findingMoore

Running for Life Pt 3: Discipline

2011-11-14T20:41:00.000-06:00

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

The final thing that I have learned from running in my first 5k is that there were days leading up to the race that I DID NOT feel like running. When I first started running I struggled running for 60 seconds, so I had to get back in shape. To do that I decided to run 4 days a week. Our family's schedule is a little hectic in the evening and I want to spend as much time as possible with the kiddos before they go to bed. Because of this, I set my run times EARLY in the morning.

I would get up and run around 6:15am four days a week and several days I DID NOT want to get up. Especially as the mornings got darker darker and colder. Honestly the first 10 minutes were horrible. I hated it. I had to make my body and mind come into agreement with my purpose of running 3.1 miles. I had to DISCIPLINE myself to get out of bed, especially on Saturday mornings. If I had the not, I would not have been able to run the race, I would have had to walk/run it.

I touched on the subject of Discipline in a previous post. But what I found is that there are periods, after you set a goal and set your directions, that you are going to want to "take a break". You will try to convince yourself that you deserve the break with all kinds of excuses.

It's too early.
It's too late.
I don't have time right now.
I'll do it later.
I've been doing really good so far.
This is too difficult.

One excuse can lead to another one, then another, and then another. Finally, we are no longer pursuing the finish line. You have to make yourself do what you are supposed to do in order to cross that finish line. If you don't, you are disqualifying yourself from the race and you will loose. Once you've been disqualified, in order to cross the finish line, you may have to go back the starting line. Then thought of having to start all over can lead to complete surrender and giving up.

Whatever goal you've set, or finish line you defined in your life. You're not always going to feel like training and making the preparations for your race. Do whatever it takes to make sure you can cross it. If not you'll wind up discouraged and starting over or dropping out. Set the alarm, disable the snooze, get up, and run!

Running for Life Pt 2: Direction

2011-11-05T22:43:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

What would a race look like if everyone was going in different directions? What if those in the race were not running in the direction of the finish line? What if they ran in the opposite direction? Odds are they would have a hard time reaching the finish line if at all.

In a race the path to the finish line is marked with signs and markers letting you know where you are, where to turn, and even how far you have gone. The night before my first 5K I was given a map of the course that showed the start and finish lines, the direction I was to run, and where the turns were. As I was running each mile was marked, each turn was marked, and there were even folks on the side line encouraging us and pointing us in the right direction. I knew I wanted to cross the finish line in a certain time, I had my purpose, but before the race started I also knew how I was going to get there.

Go Commando 5k Clarksville, TN

It doesn't matter how clear and precisely marked your finish line or purpose is, if your course is not set and you don't have a clear direction on how you are going to get there...you will have a hard time crossing your finish line if at all. You will struggle in accomplishing your goal. Take some times before the starting gun sounds and mark out your course. Set each step. Clearly mark your turns. Where will your uphill climbs and down hill coasts be? Don't just choose the shortest distance either. Just because it's quicker doesn't mean it's the best way either. Make sure you have people in your life at the right places cheering you on pointing you in the right direction. Don't get distracted by the scenery or try to take shortcuts. Make sure you stay on the right path until reach the end.

Running for Life Pt 1 - Purpose

2011-10-28T22:40:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?SO RUN TO WIN! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with PURPOSE in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I've been chewing on this verse for a couple of months now. Partly because I have started running (believe it or not.) Seven weeks ago I began a C25K (couch to a 5k) program in order to run my first 5k in honor of a fraternity brother who passed away. And on October 15th I completed my first 5k with a time of 28:16, almost 2 minutes under my goal time.

In times past I have made fun of people who run for fun or exercise. My thought was that running is something you do when you are being chased. However, many times I tried to start running to get in shape and many times I failed after a couple of days. I even bought a pair of running shoes and wore them twice until recently. I also bought a tiny mp3 player to entertain me as I ran. It was used mostly in our cars.

The primary reason I failed all of those times, is because I had no clear purpose for my running. Sure I wanted to get in shape, but there was no set goal I wanted to reach. The above scripture said that a runner runs to win and each step is made with a purpose. My earlier purpose of "get in shape" was vague and shallow. There was no finish line to cross. That is why I never followed through.

