Bluebird

Meditation: How deep are our roots?

2012-01-28T12:47:00.000-05:00

The tree above is a picture from my back yard years ago. For some reason, it never took, and was slowly dying. We dug it up, and I was fascinated by the roots. they were very developed, but not deep into the soil.

Meditation is a word that usually brings images of eastern religion or yoga or other. We label all these as foolishness idolatry (and rightly so), but not meditation. To ponder, to consider, to ruminate, to imagine, to pray. These are acts of meditation. Meditation is the active pursuit of truth, by denying external noise, fleeting desires, and surrendering our will and opinions to that of the Truth. How deep are our roots? I have added mediation to my new years resolutions, though I am not doing very well yet.

Hippocrates illustrated the challenge, here is wiki interpretation of the original :

The task is hugeLife is [too] short
The right time is like a razor blade...fleeting
The road to experience is fraught with hazards
To continuously accept reality and critical thought over hope and prejudice is taxing.

the original from Hippocrates

Art [is] long,
vitality [is] brief,
occasion precipitous,
experiment perilous,
judgment difficult.

This Wikipedia article found after the original Latin phrase was found in Matthew Henry commentary around Mark 4, the parable of the sower. What great effort and reward results from listening, beholding, hearing....

"This parable is to teach you to be attentive to the word, and affected with it, that you may understand it. If ye receive not this, ye will not know how to use the key by which ye must be let into all the rest.’ ’ If we understand not the rules we are to observe in order to our profiting by the word, how shall we profit by any other rule?"

The parable from Mark 4:4-9
“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

....For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

2012-01-07T08:47:00.001-05:00

"....For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13 part)

Am I righteous in my own eyes? Forgive me.
Do I see my sin? Help me.
Do I pursue the goals of my little kingdom instead of the expansive glory of Yours? You know I do. Call me Lord. Speak to me. Today.

Your servant is listening. I surrender.

The Pursuit of Holiness

2011-12-25T23:11:00.000-05:00

[This blog is primarily written as part of my own reflection, meditation and as I grow older, my memory :). As such I have no shame or self-promotion, nor do I mind if it helps others, although that is not my primary motive. As part of a group of men who are trying to grow deeper in their faith, I am reading through some books, and it seemed necessary that I jot down some notes.

Having come out of a legalistic group that completely misunderstood grace, faith and salvation, the subject of “Holiness” is one that is often abused. Since I knew and trusted the men that were reading with me, I was not reluctant to grow in my faith with them. ]

The Pursuit of Holiness

Jerry Bridges

“Strive for peace with everyone and for holiness without which no one will see the Lord” Hebrews 12:14

At the end of the book, the author points the key benefit of Holiness: Experiencing God’s Love. More specifically, His love is not conditional on obedience, but our experience of it is, 1) in Fellowship with God (Ps 51:12) 2) Joy of obedience (Nehemiah 8:10) and 3) anticipation of our reward. I wish I had read this first.

The remaining 16 chapters focus on how we view obedience to God’s will, and some simple principles to keep in mind as we pursue that. In the end, I couldn’t find anything that troubled me from the standpoint of legalism, and on the contrary, found confirmation of a faith-based approach to Holiness led by the Holy Spirit, which is exactly where Holiness must come from.

By far the most important message to me is this: Our spirit works with the Holy Spirit (not “either/or” but “BOTH/AND”). “… for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Phil 2:13). This begins to reconcile a much bigger question I have about the interplay between “free will” and God’s sovereignty. My summary below picks other ideas from each chapter that were personally most impactful.

Chapters 1-16

1. Holiness is for you - Romans 6:14 <> Victory is a byproduct of obedience, God commands us not to sin.

2. The Holiness of God – 1 Peter 1:15-16 <> Because God is holy, He hates sin. Do we justify sin by saying “I am growing in this area” instead of owning it?

3. Holiness is not an option – Hebrews 12:14 <> Holiness is a requirement for fellowship with God, well being, our service and our assurance.

4. The Holiness of Christ – 2 Corintians 5:21 <> We are secure because of Christ “I have come to do your will”

5. A change of Kingdoms – Romans 6:6-7 <>The potential of resisting sin is NOT the same as the Responsibility for resisting sin. Slaves after Lincoln were used as an example, though they were legally free, not all of them took responsibility for their freedom, but continued to live like slaves.

6. The battle for Holiness – Romans 7:21 <> Our efforts toward denying sin: focus on “affections” glorifying God. This relies on the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, avoiding the twin pitfalls of morbid introspection and “missing the real issues in our lives.

7. Help in the Daily Battle – Romans 6:11 <> God uses scripture AND the Holy Spirit AND prayer AND dependence to expose sin.

