Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1
As I sit here this morning, I am struggling to figure out exactly where this year has gone. This is the last day of October. The weather has cooled down considerably and I have been fighting the urge to listen to Christmas music. I love this time of year. Last Saturday I ran my first ever half marathon. Up until a few months ago, the furthest I had ever ran was a 10K my senior year of high school. Mind you I ran that race without training very much at all and felt horrible after 4 miles. Since then, when I ran I would stick to 5K's (never forgot that feeling). I had always tossed around the idea of a half but had never just committed myself to doing one and preparing for it. Seeing that I turned 40 this year I decided it was time. I talked with my brother about it and we began training. We selected the Spinx Half in Greenville. The October 26th date would mean cooler temps and I had heard it was a great race to run.
11 weeks from race day we began our training plan. We endured hot days, muscle cramps and all sorts of aches and pains we had never had before. My brother battled knee pain and I struggled with foot issues. (In my mind I still try and convince myself I am 20 however, on some days during this process I felt 87.) Towards the end of our training I even had an 11 miler that my body completely shut down. I felt what I had seen others go through on TV. My arms and legs were shaking and I could not take another step. I began to wonder if I could even finish 13 miles. Your mind can play so many tricks on you. Our training plan never had us run 13 miles. So as the actual race neared I began to think things like, "What if you lock up again?" and "That would be pretty embarrassing to have to crawl across the finish line" and "Maybe you should just do another race."
Race day arrived and I was amazed at how good I felt. My brother and I decided to stay together which was an encouragement to me. The miles passed and we talked and even laughed at some spots. I know you are thinking, "What could possibly be funny?" All I will say is that at a few of the early mile markers there were folks with cowbells. As the race progressed, we discussed the need for "more cowbell." Hey, when you are running that far it is amazing at what pops in your mind. Don't judge. There were several other funny moments as well. (See the guy standing on his front porch with a pot and a wooden spoon making as much noise as possible) Before we knew it we were in mile 13 and I was amazed. (We were also on a pace that was exceeding what we had hoped for). I couldn't believe how good I felt. We neared the finish and I saw my family and then it began to dawn on me. I wasn't running this thing alone. The encouragement that I had received in the days leading up to and during the race had made all the difference. Every kind word or text or clap all converged on that moment. I felt as if I could keep going after 13.
Encouragement made all the difference. A good friend of mine had sent me Hebrews 12:1 in a text the day before the race. It couldn't have come at a better time. I began to think about the "cloud of witnesses" in my life. Those that had said something kind or offered a prayer. I thought of how my brother and I had encouraged each other during the race. I thought of those who had inspired me with their testimony and life, Charlie Watson and Ron Miller and how they kept going in the "13th mile" of their lives. I realized yet again just how blessed I am. My whole perspective changed as a result of knowing I wasn't in the race alone.
When you think about it, life is the same way. We encounter people every day who are running and many may be to the point they feel like giving up. They are either dreading the next mile or battling the feeling of "I can't do this." Their minds are saying, "just give up now" or "no one cares." Our words can make all the difference. What you say to someone who is struggling can encourage them to keep going when they are struggling the most. As a matter of fact, you may even need to run with them for a while. Scripture tells us to "bear one another's burdens" (Gal. 6:2) and to "encourage each other" (Heb. 3:13). In a world that is filled with so much negativity the church should stand out. Jesus said his followers would be known by their love. Look around you. The runners are everywhere and many of them feel like they are running alone. Remind someone today that you are in the race with them and that no matter what mile it is - they never run alone.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
What I Have Learned From My Kids (so far)
I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
Mark 10:15
In the last few weeks, God has really been doing some great things in our house. As a parent, I am always trying to point out to my children how God is working in different situations and how He answers our prayers. We have a lot of good conversations about faith and growth and discipleship. However, what I want to share with you is not what I have taught them, but instead what I have been learning from them.
