Hope Against Hope
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Hope Against Hope Ten years ago, I had been on a string of insignificant and fruitless dates. The truth is no one likes to see eligible bachelors or bachelorettes, so they try to fix you up with this person or that person. I’m a personable and outgoing individual, so I would agree to these blind dates to see if there was any hope for a future with that other person. Being single and 28 was not my plan nor my intention; however, we seldom get what we want. Despite setbacks and disruptions, I never gave up on finding someone with whom I could spend my life. Perseverance takes a type of determination that we seldom discuss. Knowing that you greatly desire something but cannot bring it to fruition takes a special kind of patience and long-suffering; I admire anyone who has patiently waited for any particular outcome in their life. That is when a young lady I knew from church asked if I wouldn’t mind “helping” her and her husband out. She had a cousin coming to visit from out of town and didn’t want to leave that cousin alone for an evening. So, she asked if I wouldn’t mind tagging along to make the evening less awkward and keep her cousin from being a third wheel. There was one other small problem: the night they were worried about abandoning their visitor was not just any night… it was Valentine’s Day. A day meant for couples, and who in their right mind goes on a blind-double-date on Valentine’s Day? I find very few circumstances awkward, so I said, “Sure.” And I began preparing for another probably insignificant and unrewarding blind date. Yet, mixed into this preparation is the idea that perhaps this is someone who is “right” for me. In situations like this, you don’t want to get your hopes up, but you also want to prepare yourself for any opportunities that might arise. It is a delicate balance of hoping and not hoping. You want to put your best foot forward, but you also want to manage expectations for the night. It was nerve-wracking and unsettling; it was a lot like hoping against hope. In this scenario, there was no reason for me to believe that it would turn out any different than it had before. Yet, I still went on that blind date. Romans 4:18-22 – “In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” I tell this story not because I believe I am in the same prophetic light as Abraham but to demonstrate that we have all been in these circumstances; we have all given up hope at some time or another. Yet, we still hope for the best ending. This is where Abraham was, he was old, and his wife was old… too old… to have children, yet He trusted in God’s promises anyway. This is how God operates. He does not want us to believe in only the probable or the most likely; God wants us to believe and hope in the impossible. God wants us to believe that He raises dead men to new lives. God wants us to expect a future that we can’t comprehend. So, we eagerly await this future not because of our own ability but because of the faithfulness of God. Romans 8:22-25 – “For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”
My little story just so happened to end with an incredible ending because, on February 14, 2013, I met my beautiful and amazing wife, Amanda. Ten years later, I am so thankful I had hoped for something better than another meaningless outing. I am grateful that I did not give up. It would have been easier to say “No” or to avoid hoping in the first place. But I can’t imagine my life without having that hope from that evening ten years ago. And isn’t that the point of perseverance? To continue forward with the anticipation that there is something better ahead? We don’t give up. We push forward knowing, like Abraham, that God is faithful to His promises. And so, we Hope Against Hope.
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Walk this Way!
Kids are goofy. They do ridiculous things, and it is all games and good-natured fun; their innate play is a harmless way for them to experience the world. We spend such a long time getting them to walk when they are younger, and then one day, they master that skill; however, kids are never satisfied just being proficient; they want to push boundaries and excel. For example, Theo has been testing out new ways to walk. He loves walking backward, which for a parent, trying to navigate crowds or stores is highly frustrating. Then the other day, we were in Walmart picking up a few items, and he was wiggling and squirming his feet as we walked down the aisle; he looked like a penguin wading through Jell-O when he suddenly knocked over the bottom row of hot sauce bottles all over the floor. Thankfully, nothing broke, and we could pick them up and continue our shopping trip. All of this is because walking in a straight line is BORING. He is not satisfied doing things the same way every time; he wants to improve and advance himself in even the most mundane tasks, even if walking down the aisle of a grocery store.
2 Peter 1:5-9 – “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten their purification from their former sins.”
Notice that the last two areas concern your affection and love for others. You progress from the most fundamental requirement, faith, to personal internal reflection (moral excellence, knowledge, self-control) and finally to how to treat others. Unfortunately, many Christians stop progressing at the internal reflection part. They stagnate on learning facts, diving into the minutia of theories and nuances of ancient grammar. A lack of progress makes a person short-sighted and unproductive. We must not be satisfied with inaction; we should desire the next level.