8. Obedience Not Victory – Romans 8:13 <>Obedience to the Spirit not Victory/Defeat by the enemy. It is our spirit working with the Holy Spirit (not either/or but BOTH/AND). “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Phil 2:13)

9. Putting Sin to Death – Colossians 3:5 <> Mortify sin, Questions to ask yourself – “Is it helpful? An idol? Hurtful? Does it glorify God? Saying no to sin makes it easier to say no next time. These decisions must be made out of a conviction, a sense of obedience to God, not a judgment of others whose convictions are different.

10. The place of personal discipline – 1 Timothy 4:7 <> No such thing as instant godliness: Train yourself

11. Holiness in Body – 1Corintians 9:27 <> Plan before you approach Temptation

12. Holiness in Spirit – 2 Corinthians 7:1 <> Contentment is a function of (Trusting a sovereign God 1 Peter 2:23). Not revenge or retaliation

13. Holiness in our wills – Philippians 2:13 <> The heart (Mind, Emotions, Will, Concience) is trained by TREASURING understanding

14. Habits of Holiness – Romans 6:19 <> Every sin reinforces the HABIT of sinning. Repitition with the Holy Spirit in saying NO breaks the habit.

15. Holiness and Faith – Hebrew 11:8 <> We need CONVICITON in necessity of obeying the revealed word of God and CONFIDENCE in His promises.

16. Holiness in an Unholy world – John 17:15 <>Our own holy life will serve as a sufficient rebuke. Our interest in others is not in conduct but the need for Jesus as their savior.

17. The Joy of Holiness – Romans 14:17 <> His love is not conditional on obedience, but our experience of it is. 1) Fellowship with God Ps 51:12, 2) Joy of obedience (Neh 8:10) and 3) anticipation of our reward.

The book is by far better than this summary. Modern classic as Chuck Colson describes it.

Leap of Faith, Over and Over and Over again.

2011-12-21T10:18:00.000-05:00

Brian Hall and his niece

Brian Boston starts a line....

A picture you have seen before; a father, calling his child into a leap of faith. You might think that we put ourselves in this place where we have to jump, or He put us there for this reason.

Either way, you know the Father's heart here, He THRILLS at seeing the child jump! Why?

...to see a child to learn they CAN do something they are afraid of?
...to enjoy the rush through His child?
...does He relish the trust and faith expressed by the child who EXPECT's to be caught?
...do fathers see the consequences of the FUN are actually contagious?

Anyone who has seen this watches the smallest children tremble in fear the first couple times. Then after 1 or two leaps, he starts to smile. Then, if there are other children nearby, a line will form and they will not stop taking leaps of faith. Fathers LOVE this! (I suspect mothers do too, though they are seen more prominently in the comforting moments when things don't go quite as expected :)

All this came to mind this morning as I read 2nd Peter, and we are reminded "The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials" 2:9. He is patient, and therefore we should remain PATIENT, at PEACE and STABLE in the knowledge that "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his great and precious promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the the divine nature..." v1:3 ff.

The last week has been unusually painful for me at home with my boys, inn the workplace and even with people who I am trying to fellowship with. I know He is calling me back to this place, to RELY on, TRUST in and SMILE with Him.

Where does the child look? Right into the Father's eyes!! In the words of my dear brother Hank Mercier "Come and enjoy God with us!" Partake.

Over and over and over and over again
I will stir up my soul to lay hold of You
Over and over and over and over again
I will stir up my soul to lay hold of
That which I cannot comprehend
Over and over and over and over again
Over and over and over and over again

And then I'll just lean into sovereignty
I'll embrace a mystery
And I'll just rest in You
As I bathe in truth
Over and over and over and over again
This is my simple devotion
My walk of faith, day by day
Over and over and over and over again

And then I hear You say
As You gaze over the balcony of heaven
I hear You say as You peer through the lattice of time
I hear You say as You stand in heaven
I hear You say as You rejoice over me
"O Angels! O Angels! Look and see!
Through that dark night of faith
She is gazing at Me!
O Angels! O Angels! Look and see!
Through that cloud of unknowing
She's gazing at Me!
And You have ravished My heart
My sister, My bride
With one glance of your eye!"
Over and over and over and over again..."

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die

2011-10-08T13:12:00.000-04:00

Am I a Treasure Seeker?

Steve Jobs, may not have been a Christian I told my boys this morning, but perhaps we can learn something from his life as we search diligently. I read to my boys Sean and David from the Bible about searching, taking up their cross, with all their heart, because our King is not a “safe Lion, but he is good” (C.S. Lewis describing Aslan in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe). I accept that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except by him (John 14:6). What is our role? How then should we live?

Practically how does searching work out? According to Jeremiah, God has plans to prosper us, but we are to search with all our heart. The specific plans and dreams I search out are almost secondary to HOW I search…with all my heart, diligently as the Bereans who were counted by God as noble. (Acts 17:10).

