Christmas hangover

In my late teens and early 20's, Saturday's used to be pretty ugly for me. Mornings especially. Without going into too much detail, let's just say that it had a lot to do with my antics the night before.

While I no longer participate in those kind of festivities I'm feeling a little hungover today. Sue's parents just left and the enjoyment of their presence leaves me a little "hungover" this morning. And, when I recount the laughs and enjoyment we've had as a family the last few days, I'm a little contemplative and melancholy. I guess it's like this every year. We hustle and bustle our way into December 25 with so many things, including a lot of good things and then it passes leaving us a little forlorn. Maybe that's why the holiday season is so full of emotion on both ends of the spectrum. So many highs but also a few lows. And, for some, not a season of joy at all.

Those of us who follow Christ write, speak and share a lot about the "reason for the season". It helps keep things in perspective, at least for me. In fact, it's really the only cure for this hangover, isn't it? Aspirin won't work. Buying more stuff on sale with gift cards and cash received won't do it. Having relatives stay longer isn't a real good idea if you want the good feeling to last ;-). But, when all the dust settles, Christ still remains. He is the One who won't leave me lacking or wishing for something else. He is the One that fills all of those longings.

So, I'll be a little mellower today (until I have to pay bills ;), a little more sullen. That's OK. That's the Christmas hangover. In the middle of it all, it drives me back to the depth of my desire. It's not in gifts, family, great deal finds or even church gatherings. It's solely my relationship with Jesus...the Christ-child. Thanks, God, for being my "hangover" medication.

A Model for Living Life as a Follower of Christ

Sometimes I like to write about thoughts of things I've read or seen, sometimes I like to ponder and then sometimes I read something that leaves nothing to be said. As I had my quiet time this morning and read this in Titus, I realized that I just wanted to share it's truth and no other words need to be said...so here it is:

3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, thave nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Tit 3:1-11). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

At The Core of Christmas (or A Bread Maker is always a Bread Maker)

When you peel back all the wrapping that our culture has put on Christmas and get back to the central message you find the celebration of Christmas is about a gift. It's a gift from God to mankind...ALL mankind. Just like any gift, it not only must be offered but it must be actively received and then, used as intended. If someone wraps up a bread maker and gives it to me but I wanted a coffee maker instead, there are going to be a lot of grumpy mornings at my house. I wanted caffeine, not wheat and flour. Not that a bread maker isn't a good gift. But, I can't make or turn it into a coffee maker. That's not what it was made to do and the gift giver assumed it would be used as intended...to make bread.

Despite all the things that get included in the celebration of Christmas, there is a core message or purpose for this historical, world changing event. Babies are born every day. Babies of all shapes, sizes, colors and health. But NO baby like Jesus was or has ever been born. No matter how He's depicted in a manger scene, the fact remains, He is the Son of God. The incarnate God. God, dressed in flesh, coming into the womb of a young betrothed virgin girl named Mary. That IS Christmas. It's not about family getting together---though that's a good thing. It's not about the beautiful, funny or even ireverent songs sung during this season---though they add to the celebration. It's not about the trees, the presents, the food or the tradition---none of which are "evil" or bad. But, they are NOT Christmas. Somewhere over time, we've lost the focus of this celebration. In techno-geeky terms we've swapped the "plug-ins" with the core application. A plug in is no good without the application to "plug it into". And, so it is with Christmas. If we don't fall on our knees at the gift of salvation that the Baby came to give us and accept it for what it is, than Christmas is just another social, retail, economic event. Not a bad thing. Just not THE thing.

I probably won't stop shopping, spending time with family, elbowing the lady next to me to get the last available of something (ok...I'll probably have to stop that), listening to all kinds of Christmas music and the other wrappings of Christmas. But, God...please help me, once again, to fully embrace what You did by sending Jesus Christ to this earth. That Baby changed my world forever when I realized at the age of 17 why He came:

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
(Lk 2:10-14, ESV)

Still Learning after all these years

I just had a great week with my wife in Orlando. It was a mix of work and pleasure...well, kind of. We worked on some things that we just don't get to at home. And, during our time together, some things that were still not working for us caused us some pain as a couple. We'll get through them but these are the same issues we've been dealing with for so many years. I feel like such a failure some times. Most of these problems are my doing. It's either because I couldn't say "no", I said "yes" when I should have said "no" or just didn't think and did it. In any case, it still has caused some major trauma. Yet, despite it all, I know that my wife loves me, is going to stick by me and we'll get this ship turned around.

This whole situation reminded me of God's constant love for me even in the middle of constant screw ups. I'm so glad for a forgiving Savior.

How about you? Are there some things that keep coming up in your life that you need God's promise of grace to remind you that He's not done with you yet? Then, can you see the Holy Spirit working inside you to change you?

The grow big inanimate objects in Indiana and other towns

Words to be remembered by

I was having my quiet time this morning which has been much too eratic lately. As I read the Word of God, I almost always say this at some point either out loud or to myself, "I LOVE THIS...why is it so hard to be in God's Word more frequently?"

Well, I experienced that again this morning. I've been reading out of Acts and just chewing on a few verses sometimes and on a few chapters or stories other times. Today, as I was reading in Acts 11 about Barnabus being sent to Antioch to see what was going on with so many coming to the Lord, I was stopped by the way Luke described Barnabus..."for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord."

It reminded me of a question I had just asked my "really" small group of young men on Thursday night, "What do you want to be known by or said about you when your days on this earth are over." When I was preparing to meet with them and thought of asking this often-asked question, I was reminded that I've often struggled with this. There are a lot of things I'd like people to say about me or to think of when they think of me. Things like...."he was a good father and husband" or "he cared about others"..."he was kind and gentle"..."we enjoyed being with him"..."he made everyone around him better"..."he gave of himself"...just to rattle off a few. But, when I read those words that Luke wrote about Barnabus I stopped and thought, "I think that's it! If those things can be said of me, the other things will follow. Yeah...those are the words I'd like to be remembered by." I guess if those are the words I want to be remembered by, there is no better time than today to start living according to them.

What about you? How do you want to be remembered? Is it God honoring? Is it noble? Does it include something about reaching the lost for Jesus Christ? I guess at this stage in my life after trying to achieve joy and happiness in many other ways, it all boils down to this for me..."for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord."

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Emasculated Words

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A Day of Service...a lifetime of memories

I'm not a big fan of big blowout events to prove we can do something. The real test of anything is longevity. Especially when it comes to serving others. Anyone can do it for a day. But, can you make it a lifestyle? As a follower of Christ, that is what He asks of us. Jesus told those who wished to follow him to daily deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow Him. I don't know about you but that is very humbling for me. Now, none of us get to serve on a grand scale everyday. But, we can serve our spouses, our children, our colleagues, our friends, our neighbors, those in lines at stores or a random person you meet on a walk. Each day will present an opportunity to serve. The question for me is, "am I willing to deny myself, my comfort, my calendar, my money, my agenda, my opinion, my time....my life to do it?" That's my prayer heading into the day. God, will you help me to see those areas where selfishness abounds and selflessness overcomes.

To that end, we participated in a big blowout event that serves the community of Little Rock each year. Through a consortium of churces and organizations we hold a Sharefest event that originated in Little Rock and is spreading around the country and world. It's truly a great event. However, as you read in my opening paragraph, participation in this kind of event, though needed, can often prove to be a salve for those who have spent most of the year focused on themselves. That's me, too often. So, the issue is not to do away with the big event like a Sharefest, because it's a blessing to the city and to many people. The real challenge is to cultivate that attitude of sacrificial service as a lifestyle throughoutthe year!

Well, here are a few photos of the project our community group helped with. We were at Arkansas Baptist College which is in the early stages of renewal. As the only black, Baptist college west of the Mississippi, it has had an historic significance over it's 164 year history. Just a few short years ago its enrollments was down to about 150. Dr. Fitz Hill, former football head coach of San Jose State, was called by God to invest his energy, passion for students and love of Christ into this ailing college. A very LARGE challenge. But, since his arrival as President of Arkansas Baptist College, enrollment has increase fourfold and he's making a difference in a very rough part of the city. It's being transformed one life, one student, one home at a time. Our service project was to help them restore a pretty tired old school that has been in decay for years. It's on the rise and the main building is slated for complete renovation in the next 12 months! I was part of a deck building group. We added a deck to the dining hall to give them a place to enjoy fellowship around a meal outdoors (weather permitting :-). We also built a couple of benches for them to use. There were many other projects going on around the campus and around the city of Little Rock. It was a pleasure to participate. Here are some of the photos of the weekend:


-Pres. Hill giving us a pregame pep talk and doing what a good coach does, he left us with a charge to not let this be the only time we were on campus investing in students and the mission!