About a month ago we were sitting in church and my daughter was sitting next to me. The service had just started and we were singing and a sweet sound grabbed my attention. She was singing with all she had. She didn't care who was listening or what they might say, she just praised the Lord. I had to fight back tears as I sat there. I don't know that I have ever heard sweeter singing. I thought to myself, how often do we worry about everything sounding "just right?" Or maybe what someone might say? Christ spoke often of the Kingdom of Heaven being made up of those with a child-like faith. I am afraid we forget that.
Another lesson was my daughter doing something for a friend. She knew there was a need and did what she could to meet the need. We pray daily (as a family) to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We hope to instill in our children the need to not only tell the world about Christ, but to show Him as well. It was so refreshing to hear her make plans about how to minister to others. I fear that we often get so busy we miss opportunities every day to show the world Christ. It could be a simple phone call, text message or a visit. Just look and listen. The needs are great.
One final lesson is the salvation of my youngest son. For the last few years we have prayed as a family that He would come to know the Lord. To me, one of the most beautiful parts of this time was hearing my older two children pray for their brother. Every time we prayed as a family they would each pray for him (with him sitting right next to them). I fully expected at some point for him to say, "Hey, I'm sitting right here." Amazingly, he never did. The prayers were offered day in and day out. Those prayers were answered on Easter Sunday. I thought to myself, how often do we pray for short periods of time about things and other people and then give up? Once again we are reminded of a simple, child-like faith. A faith that kept trusting and kept seeking.
God is always at work - teaching us in a wide variety of ways. The question is, are we paying attention?
Mark 10:15
In the last few weeks, God has really been doing some great things in our house. As a parent, I am always trying to point out to my children how God is working in different situations and how He answers our prayers. We have a lot of good conversations about faith and growth and discipleship. However, what I want to share with you is not what I have taught them, but instead what I have been learning from them.
About a month ago we were sitting in church and my daughter was sitting next to me. The service had just started and we were singing and a sweet sound grabbed my attention. She was singing with all she had. She didn't care who was listening or what they might say, she just praised the Lord. I had to fight back tears as I sat there. I don't know that I have ever heard sweeter singing. I thought to myself, how often do we worry about everything sounding "just right?" Or maybe what someone might say? Christ spoke often of the Kingdom of Heaven being made up of those with a child-like faith. I am afraid we forget that.
Another lesson was my daughter doing something for a friend. She knew there was a need and did what she could to meet the need. We pray daily (as a family) to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We hope to instill in our children the need to not only tell the world about Christ, but to show Him as well. It was so refreshing to hear her make plans about how to minister to others. I fear that we often get so busy we miss opportunities every day to show the world Christ. It could be a simple phone call, text message or a visit. Just look and listen. The needs are great.
One final lesson is the salvation of my youngest son. For the last few years we have prayed as a family that He would come to know the Lord. To me, one of the most beautiful parts of this time was hearing my older two children pray for their brother. Every time we prayed as a family they would each pray for him (with him sitting right next to them). I fully expected at some point for him to say, "Hey, I'm sitting right here." Amazingly, he never did. The prayers were offered day in and day out. Those prayers were answered on Easter Sunday. I thought to myself, how often do we pray for short periods of time about things and other people and then give up? Once again we are reminded of a simple, child-like faith. A faith that kept trusting and kept seeking.
God is always at work - teaching us in a wide variety of ways. The question is, are we paying attention?
Thursday, January 17, 2013
A Change in Perspective
"Count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds" James 1:2
He gripped my hand tightly, looked me square in the eye and began to pour his heart out. He was lying there with a new shoulder and a surgically repaired hip. His eyes filled with tears as he shared what God was doing in his heart through the painful experience he was going through. I don't think I will ever forget the conversation or the praise that was on his heart. He had every reason to be upset. Every reason to be mad and complain about the pain and yet he didn't. He simply praised God. His words still echo in my heart, "Thank you God for the love you have shown me through this." Did you catch that? Through this.
The truth is, it is often in the deepest, darkest times of our lives that the love of God is the most real. And sadly, it takes those times to awaken us to the reality of just how much we are loved. Earlier in the conversation my friend had said, "One minute life was normal and the next I was practically an invalid." Our lives can change in a moment. Today you could get a phone call that dramatically alters your life. Happiness could be gone in an instant, but for the believer in Christ - joy can never be taken away.