My current obsession with running is attributed to my decision to run a 5k in honor of a friend. I wanted to run it, not walk it, or even run/walk it. I didn't want to just complete it, wanted to run it in at least 30 minutes. I set my "win" and with that came the purpose for each step I ran. The goal was concise, precise, and attainable. Something I could work toward and there would be a finish line I would cross.

I crossed that finish line and I'm still running. I'm running in another 5k in a few weeks and I'm planning on running a 10k in the summer. I'm still running because I have set another finish line to improve my time and increase my distance. I've also found that I REALLY enjoy running.

I don't think anyone would complete a race or even run in one if there wasn't a finish line. Most of our incompletes in life or even failures are due to a lack of finish lines. Is your purpose clear? What are you wanting to accomplish? What are you wanting to achieve? Why are you running? Did you reach that mark and then stop? Are you tired of nothing changing in life and always giving up? Is it financial, relational, physical, or spiritual? Find a finish line. If you don't see one, set one. Once you reach that goal, set another one that will take you to the next level. Run to win!

The D word

2011-10-14T09:57:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are DISCIPLINED in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with PURPOSE in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I DISCIPLINE my body like an athlete training it to DO WHAT IT SHOULD. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I am the MAN of the house, the parent of the house, and I have a responsibility to discipline my daughters in ways that benefit and protects them... I've known this would be the case since before Ella was born.

But another reality has made itself very clear recently.(AGAIN) I am also responsible for disciplining MYSELF as well. Not in a way that keeps me out of trouble and out of jail. But in a way that helps me be and do the best I can in a few areas of life. Those areas being...

Finances - Exercise - Eating Habits - Time on Technology - Hours of Sleep - Reading - Writing - Prayer

That may not seem like much....but those things are HUGE portions in my life.

I would easily say that lack of financial discipline is the reason for our nations economic problem (at the political and individual level.) The obesity problem in our country is due mostly to a lack of discipline to push away from the table and declining to take a walk (Not including real genetic and medical issues.) Our lack of productivity is due to staying up all night and then staying distracted by twitter, facebook, youtube, and random blogs (like this one.)

The point is this...the things that we SHOULD be doing have been replaced by things we WANT to be doing. And just because we want to do something doesn't mean that it is the best thing for us. In fact the things we SHOULD be doing are some of the hardest to do. We have to discipline ourselves to do them.

What do you know you should be doing, but aren't. Stop feeling guilty for not doing it. Make the decision to do it and then just do it. That is the only way it is going to happen. You don't have to read another book, get another idea, or find a better or easier way to do it. Just start where you are and do what you know to do. Right now.

Sliding through the park

2011-09-16T11:48:00.000-05:00

This is a little shot of Addison's first trip to the park. Don't worry she was fine. I was not however...ha

If you knew...

2011-08-30T10:02:00.000-05:00

I was just listening to a podcast of one of my spiritual mentors...and wow. He just revealed a nugget of truth I had never thought about and just pass over.

One of the greatest hurts we face as leaders, pastors, or just people is betrayal by someone we are in relationship with, someone we care about. For whatever reason a relationship breaks down because of a lie, deception, or disagreement, and we feel betrayed. We feel stabbed in the back as the saying goes.

How do you normally respond in that situation? Like most we put up walls, we retaliate, or we go into hiding. Usually anything to deal with the pain and possibly try to punish the person. Now let me ask you this. What would you do "If you knew someone was going to betray you?" How would you respond?

Would you jump ahead and hurt them first? Would you confront them with the information? Would you avoid them all together trying to prevent the betrayal? Any one of those things would be part of our human nature to respond.

But this is what Perry Noble pointed out Jesus did in John 13.

I've read and taught John 13 dozens of times from the angle of humbling yourself and serving others. But totally missed that Jesus was also serving the one who would betray him...AND He already knew Judas was going to betray Him.

v2. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus. v3. Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. SO He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around Him and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples feet....

Where it says he began to wash the disciples feet....that includes Judas. Judas, the one who sold Jesus out! Jesus didn't exclude him. In the SAME chapter Judas leaves to betray Jesus.

Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him
Jesus knew He had been given authority over everything. He could have used that authority to prevent the betrayal or correct Judas in front of the other disciples.....or just take Judas out all together.
Jesus knew all this SO He got up from the table and washed their feet. It was because He knew these things that He did what He did AND included Judas in the experience.