-She's not going to be happy with this one...but she is so cute!


-just some of the throng assigned to Ark Bapt College to help out with various projects




-pictures of the deck that I helped with. This is outside the cafeteria/dining hall.


-getting ready for lunch




-LUNCH TIME!!


-the benches a team of four and myself help put together for the students to eat out on the new deck



-trying to finish the deck...will get photos of the finished deck if I get a chance.

When will this start happening in the US?

In England, it's not a question of whether the government should intrude in family life, but how and when.
November 22, 2008 - by Frank Furedi

During the past decade, the British government has adopted an interventionist stance towards the management of family life. It continually lectures mothers and fathers about how to bring up their children and it constantly criticizes parents for behaving in ways that run counter to the ethos of expert-approved child rearing. The government does not simply advise or provide information, it is also in the business of saving children from their parents.

Click here to read entire article

Who Did That?

I really don't understand or comprehend God. Ok...stating the obvious doesn't make something worth writing. But, as I read a passage in the book of Jeremiah and just took a few minutes to try and wrap my punie little mind around our vast, majestic, unexplainable God I was humbly reminded that it's not up to me to try to understand God. It's up to me to understand and know that HE IS God. Wow...that brings a lot more relief as I enter the day that the world and it's issues don't rest on my ability to solve them. Rather, I place my trust today in the One who created all things and planned them for His glory and my good from before time began.


"It is he who made the earth by his power,
who established the world by his wisdom,
and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.
(ESV, Je 10:12)

So, what about you? What things are you trying to accomplish or solve by yourself? What worries do you take into the day that you really have no ability at all to resolve? Maybe it's time to take a few minutes, read the verse above and exhale. Breath. It's not up to you. It's not about you. Play your part today. Give up the mantle of self determination and play to the Author of life, love and liberty. "Choose you this day whom you will serve...as for me and my house, we choose life"

Winding Down In MN

Well, nearly 190 hours and 5 billion calories after touching down in Minnesota last Monday, I am ready to go home!! The dual purposes of coming to MN for an extended time were accomplished. I had a great time during the National Coalition of Men's Ministry conference held in Burnsville, MN at my home church, Berean. The consensus from the group was that the church was very hospitable, the speakers tremendous, the conference an overwhelming success and a desire that next years conference would be in a more tropical climate :-). I would agree. However, if that is what had happened this year, the second purpose of my trip wouldn't have been possible.

I had the great privilege of meeting with more than 25 friends and family for meals and fellowship directly as well as at least another 30-40 via Sunday School, Worship service at church and other chance meetings at various coffee shops around time (including Caribou, my favorite coffee shop of all) plus another 30 or more men I met while attending the NCMM conference. Some of those meetings were to share in more depth the nature of our current financial support situation but mostly it was to simply connect and to express my love for them in word while they expressed it in word and deed. I was treated so undeservedly well. It's "knee dropping" humbling to me. I am honored by God's gift of friendship.

However, in my absence from home, while being overwhelmed by the goodness of so many, I miss my wife and my daughter. I miss seeing their beautiful face in the morning, listening to their antics of the day and just being with them. This is the second longest trip I've ever taken alone away from my family. The longest was last year when I was gone for over two weeks. I must say that God accomplished much more through me this trip than through last year's trip. I was more intentional to meet as many as possible during my open time slots. And, God provided those meetings.

I don't know all of what got accomplished during the meetings I had but I do know that many more of our team know we love them and desire to minister to their families and marriages via the ministry of FamilyLife and that we can't do what we do without them. They are indeed the most integral part ministry outside of the work of the Holy Spirit.

So, thank you to all of you who made this trip a success. You are loved and appreciated. But, I'm glad to soon be back in the arms of my lifetime lover...my gorgeous wife, Sue. In the inimitable words of Fred Samson, "I'm Comin' home Elizabeth (except it's Susan, for me :-)"

The Joy of Anticipation...the Letdown of the catch--Part Deux

When I left the last post, I shared that, in general (and definitely not every Christian I know) Christians live as relatively joyless lives on this earth as non-Christians. I know of many who are very joyful people but, I'm really making a broad brush statement that I feel has validity. So much so that there have been books written under that premise. One of those, The Slumber of Christianity by Ted Dekker, stirred me to write some of my own thoughts about this issue.


As I indicated in the last post, I had a discussion with a long time friend of mine about the pursuit of "stuff" always being greater than the actual obtaining of it. I mean, remember the anticipation of Christmas? I remember that I sprung out of bed at some ungodly hour as if shot out of a cannon. All because I wanted to see what "Santa" brought. I can't remember ANY of those gifts that I tore through (well, maybe a couple like the vibrating football field where players vibrated up and down the field all in pursuit of a little felt football...what a great game...or my hockey game that had a REAL overhead scoreboard that dropped the puck onto center ice where players attached to long metal rods could be moved up and down the ice and twisted left or right by the knobs to shoot and SSSCCCCCOOOOOORRRREEEE because they were attached to those rods...another great game). But, I do remember the great joy in anticipating that morning. And, more significantly, I remember my kids getting up so blasted early and coming in to stare at Sue and I just patiently waiting for us to catch a glimpse of them so we would get out of bed....it's kind of the same look our Golden Retriever gives us every morning so we'll feed her ;-).


So, if that's the case that we enjoy the anticipation of something more than actually getting it, it makes sense to me that if our hope is in the "stuff" of life, we continually need to be in pursuit of it because once we get it, it fails to deliver the same sense of satisfaction and joy that pursuing it gives us. So, how should it be different from those who are followers of Christ?


Ted Dekker makes this statement in his book that "the general failure of life to produce the happiness of achieving dreams is especially interesting for Christians because, judging by their actions rather than their claims, Christianity on the whole are no more happy (or joyful) than people of other (or no) faith(s)." It's the open secret of the church---we make all kinds of incredible calims based on the holy Scriptures, but our lives are pretty much the same as the lives of the unchurched...But on the whole, Christianity has failed to satisfactorily respond to the glaring observations that Christians, despite a tendency to describe themselves as happy, are in practice no more happy than non-Christians. Our religion's answer has been predictable: Seek more, sin less, and have faith. Then you will find happiness in your marriage and on earth. Most Christians have followed this mantra in spurts, yet they invariably end up dissatisfied with the results. Their marriages still fail. Their jobs are still downsized. Their cars still break down. Their health still wanes. And they still can't seem to find enough faith to ignore their general predicaments in life or embrace the great happiness they once had as naive children. As a result, Christians settle for less and call it being content in much the same way the world settles for less and calls it content. Christianity, it turns out, looks less and less like a child's blissful Christmas, and more like a long slide down the hill of hard realities shared by humans in general. Why?"


Now, many of you may be thinking the same things that have crossed my mind: Just because we're followers of Christ doesn't exempt us from the hard realities of life. That may seem to be what Ted is advocating but I don't think that's the point. The point is, when those things of life happen, how should the story look different from those of us who are Christians from those who aren't? I'd like to explore this for a few more posts. So, maybe you can think about those times when you find yourself in pure joy and how you respond to the fact that this life doesn't provide the satisfaction our souls seek? And, do you put on the mask to say, "I'm content...it's OK...I'll be all right" while all the time you are just as discouraged as ones who have no hope outside of this world? Should it be different (I'm not saying that we don't have sorrow, troubles, trials and difficulties but I am asking if our ultimate deep felt response should be different than for non-Christians)? Until next post....

The Joy of Anticipation...the Letdown of the catch

I've been in Minnesota for almost a week, haven't seen the sun, have seen some great friends, will see some family and have had a chance to drink coffee at my favorite coffee place, Caribou. I miss my family and can't wait to see them on Tuesday. In the meantime, I am reading, writing, praying, talking and listening. Last night, I reconnected to one of my best childhood friends. Chris and I go way back. We shared many of the memories (well, at least as many as two guys approaching 1/2 century of living can remember ;) of those days growing up and what's happened to us since those days. Chris is in the financial services industry (not exactly a fun place to be these days) and is really good at what he does. And, I've gone into full time ministry with a marriage and family ministry, FamilyLife, after over 20 years in accounting and finance roles in business. So, we tried to connect some of the dots and had a great time.