My friend is a living example of this truth. He has a long journey ahead of him. Weeks of rehab and possible heart surgery await. However, he is joyfully facing the trial and looking in the right direction. He is lifting his eyes up, looking past the current problem and looking to the Father. Perspective changes everything. When we spend our days staring at the problems or situations they get bigger and God gets smaller. But when we are able (in the strength that is given us through Christ) to look up, to see the God that is greater and stronger - we can have joy. We know that no matter what type of day we have had we are loved. As the children's song so loudly proclaims, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
He gripped my hand tightly, looked me square in the eye and began to pour his heart out. He was lying there with a new shoulder and a surgically repaired hip. His eyes filled with tears as he shared what God was doing in his heart through the painful experience he was going through. I don't think I will ever forget the conversation or the praise that was on his heart. He had every reason to be upset. Every reason to be mad and complain about the pain and yet he didn't. He simply praised God. His words still echo in my heart, "Thank you God for the love you have shown me through this." Did you catch that? Through this.
The truth is, it is often in the deepest, darkest times of our lives that the love of God is the most real. And sadly, it takes those times to awaken us to the reality of just how much we are loved. Earlier in the conversation my friend had said, "One minute life was normal and the next I was practically an invalid." Our lives can change in a moment. Today you could get a phone call that dramatically alters your life. Happiness could be gone in an instant, but for the believer in Christ - joy can never be taken away.
My friend is a living example of this truth. He has a long journey ahead of him. Weeks of rehab and possible heart surgery await. However, he is joyfully facing the trial and looking in the right direction. He is lifting his eyes up, looking past the current problem and looking to the Father. Perspective changes everything. When we spend our days staring at the problems or situations they get bigger and God gets smaller. But when we are able (in the strength that is given us through Christ) to look up, to see the God that is greater and stronger - we can have joy. We know that no matter what type of day we have had we are loved. As the children's song so loudly proclaims, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
Thursday, December 13, 2012
A Few Good Reads...
Tis' the season for top 10 lists and "best of" lists. I always enjoy finding out what books other Pastors have enjoyed the previous year. In many ways 2012 was a blur for me. This seemed to affect my reading volume as well. I read far less than I had in previous years. However, there were a few of the books that I read that I greatly enjoyed. Having said that here are a few recommendations (in no particular order):
Tim Keller - King's Cross and Counterfeit Gods. I discovered Tim Keller not to long ago. He is a fantastic writer and I find myself reading anything of his that I can get my hands on. By the way, in an amazing story I got King's Cross free from a bookstore. It was an advance copy and had no bar code but was on the shelf. I asked about it and they said, "just take it if you want it." God is good!
Tullian Tchividjian - Jesus + Nothing = Everything and Surprised By Grace. My personal favorite was "Surprised."
Paul E. Miller - A Praying Life. One of the best books on prayer I have ever read. Very thought provoking and I have recommended it to several people.
Randy Alcorn - We Shall See God. This is a collection of excerpts of Spurgeon's sermons on heaven paired with comments from Alcorn. Great imagery on heaven and was a useful book as well. My family experienced a lot of sickness and loss over the summer. This book was an encouragement during many of those times.
JD Greear - Gospel. I enjoyed this book as well. I am excited about the renewed focus on getting the Gospel message straight. My favorite section was the Gospel Prayer. It is a wonderful reminder of who God is and how the Gospel should affect our daily lives.
If you choose to read any of these books, I pray they will bless you as they did me. Merry Christmas and happy reading!!
Tim Keller - King's Cross and Counterfeit Gods. I discovered Tim Keller not to long ago. He is a fantastic writer and I find myself reading anything of his that I can get my hands on. By the way, in an amazing story I got King's Cross free from a bookstore. It was an advance copy and had no bar code but was on the shelf. I asked about it and they said, "just take it if you want it." God is good!
