Joy IS the Revival!!! (Part 1 of 3)

Nehemiah was an interesting character. He was a royal cupbearer, literally this dude got to taste wine for the king he served. Sounds like a pretty sweet gig, right? Well, not so much. With every sip his life could hang in the balance if someone had poisoned the cup. He was the last layer of defense.

He was serving 800 miles from his homeland when he received notice that his people were in disgrace and shame (Nehemiah 1:1-3) As they return from exile the walls of protection are broken down and the gates are destroyed by fire. Upon hearing this Nehemiah weeps and mourns and prays with fasting before the Lord for days this Scripture says (Neh. 1:4).

His prayer is interesting… He appeals to God who keeps covenant with steadfast love and offers repentance for how he and his people have sinned. He does this before any external circumstances change. God is still keeping covenant, for he made a promise years ago (Genesis 12:1-3 & Isaiah 7:14) to provide one who would pay for all sin and provide life eternal for those who come confessing their sins with repentance. The result is joy that is impenetrable and inexpressibly filled with hope, the enduring hope of Jesus, by His Spirit with us.

The Joy of the Lord is our strength ONLY because of the Grace of Jesus 

We live in challenging times, as did Nehemiah, with those returning from exile who were crushed in despair and grief over what they saw. We too, perhaps understandably, may be standing at the edge of grief and despair. How did Nehemiah (and Ezra the scribe) do it? How did they encourage the people to believe the truth that the joy of the Lord is our strength(Neh. 8:10)? 

I'd like to suggest three heart-anchoring truths from Nehemiah 8:1-18. Today, tomorrow and Wednesday we will explore them. They are: All understood, All rejoiced, and the people were All in. 

Nehemiah 8:1-8 describes the situation in detail. The people had just finished bringing voluntary offerings and rebuilding the wall that surrounded their city. Ezra began reading from the book of the law that had been long since forgotten. He read it from "early morning till midday..." (all you sermon length complainers out there be thankful Ezra wasn't rocking the pulpit of your local church). Curiously, four times in 8 verses we see the word "understand, understood." 

Warren Wiersebe once said, "God's word must be understood before it can enter the heart and release its life-changing power." God's Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12) in His people. In fact, these people were so riveted by the Word being read aloud that length (Neh. 8:3), fatigue (Neh. 8:5) and sheer numbers did not discourage them! 

Their response:

1. "Amen, Amen..." literally meaning, so be it. That is a faith filled response! 
2. "...lifting up their hands. And bowed their heads and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground." A HUMBLE and WORSHIPFUL response to the power and authority of God's word when understanding of it happened!!! 

What about you? What keeps you from understanding the Word? 

• Is it busyness (well thats slowed way down, "Thank you God."). 
• Sin? 
• What does Jesus teach us in Matthew 13:1-23 about understanding His Word and the results in our lives? 

Conflict?

We are all living in close proximity to those in our home these days. Probably closer than some would like, but thats not a bad thing. Inevitably conflict will occur but the real question for those who claim Christ is, "How will you respond to conflict when it happens?"

How we handle conflict reveals whose glory we seek

In James 3:13-18 we are met with a question. "Who is wise and understanding among you?" What follows is James trying to reason with the recipients of his letter and bring them to a basic conclusion, your conduct illustrates the strength of your wisdom (see v13b). If, and these are times in which every reader of this post can attest, there is bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your (our) hearts we are a walking contradiction. 

You say, "Um, jealousy I get, but what is 'selfish ambition?'" Let's quickly define both and them jump in to what God wants to teach us from His Word in James 3 and 4. 

• bitter jealousy - Focuses on another person's possessions or relationships, wanting those for myself while at the same time wishing their demise. Yikes, that sounds a little heavy-handed, I don't do that in my home... Bear with me and we'll see about that. 
• selfish ambition - A desire to put oneself forward. 

How are we doing so far, is there conflict in your heart yet? Have you or I ever wanted what someone else had (finances, relationships, connections, twitter or instagram clout, etc). Surely not 

😬 

In these times where we are literally on top of each other and have little freedom to move, my jealousy and ambition will rise to the fore. Let's see how the Spirit wants to use His Word to direct us regarding how we handle conflict - because WE ARE All GONNA HAVE IT! 

1. Conflict is Normal - Expect it (James 4:1) James is writing to various churches spread throughout the Roman empire (James 1:1) with the SAME concern - conflict. You see, conflict centers around desire and we all have desire. We ALL want and don't get something at some point in our lives. Its normal so we had better expect it. Since we are people who are born with an inward bent on what we want (desire) that means our first and greatest conflict is vertical before it is horizontal. Read Ephesians 2:11-22 to learn more. 
2. Conflict is Revealing - Examine it (James 4:2-5) Our wrong desires can blind us to the ways in which we ignore God. Thinking that others are the problem James tells us that we can even pray in such a way that means we really think others should change to accommodate my needs. BOOM, conflict. When conflict happens its worth asking some questions in order to examine what it is that I want and why I act the way I do when I don't get it. Trust me, the rest of us thank you for engaging this step 😉. Here are some starters for you:
1. What is it that want more than anything right now?
2. What is so hard t believe or accept which is currently being said? 
3. Why am I so defensive right now? 
4. Am I displaying concern for the other individual?
5. Am I prayer-less in this moment? 
3. Conflict is transforming - Embrace it (James 4:6-10) If we expect conflict, examine our heart's desire in it, we can begin to embrace it as potent ingredient for recipe of heart change God is after in us. When conflict happens it is ALWAYS our move (so to speak)  if we confess Christ. Let me explain - Matthew 5:23-26 reminds us that if a "brother has something against you" we should go to him. Conflict affects our worship. Thats a problem. Matthew 18:15-20 tells us that if "you have something against your brother" you should go to him. Not a leader or a prayer partner or your mom - you go TO THE SOURCE. This is the least practiced but most useful discipline in the church today to promote unity. 
1. Conflict usually produces an environment where forgiveness NEEDS to be sought. What a kindness of God. 

