Yesterday, Clift (Andrea's Dad) and I and Caleb went to the little creek behind their house. For the most part, Caleb loved it. Mostly he just threw rocks in the "e-ow" (water). But then he figured out that it was ok for him to actually get in the water. He really loved that. Normally you wouldn't be doing this in March, but it has been unseasonably warm - in the 80's! Caleb had a great time!
The other day while I was waiting for dinner to get done I turned on the TV and watched a sitcom called "Yes Dear." Very rarely do I watch this or any other show simply because I just don't watch that much TV unless it happens to be a movie I want to watch. But I caught this one.
The show was all about how Greg was struggling with his manhood. He, nor the others in his family, thought very much about his manhood since he didn't play any tough sports like football, he is kind of weak, and even a little skiddish. He tried doing things to prove his manhood like playing football with "the guys" and climbing a very tall tree to retrieve the football to prove he was brave, and hince a real man. While trying to comfort his brother-in-law, the other guy (forgot his name) stated that Greg probably couldn't help it; that he had inherited a "wuss" gene. To make a long story short, in the end Greg did "prove" his manhood by punching a huge guy in the face to get to his toddler before he ate a peanut candy bar, which he is deathly allergic to.
But the reason, I'm writing about this show is because it is a perfect example of how really twisted and screwed up hollywood is when it comes to values and what is important. Supposely Greg isn't a real man because he doesn't play the tough sports or do the rough and tough manly things, while his brother-in-law is a real man because he does do those things. Even though it is it Greg who (on the show) is working, being responsible, and providing a home for his family, while the brother-in-law is living under Greg's roof like a bum and a moocher. He can't find a good enough job to support his family because he was just a big drinker and partier who goofed off in school and barely graduated. But he is the real man... because he can drink beer and play tough football. He can't stand on his own, support his family, or hold a adequate job, but he is the real man.
Sadly, this is probably the way many in our culture believe. It's no wonder boys are growing up confused and unprepared for life and all it's challenges; they don't even know what being a real man is. My boys will know because I'm going to train them, and it will begin when they are very young... and you can trust it won't be hollywood's definition of manhood that I use!
Galatians 6:7-8
The Lord has warned us; we have no excuse. When we reap evil consequences and heartaches, many times it's because of the decisions that we ourselves have made. Sometimes we think we will be the exception to the rule; that somehow we can do as we please with no adverse effects or negative consequences. But then God's word rings clear once again... "God is not mocked" And so, just as He has said, we reap the consequences of our actions and decisions.
You see, just as God has ordained the law of gravity, which is absolutely universal, impartial, and very predictable so is the law of sowing and reaping. The Word of God says very clearly, "For whatsoever a man sows, that He will also reap." You can't plant corn and harvest navy beans. You can't plant tulips and get rose bushes. And you can't continuously so to your old sinful nature and reap a blessed and favored life from God.
The Word of God is also very clear in that we have a choice of what type of life we're going to reap by what seeds we sow. We can sow to our "flesh" (i.e. our sinful nature) or we can sow to the Spirit (God's Spirit). Sowing to the flesh brings about corruption and destruction, whereas sowing to the Spirit brings about eternal life... not just life in heaven forever, but a better quality of life NOW!
Not satisfied with your life now? Are you experiencing an abnormal amount of suffering, trials, heartaches, and trouble? What type of seeds are you sowing? My mind immediately thinks of a young lady named Brittany, who just recently shaved her head. What a terrible way to live! What an extremely sad situation she has found herself in! Is the media and everyone around her to blame? Or has Brittany spent a large portion of her life sowing bad seeds? "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man (or woman) sows, that he (or she) will also reap."
My heart goes out to her. I pray that she will repent of her sin, turn to God, and find the true joy and peace that only He can give. Then and only then, will the pieces of her shattered life truly be put back together.
I never realized before just how bad debt was until we began studying it just recently. I have known plenty of people all my life who lived with debt, and it never seemed to effect anything. But just recently, I have learned just how strongly the Word of God talks about debt.
For example, Romans 13:8 states, "Owe no one anything..."
And Proverbs 22:7 states, "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrow is servant to the lender."
Now, if these two were not enough to convince us what God thinks of having debt, the view of debt given in the Old Testament should leave no doubt. In Deut.28:1-2, 12... one of the rewards for obedience that God promised the people of Israel was they would be free of debt. And conversely, in Deut.28:15, 43-44, Debt was one of the curses for disobedience!
