Tuesday

I like Tuesdays.
Tuesdays are relaxing and usually a study day for me...simply, I like Tuesdays.

In case some of you wanted to know, I'm sleeping a little better the last couple of nights.  Thanks for your prayers.

Reading through headlines today, I came across an article in the Wall Street Journal of my brother in Christ Lee Strobel and his journey from atheism into Christianity.  The article is aptly titled, "How Easter Killed My Faith in Atheism".  You can read it here http://on.wsj.com/foGSSn

Many of us know Lee's story: his wife came to Christ and being an atheist this greatly bothered him.  So, while working for the Chicago Tribune with his legal training and journalist tools in hand, he set out to disprove Christianity.  But the evidence for the existence of God, the hope of the Gospel, and the validity of the resurrection struck Lee with such an overwhelming intensity that he placed his trust in Christ.  Oh, the irony.

What a glorious picture of redemption!  What an incredilbe picture of what Satan meant for evil, God meant for good.  When His providence unfolds it reveals such wonder that can't be fathomed this side of Heaven.  I'm praying that when people enter our doors for Easter they'll be meant with such wonder, such grace, and such love.  I'm praying that as our people worship the God over all creation they can't help but be stricken with his matchless Glory and presence.  I'm praying that those who come to ou services out of an annual duty, will leave with a personal knowledge of God that will wreck their flesh and make room for His Spirit to bring them back week after week.  Lord, make your glory known to the lost this Resurrection Day and may our people be positioning themselves this week to be used by your mighty hand to help bring those face to face with the wonder of the gospel.

Sleep

The last several weeks my mind isn't resting and neither is my body.  I seem to fall asleep for about an hour and wake up unexpectedly.  This cycle happens 3-4 times a night and like I mentioned on facebook, insomnia is hard for the soul.

I've drastically reduced my daily caffeine intake (1 cup of regular joe in the morning) and am trying to make my workouts more consistent, but it seems like the more tired I am, the less I seem to sleep.  Weird.

I've begun to pray when I wake up and that seems to help, but selfishly I'd rather go back to bed!  I'm praying that when I do wake up I'll use that time as a divine appointment to seek God irregardless of how I'm feeling or how frustrated I am by waking up once again. 

I've never had problems sleeping before and I'd rather not reduce myself to medicating this issue.  Pray with me that as God interrupts my day (even when I'm sleeping) that I'll be obediently praying, responding, and listening to Him.

Man Crisis

In light of leading our men's retreat last weekend...the value of older men pouring into younger men can't be underestimated...


"Church Planter" by Darrin Patrick from Crossway on Vimeo.

My Legacy

Yep, it's been a while.  No excuses...just lazy.

I grew up in a single parent home.  My mother was an incredible lady who did well to care for and keep up with three kids.  Her willingness to sacrifice her need for the needs of her children is something that I'll never forget and hope to implement as I parent my own.  Growing up spiritual things were not that important.  Sundays were spent going out to brunch and Easter always included a picnic but not much was said about God, the Bible, or church.


Yesterday, I got the great privilege of baptizing my oldest son Gavin.  Words can really put into perspective how I felt yesterday seeing my son follow Christ in obedience through baptism. He received Christ almost over 2 years ago, but I wanted him in his time and his way choose baptism.  I wanted him, without the pressure of the preacher dad, to follow Christ on his terms.  I have been praying about this moment for many years (since before he was born) and to see it fulfilled was absolutely amazing.

I was standing in worship following his baptism and was overwhelmed with emotion.  The same God that am growing to love and serve my son is knowing growing to love and serve.  I am seeing my legacy of faith being lived out in my family.  As I was holding my wife's hand and as our kids were next to us in worship, I began to think back to my childhood...a scrawny boy on a bike roaming my neighborhood with no direction or real influence...and 25 years later I've gained an eternal perspective, I'm serving God, and my family is worshiping together having just baptized my oldest son.  There have been moments in my life where I have felt so complete and yesterday was one of them.