How you handle conflict reveals whose glory you seek!

Out of Shame - Seeing Jesus

One of the strongest proofs for the Resurrection of Jesus, in my view, is not the holes in his hands  nor the hole in his side from the spear where blood and water came out (though these two helped Thomas believe {John 20:27}).

It wasn't that he appeared to the fear-ridden disciples behind locked doors (though that is still pretty stinking cool {John 20:19}). 

Its not found in how he simply says, "Mary" (though that is beautiful and would be of overwhelming comfort in the midst of despair {John 20:16}). 

No, what I find so compelling about the Resurrection and where I simply cannot arrive at any other conclusion than ABSOLUTE fact is what happens in a story rarely discussed less than two months after Jesus returns to life.

In Acts 3 and 4 the story is told of how Peter and John, filled with the Spirit of God, healed a man. Acts 4:5 picks it up, 

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”

These men were cowering behind locked doors and hiding from the religious elite who had just killed their Savior and now they are standing before those SAME MEN saying the following:

¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.

What happened? The text tells us...

¹³ Now when they (the religious elite) saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 

Jesus changes everything. 

• He takes paralyzing doubt and creates space for one to struggle without the urgency to conform to His understanding. In other words he does not shame the one who seems to spin their wheels. 
• He addresses fear with peace by giving the Holy Spirit (Jn 20:22). The One who is the Prince of Peace dwells in us (who believe) and meets our fear with us as a comforter. 
• He takes what despair concludes is a lost cause and hopeless enterprise and flips the script to possibility and potential.  

This is what the disciples experienced... This is why they were BOLD less than two months after they ran and hid from the SAME people. 

And, I would argue with conviction and passion, this is the intended experience for anyone who claims the name of Jesus Christ as their Savior, Lord and Friend. Be encouraged today. The resurrection is far more than bunnies, good chocolate, and family get-togethers. 

It is JESUS and He changes everything!

(if you so desire you can follow this link to listen to the message I preached on Easter about how God moves us from shame to repentance and joy: click here)

The Fright of our Wants

James 4:4-6 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Take the time, right now if you can, to catalog through the deep recesses of your mind. Here's what you are looking for: a time when you knew you were had. When it seemed as though all eyes in the place were on you, and whats more, you were the guilty one. Nothing you can do in the moment but own it and move on.

Do you have that moment in your mind? Unfortunately, paring down my list of memories from the Rolodex of regrettable actions leaves me near paralyzed at the moment. However, I am able to hone in on a few.

With that exercise complete, let me ask you another question. In those moments when "it was over" - what was at the front end of your thinking? Were you ready to give up, were you emboldened with a new resolve toward self-defense, did you travel down the well worn path of self-loathing that you "did it again," did you instinctively devise a plan in order to avoid the same foible in the future, or was there some other response not listed?

Do you feel that, the tension created by being in the position we just imagined? This is the space readers of James 4 find themselves in. When one reads it they begin to see, possibly with real clarity, that its not their needs but their wants which are so frightening. Maybe the reader of this post is thinking, "Frightening, why would what I want cause me fright?" The answer James spells out: what you want is not bad its the manner in which you want it. It leads to fighting, quarreling, MURDER, and ultimately enmity with God. When our wants become our worship look out for there is relational collateral that most certainly follows.

James leads us to the brink of despair were it not for Jesus. For the tension the reader has is that despite his saving knowledge and relationship with Christ, he often returns to enmity with God in his heart via his wants. But those most soothing of words in 4:6 (But he gives more grace) bring the gospel balm we all need daily. "...He gives more grace..." and I don't get it through any other channel than humility. 

Whether you've held to your enmity with for a long time (I want or demand something and it must be this way) or its been 6 minutes - the solution is the same. He wants deep, gut level mourning that your wants have become your worship thus dislodging the rightful owner of the throne: Jesus Christ! 

Humility.

Lord, break me of my pride, no matter the cost.      

Revealed and Protected

Ordinarily when one considers "glory" they may think of one or more of the following: accolades, brightness, eternal bliss, that little known Civil War movie from the late 1980s, God, or any of a number of other adjectives.

This Christmas season I propose we look at "glory" in a twofold manner: revelation and protection. The prophet Isaiah, some several hundred years before Jesus seemed to grasp this vital reality. In Isaiah 60:1-3 this is what he says “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance." Though I won't take the time to paste all the verses from this incredible passage here, I challenge you to read them. Here's why...

The GLORY of God is a protection as much as it is a revelation. Our hearts were innately designed to worship (ascribe and assign glory to something or someone) and the ADVENT of Jesus secures for all of us the rightful final destination of our worship. The writer of Hebrews says it this way, "The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven." 

The choice is now yours. When you hear the word "glory" what will immediately come to mind?... "Man, what a great movie." 

Or...