And there's that the whole presumption aspect of debt. You see, when we go into debt over something that we think we simply must have at the moment like a new computer, a new big screen TV, etc... we're presuming that things are going to stay well with our financial situation, and we'll simply pay it off in a few months. But in James 4:13, we're warned against the sin of presumption. We really don't know how we're going to be fairing in 6 months. If God permits, we could be doing well... or we could lose our job, get sick, get in accident, anything can happen. So, we must be very careful in this regard to.
Now, the Bible doesn't say it's a sin to go into debt. It simply discourages it because you become somewhat in bondage. The very smart and Godly people at Crown Financial Ministries state that it's their opinion that it is permissible to borrow for: 1) a home mortgage, 2) your vocation, or 3) your business. But there are things to consider even then... like:
-Will the item purchased produce income or at least go up in value?
-Does the value of the item equal or exceed the amount owed?
-And will the repayment of the new debt put too high a strain on your budget?
All very wise questions.
Personally for me, I understand very practically just how debt is financial slavery. My wife and I don't have the freedom to give sometimes or do the things that we would love to do because of debt. I would love to give more to my church, more to missions, be able to just bless the people we love... but I'm often hindered b/c we simply do not have it to give. I grew up with the understanding that when you recieve your income, first and foremost you give your top 10% to God no matter what... whether your eat or not, that first 10% is God's and to not give it is stealing! Then you pay the people that you owe. And finally, you use the rest to live on or give to help others. One of these days (December 2009) we will be out of debt by the grace and favor of God. Because 1) we have a budget, and 2) we have repayment plan to pay off all our creditors. And then we will be completely free! But until that time, we live under the curse of slavery because of bad choices. If you're reading this, learn from our mistakes. Don't give into the temptation of "have now - pay later." Save your money, learn to live without, and you will be free and blessed because of it.
Just the other day I was talking with a gentlemen who suggested that I introduce my new son on my blog. I guess I hadn't thought about it b/c my wife posts gobs of pictures of both our children on her blog so I didn't see the need. But after thinking about it, I thought... that's a good idea.
So here he is... Taite Ezekiel. He was born on Dec 18th, 2006 measuring 19.5 in long and weighing 6.7 lbs. So, in this picture... he's about 5 weeks old. He's a good baby and we're so thankful to God to have in. In case you're wondering about his name "Taite" means cheerful - b/c he has certainly made us cheerful and happy... and "Ezekiel" means God will strengthen, which is our prayer for our little boy.
So, who does he look like?
One of the things that I have the privilege of doing is teaching a Senior High Small Group Bible study on Sunday mornings. Right now, we are doing a study entitled, "Discovering God's Way of Handling Our Finances." This turning out to be a great study; one that I hope all the students are taking seriously. I'm leading the study and yet I'm learning and be reminded of things just like the rest of the students.
Well anyway... this is Lesson #1 - I OWN NOTHING! That's right, you and I own nothing, because God in fact owns it all.
1 Chron. 29:11 - "For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours... O Lord."
Ps. 24:1 - "The earth is the Lord's, and all it's fullness, the world and those who dwell therein."
Ps. 50:10 - "For every beast of the forest is Mine and the cattle on a thousand hills."
Haggai 2:8 - "'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the Lord of hosts."
No where in God's world does it speak about Him transfering ownership to us. No, it still all belongs to Him. We are simply stewards and managers of His resources. Why is this so important to realize and accept this?
1) It will make us do a better job of handling the finances that have been entrusted to us. Far too many people struggle financially today, even though we live in one of the most properous nations on earth. And it's not always because we don't have sufficient income. Most of the time, it's because we haven't learned how to handle what we've been given; i.e. doing it His Way.
2) It will also cause us to have the right perspective and attitude regarding all the finances and resources in our care. What happens when something breaks down or is stolen? Do we get angry and bitter? Does it steal our joy? Our peace? It probably wouldn't if we correctly recognized that it was never OURS to begin with.
When we have the right perspective about all the money and possessions that's in our care, all kinds of decisions (like saving, investing, and spending... and not just giving) will become spiritual decisions. We begin to pray not, "Lord, what should I do with my money?"... But rather, "Lord, what would You have me do with YOUR money."
What a great Super Bowl last night. The Colts beat the Bears 29 to 17! Go COLTS!! But not only was it great in that respect, but it was also a great night for the kingdom of God. Last night Touch the Heart Youth Ministries had our annual Super Bowl Party/Youth Outreach in our town. We had a great turn out of both students and adult volunteers. I believe the final count for students was like 135, which I believe was a record for us. The kids had a lot of fun playing basketball, volleyball, X-Box, cards, etc. Then at half time, our guest speaker testified to the love and saving grace of Almighty God. And when the time came for the students to respond to the truth, there were quite a few who felt led to surrender to Christ... some for the very first time, others in a renewed commitment. Of course, only God knows the sincereity of these public decisions... which time will reveal, but we praise God for what occurred.