Steve Jobs was a treasure seeker…perhaps of a different kind. But perhaps I can learn from his life, as he tells it. The danger of summarizing any thought is losing the precious context. Can you search for truth eagerly? “Cliff notes” abbreviated version below, (the questions are my own) full version here.

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die
Commencement speech at Stanford 2005

1. Connecting the Dots
“School, I couldn’t see the value in it”

Looking back…(dropping out) was one of the best decisions I ever made, I could stop taking the required classes that didn’t interest me, and begin dropping in on the class I was interested in.

It is impossible to connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backward. You have to trust that the dots will connect in the future. Believing that the dots will connect down the road, that will give you the confidence to follow your heart.

[Question: Do we search for God with ALL our heart, following and trusting Him to connect the dots? Do we believe He will work it out?]

2. Love and loss: Getting fired from Apple was the best thing that ever happened to me.
“Publically I was let go from the focus of everything in my adult life…it was devastating. Public failure, and I thought about running away from the valley, but I still loved what I did.

“Getting fired was the best thing that could have ever happened to me” It freed me to be a beginner again. The heaviness of being successful was replace by the lightness of being a beginner, less sure about things. Freed me to be one of the most creative periods of my life. Started NeXt, Pixar.

None of this would have happened if I hadn’t lost my job at Apple. Sometimes life gonna hit you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I am convinced that the one thing that kept me going is that I loved what I did. You have got to find what you love.

The only way to do great work is to love what you do. …Keep looking, don’t settle.

[Questions:

Do I hold onto or settle for less when it seems our dreams are dashed, or do I spring forward when I hit bottom, accepting change as positive, even sovereign for my future?
Do I enter as a little child?
Did you know that adults smile 30 times per day on average, but children over 300?]

3. Death
“If you live each day as if it was your last, one day you will most certainly be right. I have looked on the mirror and asked myself, if today was the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tools I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

[Question: If today was your last day, would you want to do (for God’s glory) what you are about to do, or are you MERELY doing what someone expects (dogma)? If someone took away all our commentary, all our recorded sermons, what would you say that you BELIEVE?]

“Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” Steve Jobs 2005
After this speech the iPhone and the iPad were brought to market. How am I searching?

Weep? Would you do this for your enemy?

2011-08-27T14:33:00.000-04:00

A sin against the LORD so stunning it cannot be named by a single word: pride, arrogance, insolence, haughtiness. This sin meets it's just end of desolation and great destruction for the nation of Moab in Jeremiah 48. Yet the Lord does not rejoice or boast, what does the Lord do?

He weeps. This tells us more about the God we serve, than the Moabites.

Moab was a people who born of Lot who worshiped a false God Chemosh, and sacrificed adults, even babies to him. They resisted Moses (Balak and Balam in Num 22-25), Jehoram/Jehoshaphat (2 Kings 3:4-27), and the Lord even used them to help destroy His Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:2).

There is something else, however, which unleashes the righteous fury of the LORD - their contempt for God’s people. "Moab and Seir said, 'Behold, the house of Judah has become like all the other nations'" (Ezekiel 25:8-11). The Lord responds in vengeance "Cursed is he who does the work of the LORD with slackness, and cursed is he who keeps his sword from bloodshed." (Jeremiah 48:10).

Clearly, we see a jealous God. In the midst of His fury, this is what the LORD said:

"I know his insolence, declares the Lord;his boasts are false,
his deeds are false.

Therefore I wail for Moab;
I cry out for all Moab;
for the men of Kir-hareseth I mourn.
Jeremiah 48:30-31;

What! Wail??? This screams that our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Later in Mathew we read the testimony of Jesus, who again finds an unwilling group of children:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" Matt 23:37

"And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it" Luke 19:41

Today, in mourning I became a little more like the one I worship.... and He has comforted me by giving me Himself. (Matt. 5:4)

Is 48:46
Jeremiah 48:46-47
Woe to you, O Moab!
The people of Chemosh are undone,
for your sons have been taken captive,
and your daughters into captivity.

Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab
in the latter days, declares the Lord.”
Thus far is the judgment on Moab.

Imagine yourself as a living house. Mere Christianity

2011-06-17T17:31:00.000-04:00

From an old friend, in one of his greatest surprises both in content and timing.... Thanks Andy.

I thought you might like this quote from C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity, one of my favorite books:

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to?

The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.

ps (from Brad). The picture is the future site of Restoring Lives West, a ministry of Lynhurst Baptist Church for homeless teens, just south of Washington St. in Indianapolis. Even though it seemed beautiful on the outside, it needed a complete re-do on the interior. We actually stripped this old house down to the studs on the inside, it seemed such a fitting picture of what C.S. Lewis describes about you and me. Your will LORD.

Homework for the teens, and their parents.

2011-05-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

A good question, what is one way we need to grow? What verses does God help you identify to answer the question? My new years resolutions are:

Praise more, criticize less
Major in the majors
BOLDLY pursue contentment through risk with others to the GLORY of God.

