Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Forever
"Forever" is a hard word for me to wrap my mind around. My three year old, Sophia, likes to use it quite a bit. She'll say something like, "Mom, I will love you forever." She pronounces the 'v' like a 'b.' So, just picture this cute little girl saying things like, "Mom, I will lub you for-eber." "Emma hasn't gi-ben me a turn in for-eber." "Daddy, you ha-bn't been home in for-eber."
Obviously, she doesn't comprehend what forever really means. But, who does? I mean, can you really imagine "forever?"
God's word states, "His love endures forever." Always. Constant. Forever. It never ends. But, that doesn't cover it, because there are times that I wonder if it also "never" started. After all, forever has no beginning as well as no ending. I think it's quite proper to say God's love endures forever--it has always been and it will always be.
I'm grateful that His love endured to my grandparents, to my parents, to me and to my children. Many times I have thought about God's faithfulness reaching from generation to generation. I've thought of it as "stretching from one person to the next." The reality is that it doesn't need to stretch. It's here. It is as forever as God is Himself.
Whatever you might be going through I hope this is a simple reminder that His love will never end; it never began. It has always been. He has always loved you!
Peace
Obviously, she doesn't comprehend what forever really means. But, who does? I mean, can you really imagine "forever?"
God's word states, "His love endures forever." Always. Constant. Forever. It never ends. But, that doesn't cover it, because there are times that I wonder if it also "never" started. After all, forever has no beginning as well as no ending. I think it's quite proper to say God's love endures forever--it has always been and it will always be.
I'm grateful that His love endured to my grandparents, to my parents, to me and to my children. Many times I have thought about God's faithfulness reaching from generation to generation. I've thought of it as "stretching from one person to the next." The reality is that it doesn't need to stretch. It's here. It is as forever as God is Himself.
Whatever you might be going through I hope this is a simple reminder that His love will never end; it never began. It has always been. He has always loved you!
Peace
Labels: Brad, Chapel, Faith, forever, God
Monday, April 7, 2008
I Hate 'Em
I know, I know...that is a rough title for a blog from a pastor, man of the cloth, parson, reverend etc. But, you just have to understand. I've been a Missouri Tiger fan since I was in my mother's womb. I was brought up in Columbia, MO. It is impossible to root for the Jayhawks. It is impossible to be happy for the Jayhawks. Watching them beat the Memphis Tigers this evening, well, let's just say it would have been easier to chew on tiny pieces of broken glass or to slam my fingers in a door over and over and over and over again!
Now, I'm sure that some of you think that I'm crazy, but those of you who are sports fans, and especially to those of you who have loyalty to one team, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Yankee fans can't stand the Red Sox. Florida State fans would love to see the Gators go winless for the season. USC and UCLA fans love hating each other and for those of us in Missouri and Kansas, well, let's just say we don't even agree on the win/loss totals in our head to head football games!
As the confetti was falling to the floor of the Alamo Dome, I could feel the tremor in the force as Kansas fans from all over were calling their "Missouri fan friends" to pour some salt in the wound. They were mocking us, ridiculing us and having way too much fun at our expense. Could you feel it happening? It's disgusting. It's horrible. It's sinful.
Okay, sinful might be a little strong, but watching them win the National Championship sure makes me want to spit. Come on, some of you have to know what I'm talking about. Tiger fans can't like the Jayhawks. Cardinal fans can't like the Cubs. And, Ohio State fans hate the team that plays in the "Big House" in Michigan! It is what it is...it's the way it's supposed to be. It's a foundational absolute.
Speaking of absolutes; God hates sin. I know, comparing Kansas to sin is a little rough, but it's the best I could come up with in this frame of mind. God hates what sin does to us. God hates the way it hardens us to the great things that He has in store for us. He hates the way sin leaves us with a feeling of abandonment when we have been disappointed by the broken promises that it gave to us. Sin is wicked man! I mean, the Bible goes as far as to say that its "wages are death."
