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).

Inadequate

Lately I've been thinking about being inadequate vs. being empowered.

There are many days I feel inadequate.  I feel as if I'm not good enough, talented enough, strong enough and that there are millions of people out there who can do a better job (life @ home and @ work) than me.  I believe feelings of inadequacy are usually fueled by the fires of comparison.  It is so easy to feel like your lacking when you're stuck on coveting or comparing what someone else has or is.  My mentor in college J.Scott Duvall once said, "When I listen to the tempting voices of comparison, I know I've lost focus on the Father.  Renewed focus causes comparison to fade."  It's true...when I stop to realize God's power, grace, mercy, and love that he so generously lavishes upon me, my need to be like someone else slips away.

Inadequacies are also fueled by sin.  Sin causes me to forget God's provision over me, and even more, it roots guilt which can breed spiritual paralysis.  Looking at sin, owning it, dealing with it, and leaving it behind are the keys to developing and understanding redemption and forgiveness.

But when it comes to my relationship with God, I also feel inadequate, unworthy, even shameful in His presence.  I am in complete need of Him.  So, yes, I am inadequate.  My relationship with Jesus shows me how much I need Him and little I bring to the table.  I believe His desire is that we become dependent on Him because of our inabilities.  Jesus desires from me a sense of utter abandon from self so that I can become completely dependent on Him.  Humility, servant minded, and a missional mindset help me to develop a sense of dependence. 

It's funny, only when I'm at this state of losing self and gaining a greater perspective on the Father do I truly sense empowerment.  Jesus is provider, sustainer, author and perfector.  His mighty, Holy, awesome, and overwhelmingly in control.  Jesus empowers me through His relationship with me, the steadiness of His Word, and the whispers of His Spirit.  I am empowered not because I've gained an ability, risen to a status of influence, or finally become the person I've admired; I'm empowered because I'm His and I'm allowing Him control over me.

Inadequate?  Yep, in the presence of a might God.  Inadequate?  Nope, not among me for my God is empowering me, not for the purpose of comparison or to puff me up, but to glorify His name.

Too Sexy Too Soon:

Do tween fashion trends push girls to mature too fast?   This is a news story from ABC News that provides enlightenment to what student pastors everywhere have been combating...maintaining a sense of innocence through adolescence is so difficult in today's culture. 

I hope this video causes discussion between parents and within the home.