On Wednesdays, we discovered that achieving this next level is impossible without the church. How can I show brotherly kindness if I have no connection with the brotherhood of believers? How can I love those outside of this family if I don’t deeply love those I call my spiritual family? You might try to find maturity on your own, but this is unattainable without a connection to a church body. Look at these passages from the apostle John.
1 John 1:5-7 – “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 2:9-11 – “The one who says that he is in the Light and yet hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother and sister remains in the Light, and there is nothing in him to cause stumbling. 11 But the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
There is profound unity within these passages. Walking in the Light, loving our brothers and sisters, versus walking without fellowship and blind. You cannot claim to walk in the Light and dismiss being surrounded by your fellow Christian family. You can’t profess to be mature in your faith and not desire to meet together frequently. Finally, how can you know where you are going if you aren’t living and loving within a church community? That concept is foreign to scripture. Isolation and Christianity do not mix. An isolationist is a symptom of immaturity and stagnation.
Where You Are Supposed to Be.
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**How Can I Keep from Singing?
How Can I Keep from Singing?
A few weeks ago, my voice began to fail me. For reasons I still don’t know, probably some viral or bacterial infection, I was suffering from laryngitis. The timing was terrible, and it was unfolding “live” on a Sunday morning. Before Kingdom Kids, I would not have guessed that my voice was going to fade away, but halfway through the sermon, it was a struggle to make it through the message I had planned out. Thankfully, K’Lynn had a water bottle that she readily shared with me, and I don’t think I could have made it through without it. Yet the worst part is that with all these vocal troubles, I haven’t been able to sing like I normally would for the past few weeks. If I overuse my voice, I feel the strain more than usual; I am limited and hampered. So, I have been restricting myself… and it feels unnatural and weird.
It is confusing that many people don’t sing even when they are healthy. Ever. Not on Sunday morning, not by themselves. They just don’t sing. I know this because I’ve seen it. I can’t even fathom living like that… never singing? Perhaps that is why I resonate with David as he recounts God’s faithful goodness and the reaction it produces.
Psalm 63:1-11 –
A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God will glory in him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.”
The psalmist denotes that we all have an inner desire to praise and glorify God. David’s external condition does not prompt this internal longing as he writes; in fact, he is not in a position to praise. He feels needy, disadvantaged, and even attacked by people who want to kill him, yet he can offer praise because he acknowledges the character of God.
What must it be like not to sing? Right now, I am struggling with not being able to sing, and it is hard, but this is momentary. But for me, the concept of not singing seems unthinkable. David communicates that singing is the natural byproduct of knowing God, His power, glory, and loving faithfulness. Even in your darkest moments, knowing God produces songs from your lips. In other words, if you know God, how can you not sing?
We can’t help but share with others the things that we love. Why should it be any different from our relationship with God? We should imagine it as though songs of joy and praise flow out like water from a mountain spring whenever I open my mouth. I will always sing, regardless of the circumstances. Someday soon I will sing confidently again. The question is, will you sing or find reasons to stop singing?
Reflect
A couple of weeks ago, the mornings got a little darker. I am not referring to the winter solstice on December 21; this dimming happened the following week. One morning, in particular, Amanda and I noticed our boys were sleeping a little later, and the inside of our house was darker. Shouldn’t it be getting lighter now that the solstice had passed?
It didn’t take long to figure out what was different; the snow was gone. It had finally melted after four weeks of covering the ground; the blanket of white had disappeared. Any snow-sport enthusiast will tell you of the harsh effects of sun and snow. You sunburn twice as quickly, and you had better wear sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes from the doubling effects of the sun reflected off the snow below. It was a reminder of how easily those tiny ice crystals reflect light, even the light of the moon. If you have ever walked through a winter wonderland with a full moon, you know how much brighter the landscape becomes.
There is an image presented in scripture regarding the radiance of God’s glory and holiness; this picture is conveyed in Daniel and carried forward to the second person of the trinity in Revelation. These two descriptions communicate that looking at God is to look at someone as white as snow.
Daniel 7:9 – “I kept looking until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne [was] ablaze with flames, Its wheels were a burning fire.”
Revelation 1:14 – “His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire.”