One of the conversations we entered into focused on stuff. On those things that we strive for...cars, houses, successful careers, lifetime love relationships, family stability, etc. As I imparted my vast wisdom (imagine my tongue firmly implanted in my cheek) we talked about the fact that throughout much of our lives we spend time in pursuit of things, only to find that acheiving or obtaining them, typically or almost always pales significantly to the joy in the hunt. Why is that? I shared that it's a principle my wife and I have tried to build into our children, i.e., that the things of this world will NEVER satisfy. Only God satisfies. I truly believe that. And, it does bring me some joy. But, I began to wonder about Christian joy. I began to ask myself, what brings us joy? What really makes us different than those who don't have a relationship with God and all they have is the stuff they pursue? Seems to me that for the most part, we are both equally joyless on this earth. I mean, if I had to be honest, I haven't met very many Christians who are truly joyful. Nice? Yes! Content? Some of the time? Purpose? More so than those who don't know Christ. But, joyful? Not so much. It seems that for the most part, we are riding alongside those who don't call themselves Christians, and basically settling for what life has to offer.

So, what's the difference? Is it just that we know where we're going when we die and they only think they know where they're going. Partly. We have assurance that our lives don't end here on this earth. But, why do we so often live like the joy of life is found here? And, then when we experience the same pain or have our stuff taken from us, we are as miserable as those who have no hope or expectation of living after the burial? I think I'm touching on what the main problem is, at least for me.

I'll explore what that is in my next posting....until then...pursue pure joy!

Off to MN

Well, I'm sitting in the Little Rock airport ready to board a plane to Atlanta. Which seems strange because I eventually will end up in MN. I'm no geography genius but this isn't the most direct route available, I assume. Ah, such is the glamour of travel.

I just wanted to provide a quick update while I sat and gazed at the interesting people that fly. It's always interesting to me to consider the many different agendas and plans that people are waiting to embark on as they await their flight to ignite those plans. And, they're all encumbent upon that piece of aluminum and steel defying gravity and soaring above the clouds, then eventually beginning to descend and finally land on two relatively small wheels with a braking and reverse thrust system designed to stop that torpedo with passengers in a relatively short distance. I am amazed at all the technology that needs to work to precision to get me to my desired destination, not the least of which is the fact that someone, somewhere, somehow thought that an object could stay airborn with the right thrust and aerodynamic design AND carry people from one place to another. Amazing. I just pray that the technology that is in place still works today!

So, I'm off to MN to attend a men's conference where ministries from around the country get together to share notes, stories and ministry with each other all for the purpose of igniting men's movements everywhere.

Please pray for my trip, for technology and for temperature mercy (I'm going from 60's to 30's and 40's). Though I'm from MN my body is now getting acclimated to southern warmth!

I'll update throughout the week so that the throng of blog followers I have will be able to stay tuned...all 1 or 2 of you :-)

He Knows the Next Page

My beautiful wife (and why she has stay married to me for more than 23 years is a mystery only God knows…it is evidence enough for me that there is a God J) wanted me to see a video about a song she really liked. Now, if you know my beloved bride, you know she's not prone to being overzealous about things. She's passionate and zealous in her pursuit of God and her caretaking of our family but not really about the things that I get wigged out by. Like music. Or sermons I hear. Or a random thought that I just have to share (as if it was of any value to anyone but me J). She's much more controlled with her emotion. So, when she wants me to listen to something it's gotta be good.

The song is called "In Color" by Jamey Johnson (and yes, to all our friends up north, it's a country song ;-). It's a song about a line he heard during the honoring of a long time country music icon. As they made the presentation, they flashed photos of his life in the background. Most of those photos were black and white because of the longevity of his career. The comment that either he heard or made was, "We're seeing his life in black and white but he lived it in color". What a great line! I love the imagery that line elicits. It conveys the fact that we benefit by reliving the past of someone who has accomplished much on this earth but that person actually had to live it. And, the truth is that sometimes that color wasn't always pleasant. I'm sure if you were to talk to the honoree he would let you know that sometimes life was too vivid. A picture may paint a thousand words but a lifetime it cannot.

Well, that song and imagery came alive to me this morning, first during my devotional time in the book of I Kings, and then as I listened to a friend share his observations about a story from 2 Kings. The thought that came to me was that whenever we read something in the Bible, especially something of historical content (like a war that was going to be fought by a few men against a large Army or weak band of men against giants), we have the privilege of knowing what's on the next page. We have the perspective of looking at the past and knowing the outcome. In this case, we see that a king who fretted going into war (like Jehoshaphat) even when following the LORD's command, forgot who was on his side. They won! But, put yourself in their position at that time. They were just like we are at this or any moment. Maybe we're facing something that seems pretty scary. Maybe it's related to our employment, our living situation, an impending move to another city or nation, an illness or even death (personally or of a loved one). There was One who knew what was written on the next page in His story, yet he had to live it out in color. It was Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man. If he could carry out the contents of his story knowing the pain and suffering He was going to endure on that page, then you can go into your situation fully confident that God knows the next page of your life as well.

Years from now when the story of your life is written and revealed, you'll be able to look back and remember how you felt on the page while knowing what happened when the page turns. But, now, the only one who knows what is on the next page is the One who's already written our story. That should give us some comfort because we know that He is a good Author. And, no matter what the storyline holds for your part, play it well. Let the story be written and as each sub-plot unfolds, we can look back and say, others' saw our life in black and white, but we're seeing it in color!

Is Change what we REALLY need?

I was driving to the offices of FamilyLife this morning (Sat) to pick up some things I forgot at work. I chose to take a scenic way. There's a windy road that goes through the west part of Little Rock and heads into some hilly country. Then, as the road winds though a tree lined path of upper class neighborhoods, it opens up to a beautiful view of the northwest part of the city. You can see for miles and the color of the changing leaves on a sea of trees was beautiful. I love this time of year. Everyone loves the leaves as they change twice each year...first from buds to lush green in the spring and then in their transition to dormancy as they flash brilliant shades of red, yellow, orange and gold. In this case change is good.

Can you think of anywhere else or under any circumstance where we're hearing about change? Like ALL THE TIME! I don't know about you but I'll be very happy when there is a change in the touting of change. It sure sounds good, doesn't it? Everything is, "Change! We need change!" I guess sometimes I need change...like this morning when I had to pay to put air in one tire, I needed change...seventy five cents!!! By the way, what is that anyway...paying for air. Might as well put a hose next to the "pay for air" box that is hooked up to a faucet where you can pay to get a drink of water.

Well, I'm tired of hearing about change. Wanna know why? Because, I don't believe it. I just don't buy the rhetoric. Great for sound bites. But, I just heard that one of the candidates is now beginning to change his message to "well, we won't be able to make changes in the first 100 days...it's the first 1,000 that matter." Hmmm...didn't see that coming...yawn.

Actually there are a lot of things that I DON'T want changed. Like my ability to freely worship God. Or the value that we've placed on important things in this country since it was founded, like HUMAN LIFE. I'm talking about INNOCENT human life. Or, the fact that there was a perfectly good institution called marriage that didn't or doesn't need change. It was fine as designed by God. We may have screwed it up a lot by not knowing how to make it work but changing the definition of it is NOT the answer. Most of all, in the midst of all the craziness...talk of potential assassination's, rioting, more divisiveness, socialism reigning as our form of government (and BEING OK WITH THAT)...I am comforted that there is ONE who NEVER CHANGES.

When I wake up on November 5, there will be change, no matter what I want to happen. There will be a new president ready to take office. If my hope for my future, my families' future and the future of people of all races and nations rests on who that is, WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE, whoever it is. There is no way a man can create the necessary change where it matters most...in the heart of you and me. That is God's job. And, God doesn't change. Thankfully. He created change, yet He didn't...change.

So, I can still enjoy the leaves changing, gathering change from under the couch cushions to put air in my tires, watching my children and circumstances change while all the while God doesn't. He's the same today as He was yesterday and as He will be tomorrow and forever more.

Time to go change my clothes...another situation where change is good.

After the Heart...Time for a checkup

What grabs you? I mean, what really stirs you to the soul? Is it issues around social injustice? How about a compelling story of someone who has overcome something? Maybe it's political or economics? Maybe it's nothing at all...you've grown numb to the world around you.

