The Road Home:

How to Measure Love

2012-02-14T10:34:00.003-06:00

It’s the greatest ethic that exists in the world. People have searched their whole lives for it; wars have been waged and kingdoms have fallen as a result of it; and countless people have given everything they have in hopes of obtaining love.

Today, Valentine’s Day, many choose to express love through songs, poems, jewelry, and CHOCOLATE (If you're a husband, give her chocolate...trust me!). But how do we define what love is? To most authors, love is described as this overwhelming, euphoric emotion that comes upon its host. And when one is ‘bitten by the love bug’ or struck by ‘Cupid’s arrow,’ they’re ‘infected’ with love. In addition, our verbal expressions at times describe this same belief when we say someone has ‘fallen in/out of love.’ But is love only an emotion? Is it only a feeling? Am I only capable of loving someone when I feel a sense of elation when they’re around? Or, can I only love people who love me back?

I believe for many years of my life I’ve missed the mark when it came to love. Too often in my life, I loved with conditions. In other words, as long as I had received love, I would give it. But if I didn’t receive love from someone, it was only a matter of time before I cut the strings of that relationship. Sadly, I went through a time in my life where I placed boundaries on my love. It was done in the attempt to guard my heart from being hurt. But when you close yourself off to avoid hurt, you also close yourself off from giving love and being loved.

Love is a risky business. You’re vulnerable because you’re open to future hurts. Think of a mother to a newborn. She's up all hours of the night rocking, feeding, changing, and soothing her child and never once does this infant say thank you or I love you. Why does she do it? The mother does it because she loves her child without condition. As well, she loves because she knows her child doesn’t understand that they’re being selfish and only thinking of their needs. It is true; there is a benefit as well. The mother looks forward to the day when the child begins to mature and when they'll run into the room and look up at her and say, ‘I wuv you, mommy!’ All of the sleepless nights and tireless work fades when a loving relationship blossoms.

Likewise, during our times of selfishness and immaturity, God loves us. He doesn’t wait for us to clean up our act, or get all of our issues worked out. When we repent, He forgives and loves us in spite of these shortcomings. And a new relationship between us and Him begins.

Afterwards, I see God requiring us as His followers to grow our love in the same manner. Too often, we surround ourselves with only those people who think, act, and talk like us. We have very little tolerance, if any, for someone who might be struggling with addictions, or appears to be ‘too needy.’ But God thinks differently than we do. Look at what Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount: ³²“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. ³³And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. Matthew 6:32-33 NIV

How are we any different than the world if we only love certain people? Many people speak about love, but only show love to their family and close friends. They rarely give love to strangers or those who can’t give love back to them. God desires that our love remain active…that our love for Him and others grows from moment to moment.

How do you measure love? If you start to put a limit on love, when you say I will only love up to this point, you cease to love because authentic love never relents. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, “…love never fails.’ Don’t give up! God still loves you…and so do I. Make it your life's ambition to love people. The pay-off is spectacular!

Is Tebow on a Mission from God?

2012-01-13T11:55:00.006-06:00

This past Sunday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow's latest casualty. In the first round of the NFL Playoffs, the Broncos won a ‘nail-biter’ on the first play in overtime with a pass from Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas for an 80 yard touchdown. The stadium erupted. Many were stunned. No one expected Denver to make the play-offs yet alone beat the Steelers to advance. And before the night had ended, news reports began to offer up the notion that God was behind it. After all, Tebow threw for 316 yards; his coach's name is John; the average yards per completion for the game was (you guessed it) 31.6 yards. In college, Tim would often write the Bible verse John 3:16 below his eyes. However, the NFL put a stop to that when he began his professional career. But it looks like God had the last say in the matter, chimed many of Tebow's supporters Sunday evening.

If your new to the story, Tim Tebow went from obscurity as a second-string quarterback at the beginning of the season, to national fame a few weeks later. His style of play and outspokenness about his Christian faith has brought Tim many critics. Thus, when his name is brought up in conversations, it brings a firestorm of responses from all sides. His name has even turned into a verb. Kids are 'tebowing' in school (bowing down on one knee with their fist on their forehead in a prayer-like pose). Some students even got into trouble for blocking the hallway while 'tebowing' at their school. This brought the prayer in school debate back in full swing of course. And all the while, When Tim comes to the press conferences, he begins with thanking his 'Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.'

Whatever you believe about the recent events, there's no doubting that this man has created a national dialogue on the issue of faith and God. But is his success on the field tied to God's favor? Is God taking someone who 'lacks the skill to be an NFL quarterback' (some critics report) and proving that He (God) can make anyone a winner? In other words, is Tim Tebow on a mission from God?

I would say, YES. Tim Tebow is definitely on a mission from God, but not because of what you may initially think. He's on a mission from God because every follower of Jesus should be on a mission. We're all called to let our 'light shine' (being a good example) before men, so that others may see our works and give God the glory (see Matthew 5:16). Tim's mission gives God the glory through his outspoken words in front of TV cameras. He's using the 'platform' God has provided to thank Him for the abilities and opportunities that he (Tim) has been given. His example proclaims that God is worthy to be praised no matter if you're on a football field or in an office or school building.

Some may complain and say Tim is wearing his 'religion on his sleeve.' But isn't that what you do when Jesus truly penetrates your entire life? God and Christianity are not something to be 'tried on' like some coat at a department store. Some people believe when we're at church on Sunday, we put the 'religion coat' on, but as soon as we leave church, we take it off so we don't 'stand out and/or offend others' in the secular world. Jesus warned us about living double lives though (ref. Matthew 6:24). And if our lives are to be surrendered to God completely, we're going to make some people uncomfortable. And you may be surprised to find that the ones complaining the most might be professing Christians. In a recent article, a former NFL quarterback was said to have criticized Tebow for his bluntness in regards to Christianity. Yet, I remember not too long ago when this same man won a championship and was selling his book wherein he declared his faith in God as well. I don't know today where this man's walk with God is, but one thing is for sure. When you bring up the name Jesus Christ, it's going to cause uneasiness in others. And it will convict those leading double lives who hear it.

We don't know if God worked out all of those numbers Sunday to make people think of spiritual matters. I know He's capable of it. But more importantly, God doesn't just use famous people for His work. As a matter of fact, one could argue that He uses the less notable people in the world because it brings him more glory. No matter who you are, God wants to do a mighty work through you as well. He will only use you, though, to the extent of how far you're willing to go for Him. Are you willing to be criticized like Tim from your co-workers or classmates? If the answer is no, you must ask yourself, 'How much do I really love and trust God with my life?' Be bold in your life for when you come to the end of it, you will be glad you did.

Giving or Exchanging?

2011-12-09T12:27:00.002-06:00

A few years ago, I used to work in sales for a small tool company near Chicago. Every December, the owner of the company would host a Christmas party for employees and their spouses. As events go, this was your average ‘run-of-the-mill’ Office Christmas party. A nice dinner, games, friendly conversation, and a gift exchange near the end. Everyone who wanted to be a part of the exchange had to bring a wrapped present that didn’t cost more than a set amount. We then drew numbers to see who would go first. When it came around to our turn, we picked a present under the tree and opened it. If we didn’t like the gift, we had the opportunity to take one of the presents of someone who went before us. This continued until all the presents were opened. As you can imagine, by the time we got to the end, some were satisfied with what they received while others were not so fortunate. For entertainment purposes, this event went well. But we never left there thinking to ourselves, ‘Wow, that was so thoughtful and loving of them to think of us in that way.’ The reason is because the gifts weren’t given with that sentiment. We didn’t put any love or care behind the gifts that we purchased. We couldn’t because we never knew who would end up with our gift.

Sadly though, too many presents are exchanged each year while very few gifts are actually given. What do I mean? We sit around decorated trees and give gifts to friends and family, as we open up their gifts to us. In other words, we spend thousands of dollars each Christmas giving to people who will in turn give us a gift right back. This isn’t giving. It’s trading!