The whiteness of snow is so pure and undefiled; it perfectly represents the nature and character of our Creator and Savior. And to experience this type of purity as it coats the ground is an excellent reminder of whom we serve and follow. However, this is something else we should remember. God calls us to be transformed into His likeness.
Ephesians 4:23-24 – “and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
It is incredible to think that our holiness replicates the likeness of God. When others see me, they witness the luminescence of God’s righteousness and purity. We don’t often talk like this because we don’t want the pressure of being holy and righteous thrust upon us. However, God designed us to bear His likeness, and we should champion that goodness to the rest of the world. When we shine a light, this is the light that we are shining. God’s goodness, righteousness, and holiness wherever we may go.
When David stumbled and committed adultery, David requested cleansing so that he could be made white as snow and renewed. To return to a time when he reflected the holiness of God to those around him.
Psalm 51:7-10 –
“Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
Cleanse me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones You have broken rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins
And wipe out all my guilty deeds.
Create in me a clean heart, God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
We were not renewed for solitary reasons. When Jesus’ blood cleansed us, it would allow others to recall the purity and holiness of God. Living in this way brightens the world, even on the darkest days of the year. If we were to coat the ground with the brightness of snow, how much more illuminated this world would be? Instead, we tarnish our exteriors; we cover ourselves in dirt and wonder why no one is interested in the glory and goodness of God. Let us be like David, who asked to be made cleansed and pure during a hideous lapse in his character. Then he would praise God because it reflects God’s character in the world.
Psalm 51:13-15 –
“Then I will teach wrongdoers Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You.
Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation;
Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
Lord, open my lips, so that my mouth may declare Your praise.”
Birth and Rebrith
The world does not understand Christianity. This reality becomes clear when we see how those outside our faith attempt to attack or degrade our beliefs. In the first century, adversaries to our faith persecuted the early Christians physically; however, this tactic only propelled Christianity to the farthest reaches of our globe. Others have tried more covert means, sowing seeds of discord and doubt. In recent years I have witnessed that many will assert that Christianity merely borrows from other cultural traditions. And no practices are attacked more than those surrounding the Christmas holiday. Trees, wreaths, presents, twinkle lights… even the day (December 25) are all questioned and claim to have pagan roots. And my honest response is, “So what?” Even if there were any validity to these claims (which there is not), it wouldn’t make a difference. When it comes to our faith, we believe in a God that is not bound by customs or traditions. He is far above all that nonsense, but I will list one more reason these claims hold no value to me.
God is transformational. A narrative as old as the history of God’s people is that God changes stuff, but primarily people. In Genesis 9, we have a world reborn out of a global flood, God literally remaking and starting fresh from the corrupted world depicted in Genesis 6. In Genesis 17, God changes Abram’s name to reflect His promise of many descendants coming through Abram’s offspring. In Genesis 28, Jacob changes the city of Luz to Bethel (House of God); a few chapters later, in Genesis 32, God changes Jacob’s name to Israel, depicting the relationship between Jacob’s descendants and God. Finally, the entire region of Canaan, once entirely pagan, is renamed to reflect the 12 tribes of Israel and their covenant with God. These changes take what was once foreign or even opposed to God and bring it back into His overall plan. Therefore, it doesn’t matter what things once were, only what they are in relation to God.
These examples serve as a reminder that God has changed us. He takes us from where we once were and remakes us into who He wants us to be. As Paul states, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). It would be easy to listen to the rhetoric of the world and say that “What once was, always will be.” The world is opposed to change and primarily changes for the better. The natural world loves entropy, and God loves rebirth and renewal. Those outside our faith say that you are just the way you are, and there is no need to change, or real change is impossible. But that is not how God works. He changes us down to our very core, and He can do that with every aspect of our lives. God promises He will change everything, even the physical world “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.” (Revelation 21:1).
Continuing with this thought is that we are encouraged to bring all things into the obedience of Christ. As Paul writes again to the church in Corinth, “We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). God has already given Jesus all authority (Matthew 28:20). Therefore, the only thing that matters is that we make this our daily reality; that we live and think as if Jesus is the ultimate authority. And so, we bring even our thoughts into obedience and submission to Christ. Our very thoughts become reborn and remade into the likeness of the Son.
