deep thoughts

Attitude of Gratitude

Frank

Inspired by the most recent Coffee Break from Living on the Edge that referenced Psalm 103 and a desire to get at least one post up while on vacation. I’ll focus on this part: “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Ps 103:2, emphasis added) I want to take this time and remember his benefits over the last year.

Work related: I’m grateful for the job that I’ve been praying to get for the last few years. I’m grateful for the recognition I’ve received from my peers for the work I’ve done. I’m grateful to be able to pursue some of the things I have a passion for- even though that hos so far been fruitless. And I’m grateful that have the opportunity, and the trust from my boss, to pursue them.

Family related: I’m grateful for my son’s improvement in every possible area- his discipline, his speech, his writing. I’m grateful for his interest in God and Jesus. I’m grateful for his health after his struggles breathing and sleeping. I’m grateful for my daughter growing up too fast and being too smart. I’m grateful for the relationship she has with her brother. I’m grateful for the joy she shows me ever day when I come home from work. I’m grateful for my wife finishing her teaching credential and having new opportunities at work. I’m grateful for her active attitude to always be out running and the friends she’s made (or friends she’s grown deeper with) doing so. I’m grateful for our relationship and that despite a 4 and a 2 year old, we still are able to have quality time. I’m grateful for my mom’s move and the extra chances I’ve had to visit her because of it. I’m grateful for my sister and her encouragement and support.

Ministry related: I’m grateful God still considers me worth of leading others to deeper relationships with Christ- after two small groups dissolved, somehow I’m still at it. I’m grateful for my recovery ministry keeping me grounded and my continued sobriety. I’m grateful for the families we’ve grown closer to through our small groups and the battles we’ve fought together. I’m grateful for the continued inspiration through God’s word to instruct and encourage. I’m grateful for the writer’s conference I went to where I met Peter and the encouragement to pursue writing. I’m grateful for others that I’ve met blogging and the fresh insight they all provide. I’m grateful for the teen I mentor- his patience with me and his open heart for God. And I’m grateful for the leadership of my church, the relationship I have with our Evangelist, and the men in my life that call me higher.

None of these things would be possible without God. Without him, I wouldn’t have the character to have these blessings in my job. Without him, I wouldn’t have the good relationship with my children or my wife. And without him, I would have no purpose with an eternal significance.

I am often asked why I have the faith I do. These are just some of the reasons. There are more, but those will have to wait until after I finish the turkey leftovers.

Armistice

Frank

Today is Veterans’ Day, where we honor and remember those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces. My wife asked why this holiday falls on November 11? At 11:00 on November 11, 1918, (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month) armistice (or truce) was signed between the Western Allies and Germany ending hostilities on the Western Front of World War I. World War I was called “The War to End All Wars”. We know how that turned out. But the holiday remained and is still celebrated throughout Europe as well as here in the United States.

Pause and think of that for a moment- The War to End All Wars. How we wish that were true. So we honor those who serve in battles across the globe while we enjoy the comfort of our home, hoping that the next battle will be the last.

Now think about Jesus. His sacrifice was The Sacrifice to End All Sacrifices so to speak (ref: Hebrews 10). He fought our sins for us so that we wouldn’t have to fight on our own, and ultimately someday to never have to fight again. But like The War to End All Wars, it was not the end and battles continue. So we honor Christ, who fought and still fights for us, while we enjoy the comfort of our own lives.

While we remember the physical conflicts our Armed Forces are engaged in worldwide, let us not forget the spiritual conflicts that continue in our own lives and the soldier, Christ, who fights alongside us.

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-17)

Armistice

Frank

Today is Veterans’ Day, where we honor and remember those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces. My wife asked why this holiday falls on November 11? At 11:00 on November 11, 1918, (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month) armistice (or truce) was signed between the Western Allies and Germany ending hostilities on the Western Front of World War I. World War I was called “The War to End All Wars”. We know how that turned out. But the holiday remained and is still celebrated throughout Europe as well as here in the United States.