This isn’t what Jesus meant when He said ‘It is more blessed to give than receive.’ (Acts 20:35). Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the generosity and thoughtfulness of others. There has been numerous times throughout my life where God has blessed me through their gifts. And I’m sure most of you could say the same about someone else. I’m not even saying that exchanging gifts is wrong. I do it with friends and family as well. But we shouldn’t confuse exchanging gifts with giving gifts. Furthermore, what’s your motivation for giving presents? Are you harboring any hidden motives within your gifts? Do you genuinely give presents, or are they given with strings (conditions) attached to them.

Jesus said, “…When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. ¹³But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12b-14 NIV

In essence, Jesus said give gifts to those who have no way of paying you back. Give without any expectations or ulterior motives. Notice, He didn’t say you will never be repaid for your generosity. But God would have us wait until heaven…then He will repay us with eternal gifts. I don’t know about you, but I think I’d rather be repaid by Him than receive from someone here on earth a year’s subscription to ‘The Jelly of the Month Club’ (see ‘Christmas Vacation’ for reference).

In all seriousness, why don’t you make plans this year to give to someone who can’t possibly repay you? This is when you’ll experience the true blessing of giving.

…Merry Christmas, my friend.

Hope From S.O.A.P.

2011-12-02T13:39:00.004-06:00

This past month, some of our Church’s youth had the opportunity to attend Illinois State Youth Convention in Peoria, IL. The theme of the Event was ‘Make Every Minute Count.’ There were a few changes this year to the convention: a new venue, a new city, a new format of events. But the one change that deserves special mention was the ‘I Love Youth’ Saturday night offering. Throughout the years this offering was collected to specifically go toward youth events and programs in the State of Illinois. But this past convention a change was made. State Minister, Eric Livingston, came to the platform on Saturday and shared a new direction for our offering that evening.

You may be surprised because few are aware of the existence of this epidemic that is cutting across the fabric of our nation. Even the language that is used to describe this problem masks its true nature. What am I referring to? There are thousands of adolescents within the United States being forced against their will into human trafficking. This is the clinical way of describing it. Putting it bluntly, our young people are being enslaved into prostitution under threat of their lives and/or the lives of their loved ones. In big cities and small towns alike, American teenagers are being forced into slavery. It is estimated that thousands of adolescents & teenagers in the State of Illinois are currently involved in sex trafficking while over 100,000 American youth are being sexually trafficked in the United States right now.

Where does the hope come in? Former victim now turned activist, Theresa Flores has initiated a campaign to combat this heinous crime on our children. At fifteen years of age, she was drugged, raped and tortured for two long years; kept in bondage, forced to pay back an impossible debt all the while living at home attempting to keep her family safe. She attended school during the day along side of her abusers, only to be called into ‘service’ late each night while her unknowing family slept. Her initiative S.O.A.P. stands for Saving Our Adolescents from Prostitution is an Outreach that aims to distribute thousands of bars of soap with the National Human Trafficking Hotline number and key identifying questions FREE to local motels.

In addition, volunteers talk to motel owners and managers and provide them with a quick overview of what is happening to young girls in their rooms. When a young person calls that hotline number, someone is immediately dispatched to rescue them from their situation. And for a donation of $125.00, one can purchase 1,000 bars of soap labeled accordingly.

Our Church of God youth in the State of Illinois in one offering raised $1,600 for this cause which purchased close to 13,000 labeled bars of soap. Praise God for their generosity and desire to help those enslaved become free! For more information on this epidemic, you may visit www.traffickfree.com.

Describing The Trinity?

2011-11-22T12:39:00.000-06:00

If you've ever wondered what Christians believe about the Trinity; how its defined, and what difference it makes? Pastor Justin Holcomb gives a good and concise definition of the Biblical revelation of the Trinity in the following clip:

Was Jesus Unreasonable?

2011-11-16T20:09:00.000-06:00

Recently, I had a gentleman ask me about an event in the Gospel of Mark that troubled him. Let me explain. Jesus the night following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) left the city with His disciples and went and stayed in Bethany. The next morning as they were on their way back to Jerusalem, Jesus became hungry, and “Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Mark 11:13 NIV

Then Jesus cursed the tree…^“Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” (v. 14) Jesus and His disciples continued on their way into Jerusalem, and when it became evening traveled back to Bethany for the night. The next morning, as they passed the same location, Peter remembered the events of the previous day and said, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” (v. 21b)

It appears on our initial observation that Jesus cursed an unfruitful fig tree out of season. In other words, as Mark pointed out in his gospel, it was too early in the year to expect figs to be growing on the tree. So my friend’s question: ‘Was Jesus being unreasonable when He expected fruit from a tree out of season?’ The implications are serious. Was the One who brought us grace at times ungraceful? Does Jesus expect us to produce more than what we’re capable of?

The answer can be found through a basic lesson in botany. We know this incident had to occur in early April “as is probable that Jesus was crucified on April 6^th, A.D. 30”(Kaiser, Hard Sayings of the Bible, 442). In Palestine, near the end of March, leaves start to appear on the fig trees, and in about a week or so, have fully covered the tree. What usually appears around the same time of year are these small green knobs (in Arabic called taqsh). They’re sort of a forerunner to the actual figs that come several weeks later. They’re edible and believed to have been eaten by peasants and other hungry travelers. These knobs also forecast the future crop of figs for their respective tree. Like peach tree blossoms in the spring form into potential peaches, taqsh fall off after ripening and in their place comes figs. What does all this mean? The fact that there were no taqsh on this tree meant that this tree would not produce any figs when the season for figs did arrive. Thus, Jesus wasn’t being unreasonable at all. He knew this tree was and will remain fruitless. There is one remaining question: Why curse the tree at all? Did you know that during His earthly ministry, Jesus healed the sick and at times raised the dead, but this is the only occurrence where it is recorded that He ‘cursed’ something. Why? Elsewhere in Scripture (Luke 13), Jesus used a parable of a fig tree to show that unfruitfulness will be cut off from God’s kingdom. In other words, people who don’t produce ‘good fruit’ will be separated from God (see also Matt. 3:19). There is an expectation for us to bear spiritual ‘fruit.’ What a teacher Jesus is, a story and when necessary an object lesson for them as well so be fruitful my friends.

It’s My Favorite

2011-11-10T11:35:00.000-06:00

A while back, I was having a conversation with my son when he said something that shocked me. Now when you think of teenagers, you might respond with, what don’t they say that isn’t shocking? But that day, we got on the topic of which holiday was our favorite, and his answer took me by surprise. His response: Thanksgiving Day. I assumed that all people under the age of 18 would have picked some other holiday (i.e. one involving presents and/or candy). But my heart warmed as I realized we had this in common. And as we continued to speak, I realized we held some of the same reasons for our preference.

Why might you ask is Thanksgiving Day our favorite holiday? The main reason is because there’s not a focus on gifts. So many other holidays and their true meanings have been lost by the distraction of gift-giving. It’s Christmas, where’s my gift? It’s Easter, where’s my gift? It’s Casimir Pulaski Day, where’s my gift? (You have to be from Illinois to know who Pulaski was and the majority of Illinoisans still don’t know him). The point I’m trying to make is the reason we celebrate holidays shouldn’t be a result of receiving gifts from others or that we get a day off from work or school. But too often, this is the case.

But on Thanksgiving Day, no one’s expecting any gifts. Thus, it clears the way for all of us to focus on what the real blessings in our lives are…family, friends, health, food, shelter, & clothing (And I’m not referring to something with ‘Aeropostale’ stitched on it either!).

Now, there should be giving on this holiday, but it should be the ‘giving’ of thanks. In other words, the time building up to Thanksgiving Day (unlike other holidays) isn’t filled with the stress of having enough on our credit cards in order to purchase items that our loved ones will forget about in a week. And it’s not filled with the pressure and guilt that accompanies those moments we run in to an acquaintance and we moan to ourselves, ‘There’s another person I have to shop for now!’ as we jump in the car and run back to the store. We come together at Thanksgiving with the express purpose of only receiving the gift of the other person’s company. Let’s just spend time together. Put aside the concerns and busyness of all the other days, and let’s just stop and share our gratitude to God and others for what their presence in our lives has meant to us.

