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)

Word in the Woods 2009

October 29th-30th the Northfield Youth Group will be at Turkey Run
State Park in Indiana...So, what is Word in the Woods you might ask -
Word in the woods is a GREAT time of Camping, Hiking, and getting into
God's word - all for $20. Check out the flyer. The deadline for your
$20 fee is the 21st of October.

I Feel So ALIVE!!!

so we are driving home from vacation and jada is in the back drawing and she makes a triangle.
normally not a big deal but this day what she said in response to her drawing was priceless.
she holds up her drawing and says, "dad... i feel so alive when i draw triangles."
i have often wondered why it is that she is SO amazed at simple things. i guess its a helpful reminder for all of us... God gives us life, breath, food, family, community, etc... you get the picture.
lesson: feel alive today - over something simple.

Jesus - My Humility Part 2

So, admittedly as I have aged, Jesus has brought into my life little (or not so little) events which have caused me to realize the necessity of humility. There is a common thread in all events in my life concerning humility: it happens to be a choice. Jesus did not find himself on the cross as accidental act of obedience to the Father. That fact of humility, CHOICE, being duly noted - let me just ask you to examine your own heart as you read on. The tendency, I know (because we are not so different you and I), is to think, "man, so and so could totally use this information, or my husband is so arrogant - maybe I can get him to read this, etc, etc etc; but I implore you - be reconciled to God first. Horizontal relationships will follow.
Last post we talked about the humility of Christ - this one deals in specifics. In regards to humility and Philippians 1:27-2:11:

1. Recognize your need & your position in Christ (1:27): a life worthy of the Gospel should be taken positionally in Christ - the behavior will follow the position.
   
2. Reorient your life (2:6): Practically, for us this is the use of gifts, talents, money, time, etc it is all subject to the purpose and plan of God. Do you have money - its God's, do you have time available - its Gods, etc etc etc.
   
3. Render your service (2:7-8): One cannot serve another person when they believe themselves to be innately better. Ask yourself this question when serving someone – how does what I am doing right now evidence the death of Christ in me and promote it whom I’m serving?

Finally, as I said in the previous post - I preached on this very topic in my church recently. CLICK HERE to listen to either of those sermons (they came in two parts like the blog).

Please add your thoughts by clicking on the "comment" link at the bottom. Be patient with the audio files, they are large and will take a while to load.

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.

The Foremost - Part 2

The foremost... the words of the Apostle Paul ring in my ears and sting my heart. He says that of ALL people, he is the worst, most disgusting sinner on the planet.
As I think through the lives of people like Ted Bundy (murder and rapist - see recap below) I am astounded Paul would indicate that he is worse off. I have often wondered why he takes that view of himself. We did not have too much discussion (one comment on the previous post and a few emails to me) but, for what its worth here is my take on Paul's bold claim in I Timothy 1:15-16:
Paul says he is the the worst of sinners not because of false humility rather it is because that displays the glory of God to forgive. You see in verse 16 after Paul says he is the worst he explains why - so that Christ's UNLIMITED patience might be revealed and others come to salvation.
So, "what does that mean," I am asked. There are a few applications of this truth:

1. If I am the "worst of sinners" then NO ONE is disqualified from the grace and forgiveness of God - Think on those words for a bit. We often want to present ourselves better and more righteous after being saved but forget that does little to model Grace for the observing non-believer in Christ.
2. My salvation is not for me...alone. Rather, it is to be told and retold with the understanding that Jesus was GREAT to save me and the depth of my sinfulness combined with Jesus' patience moves others toward a relationship with Christ.

I would love to hear your thoughts here - really take a moment to comment.