I've become a big fan Matt Chandler, one of the teaching pastors at a growing church (The Village Church) in Dallas, Texas. And, as I've listened to him labor through Luke (he started over a year ago and he's only in chapter 14--very solid teaching) there have been so many times when I've said, "the Church (Body of Christ) needs to hear this". And the message of this past week was another. The message was about Jesus teaching and, once again, admonishing the Pharisees for their self righteous attitudes as they tried to trap him into doing something "unbiblical" so they could find grounds to crush this "thorn in their side". But, usually, the message turns into not only revealing Jesus teaching principle to those he was addressing but the application to us. That's when it gets personal...that's where he reminds us that Jesus is "gettin' in our bizness".

The main point of this texts' teaching to the Pharisees was that they cared more about their standing than about people and more about following the rules than the Rule-Giver...God. He left me/us with these challenges:

1. Where is your affection? Do you REALLY pursue God with your affection? I'm not talking about an overly emotional "I really really really really love you God". I am talking about a deep heart change where your obedience is due to your love...not where you think you are loved BECAUSE of your obedience. Are you open for real heart surgery?
2. REALITY---> Your checkbook reveals your heart. So, what does your checkbook reveal about you?
3. Do other people around you have souls or are they just on this earth to serve you and your needs, like a bit player in a movie all about you?

Those are real questions that a real God is asking us each day. I'll be thinking and praying about these over the next week. Then, asking God to mold me based on the revelation of my heart attitude. How about you?

Where Moth and Rust destroy…

When I moved from Minneapolis to Little Rock, I knew that I probably could dispense with the mounds of sweaters and jackets I had accumulated over 40+ years (no---I didn't have my sweaters from high school or anything). For those geographically challenged, the climate is a little different between the two cities. So, as I took out some of these sweaters, I noticed some holes. They were moth-eaten. None of them were in major disarray but there were holes. And, our cars in Minnesota had survived many winters driving on the salt-filled roads and had accumulated a lot of rust. Moth and Rust…hmmm, where had I heard that before?

In times like this, there are significant challenges we face as people and as a nation. When people are seeing their retirement accounts lose in a few days what had taken years to gain, attention is paid. Someone has said that adversity is where life makes up its mind. If your security and hope is in things like retirement accounts, political candidates, pension accounts or careers, you might be feeling a little battle weary.

Those old sweaters that had holes in them were my security for warmth at one time. And those cars that were corroding from the bottom up were shiny new vehicles that I put my travel hope in when I had them. In fact, the car I drove in high school had holes in the top quarter panels in the front so when I drove in the snow, slush would come pouring through those holes, kicked up by the tires, and cake on my windshield. It was pretty funny! Needless to say, that car isn't carrying anyone anywhere anymore.

I find that an often quoted and maybe taken for granted passage of the bible really puts things into perspective:

"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

22–23 "Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!

24 "You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.

Peterson, E. H. (2002). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (Mt 6:19-24). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.

Whether the burglars are corporate greed mongers, liberal politicians who think everyone is entitled to everything or moth and rust, the reality is, there is only one place to put our trust. I think you know where that is. It's not in people or things on this earth, that's for sure and it's been proven time and time again. Don't buy the lie that it will be different with Senator SO-AND-WHAT in office. It WON'T. Only God can answer life's biggest question---where do I place my trust??

Whewww? or is it?

OK...so the market shot back up in the largest one day gain ever on Wall Street. Whew....I can hear the sighs of relief all over the world. I don't want to sound like a sour puss but, haven't we been here before? UPDATE...since it took me an extra day to write this...NEWSFLASH ... the DOW JONES lost 733 points today. So, just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water... Here was the point I was going to make: "Some trust in chariots, others in horses" BUT WHO OR WHAT DO YOU PUT YOUR TRUST IN?

It's the question I left you with in my last entry. It's being asked a lot but I think it's a legitimate question. We have experienced an historically precipitous drop...that is, the market has been in a free fall (offset by one really good day). For those of us who have placed our lives in the hands of someone who actually knows tomorrow these days of "bad news" shouldn't really be bad. But, for those who have placed all of their eggs in this earthly basket...time to reconsider that choice.

Funny thing is that if the market goes back up tomorrow and the next day, our tendency will be to say, "Whew, I'm glad that's over". But, some day we will all have to face the reality of what the Bible talks about when it says that the things of this earth will be riddled with rust, eaten by moths and generally found to be wanting when all is said and done. So, have you misplaced your trust? Do the times bring you fear? I'll leave you with another question, "Whose your Daddy?"

Predicting the future

When I was a wee lad, I tried to pick the ponies. I admit...not very "Christ-like". Though, I wasn't a follower of Christ then. I would get a daily delivery of the Racing Digest and at the age of 15 and 16 try to pick the horses. Then, the next day I could see how I did. I looked at trends, weather and track conditions, race lengths, etc. And, once in a while I did pretty well by picking the winning horse once or twice out of 10 or so races. It wasn't about the money (obviously since I wasn't running a horse betting ring on the sly :-). It was about trying to "control or figure out the future".

In some ways, isn't that what we try to do every day? We look at trends, surrounding conditions and then make "our picks"--do things accordingly. Here's the truth, though. There are many people saying they "predicted" this recent financial crisis. But, if that is true, wouldn't they have done something about it. Wouldn't they have already pulled their money out of the market and made it known? The world is full of arm chair quarterbacks. It was always easier for me to "pick the ponies" by looking at the next day's results. I was 10 for 10! But, in a day and age when we continue to see formerly predictable institutions (banks, financial institutions, government) and believed to be "rights" as Americans (like owning homes, having health care and insurance) crumbling around us, who or what can we trust that will lead us into the future with any degree of certainty? Who do you put YOUR trust in when everything else is crumbling around you? Let's talk more...tomorrow.

Le Chatelier family: Weekend to Remember

Le Chatelier family: Weekend to Remember

Keep the Fire(proof) going!

OK...so, here's a challenge. Go to the listing of movies currently playing in your area. Now, of all the movies showing in theaters across the country, name or identify which of them can actually make a difference in someone's life or family?

If you're honest, there is only one...FIREPROOF.

I'm not of the camp that says every movie has to change lives. I love movies as an escape, sometimes. I enjoy an engrossing, morally decent film that I can get lost in. Then you have those films that are "RIDICULOUS" or "INCREDULOUS" and not worth the time to preview. But, way too seldom do we have the chance to view a theatrical movie that CHANGES LIVES. Hear are just a few of MANY stories from people across the nation whose lives and even legacies were impacted by the movie FIREPROOF during the opening weekend of the movie:


"After we left the movie, we were both quiet and reflective on how utterly real that movie was to us. We also knew that, just as in the movie, it took Jesus to make us see the truth of where our problems came from. I wish I could say we were perfect now, but I can say that we are not living without hope anymore." (Laura)

"As the movie played, I felt the power of the Holy Spirit come over my wife and me. The movie spoke to me directly about the issues in my life and I was drawn closer to my wife. We were both teary eyed in each other's arms as the movie ended. We went out to dinner afterwards and talked like we were on a first date. ... Like the movie says, it is hard, but our marriage is worth it. ... I haven't felt closer to my wife in years." (Mike)


"As newlyweds, my husband and I are in the beginning stages of growing our marriage. We laughed, we cried, and prayed with one another that God will guide us away from putting our marriage in that situation. Thank you for the blessing of this story ... you are changing the world one marriage at a time!" (Theresa)


"Thanks for showing me what REAL love is! I am still waiting for my special someone and I intend to never leave my partner behind. Thanks for the encouragement through this movie! That is the kind of love I want my future spouse to know from me!" (Ashley)

and


"Wow! This movie was such a Godsend. My friend and I went to see the movie. I cried and she cried for me. The movie was so real it was like it was me in the movie. My marriage was on the verge of divorce after 14 years. We'd given up. Well, before I left the movie theater that day I bought tickets for my husband and me. We went the very next day. He cried. I cried. "While we were walking to the parking lot, my husband took me by the hand and told me he was so sorry for everything he had ever done to me. I know it's not all my husband's fault; we were both to blame. This movie is definitely life-changing. We are on the right track. Please don't give up on your spouse. You don't leave your partner. Thank you for this movie; you have changed my life." (Aimee)

To see other stories sent in from more than 1100 viewers who were impacted by the movie CLICK HERE


To Laura, Mike, Theresa, Ashley and Aimee, FIREPROOF was more than "just another movie"...it changed their marriages and their lives.