We have a tradition in our family of going around the table and conveying how thankful we are for whatever it is that God has blessed us with in the past year. If you’re not doing something like this, please allow me to encourage you to start a similar tradition in your own family. I’m surprised at how young our children are when they first started recognizing the blessings in their lives. Furthermore, the Bible tells us that it’s God’s desire for us to be thankful. “Be joyful always;pray continually;give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Giving thanks shouldn’t be limited to just one day either. This passage tells us that ‘in all circumstances’ we should give thanks. Imagine if people always practiced thankfulness and gratitude all year long. Could you imagine what that would look like…Thanksgiving Day every day! We’d probably get sick of turkey, stuffing, and gravy, but you get my point. Always be thankful and grateful for the blessings you have because the day might come when you don’t have those blessings around anymore.

Also, don’t wait for Thanksgiving Day. Why don’t you make the call today, and tell someone how blessed you are to have them in your life. And while you’re at it, why don’t you speak to God and thank Him for the blessings as well. Ultimately, all of those gifts come from Him anyway (see James 1:17).

All this about Thanksgiving and I haven’t even mentioned my wife’s pies! She makes the best Chocolate French silk crème pie and vanilla crème pie you can imagine. Oh! And we can’t forget about the football games we get to watch while trying to stay awake with all of the tryptophan circulating in our systems. Can you tell I love Thanksgiving? I hope you enjoy yours too! Have a blessed one and thanks for reading.

Life Together

2011-10-03T22:41:00.000-05:00

I met Frank and his wife, Luella, over a decade ago when they decided to pay us a visit one Sunday morning for service. I can’t tell you much about that first encounter because it wasn’t unique. I’m sure we made small talk and said a few pleasantries, but nothing of any depth. That’s what most of us do when we meet someone for the first time. Unfortunately, many relationships in the church don’t go beyond this level. Instead, there is this superficial language that allows many to avoid the awkward silence as they run in to each other in the church building. And even though they see one another once or twice a week, they never seize the opportunity to go deeper and become connected in authentic friendships.
Why do we stop at this surface-level type of connection? In part it’s because of our differences. If you put two people together in a room long enough, you’ll find out that they’re not always going to agree. We’re all different. We think differently; we act differently; we look differently. We all come from different backgrounds and view things from our own set of experiences, understandings, and environments. It’s what makes us who we are. It’s what makes people different. And often times, it’s what causes dissension and conflicts between us as well.
A few months after Frank became a part of our church, some of us men hopped into a van to take a road trip to a conference several hours away. I sat in the seat right in front of Frank. It wasn’t long before his sense of humor and infectious belly-laugh won me over. He was well over 30 years my senior; we had a different up-bringing and even disagreed at times, but that day we became friends. Frank was retired and had every tool imaginable in his massive garage. When I needed help renovating my first house, Frank (a.k.a. ‘The Tool-man’), was always a phone call away. If I didn’t have it, or didn’t know what tool I needed for a certain job, Frank would let me borrow his. Many times, he would come over and instruct me on how to do jobs that I wasn’t all too familiar with. In addition, it became a family tradition every fall for us to go over to Frank’s house and pick apples from his tree. Some of the best pie-making apples I’d ever tasted, I might add.

It wasn’t too long before he and his wife became like family to us.
And then one day, a few years later, Frank went to see his doctor because he wasn’t feeling well. When the test results finally came back, the news revealed cancer. Over the next several months, he struggled with breathing, sleeping, and nausea. When I’d go visit him, it was apparent that his illness weighed heavy upon him. I would attempt to make him feel better or lighten his spirit through laughter. And after our visits, we’d pray to God for healing and encouragement to fill Frank. I wish I could say that God miraculously healed him. I wish I could say I called him up today and heard his laugh, but I can’t. After a short time, Frank turned for the worst and was soon gone.
The very next fall, I remember taking the family over to see his wife. She invited us over for our traditional apple harvest from her tree. This time we let our kids do most of the picking as my wife and I sat with his widow on the porch and reflected on the new changes in her life. Her pain was deep and real, but with the help of their children and a loving church family, she would get through it.
My relationship with this couple changed me for the better, and I’m certain it changed them as well. But had we not made the decision to let the other one in, the relationship would never have happened. We could’ve showed up at church every Sunday and kept our relationship superficial and on the surface and never enjoyed the blessings of friendship. But what’s great about Christian community is the opportunity to enjoy going through life together. We have someone to laugh with in the good times; we have someone to help us out in our times of need; we have someone who will give us an encouraging word when we’re depressed; and we have someone who will be there for our family when we’ve gone home to be with Jesus. This is what brotherly love and friendship looks like. In spite of our differences and opinions, we love others because they matter to God and their friendship makes us a better person.
Proverbs 27:17 says, ‘As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.’ In other words, having friends, enriches your life. And the best way to find friends like this, is to start being a friend like this to somebody. Who knows, you might end up meeting someone like Frank.

New 180 Movie

2011-09-27T10:23:00.000-05:00

From pro-choice to pro-life in a matter of seconds, What changed their mind? Watch link below...

Does Alzheimer's Dissolve A Marriage?

2011-09-19T12:44:00.003-05:00

    Last week ordained Baptist pastor and television minister, Pat Robertson, was asked by a viewer how they should respond to a friend who is having an affair on his wife who has Alzheimer's. The man rationalized his behavior by stating that his wife was 'gone' and 'technically' dead which dissolves the marriage covenant. Here is the video of the broadcast with Pat's response.
   But before you view it, let me ask you the question:
   What do you think the husband should do Biblically? Is there anything in the characteristic of God that speaks on this issue?
                                    (Pat's response is aired in the first 2:30 )

I would love to hear your responses...

What Do You See?

2011-08-23T15:15:00.003-05:00

Earlier this month, our family had the opportunity to vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC. Since our children had never seen the ocean, and none of us had ever been to the East Coast before, we thought this would be a time of firsts for all of us.

Our road trip took us through the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. The majestic views were breath-taking. There were times I wanted to just peer out the window and take it all in but driving up hill through winding mountain passes took almost all of my attention. The gasps of my wife and children and the flashes of their cameras told me they were feeling the same way I was. We spent the night on the other side of the mountains and got up early the next morning to make our way to the South Carolina shore. That afternoon, we arrived at our condo, quickly unloaded our luggage, and set out to the beach. When we got out of the car, there was a sand dune covered with prairie grass that stood between us and the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean. I quickly picked up our 19-month-old and began walking up the deck to the beach. I didn’t want to give anything away desiring that our children’s responses would be untouched by my input. ‘What will they do?’ I thought to myself.

As we cleared the berm, the ocean, beach, and landscape all came in to focus. We saw the massive expanse of turquoise-colored water that appeared endless. We heard the waves crashing on the shore as the calls of birds flying overhead interrupted its roar. The sun scorched the sand and glistened as it reflected off the rolling water; and the sea breeze pushed inland bringing with it a cool relief from the heat.

The children were speechless. The older ones stood for a moment with eyes and mouths open. Abby, who I had in my arms, was clinging to me. I was so focused on the others that I didn’t notice that she was scared of the ocean's enormity and the noise it was making. This didn’t look like any pool she had ever seen before. And when I let her down, her arms immediately wrapped around my leg, and only her mom could convince her to let go.

Later on, my oldest daughter commented to me, “How can people see all of this and reject the fact that God exist?” I thought for a moment and responded, “Do you know these waves have been hitting this shore since God created them? They were sweeping sand and shells and returning back to the deep long before we were ever here. And if God doesn’t return, they’ll continue to do this…every moment of every day of every year…until God says stop!”