As a Christian, I'm aware that Jesus' death paid those wages for me, so that I can live a great life in Him. But, it's amazing how often I'm still tempted to sin. I'm still tempted to yield to the very behaviors that have been so destructive to me in the past. You know what I mean, don't you?
At some point, you turned to God and you are very grateful for all He has done for you. Yet, we still face temptations. We still face moments when we could chose to do the exact opposite of what we know we are supposed to do. And, sadly, there have been too many times when we have made the wrong choice. Just read what the author of Hebrews says about sin.
"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." (Hebrews 3:12-13, NIV)
Listen, if you are a Tiger fan and because of your loyalty to the Big 12 Conference you made the mistake of pulling for the Jayhawks this evening--grace is available. If you are willing to confess the error of your ways; we will offer forgiveness. But, if you aren't willing to admit that you have done wrong--this could lead to a lifestyle of many other wrong choices and bondages. You might find yourself pulling for them because of their nice blue uniforms sometime. You might say something crazy like, "They have a loyal fan base." Listen, if you don't deal with this quickly--you could end up deceived. The sad thing about deception is that we don't know when we are deceived!
And, for those of you who love Christ and yet, you are making some choices that you know are harmful to your spirit. Please, stop ASAP. Sin hurts us. Sin can hinder us in our relationship with God and with others. It can deceive us into thinking that our disobedience is really no big deal. It is--God really hates sin.
When it comes down to it, the reason I hate the Jayhawks so much is because I love the Tigers so much. And, to be honest, the main reason God hates sin so much--is because God loves you so much--so much more than we can comprehend!
Peace
Now, I'm sure that some of you think that I'm crazy, but those of you who are sports fans, and especially to those of you who have loyalty to one team, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Yankee fans can't stand the Red Sox. Florida State fans would love to see the Gators go winless for the season. USC and UCLA fans love hating each other and for those of us in Missouri and Kansas, well, let's just say we don't even agree on the win/loss totals in our head to head football games!
As the confetti was falling to the floor of the Alamo Dome, I could feel the tremor in the force as Kansas fans from all over were calling their "Missouri fan friends" to pour some salt in the wound. They were mocking us, ridiculing us and having way too much fun at our expense. Could you feel it happening? It's disgusting. It's horrible. It's sinful.
Okay, sinful might be a little strong, but watching them win the National Championship sure makes me want to spit. Come on, some of you have to know what I'm talking about. Tiger fans can't like the Jayhawks. Cardinal fans can't like the Cubs. And, Ohio State fans hate the team that plays in the "Big House" in Michigan! It is what it is...it's the way it's supposed to be. It's a foundational absolute.
Speaking of absolutes; God hates sin. I know, comparing Kansas to sin is a little rough, but it's the best I could come up with in this frame of mind. God hates what sin does to us. God hates the way it hardens us to the great things that He has in store for us. He hates the way sin leaves us with a feeling of abandonment when we have been disappointed by the broken promises that it gave to us. Sin is wicked man! I mean, the Bible goes as far as to say that its "wages are death."
As a Christian, I'm aware that Jesus' death paid those wages for me, so that I can live a great life in Him. But, it's amazing how often I'm still tempted to sin. I'm still tempted to yield to the very behaviors that have been so destructive to me in the past. You know what I mean, don't you?
At some point, you turned to God and you are very grateful for all He has done for you. Yet, we still face temptations. We still face moments when we could chose to do the exact opposite of what we know we are supposed to do. And, sadly, there have been too many times when we have made the wrong choice. Just read what the author of Hebrews says about sin.
"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." (Hebrews 3:12-13, NIV)
Listen, if you are a Tiger fan and because of your loyalty to the Big 12 Conference you made the mistake of pulling for the Jayhawks this evening--grace is available. If you are willing to confess the error of your ways; we will offer forgiveness. But, if you aren't willing to admit that you have done wrong--this could lead to a lifestyle of many other wrong choices and bondages. You might find yourself pulling for them because of their nice blue uniforms sometime. You might say something crazy like, "They have a loyal fan base." Listen, if you don't deal with this quickly--you could end up deceived. The sad thing about deception is that we don't know when we are deceived!