"God thank you for sending You own Son, at infinite cost to Yourself, in order to reveal GLORY provoking my heart to worship Y-O-U! The one and only true God. Thank you that I'm not relegated to dig through the dumps of my own personal fancies to fashion a god that cannot save or be worthy of anything. You, God, have revealed to protect. And that's just kind, anyway I slice it."

We've arrived...

Good morning to all of you back home! It is officially 10:45am central time and about 5:45pm Slovak time. As this is being written I find myself at TCKompas which is the training center for Josiah Venture for the country of Slovakia. After having departed from Chicago yesterday on our 12 day journey (June 29-July10) we arrived safely in Vienna, Austria at about 8:30am local time. From there we were bussed to the training center where we are now in the city of Zilina, Slovakia; about a 3.5 hr bus ride.

Already God has been working in the relationships NCF youth have been developing.

When we left on Saturday morning we began with the reading of Psalm 121. An excellent Psalm - but of particular concern as an entire team travels the world is verse 8, "The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." We begin our trip with thankfulness that the Lord has heard our pleas for mercy and in his Abundant kindness has given us safe passage to the country and people we come to serve. Join with us now as seek to HONOR Christ as KING by spreading the Gospel through relationships! Below are some pics to help you visualize what we are experiencing...

The Team on Saturday June 29 in Tremont before departure

TCKompas

Catholic church in lower square of Zilina

Tate volunteered for this pic :)

Jaylin has things under control

Look closely, Stephen is a potty mouth

Ed's confused

Intern Chelsea Risinger is like a daughter to me!

How is normal?

On August 17th, like many other parents, I loaded up the minivan and through teary eyes watched as our daughter set foot into yet another different environment. School. It was interesting to watch my wife of 7 years look through the salty lens of sadness and separation as Jada scampered into her new room. My mother took the time to watch the boys for this momentous occasion. Our hope was not to jump right into school for if Jada had experienced no delays in treatment she would have been finished with chemo in June not July 31st. This would have afforded a little more time between the old life and the new as it were.

Thankfully, this has proven to be yet another arena where we must trust God to do what we can't. Jada has adjusted well, for the most part, to school for those of you wondering. She does not like math and lacks the stamina to go full day so we pick her up at noon. Her teachers are wonderful and we are totally enjoying the banter of a 3 year old and a school girl at the table each night. Pierce, well, he just makes eyes at his momma :)

We have been advised to expose Jada to exercise and condition her body back to where it was pre-surgery. Since she lacks stamina, this is a tricky endeavor. Last week after dinner we decided to go for a family bike ride to the park and back. Its a short ride from our home and we assumed a safe one. Jada had tired legs but was still able to run around and chase Ollie as he climbed up and down the slide. It was, dare I say, "normal." Then, the unthinkable. Two young boys looked at her. One of them said, "Look, there's that bald girl." The other retorted, "yeah, I bet they call her baldy at school. Let's call her baldy. BALDY BALDY." (Thankfully, the staff at CLA in Hopedale, IL have tackled this issue head on and are so SENSITIVE to our concerns) Jada really did not seem to hear them and scampered off. Jessica, however, rose up with deep motherly love and flat rebuked those young boys. "No, actually, they do not call her that at school. In fact, its quite rude to say that..." The boys got the picture and just stared in disbelief at the now deeply saddened mother. I had been running to the bathroom and when I came back there was this look that Jess had in her eyes. She recounted the story with tears and with fury.

Later that night as we were putting the kids to bed, Jada was asked, "how did that make you feel that they called you baldy?" In a very matter of fact tone she said, "well dad, he was not really there so he doesn't know what happened to me. But mostly, it just makes me want to cry."

This caused me to think - a lot. Jess and I both just shed tears of sadness for her knowing that it has to be difficult to be a spectacle. But that is not why I wrote this - nor is it why I shared the story in the first place. Two very distinct things began to emerge in my thinking:

1. God has always been and will always be our defender and refuge. He is the perfect parent - there when we cannot be. Variables are a damning thing - they exist when you did not plan or intend on them and they often impede one's ability to stay the course. Psalm 18:2 is helpful in this regard. By definition a variable is something that is not consistent or not having a particular pattern.

2. This makes me treasure Jesus all the more precisely because he spoke for those who could not speak. (See Matt. 12:20). Why else do you think there is so much talk in scripture of the "fatherless, the widow and the orphan?" Have you ever thought about those people in more than just a passing way? Actually considered in the core of your being the following: what is my responsibility to the Fatherless, the widow and the orphan? or better yet the prostitute, the drug addict and the ex-convict. Its easy to avoid the likes of these and spew out something spiritual like "they just did not show commitment to the process or there was not enough thirst for God."Well, as I recall, in Romans 5:8 Christ loved me while I was still a sinner. The term could not be stronger - it might as well say, "while Doug was still a no good, lousy, arrogant, deceitful, jerk..." you get the picture.

It is sad when this happens, though it will not be much longer and she won't be that noticeable anymore - but that leads us to the title of the post, "How is normal?" You'd be surprised how many pose that question to me assuming thats what I want. Its fair, I suppose, and I have even talked of a "normal" schedule and retiring to life as it used to be. However, as I sat in a circle of men today discussing the disciplemaking genius of Jesus I realized something..

I don't want normal. Not now anyways. Don't get me wrong, there is a certain love affair we have with the predictable - but is that really what we are called to? I am coming to the conviction more and more that I don't want normal, I WANT JESUS! That means all the messed up potential-less people like myself have a hope.