So, why am I sharing this with you? Well, FamilyLife has been so privileged to be a major partner with FIREPROOF in the promotion of this film. And, in my role as the Partnership Strategy Director, I had the incredible experience to work with many of the people involved in the making and promotion of FIREPROOF. They are men and women of God who desire to make a REAL and lasting difference in marriages around the nation. So, as a ministry partner, we don't want to "leave our partner behind". And, if FIREPROOF is going to continue to be played in theaters long enough for people to see it and be impacted by it, there needs to be a reason to keep it at theaters...people going.

FIREPROOF is shocking Hollywood and they would love nothing better than to see this movie crash and burn (pun intended...it's also ironic that the ridiculously inane movie, "Religulous" is out at the same time). If we don't continue to go, bring friends, small groups from church, neighbors, family members, etc., they will soon have to pull the movie from theaters.

So, if you haven't gone, consider enjoying an afternoon matinee today. I've had a number of friends and family call and tell me they really liked the movie as well as its message.

And, if you have gone, consider going with one of the groups mentioned above. Take someone with you.

As our ministry partner, this is just one way you are helping us, help others! This is why we're here. This is one of those rare opportunities where we can reach millions at one time with the message, "God loves marriage"...He created it and has a plan for it. Thanks for allowing us to be a part of this!

YOU DA MAN!

A crowd of onlookers stand silently while he tees up the ball. He waggles and wiggles...starts the club back once...twice...places the large driver just behind the ball and stands still...focusing all of his attention on that little white round object. The throng is as quiet as a Vikings fan during a football game...and then...THWACK. A mighty swing from the mighty Tiger Woods and the ball sails seemingly endlessly straight ahead and the crowd yells.....YOU DA MAN!

When they yell that I don't think they're calling into question Tiger's real manhood. At least I've not seen him stop and look down the front of his pants to make sure. No, it's an endearing phrase in our current culture. YOU DA MAN means something like, "I wish I could hit a golf ball like that" or, "WOW, that's amazing. Only a REAL man can do that". But that phrase hasn't always been received with such adulation and reverence.

As I continued reading this morning in 2 Samuel, I read these words, "You are the man!". But they didn't come from a cheering crowd aimed at an incredible athletic achievement. In fact, they were probably the most empty words that one of the most revered Kings in all of history ever heard. They came from Nathan and he said them to King David.

They were said in reference to a story that Nathan shared with David about a rich man who took a poor man's lamb which had been like part of the family...like my dog Ginger is to our family, and killed it for dinner because he didn't want to use one of his multitude of herds or flocks. This jerk took the only little baby lamb from this poor sap and killed it when he had plenty. I get angry just thinking about it. And, so did David. "WHO IS THIS GUY?", yelled David. I'll string him up by his toenails...I'll torture him and use him to make sure everyone knows that this is not acceptable. "Where is he...bring him to me", demanded David. In fact,"I WANT HIM DEAD!" Then Nathan said those 4 empty, crushing, convicting words to David..."YOU ARE THE MAN". I don't think David picked up his Taylor Made behemoth, tipped his hat and began walking down the fairway. Nathan's tale was an allegory that identified what David had just done in real life. They meant, "BUSTED"!

This story is one of the most frustrating stories in all of the Bible. Here's this king, David, who has everything anyone could want. And, he's a man after God's heart. I mean, he's fearless (can anyone say "giant slayer"?), valiant (who else could refrain from striking his murder-minded pursuer dead while he slept?), God-fearing (always asking God what and how he should proceed in conquests) and a leader of men and nations. Yet, here he is on a beautiful day, taking a stroll on the roof of his not-too-small pad. It's spring time. Birds chirping, sun shining, the smell of lilacs all around (I don't really know if they had lilacs in Israel then but that's what I smell in the spring). It's G O R G E O U S. In fact, it was also a time when REAL men went to war. And, this cat has everything a man could want? So, why, David, would you do what you did? Why would you...a man with the world in his hands...look around and fix your eyes on something you didn't need or that could only bring you trouble!!! Think Adam and Eve in the Garden. They could eat from ANYWHERE and from ANYTHING sans one little ol' tree in the middle. Sin. It is so enticing. Why is it that the forbidden draws us to make such poor decisions. Why when there is so much good to look at on the internet, so many turn to pornography? How can a marriage that looked so promising on the wedding day and a couple that has so much in front of them turn into a nightmare of bad, selfish choices? David knows. I know. And, you probably know.

It's SO EASY for me to get angered at David in this story. Man...you are NOT the man, David. You creep. You loser. How could you do that to Bathsheba and Uriah. And, on top of that, Uriah never falls for any of David's ploy. He honors his military comrades and says, "Hey...if they are out there fighting, I am NOT sleeping in a bed with my wife." That makes this even more infuriating to me.

Then, I remember the too-numerous-to-count times when I chose the path of self indulgence. I walked the path of lust-driven, self serving, shameful and making consequent bearing decisions. In fact, that's just about every day.

I'm still mad at you, David for your choices. But, God not only forgave you (though the consequences were pretty stiff if you read on) but continued to use you. That means there is hope for me. God calls me his child. Jesus Christ's death gives me hope that even when I didn't know Him, He loved me enough to die for my sins...sins I hadn't even committed yet. 100% of them.

You know...when I hear that saying "YOU DA MAN" I'll probably think about it a little more intently. It may be that the person that's receiving that deserves to hear it as David heard it as much as he does as an affectionate statement. We are men. That's why we need God!

FIREPROOF Review from Plugged In.com

Here's a part of the conclusion from Plugged In online reveiw of the new movie Fireproof.

Writer/director Alex Kendrick and his writer/producer brother, Stephen, aren't under any illusions that this small-budget movie will turn Hollywood on its head. Stephen told Plugged In Online, "When people butcher our films on Rotten Tomatoes and say, 'This isn't Oscar-winning material,' we say, 'We know!' We're just people who are working with what we have at a small church in Georgia. It's truly a loaves and fishes story."

What they do want is for their earnest project to turn your marriage upside down.

You might notice that some of the lines in Fireproof feel a little wooden. And you might notice that the script indulges more dialogue (most of it spiritual) than you're used to hearing in movies about firemen. But the honest truth is that you don't really care by the time the credits roll, because you're too busy feeling your own feelings and thinking your own thoughts about your own relationships. This is the kind of movie that succeeds, sometimes despite itself, because it does a superlative job of digging into serious issues that so deeply affect so many of us every day.

To read the entire review CLICK HERE

She spent $6,500 to get Fireproof in city

A great story of faith and perseverance to make something positive happen!

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Pray for Fireproof

I put together some of the things that God brought to my mind that we can be praying about as the movie Fireproof opens in more than 800 theaters nationwide this Friday, September 26. So, for what it's worth, maybe these will help stir ways you can pray this week for those who see this movie!

Prayer time for Fireproof

- Pray for the attendees that are going
- Pray for the theater staff and management
- Pray for the churches that have stood beside this so that they can follow up with those who experience connection and need hope and help
- Pray for FL and how we can continue to reach out to those who now realize that there is hope for their marriage
- Pray that youth would go so that they get an idea that even difficult marriages can be redeemed
- Pray that the gospel message would cause many to accept Christ or become more inquisitive about what that looks like for them.
- Pray that Believers would stand in the gap, both for Christ by being bold in proclaiming the truth in love and grace and for marriages. I pray the impact on “church” marriages would be significantly impacted by seeing this movie and knowing of God’s plan for marriages. The easy way is not God’s way. How can we speak for marriages when the divorce rate by stated churchgoer's is as high or higher than for those who don't go to church (I know there is a debate about this statistic when you slice it down to "true" believers, evangelicals, marginal Christians, etc...fact is that it's too high ALL over).
- Pray that this shows that we are much more about what a marriage should look like instead of the general portrayal that we care more about what marriages are NOT.
- Pray for the resource, Love Dare, and that God would use this tool as a great "so what" next step resource.
- MOSTLY, pray that God is glorified as He is ultimately the creator and guardian of godly marriages.