Jesus was walking out what He was talking about in Matthew 5:43-48 and Luke 6:27-35.

The truth is this...people are going to betray you at times. But that does not exclude them from our love. I bet if we lived this way the betrayal would have a lot less power over lives.

SO knowing this.......serve/love the one who hurt you this week.

You may have went to church today

2011-08-28T22:54:00.000-05:00

If you are a Christian in the US, odds are today you went to church. (We had a HUGE day at FaithPoint Church today with 619 in attendance and around 15 Fresh Starts with Christ) You were able to get there with little difficulty, other than getting the kids ready and a possible argument with your spouse about dirty clothes left in the bathroom or getting to church on time. And you were able to go to lunch after service and publicly share your experience at church. Odds are during the week you catch very little flack and your life is rarely threatened because of your belief. To be honest, as Christians in America, we face very little persecution.

Jesus encouraged His disciples that as much as He would be persecuted that they would be even more. Paul even celebrated the fact that he was persecuted everywhere that he went and looked forward to opportunities to suffer more. I believe this is a hard concept for most American Christians(myself included) to grasp. I am both thankful and ashamed of this when I think about it.

We are persecuted so little in the US but still keep our beliefs a secret to most so we do NOT to offend them. How would we respond in other countries where our very life would be threatened daily because of the choice to be a follower of Christ?

We think about this from time to time, whenever we read a book or hear a story of someone who has suffered for the Gospel in another part of the world. After some time the thoughts fade and we sink back into the safe complacent Christianity that we have here in the US.

Don't take what we have, what they are doing, or what He did for granted.

Listen to the lyrics of this song...Powerful!

CHORUS
the pain that i bear cannot compare
to your arms once i get there
people don't hear You
so I'll be your voice
suffering daily
but still we rejoice
time for your glory
im just telling your story
we'll carry the cross
you suffer before me
people dont know you
so i'll be the one
to introduce them to your glorious son
and until that day
when we see your face
this race we'll run
inspired by LOVE

My Girls

2011-08-27T14:58:00.000-05:00

Thought I would share a couple of videos of my girls. Being a dad is so stinking cool, that I can't stand it some times. Never a dull moment....but then again sometimes never a silent moment.

I love it when Ella gets a hold of the flip! You never know what you are going to get. You have to watch it all the way through to get the full effect.

Addison is REALLY trying to tell us something important.

He's Proud of Me

2011-08-25T09:31:00.001-05:00

Been meaning to share this for a couple of days. I pray it's an encouragement for you.

Ella is five. She's started kindergarten this year. I dropped her off at school Tuesday morning and she didn't want me to walk her in. "Dad! I'm a big girl, I know where to go. I can do it myself!" So I opened the car door for her and watched her disappear through the double doors into the building. It's hard to believe how fast she is growing up.

Even though she's big enough to walk to her class by herself she says she still isn't big enough to sleep in her bed all night. That's why around 4 o'clock EVERY night she gets in our bed.

Tuesday morning she woke up and asked if she could just lay with me a little longer before she got ready. She put her arm around my neck and began scratching the back of it. She was laying silently, I could see her wheels were turning, and then she gave me this piece of advice.

"Dad? You know..... I think God's proud of me. Don't you?"

"Absolutely! Of course He is. What makes you think that though?" I answered.

"Because He made me very special...and so He's proud of me.!"

We laid in silence for a bit....then she started again.

"And dad? You know He's proud of you too. God made you special too. You know that right!"

"Yes I do! Thanks for reminding me!"

Nothing like an honest piece of encouragement from a 5 year old. Hopefully you know that regardless of how you feel or what kind of day you're having, He's proud of you. God's made you special, and specifically for a purpose. Once your start that relationship with Christ, His work begins in you and you begin the work He has for you. And that makes Him proud to be your Father.

Ephesians 2:10

¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Addie Turns 1

2011-07-15T15:04:00.000-05:00

Addison on the way home

Ella and Addison 6 months


Addison turning 1

I just want to take a moment and count a blessing! Remember the things most important in life.

