Please don't take it away...

The freshness of day has dawned. The dew is still lightly wetting the ground which needs no saturation after the rains. The sun shines. Birds chirp. Bunnies hop across my yard searching for their next morsel. These and a thousand other gifts have already been "unwrapped" today.

But their lurks on the horizon, if honesty and transparency are actually in practice, something concerning. Haunting, perhaps.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Rom. 8:18). "That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead" (Phil. 3:10-11).

No one wakes up in the morning and decides to get out of bed because a cold shower and a worthless breakfast awaits. Sure, there is duty in waking, but there is also delight. I know of no one who takes the sound the alarm clock makes (you know the sound, the one that can take you from a peaceful sleep to a racing heart in a matter of seconds) and creates a playlist on their iPod from it just to enjoy. Beds are warm, pillows are soft, covers are gentle and comforting. We set it up that way. We like comfort. Usually, it drives a great portion of our decisions. Not in a "path-of-least-resistance" way but in a "how-can-I-minimize-hardship" way. The crazy thing with comfort is that it provides a blanket of security... or so we think.

The concern that lurks on the horizon for me is that comfort would return. I know what you may be thinking, "Doug, comfort is nice - cushy couch, warm vacations, a nicely grilled burger, a car with no mechanical problems, and health...most of all health - would that not be nice? Is that not what you desire right now?" This is where it gets complicated. You see, the answer is yes and no. Kind of. Let me explain.

Yes, I want this to be over - I want normal. Yes, I desire something that is not constant. Yes, I would love to look at my daughter with hair and have friends over, and not go to clinic and a million other things we used to have.

HOWEVER

Normal is not what has caused us to love Jesus deeply. Comfy couches, well maintained cars, juicy burgers, and health are not the ingredients for perseverance. Predictable and visible are not what comprises HOPE and FAITH. So, while I desire this to be over and have a return to life as we once knew it - with a far greater degree of purpose and intent I don't want it over. I look on the horizon and I see that the removal of trial and suffering brings with it the potential for comfort and that scares me. I want to, as Paul says, "know you in your suffering." He does not say, "I want to know you when you feet were propped up and people served you grapes on a platter in the shade of willow tree."

Maybe you too echo with me this concern: "Lord, don't remove affliction simply because it is hard, give me a reprieve that I might catch my breath before I go deeper into knowing YOU!"

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)

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.

Lost eyebrows

So I was just trying to put Jada (my 3yr old) to bed. Which can be difficult. She tells me she wants to make up a story. Here's what she said: "you know what happened then? (that is actually how she started) She lost her eyebrows." I said, "really." Then she continued, "and she prayed to Jesus and he gave her new eyebrows and she put them on...the end."

That was the whole story. I had to wonder, wouldn't that make me anxious, losing my eyebrows...but I love how she resolved it. She had the little girl pray to Jesus immediately.

I am often an anxious person and have to repent of that. So, in an effort to help us all understand anxiety, I thought I would offer this little resource for free.

CLICK HERE