The world does not want us to change. It does not want anything to be brought under the authority of Christ. The world does not like to submit its thoughts, customs, or traditions. And that is okay because we are not of the world. We have been renewed, we have been changed, and we are not what we used to be. God’s transformation of our lives should give us another reason to celebrate this time of year as we move on from what once was to what has been made new—reflecting on a God that is all about Birth and Rebirth.
Wisdom in Wearing Gloves
One of the most challenging parts of being a parent is trying to get your children out of the house. It can be to go to the store, or it can be to play outside. The colder weather exacerbates this problem because going out requires a few more layers of clothes or possibly a whole new wardrobe. They need jackets and coats or socks and boots. Every article of clothing is met with rejection or hesitancy. First comes the complaining, then the stalling, then bargaining—and finally, they realize that they must put on some warmer clothes before they go outside. Our snowfall last week allowed for a good day to go sledding or, at the very least, attempt to find a good hill that wouldn’t destroy our kids with the first crash. That morning was the same as every morning. As soon as I told them it was time to get ready, they scoffed and protested at the thought of going outside. “It’s too hard to put on my boots!” “Why do I have to wear snow pants?” “My gloves don’t work, right.” (Wearing gloves is a common complaint from Cooper, who does not like wearing gloves and pulls them off every chance he gets.) They don’t like putting on their snow clothes not because they don’t want to be outside; but because it requires them to stop playing and, for a moment, do something that can be difficult for a three- or five-year-old.
Yet, with coaching and help, we eventually made it outside and found some decent sledding hills to take advantage of on this wintry day. And you know what? Dear old dad was right, and after a while, they were having a wonderful time! They were playing and diving into the snow, tumbling around, and to their surprise, they weren’t cold or wet, which extended the amount of time they were playing. The winter gear they had whined about and objected to had done its job and protected them from the elements. And the next time I said we were going to play outside, they gladly put on the clothes that would keep them warm and dry.
We could say the same thing about the wisdom that God presents to us. We may not always see the wisdom God offers to us initially. However, the Bible reveals that following God’s word benefits us more than we know. We may scoff or complain. We may be hesitant to trust His will fully, but like wearing winter gear, it safeguards us from the hazards around us. Look at this wisdom shared by Solomon in the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 3:1-8 –
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
At first glance, this passage presents a picture of peace, prosperity, and favor from God and humanity. Why wouldn’t anyone lean upon and learn from God? Why would there be any hesitancy to fear the Lord and shun evil? Why would they reject wisdom? The reason is it may make you uncomfortable, or it may even require momentary effort. The most challenging portion of this passage is that you must submit to God. You must admit that you don’t have all the answers. You cannot be “wise in your own eyes.” And for many people, that is terrifying. Yet, if we trust in Him, if we lean on Him, and if we submit to Him… He will bless us in more profound and pleasing ways than we could have accomplished on our own.
Sure, putting on some extra layers or wearing oversized boots might be uncomfortable. But it will benefit us in the long run. We might believe it is better to do things our way, but God has a much bigger and better plan for us if only we stop and listen to His wisdom. And if we heed His instruction, we will not be disappointed.
Snow Day!
It is the news that every child wants to hear. The anticipation grows as the flakes of snow begin to accumulate. Maybe just maybe, tomorrow will be a “Snow Day!” What probably started as a safety concern and a logistical allowance (not enough snowplows) has become a vacation from the everyday hustle of going to school and, for some going to work. That is the thing about “Snow Days”; they often mean rest for some, but more work for others, and for many, it depends on the region where you live. Growing up in western Colorado, I remember three snow days during my entire adolescence. Where I grew up, they had plenty of snowplows and sand trucks, and our school district had 4×4 buses. The only way administrators would cancel school would be if a blizzard came through the region. Kids in the Northeast portion of the U.S. must get used to shuffling to school in full winter gear; there is no break from the educational requirements. As I mentioned earlier, rest for some means more work for others when snow is on the horizon, that is when snow crews get to work. They hit the roads early to keep traffic safe and cars on the road. There are a lot of people who can’t take a day off even if the weather is questionable. Rest, for some, does not always translate to rest for all. Yet the worst part of snow days is if you have too many of them in one school year, you have to make up the missed educational days at the end of the year. And so what appears to have been a day of rest may convert into a day of more work.