So, if you are in with me - (especially you Tremont High School Student) who will you sit next to at lunch that was not the same as yesterday? Who will you invite into your home and just do the "normal" things of life with in a way that drips with Jesus-like intentionality?

Few things...

What is it the draws to your attention that pit in your stomach? I know of a few things in my life: driving on the highway and passing a patrol car parked in a strategic spot, saying something vile and realizing just moments too late that I wished I'd never said it (seek out my wife for examples), and jumping of cliffs or out of airplanes (I've done both...but it was a while ago). These are all terrible and gripping for sure, but there is one that supersedes them all: it would be the sound of vomit taking you out of a dead sleep.

Oddly, this last one is a fairly regular experience (about once every 3 weeks). However, considering the fact that many other patients deal with this A LOT more than us, we have nothing to complain about. So, "why write about it Doug?" The reason is threefold: one, for the Glory and fame of God. Two, for the encouragement of others seeking Christ as a refuge of trust. Finally, for my own catharsis.

Here is the breakdown: I am asleep at about 6am when I hear a few tears and some rustling about. I stay in a light sleep mode. Jada then cries out for me and simultaneously vomits all over. Then the tears come. Profuse tears. It is hard to watch - many times I have been there, sitting next to her holding the bag and rubbing her back. But this one is particularly difficult as she struggles to an upright position getting used to her newly casted arm. We pray. We thank God while praying that it is not too overwhelming. Then we clean things up. While she is still crying, she asks for a rag and cleans her face off. Finally, she looks up at me with those eyes... those eyes have been telling all kinds of stories for 6 years now. Sometimes the stories are full of anger, sometimes sad, sometimes determined - but at all times they are beautiful. This time, however, they are sad and determined.

She glances up and says, "Dad, I just wanna put on a new outfit." The picture you see is moments after I agreed and we worked out the details.

God has spared us of MUCH during her treatment and provided many blessings - and "many" is kind of like a baked potato without any of the fixings, it just lacks. However, God allows things like a broken arm in the middle of chemo to help us endure with patience. Colossians 1:11 says "May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy..." He allows vomiting and financial pressure, relational disharmony, and all kinds of things to help us endure with patience that we might find Joy.

So, as I put Jada in the bath today and we talked - those conversations are always so lucid - she opened up. She explained to me that she cleaned her cast with soap and water. Then, fixing her eyes on it, she says, "guess that's why Jesus gave us this (and knocks on the cast)." "What do you mean sweetie?" "Well, you know dad, to trust that He knows what he's doing and to read the Bible." "Jada, I want you to know without a doubt, that God does know what He's doing - the Bible tells us so."

Romans 15:4 says - "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

So, where ever you are right now - THERE IS HOPE! It comes at a premium though.

Feel free to post what it is that you are enduring so that I may pray for you - OR just post that you'd desire prayer.

Forsaking and Finding

Ruth was a woman of principle. A woman of deep sorrow and pain, but a woman of principle. Read the story in the book that bears her name (it's only 4 chapters and is well worth your time). Naomi (her mother-in-law) was a woman that had every intention of helping others around her see that God had dealt bitterly with her, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, (which means bitter) for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full and came back empty..." Ruth 1:20-21. Now, if you read the whole story you will see the kindness and providence of God and how it ultimately steers Naomi back to his loving arms... a picture and promise of sovereignty.

But, for the moment, lets focus our attention on Ruth. In Ruth chapter one we learn that Ruth was married for about ten years and never bore children...they did not have the big debate we do these days. You know, "how long are you going to wait to have children?" One of the purposes of marriage (this remains today, yet is clouded by the Western ideal of "me first") in those days was propagation - so ten years of marriage with no fruit to show was particularly hard. Add to this the fact that her husband dies, so does her brother-in-law, and her father-in-law. At this point, Ruth could easily have said, "alright, well I gave that life a run and it was unsuccessful. Mom, dad, I hope you have a room for me, cause I am moving back home!"

Ruth, however, chose not to go the customary route and head back to all that was familiar, safe and inviting. Her heart, I believe, was aching for her mother-in-law who had endured the same losses as Ruth only from Naomi's vantage point they seem almost vindictive.

So, Ruth forsook her biological family - not in a "I'm done with you" sort of way, but more in a "whom else does Naomi have" sort of way. Let's be clear that Ruth was not acting as a mode of salvation to Naomi she was just identifying with and coming alongside her.

Ruth 2:12 states "The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!" This is a pivotal statement in the book. The picture this verse creates in the mind of the weary is like that of an Oasis of Hope while in the desert of despair. Sometimes the Christian life is on those terms. You may find yourself grasping at straws praying, begging, hoping, that one of them leads to some sort of solace or refuge.

What exactly did Ruth find in her forsaking? Well, she found a hand of providence that seemed bitter if the end were not known. She found blessing in obedience. She found herself in the direct line of the King of Kings. Most of all - she found a REDEEMER!

I beseech you come under the wings of God for refuge. Not for the blessings but for the comfort it is to know He has His hand in every detail. This week our family had the joy of hosting, for a short time, Chris Koelle and Will Parker. Chris is the artist of the Job book (here's a link to the book for sale and Chris' website) Jada and I read in the hospital which has had such profound impact on our family. Having discovered Jada and her condition, along with the affinity she has for art - these two gentlemen made a HUGE effort that blessed and encouraged us beyond adequate description.

Jess and I may not be a picture of Ruth (in commitment or obedience) but Ruth's story of refuge under the wings of God makes for stories like these in our lives. Seek refuge under the wings of God, find a redeemer and be written into the story of God as one of His children and a co-heir with his Son.

