How's Your Aim? - Our Greatest Responsibility and Ministry

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.

Ps 127:3-4 NIV

Saturday night, we went to a friend's (yes we have friends) birthday party at a banquet hall. Being in a public facility, when the need arose, I took our son, Alex, to the restroom. As we walked, I said something silly to which he responded back with silliness far surpassing anything I could come up with.

I do not recall how the subject came up, but in between the silliness, I told him that two of my favorite things in life were being a husband to his mother and being his father. He looked at me and asked, "Even more than being a rock star?" I have no idea where that came from.

When we returned to our home that evening, I heard Alex telling my wife, Robin, what I had said. I think that he felt even more loved and secure by that simple statement made from a man who still has more questions than answers.

Yesterday, during our morning church service, we had a baby dedication. I used the above verse on the picture we projected during the dedication. As I was preparing that picture, I realized that if children are like arrows, than I, as their father, have the responsibility of aiming our children toward God and his will for their young lives. If I aim them at Christ, chances are they will become godly young men and a godly young lady. However, if I aim them at anything else...

There are three things that I want our children to always know and remember about their father. That I love God, I love their mother and that I love them! You see what I'm aiming them at? I want them to grow up and exhibit those same qualities to God, their spouse and their children.

How's your aim?

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Are You Practicing The Presence?

Jesus said, "I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I've given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God's authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that's the agenda for rejoicing." Luke 10:18-20 The Message

Have you ever felt so bogged down in church programs and strategy that you felt the joy of serving the Lord begin to wane? Planning, strategizing and organization are all good and needed; however, when these things get in the way of being in the presence of God, then we and the church suffers.

Nothing is more powerful, strengthening and provides more clarity of mind than being in the presence of God. In our human strength, we can accomplish some things - maybe even very well for a season, but a foundation built on human abilities and attributes will crumble sooner or later.

One afternoon this week, I was sitting in the office feeling frustrated over the tension between what I wanted to accomplish and what I was actually accomplishing. Finally, I left the office and went into the sanctuary and experienced the fresh presence of the Lord. I came out with a much different mind-set than I had when I went in. Even though I take the time to do this daily, sometimes daily simply is not enough.

I love how The Message says that our triumph is not in our authority, but in God's authority over us and presence with us.

OK Dave. Remember the plan. Pray More! Think Less! Remember that it is not about me and all about Jesus and people. God, may I always willingly place myself under your authority and be in your presence daily!

"Good"

"Why do you call me good ?" Jesus answered. "No one is good — except God alone."
Mark 10:18-19 NIV

Last night after church I went to the hospital to be with my mother. When I arrived at her bedside, I placed one hand on her forehead and grasped her hand with my other hand. She welcomed my cold hands on her warm forehead. I was more than willing to do whatever I could to make her more comfortable; however, what she said to me was unexpected. She opened one eye, focused it on me and told me that I had always been a good son. While I talked with her, anointed her with oil and prayed with her, I couldn't block out the memories of those times in my life when I would not have considered myself a good son. Apparently, the definition of good is highly subjective, at least, between my mother and I.

The moment was bittersweet - the words she spoke and the tone in which she spoke them, both seemed to be similar to what is depicted in the movies between a mother and son in their final moments together on earth. However, as we prayed, she was praising Jesus and thanking him for his blessings in her life.

As I sat a watched her sleep today, I wondered if, last night, I experienced a small glimpse into how God views us as his blood bought and covered children. Even with all my faults and failings, my mother still loves me and called me a good son. Why? It is because she paid a price for me by investing a large portion of her life into me and she looks at me through the lens of that price.

It's the same for God, he looks at every born again believer and sees the price he paid and the covering that he bought with the blood of his son, Jesus Christ. Even when we don't consider ourselves good, if we are faithful, we will one day hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matt 25:21 NIV

Mom is still in need of Christ's healing touch and the prayers of his people; however, today was slightly better than yesterday for her. God is good!

Help! My Waistline Is Being Sabotaged

I did it! I have successfully made the switch from regular soda to the diet variety, thanks to the tolerable taste of the Coke-Zero line. I have been pleased with myself, having maintained a weight that is 10 pounds less than what I weighed at the beginning of the year. I had been trying to eat sensibly - sticking with one serving at meals. Then it appeared!

