The Awe of God

Going home without Mitch

2012-02-13T09:30:00.000-06:00

In December I wrote about Mitchell Chepokas, a boy who died in 2003 from cancer. On pp. 61-62 of "Good-bye, Mitch," a book written by Rebecca Chepokas (Mitch's mom) and Ronald M. Stanchfield (Mitch's grandfather), Rebecca writes about how God was with her when she had to leave the hospital without her beloved son:

Alone and in tears, I poured out my broken heart to God. I released my anger and my fears to Him. Gradually, I felt my strength return as God filled me with a new supernatural strength, empowering me to do what I could not do on my own -- continue on.

Then as I thanked God for His presence, for His grace and His sovereign love, my tears began to subside. The bedroom door slowly opened. It was Melissa [her daughter]. Stepping aside, she looked at me and questioned, 'Mom, why are you so sad?'

I moved to her. We sat on the edge of my bed and hugged. I explained how hard it was for me to come home without Mitch. She responded tenderly, 'Mom, Mitch is in Heaven, and he wants you to be happy!' Her simple but wise words filled me with peace and comfort.

'You are my angel sent by God,' I told her. God used my precious daughter's words to answer my prayers. Moments later, as I assured Steve [her husband] that I was feeling better, I found myself distracted by a reoccurring phrase rolling through my mind like words on a marquee. 'Well done my good and faithful servant!'

I marveled at how merciful God is! I realized God's Holy Spirit was speaking directly to me. God knew my troubled and broken heart, that I needed such words of encouragement. In faith I had turned to Him for strength. For this He was pleased. It was God telling me, 'Well done my good and faithful servant!'

I think that we all long for that approval and hope that at the end of our lives God says, "Well done."

You are missed, John Brian Becker.

2012-02-03T07:04:00.000-06:00

One year ago today my brother-in-law, John Brian Becker, passed away. Melanoma eventually won the battle.

In the past year he has been thought of so often by me and my wife, Patty. There have been the natural times that we have missed him, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, his birthday, and the summer ceremony in which his ashes were buried.

But there have been many other times as well. Like when I walked by a new bar/restaurant in downtown St. Paul called Amsterdam. Or when the Minnesota Fringe Festival took place. There are little things here and there that spark our memories of John Brian.

We miss you, John Brian. Everyone misses you. We know that you're in a better place, though.

Theme of the year

2012-01-23T08:20:00.000-06:00

In a recent letter, author John Eldredge outlined how he starts out each year. (Hint: It's not with New Year's resolutions.)

Eldredge asks Jesus, What is the theme of this year, Lord? Here's what Eldredge has to say:

I do this every January 1st, and it has proven a mighty rescue many times over. Usually Jesus will say one simple thing. Three years ago it was, 'Love.' And all through the year, I found myself needing to return to the simple truth of love. It helped to orient me; it helped me to interpret things. Two years ago it was, 'Restoration,' and that proved to be the year I took a short sabbatical and sought the restoration I needed. Last year it was, 'My glory,' and wow -- it was the year of Beautiful Outlaw and I could say a hundred things about how 'My glory' proved true. So ask Jesus, What is the theme of this year, Lord? And when he speaks, write it down! Post it somewhere you will see it often. In very big letters.

So, what is the theme of 2012 for you?

Jesus makes all things new

2012-01-02T21:14:00.001-06:00

Happy new year, everyone! At my church on New Year's Day, the executive pastor gave a message about how Jesus makes all things new.

He started out his sermon with an amazing story (you can hear it here) about God bringing him a new perspective. In 1999, the pastor worked as an executive at a consulting firm in Bloomington, Minn. The job brought much prosperity to his family, but was draining the life out of him. So he quit.

He started working part-time at the church as well as teaching graduate classes at Bethel University. To accommodate graduate students in the southern metro, Bethel decided in 2009 to open a location in Bloomington. It turns out that the new classroom space was on the exact same floor that the pastor's former employer was located on!

When the pastor asked God what to make of this, God replied, "I make all things new." Since the pastor really enjoyed teaching, this same location now was filling him up instead of draining the life out of him.

Good-bye, Mitch

2011-12-24T10:41:00.001-06:00

I'm currently reading a book called "Good-bye, Mitch." It's by Rebecca Chepokas and Ronald M. Stanchfield, and it's the story of Mitchell Chepokas (Rebecca's son). In April 2001, Mitchell learned he was a victim of a genetic disorder called Marfans Syndrome, and in June 2002, he learned that he had cancer, which would take his life.