Forsake Ease, Find Jesus!

Just my bunny

Yesterday marked what most would label a milestone. One could easily look at it and say, "milestone, marker, landmark" or any of a thousand metaphors - but pure and simple - it was a momentous occasion and cause for review in the journey.

Here it is: Yesterday Jada received her last scheduled outpatient chemotherapy infusion! This means from now until August she will receive chemo only while in the hospital and at that every 2-3 weeks depending on her blood levels.

The picture shows Jada at the very beginning of the journey we have been on now since December 30th, 2010 - the day of her diagnosis with Kidney Cancer. If you click on the image to make it bigger, you will read the text - Psalm 40:9-10. A dear friend made (thank you Tyler Thompson) this picture for me as a reminder... I thought this morning might be a good opportunity to unload that on you, the unsuspecting reader, what that "reminder" is.

Psalm 40:9-10:

⁹ I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. ¹⁰I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

To suffer without purpose or direction is to walk through life not knowing Jesus! To suffer and know the present comfort (one of the functions of the Holy Spirit listed in John 14-16...by the way, this is a great discourse on all the Spirit is - not what we make him to be) of the Spirit is to KNOW the salve or balm-like nature of God's sovereignty. Let me put it this way: how many of us will readily place our trust in that which will disappoint us, even in the short term? The answer, MANY - if not all of us will do this.

"My spouse would never treat me unkind, my kids will always respect my wishes, my job will always be here, I am well known at school or work and people like me, if I roll up my sleeves and just work hard then this or that will happen, we have set up a nice nest egg for retirement that will sustain us," etc etc etc.

The writer of Hebrews is clear that Jesus is the sure and firm anchor for our soul which will NEVER disappoint - the only one we can ever hang our hopes on and find them realized. From the very beginning with Jada God has given grace and mercy in helping us realize this trial is not about us. We have the happy tune of God's deliverance and salvation whistling from our lips - though there have been times of sadness, self-pity, and complaining. Since my first blog post on this new life of ours at the beginning of January, Jess and I have endeavored to "not restrain my (our) lips" regarding the deliverance and faithfulness of God. A simple fact Jada brought to light just yesterday as we traveled to clinic.

Each time we leave the house go to the clinic we spend the first half of the ride praying and talking through fears or concerns for that day. It was hard to keep the smile off my weary lips as I said, "Jada, do you know what today is?" She says blithely, "clinic, why dad?" "Jada, today is your LAST outpatient CHEMOTHERAPY!" The words dance off my tongue with a sweetness only Jesus can cause. "What do you think about that sweetie?" Three words that indicate the work the Spirit has been up to in her little heart rolled out, "God did it" she yells.

I look in the rearview mirror and ask her, "well, if God did that, what should we tell people?" She locks her eyes with mine and states with conviction, "we should tell them."

Clinic and the rest of the day went much as it always does... some screaming children here and there, no real schedule - just a lot of waiting, blood drawn, weight taken, height checked, heart listened to, crafts done, conversations had, lunch consumed (a celebration lunch considering the day of course), back home, played outside, shot given (Jada receives an injection daily to help with her blood levels), and finally, BEDTIME! I am lying in bed with Jada reviewing the day and reading a little to her. After prayer and a kiss on the forehead she looks at me and places one hand on my cheek. Intently she says, "Dad, did you tell anyone about Jesus today at clinic?"

"Yes sweetie, I did," was followed by a brief account so Jada would know what I meant. "What about you Jada, did you tell anyone about Jesus?" "Just my bunny," she remarks. "Really, what did you tell him?" "I didn't tell, I sang - I sang him a song," was her reply. "I see, what song was that honey?" "I made it up, it was about God being good."

You see, ever since the beginning our prayer has been for deliverance. Our picture of what that is has been eroded, destroyed, and rebuilt. We are learning always that just as important as prayer is acceptance. Acceptance of the deliverance that God, in his Sovereignty, chooses to supply you with. We have (and continue to) experience deliverance in Christ, community and confession.

In Christ it is the present comfort that his sacrifice and gift of the Spirit gives. In community our nuclear families and the church body have upheld and encouraged us. In confession it is the place of brokenness which has a twofold declaration: one, God's word is ALL we can hang on to. Two, confessing sin and ineptitude at every turn so as to trust fully in God's process here.

Will you, today, join us in "not restraining your lips" and "not concealing God's steadfast love" so that others will see the GREAT joy that it is to tether our hope with the ANCHOR of JESUS?

Ponder for a moment then, who is glorified?

"I hate mortality"

"I hate mortality." The words flew off my tongue as I kissed Jessica goodbye with my arms loaded up full of bags and a 6-year-old...and I walked out the door. That was only 2.5hrs ago.

I hate mortality because it is so much more immanent than it ever was in days past. Mortality stands ready to remind each of us that the life we so take for granted is but a breath - each moment that passes can scarce guarantee the next. That, for the sake of my daughter and the rest of my family, is what I loathe. Last night Jada's appetite and demeanor went markedly down hill. This morning she woke with zero appetite and asked me to hold her to the couch from her bedroom.

Anyone knows that Jada Noel Rumbold does not "give" easily in regards to just resting...so this came as a surprise. I took her tempt mid morning and it was already 99. Knowing that 100.4 earns an undesirable trip to the hospital, I kept checking. Within 2hrs it had climbed past 102. If this were Facebook I would click the comment button and type, "DISLIKE!" I called, they (hospital) responded and our bags were packed. Jess and I stood in her bedroom before my departure praying over her - tears streaming down my face, much as they are right now as I write this, begging God for strength and comfort as well as healing.