Creation cries out that there is a Creator. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NIV

Unfortunately, too many people try to suppress the truth and ignore what the world around them is saying… ‘We were made for and should give glory to Him.’

The way we see the world (our Worldview) determines how we’ll respond to it. If I believe the world is mine to use for personal gain and self-gratification, I will use its resources and creatures to that end. But if I believe all of creation was made to point to a magnificent and loving Creator, I will see His fingerprint on every ocean wave, blooming flower, and mountain peak. I will marvel in the fact that our Creator had to have an overwhelming love for us to create such a magnificent world for His children to live in. And I will praise Him for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy it.

What do you see?

The Next Generation

2011-07-22T17:16:00.001-05:00

I've always thought that it doesn't make sense to reinvent the wheel. So when I came across this article on the potential of the next generation, I was grateful that someone else wrote and sees this profound truth...that a revival of the spirit of God is going to come in the generations after us. My prayer (like that of Simeon's) is that I'm alive to see it take place.

The following is Mr. Noble's article untouched:

7 Things I Believe About the Next Generation

By Perry Noble

"The way the next generation will view and do church will be different from the way we do it today."

I lead a discipleship group of about 10-12 young men and women who are in high school…I’ve done so for the past two years. Here are seven things I believe about the next generation (people who are 20 and younger)…
1. The next generation will see one of the greatest awakenings the world has ever seen…I really do believe the Lord is setting them up for it. (Which is why I believe the greatest investment in “missions” that the church can make today is the one to have a dynamic youth and children’s ministry!)
2. The way the next generation will view and do church will be different from the way we do it today. They will fully know and comprehend how to reach out to themselves…and our role as a church should be to fund it and not fight it (that line is borrowed from Andy Stanley)!
3. The next generation seems to be way more serious about their walk with Jesus than my generation has ever been.
4. I believe those of us who are “more mature” (OLDER) should seek out those who are in their teens and listen to their questions and frustrations about life and church without coming down on them. If we will listen and patiently explain things, there could be way less tension between generations in the church. Might does not make right. And…the “mature” people should always be the first to step into a relationship with the next generation!
5. I fully believe that the next generation has no earthly idea what God wants to do in them and through them…and if we will teach them to be fully surrendered on a daily basis, that our children and grandchildren will see God do things we didn’t even think were possible.
6. I believe the next generation is not content with borrowing the faith of their parents; they are asking questions and seeking to understand WHAT they believe and WHY they believe it…and them doing that is going to equip them to take the church to the next level.
7. I believe the next generation is going to refuse to settle for the way things are…and that as their view of WHO God is begins to increase so will their expectation in regards to what He can do.

Why Work with Muslims?

2011-07-20T14:55:00.001-05:00

This is an excellent video on the need to reach the Islamic world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 88% of Muslims living today have never met a Christian...wow! When we do finally meet them, let's show them the love that God has so lavishly laid on us. What do you say?

Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?

2011-07-06T15:17:00.001-05:00

There are many who make the assertion that we won’t remember our previous lives on earth. Several thoughts arise on why many people derive this. One might be, if I won’t be married to my spouse in heaven (a clear teaching of Jesus), then I must not recall our relationship on earth. Another reason is that they come to the notion that this world and the experiences in it are often too traumatic and difficult to live with even in one’s memory. Therefore, the assumption is made that in order to live at peace with one another in heaven, God must somehow wipe our minds free from their worldly encounters. But is this necessary? Is it biblical? Randy Alcorn discusses with Joe Gibbs what our relationships will be like with one another in heaven...

Positive Change or Positively NO Change?

2011-06-23T17:54:00.002-05:00

Stepping through the doorway of our bathroom, my wife found me in front of the sink looking into the mirror combing my hair. She approached and we began to exchange small talk and discuss the items that were on our agenda for that day. After a few moments and halfway through her sentence, she stopped and gazing at the side of my head exclaimed, ‘I don’t believe it. Do you know you have some grey hairs coming in?’

Now there are many things a husband wants to hear from their wives. For instance, have you been working out? You look good; you’re a great provider for our family; you’re so handy…these are all acceptable comments. What doesn’t make it on our short list are phrases like…You’re not going to wear that are you? Do you think you could finish the addition on our house before our toddler gets married? Does this outfit make me look fat?

For clarification sake, let’s say the grey haired comment didn’t make it on my short list [Honestly, I’m thankful for all the hairs I have on my head at this point regardless of their color]. But this did remind me of the fact that change is inevitable. No matter how much we try to fight it, deny it, or cover it up, change comes.

The question I want to ask is, do you allow meaningful change to enter your life or do you fight all change as a threat to your tranquility? In other words, are you afraid of change or do you consider change a part of life and personal growth?

In a world full of critics and naysayers, it’s easy to become locked into a routine. It’s safe. It’s comfortable. There are little or no surprises. So many people have been frozen with indecision and won’t do anything because they’re afraid about what others might say or think about them or what might happen. But what are we giving up by remaining inflexible? What are we giving up by never trying something new? If we never venture out of our comfort zones or if we never attempt anything that we might fail at, we will never know our real potential.

Unless we allow change in our life, how can we grow, improve, or learn from our past mistakes? Maybe, our greatest criticisms don’t come from the outside world. Maybe they’re nestled within the deepest recesses of our minds, and they whisper to us our shortcomings and past failures often. Furthermore, the belief that we can keep anything from changing is a myth. Everything changes. There is only One who is immutable (unchanging) and that is God.

I miss absolute truth. It’s been dying over the past 2 decades, and few people have noticed or missed its presence. In its place our culture has come up with this ‘say-only-what-is-positive-and-nice’ mentality. It doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not. But people don’t need to be smiled at and told what they want to hear. Jesus didn’t say, you will know happiness and a smile will set you free. No, He said, ‘You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.’ John 8:32

If we come across error in someone’s life [our own included], are we not to lovingly instruct them with the truth? I would go so far as to say that we’re not loving them if we don’t speak truth. All of us need someone in our lives who is not that impressed by us. Meaning, we need someone who will tell us what we need to hear. And when we hear it, the best thing to do isn’t ‘build up a wall’ and plan our counter-offensive. The greatest three words that we should remember at these moments are …we can change. We can change our behavior, our outlook, and even our current lifestyle. In other words, We are free to learn, grow, and change behavior. We don’t have to be relegated to our current station in life.

In the same way, change is something we expect out of our children. We love them; we instruct them; we correct them; we feed them knowledge, and they change. There’s an assumption of growth with children. It would be cruel to wish our children to remain the same. It’s unhealthy when they don’t grow.

Brooke Greenberg loves shopping and listening to music according to her parents. But for the past decade or so, she has baffled the doctors. Brooke, for some unknown reason, hasn’t grown past a toddler. Many doctors have tested and tried, but they are unable to diagnose her condition because they can’t find what’s causing it. At age 16, she is 30” tall and still has her baby teeth. The only visible growth in Brooke’s life is her hair and nails. Some have even dubbed her ‘The Fountain of Youth’ because she doesn’t appear to have aged. Why is her story so remarkable? Growth is expected, and when it doesn’t happen, we know something has gone wrong.

(For more on Brooke, visit http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=7880954)

When it comes to adults, why is it that we’re all too willing to accept monotony? We get locked into a routine and a way of life and lash out at anyone or anything that challenges our ‘security.’

Have you ever considered that some of the changes being pushed on us are not from society? God actually wants us to change. These aren’t trivial changes either. He wants the kind of change that only His Spirit can provide. These changes are meant to make us like Christ. Not to turn us into exact replicas of Jesus where we all walk around in robes and grow beards, but to take us and teach us how to trust, pray, live, and act as if Jesus were in complete control of our lives.

Do you know the greatest part about it? We’re not left to make these changes on our own. In fact, there’s no way we could ever produce the change that’s needed in us.