On pp. 56-57, an interesting scene takes place in a hospital room:

While I (Rebecca) slept, my mother came to her grandson's bedside. Responding to God's urging, she held Mitch's hand and began to pray. She thanked God for the gift of Mitchell in all of our lives. She thanked God for His grace and mercy, for His sovereign love, for the many friendships that brought great comfort, and for meeting each and every need during such a time of crisis.

'Thank you, Lord, for your ministering angels...' she prayed. Then she heard it -- the melodic chorus of harps. She looked about the room for the source. The music expanded over Mitchell's bed and soon filled the room. 'Do you hear the music, Mitch?'

He responded, 'Uh-huh.'

'I do, too,' she said, and asked, 'Isn't it beautiful?'

Again he said, 'Uh-huh.'

'Thank You that Your angels are here,' she prayed. Then, as quickly as it began, the music was gone. People soon began to enter the room.

It's amazing how fleeting yet powerful God's presence can be. Perhaps that makes it all the more special when He touches us.

Finally

2011-12-14T09:20:00.000-06:00

Have you read "Beautiful Outlaw" by John Eldredge yet? It's an excellent book that reminds us of how bold, generous and humble Jesus was.

Eldredge recently shared in a letter how Jesus spoke to him about the launch of "Beautiful Outlaw" finally arriving:

In fact, 'Finally' is what Jesus said to me, in January, as I was praying about this beautiful book. I was asking Jesus for 'advance words,' words to guide me through the writing and through the launch of this fantastic message. I expected to hear things like, 'I am with you,' or, 'Lift up my holy name,' that sort of thing. Instead, Jesus says, 'Finally.' It cracks me up. I love his sense of humor. There was also a gentle rebuke in the word, because this should have happened a long time ago.

Eldredge mentioned in the Ransomed Heart podcast that his previous publisher did not want to publish a book about Jesus, saying that there wasn't enough appeal and interest. I'm glad that his new publisher understood that this new perspective on Jesus needed to be told.

Going into the darkness

2011-12-05T21:18:00.001-06:00

I recently watched an intense documentary called "Furious Love." It's by the director of "Finger of God," Darren Wilson. Wilson described God's role in creating "Furious Love":

I started the journey to make 'Furious Love' when I was still filming my first movie, 'Finger of God.' I was in Istanbul, Turkey, and Heidi Baker began to pray for me. At the time, I was only worried about how I could possibly put this crazy movie about miracles together, and a sequel was the furthest thing from my mind. But when Heidi began praying, she immediately saw me filming the occult. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not! Then she said the words that started this epic journey: 'The Lord says you have to go into the darkness to show the light.'

In "Furious Love," Wilson travels the world to some of the darkest spiritual climates on the planet. I highly recommend it.

God never gives up on you

2011-11-27T16:43:00.001-06:00

Last week at my church, one of the people from the congregation gave his testimony about how God had pursued him.

The man had drifted from God and had troubles with his wife. He recently heard a voice every morning for a week saying, "God loves you."

My fellow churchgoer repented of his sins, reconciled with his wife, and got baptized! Thank you, Lord, for pursuing us.

God loves people

2011-11-24T22:37:00.001-06:00

My wife and I recently traveled up to Duluth, Minn., to attend the Cause Conference. The conference was very intriguing, with sessions including:

"Do I Think Like Jesus?"
"Peace in the Middle of the Storm"
"How to Position Yourself to Participate in What God Is Doing"
and more.

The senior pastor of the Duluth Vineyard church, Michael Gatlin, shared a fascinating story about how he wanted to become a pastor but it just wasn't happening after 10 years. While on a walk, he heard from God:

'No human being can keep you from accomplishing my plans for you,' said God.

'Then why aren't you letting me be a pastor right now?' Michael replied.

'Because I love people,' God said.

Apparently Michael wasn't ready to be a pastor. He needed more time to have God work in him. That definitely worked, because the Duluth Vineyard church is changing lives throughout the Duluth area.

Movie review: 'The Mighty Macs'

2011-11-01T13:25:00.000-05:00

To put it simply, "The Mighty Macs" is a feel-good movie. There's nothing wrong with that, but since the film is based on historical events, we already know how the story ends and are left to focus on other aspects of the film -- i.e., the acting.