We arrived and were checked in promptly. I read to her, I prayed with her, and I put her to sleep for a short nap. Now, I count the minutes until she is awake while I pound these emotions out on the keyboard. Despite all the emotional noise plaguing my ears, the Spirit CLEARLY spoke to me - read Ephesians 2.

Obediently I picked up my phone, clicked on the Bible app and began reading.

"...remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having NO HOPE and WITHOUT GOD IN THE WOLRD. BUT NOW in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He HIMSELF is our PEACE..." (2:12-14a)

I may loathe this process of refinement as much as I revel in its benefits to Jess and I spiritually. To dislike the process is human. However, I urge the reader of this to consider the following: how much more hellish would this whole experience be for us (or anyone else) if we had "no hope" and were "without God in the world?" The answer is simple. It would be AWFUL.

It is a sweet refrain when one can sing again and again, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." I am no longer separate, no longer far off, no longer without hope, no longer without peace. So maybe I don't hate mortality. Maybe, just maybe, its a good thing. Being reminded of my alienation, lack of hope, and distance from God is good. From God's perspective mortality is a wrench, or a screwdriver... a tool used to illustrate the immortality and enduring HOPE found in Jesus.

. . . Mortality Matters . . .

"The state of being subject to death." There it is, the most concise definition of mortality that I could find on Dictionary.com. As I watched the first drips of chemotherapy going into Jada's IV today I caught view of the bag in the picture you see to the left. I swallowed hard and realized (yet again) we are not dealing with a flu or a seasonal but pesky cold. We are dealing with a very rare but also very deadly disease. "Alright, God has things under control," I say. Then I turn around just in time to see Dr. McGee. He is the one administering the radiation for Jada's treatment regimen.

He tells me that after the pathology findings Jada has gone from Stage 1 to Stage 2. This information you likely already know. What you may not know is that her chances for a cure decreased with that prognosis from 85% to somewhere in the 70s. Breathe deep Doug, pick up your phone, call your wife and let her know not to be alarmed. Just a few hours have passed since my lovely Jessica and Pierce (the newest addition to our family) visited Jada and already the joy of that has worn off with the sandblaster (forgive the weak metaphor) of unfortunate news, an all too common feeling these last few weeks.

However poor the news two things remain paramount in our thinking: one, Galatians 3:3 indicates that we have begun by the spirit and therefore cannot attain our goal by human effort. The Spirit of God has been with us in a near palpable way since day one - this means, quite simply, that Jessica and I CANNOT attain our goal by our own effort. "What's the goal?" you ask, simple - cling to Christ in faith and have others take note that we have been with Jesus.

Two, mortality matters because it is precisely what God is not. Psalm 90:1-4 says, "¹Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.²Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. ³You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!" ⁴For a thousand years in your sight are

but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night."

If we had a God constrained by time as we are - we would not have a God who could comfort us, provide peace, PERFECT wisdom, or even atone for our sins. Its not as though I invite the news which cements Jada's (or for that matter my own) mortality. All I know is that it is YET ANOTHER stream of mercy by which God's character is made manifest to Jess and I.

Goodness has a name and it is "God!"

What's worth imitating?

Just a night or two ago I had asked my daughter (Jada - 5yrs) to prepare for bedtime. I was beginning to get a little frustrated with her for not being instantaneously obedient (as nearly every 5yr old is, right?) and when I rounded the corner to show my urgency to her, this is what awaited me. It evoked a thought in me which shall take a moment to unravel, but bear with me as there is a great lesson in it for all us.

First, an explanation of the picture - these are polly pockets, a miniature doll which one can dress up and play with for hours: currently this would be my daughter's vice. What, you may ask do these toys have to do with anything? I am glad you asked, they have everything to do with anything.

Paul, an apostle of the Lord Jesus, writes to a church who is struggling to know their identity or who to follow. He encourages them in this way: "...but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate" (2 Thess. 3:9). So, shortly and simply put - discipleship must be imitation. Paul tells the church, "hey look, I have not got it perfect, but imitate me and that will lead you to Jesus."

These polly pockets are imitating something. Jessica (my wife) often works out and Jada imitates her, putting on work out clothes and doing push ups etc. The other night she placed these dolls on the floor, in formation so that they could do push ups with mom.
I encourage you, if you are a parent, lean in to those moments where your child is imitating you. It may just lead them to Jesus.

I invite your comments, share a story or let everyone know what God has been teaching you on this idea of disciplemaking in the home.

Parents...

If you are a parent (or plan to become one) consider the following:
What is my role as a parent? Better yet think of the illustration of sheep.
Sheep are helpless, left to their own devices they will not seek food, protection or shelter. They will passively stand by and watch as their fellow sheep get mauled by a predator. The Bible, however teaches that Jesus IS the Good Shepherd and that the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).The verses in I Peter 2:24-25 are most helpful here:
1. Jesus bore our sins - children need to know it is not theirs to bear
2. He bore our sin so we might die to it - helping our children "die" to sin means always connecting sin to the Gospel (where there is great hope) not just our expectations as parents.
3. Live to righteousness - do our children see in us a joy in living for Christ or a white-knuckle, stick-it-out-to-eternity type of resolve...this determines, in large part, what they make of Jesus growing up.
4. His death heals - there is great comfort in the wounds of Christ...for Hebrews 9:22 tells us that unless he bled an died we cannot live (or be forgiven).
5. Good Shepherd - Our joy, as parents, in returning daily to our Shepherd and Overseer is of great communicated value to our children. Shepherds are not forceful, but gentle and calculating.
I value any comments - click the comment button and leave your thoughts

Evangelism 101

Have you ever wondered how it is that we understand and "do" evangelism? Well, the following video is a post spurred by a recent youth group sermon. One of the students asked if I could post my presentation online - so I exported it as a movie and here it is. The movie may not transition quickly (the whole song plays at the beginning before the next slide comes) so be patient.