Addison was due on July 14th 2010 (yesterday would have been her birthday), however she surprised us by showing up on JUNE 14th 2010. One month early. We barely made it to the hospital on that day. With no time for Jennifer to receive her "drugs" after about 45 minutes Addison made her debut. It has been a bit of a battle to get here weight caught up at times with some belly and acid reflux issues. But we've made it into the "average" range for her weight. Praise God! She has such a HUGE personality already and is a blessing to our family. Jen and I are blessed to have another beautiful daughter and Ella has turned out to be the perfect big sister.

YEA BOO YA

2011-07-10T01:50:00.001-05:00

Friday morning I informed Ella that I had special plans for us that night. The rest of the day she was full of anticipation and expectation on what was going to happen during our hangout. (For the record I want to call it "daddy daughter date night" but she says we can't because I'm already married and she's just my daughter. So we call it "hangout").

I usually don't tell her when I have one planned because I like to surprise her, but I told her about Friday. And she kept asking what we were going to do, where we were going, and that it was going to be a long time before tonight. She was super excited.

While getting ready she and Jennifer picked out a special "princess" outfit and didn't want me to see her until she was completely ready. When I tried to sneak a peak she hid. She wanted Jennifer to curl her hair but we ran out of time (a bit like her momma when getting ready.)

She knew something big was going to happen and knew I would come through on my promise even though she didn't know exactly what it was going to be. She didn't doubt me even though she didn't know all the details. But she knew I was her dad, I loved her, and had made her a promise. And that was enough for her.

Ella and I shared some good ole Mexican food at El Rodeo. She screamed " YEA BOO YA" as we pulled into the parking lot. After that we watched most of Cars 2 before leaving for a hot fudge sundae. According to her it was the "Best Night Ever....Boo Ya!"

We need to live in the same excitement, expectation, and anticipation with our Heavenly Father and the good things he has in store for us. Because He is so much better than you and I will ever be and His surprise gifts will be much better than ours. Go ahead and get "dressed" for the occasion and don't worry about the what and the where. Just know you're gonna probably gonna scream YEA BOO YA when you see it.

Just in case you don't know the verse Luke 11:11-13

A walk in the woods

2011-06-25T18:38:00.002-05:00

Last month I spent a day on a silent retreat. I had read about other leaders taking them, and wanted to have one of my own, but felt like it would be something that I'd never really get to do because of the busyness of life. I finally made it a point to make it happen, and I finally took a moment to write it out.

Moses made it a practice to take his tent some distance from the camp to speak with God. (Exodus 33) He was known as one who spoke to God face to face.

After driving an hour and a half to Mouse Tail Landing Park in Linden, TN; I hiked about an hour and a half to two hours one way into the woods to a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River. The journey to the bluff was full of obstacles, turns, inclines, and scenery. Once there I spent several hours in complete silence and solitude reading, praying, and listening. Trying to find a bit of rest and balance for my soul.

At first I have to admit it was a bit awkward. I ate lunch, explored the area, and took some pictures. Then I began my time with God. I tried reading by blindly opening my bible and "allowing God to lead my reading". I got distracted. I allowed the wind to turn my pages and "lead my reading". I got distracted. I prayed a bit. I got distracted. This went on for a while, and finally in my disappointment of NOT hearing from God I had decided to make the journey back to my car.

In one last attempt at this silent retreat thing. I opened my bible to a couple of Psalms and began reading them out loud. One chapter and then another and then another. Finally my heart heard something it needed to hear.

I read it, I spoke it, and I heard it. I stopped and listened. God didn't speak to me audibly but through His Word.. It was exactly what I needed to hear and God knew that.

I know you may not be the adventurous type or have a lot of time on your hand. But I bet you could carve out about a half a day to "go some distance from the camp" and meet with God. You probably spend more than a half a day on less important stuff. It may be awkward at first. Stick it out and pursue, and God will speak! You'll be glad you did.

Broken to Use

2011-04-24T01:14:00.001-05:00

This excerpt by Watchman Nee was from the YouVersion Lent Reading Plan. It was the reading for Wednesday, but I have been chewing on it since then.

God must bring us to a point - I cannot tell you how it will be, but He will do it - where, through a deep and dark experience, our natural power is touched and fundamentally weakened, so that we no longer dare trust ourselves. He has had to deal with some of us very harshly, and take us through difficult and painful ways, in order to get us there... But then at last it is that He can begin to use us.

