go through the motions in our prayer life, thinking that God is able to make changes in our lives but not really believing that he will?  Think about the last time God did something supernatural in your life.  Were you surprised a little?  I think there's a difference with having "Awe" at what God does in your life through prayer and being surprised at what he does.

Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God.  I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen.  But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.  I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours.  But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."-Mark 11:22-25.

Where could we be now in our walk with God if only in our past we believed that he could and would do certain things in our life?  The better question is, where can we go in our future if we start practicing authentic faith today?

“Daddy, do you ever get frustrated with God?”

Our dog died.  Great way to start a post, huh?  Well, you see, we surprised our girls a few weeks ago with a 7 week old beautiful chocolate labrador retriever.  We named him Bentley.  One evening, after we had him for about 2 weeks, he started acting real sluggish and not like a normal puppy should act.  We took him to the vet where they quickly learned he had parvo.  That was on a Tuesday.  The doctor seemed optimistic about his chances but sometime during the 4 days of getting fluids, Bentley developed a secondary infection.  He died on Friday afternoon. 

We buried Bentley with tears streaming down our faces.  That night, after saying prayers and tucking our kids into bed, our little Maddee looked up at me and asked the following question through her tears:  “Daddy, do you ever get frustrated with God?”  It broke my heart to hear her ask that, but I gave her an honest answer and one that I believe God was perfectly fine with.  I told her yes.  We had a little talk about how God sees the big picture of our lives and sometimes we don’t understand why things happen because we’re only seeing part of the story.  I tried to explain it where a little girl’s mind could understand, but at the same time I think God wanted me to hear it as well.  Think about that for a second.  I believe God was giving me the words to say not only to my daughter, but he was also speaking to me, through me!  That’s just how God works.  There are frustrations and unanswered questions in my life right now, as I’m sure there are in the lives of some that are reading this.  My point?  Keep praying, keep listening, keep reading, and keep doing what you know is right.  The true author of your story will soon let you turn the page and reveal to you the next chapter in your life.  “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”- Galatians 6:9.  Reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  Sounds pretty nice.  Go ahead, tell God your frustrations.  I can promise he wants you too.  But then keep doing what is right and don’t quit.  It’s almost time to turn your page.

I'm so busy...

Busy, Busy, Busy.  We're all busy...call 10 of your friends up and ask them what they've been up to and chances are a big percentage of them will say something like, "Oh you know, the usual...just real busy".  Ugh...please, the next time you ask me what's up and I say I've just been busy, just punch me in the jugular.  The truth?  Yes, we're all busy...most of the time with good things but that doesn't necessarily mean they are God things. 

I like what Craig Groeschel said in his latest book titled, 'Weird'.  In the first chapter he talks about this very subject of being busy.  He says that busy is "normal" for so many of us.  We're trying to be normal and sometimes feel like that means we've got to cram in everything that we can so as to call ourselves worthy.  Check out this quote from the book: "We're always rushed, always on the move, never having enough time.  Almost everyone I know has little room for error in their schedule.  Tragically, most people have little time for the things in life that they would say are the most important to them.  When we overschedule ourselves in the belief that we can do everything, we stop being human and try to become godlike-not only impossible but also incredibly arrogant.  Most of us are living at a pace that is not only unsustainable; it's also unbiblical." ('Weird', Craig Groeschel)

We're also so busy sometimes trying to "keep up with the Jones' ", but I'll have to put those thoughts in another blog because that's another hot button, punch me in the jugular, let me get on my soapbox kind of topic.  

So here's the deal.  Take an assessment of your busyness and do it soon.  Remember, you're in control of your schedule.  Cut out things that are taking a physical and spiritual toll on you and your family.  Free up some time on your calendar and then sit back and watch God start using that time to reveal Himself more to you.  Remember those dreams that you have?  Those things that you feel God wants you to do as soon as you get time?  Get un-busy and watch God make those dreams a reality.  Let's kick "normal" to the curb and start living the life that God intended for us.

I'd like Jesus to say the last word on my blog today...kind of sums everything up:

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Passion

Yesterday morning I was reading about the time that Jesus went into the Temple area and saw the merchants selling the cattle and sheep and the dealers exchanging money at the table, etc.  He makes a whip from some ropes (Chuck Norris aint got nothing on Jesus), then proceeds to chase them all out of the Temple, all while scattering coins and turning over the tables.  You can read all about it in the 2nd chapter of John.