Here are some of the notes:
Know the Gospel: Paul says this is of "first importance." That means there is nothing more important than the Gospel in Paul's eyes, and should be in mine as well.
1. I Cor. 15:1-5
a. Jesus died for our sins
b. Was buried
c. Raised to life (Rom. 4:25)
Know how to Share it:
1. Think - think of those in your immediate context (II Cor.6:17 don't let your separation become total isolation; Matt. 11:19-be a friend of sinners)
2. Pray (Eph. 6:18 & II Thess. 5:17 - Pray continually, always, in the spirit for those in your sphere of influence)
3. Seek - seek to know what's going on in your friend just as Job's friends sat and listened to him (Job 2:13)
4. Share - "We are Christ's ambassadors as though he makes his appeal through us..." (Read II Cor. 5:11-21)

Jesus - My Humility Part 1

I'll tell you what's difficult - being young, being someone who is easily termed a "recovering pride-a-holic," then preaching on humility. I know of no one less qualified than I to even touch that with a ten foot pole. However, the irony of God knows no bounds so I endeavored to teach on this very topic recently. This post then will be in two parts, one today and part two to follow soon. This post will cover Christ's humility displayed - really a close look at Phil. 2:1-11.
The three 'E's of Christ's humility:
1. Exercise (Phil.2: 6-7)– where Jesus was in the form (or essence) of God but did not see it as a source of entitlement BUT made Himself subject to God. The term exercise was carefully chosen to illustrate the active and continual nature of Jesus' humility.
2. Extent (Phil. 2:8)- He chose to do everything that humans do (eat, sleep, go to the restroom, etc) to the point of death on a cross. The significance of that cannot be overstated as execution on a cross was indicative of the curse of God. Galatians 3:13 says that he (Jesus) bore the curse for our sin. So the extent of His humility...was sufficient to save.
3. Exaltation (Phil. 2:9-11)- the result then of Jesus humility was being exalted and all confessing the Lordship of Jesus – But as v. 11 states, He was humble “…to the Glory of God the Father.” Ultimately, us being humble is not for us, but for the glory of God.
Well, I leave you to consider Jesus and His humility along with the implications for your life as you wake tomorrow. Stay tuned more is coming on humility and feel free to add your comments below.

Remnant

It was a Monday evening...those are special to me because it is my only day where I have no ministry commitments and I am alone with my family. We were dining at the finest pizza place in the central Illinois area - I am, of course, speaking of Monical's Pizza. Enjoying piece after piece and laughing with my wife at all the crazy things a three year old girl says.
Now, the following deserves a disclaimer - I love my daughter, I really do - but there are times I specifically wonder, if she is God's test for my understanding of love?
Here is what transpired: Jada, who never liked soda before that evening says she wants to taste mine. I concede, knowing that she will contort her face and call it, "spicy," stick out her tongue and go back to her lemonade. WRONG. She contorts her face as I thought, but when she sees my laughing reaction - as well as my wife's - she says in a very coy way, "yum, that soda is super good, its the goodest soda ever!" We all know what happens next - her greasy, sauce-filled hands are all over my drink and now I have new objects of avoidance inside my cup each time I go to get a sip...you know, floaties or Remnants if you will of her last bite (not drink, bite).
The next morning I awoke and was talking with God about the day and my thoughts. As I told Him how much I loved my family and thanked Him for the day off I was reminded of the drink. Very clearly He showed me, "Doug, you're the sauce-filled, floatie leaving, coy commenting child with Me and My Gospel. I entrust to you the message that alone can save - understanding that there are two was you can go about it: in your own power, or through the power of the Holy Spirit."
Really, the fact that people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ shows that God can work in spite of us. Today, consider how Great of a God we serve and how he has entrusted with such a great message - The Gospel. Then, take your sauce-filled hands and floatie leaving sips, and go share it with those in your relational sphere of influence.

Rumbold Wrap-Up

Celebrating the birth of Jesus is the beginning point to really appreciate His eventual sacrifice made for all. So, it is with a grateful heart that we offer you some of the joy God has blessed us with this year by giving you a snapshot of all the craziness that is "Rumbold" for the year 2008.

January began Jess and my fourth year of marriage. Since we promised to have four to five years of childless bliss maritally one need not study the picture above too hard to know that my Rumbold DNA betrayed our confession. Be that as it may, Jess and I are extremely happy to report that while we made our plans God determined our steps.

As Spring came and went Jess grew more round and uncomfortable every day forcing sleepless nights and much anticipation. Strangely, Jess still remained committed to her third love (God first, me second) Body Pump. This is Jessica's workout class at the gym where she continues to gain new friendships and impact those outside our family with the love of Jesus. July 9th arrived and with it so did our not-so-little bundle of joy Oliver Benjamin Rumbold: 9lbs 8oz. He arrived at a full 2lbs heavier than his sister - who could not have been more delighted...and remains so till this day. As the pictures CLEARLY indicate Ollie is not missing any feedings and with two mommies, he is quite well cared for. He already enjoys saying, "mum...mum..." and smiling incessantly whenever Jess is in eye shot - total Momma's boy.