    William Temple used to illustrate this point in the following way:
   “It is no good giving me a play like Hamlet or King Lear, and telling me to write a play like that. Shakespeare could do it; I can’t.
   And it is no good showing me a life like the life of Jesus and telling me to live like that. Jesus could do it; I can’t.
   But if the genius of Shakespeare could come and live in me, then I could write plays like his.
   And if the Spirit of Jesus could come and live in me, then I could live a life like his.”

Contrary to what others may say, God wants us all to succeed. Not in the way the world defines success, but to live out our lives doing what He made us for.

We need to remember that no one by their words can place us in a ‘box’ or control our lives unless we allow them to…God included. And He’s the only one who has the right. And His change is good and perfect, and comes to us when we are filled with His Spirit. This is the meaningful change that all of us needs. This is the change that the world is longing to see.

Loving Your Wayward Child

2011-06-09T11:48:00.001-05:00

Recently, I’ve had several conversations with Christians who have poured out their hearts in concern over the choices and spiritual conditions of their children. One detail I’ve noticed is that these individuals come from all walks of life. Thus, this problem isn’t isolated to any certain group within The Church. Even though all of my children still live at home and most -those who are old enough to understand- have professed faith in Christ, I find myself often crying out to God for their life’s journey and choices. I know I’m not ‘suppose to’ worry, but my heart aches with just the notion that one of them would walk away from the faith. I’m constantly reinforcing to them (and will probably do so today) that their faith has to be their own and not mine or their mothers or anyone else’s. So, I post this article, not as one who is judging your parenting skills (past or present), but as a fellow brother in Christ and parent who joins in your concerns and prays for our precious children. We serve a mighty and loving God who longs for all people to come to Him, and I believe He can save anyone…our children included.

The following article was written by the son of one of my favorite authors and speakers, Pastor John Piper. At one point, Abraham Piper’s spiritual journey got so far out of hand that the church where his father was Pastor excommunicated him. Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there. Abraham returned to the faith and wrote some great advice from the unique perspective of a ‘Prodigal son’ now reborn. I pray this helps…

12 Ways to Love Your Wayward Child
Abraham Piper

Many parents are brokenhearted and completely baffled by their unbelieving son or daughter. They have no clue why the child they raised well is making such awful, destructive decisions. I've never been one of these parents, but I have been one of these sons. Reflecting back on that experience, I offer these suggestions to help you reach out to your wayward child.

1. Point them to Christ.

Your rebellious child's real problem is not drugs or sex or cigarettes or pornography or laziness or crime or cussing or slovenliness or homosexuality or being in a punk rock band. The real problem is that they don't see Jesus clearly. The best thing you can do for them—and the only reason to do any of the following suggestions—is to show them Christ. It is not a simple or immediate process, but the sins in their life that distress you and destroy them will only begin to fade away when they see Jesus more like he actually is.

2. Pray.

Only God can save your son or daughter, so keep on asking that he will display himself to them in a way they can't resist worshiping him for.

3. Acknowledge that something is wrong.

If your daughter rejects Jesus, don't pretend everything is fine.

For every unbelieving child, the details will be different. Each one will require parents to reach out in unique ways. Never acceptable, however, is not reaching out at all. If your child is an unbeliever, don't ignore it. Holidays might be easier, but eternity won't be.

4. Don't expect them to be Christ-like.

If your son is not a Christian, he's not going to act like one.

You know that he has forsaken the faith, so don't expect him to live by the standards you raised him with. For example, you might be tempted to say, "I know you're struggling with believing in Jesus, but can't you at least admit that getting wasted every day is sin?"

If he's struggling to believe in Jesus, then there is very little significance in admitting that drunkenness is wrong. You want to protect him, yes. But his unbelief is the most dangerous problem—not partying. No matter how your child's unbelief exemplifies itself in his behavior, always be sure to focus more on the heart's sickness than its symptoms.

5. Welcome them home.

Because the deepest concern is not your child's actions, but his heart, don't create too many requirements for coming home. If he has any inkling to be with you, it is God giving you a chance to love him back to Jesus. Obviously there are some instances in which parents must give ultimatums: "Don't come to this house if you are..." But these will be rare. Don't lessen the likelihood of an opportunity to be with your child by too many rules.

If your daughter smells like weed or an ashtray, spray her jacket with Febreze and change the sheets when she leaves, but let her come home. If you find out she's pregnant, then buy her folic acid, take her to her twenty-week ultrasound, protect her from Planned Parenthood, and by all means let her come home. If your son is broke because he spent all the money you lent him on loose women and ritzy liquor, then forgive his debt as you've been forgiven, don't give him any more money, and let him come home. If he hasn't been around for a week and a half because he's been staying at his girlfriend's—or boyfriend's—apartment, plead with him not to go back, and let him come home.

6. Plead with them more than you rebuke them.

Be gentle in your disappointment.

What really concerns you is that your child is destroying herself, not that she's breaking rules. Treat her in a way that makes this clear. She probably knows—especially if she was raised as a Christian—that what she's doing is wrong. And she definitely knows you think it is. So she doesn't need this pointed out. She needs to see how you are going to react to her evil. Your gentle forbearance and sorrowful hope will show her that you really do trust Jesus.

Her conscience can condemn her by itself. Parents ought to stand kindly and firmly, always living in the hope that they want their child to return to.

7. Connect them to believers who have better access to them.

There are two kinds of access that you may not have to your child: geographical and relational. If your wayward son lives far away, try to find a solid believer in his area and ask him to contact your son. This may seem nosy or stupid or embarrassing to him, but it's worth it—especially if the believer you find can also relate to your son emotionally in a way you can't.

Relational distance will also be a side effect of your child leaving the faith, so your relationship will be tenuous and should be protected if at all possible. But hard rebuke is still necessary.

This is where another believer who has emotional access to your son may be very helpful. If there is a believer who your son trusts and perhaps even enjoys being around, then that believer has a platform to tell your son—in a way he may actually pay attention to—that he's being an idiot. This may sound harsh, but it's a news flash we all need from time to time, and people we trust are usually the only ones who can package a painful rebuke so that it is a gift to us.

A lot of rebellious kids would do well to hear that they're being fools—and it is rare that this can helpfully be pointed out by their parents—so try to keep other Christians in your kids lives.

8. Respect their friends.

Honor your wayward child in the same way you'd honor any other unbeliever. They may run with crowds you'd never consider talking to or even looking at, but they are your child's friends. Respect that—even if the relationship is founded on sin. They're bad for your son, yes. But he's bad for them, too. Nothing will be solved by making it perfectly evident that you don't like who he's hanging around with.

When your son shows up for a family birthday celebration with another girlfriend—one you've never seen before and probably won't see again—be hospitable. She's also someone's wayward child, and she needs Jesus, too.

9. Email them.

Praise God for technology that lets you stay in your kids' lives so easily!

When you read something in the Bible that encourages you and helps you love Jesus more, write it up in a couple lines and send it to your child. The best exhortation for them is positive examples of Christ's joy in your own life.

Don't stress out when you're composing these as if each one needs to be singularly powerful. Just whip them out one after another, and let the cumulative effect of your satisfaction in God gather up in your child's inbox. God's word is never proclaimed in vain.

10. Take them to lunch.

If possible, don't let your only interaction with your child be electronic. Get together with him face to face if you can. You may think this is stressful and uncomfortable, but trust me that it's far worse to be in the child's shoes—he is experiencing all the same discomfort, but compounded by guilt. So if he is willing to get together with you for lunch, praise God, and use the opportunity.

It will feel almost hypocritical to talk about his daily life, since what you really care about is his eternal life, but try to anyway. He needs to know you care about all of him. Then, before lunch is over, pray that the Lord will give you the gumption to ask about his soul. You don't know how he'll respond. Will he roll his eyes like you're an idiot? Will he get mad and leave? Or has God been working in him since you talked last? You don't know until you risk asking.

