Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
I woke 5 am to no alarm this morning and rustled in bed only to get the normal and reasonable response from my wife, "why don't you get up and have some coffee." My ears hear, "get out of here and let me sleep!" Time to serve my wife and get up...
Love Thanksgiving mornings and the thoughts of what is ahead in the day. Group ride, hanging with family, playing with the kids, delicious foods, wine, and a stomach ache (or two) as the day progresses. It is one of those days that reminds me that "my cup overflows..."
As I sat this morning looking to read various news articles of the world, I found this article Opening the Gates which describes that the leaders of Iran were considering (or reconsidering) their rule of whether the women of their country may watch world soccer. As I read on, I was reminded of the realities of the world and different countries that oppress their people in the name of their religion. Unfortunately, the article does not seem to state that the reality for women in Iran will change anytime soon, especially under the regime of the nations Islamic Law. It pauses me this morning to give thanks for so much.
This guttural thanks is not just rooted in giving praise for basic comforts and our country's prosperity (those things are good too), but a much greater thanks for our real and eternal freedom in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that both our religious freedoms and basic liberties never change. I also pray for those who are oppressed (such as the women of Iran) and looking forward to when God decides to explode his Church in even that part of the world. May he open the real gates of freedom!
God thank you for this life and the wonder of your world. Thank you for my marriage and the joy of family. Thank you for my children, Sean and Amber. Thank you that my daughter can live in freedom without oppression and being cursed a second class citizen! Thank you for your hand in our lives. Thank you for the reminder to trust you always, and to remember that it is not our circumstances that say we are blessed, but rather the much deeper and eternal blessing of knowing you and being loved by you.
Thanks for reading and Happy Thanksgiving to you all...
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas 2012 is here!
This Christmas we are on the road visiting family and friends. Interesting time to watch the kids adjust and try some adventure in this. We enjoyed a delightful dinner prepared by my sis Donna and her husband John. Later in the evening we had a surprise visit by my brother in his uniform, taking a brief break from protecting and serving the community while they sleep. Lots of fun had by all and the anticipation by the kids for the coming of gifts was precious as it always is.
After nearly a month of contemplating Gods word towards a build up of Christmas, and after accepting and gifting this morning, I was reminded of the greatest gift in an unexpected way this morning. My son Sean reminded me of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a new way.
After opening a few gifts this morning, which included a cash gift, he retracted to a different room of the house and was tearful. I gave him a bit but then went to him and sat with him to see what was going on, thinking along the lines of disappointment towards the gifts he received. I could not have been more wrong. He explained to me sadly that he did not earn the money and that there are many that deserve it more.
I sat with him for a moment and realized he just gave me such a reminder of the Gospel of Jesus Christ from his own words. God gifted us all, with his most valuable possession in His Son, and we did not earn nor deserve it. He freely gave to undeserving sinners, which is all of us. It is only His Grace that we received such a gift, in Christ Jesus.
Rather than make this time with my son a theological experience and screw it up, I simply reminded him that his care and thought for others is a gift of Jesus, and his sharing this with his dad was my greatest reminder of Christmas this year. We both smiles and hugged for while and I got to watch his joy rebuild...
Thank you God for your providence and the unexpected gift this morning. My heart is full right now and wanted to share this with family and friends. Merry Christmas to you all and let the light of Jesus shine in your lives!
After nearly a month of contemplating Gods word towards a build up of Christmas, and after accepting and gifting this morning, I was reminded of the greatest gift in an unexpected way this morning. My son Sean reminded me of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a new way.
After opening a few gifts this morning, which included a cash gift, he retracted to a different room of the house and was tearful. I gave him a bit but then went to him and sat with him to see what was going on, thinking along the lines of disappointment towards the gifts he received. I could not have been more wrong. He explained to me sadly that he did not earn the money and that there are many that deserve it more.
I sat with him for a moment and realized he just gave me such a reminder of the Gospel of Jesus Christ from his own words. God gifted us all, with his most valuable possession in His Son, and we did not earn nor deserve it. He freely gave to undeserving sinners, which is all of us. It is only His Grace that we received such a gift, in Christ Jesus.
Rather than make this time with my son a theological experience and screw it up, I simply reminded him that his care and thought for others is a gift of Jesus, and his sharing this with his dad was my greatest reminder of Christmas this year. We both smiles and hugged for while and I got to watch his joy rebuild...