Jada is growing, sometimes a little too fast for my comfort. She is completely immersed in dress-ups, being a surrogate mommy to anything or anyone who will have her, talking, make-up, nails, talking, signing her songs about God, talking, and pretty much talking. Her passion for communicating the love of God is amazing. Jess and I are stunned daily at her comprehension. A story will suffice here: As we ate lunch the other day she asks me if she can use her toy cell phone to call God and pray for our meal. I told her to go ahead. She presses two digits and I say, "honey, I think you need to dial a few more numbers." She responds, "silly dad, God is on speed dial." "Really?" I said. When finished I asked if she told Him goodbye. She quips, "dad, it is SOOOO silly for us to say goodbye to God, He is always here." We are in love with how God is shaping her.

In September we went on vacation to Oklahoma where Jada and Ollie got to experience the Zoo and other wonders of ranch life as we visited some friends. In October I (Doug) was able to go to Seattle for 8 days for an intense church planting seminar/training called Soma School. I learned a great deal about God's word that impacts me even now and will likely be a huge blessing to my ministry at Northfield Christian Fellowship (where I pastor). The picture here is Todd Morr and myself.


Jess and I continue to dream up ways of loving each other and growing in our appreciation for the gift of marriage. She really is a dynamic and amazing woman who runs the ins and outs of our home with incredible excellence. Our prayer is to grow together as a couple on mission for Jesus Christ.

One final note: I arrived home from church tonight and Jess recounted to me how she was explaining the plan of Salvation to Jada and the relationship God wants to have with us through Jesus. Jada asked Jess to say it slowly so she could pray each phrase and invite the Lord into her heart personally. Jess told me that as she finished praying Jada squealed with excitement...what a Christmas present - a daughter reconciled to the Lord because of Jesus. AMAZING!!!

Jesus had friends?

Consider for a moment your friends. Not the ones you nod politely at when you happen to pass them in public... no, I mean the ones who really have or know a piece of your heart. Think about them. How often do you see, call, write, or even hear from them?
I have thought on this for a while this week. You see, at about 5:whatever each morning there is a warm pot of coffee, my bible and Jesus waiting to meet with me. This week my heart has been wrecked by the story of Lazarus. Briefly, this is the story where Jesus hears his friend is sick (and that means deathly) and waits for three days to go see him. His friend dies and everyone is just a little confused - including me.
However, this is not where the wreckage occurs for me. The site of the wreck in my heart happens at the point where Jesus three times shows great emotion - and I quote, "...he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled..., ...Jesus wept..., Jesus, once more deeply moved..." Lazarus, as a "friend" of Jesus has died and even though Jesus was in the process of raising him from the dead His heart was troubled.
In John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" and again speaking of Abraham James 2:23 says, "...and he was called God's friend."
So, a few questions here:

1. Is Jesus your friend in reality? Would you like to be known as a friend of Jesus? or do you think of him more like this clip:
2. Are you like me in that you have a hard time picturing Jesus moved as he was for Lazarus over you? why...please comment and start a discussion.
3. Finally, what makes it so hard for us to dole out that kind of passion in ALL our friendships?
   

finally, please post your comments so that we might start a discussion and in so doing start a revolution of people passionate about compassionate love in friendships.

Jesus on Probation

I know what you are thinking, "Jesus on probation, come on man. He never committed a crime, so why is He on probation?" Well, to be honest, it fits. You see probation is a moral trial or a period of testing. Just as courts decide when an inmate is ready for life in society by a period of probation, so Jesus was on a "probation" - so to speak - by the Father.

In the temptation or testing of Jesus we see satan continually asking him, "if you are the Son of God..." then do this or do that. Jesus, in each case lives in His identity as the Son of God by not doing the very thing satan asks of Him. In fact, He responds by saying, "it is written..." and then goes on to rebuff temptation with the use of Scripture. What's amazing is not that He could quote the Bible, rather the life He found in those words He quoted is what I cling to.

You see, the issue in passing through temptation successfully lies not in how much Scripture I can quote. The real issue is whether I find my life in the words of the Father. When Jesus was baptized God did the all-confirming identity work that was so crucial for Jesus' success in life and ministry - He loved Jesus before He did anything.

So, resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ, God's demonstration of love for us, is the precursor to any tools or practical blocks to temptation. It is with that in mind that I post these few simple ideas and resources to help you in your battle against temptation:

1. Fasting (Matt. 4:2-4) - a great tool for spiritual growth, but oft misunderstood. The book "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster is an excellent resource (there is one chapter devoted to fasting).
2. Accountability (Matt4:11) seek out ways that you can share your temptations with others in an effort to minimize their hold on you (James 1:12) www.x3watch.com is FREE internet accountability software that logs questionable sites and emails them to addresses of your choosing - great tool.
3. Run: in each of the three temptations of Jesus He responds by saying "it is written..." Jesus did not have a conversation with satan in regards to the temptation. In the same way Joseph in Genesis did not discuss with Potifer's wife any possible options - he ran. Often we should follow this example.

Finally, I invite you to click the "comment" link and begin a discussion about this post or other ideas you have for practical ways to deal with temptation.
Oh, one more thing, recently I preached on this very issue. You can download it by clicking HERE