And the verses given to me to walk this out?

PUT ON ....Gal 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

PUT OFF....Col 3:8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Its been a while since the obscene was a problem in my speech, but the rest of it, anger, wrath mailice.....are not far enough away. Why? My expectations are apart from the LORDs, I have not learned to be content in all things. Not learned to learn in all things, and still praying "Lord I believe, help me in my unbelief.

The One: Is marriage possible? (in three minutes)

2011-04-25T13:52:00.000-04:00

There is a story behind this teaching from over a year ago, I cannot tell it now...but one day I will. My friend Scott talks about where dreams can carry to the wrong goals, but that yes, marriage is possible. Below is a transcription of the best part, about 3 minutes.

QUESTION: Is it really possible for marriage to work? …to commit themselves for a lifetime? If you look around maybe not, statistics say 1/2 the people who get married don't make it. …If possible, what does it take? ….

RESPONSE: "....we talked about this thing: how we all, at a young age, we start looking for "the one", you know its just something that is "ingrained" in us. We start looking for the one.

We think If we just find the one, our life will be complete. Young adults and single people you know it easy sometimes to get obsessed with finding "the one".

Sometimes you get married and realize that "I choose the wrong one" and you you start looking for "the one" again.

Even little girls from a very young age: there are fairy tales about the princess and the knight, the one knight who comes and rescues them and little girls as they grow up and start dreaming and planning at a very young age their wedding night (or their wedding day). I guess its the boys that are think about the wedding night.

So the girls' think about the wedding day, and think about walking down the aisle, they think about their dress, making their vows, getting married, they think about having a family, having the 2.5 children that we have, and just living happily ever after.

What we said that first week is that maybe "the one" we are looking for is the wrong one. Maybe "the one", as followers of Christ, as Christians, maybe the one everyone should be looking for is actually God. And its a relationship with Christ that we need to find and discover and pursue in our lives. And have that as the foundation. And then once we have that as "the one" with Christ, then we can go and start looking for our "two". And we set ourselves up for a much more likelihood of success if we have the one in order and pursue our two that we want to marry and spend our lives with.
…..

Full teaching here... Thank you Scott Himes, it was good to remember brother
http://blip.tv/file/3258565?filename=Lifechurchindy-SurvivingAsOne972.m4v

LOGOS Leadership

2011-04-04T12:05:00.001-04:00

If you can only take away one thing, it was a successful meeting, conference or whatever.

A consultant from LOGOS institute a communication agency, came to teach senior leaders at work. I got a surprise invitation, even though my pay grade just didn't match the audience. I sat for less than an hour...but couldn't help thinking about how it might help me talk to my son, and talk to God about those who NEED help.

LEADERSHIP is understanding where they might be, meeting them where they are. Attentive to what they care about and focus on that first. LISTEN

Prevent confusion: too much communication spent fixing self-inflicted harm
Facts are rarely persuasive: You lead with data, most people don't respond well to data.
Need to be intentional: Listen

I AM

2011-03-24T21:59:00.000-04:00

This literally popped up on my screen today...I've no idea where it came from, then again, maybe I do.

“I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1).
“I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14).
“I am the Lord your God” (Exodus 6:7).
“I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26).
“I am gracious” (Exodus 22:27).
“I am the Lord who sanctifies you” (Exodus 31:13).
“I am your portion and your inheritance” (Numbers 18:20).
“I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people” (Psalm 22:5-7).
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God” (Isaiah 41:10)
“I am the Lord, that is My name” (Isaiah 42:8)
“I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isaiah 43:3).
“I am the Lord, who makes all things” (Isaiah 44:24).
“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me” (Isaiah 46:9).
“I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last” (Isaiah 48:12-13).
“I, even I, am He who comforts you” (Isaiah 51:12).
“I am He who speaks” (Isaiah 52:6).
“I am with you to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:8)
“I am ready to perform My word” (Jeremiah 1:12).
“I am merciful” (Jeremiah 3:12).
“I am married to you” (Jeremiah 3:14).
“I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth” (Jeremiah 9:24).
“I am weary of relenting!” (Jeremiah 15:6).
“I am a Father to Israel” (Jeremiah 31:9).
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh” (Jeremiah 32:27).
“I am the Lord who strikes” (Ezekiel 7:9).
“Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you” (Ezekiel 13:8).
“You are men, and I am your God” (Ezekiel 34:31).
“I am God, and not man, the Holy One in your midst” (Hosea 11:9).
“I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy” (Zechariah 1:16).
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?” (Malachi 1:6).
“I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6).
“I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
“I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:27).
“I am the bread of life…. I am the living bread which came down from heaven” (John 6:51 35,).
“I am One who bears witness of Myself” (John 8:18).
“You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world” (John 8:23).
“Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58).
“I am the light of the world” (John 9:5).
“I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7).
“I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11).
“I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
“Where I am, there My servant will be also” (John 12:26).
“You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am” (John 13:13).
“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
“I am in the Father and the Father in Me” (John 14:11).
“I am the true vine…. I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:1,5).
“You say rightly that I am a king” (John 18:37).
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End…who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).
“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore” (Revelation 1:18).
“I am He who searches the minds and hearts” (Revelation 2:23).
“I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16).