Thank you God for your providence and the unexpected gift this morning. My heart is full right now and wanted to share this with family and friends. Merry Christmas to you all and let the light of Jesus shine in your lives!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Giving Thanks (part two)
My family arrived in Borrego Springs this afternoon. We are having a great time and love seeing my wife and kids enjoy the experience. It is a very beautiful desert landscape and our creator seems much bigger than I regularly give credit. Father, your work is beyond my imagination and gratitude. Thank you for loving your people infinitely more than they deserve. Thank you for sending your son so that we may have life from certain death.
I look forward to waking to Thanksgiving tomorrow. May we praise your name all the day!
Psalms 100:1-5 ESV "Make a joyful noise to the Lord , all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord , he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."
I look forward to waking to Thanksgiving tomorrow. May we praise your name all the day!
Psalms 100:1-5 ESV "Make a joyful noise to the Lord , all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord , he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Encouragement...
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
http://bible.us/Col1.15.ESV
http://bible.us/Col1.15.ESV
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Outward Sign of Faith - Sean's First Communion
Praise God. Sean experienced his first communion at Grace Church this morning. After much discussion in the household, and even some tearful moments, we were blessed to present the opportunity for Sean to outwardly declare his love for God and his absolute need for Jesus Christ, our savior.
I believe it is important to share this event with my family and give even my personal testimony in this experience. The timing of Gods word was and is always timely and nourishing. And today was no exception to that fact. Before sharing the message today, let me share what has been going on with my son. He desires to take communion. Partly because that is what we do, and because he thinks he is ready. I was trying to do my best to discern his understanding of the gospel and the right timing of this celebration and communion experience.
Prior to worship this morning, and over many months, our family contemplated what the essence of communion really is with my son. Notwithstanding the important biblical command, I enjoyed explaining to my son the version that my pastor explained, which I believe is consistent with being centered in the gospel. Pastor Tim described communion as being an "outward sign of an inner reality." Since I believe that salvation is by Gods grace alone, in faith alone, through Jesus Christ alone, the concept of an outward sign of an inner reality really describes this best, which is another description of faith and outwardly professing our need in Christ, our savior. I don't believe my son at age 8 perfectly defines this and understands it the same as I do, but I truly believe he loves the Lord and believes Christ Jesus saves. He acknowledges we are sinners, in need of a savior. And he knows who Jesus Christ is. This is enough.
But even with all this knowledge from my son, I continued looking for more surety of the right time... I continued looking for unwavering understanding from my 8 year old son. It was as if I believed that my instruction, timing, and the success of my father pastoring was a key element in Gods work. As the elements were being passed this morning, I told Sean I would prefer to let the elements pass from him and he looked at me sadly and respectfully and said "I will do as you tell me dad." As I took the elements in my hand, and at just the right time, I repeated to myself that salvation is of the Lord. I looked at his precious face knowing that he desired to be part of the Lords table and the only reason I was wavering is I thought he was not fully confident in the Gospel and he could not perfectly recite the answers I wanted. It was at this time, I looked at Sean and told him he and I would take communion together. I declared this is Gods work and needed to let that stand as it should. Tears of joy immediately sprang from the both of us! I was emotionally reminded that this is Gods work and I need to be graceful in this, and especially to my son. I needed to give him a gift during this worship Sunday that God provided us both. How precious, and how fortunate it was to experience this moment with my son. As my Pastor preached the word, I began to whisper to Sean in his ear the significance of each element of the supper we were about to take. About this time, as we were taking communion, I realized it was not just Sean and I becoming emotional and tearful since both Amber and Jennifer were both in tears of joy. What a blessing...
Today was a message on Psalms 78. The message focus was the importance of equipping our children and disciples in the gospel so that the generation to come may know and continue it's teaching in the word of God. It was fitting timing to pass the baton on to my son today. It is my prayer that we do this well. It is also my praise that God will get it done. May he give me strength to be part of his work. I plan to continue instructing my family in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and thankful that I have trusted men and a Pastor who continually poor it in to me with love, truth and application. He who began a good work in you, will take it on to completion until the day of Christ!
There is many reasons to remember this date. Partly because of the tragedy of 9-11 where so many lives we lost in our county. That tragedy is still vivid in my mind and I still grieve for the families affected by it. But to remember this time and Gods blessing in my son will be the prize and focus of this father. I will do my best to remind my son of this memory for many future years.