(Here's a note to parents of younger children: Set up regular times to go out to eat with your kids. Not only will this be valuable for its own sake, but also, if they ever enter a season of rebellion, the tradition of meeting with them will already be in place and it won't feel weird to ask them out to lunch. If a son has been eating out on Saturdays with his dad since he was a tot, it will be much harder for him later in life to say no to his father's invitation—even as a surly nineteen-year-old.)

11. Take an interest in their pursuits.

Odds are that if your daughter is purposefully rejecting Christ, then the way she spends her time will probably disappoint you. Nevertheless, find the value in her interests, if possible, and encourage her. You went to her school plays and soccer games when she was ten; what can you do now that she's twenty to show that you still really care about her interests?

Jesus spent time with tax collectors and prostitutes, and he wasn't even related to them. Imitate Christ by being the kind of parent who will put some earplugs in your pocket and head downtown to that dank little nightclub where your daughter's CD release show is. Encourage her and never stop praying that she will begin to use her gifts for Jesus' glory instead of her own.

12. Point them to Christ.

This can't be over-stressed. It is the whole point. No strategy for reaching your son or daughter will have any lasting effect if the underlying goal isn't to help them know Jesus.

It's not so that they will be good kids again; it's not so that they'll get their hair cut and start taking showers; it's not so that they'll like classical music instead of deathcore; it's not so that you can stop being embarrassed at your weekly Bible study; it's not so that they'll vote conservative again by the next election; it's not even so that you can sleep at night, knowing they're not going to hell.

The only ultimate reason to pray for them, welcome them, plead with them, email them, eat with them, or take an interest in their interests is so that their eyes will be opened to Christ.

And not only is he the only point—he's the only hope. When they see the wonder of Jesus, satisfaction will be redefined. He will replace the pathetic vanity of the money, or the praise of man, or the high, or the orgasm that they are staking their eternities on right now. Only his grace can draw them from their perilous pursuits and bind them safely to himself—captive, but satisfied.

He will do this for many. Be faithful and don't give up.

Hollywood & Worship

2011-05-25T13:00:00.003-05:00

Many people in America, and the world for that matter, are enamored with famous people. Our news reports can’t help but discuss the latest news and gossip of celebrities and their personal lives. It’s woven into the fabric of our modern world. Even our churches and Christian organizations jump for joy when the latest celebrity has some type of Christian experience or conversion. We want to interview them; invite them to our churches; and place them up on billboards in an effort to show the world that Christians have celebrity endorsements too. Now I’m not making light of anyone’s conversion to Christianity. On the contrary, I believe we should rejoice with those in heaven over one on earth who turns to God (Luke 15:7). Our rejoicing though should be the same regardless of the person’s station in life.

My question however is this: should we be enthused when a famous person sings a Christian song that speaks contrary to their lives? In other words, should Christians buy an album from a celebrity who sings a song that honors God but then sings other songs that contradict God’s standards? Should we worship to a song when we know that the performer isn’t worshipping God? For the moment, let’s forget about listening to songs that we know have no worship value to them. Do we listen to someone who in one song sings about Jesus being in complete control of their lives, but then in their next song speaks about getting so drunk that they marry someone the night before without even knowing it? Where do we draw the line? When do we challenge someone’s claim of following Jesus when their life reflects something contrary to their claim? I’m not condemning anyone. I’m merely pointing out the obvious contradiction in what their singing one day versus the next. We shouldn’t forget that words matter. We who are followers of The Living Word should at least acknowledge that. I’m not trying to attack Hollywood either. I believe they’re doing exactly what they set out to do. But for the Christian isn’t worship more than a good performance? Even if the song is beautifully arranged, doesn’t the singer need to be connected to the truth that they are singing about? At some point, authenticity needs to be considered.

As I just mentioned, maybe these singers would tell us it's just a performance. They’re just singing a song. I could then at least appreciate their candor. But then it begs the question, why are they singing it? If it isn't for worship, what’s it for? I would venture to say they are doing it for entertainment, to increase their fan base, to sell more records. Primarily, they are doing it to make more money. Make no mistake, these performers don’t find Jesus magically around Christmas time when they sing O Holy Night. They sing these songs to get paid. They’re not moved by the King of Kings who came down to earth to die in our place. And we need to remember this when we hear their performances.

Once again, worship is not an issue of talent. I do love it when people sing in key (the alternative has at times hindered people’s worship) and that they maintain the right pitch (Dawg! I just had to throw that in). But this isn’t all that’s needed to worship God correctly. Jesus spoke of people who pretended to be righteous on the outside, but had no conversion experience in their spiritual lives. He said, “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain…’” Matthew 15:8-9a NIV

If we who follow Christ are not careful, we can become captivated by the entertainment industry and miss our deeper need to worship God in spirit and in truth. I close with the words of A.W. Tozer, The Great Double Cross, 1956:

“People today are betraying Jesus who have nothing against Jesus, who will even speak kindly about Jesus... They’ve nothing against Jesus and in a tender moment they sing and speak kindly of Jesus. Their reason for betraying Him is not that they hated Him but that they wanted money… they betray Jesus for popularity and to keep friends and to keep from many enemies.”

The G.O.S.P.E.L.

2011-05-11T10:47:00.002-05:00

A unique way of sharing the Gospel from word poet, Propaganda, compliments of Dare2Share youth ministries. Enjoy...

A Lesson from Great-Grandma

2011-05-06T12:18:00.003-05:00

Several weeks ago, we had a couple visit our church for the first time. I greeted them, and we exchanged pleasantries for a few moments before the service began.

Later that same week, I dropped by their house and paid them a visit. We each spoke of our lives and our backgrounds and what brought us to where we are today. Then the wife mentioned that she grew up in Carrier Mills, IL, a town not too far from where I now live. Not thinking too much into it, I told her that I had a great-grandmother who lived in that same town when I was growing up. She immediately asked me her name. I told her. And with surprise in her voice she said, “She was my Sunday-school teacher when I was a little girl. She lived right across the street from the church, didn’t she?” Visions of her little grey shingle-sided house with the big enclosed front porch that I used to sit and talk with her on sprang back into my mind. I said, “Yes, that was her.”

Grandma Emma, as we referred to her, used to bring out albums and show us pictures of her as a baby next to a log cabin. She had one picture of her grandfather who fought in the Civil War. She was born in 1893 and lived until 1985. She saw world wars and recessions. She witnessed the automobile’s birth and the beginning of air-travel. I also remembered how she used to have a cookie jar full of peanut butter cookies that she would save for us when we came to visit. They were stale, but I never told her. I was just happy she gave us something sweet.

What a small world? What’s the chance of running in to someone who was a student of my great-grandmother? I thought to myself for a moment and then stated, “Wait a minute; she used to teach Sunday school?” I never knew that about her. Her son, my grandfather was a minister, but I never knew that about his mother. My parents, to my knowledge, never spoke of her teaching. My heart began to warm as I thought back to what God was doing in my ancestor’s life even before I was born.

Many people would ‘chalk up’ this encounter as mere happenstance, but I considered it a ‘divine appointment,’ a meeting set up by God to teach someone that God is intricately involved in the lives of His people.

I always considered that I was a pastor in part because of the choices that my grandpa, her son, had made. But until this moment, I didn’t give much thought that his mom taught him first the things of God. Actually, all of us who follow after Christ have the generations that came before us to thank for their faithfulness to Him.

After the Israelites received the 10 Commandments, there is a section in Deuteronomy 6 called the Mishnah which charges them and all the other generations afterward to teach their children these laws of God. We are blessed today because someone chose to build in to our lives the love of God.

I recently found and visited my great-grandparents grave, and I took my sons to witness the event. With God’s guidance, I plan on carrying this legacy that was given to me on to them. Thank you mom, dad, grandparents, great-grandparents, & ancestors further down the line for teaching the truths of God to your children and your children’s children and so on…may we not break our link in the chain!