And, for those of you who love Christ and yet, you are making some choices that you know are harmful to your spirit. Please, stop ASAP. Sin hurts us. Sin can hinder us in our relationship with God and with others. It can deceive us into thinking that our disobedience is really no big deal. It is--God really hates sin.
When it comes down to it, the reason I hate the Jayhawks so much is because I love the Tigers so much. And, to be honest, the main reason God hates sin so much--is because God loves you so much--so much more than we can comprehend!
Peace
Labels: Basketball, Brad, Chapel, Faith, Jayhawks, Kansas, Pastor
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
It's Sinking In
Okay, so it was another typical Sunday morning. Beth and I were getting all of our stuff together so that we could get to the school where our church meets in a timely fashion. I wanted to be there by 8:30AM to help our Set-Up Crew get things ready to go.
Well, as things go, instead of being out the door by 8:15AM it was 8:45AM and we still hadn't left yet. Beth was working on the computer trying to fix a couple of glitches to the presentation for our kid's ministry and I was simply trying to keep our girls close to me, so that Beth could finish as quickly as possible.
I flipped on the TV (nothing like a good baby sitter) and Sophia, our three year old, climbed up on my lap. She immediately engaged with the lead character on the screen. The character on the screen was talking about fear and how it was normal to be afraid of things. I wasn't paying too much attention to it, but obviously Sophia was soaking it in.
Sophia looked at me and said, "Hey Daddy, I'm not afraid of anything." I replied in the form of a question (like Jeopardy), "You're not afraid of anything?" She said, "No. I'm not afraid of anything. I'm not afraid because Jesus is with me." Wow--what a moment! What a great answer; what a great truth! There is no reason to fear because Jesus is with us.
As parents, we have times when we wonder if our kids are listening to anything we say. Obviously, she doesn't listen all the time, but nonetheless, some of what we are teaching her, talking with her about and trying to demonstrate to her is sinking in.
It has been a great reminder to me of my need to be active in sharing about my faith with my children. I need to share my faith with my neighbors, my friends, my family, and yes, even my acquaintances. Some of it will sink in...And only God knows what He can do with what does sink into someone's life.
So, ya, we got to our church gathering a little later than we intended to on Sunday. But, I had already had a cool God encounter. He gave me the opportunity to see that His principles are sinking into my daughter's life. I hope they continue to sink into mine. :)
Peace
Well, as things go, instead of being out the door by 8:15AM it was 8:45AM and we still hadn't left yet. Beth was working on the computer trying to fix a couple of glitches to the presentation for our kid's ministry and I was simply trying to keep our girls close to me, so that Beth could finish as quickly as possible.
I flipped on the TV (nothing like a good baby sitter) and Sophia, our three year old, climbed up on my lap. She immediately engaged with the lead character on the screen. The character on the screen was talking about fear and how it was normal to be afraid of things. I wasn't paying too much attention to it, but obviously Sophia was soaking it in.
Sophia looked at me and said, "Hey Daddy, I'm not afraid of anything." I replied in the form of a question (like Jeopardy), "You're not afraid of anything?" She said, "No. I'm not afraid of anything. I'm not afraid because Jesus is with me." Wow--what a moment! What a great answer; what a great truth! There is no reason to fear because Jesus is with us.
As parents, we have times when we wonder if our kids are listening to anything we say. Obviously, she doesn't listen all the time, but nonetheless, some of what we are teaching her, talking with her about and trying to demonstrate to her is sinking in.
It has been a great reminder to me of my need to be active in sharing about my faith with my children. I need to share my faith with my neighbors, my friends, my family, and yes, even my acquaintances. Some of it will sink in...And only God knows what He can do with what does sink into someone's life.
So, ya, we got to our church gathering a little later than we intended to on Sunday. But, I had already had a cool God encounter. He gave me the opportunity to see that His principles are sinking into my daughter's life. I hope they continue to sink into mine. :)
Peace
Labels: Brad, children, Faith, God
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