UPDATED for requests from Provident:
- Pray for the Northeast US which sometimes has difficulty in accepting faith-based films and with the population base, it's a critical part of the country for determining ongoing showings
- Pray for the Houston area...due to the damage from Hurricane Ike, Provident tried to get the opening date moved back but the theaters wouldn't let them so pray that many will need the break from cleanup and issues they are dealing with and will spend a night getting out by going to Fireproof. And, of course, continue to pray for those who have been impacted by Hurricane Ike, for the relief efforts and the quick restoration back to some normalcy for so many people.
- Also, with a movie like this there tends to be a split in those who want to go and those who don't or are less interested. So, pray for likemindedness when husbands and wives talk about going.

Too Close to Home

Some news happens "out there". You hear about it but it's real impact is peripheral to your life. Then, there are times it's too close to home.

Yesterday was one of those times. We heard about a woman who was murdered right in our quiet neighborhood. We live in Otter Creek which is a community on the southwest corner of Little Rock. Little Rock has one of the highest crime rates per-capita in the United States. Yet, though we've had some reports of break ins, muggings and some other minor incidents, it's a relatively friendly and quiet neighborhood. Until yesterday.



We don't know the details of the murder and whether it was a random act of violence or if the woman knew her assassins. Knowing that might make us all feel either a little less concerned or more. However, there is one thing that came to my mind.

It's so easy for me in light of this to think, "what a CRAZY, MIXED-UP world we live in with such violent and wicked people OUT THERE who would do such a thing". Then, I'm reminded...but for the grace of God, there go I. It's easy for all of us, I think, to say to ourselves, "at least I'm not THAT bad". But, there lies the problem. We determine our own goodness or lack thereof COMPARED to others. Yet, if we compare ourselves to God's standard and His Word, "We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Jesus told the Pharisees that if you've even had a THOUGHT of hatred or anger toward another, you are as guilty as the person who murdered this young mother. I'm not trying to trivialize the pain or suffering this family is going through. I simply am reminded once again how sin has not only captured this murderer's soul, if not for Christ's saving work on the cross, it has captured mine as well.

The kind of sin that God refers to in the above references is sin that entered our soul through the fall of mankind when Adam and Eve rebelled against God. Need any proof...just watch a very young child lose their temper and do things that they have never seen modeled. It's in their soul. So, just as there is nothing that we DID to sin against God (we inherited it), therefore there is nothing we can DO to eradicate it. Only one who didn't inherit it could pay the price of sin that can't be paid by good works. That's what Jesus did on the Cross. He paid the price of a sin I could do nothing about. THAT'S GRACE! So, when I hear of these heinous crimes and feel compassion for the families I'm reminded of the pain our God feels when he sees us commit those same crimes against each other because that sin was too close to home...the rebellion of his own creation.

Please, today stop and pray for this family as they weep the loss of a mother, wife, sister, friend and family member. Then, do some reflection about the state of your soul. Is the sin within you paid for? Our comparison is not against one another...we have ALL sinned...our comparison is against a mighty, loving and Holy God. We can't stack up against that on our own and through our own righteousness. It's only through the righteousness that Christ imparted to us on the cross that we can stand without sin before God. So, for me, sin is never out there. It's always too close to home.

A Young Man Who Understands What True Success Is

What a great story and one that reminds us that there are a lot of people who are making a difference for the Kingdom! Way to go, Tim! Enjoy

Good Bye, Scotty

It was a little over a year ago when a homeless man, living out of his truck, came into our lives. More specifically, stumbled into our lives. As you may have heard previously, Sue spotted an elderly man shuffling his way through our housing development (Otter Creek) carrying a bag of groceries on a very hot summer day. What originated as a simple gesture to take a man home ended up being a God-sized involvement in a life.

Sue's involvement in Scotty's life was orchestrated by God. He was a nearly blind, elderly man who had virtually no family or anyone to care for him. He lived in his rundown truck and walked over 6 miles at least four days a week to get food for his cadre of dogs, sheep and cats. Sleeping in the leaky cab of a broken down truck amidst food and who knows what else is not my idea of "living the good life". That was Scotty's life. Enter Sue. With the help of others, Sue was moved enough by the Spirit of God to be Scotty's "neighbor". She didn't settle with simply taking him to and from the store to pick up his food. She invested in his life---in eternity. She took it upon herself to see if he qualified for assisted housing and got him a place in a retirement complex. Our small group and other friends helped him move in last fall. And, for the first time in at least three or four years (and probably longer), Scotty had a bed to sleep on and a place to call his own.

Then, last February, Sue and another caring woman, Jennifer, had an 80th birthday party for Scotty. We invited a number of people over to help him celebrate his birthday. I was moved when he told us that this was the first birthday party he had EVER had.

Sue's involvement didn't stop there. Again, with the help of others, she shuttled him between his new home and his old so that he could feed his animals. Then, she was able to get his goats sold. That left the dogs to feed. Unfortunately, we could never get rid of those dogs. But, we just couldn't bring it upon ourselves to put the only "friends" Scotty really had prior to us entering his life, to sleep.

In addition to his newfound friends, his neighbors helped look after him and his animals, too. Ultimately, it was the dogs that kept Scotty on the move. Though Sue had to reduce her chauffeuring frequency, she still had to get Scotty "home" to feed the dogs. As she cut back due to schedule conflicts, Scotty began to take a bus from his "new" home to the "dog palace" via a stop at a WalMart about 4-5 miles away. After walking approximately 8 miles round trip at least one or two times per week, he would board a return bus at that same WalMart and go home. Until today.

Yesterday, someone reported that an elderly man was laying face down in the street near the Otter Creek sign that greets all cars turning into our development. Sue got a call from a police officer that told her Scotty had died. Ironically, he was apparently walking the same route on his last day as when Sue spotted him and invested in him to help give him a better life.

The news of his death brought sadness and a few tears. Though we didn't know him for long, he was an example of someone who just needed a helping hand. He said many times to me during my fill-in efforts at replicating my wife's loving care, that she "saved his life". I also know that Sue took the opportunity to share with him that there is only ONE who SAVES lives. Jesus. We don't know the ultimate condition of his heart and where he was at spiritually on the day of his death but I'm so thankful that my wife showed me first hand what sacrificially loving your neighbor means. And, that he heard the message of Christ before he died. As the bible says, "Paul planted, Apollos watered, but it is God who makes the plant grow". Sue planted and watered as did others (Kathi, Spencer, Jennifer, Steve, Laura, Tracey, Judy, Rodney, Judy and others) by sharing words and their lives. We pray that God caused this plant to grow.

I shed a tear thinking about Scotty and how he easily could've passed away, in the cab of his old truck, without anyone seeing him for days. Instead, he passed away doing what he had done so often before (walking to and from the store) and knowing that he was loved by others and by God. I'm glad we got to know you, Scotty. Good Bye.

And the Rain Came Down...

Gustav is a real guy's name. Just saying it elicits a grunt. Go ahead. Say it. G U S T A V. Well, it's turning out to be a real groaner for us in Arkansas. Though we are glad as a nation that it didn't wreak the havoc that Katrina or Rita wrought in the same area almost exactly 3 years ago, it's still creating some trouble. For us it's more of a nuisance that's turning into some localized flooding. So, other than losing power for a few hours this morning, the main trouble has been the amount of rain we've received.

Our backyard has a river running through it. That didn't come with the landscape when we bought it. We found out it was an "added nicety" after the first torrential rain we received after moving in. All of this takes me back to an experience we had as a family after Rita ripped through the region with a lot of rain and tornadic activity three years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday.

It was late in the evening, about 10pm on a Friday or Saturday night. Ok, so maybe I don't recall ALL of the details like it was yesterday. Anyway...Erin, a friend of Erin's (Jordan), Jaclyn and I were playing a game. Bryan was with his (now ex) girlfriend. It was raining out and had been all day, just like today. The remnants of the hurricane hung over Arkansas like all of the Minnesota Viking Super Bowl losses hang over another NFL season. I digress...so, Bryan said, "I'm going to take [name withheld to protect the innocent ;-)] home." A few minutes later I got a phone call. Let me just say that it's NEVER good to see your child's cell phone number show up on caller ID just minutes after leaving the house. And, that held true in this case too. "Dad...ummm, I'm in some trouble" or something like that was uttered from the other end of the line.

"What's wrong?", I firmly spoke.

"Well, the car is stalled in the middle of the road and the water is rising almost to the bottom of the door. What should I do?"