One of the worst judgments that God could ever do to man is to remove His Spirit from us. In the book of Romans, Ch.1, the Apostle Paul (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) writes that the "wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men..."
But why is His wrath being revealed? Because even though all men know of God, the vast majority do not glorify Him as God nor give thanks to Him. Rather than worshiping and serving Him as Lord, they worship and serve themselves. We hurry about with our lives doing what we want. We don't stop to give Him thanks or credit for the wonderful blessings we enjoy; in fact, we think we deserve them. That's why we get so terribly upset when things go bad. But not only are we not thankful, we also fail to yield ourselves over to Him as Lord. Men don't want another authority in their life; we have too many already. Instead, man is determined to be his own lord, his own king... he will do what he wants, when he wants!
And what is God's immediate action to this at times? Romans 1:24-28 basically tells us that God gives us exactly what we want. Three different times in these verses, the Word of God states, "God gave them over...." But gave them over to what? God gives us over to ourselves! Since we don't want to have anything to do with God, God gives us over to ourselves and allows our depraved hearts to do and go exactly as it desires. And the downward spiral of our wicked hearts set free to do as it wants takes us to unimagined depths of wickedness and depravity. And the results... all kinds of sexual impurities, the degrading of our bodies, unnatural affections, shameful lusts, costly perversions, and absolutely warped thinking.
"Oh dear God, do whatever necessary to keep me in Your will... fill me with guilt, burden me with conviction, lame my physical body, crush my spirit... but never, never take Your Spirit from me. Don't ever, ever leave me to myself. In Jesus' name... Amen."
Myself along with 3 other adults and 10 students just got back last night from a winter conference in Gatlinburg, TN hosted by Crossroads Worldwide. And boy was it a great conference!
First of all, God blessed every aspect of our trip... from the drive down and back to the hotel rooms to the weather... just everything.
And second, the staff of Crossroads did an absolutely phenominal job as always of hosting a great Christian conference. The worship was awesome and the speakers were powerful!
And lastly, I really believe God did a very special work in the hearts of some of our young people. One young lady was saved... another repented of hard, bitter feelings and recommitted her life to Christ... another repented of being a silent Christian...and others were exposed and challenged to go to a higher level of Christian discipleship.
It was just a wonderful time of fellowship and discipleship with some really great young people!
If any youth pastor out there stumbles onto this blog... let me just say that I STRONGLY recommend the ministry of Crossroads Worldwide founded by Clayton King. I've been going to their events going on 6 years now, and I've never once been disappointed. They're faithful, humble, trustworthy servants of God... and they are a wonderful blessing to the Church in this generation!
Today, Andrea and I took Caleb to the Cleveland Air Show. Actually, we all went thanks to an old high school friend of Andrea’s, a guy by the name of Brian Collins. Brian is actually on the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels team. And because he is such a nice guy, he gave Andrea and I free V.I.P tickets to the air show.
Today was probably was one of the coolest things I’ve done in a long time… I loved it!... Every minute of it! We were able to see all kinds of airplanes and jets, not only up close, but also in air doing all kinds of terrific stunts. We saw this one plane (the A-10 Thunderbolt, I believe) simulate dropping bombs. And we saw this big rig truck that was powered by 3 jet engines… it could do a quarter mile in like 3.6 seconds!! Freaky! We were even able to see the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights. Wow! How do they jump out of a plane from 12,000 feet, and land with such precision and accuracy??!! Very cool!
But the absolute coolest were of course the Blue Angels. Oh man, they were just terrific… I was almost speechless. All I could say to Andrea after every stunt was “Awesome.” I just don’t know how in the world those guys could do the things they could do. And believe me, I’m not over exaggerating with my response here either. If I had been single and 18-20 years old, I’d probably went over to the booth and enlisted. I really can’t explain it. It made me proud to be an American… proud to have such fine military personnel… and a little envious that I wasn’t directly involved. It was just awesome!! If you’ve never been to an air show, then you need you to see these guys perform… they were amazing. Thanks, Brian so much!! I’ll remember this Labor Day for a long time!
p.s. Caleb was awesome too! Not one time did he throw a fit or get angry… and without a nap from 9 am – 5 pm!! He was frightened a couple of times, but overall he couldn’t have been better. Thank you, Jesus.
My lovely Wife