We celebrated the day by enjoying a lunch together following worship service at Sean's favorite spot, Habit. His grandparents also treated him to a great dinner complete with cookies. Great day, this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
I believe it is important to share this event with my family and give even my personal testimony in this experience. The timing of Gods word was and is always timely and nourishing. And today was no exception to that fact. Before sharing the message today, let me share what has been going on with my son. He desires to take communion. Partly because that is what we do, and because he thinks he is ready. I was trying to do my best to discern his understanding of the gospel and the right timing of this celebration and communion experience.
Prior to worship this morning, and over many months, our family contemplated what the essence of communion really is with my son. Notwithstanding the important biblical command, I enjoyed explaining to my son the version that my pastor explained, which I believe is consistent with being centered in the gospel. Pastor Tim described communion as being an "outward sign of an inner reality." Since I believe that salvation is by Gods grace alone, in faith alone, through Jesus Christ alone, the concept of an outward sign of an inner reality really describes this best, which is another description of faith and outwardly professing our need in Christ, our savior. I don't believe my son at age 8 perfectly defines this and understands it the same as I do, but I truly believe he loves the Lord and believes Christ Jesus saves. He acknowledges we are sinners, in need of a savior. And he knows who Jesus Christ is. This is enough.
But even with all this knowledge from my son, I continued looking for more surety of the right time... I continued looking for unwavering understanding from my 8 year old son. It was as if I believed that my instruction, timing, and the success of my father pastoring was a key element in Gods work. As the elements were being passed this morning, I told Sean I would prefer to let the elements pass from him and he looked at me sadly and respectfully and said "I will do as you tell me dad." As I took the elements in my hand, and at just the right time, I repeated to myself that salvation is of the Lord. I looked at his precious face knowing that he desired to be part of the Lords table and the only reason I was wavering is I thought he was not fully confident in the Gospel and he could not perfectly recite the answers I wanted. It was at this time, I looked at Sean and told him he and I would take communion together. I declared this is Gods work and needed to let that stand as it should. Tears of joy immediately sprang from the both of us! I was emotionally reminded that this is Gods work and I need to be graceful in this, and especially to my son. I needed to give him a gift during this worship Sunday that God provided us both. How precious, and how fortunate it was to experience this moment with my son. As my Pastor preached the word, I began to whisper to Sean in his ear the significance of each element of the supper we were about to take. About this time, as we were taking communion, I realized it was not just Sean and I becoming emotional and tearful since both Amber and Jennifer were both in tears of joy. What a blessing...
Today was a message on Psalms 78. The message focus was the importance of equipping our children and disciples in the gospel so that the generation to come may know and continue it's teaching in the word of God. It was fitting timing to pass the baton on to my son today. It is my prayer that we do this well. It is also my praise that God will get it done. May he give me strength to be part of his work. I plan to continue instructing my family in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and thankful that I have trusted men and a Pastor who continually poor it in to me with love, truth and application. He who began a good work in you, will take it on to completion until the day of Christ!
There is many reasons to remember this date. Partly because of the tragedy of 9-11 where so many lives we lost in our county. That tragedy is still vivid in my mind and I still grieve for the families affected by it. But to remember this time and Gods blessing in my son will be the prize and focus of this father. I will do my best to remind my son of this memory for many future years.
We celebrated the day by enjoying a lunch together following worship service at Sean's favorite spot, Habit. His grandparents also treated him to a great dinner complete with cookies. Great day, this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
 |
| Dinner time with the Grandparents! |
Thursday, December 24, 2009
From the mouth of babes!
I have been lazing this morning. Partly because I caught a cold, and because we are prepping for Christmas Eve. You cannot help to begin to inventory your life on days like this. Trust you know what I mean...
I was looking for something in my top dresser when I stumbled on a note that my daughter and a young girl were passing back and forth during an airline flight a number of years ago. I kept it for many reasons but let me tell you what happened first.
This is the first page of the note:
Amber: What to do anything else? The replies -IDK. I believe this means I don't know.
Amber: You're the first friend I found at the airport! The girl replies A=Me2. I am getting the impression she must have been taught to text at a young age...
Amber: Your very nice!! The girl replies - Thanks
The next page of the note continues:
Amber: Do you know Jesus? The girl replies - Yes, I go 2 Church every Sunday.
Amber: This is my favorite Bible verse. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not die but have eternal life! John 3:16.
The girl replies - thats soo cool.
I love this episode in life. I love the fact that my children are not terrified nor cautious in telling the world of our savior... I love this note and will read it on occasion for encouragement in my parenting of these great kids.
Praise God for these little precious gifts.
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