We would like to have death and resurrection put together within one hour of each other. We cannot face the thought that God will keep us aside for so long a time; we cannot bear to wait. And I cannot tell you how long He will take, but in principle I think it is quite safe to say this, that there will be a definite period when He will keep you there... All is in darkness, but it is only for a night. It must indeed be a full night, but that is all. Afterwards you will find that everything is given back to you in glorious resurrection; and nothing can measure the difference between what was before and what now is!

I've been especially thinking about being broken to a point that we no longer dare trust ourselves...and then it is at that point that He can begin to use us. The process of being broken is never a fun one. Jesus describes the Father as a Gardner, pulling up those that produce no fruit and pruning those that do so that they may produce even more. Uprooting and pruning are both painful processes, but it's in that time that we are being broken. And God uses (but not necessarily cause) different circumstances to break us. It takes longer for some of us than others. But it is not until we are fully reliant on God that he uses us. Some of us actually never get there, because we like to be in control to much. We trust ourselves too much to trust Him.

But I love the final line in the piece. "and nothing can measure the difference between what was before and what is now." Once we are broken and used by God we are not the same as we were before. And there is no ruler, tape measure, scale, or rubric great enough that can measure the change that has taken place in our life.

And if you think about it...God broke His only son to use Him in the greatest possible way. And He didn't just break Him, He crushed Him.....to death.

So whatever breaking you are going through right now, know that you will soon be coming to a point that God will use you greatly. And at the end of the journey you will be VASTLY different than who you were at the beginning. And you will be glad of the process it took to get you there.

Staring Straight

2011-04-19T21:28:00.000-05:00

Listened to this song for an hour straight as I cut my grass this evening.

I sit here clutching useless lists
and keys for doors that don't exist
I crack my teeth on pearls
I tear into the history
just show me what it means to me in this world

'cause I am due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
I'll stare straight into the sun
and I won't close my eyes
'til I understand or go blind

I see the parts but not the whole
I study saints and scholars both
no perfect plan unfurls

do I trust my heart or just my mind
why is truth so hard to find in this world
yeah in this world

'cause I am due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
I'll stare straight into the sun
and I won't close my eyes
'til I understand or go blind

I know that there's a point I've missed
a shrine or stone I haven't kissed
a scar that never graced my wrist
a mirror that hasn't met my fist
but I can't help feeling like I'm

due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
I'll stare straight into the sun
and I won't close my eyes

Do you Reapeat or Reveal

2011-04-15T18:29:00.000-05:00

Last week I started a series in our student ministry called Jesus is_____. I know, catchy title. I actually swiped the title from Judah at Generation Church. Before we went too far into the series I wanted our students to know that regardless of how much you know about Jesus, you have to be able to declare who He is to you.

If you look in Matthew 16: 13-19, how we answer Jesus' question, "who do you say that I am?", has huge implications on His power in our life. When you read the text, Jesus actually asks two questions.

1. Who do people say that I am?
2. Who do you say that I am?

In the first answer the boys are basically REPEATING information of who others have said Jesus is. In the process they spout off a couple of names, not sure if they are giving the right answer. Simon quickly answers the second question without a stutter or stammer, "You are the Messiah, Son of the Living God." Simon wasn't just repeating information...he was REVEALING his heart. By REVEALING his heart, Simon became Peter and was given strength that even the powers of Hell would not overcome. How we describe Jesus in our lives determines His power in our life. Are we only REPEATING what we have been told (trying to give a good Sunday school answer hoping its right) or are we REVEALING our heart (smooth, quick, personal explanation). The only way that can be REVEALED in the heart is if it's in there, and the only way it can be in there is if we put it there...because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, right.

Of course this message was meant to encourage my students to make sure that they know who Jesus is to them, and that if they are truly followers of Christ they shouldn't just be Repeating information.They should be Revealing their heart.

BUT as I was thinking back through this today, I became consumed with this thought in how it relates to pastoring, preaching, and the health of God's Church. This thought has even greater implications when it comes to building The Church (both locally and globally). When we focus on correctly answering the second question and sharing that with others.........THE CHURCH CANNOT FAIL. It's a promise made by Christ himself.