The acting is excellent, particularly by Carla Gugino. She plays Cathy Rush, the new women's basketball coach at Immaculata College -- an all-female college in Pennsylvania founded and run by nuns. The facilities that Cathy gets to work with are atrocious. The team plays in an old activity center, which was being used as a storage room. Their home games are played at the local high school, and in one instance, the players have to use a ladies' room as their "locker room" for an away game.

The odds are stacked against Cathy, who is married to NBA referee Ed Rush (David Boreanaz). Immaculata College is in financial trouble, Ed doesn't support her efforts to turn around a losing team, and there is no funding for equipment.

By hard work, contagious enthusiasm and cleverness, Cathy and her team pick up steam. Instead of the once-a-day practices they had under their previous coach, the players now practice at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. A sister at the college joins as the assistant coach. After a humiliating loss, Cathy forces the team to practice drills in a tunnel sewer.

The school starts to rally around the team when it's invited to a regional tournament. Despite a disappointing loss, the team gets one of four at-large bids to the national tournament in Chicago. The only problem? No funding. So the team gets clever, raising money by selling hand lotion door to door and Cathy dressing up in a habit to fly free.

Remember how "The Mighty Macs" is a feel-good movie? Well, of course, they win the national championship, Ed comes around and the marriage is healed, and the administration supports the team. Now if only we get to know how their women's basketball facilities improved after that. . .

Courageous

2011-10-14T07:23:00.000-05:00

I'm currently going through a Bible study with three other men related to the movie "Courageous," the latest film by Sherwood Pictures.

It's a quick, but deep, study designed to challenge men to live courageously for the sake of their families. Session topics include:

Courageous Call: fighting for your family
Courageous Priorities: valuing what matters most
Courageous Legacy: impacting future generations
Courageous Faith: standing for Christ.

I highly recommend this Bible study to fathers and husbands. One of the key lessons that I have learned through this Bible study about leaving a positive legacy is that you have to unpack and deal with the legacy left in your life first.

I love you, God

2011-10-12T07:10:00.000-05:00

Last week I was at church and the worship leader said something that really hit me.

He started out by asking everyone in the congregation who had ever been in love to raise their hands. Most people did.

Then he said, "You know when you tell someone 'I love you'? It feels a lot better when they say something like 'I love you, too' instead of no response or 'ditto'."

He continued, "God is trying to love us in so many ways, and I bet that he wants us to say back, 'I love you, God.'"

The worship leader was right. I love you, God.

Peace.

2011-10-07T11:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was really anxious in advance of a new business meeting related to my consultancy. I prayed to God.

His response: Peace.

At that moment I was clearly reminded how He has it all under control.

God wants His church back

2011-09-20T15:53:00.000-05:00

John Wimber

The church that I attend is part of the Vineyard movement. One of the founding leaders of the Vineyard was John Wimber, who was inspired by God telling him, "I want my church back."

Todd Hunter shared a little more background on that story on his blog:

Do you know what made John Wimber so ruthlessly unmovable on the one hand yet so winsome on the other? After years of traveling around the country as a church growth consultant with Fuller Seminary, after years of consulting with denominational hierarchies and institutions, John found over and over again that the church was hardly ever in God’s hands. It was in the hands of bishops. It was in the hands of pastors, deacons, elders, boards. It was in the hands of almost anybody but God. John just simply said, 'I’m going to go home and I’m going to start a church in which the Holy Spirit is the leader.' In a 'Godward' church, in the church I would build, the Holy Spirit would be the leader, the administrator, and the architect. You may remember that John Wimber’s very first renewal messages in the early '80s in South Africa and England were entitled, 'I Want My Church Back.' That was his way of reflecting on what he had seen through his years of consulting. I don’t know how many times I heard both John and Carol (John's wife) say, privately and publicly, 'When does God get what he wants out of his church?' This is a driving question for me: How can I do everything possible to see that God gets what he wants out of the Vineyard?

It's inspiring, indeed.

Meet the beautiful outlaw

2011-09-12T14:02:00.000-05:00

On Oct. 12, John Eldredge releases his new book, "Beautiful Outlaw: Experiencing the Playful, Disruptive, Extravagant Personality of Jesus."

It sounds like in his new book, Eldredge is focusing on aspects of Jesus that perhaps we have not considered -- his "beautiful, scandalous, utterly compelling personality."