What's love got to do with it? (Tina's voice goes here)

I remember the first time my oldest son told me he loved me.  He was about 2 and just learning to talk.  I had Brooke call my voicemail at my office and have him record it, so at any time I could check my voicemail and hear the sweet soft voice of my 2 year old son saying, “I love you Daddy.”  I know pretty sappy, right?

            Growing up without a father left a void in my life for many years.  Without a dad around I never knew a father’s love.  It was until I had a neighboring family who invited me to church that I began to spend time around a father.  This father was a wonderful dad to his kids and took me in like one of his own.  Whether it was camping, playing baseball in the back yard, tinkering in his workshop, or going to McDonald’s before Wednesday night church, he treated me like a son and loved me.  He didn’t have to invest in me or take me with his sons to a ballgame, but he did so because he was mirroring God’s love to a skinny, punk kid down the block.  He may not have meant to, but he showed me a father’s love and introduced me to the Father’s love.  His name was John Cook and he took me off the road of destruction and introduced me to my savior Jesus Christ.  Mr. Cook left such an impression on me that I named my first child after him (John Gavin) as a constant reminder of what love can do and how it not only changes people, but it is the source of salvation for all of humanity. 

            Now, as I look at my kids and tell them I love them, it’s my responsibility to show them what love is, introduce them to God’s eternal love, and show them how as a family we can love our world.   As my kids tell me they love me it serves a constant reminder that I’m called by God to help them understand what true love is (Deut. 6) and saying, “I love you too,” in return isn’t enough.

            In February it’s a tradition to focus on romantic love, but I want to encourage you to help your family understand God’s love.  Maybe you need to sit down with each of them and be assured of their salvation or even lead them to the Lord.  Maybe you’ll want to brainstorm with them how your family can show love to your schoolmates, teammates, and even your neighbors.  Think about how you can reach out to elderly neighbors, single parents, or any other families with unique situations.  I want to challenge you to show the love of Christ in a practical way this month…you may never know the level of impact you might make on someone’s life, especially the skinny punk kids down the street.

A Month Away

It's been a month since I've posted last...and this was mostly intentional.  Part of the blogosphere for me is to help others mature in faith and I needed some time off to consider how I am growing in my own faith...and I've learned quite a bit in December and now it's time to let others in on what's been happening.

Not that my posting are that earth shattering and in fact, I believe your time can be spent much more wisely.  But in case you're looking to waste time..

This last month...
- I graduated seminary with an Adv. M.Div from Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth.  The journey took longer than I expected, but now that I'm on the other side, I'm so glad I persevered.

- I spent quite a bit of time with family in Idaho and Arkansas which included flying 5000 miles and a trip to Disney.

- I spent a good bit of time with my wife, alone, void of kids and any real responsibility.  I feel reconnected and focused.  We've spent time rediscovering our relationship and setting some really neat goals...more on that in the weeks to come.

- I've had lots of time to pray, dream, vision, and plan for a great season of ministry at SWITCH...and more on that later too.

- I'm recommitted to working out more and getting healthier...and well, I'm really sore today.

- I'm reading through the NT in 13 weeks and so far so good...so really good.

- I'm working through of my disciples choosing to believe in God but not listen to God.  This is a very painful experience, but one that I welcome and am praying that true faith and discipleship will result.

Okay, now I'm rambling.  Sorry.  I'm out of blog posting practice. 
Ready for the newness of 2011 and hoping that my journey will glorify Christ and encourage others.

For His Glory...

Prayer Gesture Penalized at Football Game

This can certainly draw up a great debate in arena of sports.  Many will want to blame the ref and even doubt his religious beliefs.  Some will say that religion has no place in sports.  Others might even take the stance that this players penalty is act of persecution...

What do you think?  Do you think the penalty was justified?  Do you think they player was justified?

I hope this video story causes conversations everywhere.  I applaud the players testimony in that he was giving glory to his Heavenly Father Jesus Christ.  And now his testimony is being presented on computers everywhere (Yahoo picked up this story this morning).  Incredible blessings often come in mysterious disguises (Gen. 50:20).