Different Words...Same Cry

2011-04-22T17:51:00.004-05:00

Have you ever wished for something and not receive it? When I was a boy, I dreamed of playing in the Major leagues. When the announcer spoke my name, it echoed across the field. I visualized making my way to the batter’s box as the crowd in the stadium exploded with cheers. The pitcher would stand on the mound and perform his usual rituals. When he delivered his best pitch, I would be there waiting for it. All of my might would be behind my swing as the ball connected to the sweet spot of my bat. The sound would bring the home fans to their feet with a slow but ever-increasing roar. The ball would sail over the outfield wall, and I’d trot around the bases as multitudes cheered. I prayed back then, ‘Oh, if God would grant me this wish, I’d be the happiest boy alive.'

The Israelites had wished for a deliverer the likes of Moses who would bring them relief from their oppressors. The last time Israel had heard from a prophet was over 400 years ago. And now this man from Nazareth (Can anything good come out of Nazareth?) is making his way toward Jerusalem. They hesitantly say, ‘He must be the Messiah, the anointed One; the One who would rescue Israel from Roman rule.’ After all, Lazarus has been raised from the dead; the blind received their sight; and the lame are walking. The old prophecies seem to be fulfilled in this one man. The news spreads and the people can’t contain their excitement. At the beginning of this week, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt while the people wave palm branches and shout “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” John 12:13

The term Hosanna comes from an earlier Hebrew word which means ‘Save’ or in the manner in which it was yelled here means, “Save Now!” In their hearts they wanted an earthly kingdom, but their actual words were asking for a Savior. Imagine the anticipation of the people as the colt made its way closer and closer to the city with its Kingly cargo. The people are bursting with excitement. The disciples are preparing for employment in a Messianic Court. But there would be no earthly throne set up now. Days before, he told his followers 3 times that the ‘Son of Man’ (a term he used for himself) must die, but they still didn’t grasp his meaning.

By the end of the week, the religious leaders have incited the crowd to change their tune. The echoes of hosanna are long gone and now they are replaced by an ugly word. They shout, ‘Crucify him!’ But they can’t be serious. No one could perform the miracles that Jesus has done unless he is from God. You can’t possibly want to hang a Jewish rabbi on a tree…that’s a curse! But their cries only get louder. If Jesus wasn’t going to lead in the manner that they wanted, they didn’t want him.

The words Hosanna and Crucify when you look at their meanings are on two different ends of the spectrum. One has to do with blessing the one coming to save us, and the other is a curse. What many fail to see then and today is that Jesus received the wrath of God the Father in order to save mankind from our greatest enemy…sin. Thus, Jesus by becoming sin (a curse) saved the world.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

So whether they realized it or not, Hosanna was the right word to use. And as hard as it is to admit, the words, ‘crucify him’ brought the same outcome. God’s plan will happen whether we’re for it or not. Let us never forget that we as followers of Christ have life because Jesus took our death.

In his song, Ride On To Die, Michael Card writes of Christ’s journey to the cross:
Sense the sorrow untold
As you look down the road
At the clamoring crowd drawing near.
Feel the heat of the day,
As you look down the way;
Hear the shouts of Hosanna the King.

Oh, daughter of Zion,
Your time’s drawing near;
Don’t forsake Him. Oh, don’t pass it by.
On the foal of a donkey
As the prophets had said,
Passing by you, He rides on to die.

Soon the thorn-cursed ground
Will bring forth a crown,
And this Jesus will seem to be beaten.
But He’ll conquer alone,
Both the shroud and the stone,
And the prophecies will be completed.

Oh, daughter of Zion,
Your time’s drawing near;
Don’t forsake Him. Oh, don’t pass it by.
On the foal of a donkey
As the prophets had said,
Passing by you, He rides on to die.

Thank you God for giving us what we needed even when we thought we were asking for something else.

Do People in Heaven Know What's Happening on Earth?

2011-04-05T11:44:00.000-05:00

If you've ever lost someone close to you, I'm sure this question has come across your mind. Numerous songs have been written and sung affirming the notion that our loved ones indeed know and see what's happening here and now. But is this just a nice sentiment spoken to soothe a grieving heart, or does the Word of God give us any answers?

Another question that arises is how can people in heaven be resting and happy, if they're able to see the strife and misery that's going on down here? Wouldn't this take away their joy? Pastor and Author, Randy Alcorn addresses this question below with Greg Laurie. Randy's answer may cause you to look at heaven and joy in a new way.

I encourage you to review the Scripture references that he will use in his answer as well. They are the following: Revelation 6:9-11; Luke 15:10; Hebrews 12:1

I welcome your comments below.

Why I Hate The Gospel of Prosperity

2011-03-21T10:46:00.000-05:00

Doesn't God want us to be successful? Isn't there some truth that if I follow God's laws I can avoid the hardships in this life? Is this what Jesus meant when He said, 'I have come to give you life...life to the full?' Some teach, come and receive Jesus and your problems will go away. There are successful ministers in America preaching that God wants to bless you financially, but you have to step out and give first. Does this correlate with what Jesus taught?

Pastor and Author, John Piper, gives his response to those who claim that God wants us to be healthy, wealthy, and prosperous in this life. Watch the following video and give your thoughts & comments.

The Road Home

2011-03-15T16:45:00.001-05:00

In 2004, the group Mercy Me came out with their song, Homesick. By just reading the title of the song, you can surmise that it’s about someone missing home…obviously! But as you listen to the lyrics, you realize that the home that’s being missed is not a home located here on this earth or in this life. It's not even a home where the singer has lived before. Here’s how the chorus reads:

I close my eyes and I see your face. If home’s where my heart is then I’m out of place. Lord won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow. I’ve never been more homesick then now…

It can be confusing to be homesick over a place that you’ve never been or even seen. Why would anyone consider such a place home in the first place? But when our eyes are opened to a new world devoid of pain, suffering, disease, and death, we begin to understand how corrupt and tarnished this current world we live in is. Thus, our hearts begin to long for something more than this world can offer. I would argue that every person feels a bit out of place in this present world. Solomon wrote that God has placed eternity in the hearts of men. Meaning, we all long for something more than living for a time and then death and then annihilation. And this is no accident. We desire more because God has made more. Jesus promised His disciples that when He left He would go and prepare a ‘place’ for them. The promise He made is also true for us. Those who follow Christ look forward to a ‘new heaven’ and a ‘new earth.’ We can and should look forward to an eternal home.

Speaking to a church in London in November 1933, Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “No one has yet believed in God and the kingdom of God, no one has yet heard about the realm of the resurrected, and not been homesick from that hour, waiting and looking forward joyfully to being released from bodily existence.” –Stations on the Road to Freedom.

Heaven becomes a reality and our deepest desire at the moment we sincerely believe God’s promises. Death loses its power and intimidation when we come to realize that it’s but the last station in our life on the road home.

Because this world is all we’re familiar with, it becomes tempting to hold on too tightly and forget what we were made for…a better & eternal home. In addition, Jesus said, those who try to keep their lives will lose it, but those who lose their lives for me and the Gospel will save it. We must be willing to give up trying to fulfill our deepest needs in this life. This world was never meant to satisfy us. Its purpose is only to point us to the better one coming.

A week after Easter Sunday 1945, a 39 yr. old imprisoned pastor opened up his Bible in a classroom turned prison and now a makeshift sanctuary for that morning’s service. He began by reading the passage from Isaiah 53:5, “…he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” He read another passage, and then spent the remaining time explaining what the verses meant to the prisoners in attendance. A few brief moments after he closed the service in prayer, two men dressed in plain clothes walked into the room and one of them said, “Prisoner Bonhoeffer, get ready to come with us.” Knowing that his time was up, he remarked to a fellow prisoner and friend, “This is the end…for me the beginning of life.”

In the early hours of that next morning, Dietrich walked up the steps of the gallows at Flossenburg prison; he bowed and prayed one last time; and after a few short moments, he was executed for his public outcry against unfair treatment of the Jews during Nazi control of Germany and for his spying and work to have Hitler assassinated in the now famous ‘Valkyrie’ plot. The camp doctor who witnessed his death would later write about the event, “In almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.”