"Get out", I shouted. "There will not be an airlift rescue here."

He had only driven about 1/3 of a mile away when he ran into a flooded street which just a few hours earlier had been wet but driveable. There was a lot of construction of new homes on this street and the geniuses put material to plug up the sewer drains to keep construction material from plugging up the sewer system. Unfortunately, it also kept the water from draining. A lake was quickly formed.

Well, the short story is that we all left our game, went to help move the car from the deeper water into the shallow end not thinking about what could have been waiting for us under the water. Eventually, we got it dried out and it's still running today. Oh, I guess I should share that I lost my temper a little. It wasn't his fault (well it was but there were no street lights and it was very difficult to see) but I did the typical father thing..."Why did you drive the car into rising water?" Of course he had no answer. That didn't stop me from explaining to him that if "this happens again, go the other way". Great wisdom, don't you think?

It's all now just a memory but every time we get these torrential storms, I'll remember that scene of our family, pushing our car back to our house and, eventually, laughing about it. So, go ahead, GUSTAV, let the rains fall. They only remind me of family!

One off...one to go

After three times of saying good-bye to my son as he heads to college you'd think all the emotion would be gone. But, as I watched him drive away again, I was reminded what a gift children are. He's the embodiment of God's love for us and the love Sue and I have for each other. As Sue and I have often said to each other during this time, "it's right but it's not easy". So, he's heading up to JBU to help with orientation of the freshman incoming class this weekend. One of those freshman will be his sister, Erin.

We're down to a couple of days left with her. I took her out to lunch yesterday. We had to try out the new restaurant in Little Rock---Copelands. It's a New Orleans style cajun food eatery. It was GOOOOOOOD. I just enjoyed sitting across the table, chatting about a number of different things and gazing at her and marveling what a beautiful, mature young woman she's become. Didn't feel teary until we drove home in silence together and I thought how different it would be each day without her. She loves sports like I do so watching football on Sunday's won't be as fun. Following the progress of the Twins will be done from a distance. I am thankful for technology that will allow us to stay closer more frequently. But...it's not the same. Again, children are a gift from God! Thank you, God, for our children. Though we will miss Bryan and Erin tremendously on a day to day basis, we still get the joy of pouring into our youngest child, Jaclyn. She is a joy. I don't even want to think about that day two years from now when all three will be going somewhere. Oh well...that's why we raise 'em...to let em go.

It's right...but it's still hard.

57 Years and Still Going Strong

Today marks the 57th anniversary of my wife's parents. Wow. 57 years...TOGETHER. In a day and age of divorce and family destruction, they have been a model of commitment and devotion to God and each other.

57 years! 1951...before Elvis and the Beatles, microwaves, PC's and cell phones, space shuttles and lunar landings, Watergate and Monicagate, CD's, DVD's, Blue-Ray and Tivo, wireless and the internet, stunning Olympic losses in basketball and exhilirating Olympic victories in hockey, Mark Spitz or Mary Lou Retton, Star Wars or The Godfather and so many other things. What started with "I do" 57 years ago has resulted in a legacy to our family. They are an example of marital commitment as God intended for marriage and what it means to stay together through good times and bad, sickness and health, trials and triumphs. And, I love them as if they were my parents.

They have lived out lives of integrity and love to those who know them. I've seen them stand by their children during difficult times, stepping in to provide help, gave us a car, have stood by us prayerfully and financially in supporting our ministry at FamilyLife. They personify the reality of why we have given our lives to a marriage and family ministry.

So, today I just wanted to honor them by telling them how much they mean to me, how much they have shown me about what it means to love and serve each other and their family. No, they aren't perfect. But, they are real and they have loved me as their own. So, HAPPY 57th ANNIVERSARY, Mom and Dad Carlson. We pray God shines his face on you as you celebrate this momentous day. WE LOVE YOU!

God's Ways are DEFINITELY not man's ways

The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, dlest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ 3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, e‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’ ” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Jdg 7:2-3). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.


God knew man's inclination to take credit for his work. That's so true today! We want the assurance that Gideon had that God is in this work (see Judges 6 & 7) or effort we are entering into AND we want the safety of having all the bases covered for the effort. Ouch! Not only is that depictive of man in general, it nails me right where I'm at. Faith steps aren't about doing something in our power, with our knowledge and our plans. Here, Gideon planned. It was OK for him to do so. It's just that God had a different plan. One that wasn't as comfortable for Gideon as he had originally scripted. God just took 22,000 people away from him for battle. Now, what Army general would say, "We don't need more troops...send them back and, oh, by the way, take 2/3 of the guys who are here too?" God works unconventionally.

Father, as I enter into today with the tasks and chores ahead, allow me to plan according to your Will and then be readily obedient to alter those plans as you lead.

99 Balloons

This is a powerful video from GodTube depicting the way a family with Christ and hope can cope with the harsh realities of this world...that we will all die but some are so innocent and hard to imagine, like Elliot's short but impactful life.

Playing my part well

On Thursday's at FamilyLife we get the chance to pray together as departments. Monday's we gather as a department to pray for the submitted prayers of the ministry. On Thursday's it becomes personal. For the last 1 1/2 yrs I've had the privilege of being a part of Bob Lepine's devotion and prayer time since the job I just left was originally under his leadership. A few weeks ago, Bob showed us a video from the Resurgence conference. In viewing this I was exposed to a young, vibrant and bible teaching pastor, Matt Chandler. And he challenged my thinking about a lot of things. But, especially about thinking "large".

For most of my life I've been a "dreamer". I'm very seldom content with where I find myself at in life, always anticipating the next "big" thing. It could be a job change, family event, ministry challenge or something other than what I'm currently doing. Some of that is simply due to my God-given wiring. It's who I am. But, when it gets in the way of being content in my circumstances, as God calls me to be, then it becomes a deterrent or even detriment to my spiritual growth. So, when Matt Chandler spoke about one of the biggest barriers or dangers that the church faces today being "bigness" my ears perked up. He spoke about the fact that everyone wants to be the next big "speaker" or "star". He was speaking to a group of pastors at this conference so that was the reference point. But, don't we all want to be "known" at some level? Don't we all want to play a bigger part than we are, even for good things. We want to be known by others as a great giver or gifted teacher or even in a strangely humble way, a "behind the scenes" person. Even at FamilyLife, it's hard not to think about "bigger" when it comes to reaching the masses with the good news of Jesus Christ. We throw around the term that we want to grow 10x in 10 years. A very good goal because we know more people will be reached with the Gospel. The question we constantly need to ask is if that is God's goal or our goal?

Chandler's plea to the audience at the conference was, "Can't we all just PLAY OUR PART WELL?" Maybe it isn't our part to reach the masses, have a large church, speak to thousands, teach hundreds or go overseas to minister to the nations. Maybe we are just supposed to do what we're doing while we let God do the growing. And, when we do that and our ministry, organization or impact doesn't grow, maybe it's not our fault. Maybe it's not what God had in mind to begin with. See, God very rarely, if ever, does things conventionally and as reasoned by man. In fact, I can't think of many ministry's (or any) that grew and was sustained in growth that didn't start out by someone or a few just wanting to reach their sphere or neighbor or group in their community. So, if growth is the driving force behind what you're doing, maybe that's why it's not growing.

I'm taking to heart the admonition to "Play my part well" and let God use the abilities and skill He's given me to begin with to do what He wants me to do with them. It doesn't mean I can't dream or envision or ask what He's doing but my pursuit of Him needs to be the purpose of my effort...to be singly focused on pursuit of Him...not for what it might result it. I'll let Him take my simple obedience to follow Him and turn it into anything He wants. Hmmm...sure takes off a lot of pressure to "succeed" as the world defines success...bigger and better.

Dennis Rainey shares the impact of his granddaughters death and the hope that provides hope

Thursday night, June 19, little 7 day old Molly Ann Mutz, daughter of Rebecca (Rainey) and Jake Mutz went to be with her Creator.  Thursday morning, I sent an email out to share her moving story with you through the eyes of FamilyLife's President and, more importantly, Molly's grandpa, Dennis Rainey.  If you had a chance to read that heart wrenching story, I thought you might want to read Dennis' follow up journal entry to us this morning as he reflected on Molly's short life, the power of God to move in the midst of the pain and that without a relationship with Christ, something like this would be impossible to accept or handle.  So, here's Dennis' reflection. 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Reflections of a Grandpa on the loss of his granddaughter

 

On Thursday, Miss Molly made her way to her new home in heaven around 6:15 PM.  Her last day with us began with a pretty average sunrise, but the sunset that closed out her Coronation Day was spectacular.  
 