Tullian Tchividjian - Jesus + Nothing = Everything and Surprised By Grace. My personal favorite was "Surprised."
Paul E. Miller - A Praying Life. One of the best books on prayer I have ever read. Very thought provoking and I have recommended it to several people.
Randy Alcorn - We Shall See God. This is a collection of excerpts of Spurgeon's sermons on heaven paired with comments from Alcorn. Great imagery on heaven and was a useful book as well. My family experienced a lot of sickness and loss over the summer. This book was an encouragement during many of those times.
JD Greear - Gospel. I enjoyed this book as well. I am excited about the renewed focus on getting the Gospel message straight. My favorite section was the Gospel Prayer. It is a wonderful reminder of who God is and how the Gospel should affect our daily lives.
If you choose to read any of these books, I pray they will bless you as they did me. Merry Christmas and happy reading!!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wreck-It-Ralph and Redemption
You put on the new man, the one created according to God's likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. Ephesians 4:24
My family went to see the new Disney movie Wreck-It-Ralph recently. It was another well made and entertaining film. We all enjoyed it. The story is about Ralph who is the villian in a video game called Fix-It-Felix. (the game is the consumate 80's arcade game complete with sounds and motion, my kids couldn't believe I played games like that) Ralph spends his days causing mayhem and breaking things. At the end of the day he lives a life of isolation in a pile of trash. He watches each night as the other characters get together and have fun. Ralph simply wants to be appreciated. He wants to be valued. In the midst of trying to change others perception of him he hatches a plan to win a medal. In his eyes, winning a medal is what it will take to make life complete. One of my favorite parts of the film is a scene called "Bad-anon." The scene consists of various video game villians (including Ralph) getting together to support each other. They have a mantra that they recite each meeting that goes like this, "I am bad and that is good. I will never be good and that's not bad." Each of them simply admits that their lives are hopeless and that they are comfortable with that.
Now I realize this is a movie, but I couldn't help but think that many people may feel like Ralph. They are searching for significance in life. They may feel as if their lives are being wasted sitting on trash heap watching the world go by. Change seems impossible therefore just get used to the status quo. The Bible tells us otherwise. We read that winning a medal won't change us, meeting a Savior will. Thankfully, we have the Gospel.
We were originally broken by sin. Every one of us were "born bad." There is no escaping this reality (Romans 3:23). Our lives were destined for a smoldering trash heap created for the devil and his angels. We were doomed with no hope of ever being a "winner." Enter Jesus Christ, the Son of God who won the battle for us on the cross. He provides the way for us to no longer be "bad" but to be counted "good" in the eyes of God. Because Jesus won we can be winners.
If you are a believer in Christ be thankful that you have been transformed by the power of the cross. If that is not a reality in your life then know that change is possible. This type of change is not brought about through self-effort or setting out on a quest to win a medal. Instead it is accomplished through a humble, broken, bloodied Savior who was nailed to a Roman cross. John Piper said it best, "We weren't meant to be somebody, we were meant to know Somebody." So for Ralph and anyone like him - there is a way to be "good."
My family went to see the new Disney movie Wreck-It-Ralph recently. It was another well made and entertaining film. We all enjoyed it. The story is about Ralph who is the villian in a video game called Fix-It-Felix. (the game is the consumate 80's arcade game complete with sounds and motion, my kids couldn't believe I played games like that) Ralph spends his days causing mayhem and breaking things. At the end of the day he lives a life of isolation in a pile of trash. He watches each night as the other characters get together and have fun. Ralph simply wants to be appreciated. He wants to be valued. In the midst of trying to change others perception of him he hatches a plan to win a medal. In his eyes, winning a medal is what it will take to make life complete. One of my favorite parts of the film is a scene called "Bad-anon." The scene consists of various video game villians (including Ralph) getting together to support each other. They have a mantra that they recite each meeting that goes like this, "I am bad and that is good. I will never be good and that's not bad." Each of them simply admits that their lives are hopeless and that they are comfortable with that.