Love casts out fear. The more we love God the less we will fear death and its repercussions. It is but the last doorway home.

'Courageous' The Movie

2011-03-11T17:28:00.002-06:00

This is a movie that will be out in theaters this year, and one that every father should make a point to go and see. Just watching this trailer has inspired me. I pray that it starts a movement of God turning children's hearts back to their fathers. May you be blessed you 'Modern-day Knights' to live the calling God has laid out for you.

Blessings,

Derek

A Reasonable Question

2011-03-03T19:34:00.004-06:00

Several years ago, when my oldest child was around 5, a friend of mine and I agreed to take our families up to Chicago for a day at the zoo. As you can imagine, our children were all excited and eager to get on our journey as we loaded up the cars and made plans to meet each other at the front gate.

After arriving, we purchased our tickets, and made our way through the turnstile and into the park…children in tow. Being a hot summer day in the city, the park was full of people. Of course, we didn’t let that deter us from seeing our favorite species as we made our way through the crowd and the maze of exhibits.

A few hours passed when the little feet of some of the members of our group began to get a little tired. We decided to take a break from the action for awhile. Making our way to a couple of empty tables and chairs, we settled down and began to attend to the needs our families. After a few moments, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, my friend’s son walk up to him and ask, “Dad, why are we here?” Without looking up from his duties with his other child, my friend replied, “We’re here to see the animals…to have fun!” But this wasn’t the answer he was looking for. He retorted, “No dad, I mean, why are we here…on earth?”

At this point, I was all ears. What would my friend say to him? What a great opportunity this was. This little boy, who was no more than 4 years old at the time, was already beginning to wonder what his purpose in life was. I stopped what I was doing and was now watching and waiting as this conversation unfolded.

It’s been said that there are 3 questions every person will ask at some point in their lives. The first is a question of origin (where did I come from?). The second is a question of destiny (What happens to me after I die?). And the third is a question of purpose (What’s the reason behind me being here?). It was this 3^rd question that this little fellow was wanting an answer to.

I wish I could tell you that my friend sat his son down on the bench and looked him straight in the eye and gave him the best answer he could, but I can’t. In fact, my friend didn’t give him an answer at all. He just raised his head slightly and said in frustration, “Son, I don’t know.” And with that, his son turned around and quickly focused his attention on something else.
A part of me wishes I could go back to that day and answer him, or at least encourage my friend to answer him. After all, I watched this all unfold and said nothing to either one of them.

The young boy should be around 16 today, so in case he or his dad reads this, or if anyone else for that matter has the same question, I would like to respond now.

The reason we were made; the reason we exist; the reason we move and have our being is for the glory and pleasure of God. The earth and all that is in it exists to bring glory to and awareness of God. The universe shows the splendor and grandeur of our Creator. When we make much of God and acknowledge Him, we are fulfilling our number one reason for existing.

Furthermore, we glorify God best when we worship Him only. By nature, we are worshipers. There hasn’t been a tribe or a people group discovered on this planet that isn’t worshiping something or someone. But unless we’re worshiping the One, True God, we worship in error and miss our primary purpose. Even heaven and all of its inhabitants worship God.

How do we worship God? Contrary to what many think, this is not where we get into a discussion on musical preferences. Nor is it the number of visits one makes to the church building every week either. A.W. Tozer wrote, “If we don’t worship God seven days a week, we don’t worship Him one day a week.”

Worship occurs in the entire life of the believer. It is authentic and Holy Spirit led. It’s in our actions, but more importantly it involves our entire lives. For Jesus said:

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” -John 4:24 NIV

So whether I’m sitting in a building surrounded by like-minded people singing songs I enjoy, or whether I’m in the middle of Wal-Mart during Christmas season, I can be worshiping God…and that’s His desire…that wherever and whatever I’m doing, I’m always in His presence adoring Him.

Gold Rush

2011-02-15T20:00:00.001-06:00

Originally posted on February 9, 2011

Discovery Channel

Recently, a new show has been airing on the Discovery Channel entitled Gold Rush: Alaska. Six men from Oregon facing foreclosure, lay-offs, or failing businesses, take the risk of a lifetime. Their hope is to spend a summer up in the Alaskan wilderness for the chance at finding gold. The catch is that all of them accept one has ever mined before, and if they’re not successful, they’ll return home in poverty.

Now if you’re like me, when you hear the term ‘gold miner,’ you think of someone squatting down next to a river with a little pan in the hopes of finding some flakes of gold after some long and tedious work. But this isn’t what you see. This group has spent over a quarter of million dollars buying and transporting bulldozers and other earth-moving equipment, and a massive self-made processing plant that separates the rock and soil from the gold…so they hope.

They’ve rented this plat of land where gold has been found before so they know their sitting on top of a ‘gold mine,’ literally. The hope is to search as much ground as possible and use all of the time they have before winter freezes the ground and stops their dreams of unearthing treasure.

I have to admit. If I had the opportunity to travel to our nation’s biggest state for the possibility of gold, I’d jump at the chance. The venture just seems so exciting. But the truth of why so many people don’t is that they’re not willing to make the effort or pay the price to do so. Along these same lines, too many people are unwilling to search for God and His kingdom in the same manner. For Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44 NIV

Many ‘try’ church or God for a little while and get discouraged because their lives don’t get easier. Or they listen to their friend’s or family’s opinions about God without ever looking through the Bible for themselves. Thus, they give up the search before the reward.

Jesus was clear when He described our plight: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b NIV

Those who find God are filled with joy and looking forward to the prize to come. They endure and hold nothing back and spend all of their efforts and resources in search of Him.

After all, why should we focus on getting treasure here that we can’t keep after we die, when we can focus on making it to God’s kingdom where we’ll live forever and where the streets are paved with it?

Not an Option

2011-02-15T19:50:00.000-06:00

Originally posted: January 18, 2011

Yesterday, our nation celebrated Martin Luther King’s Day. As a result, I spent some of my time reflecting on his legacy and trying to understand what the atmosphere of that era must’ve been like. You may think what you want about the man, but there’s no denying how successful he was in his public protests against civil rights violations without firing one shot or giving in to fears.

Furthermore, I freely admit that I’ve never seen someone hit or have ever been hit myself with a water cannon. I’ve not witnessed a group of people get screamed at and pushed around simply because of the color of their skin. And I’ve not seen someone turned away with threats of violence at a voting booth either.

It’s not that I’ve lived a sheltered life, but it’s because this battle was waged before my time and for the most part, had been successfully won in the United States. Now, I’m not naïve to the fact that racism still exists today and that there is still a need to promote respect and fairness for all people. But even if this is taught and believed in by the majority of Americans, it’s still possible to be a citizen of the U.S. and still hate those who don’t look like, think like, or act like you. Some would argue that it’s their right.

But I do want to clarify that this was never an issue in God’s Church, and it never will be. There's no choice in how we treat others when it comes to their appearance or social status. Paul reminds us of this fact when we read:

“For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body [The Church]—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit...” 1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV

The Church of God is comprised of all people who confess their sins to God and accept Jesus’ sacrifice for those sins; and are now walking in a personal relationship with Him. We who fit these qualifications are part of God’s One (Universal) Church.

Now, most who have been a part of a Christian church at some time in their lives understand these points that I’ve listed. But there appears to me another qualifier that is overlooked by many who confess Christ as Savior.

“If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” -1 John 4:20-21 NIV

You cannot call yourself a follower of God and hate those who are made in the image of God. Irrespective of how people look, act, smell, or think, they matter to God. And as a result, we don’t have a right to demean or devalue them.

We may live in a world that puts a price tag on people, or judges their worth by their abilities, or what family their born in to. But in the church, we don’t have that option.

Our forefathers got it right when they penned in the Declaration of Independence, “…We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…”

If you want to be a part of God's true Church, you have no choice but to love all people.

Jesus came to set all of those oppressed by sin free so I say ‘let freedom ring!’