As we left the hospital, thunderstorms had blown up over the mountains resulting in a dazzling sunset splashing platinum gold shafts of light all over the  Rockies.  The light behind the clouds was brilliant.    It was as though the sun was declaring, Magnificent Molly is home!   What a homecoming it must have been-saying good bye and letting her leave this earthly home was one tough assignment for a young mother and father and a couple of families that had become hopelessly attached to this fragile little girl. 
 
The Scriptures declare, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."  That verse challenged our faith all day long, but it was nonetheless a day ordered by God's sovereign hand of love and mercy.
 
Jake and Rebecca spent nearly all morning with Molly.  As we arrived, Beth, Molly's nurse and an angel herself, told us that Molly's vital signs were slipping.  Her little heart was racing at over 170 beats per minute and she was receiving 100 per cent pure oxygen, yet, her oxygen saturation level in her blood stream was down to 80.  She was losing color.  The nurse told us that it was Molly's way of telling her parents, "it's time for me to leave you and go home to heaven."  I am weeping as I write these words, none of us wanted Molly to leave.
 
Around noon, Rebecca and Jake honored all of us as grandparents by giving us the honor and privilege of holding Molly and gave us a moment to say good bye.  None of us expected we'd get that treat.  We didn't want to rob them of one moment with their precious daughter.
 
Barbara got to be first.  It was quite a maneuver to make sure all the wires and tubes that were supporting Molly's life didn't get tangled, but finally there she was in her arms, Mimi's granddaughter.  Barbara kept saying how much of an honor it was to hold this little princess of the King.  She held her close and cooed words of love and admiration over her beautiful face.   Smiles and tears mingled.
 
Jake's parents soaked all of her they could in and when it was Bill's turn, he stroked her face, tenderly whispered his love for her and  shared his favorite Scriptures with her.  Pam beamed as she gently rocked Molly and sang "Jesus Loves Me" to her.  Both Bill and Pam just held her, kissing her face, holding her little hands and weeping as they said good bye.
 
As Molly was placed in my arms she felt so warm, just like every other newborn.  I tried to sing to her and I doubt that she recognized "Jesus Loves Me" as I choked out the words through tears.  
 
Jake who was video-taping, asked me, "Papa, why don't you tell Molly a story, one of your 'Speck People' stories?"  I have to tell you that 'speck stories' are adventure stories of tiny little people and equally tiny little creatures who live in a make believe microscopic world, facing any number of challenges that demand courage and faith.   Our kids were enthralled with these tiny people stories and now I am telling them to my grandkids.  The stories always take the Speck People to the very edge of danger---and then I close, by saying, "And you'll have to wait until tomorrow night to hear the rest of the story."  My grandkids love these 'continue' stories.  (honestly, I'm not all that good at it---I just make it all up as I go.)
 
So here's Jake asking me to tell a story---and I respond to Jake, "You aren't going to ask me to do that, after I've just blubbered my way through a simple song like "Jesus Loves Me", are you?"    Jake was joined by Rebecca in saying a resounding yes-they wouldn't let me off the hook.
 
So Rebecca and Barbara surround me as I held little Molly, looked into her face and began my story.  A Speck grandfather and his Speck granddaughter went fishing for tiny speck fish.  My story was less than 60 seconds long and I looked up into Rebecca's face and she had the biggest grin, dimples and all.  She was loving the moment.  As I concluded my story, I told Molly, "the Speck grandfather and granddaughter took their fish and ate them, and then they encountered something that you would never expect or believe---and---you will have to wait until I get to heaven to hear the rest of the story!"  At this point I was sobbing, but I got the words out---and Rebecca and Jake started laughing.  I will never forget the look pure joy on this young mom's face.
 
Rebecca's laughter has always been contagious and I too began to really laugh.  One other detail of importance is that all of us had been gingerly holding Molly, afraid that the stress of handling her might be more than her little body could handle.  Jake and I looked at the heart and oxygen monitor to see if our hearty laughter had stressed her system, but the opposite was happening-they were going up!   Her oxygen saturation which had been at 80 shot up to 92, then 94, 97, 98, 99---we just kept laughing and her oxygen level went to 100 per cent, which it hadn't been in 24 hours.  All four of us cheered with raised arms like at a football game.  It was a moment of sheer delight and mystery.  A small thing, perhaps?  Yes, no doubt.  But in the valley of the shadow of death, God gave us laughter.
 
Christians are the ONLY people who can laugh in the midst of such a crisis without despair-we KNOW where we are headed.  Heaven is certain because of what Jesus Christ did for us through His death for our sins.  Because He lives we who believe have the hope of life after death.   If a person places faith in Christ for forgiveness of his sins, surrenders his life to Him, then he can be certain of heaven too.  It's the ultimate reason why death is different for a true follower of Christ.  And it's why we could laugh as our beloved Molly was about to leave us.
 
Laughter stopped  and the tears flowed again as I was told it was time for me to say good bye.  Rebecca was now holding Molly. Barbara and  I knelt beside her as I read her my good bye letter:
 
 
Mighty Molly
 
I just met you-I feel cheated.
I don't want to say good bye.
 
I know I'll likely see you in a couple of decades or so-in light of eternity, it won't be long, really.
Still I don't want to say good bye.
 
You will always be My Molly, my granddaughter.
I'm really sad that I won't be getting to spoil you 
with a doll, 
or go sneak chocolate,
or take you on ice cream dates,
and eat chocolate pie and pudding.
Laughing all the time at what your mommy and daddy would say if they knew what we were doing.
I don't want to say good bye.
 
Your 7 days sure brought a lot of joy to your mom and dad's face-
I've watched them drink you in with their eyes, kiss you from head to foot, stroke and caress you.
Your parents loved you well-God couldn't have given you better parents.  Courageous parents.
They have loved you with a sacrificial love that only a very few little girls like you ever get to experience.
Because it hurts their hearts so much, 
Oh, how I really don't want to say good bye.
 
And so, Sweet Molly until that day in heaven
When we will celebrate the Greatness of our God together,
(then we will go sneak chocolate and go on an ice cream date)
I MUST say good bye.
 
Good bye Molly Ann.
 
I love you,
Papa                                                                                                                                                                                                       
Molly Ann Mutz
June 13, 2008-June 19, 2008
 
 
We cannot Lord, Thy purpose see
But all is well that's done by Thee.
 
Dennis 
Psalm 112:1-2

Praise the Lord!  Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!      2     His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ps 112:1-2). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society. 

- Psalm 112: 1-2

Why we shared this story with you, our family!

 

Mainly because you are our family.  You've all been a part of our life---some more than others but still a part.  So, we wanted to bring you into some of the ministry that happens outside of our conferences, radio programs or equipping resources.  Real life is always the most powerful testimony to God's goodness.

 

The reality of this life is that none of us will escape hardship or, ultimately, death.  In fact, some of you are experiencing heart wrenching situations or maybe even death just like the Rainey and Mutz families.  As our friends and family and partners in this ministry with us, we thought we would let you inside the heart of the man God has selected to lead us at FamilyLife during this time.  And, more importantly, we want you to know that just as the Rainey's and Mutz' are experiencing pain they are also rejoicing with God. 

 

In a day when the world tries to equate faith with ease of life, the reality of hardship breaks forth.  True Christian faith does not mean we will go through this life without pain or trouble.  But, what you read as Dennis openly shares about how their family is handling this tragedy is that faith in God works despite the trial and trouble.  As Dennis says often, life is where faith makes up its mind.   

 

Maybe some of you who have read this story don't know of your ultimate destination.  If you were faced with news of your imminent death, you can't say with the certainty Dennis proclaimed of going to Heaven.  Well, the good news is that you can KNOW what your destiny will be.  Want to find out how?  Just reply to this email or give us a call and we'd love to talk to you about that.

 

We pray that you can experience that same hope through any darkness you are going through.  We are always here to pray with you and provide words of encouragement in the midst of life happening.  May you experience God's peace even (or especially) during difficult times.  And, if life is going well for you, remember to thank God for those times and be an encouragement to someone who needs to hear the hope you have in Christ!