Eldredge recently shared in a letter how Jesus spoke to him while writing "Beautiful Outlaw":

Back in January, when I was writing the book, Jesus spoke to me Isaiah 63:4: 'For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come.' I sensed that at this time, in this context, the 'year of his redemption' means the redeeming of how people see Jesus and what they know him to be like. Wouldn't that be awesome!!??

In "Beautiful Outlaw," Eldredge looks at Jesus' humanity, playfulness, extravagant generosity, fierce intention, cunning and humility. I'm looking forward to reading it and getting closer to Jesus.

California mayor says God told him to leave politics

2011-08-29T07:39:00.000-05:00

Mayor Larry Guidi

Politics is not a field for the faint of heart. Just ask Larry Guidi, the mayor of Hawthorne, Calif. He has experienced a gunman shooting into his home in retaliation for opposing a proposal, investigations and a close political ally turning against him.

Now, after 18 years in office, Guidi told the Contra Costa Times that he's being led to do something else:

'I'm leaving on top. God spoke to me, and he is going to choose my path, and it's not to be in politics,' he said. 'Now it's sinking in to people that the big, bad mayor isn't going to be here to make the tough decisions. This will be Hawthorne's second-most important election in 20 years.'

Best wishes to Mayor Guidi on the next phase of his life.

What love is

2011-08-25T21:25:00.000-05:00

At my church this past Sunday, the speaker made an interesting point. He said that 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 (the 'love is patient, love is kind' verse) has been used so much at weddings that people have glossed over what love really is.

He argued that a better approach to love can be found in Romans 12:9-21:

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary:

'If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Leading our hearts in love by following Romans 12:9-21 definitely seems challenging, but it is what we are called to do.

Wise mothers listen when God says to go get the umbrella

2011-08-07T18:57:00.000-05:00

Humorist Lucy Adams recently wrote a really funny column about hearing from God on a sunny day at a ballpark. His command:

He said, 'Go back to the car and get your umbrella.'

I looked up into the dizzying glare of the sun. I glanced toward the distant parking lot, having just returned from a second trip there already. I scanned the ballpark, spotting other parents wrapping their lips around relish dogs, scolding little-boy third basemen for not getting in front of grounders, casually competing via comparing their children's batting averages. No one else had an umbrella. Momentarily I settled on the idea that this was a suggestion rather than a command.

Then in the middle of my balk, I thought of Noah. God did not say, with a dismissive shrug, 'Noah, if you should feel so inclined and it doesn't put you out any, I think, if you want to, you might ought to build an ark.'

Turns out that God was right; read the rest of the column in The McDuffie Mirror.

Embrace the rain

2011-07-24T22:02:00.000-05:00

Last night I attended the outdoor U2 concert in Minneapolis. After about three songs, it started pouring rain. Instead of ending the show, Bono and crew relished the moment. The downpour added a certain excitement to the concert, and the rain looked amazing on the video screens.

There's something that can be learned from these talented Irishmen and applied to our lives: embrace the rain. I have been feeling the rain during these last 11 months of being unemployed, and it's really challenging to embrace it.

But you know what? God shines through broken people -- not perfect ones.

Husbands: listen to your wives

2011-07-04T09:43:00.000-05:00

Every marriage encounters challenges. My wife and I were talking recently about the issues affecting our marriage when I decided to pray.

Heavenly Father, please come into this situation, solve our differences and heal our wounds. Show me what I need to do to make this marriage successful.

His response: Listen.

When I mentioned to my wife my prayer and God's response, she was deeply touched. I'm listening to her and it is making all the difference.

Bring clean water to Africa

2011-07-01T21:33:00.000-05:00

The following devotional is reprinted with permission from Lutheran World Relief.

Isaiah 41:17-20 -- When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Prayer

God of overflowing promise,
You call for justice to run over like living streams,
And made water a sign of your ultimate righteousness.

Reborn through the bath of your grace,
We hear with new ears the cries of our neighbors;
Parched hearts and arid earth plead for reprieve.

Move us in our response to all who thirst,
That we and they might receive your water,
Poured out for all, that none would be forsaken.

Amen.

In search of perfect fatherhood

2011-06-19T10:13:00.039-05:00

I often beat myself up over my parenting of my son. I try to be an excellent father to him, but I fail. Sometimes it's my temper. Sometimes it's feeling guilty about saying "no" to jumping on the trampoline with him and his buddies. Sometimes I just wonder if I'm being the best example I can be to him.