What is it, you ask? It seems that Grace Fellowship's food ministry had a surplus of cookie dough and chocolate milk (which would have expired before our next distribution date). Some of this has found its way into our refrigerator and freezer.

Arrrgh! Big problem! I love eating cookie dough. I know that it is in the fridge, beckoning to me with it's gooey goodness. I realize that Robin brought it home to make cookies, but as of this minute, all 10 pounds of it remains in it's irresistible raw form.

The books I'm currently reading deal with the issues of leading a disciplined life. I have been challenged like I have never been challenged as I read them. There is so much room for improvement in that area of my life. I need to be more disciplined with my time - with God, my family, my friends and my calling. But just like the cookie dough, there is always someone or something beckoning to me - distracting me from the good things that I listed. I have found that the more I give in, the more behind and undisciplined I become.

There comes a time in life when you just have to, either, say no or not now to some things. Right now, I need to say, "no" to the cookie dough! My waistline depends on it.

In what part of your life do you need to be more disciplined?

Message Misers In A Dark World

This morning, in my devotions, I was reading about the time when Jesus was telling the parable about the lamp on a stand in Luke, chapter 8. He warns the disciples against keeping what they heard about the Gospel to themselves. He taught generosity and the radical sharing of the Gospel. I like how The Message paraphrase puts it. - "Generosity begets generosity, but stinginess impoverishes. "

Sometimes, if we are not careful, we can get miserly about the Gospel that has been entrusted to us. It's easy to sit in the pew and be content with status-quo in our churches. However, that's not what we are called to do. We are called to so much more.

Each person in local church is meant to be a catalyst for change in the community in which God has placed that church. How the church body accomplishes that task is not nearly as important as accomplishing the task.

Are you being a message miser or a message giver? There are thousands of people who walk in darkness, waiting for the light in the message you have been called to deliver.

Sandwich - Creating Margins and Empowering People

It's been called the sandwich generation and Robin and I are card-carrying members. Our days, currently, consist of getting the kids on the bus, working/ministry and then getting back home or to the hospital/nursing home to care for my aging parents. Is it OK to admit when I am tired?

One of my biggest faults and struggles in life is in the area of creating margins, in which I live my life. I always feel like a failure as a son, if I'm not meeting my parents' every need. I feel like I fail as a husband and father because when I'm tending to my parents, I can't always be with my wife and kids. Oh yeah, throw a printing job, the ministry and college student in there for good measure. When I focus on one, the other is left lacking.

However, I am learning. Last Sunday, I was blessed when someone wanted to inform me of how they were planning to proceed with a ministry they had been both called to and, subsequently, placed in leadership of. They knew that I was running close to the margin in that area of my life and just wanted to keep me, "In-The-Loop" without requiring anything from me. Talk about a breath of fresh air. They allowed me that space to say, I can't but I know that you can! Double blessing!

I think one of the largest failings in ministry is when we fail to empower people and give them opportunity to serve within their gifts and talents. This person, who was so gracious to me on Sunday, has such gifting and I can prayerfully and confidently send him to that particular ministry with a proverbial pat on the back and a, "Atta Boy - Go get 'em!".

One of the greatest blessings of serving such a great God is found in the fact that we don't have to know it all, or do it all. The far greater good comes from the fellowship of learning from each other and watching God develop skills within the church body. There is a saying that says, " Less is more." I think that when we place margins in our life we accomplish so much more.

Now, if I could only get this post to have some margin between the paragraphs :(

Many Hands

This morning, Robin and I arrived at the church with a full day ahead of us. No sooner than we had walked in the door when people started showing up and offering their help. In a matter of hours we had completed the major tasks of the day, allowing me to focus on some administrative projects.

God is really up to something. He is adding to our number daily. Gifted and talented people are joining us in the ministries at Grace Fellowship. Often, we just have to step back and say a prayer of thanks to God.

I believe that God intends for each person of the church to minister in his Kingdom. Not only does it advance the Kingdom but makes the journey a real blast!