Hebrews 4:1-11 – “Therefore, we must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but the word they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united with those who listened with faith. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “AS I SWORE IN MY ANGER, THEY CERTAINLY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS”; 5 and again in this passage, “THEY CERTAINLY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.” 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who previously had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 He again sets a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 Consequently, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience.”
When we read this passage, we observe that there is a final and complete rest promised to God’s people. A future rest that we can appreciate even though we have not fully achieved it yet. It is trusting in a promise to come. God has orchestrated this rest for us, and He has been enjoying this rest from the creation of the world. It was promised to the Israelites, although they did not grasp it, and remains available to those who have “listened with faith.” It is a rest that requires effort for a little while; that effort is directly tied to obedience brought about through faith in what is promised.
Like a “Snow Day,” we wish our rest came frequently and often. We want to be able to enjoy a break from our day-to-day endeavors. We expect our eternal rest started right now, but there is still a lot left to do. And I would rather enjoy that endless summer break than enjoy all the metaphorical snow days now—another instruction we see from Paul as he writes to the church in Galatia.
Galatians 6:9-10 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
A day of rest will come, but let’s not grow weary of doing what we should be doing until that day arrives.
Full Vent
Full Vent
I am a fool. I know ministers are often painted as perfect and spotless people, but I certainly am not the best I could be. About a week ago, I was taking care of my boys, who were being excessively obnoxious and rowdy. I had tried to settle them down in a calming and mature way, but they weren’t responding to me; in fact, they were flat-out ignoring me. In my frustration and anger, I decided (and I don’t know why this seemed like a good idea at the time) to kick the refrigerator. I instantly knew what a terrible decision I had made… Refrigerator – 1— Toe – 0. Now I had wild and crazy children, a throbbing toe, and still no peace in the house. All I could do was hop around, try to nurse my big toe, and reflect on my foolishness.
Anger can definitely be a problem. However, anger often gets dismissed as a harmful or unnecessary emotion. Although we know that anger is not only a God-given emotion, it is one that He has displayed throughout His dealings with humanity, especially with the wayward Israelites. However, God’s anger is always characterized and portrayed differently than I exhibit. Therefore, we see a far different picture when we read of God’s anger.
Psalm 86:15 – “But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, Slow to anger and abundant in mercy and truth.”
Psalm 30:4-5 – “Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And praise the mention of His holiness. 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy [comes] in the morning.”
We see that when God displays anger, it is slow and only for a moment; this is because God’s anger has a purpose. And indeed, anger can have a purpose; it can motivate us to change or adjust our surroundings. It can encourage us to fix injustices and pursue a more righteous path. But it can also be misused and can have harmful effects. God is perfect in His conduct, but I don’t always handle my emotions appropriately. That is why as we read through God’s word, we see directions for how to use this emotion.
Proverbs 29:11 “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise person holds it in check.”
Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 – “BE ANGRY AND DO NOT SIN. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don’t give the devil an opportunity.”
We see that only a fool gives “full vent” to their anger, like me kicking a refrigerator. Had I paused and restrained myself, held my temper in check, my toe would not be throbbing. When we let our emotions fly unbridled, we can be destructive, allowing our adversary to let sin enter our lives. We also become aware that “outbursts of anger” are deeds of the flesh. These outbursts are not productive and feed that carnal side of our lives; we do it because it feels good. It might feel liberating at the moment (unless you hurt your toe), but in reality, you are a prisoner to your own fits of rage. Instead, God gives us the instruction to control that anger, yet to pursue a resolution without allowing that anger to give way to sin. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he instructs them to resolve that anger-inducing issue before the sun goes down.
It is easy to let our emotions get the better of us. However, that is not an excuse to let them be left unchecked. We are people of the Spirit, and self-control is one of those byproducts (fruit) of that Spirit. Certainly, some situations may make our blood boil, but we don’t react at the moment, erupting like a volcano. Instead, we control ourselves and slow that emotional reaction; if a situation needs to be addressed, we make the necessary adjustments and move forward. Only a fool will give their anger full vent. I pray that I am less of a fool in the future.