Pause and think of that for a moment- The War to End All Wars. How we wish that were true. So we honor those who serve in battles across the globe while we enjoy the comfort of our home, hoping that the next battle will be the last.

Now think about Jesus. His sacrifice was The Sacrifice to End All Sacrifices so to speak (ref: Hebrews 10). He fought our sins for us so that we wouldn’t have to fight on our own, and ultimately someday to never have to fight again. But like The War to End All Wars, it was not the end and battles continue. So we honor Christ, who fought and still fights for us, while we enjoy the comfort of our own lives.

While we remember the physical conflicts our Armed Forces are engaged in worldwide, let us not forget the spiritual conflicts that continue in our own lives and the soldier, Christ, who fights alongside us.

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-17)

Measuring Obedience

Frank

You know the routine: a new year begins and there’s a big hoorah about your church’s plans for the year. You hear moving testimony, an inspiring lesson, likely about Peter walking on water, and a time for confession and personal revival. On that last point, you might even take a “survey” to “take your spiritual temperature”. Rate yourself on a scale from 1 to 10, how did you do last year in: evangelism, giving, serving, prayer, Bible study? And how would you rate your personal battle against sin: anger, language, lust, pride, selfishness?

But we can’t quantify such things. Of sin, we know that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The illustration goes that if you try and jump the Grand Canyon, even if you fall short by only a foot, you meet the same fate as one who only jumped a foot. But on the spiritual disciplines, we also know that we cannot meet all of the Law. That’s why we needed a perfect sacrifice to make up for our own imperfections. “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4)

So it’s not a matter of some scale, some metric, some quantification of holiness. But that doesn’t stop us from trying: how long was your quiet time, how much do you give weekly, how many visitors have you had out to church, how many different ways are you involved? We might even have some checklist to mark off the things we do that we believe we should. But because holiness cannot be quantified, we cannot rely on some to-do list. Our motives need to be from the heart.

We need to remind ourselves of the anointing of David: “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b) Consider the example of the early church in Acts 2 and compare with your own checklist.

I read my Bible every day

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…” (v 42)

I go to church every Sunday

“…to the fellowship” (v 42)

I pray every day

“…and to prayer” (v 42)

I spend time with other believers… sometimes

“All the believers were together…” (v 44)

I tithe

“…and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” (v 44-45)

Did I mention I go to church every Sunday. Sometimes even Wednesdays!

“Every day they continued to meet together” (v 46)

I door knock at least one Saturday a month

“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

It all starts with that one word at the beginning- being “devoted”. That’s from the heart. So obedience isn’t about what or how much we do as much as how and why we do it.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved… For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:4-5,10)

Measuring Obedience

Frank

You know the routine: a new year begins and there’s a big hoorah about your church’s plans for the year. You hear moving testimony, an inspiring lesson, likely about Peter walking on water, and a time for confession and personal revival. On that last point, you might even take a “survey” to “take your spiritual temperature”. Rate yourself on a scale from 1 to 10, how did you do last year in: evangelism, giving, serving, prayer, Bible study? And how would you rate your personal battle against sin: anger, language, lust, pride, selfishness?

But we can’t quantify such things. Of sin, we know that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The illustration goes that if you try and jump the Grand Canyon, even if you fall short by only a foot, you meet the same fate as one who only jumped a foot. But on the spiritual disciplines, we also know that we cannot meet all of the Law. That’s why we needed a perfect sacrifice to make up for our own imperfections. “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4)

So it’s not a matter of some scale, some metric, some quantification of holiness. But that doesn’t stop us from trying: how long was your quiet time, how much do you give weekly, how many visitors have you had out to church, how many different ways are you involved? We might even have some checklist to mark off the things we do that we believe we should. But because holiness cannot be quantified, we cannot rely on some to-do list. Our motives need to be from the heart.

We need to remind ourselves of the anointing of David: “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b) Consider the example of the early church in Acts 2 and compare with your own checklist.