Beautiful? Yes you are....

2011-03-13T00:41:00.001-05:00

A message worth Sharing...and the Song from Mercy Me:

This weekend from the John Piper Conference (Children Desiring God), I was reminded of the centrality of a father's praise for our boys as they demonstrate those biblical qualities of manhood (self control, protection, provision). The same praise is needed for young women as they respond in ways like a biblical woman of inner beauty.

Its just a shadow of the message that God delivers to those who are saved through His Son “....You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22

God doesn't make mistakes, and Bart explains from a fathers heart how ‎"It should blow your stinkin mind!"

"The world tells you that you are unlovable...but because of the Cross, we have value. That's far greater than what the world says, and its far greater than our good works. We DESPERATELY NEED JESUS."

"You... didn't just stumble in here. He tells the stars when to shine, and He is madly in love with you."

Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight. They are nothing in the Shadow of the Cross....you are made for so much more than all of this....you are beautiful in His eyes. You are treasure, you are sacred you are HIS. (YES YOU....)

I'm Holding a Miracle,

A card from my brother

2011-02-25T18:17:00.000-05:00

"A mighty wind blew night and day.

It stole the oak tree's leaves away, Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark Until the oak was tired and stark. But still the oak tree held its ground while other trees fell all around. The weary wind gave up and spoke, "How can you still be standing, Oak?" The oak tree said, "I know that you can break each branch of mind in tow, carry every leaf away, Shake my limbs and make me sway. But I have roots stretched in the earth, Growing stronger since my birth. You'll never touch them, for you see, they are the deepest part of me. Until today, I wasn't sure of just how much I could endure. But now I've found, with thanks to you, I'm stronger than I ever knew.

Especially now, try to remember that you're stronger than any problem you encounter or any disappointment life will bring. Thinking of you, believing in you, caring for you."

A note from my brother Eric...maybe his first card...a doozie. Well timed during a tough week where The LORD was blowing out the "dead branches": Dependence on job, children, etc. for fulfillment. I keep getting seduced into thinking I am done with that stuff. He keeps pursuing. PNUEMA, the wind, the Spirit.

I have two brothers, Eric and Scott and a sister named Tracy. Once my dad set up a small business for us, he called it BEST.

Hounds of Heaven? Do you see what I see?

2011-01-19T23:54:00.000-05:00

There is a poem, called "hounds of heaven", that speaks not of hounds at all, but of the relentless pursuit God impresses on us....and in fact, the wonderful satisfaction of drawing near to Him even as we are "chased", when part of us wants to run the other way.

Sometimes I write, just to document these events that seem more than chance. Tonight by 4X, I was reminded...see if you see what i see.

On my way home this afternoon, a conversation with an old friend about the redundancy of "Sovereign God". If he is God, then he is sovereign.
As we ride in the truck, fatherly guidance for my son who had a strong opinion about not wanting to do something, and I reminded him to be able to embrace even those things we do not prefer, or risk being able to see God.
At church around youth group I heard from two different sources the question from Hell..."How does a loving God allow bad things to happen to good people". Don't get me wrong, we have all been tempted by this, but to be sure....God is always good, people are not. Any other conclusion, no matter how saintly or innocent, will lead you to a place you do not want to go.
Finally, I am late, but I have to talk to a dad going through a divorce who tells me he is reading Job. He is struggling with one of the oldest stories in the bible. God never answers Jobs "WHY" question, Instead, he asks the questions that remind Job WHO the creator was.

All this was in the same evening....no kidding. Hounds of heaven, or a God in hot pursuit? Depends on your perspective. :)

Testimony about the Teen Retreat , for the glory of God

2011-01-17T00:05:00.001-05:00

Testimony about the Teen Retreat , for the glory of God

Tonight (as the oldest teen!), Several of us shared what we learned from the experience at 5 stones camp two weeks ago, an amazing retreat filled with teaching, fellowship, but most importantly the Holy Spirit drawing 4 young men to a life-changing commitment to follow Jesus Christ. This short account was one of several from Teens, and adults that were there.

Mighty to save (a portion)

Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

Imagine a place where there is no shame in surrender, confessing sin, giving praise, living boldly. This is the way it was meant to be, in the Garden. That’s what I saw among the young people, young men leading, people confessing their sin, repentance, forgiveness and joy. Revival. I never saw revival before, but I think this was it.