Next Time
I love the little phrases that pop up in our house. One of our favorites is a phrase Cooper has grown fond of saying. When we don’t do something the way he wants, he’ll, in his best pouting voice, request “next time.” Something to the effect of, “Next time, don’t eat all of the candy,” or “Next time, don’t take Theo to school so early.” He says it so often that Amanda and I wait for the next time he will say, “Next time.”
It is a marvelous bargaining chip. It carries the air of a demand, yet it is not so pushy as to necessitate immediate action. Instead, he merely asks us to consider doing something different the next time. And as a parent, it is a very persuasive argument for me to think about the next time that particular scenario comes around.
We often play the “Next Time” game with ourselves. And when we are always considering the next opportunity, we rarely make the most of our current circumstances. Instead, we will behave differently the next time a dilemma presents itself. Or that if we are not meeting our expectations, we will do better the next time we have an opportunity. This avoidance happens in all facets of our lives, perhaps even more so in our spiritual endeavors.
That is why there is always an undertone of urgency when we read the scriptures; we never know if there will be a next time. We see this in Jesus’ encounter with his disciples after he speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well.
John 4:35-38 – “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
Jesus uses what appears to be a common expression to them about planting a seed and waiting four months for it to grow to maturity. But Jesus explains that they can’t wait four months; the fields are ready now. We often think that we will have more time or that we will get more opportunities the “next time” we see someone. However, Jesus lets his disciples know to observe the situation and recognize if the heads of the wheat are ready to be picked. Doing this places a responsibility on us (the workers in the field) to perceive an open heart and seize it if it is available.
Paul will go on to echo these thoughts as he writes to the churches in Ephesus and Colosse.
Ephesians 5:14-17 – “This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Colossians 4:5-6 – “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
As we engage in our everyday conversations, we should be doing so to make the most of every opportunity. Paul says that this is what it means to act wisely as opposed to foolishly. The wisdom from proverbs puts it this way: “I passed by the field of a lazy one, And by the vineyard of a person lacking sense, And behold, it was completely overgrown with weeds; Its surface was covered with weeds, And its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, [and] received instruction. “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,” Then your poverty will come like a drifter, And your need like an armed man” (Proverbs 24:30-34). If we are constantly waiting for the next opportunity, that is when the weeds begin to grow, and the walls start to crumble. Weeds are evil, and if we don’t tackle the weeds today, they will grow, invade and overtake the land around us. If we wait for the “next time,” the weeds may become too much to handle. By making the most of every opportunity, we can indeed be wise. If we constantly think that we will be different the next time, they won’t, they never are, there will be more weeds, and it will be more challenging. So make the most of every opportunity and don’t wait for the “next time.”
Not only for me…
Not only for me…
Where does the time go? Today is Theo’s fifth birthday; these milestones are almost trivial to us in our modern society, where we all expect to live into our eighties and nineties. However, did you know that the child mortality rate in the United States for children under the age of five was 462.9 deaths per thousand births in 1800, meaning that for every thousand babies born in 1800, over 46 percent did not make it to their fifth birthday? And just 100 years ago, in 1915, that number was 17% did not make it to their fifth birthday. Today that number is less than a percentage point, approximately seven children out of one thousand. A remarkable change in 200 years! Adult lifespans were not much longer, with many life expectancies only reaching into the forties for much of human history. With this in mind, we should be thankful every day God blesses us with our closest relationships. Regardless of the length of our lives, no one promises us that there will be a tomorrow; therefore, we should cherish each day.
A theme is carried throughout scripture concerning the generations of our families. Subtle as it is; however, it is continuously present. It is the existence of generational faith. During the first five books of God’s word, God repeats a promise to the Israelites, stating:
Deuteronomy 5:6-10 – “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. 8 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind, or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 9 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected–even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 10 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.”
Because of the average length of life in those days, there was little generational overlap. We truly live in an unusual period of history where there is the possibility of seeing not only your grandchildren but your great-grandchildren as well, meaning our influence stretches farther than ever. Yet, this wisdom rings true that the life I lead will affect not only my personal outcome but also the choices of my children and grandchildren. If I start chasing other “gods,” my children will learn to follow that idol. I know this is a difficult piece of wisdom to digest, yet it is in God’s word. The things I value will be the same things my children love, whether I espouse them openly or indirectly.