I read my Bible every day

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…” (v 42)

I go to church every Sunday

“…to the fellowship” (v 42)

I pray every day

“…and to prayer” (v 42)

I spend time with other believers… sometimes

“All the believers were together…” (v 44)

I tithe

“…and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” (v 44-45)

Did I mention I go to church every Sunday. Sometimes even Wednesdays!

“Every day they continued to meet together” (v 46)

I door knock at least one Saturday a month

“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

It all starts with that one word at the beginning- being “devoted”. That’s from the heart. So obedience isn’t about what or how much we do as much as how and why we do it.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved… For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:4-5,10)

40 Days in the Desert

Frank

GM emerged from bankruptcy today, 40 days after being forced there by the administration (although they were doomed to head there eventually). So how well did they do facing temptation in the desert?

When tempted to turn a stone to bread, they resisted and got rid of the stone (Hummer and the pebble Saturn).

When tempted to throw themselves from the temple, they threw Pontiac overboard. (at the cost of the sweet Solstice and the much-improved G6)

When tempted to bow at the altar of the government bailout, they quickly got on their knees. But to their credit, they plan on paying the government back well before the 2015 deadline.

So, GM and the Detroit auto-industry isn’t Jesus after all. Which really comes as no surprise. But I just needed an excuse to link this story from last December, right before two of the Big Three fell. And steal the above picture from Salguod. That and I found it interesting that the news made such a big deal about it being 40 days. Better than 40 years, right?

40 Days in the Desert

Frank

GM emerged from bankruptcy today, 40 days after being forced there by the administration (although they were doomed to head there eventually). So how well did they do facing temptation in the desert?

When tempted to turn a stone to bread, they resisted and got rid of the stone (Hummer and the pebble Saturn).

When tempted to throw themselves from the temple, they threw Pontiac overboard. (at the cost of the sweet Solstice and the much-improved G6)

When tempted to bow at the altar of the government bailout, they quickly got on their knees. But to their credit, they plan on paying the government back well before the 2015 deadline.

So, GM and the Detroit auto-industry isn’t Jesus after all. Which really comes as no surprise. But I just needed an excuse to link this story from last December, right before two of the Big Three fell. And steal the above picture from Salguod. That and I found it interesting that the news made such a big deal about it being 40 days. Better than 40 years, right?

Who’s Your Daddy?

Frank

“So God created man in his own image…” (Gen 1:27) There are a lot of ways to take this meaning. I grew up understanding that this meant I had an eternal, divine soul. I also believed because of this that all people are inherently good. Then I grew older, actually read the book of Romans, and learned this is not the case. Another way of looking at this verse is that our character reflect the character of God.

It was a novel, in fact controversial, idea when Jesus introduced the Lord’s Prayer with the words “Our Father…” (Mt 6:9) and when he said “I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” (Jn 8:18, emphasis added) he was speaking blasphemy. But it is clear from the Gospels that we can look at the God in Heaven as ‘Father’. If we are created in his image, and that means we share his character, then as fathers shouldn’t we look to his example for fatherhood?

There’s a lot in the Bible that we can turn to, and I encourage you to study this out on your own. But I want to call attention to two of Jesus’ parables to grasp a description of the father that I believe is central to fatherhood.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Mt 7:9-11)

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (From the parable of the Prodigal Son, Lk 15:20b-24)

If you don’t know the story, the Prodigal Son asks for his inheritance early, runs off and blows it all, feels ashamed about it and comes home. This is where I pick up the story.

What these parables have in common is unconditional love. That’s hard as a father. My son is in the “fearful Fours” (though I’ve heard different versions of that first f-word, if you know what I mean). When he’s being especially disobedient and is disciplined, he’s quick to lash out in anger, “I don’t like you!” The first few times he did that it hurt me greatly. But then I understood that he didn’t mean it. I forgave him. He continues to say that from time to time. And each time I tell him that it hurts, but I understand and forgive him.

Isn’t this that attitude that God has towards us? We sin, and sin, and sin. We reject him daily, only turning to him when we’re in trouble. Yet we want everything he has to offer us. So what does God do? He tells us, “I understand. I forgive you. I love you.”