Now I realize this is a movie, but I couldn't help but think that many people may feel like Ralph. They are searching for significance in life. They may feel as if their lives are being wasted sitting on trash heap watching the world go by. Change seems impossible therefore just get used to the status quo. The Bible tells us otherwise. We read that winning a medal won't change us, meeting a Savior will. Thankfully, we have the Gospel.
We were originally broken by sin. Every one of us were "born bad." There is no escaping this reality (Romans 3:23). Our lives were destined for a smoldering trash heap created for the devil and his angels. We were doomed with no hope of ever being a "winner." Enter Jesus Christ, the Son of God who won the battle for us on the cross. He provides the way for us to no longer be "bad" but to be counted "good" in the eyes of God. Because Jesus won we can be winners.
If you are a believer in Christ be thankful that you have been transformed by the power of the cross. If that is not a reality in your life then know that change is possible. This type of change is not brought about through self-effort or setting out on a quest to win a medal. Instead it is accomplished through a humble, broken, bloodied Savior who was nailed to a Roman cross. John Piper said it best, "We weren't meant to be somebody, we were meant to know Somebody." So for Ralph and anyone like him - there is a way to be "good."
Monday, November 12, 2012
Charles Tillman and Manhood
I was listening to the radio last week when a story caught my attention. Charles Tillman, the All-Pro defensive star for the Chicago Bears had publicly stated that if his wife were to go in to labor that he would miss the Bears game against the Houston Texans. The comment sparked a reaction from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio responded by saying that Tillman should not miss the game and that NFL players should be totally committed to their teams during the season. He even went on to suggest that players should resort to different methods of "family planning" to prevent missed games. In other words, the season should be the top priority.
I want to begin by saying that I applaud Tillman. It is rare to find a professional athlete who is that committed to his family. He even tweeted last week, "God, family then football." Tillman seems to have his priorities in order which is once again, a breath of fresh air. As a person who enjoys sports and has children who do as well, it is nice to able to point to Charles Tillman as an example of how to live. We need more role models of his caliber.
As for Mike Florio, he is an example of the culture at large. In his mind, the game should matter more than anything else. Sadly, there are a lot of men who are not professional athletes or sports writers that feel the same. Their careers matter more than anything else and they would never inconvenience themselves for their children. These type of attitudes have led to the crisis of manhood that our country now faces. Far too many young men are sitting in prison cells or wasting their lives because dad's career mattered more than they did. The numbers increase every year and as long as thinking like Florio's rules the day, the results will be the same.
So I am thankful for Charles Tillman and his stance. I pray that more men will set an example like his. Ephesians 6:4 says, "And fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." God's pattern is for the father to lead in the teaching and training of his children. Our sons and daughters need to have fathers who invest in them so that they can do the same for future generations. God. Family. Football. Now it may not be football on your list, it could be any career - you get the idea. God knows best. After all, He designed the family and He is our Father. Guys, lets stand up and be men. Lets follow the example that our Father has left us.
I want to begin by saying that I applaud Tillman. It is rare to find a professional athlete who is that committed to his family. He even tweeted last week, "God, family then football." Tillman seems to have his priorities in order which is once again, a breath of fresh air. As a person who enjoys sports and has children who do as well, it is nice to able to point to Charles Tillman as an example of how to live. We need more role models of his caliber.
As for Mike Florio, he is an example of the culture at large. In his mind, the game should matter more than anything else. Sadly, there are a lot of men who are not professional athletes or sports writers that feel the same. Their careers matter more than anything else and they would never inconvenience themselves for their children. These type of attitudes have led to the crisis of manhood that our country now faces. Far too many young men are sitting in prison cells or wasting their lives because dad's career mattered more than they did. The numbers increase every year and as long as thinking like Florio's rules the day, the results will be the same.