Building a generational faith is a challenge for me personally. I am a type “A” personality and love being busy and productive. However, I have witnessed that many “preacher kids” see what their parent works as a product of career choice and not a product of faith. Therefore, it is vital that I teach my children that I do what I do because I love God and people, and not for a paycheck. Otherwise, they will perceive their dad as just a hard worker and not a faithful servant.
To wrap this up, this means I am setting up future generations of my family based on my current actions. The pattern and example of my life that I exhibit are what will last for generations. Think about the Israelites; they could constantly remember the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and God’s faithfulness to them even when they were less than perfect. Take a look at the books for 1-2 Kings and 1-2 Chronicles and see how often it says they committed the sins of their fathers. Time and time again, we are reminded in scripture about the repercussions of our actions.
The Christian faith is not only about my faithfulness, but Christianity is also about living for others. Therefore, I am not a Christ-follower for myself only; I am faithful for my kids… for future generations… not only for me. And if you don’t have any children, then you are still living for future generations. Because the principles apply whether you a parent, aunt/uncle, acquaintance. We are attempting to live in such a way that we model what real faith looks like so that future generations can follow our example. Therefore we choose to love God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength so that my five-year-old kid may, in turn, love God with every fiber of his being. And so that perhaps one day, my great-great-grandchildren will also know and love God.
“Why God, why?”
“Why God, why?”
For the first time in a long time, God is blessing us with a significant amount of rain, which is good. However, we don’t always see rain as the beautiful blessing it is for us. Friday, our first day with some rain, my family and I headed out for a stroll to a park. It had already been drizzling, so we brought a towel for the slides, excited to run and play after being couped up. As we started for the park, it began to sprinkle, not much, but enough to make Amanda and I wonder if heading to the park was a good idea. The more we walked, the larger and more frequent the drops fell… we decided to turn around and try the park another time. Surprisingly our boys handled the news well and headed toward our home. A couple of minutes later, Theo paused, stopping in his tracks, looked up to the sky, and in a questing voice, had a brief conversation with the Creator of the Universe. “Why God, why?” Amanda and I chuckled because of the purity and honesty of the moment; our little four-year-old recognized who controls the world and asked a question I must have asked a million times before, “Why God, why?” We have all been there at one time or another, confused about how our lives have turned out or why some misfortune has befallen us. And to be honest, I don’t have the time or wisdom to answer every situation we have encountered. However, I have one question to add to our quandaries, “Why do we feel like rain is a bad thing?”
I don’t mean from a physical world representation because I think we all know how beneficial and necessary rain is for our survival and the survival world. Although we might not like rain ruining our parade, we know that rain is essential and indispensable, so we tolerate it, and we might even love it if we haven’t had it in a while. My real question is, why don’t we like spiritual or emotional storms in our lives? The apostle Peter puts it this way:
1 Peter 1:6-8 — “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,”
The rain (various trials) is merely an opportunity to put our faith into action. Standing firm during the storms of life demonstrates our faithfulness, not the sunshine and roses. It is during difficulties that our faith is verified. Therefore, when tested, we rejoice and praise because it is an opportunity to love and believe in Christ even more.
There is one more thought regarding rain being a blessing. In Genesis, we read of a cataclysmic deluge; water engulfed the world during a massive storm that tested the faithfulness of one family. This flood was a terrible event for the ungodly; however, it was a blessing for Noah. The flood was, in one act, both a judgment and a deliverance.
2 Peter 2:5, 9 – “and [God] did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; … 9 [then] the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from a trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment”
For Noah, the events leading up to the flood were exhausting and disturbing; however, God commends him for his ability to endure this challenging time. The storm for Noah, and the rest of the world for that matter, was a good and purifying event. The cataclysmic flood of Genesis was a good thing. That should comfort us during the storms of life. These events aren’t meant to drive us farther away from God but to draw us closer to Him. This concept is held throughout scripture, from the Flood to Revelation; trials are meant to help us reflect not only on the judgment of God but on His deliverance and provision during challenging times. Our faithfulness does not mean that in the middle of a “Why God?” moment, we can clearly see the outcome of our faithfulness; we must still cling to God, knowing that he will always rescue us from our various trials. It also doesn’t mean that these trials will be easy; if they were easy, they wouldn’t be trials. Let the trials be what strengthens you, not what weakens you, and that is all about perspective when we ask God, “Why?”