It doesn’t take my son long to get over his anger with me. Just the other night we were butting heads and clashing wills. After some time to cool off he comes up to me and told me, “I always like you.” I was surprised! It wasn’t ten minutes earlier that he told me the opposite! He surprised me again last night when he told me out of the blue, “You’re always my friend.” There’s no better Father’s Day present I could ever get. I pray this is always true.

Who’s Your Daddy?

Frank

“So God created man in his own image…” (Gen 1:27) There are a lot of ways to take this meaning. I grew up understanding that this meant I had an eternal, divine soul. I also believed because of this that all people are inherently good. Then I grew older, actually read the book of Romans, and learned this is not the case. Another way of looking at this verse is that our character reflect the character of God.

It was a novel, in fact controversial, idea when Jesus introduced the Lord’s Prayer with the words “Our Father…” (Mt 6:9) and when he said “I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” (Jn 8:18, emphasis added) he was speaking blasphemy. But it is clear from the Gospels that we can look at the God in Heaven as ‘Father’. If we are created in his image, and that means we share his character, then as fathers shouldn’t we look to his example for fatherhood?

There’s a lot in the Bible that we can turn to, and I encourage you to study this out on your own. But I want to call attention to two of Jesus’ parables to grasp a description of the father that I believe is central to fatherhood.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Mt 7:9-11)

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (From the parable of the Prodigal Son, Lk 15:20b-24)

If you don’t know the story, the Prodigal Son asks for his inheritance early, runs off and blows it all, feels ashamed about it and comes home. This is where I pick up the story.

What these parables have in common is unconditional love. That’s hard as a father. My son is in the “fearful Fours” (though I’ve heard different versions of that first f-word, if you know what I mean). When he’s being especially disobedient and is disciplined, he’s quick to lash out in anger, “I don’t like you!” The first few times he did that it hurt me greatly. But then I understood that he didn’t mean it. I forgave him. He continues to say that from time to time. And each time I tell him that it hurts, but I understand and forgive him.

Isn’t this that attitude that God has towards us? We sin, and sin, and sin. We reject him daily, only turning to him when we’re in trouble. Yet we want everything he has to offer us. So what does God do? He tells us, “I understand. I forgive you. I love you.”

It doesn’t take my son long to get over his anger with me. Just the other night we were butting heads and clashing wills. After some time to cool off he comes up to me and told me, “I always like you.” I was surprised! It wasn’t ten minutes earlier that he told me the opposite! He surprised me again last night when he told me out of the blue, “You’re always my friend.” There’s no better Father’s Day present I could ever get. I pray this is always true.

In the (father) Hood

Frank

So dads, what causes the frustrations I described before? “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it…” (James 4:1-2b) I often have to remind myself that the things that stress me out are blessings and that my stress is the result of me being ungrateful. Stressed about your house? Be grateful you have a roof over your head. Stressed out about your job? Be grateful you’re employed.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise however. God told Adam that the consequence of him eating the apple would be “toil” on this earth. “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Gen 3:19)

The same applies to our families, arguably the most consistent if not largest source of stress. I wouldn’t describe fatherhood as ‘toil’, but there’s plenty of sweat on my brow. I’m amazed at the timeless truth of this passage. So many brothers talk about how their biggest insecurity is worry over being able to take care of their family. Want to make a man feel inadequate? Make him feel he’s failed taking care of his home. That’s one of my biggest struggles. I see something I planted in the yard wither and die and I feel like a failure to my family. That incomplete home improvement project? Failure. And relating back to toiling for our food, when we fall short on our bills I worry whether I’m making enough money. And again I feel like a failure.

But it doesn’t need to be this way. Jesus said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18:3ff) Do our children worry about the how the bills will be paid? Are they disappointed when there’s a dead patch in the yard? Do they feel like failures when things aren’t perfect? Of course not. So neither should we. Our children’s biggest concern is knowing that we love them and that isn’t something to stress over, but rather be very very grateful for.

After all, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Mt 6:27)