So I am thankful for Charles Tillman and his stance. I pray that more men will set an example like his. Ephesians 6:4 says, "And fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." God's pattern is for the father to lead in the teaching and training of his children. Our sons and daughters need to have fathers who invest in them so that they can do the same for future generations. God. Family. Football. Now it may not be football on your list, it could be any career - you get the idea. God knows best. After all, He designed the family and He is our Father. Guys, lets stand up and be men. Lets follow the example that our Father has left us.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Seasons of Life
"There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven:"
Ecclesiastes 3:1
This summer was different than those in years past. For starters, my family experienced more loss than any summer in my memory. It seemed for several weeks straight I was dealing with the sickness of or loss of another uncle. I preached two funerals of men that I have many childhood memories of. Most of those memories involved a front porch, lots of laughter and more food than you could imagine. As I prepared to share for each service there were a few things that kept coming to my mind.
The first was the reality of Ecclesiastes 3:1. The King James Version uses the word "season" in that verse and as I began to look at my own life, the reality of my seasons stood out. The memories I had shared in the services revolved around me as a child - a time of innocence and simplicity. A time without a care in the world - just looking forward to the next time we would all be together. Flash forward to now, and I am in the position of trying to comfort and minister to my own family. I am the one who is telling the funny stories and chasing the kids. Things have changed. When I was small and hitting apples with sticks I sure didn't envision what this season would hold.
A second thought in my mind was the truth of James 4:14. Our lives truly are a vapor or mist. It doesn't matter how long someone lives, it never seems like enough time. Life is short. God knows the number of our days. The question is how are we going to use those days? If we lived in light of this Scripture how differently would our lives look? Would that spilled milk really be that big of a deal? Would those hurt feelings that you have carried for years over something silly matter that much?
The final thought that was most prominent in my mind during this time was the infinite goodness of our God. He gives us so many wonderful gifts in our lives. Whether we realize it or not, many times those gifts consist of people and moments in time. I am fortunate to have many of those in my life. You see, when the Bible tells us about heaven and what it will be like, many of the images used involve meals and family. As a matter of fact, the Bible ends with a meal around the Father's table. God gives us these gifts as a preview. A preview of the even greater reality of what it will be like to be with Him. It is almost as if we get a little taste here with the main course to come later. I have no trouble imagining heaven. I feel certain that there will be food. And yes, I believe there will be no shortage of laughter. Always remember that every good and every perfect gift comes from Him. (Jas. 1:17)
Ecclesiastes 3:1
This summer was different than those in years past. For starters, my family experienced more loss than any summer in my memory. It seemed for several weeks straight I was dealing with the sickness of or loss of another uncle. I preached two funerals of men that I have many childhood memories of. Most of those memories involved a front porch, lots of laughter and more food than you could imagine. As I prepared to share for each service there were a few things that kept coming to my mind.
The first was the reality of Ecclesiastes 3:1. The King James Version uses the word "season" in that verse and as I began to look at my own life, the reality of my seasons stood out. The memories I had shared in the services revolved around me as a child - a time of innocence and simplicity. A time without a care in the world - just looking forward to the next time we would all be together. Flash forward to now, and I am in the position of trying to comfort and minister to my own family. I am the one who is telling the funny stories and chasing the kids. Things have changed. When I was small and hitting apples with sticks I sure didn't envision what this season would hold.
A second thought in my mind was the truth of James 4:14. Our lives truly are a vapor or mist. It doesn't matter how long someone lives, it never seems like enough time. Life is short. God knows the number of our days. The question is how are we going to use those days? If we lived in light of this Scripture how differently would our lives look? Would that spilled milk really be that big of a deal? Would those hurt feelings that you have carried for years over something silly matter that much?
The final thought that was most prominent in my mind during this time was the infinite goodness of our God. He gives us so many wonderful gifts in our lives. Whether we realize it or not, many times those gifts consist of people and moments in time. I am fortunate to have many of those in my life. You see, when the Bible tells us about heaven and what it will be like, many of the images used involve meals and family. As a matter of fact, the Bible ends with a meal around the Father's table. God gives us these gifts as a preview. A preview of the even greater reality of what it will be like to be with Him. It is almost as if we get a little taste here with the main course to come later. I have no trouble imagining heaven. I feel certain that there will be food. And yes, I believe there will be no shortage of laughter. Always remember that every good and every perfect gift comes from Him. (Jas. 1:17)
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