Now we can have freedom in Christ. In the story of Joseph, when his entire family is brought into Egypt, Pharaoh says to him “Have no concern for your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.” Gen. 45:20”. My ambition is for my children to see Jesus in His word and in His people like these children did….that they would follow hard after the Lord, that they would not be afraid to live, and that they would not be afraid to die.

Mighty to Save

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

My Saviour, you can move the mountains,
You are mighty to save,
You are mighty to save.
Forever, Author of Salvation,
You rose and conquered the grave,
Yes you conquered the grave

Amen

the big party in Indonesia

2010-12-15T22:16:00.000-05:00

Since I arrived at Plainfield Calvary Baptist last March, the one defining picture I have is the love they have for God's word. I thought of that love as I saw this video of an Indonesian tribe when they received God's word in their own language, for the first time.

Dancing, crying, celebration, honor and prayer.

I am a coming closer to that gratitude every day. Today was my son's first day in Awana. I think I understand a little better about the big party in Indonesia, though they have taught me even more in this short video.

Thanks for your generous prayers and comfort.

As they say in the Kimyal language:

Al weig buna’ ag bulamlange
ab Domba Me ab se,
sig aga meibna’ ab,
gibna’ ab, bebnag ab, migib ab,
unum-unum se ulamla.

“To him who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb, be blessing
and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

Read more here....
http://www.challies.com/christian-living/gods-greatest-gifts

Please show me your glory

2010-12-10T19:39:00.000-05:00

What are we missing in LIFE? How do we get there?

Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” Exodus 33:18

And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:35

Show me your Glory
Jaeson Ma

You know I finally realized that
this life boils down to one thing
Its not about me its not about the music
its about the glory
Listen up, Listen up Listen up

Don't waste your life
But Live your life for a purpose that is bigger than yourself
What are you living for?
I'm living for the glory
and glory is not fame, glory not making yourself a name

Glory is sacrificing for others
Its putting other before your self
(thats love)
Its fighting for a cause worth dying for
a purpose worth living for

true glory is virtue
Its not something you can buy,
Glory is something you earn
Heros are not born
They are made for glory

I'm broken apart somewhere on the road
10,000 dreams with no place to go
If you give me your heart I ll can give you a soul
The depth of your love I'll never know

Glory
Glory ....Give me a sign
Glory ….I'll give you My life

Show me the glory
this is what I pray
Theres gotta be more than what seems that exist
We were born to go higher, born for adventure
dare to dream bigger

because if your don't have a passion worth dying for you have nothing worth living for

don't live for the things of this world
They're passing away
but live for the glory that leads to eternity
Glory is grace perfected

And our greatest glory is not in never falling, but rising, every time we fall

I'm broken apart somewhere on the road
10,000 dreams with no place to go
If you give me your heart I ll give you a soul
The depth of your love I'll never know

Glory ....Give me a sign
Glory ….I'll give you My life

When I wake up in the morning and feel the sun shining down in my face
I feel your glory
When I look into that night and I see the moon and stars shining so bright
I see your glory

Your love is deeper than the oceans
more powerful than the mountains.
Glory

I been waiting my whole life
for this one special moment I got just to be with you….
….to be with you

I been waiting my whole life
for this one special moment I got just to be with you….
….to be with you

I'm broken apart somewhere on the road
10,000 dreams with no place to go
If you give me your heart I can give you a soul
The depth of your love I'll never know

Glory ....Give me a sign
Glory ….I'll give you My life

Glory give me a sign
I can't touch your glory, its too much
Glory ….I'll give you My life
Its all about you, its not about me,
its all about you
its all about your Glory

Yes, let me feel you glory
Show me touch your glory
Show me your glory

this is what I pray
You are my glory
You are my life
You are everything

thank you

You have a calling....an upward calling of God

2010-12-10T08:26:00.000-05:00

There comes a time in a man's life when all he has is his faith, not his feeling, not his relationships, nor even his possessions that remind Him of past success. Sure, I want intimacy with God....but do I demand it?

Do I require signs for my faith to be sustained?
Do I love the Lord enough to strain forward DESPITE the void behind?
Do I believe in Him enough to smile to Him when all seems lost?
Is my faith strong enough to care about the lives of others when my life seems to need so much attention?

Later this month the Calvary Baptist teens are going on a trip, and they have been asked by the youth pastor (Brian Hall) to remember this verse as a prerequisite. It seems to be a prerequisite to so much more.... straining forward to what lies ahead.

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 3:7-14 ESV)

Click this link to listen...
http://www.divshare.com/download/13461940-cc6

Shine

2010-11-23T07:23:00.002-05:00

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4-5)

A darkness moved in when I dropped my boys off. It was the end of my first overnight custody. A really spectacular weekend was comming to an end.

Thursday Bruce Gill took us out for Chicago Pizza with Skyler, Brandon, John Russ and Nick. We got to know the boys and quietly began to destroy myths. We rode home in the Chevy Silverado all three on the bench seat up front. We were just getting started.