Pastors, are you only Repeating what you have been reading. Or, are you Revealing your heart? When you preach which are you doing? When you share Christ in any conversation, which are you doing? I know personally there have been times that I've caught myself just repeating information. But when The Word that God gives me becomes embedded in my heart and I Reveal it. I know it, I feel His power in my life and within the ministry that I serve...and I feel that the Powers of Hell cannot conquer me. The ones I have revealed that word to are empowered the same. Others know which you are doing too. They know a good speech from a God given Word from the heart.

We have to make sure that we soak our hearts in His word separate from our message preparation times. It's in those times that our hearts become full, and we are able to REVEAL who Christ is in us and in our church. Because, out of the abundance of the heart....the mouth speaks.

Spring day with my girls

2011-04-13T10:19:00.001-05:00

I spent a Friday with my girls outside and at the parks. I am so thankful for technology that allows us to capture moments like this to enjoy for years to come.

Eat Sleep Serve

2011-03-28T17:11:00.001-05:00

In 2005 our youth ministry attended a Group Work Camp for the first time. During that week we spent time simply serving in the community of Monroe Louisiana. My thoughts after the trip were "Man, we could and need to do something like this in Adamsville." For the next 5 years we would still travel out of state and country to serve in other communities. Yet that thought from the first trip constantly lingered. Last year, in 2010 that thought solidified with Eat Sleep Serve. We eat and sleep at the church, while serving and sharing Christ in our back yard. Last years ESS was very successful but this year was even greater.

James 1 tells us that Pure and Genuine Worship is taking care of the orphans and the widows. So that is just what we did for ESS2011. We served in 6 house projects, a children's outreach, and food distributions. We also had 14 free oil changes lined up, but had to reschedule due to rain. As we worshiped through serving during the day we opened up opportunities that 1st Peter 3:15 talks about allowing us to share Chirst with some individuals

We ended each day with a celebration service. During Thursday night's service Pastor Dan Lord of The Life Church of Memphis brought The Word, challenging our group to be the Loudest Generation. We are to Embrace our Call and use our Voice pointing others to Christ. Friday night we asked God to break our hearts for what breaks His, to be able to see the crowds as He sees them by looking past the labels with compassion. The night ended with our group spending over an hour after service on our face in worship while only a CD played. It was definitely one of the most amazing experiences in my life. All four of our Youth Ministry Values were seen played out this weekend, Worship-Acceptance-Change-Challenge.

I am so thankful that God has had patience with me and continued to nag me with this idea until I completed my task.

r

Making Jesus Smile

2011-03-19T00:57:00.001-05:00

Today was a much needed breath of fresh air. Literally! 80 degrees. Sunshine. Light breeze. It was a day that was meant to be spent outdoors. That is just what I did. Ella encouraged me to take a break from my outside chores because she needed to be pushed in the swing. The girl could swing for hours.

After a few minutes in the swing, as I'm pushing her higher and higher, she starts making funny noises and gigling after each sound or two. She's barking like a dog, meowing like a cat, blowing her lips together, mooing like a cow, and various other crazy-funny sounds. She only makes the sounds at highest point of the"up swing" while stretching her face up another inch or two.

We're both laughing at one point and I ask her if she's being silly.

She responds giggling, "Yea dad! I'm trying to make Jesus laugh. Do you think I'm making Him laugh?"

WOW! I love these moments. If you read this little blog at all you'll know that.

"Of course He's laughing. If I'm laughing He's gotta be rolling, laughing REALLY hard, " I tell her with a huge grin on my face and tear in my eye.

What's the moral of this? You know there is one.

It is in our human nature to want to please people. We do it daily in relationships, at work, online, and in life. We hope to do something that pleases someone or catches their eye so that we can feel their approval in return. Most of the time that mentality leaves us anything but happy. And if it does it is just for a short time and leaves us constantly working to replenish that feeling.

BUT....

When we live in a way that we believe is pleasing to God...His joy becomes evident in our life. Just like Ella's giggling at herself thinking that what she was doing was making Jesus laugh, we are able to smile knowing we are living in a way that brings Him joy. And His joy is then made full in us.(John 15:10-11).

I know it sounds silly, but it made perfectly good sense to my five year old. Go out and make Jesus laugh, I bet you find yourself laughing too.

Stop Drop and Roll Doesn't Work in Hell

2011-03-01T00:25:00.000-06:00

You've probably seen the title of this post as an evangelestic message on a church sign as you passed by. What were your first thoughts? You've probably seen these too....