It probably comes as no surprise to you on this Father's Day that being a dad is very challenging. There's really no human blueprint for perfect fatherhood, as all men have faults. I have come to realize that the only perfect father is God. He is a father who loves us completely, listens to us and is always there for us.

There is hope and encouragement for fathers who want to take the initiative in becoming a better father, though. Consider reading "Raising a Modern-Day Knight" for a suggested blueprint on how to take your son on the journey to manhood. For daughters, "What a Daughter Needs From Her Dad" provides insight into exactly what its title suggests.

One aspect of being a better father is to know yourself better. Many of us weren't taught what it means to be a man. That's why I just started reading "Stepping Up" by Dennis Rainey, a book that identifies five stages of a man's journey through life — boyhood, adolescence, manhood, mentor, and patriarch — and examines a man's responsibilities at each step. (Here is a 16-page PDF preview of "Stepping Up.")

So, on this Father's Day, if you're feeling that you're not the best father, don't beat yourself up over it. No one is the best father except for God. Just give it your best shot. And go tell your son that you love him -- now.

Hearing God in times of stress

2011-06-18T13:00:00.001-05:00

I regularly pray to God. About big things. About little things. When I lost my job nine months ago, I prayed about really big things -- like my family's finances and me finding a new job. But there was no response. I still don't have a job, and I was feeling abandoned by God.

That was, until I listened to a recent podcast by John Eldredge. He said that it's really difficult to hear God in times of stress, because there is so much noise attacking us. I know what he's talking about -- everybody from my wife to my parents to former coworkers were telling me what to do after I lost my job.

Eldredge's advice is to start with small prayers, like "God, do you love me?" We know that the answer to that is a resounding "Yes!" Eldredge said that there's so many factors that go into the big decisions, that it helps to simplify.

I also think that it makes sense to get away from distractions to focus on God. Just like you can see so many more stars in the country than in the city because of all the lights, it's easier to hear God when one gets away from all of the noise and distractions.

Lord, I yield to you.

The assurance of Jesus

2011-06-05T13:57:00.000-05:00

My wife recently read a book about the church's responsibility to environmental stewardship called "Saving God's Green Earth" by Tri Robinson.

On pp. 40-41 in the book, Robinson describes an encounter he had in nature that demonstrated the existence of God. The story starts out with Robinson at a musical at a church:

During the musical, there was a multimedia presentation that made a lasting impact on me. Now, you must realize that this was in the mid 1970s, and the cutting edge of media in those days were two slide projects that faded in and out simultaneously. During the presentation, the choir performed a song taken from Psalm 42 where David was crying out to the Lord, 'As the deer pants for water, so my soul longs for you.' As they were singing this song, the slide projectors would fade in and out images of nature. However, the projector kept returning often to this one picture of a doe with this deep penetrating gaze. For me, the deer representated Jesus -- and that image grabbed me like no other. I was so taken by that picture, realizing that the longing in my heart was to come to know God and know for sure that Jesus was God. I wanted to know it was really true.

Upon returning to our ranch that evening, I was so bothered by that picture that I was unable to sleep. I just wanted to spend some time and think. So, I returned to the same knoll on the mountain where I had sat when I was 16. As I approached the knoll, I noticed there was a log there in a clearing. After I sat on the log, I began praying, 'God, if you're real and Jesus is your son, would you reveal yourself to me?' At that point in my life, I did not question the assurance of God, but I was still wondering about Jesus.

As I was sitting on the log praying, I heard footsteps behind me. I was terrified. I had lived in the mountains most of my life and it wasn't unusual for me to take walks in the night and hear strange noises. But on this particular night, I was terrified. Never mind the lions and tigers and bears. I was asking God to come and reveal Himself to me -- and in my heart and my mind, I felt like God was walking up behind me, so much so that I was afraid to turn around.

With this paralyzing fear keeping me firmly seated on the log, I hardly moved when a deer stepped within an arm's reach over the log I was sitting on. She walked over the log, moved around in front of me and turned, looking me square in the eyes, just the same way the deer had stared at me throughout that multimedia presentation. It was in that moment that Jesus was really revealed to me. It was as if He was saying, 'I'm here and I'm real -- and I'm answering your prayer.' I no longer needed any more assurance that Jesus was God's Son. I knew it deep in my soul.

Keep praying...

40 days of prayer: a time for thanksgiving!

2011-04-29T17:51:00.000-05:00

Tonight's the Jason Gray concert! Please keep God's Children in Haiti in your prayers. . .