Friday we helped with mission work at BIEM where they met and worked and played with about 50 other people. Sean and David literally ran as they worked and had a great time with all the boys.

Saturday Doug McMichael taught them woodworking and the patience of Christ, how to use a band saw and router and actually taught me about being a father, not being task oriented. We also picked up mattresses and bought a Bed. And read from Proverbs 20 and Matt 4 and 5 about being "poor in spirit", so that your light will shine before men.

Sunday it was good to hear the message about God's word shining into our life and a dear note of encouragement reminding me of that transformation in me and in my family that all the pain will produce as we learn to trust Jesus, He is a BIG God. I remain dependent on Him for hope and light.

"Let Jesus be as a lamp in your life, shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in the hearts of your family" (paraphrase of 2 Peter 1:19)

As I introduced my boys to John and Marrissa Sharbaugh and their new son Jackson , I said they were famous. Marrissa turned and graciously described her life (with Malachi) as a a great opportunity to give honor to God.

Lights shine in dark places, giving hope. I am continuously reminded the dark moments are the chance to give most Glory to God.

SEVEN HEBREW WORDS FOR PRAISE

2010-10-23T14:29:00.002-04:00

1. YADAH To worship with the extended hand, absolute surrender... as a young child does to a parent
2. TEHILLAH To sing, to laud, spontaneously
3. BARAK To kneel or to bow
4. HALAL Shine; hence, to make a show, and thus to be (clamorously) foolish
5. TOWDAH Extension of the hand in adoration or agreement
6. ZAMAR - To sing with instruments
7. SHABACH - Proclaim with a loud voice, unashamed, a loud adoration, a shout!

I will not forsake you

2010-10-22T18:59:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a day of great battle, and so many have lifted me .....Thank you. This is His message: "I will not forsake you" from all corners of the nation and beyond, from ages long ago and new, from young and old. He is faithful.

At the risk of self promotion, I do want to glorify GOD and His people. In a sense, the courage I have received was not meant for me alone, but also for you in your own battle. Freely we have received, freely we give. This just might be God talking to you:

"Brad- I'm with you."

"...God does not promise that our lives will be free of storms, but He does promise us a place of shelter during the storms." The FULL Serenity Prayer

"...the Scripture that comes to mind is "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed (because He was crushed for us--Isa. 53); we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken (because He was forsaken for us--Matt. 27:46); struck down but not destroyed--always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body" (2 Cor. 4:8-10)..."

"... Persevere and He will make a way, and He will comfort you. You will reap what you are sowing. God Bless. "

"...praying for you Brad."

"Brad, praying for you right now man. "

"I know you are not looking for a return email from anyone that you sent this to because God is your rock and He will sustain you. My heart knows that you are aware of the prayer for you"

"Hello from South Carolina, Brad. Yes, I will join in prayer this morning."

"Be strong in the Grace of God Brad---As you have been."

"Bless your walk"

" **husband** and I lifted special and specific prayers ...."

"I'll be praying for you that God will vindicate himself for your trust in him.
Romans 8:18 - For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. shalom"

"...trust in God to set things right. I love you. **relative** "

"Praying that you have all the spiritual armor God has granted each of us to use for His will."

" **wife** and I are praying for you tomorrow. "

"With God ALL things are possible. I know right now it must be hard to see clearly in all of this. You are in our thoughts and prayers as you battle for what you know is right ..... I don't know what the outcome will be now or down the road but I know HE is faithful. Please know we are praying with love- **Husband and wife**"

"...Thank you for allowing us ***husband and wife** to continue to pray specifically for you and the battle you are in. - In Him alone- "

"I am praying for you brother. Remember what the Bible says. Ask and it will be given to you. Matthew 7-7. Read from Matthew. I believe it will help you. Brad I wish you the best. Good luck and the grace of God is with you, even though you may not see it. The great I AM is on your side."

"...What's mine is yours brother and I really mean that. Please keep me updated and don't hesitate to ask for anything. We are at war and we are soldiers together in this army. Co laborers for Christ. Love you brother."

The same day people in the world asked me "Do you believe that God speaks to you?" How would you answer?

What do you recommend?

2010-10-15T22:36:00.001-04:00

DJ has a heart for the people of the Phillipines, he landed recently to start his journey that will take him over a year, and maybe a life...and you see his heart in his question.My answer is laid out below. What would be yours? What books have encouraged you?

Totally depends on God and the audience He would have you reach. Here are 7, I am sure there are 70 more.

1) Bible: 1 John, Ephesians...Simple, powerful.

2) "God is closer than you think." Lighthearted, point directly to the immediate possibility of a relationship with God....great for me when I thought I couldn't connect with God. http://bit.ly/9fOUWZ

3) "Epic" by John Eldridge..short, simple, evanglististic
"Wild at heart" and "Waking the Dead": for healing and battle: John Eldridge
http://www.ransomedheart.com/c-3-books.aspx

4) "Spiritual Leadership" by J Oswald Saunders: How to become the leader God wants all of us to be. Perhaps for the more mature Christian.