- Don't make me come down there! ~ God (I'm actually looking forward to this)
- God answers knee mail. (really?)
- Salvation: so easy a caveman could do it. (theologically jacked )
- Go to church or the devil will get you. (this is actually a HUGE billboard off of I65N and why would the devil try to attack if you are already doing what he wants you to)

And there are a couple of local ones that are trying to be relevant in incorporating current radio friendly songs. To be completely HONEST, I HATE church signs.... with the exception of service times. They are often cheesy, insulting, embarrassing, or embarrassing (I know I said it twice...because it is). If you only had one thing to say to someone who is lost without Christ and they just happen to drive by...is the message on that sign what we'd want conveyed about the God we serve? I know it's not for me. I cringe (okay maybe I laugh a little) at most of the signs I see and wonder if non-believers feel the same way. Probably so. If you have or have had one of these phrases or something similar...change it. The greatest thing that they could read would be God's word followed by service times. Let's give them just a taste of what they need plus the times they can get more of it when they choose to do so.

I wonder how much time, energy, and creativity goes into changing those signs out. How many people have spun into a church parking lot because a church sign "compelled" them to come? Could those resources be used to better serve the community and share Christ in a more influential and lasting way? You may be getting defensive thinking they're cute and harmless and they may be to those already inside...but what about those who are on the outside? I think we were the ones who were meant to compell them to come in (Luke 14:23). Let THE CHURCH be known for what we show (John 13:35)...not what we say on a sign

In the great words of theologian Bill Engall....."Here's your sign"

dada

2011-02-18T23:40:00.000-06:00

Addison is quickly following in the footsteps of her big sister. Dada is again the first word to come out of our child's mouth. Raising another Daddy's girl!

I'm praying I'm setting the example of the God she'll one day serve, the man she'll one day marry, and the son she'll one day raise.

R&R of the Sabbath

2011-02-08T12:09:00.002-06:00

The Sabbath is a day (historically the 7th day) of the week where no work is done. It is a day of rest created for us and patterned after the 7th day of rest in creation. Of the Ten Commandments God spends more time talking about the 5th one more than any other commandments. Don't believe me count the verses. We have come to observe this weekly holiday less and less over the years as cultures pace of life, desire for success, and fear of lack has grown more and more.

As I've read through Exodus over the past week or so and I've noticed how much God informs, illustrates, and reminds His people about the importance and benefits of observing a Sabbath. God urges His people 6 times alone in Exodus to take this day off. It seems that observing a set Sabbath, not just a random day whenever you want, and benefits us more than just rest.

1. REST
This is the most obvious and stated benefit. Taking a day off gives our minds and bodies a rest from the week's work and recharges us for the days to follow. It reminds us that we are human and have limits. A day of rest prevents us from pushing past those limits causing fatigue, burnout, and illness. Stress, high blood pressure, heart attacks, depression, anxiety, worry and other physical and emotional illnesses would probably subside if we took more time to enjoy the day God has given us to enjoy Him. If God being all powerful even took a day off, by not doing it ourselves we are placing our abilities and capabilities above His.

2. RELIANCE and RESPONSIBILITY
This is a new one for me. Having to take a day off causes us to rely more on God's provision and be more responsible in preparing for that time off. In Exodus 16 God provides Manna for the Israelites to eat. He told them to gather only what they needed for each day. Then on the 6th day they were to gather twice as much and set aside a portion for the next day. The 7th day would be a day of rest. If they failed to be responsible and make provisions they would not eat on the Sabbath. In Exodus 23 God goes even further, taking the Sabbath beyond a day observance to a whole year. During the 7th year there was to be no cultivating, planting, or harvesting of the fields. Over the first six years the Israelites would have to plan for year seven in addition to year eight. Year eight could prove to be more difficult than year seven because there would have been no harvest from the previous year. So the people would have to rely on God's provision and be responsible enough with it to sustain through years seven and eight. This would mean no over indulging and self discipline at working to save in the years leading up to the Sabbath year. Always working can be a result of NOT relying on God's provision and NOT being responsible with what he's given us so we are unable to enjoy the day off.