When the disciples saw Jesus going Walker Texas Ranger on their tails, they remembered a prophecy that was foretold from scripture..."Passion for God's house will consume me".

Now let's bring things to present day.  What is the hot topic that's got everyone worked up right now?  The U.S. economy and the debt ceiling saga (insert evil laughter here).  Believe me, I'm ticked about it just as much as anyone else because I can see the neglect and greed and whatever other word you want to throw in there to describe some of our leaders viewpoints.  BUT are we getting so worked up and passionate about it that we are taking our eyes off of Jesus and the church and looking to Washington for answers?  Let me make one thing clear...God does not work under a debt ceiling or economy, nor does he have any sort of limitations that will stop his will from being done.  The answer to this current saga and any other future saga is the church.  One person and one family at a time making a difference by being passionate about God, being passionate about the church, doing the things that we can do in our own family and finances to make a difference, and by praying for our leaders to get their head out of...you get the picture.

So what consumes us?  Passion for ________will consume me.  If God's house is not in that blank, then we need to look at our lives and priorities to figure out how to get it back in that blank.  I said earlier that God doesn't have any limitations that will stop his will from being done.  The things we have in those blanks could be a limitation...Read those last 2 sentences again.  Bring your passions back home to where they should be, then watch as things somehow miraculously begin to fall into place.

Use it or lose it

I was reading in Matthew 25 this morning about the parable of the 3 servants (Matt. 25:14-30).  Jesus illustrates what the Kingdom of Heaven is like by telling the story of a master going on a long trip and entrusting 3 of his servants with his silver.  The first servant he entrusted with five bags of silver, the second with two bags and the third with one bag.  The first two homies invested the money and doubled what their master had.  The third dude buried his in his backyard or somewhere and only gave his master back the same amount upon his return.  The master praises the first two servants, then celebrates with them and entrusts them with even more responsibilities.  The third servant is called lazy and wicked and all of his money was taken away and given to the first servant.

What was interesting in my reading was that it talked about how money back then was referred to as 'talents'.  So although the passage is talking about money, the same principals of the parable can still be applied to the things you do well...the things God put in you to further his kingdom...the things you might call TALENTS.  Don't be ashamed of your talents or think you are not good enough to use them for God.  Invest those talents and watch God give you even more responsibilities.  Don't be like the third servant and let your talents be buried one day with your body.  What step do we need to take today to use our talents and further his kingdom?

Chew on this

The aroma of spicy tilapia, corn on the cob and hushpuppies filled my nostrils as soon as I walked in the door from work yesterday.  Mel had fixed another masterpiece for dinner and I was immediately ready to eat.  I kept talking about how good it smelled and how I couldn't wait to dig in (I even managed to sneak away with 1 hushpuppy before dinner was served).  Finally, it was time to sit down at the table and eat.  I remember the first bite I took of the tilapia...my eyes closed as I chewed and savored the goodness that was now in my mouth.  I had finally went from talking about it to actually fulfilling my hunger as I swallowed and it flowed to my belly.  After 3 helpings, I was ready to push away from the table and see what else I needed to conquer before bedtime.

I'm sure you feel like you can conquer the day after that story, right?  Like you now know that there is truly meaning to life as long as you have tilapia every now and then?  Ok, so here's what was going on in my head after I got home yesterday and how my mind compared tilapia with God's word:

I was so hungry when I walked in the door yesterday and as I snuck that first hushpuppy, of 5 total, in my mouth and started chewing on it I thought how good it tasted.  But I was still hungry.  No matter how many times I chewed on it, or the fish, or the corn, etc., it wasn't going to satisfy my hunger until I actually swallowed it.  Such is the case with God's word.  We can talk to God all day (chew), but unless we are listening for God and reading His word (swallow), we will never be full.  The Bible says in Matthew 11:28-30 to get away with God and he'll show you how to take a real rest (listening, swallowing).  He wants to take your burdens (hunger) upon himself.  Sometimes we do so much talking and complaining and wondering why certain things are happening the way they are, etc., etc., that we forget to swallow.  Just as we need food and water everyday for physical survival, we need to listen to God everyday for spiritual survival.  Now go and eat!