5) FREE: "When I don't desire God, how to fight for joy" John Piper Rich with sound teaching through the ages.
http://www.desiringgod.org/media/pdf/books_bwdd/bwdd_all.pdf

6) The most life-changing for me personally was the "One Month to Live" series by Kerry Shook
http://www.onemonthtolive.com/ If we believe life is almost over...everything changes.

7) "The Purple book" Hank Mercier from LifeChurch thought this was the best, I have not been through it, but might fit. Hank is one of my heros of faith.
http://haveyoudonethepurplebook.com/new/about.php

If you want to read a little more about DJ, you can find out here...
http://djsmission.blogspot.com/

Are you ready? Spiritual Warfare

2010-10-10T17:24:00.000-04:00

After "A mighty fortress", I got caught. I was so excited to fight the battle with my new confidence, I hadn't even thought to answer the critical questions.... was I ready?

Its been a tough week, I feel like I am loosing ground. As often happens when my need is greatest, the message spoke directly to the need to get to a right relationship, right perspective. In fact this preparation of the heart and mind is exactly what I am reminded weekly, I just get so busy....

Fragrant Burning: Nothing Compares

2010-10-09T17:18:00.000-04:00

This encouragement from a young man, fighting a serious battle, ... a spiritual battle. He writes to an older man fighting a serious battle...a spiritual battle.....

"One of my memory verses for the week is Romans 8:18. I thought that it might be an encouragement to you as it was to me,

"...for i consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us."

"Paul tells us that the worst things that can happen to us in this life arent worthy to even be compared to the glory of being with our savior. That is one of my favorite passages in the Bible"

It means more coming from someone walking in the fire....doesn't it?

If you are on Facebook click link for the song audio
http://www.divshare.com/download/12792500-93d

Fragrant Burning
Derek Loux

All my triumphs i count but loss
all my failure i leave behind
I have one vision, your rugged cross
I have one mission, to come and die

And I will be a fragrant burning
I'll wash your feet with my tears
My love will be a poured out offering to you

I have one banner...Your endless love
I'll have one passion....To see your face

And I've one manner
Your Kingdom come
I've one obsession
to sit and gaze

And I will be a fragrant burning
I'll wash your feet with my tears

My love will be a poured our offering for you
Fragrant burning for you
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares to you.....
Nothing comares
NOTHING COMPARES ...compares to you

And I will be a fragrant burning
I'll wash your feet with my tears
Our love will be a oured offering to you
Fragrant burning for you,
for you, fragrant burning. for you,
for only you

Strength... what is it to you? Our burden, our load...

2010-09-30T08:05:00.000-04:00

William Lee Payne Strength... what is it to you? Bearing your burden, or letting it go?

WHAT A QUESTION: What a wonderful young man.

I had to respond....but I hope you ask yourself the same question.

"AMAZING...I just read two days ago from Galatians 5 and 6, and thought about this: bearing one another's burdens but carrying our own load.

What does that mean? It led to an intense reaction from someone who I was trying to restore gently..., but didn't want to hear the idea. In one sense our burden is not meant to be carried alone (Jesus said His burden was light). Jesus, through our communion and our church family helps with this load. This is strength.

That said, we have a role in life, to bear our load. Who does not have difficulty? The man who is dead or asleep. Our life is not without tension, without purpose. We are not alone, but trying to escape my role (as husband or wife or worker) or entangle others could become a selfish distraction or a dangerous sin.

In forbearing much, loving much, being spit on and having our hair pulled out (Is 50:6) , we learn from and about our savior as we radiate the fragrance of His grace.

Let me know if I have missed the mark, I'd like to know."

Bluebird

Meditation: How deep are our roots?

....For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

The Pursuit of Holiness

Leap of Faith, Over and Over and Over again.

Misty Edwards Simple Devotion lyrics

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die

Weep? Would you do this for your enemy?

Imagine yourself as a living house. Mere Christianity

Homework for the teens, and their parents.

The One: Is marriage possible? (in three minutes)

LOGOS Leadership

I AM

Beautiful? Yes you are....

A card from my brother

"A mighty wind blew night and day.

Hounds of Heaven? Do you see what I see?

Testimony about the Teen Retreat , for the glory of God

the big party in Indonesia

Please show me your glory

Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” Exodus 33:18

And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:35

You have a calling....an upward calling of God

Shine

SEVEN HEBREW WORDS FOR PRAISE

I will not forsake you

What do you recommend?

Are you ready? Spiritual Warfare

Fragrant Burning: Nothing Compares

Strength... what is it to you? Our burden, our load...

Misty Edwards
Simple Devotion lyrics