Now look at our life and culture today. We are tired, sick, lacking, and wanting more. We work over to get more done, make up for what we haven't done, and to get more than we need. So we rarely take a consistent day of rest. It becomes a viscous cycle. And for me I feel super guilty for taking those days when they happen. I feel like a failure for not "accomplishing" anything on those days. As a result I rarely take them.

How would our life be different if we made sure that we observed a Sabbath? What if we took one day EVERY WEEK and said, "I'm staying in my PJ's all day."? What if we fully relied on God's provision and were responsible with it; using what we needed just for today and preserving some for the future? What if we disciplined ourselves to finish as much as possible the first six days and did nothing on the seventh. We would be healthier and without want. The Sabbath wasn't just set up as law for us to follow but to enjoy. So pick a day to stay in your PJ's all day, finish your to do list, make plans to have what you need for that day and enjoy a guiltless work free day of rest.

flickr picnik

2011-01-21T17:57:00.001-06:00

IMG 0400 picnik, originally uploaded by Steven_78.

I've been using flickr for quiet sometime now. I used to use it just as a webspace to share pictures with others. Now with the social networking sites doing that I mostly use it as another back up for my photos in addition to a DVD per year and an external HD.

Flickr has recently connected with an online editing site for photos that allows you to do some nice editing and enhancing for free. The site then automatically saves it to your flickr account. I Highly suggest checking them both out if you haven't already.

Prayer of John Wesley

2011-01-07T20:39:00.006-06:00

I was catching up on my reading of Jesus Manifesto and was reminded of this John Wesley Prayer. It was given by one of the staff at our West Virgina Mission Trip over the summer.

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

One of the things we forget as Christians is that our lives are no longer our own when we give it to Christ, but His. Go figure! We are not only following Him, but He is living and working IN us and we are becoming LIKE Him.

Remember the WWJD (what would Jesus do) bracelets? I had two or three of them. In college I learned that they could also stand for "we want Jack Daniels" depending on the conversation. They had good intentions but they were based on thinking about following a certain way, certain process, and examples. Anyone can try to follow the teachings and ways of Jesus without being a Christian.

When you are completely in love with Jesus and realize that He is living on the inside of you; the question changes. It moves from, "what would Jesus do" to "what will I do?" What will I do in light of this gift I have on the inside of me and with this love I have for the One who has rescued me from death. Don't try to behave...just be.

Paul said it like this

Galatians 2:19-20
So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. ²⁰ My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless.

God of Second Chances

2011-01-06T13:20:00.003-06:00

I've been seeing blurbs about a Homeless Man with a "Golden Voice." I Googled it and this is what I've found. A homeless man in Ohio who has been given the gift of a warm, inviting voice perfect for radio. Early in life and in his career he lost his job, family, and everything important to him through the draws of drugs and alcohol. Ted has now been clean over 2 years and earlier this year he turned to God for direction.

This is the embodiment of Luke 15:11-21. God always takes us back and restores us when we turn to him. He's the God of Second Chances.

Original Footage

CBS INTERVIEW

This reminded of a video I saw with Carlos Whittiker recording a video for his new song "God of Second Chances." As he's recording the video a homeless guy named Danny comes up and starts singing with him. Powerful!!!

I know your there

2011-01-03T23:14:00.002-06:00

This is a nice little post to follow up my last one.

Tonight was my turn to lay down with Ella, read her bedtime story, and say her bedtime prayers. Jennifer went in before me to kiss her goodnight. When I went into the bedroom Ella and Jen were hiding under the covers and wanted me to find them. I walked over and pulled back the covers, Ella laughed, Jennifer and I followed.

Jennifer informed me later that when she and Ella pulled the quit over their heads Ella got a little worried but hen realized something.

She said, "Mom, it's dark, so dark that I can't see you. But that's okay, I can still FEEL you and know your there."

WOW. So much wisdom seems to be found in the hearts of children. I pray she carries that truth with her as she grows up and grows in her relationship with Christ. But the reason Ella could FEEL Jennifer and know that she was there was because she was clinging close to her before the quilt covered her head.

There are times when life get's dark, sometimes so dark that we can't see Him. But He is still there. You may not can see Christ in your situation or understand it, but if you are staying close to Him before it get's dark, I promise that there will be something inside of you that feels the Peace of Christ when it does get dark.