Unity

Matt 5:9   -- Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.

It seems like every time I turn around relationships are being torn apart. When it comes to the body of Christ it appears that somehow we are disillusioned from the war that we find ourselves in. Although we should be pressing forward, shining brighter in a dark world, I find most of the time it is a battle just to keep everyone together. After reading the devotional on DTS's webpage it was a reminder of God's love for the adulterous nation Israel (see Hosea 3). May we be sons of God by going well beyond what is required to make peace and grow in unity rather than being sons of Satan by causing bitterness and division. For whatever cost it may be for us to seek peace with another is unworthy of being compared with the cost Christ paid on the cross so that we might have peace with the Father. How glorious it is to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when we as Christians model God's unity.

(The attached photo is a photo I designed for our elementary students when we covered what it means to be a peacemaker).

Once Upon a Time...

Ephesians 2:11-12

Now that I am by God's grace embarking on the amazing journey of being a parent, I have started thinking thoughts about life that I am sure most other parents have thought through before. Building upon Descartes' logic that "I think therefore I am", I find it more amazing that "I once was not". Although I was not breathing before August 13th, 1985, it is undeniable that there was something before I entered this world. It is funny how at times life makes so much sense and at other times it seems so surreal. I know I struggle with an advanced stage of alhemizers, as I so quickly forget that at one time I was not here and that one day I will no longer be here. Sadly, my memory also quickly forgets the severity by which my life has been bought and redeemed from death through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. And yet here I am, one deserving nothing less than the punishment poured out on God’s son. Thankfully God is good, for he could have easily forgotten His willfully disobedient children, yet he did not. Although I struggle with forgetfulness, God does not. He keeps his promises and answers the prayers of the righteous. I don’t know what the future holds regarding my life and the trails that are sure to come, but I do know what God has done in the past. I will always remember God’s goodness, as he answered my prayers (and also the prayers of my parents) for an amazing wife, one who is beautiful, sacrificial, and servant hearted. And now I sit waiting for the next few weeks, expectantly, to hold a new life and experience another undeserved blessing; one who will be helplessly dependent upon the care of others as I once was 23 years ago. God is Good!

Why Grace?

Phil. 1:21

My mind keeps traveling down the rabbit trail of life. I cannot seem to escape the amazement that I am actually here! In fact it is funny because almost everyday as humans we ignore this miraculous truth that we have life. In fact lately I cannot stop being overwhelmed by the gift of God's grace. I often question why in the world God loves me? I did nothing and can offer nothing, in fact more often than not I disappoint him yet he still loves me! I am forever indebted to the grace of the Father. I am only beginning to understand Paul's words, "TO LIVE IS CHRIST TO DIE IS GAIN". I realize how much I waste my life being a Martha (don't get me wrong I sure do get a lot done), but I miss out on so many intimate moments with the savior (I have much to learn from Mary). Lately, I am beginning to realize how important every moment is, and how each moment is a moment of grace. It is amazing how often I neglect this grace and become infatuated with things that don't matter.

May every moment of life be one that is characterized by Christ.

Living a life of hope

When the world looses hope, we must not. It is amazing how hopeless so many are. In fact sometimes I am blind to their hopelessness; however it is obvious when they are running towards things that only bring a temporary satisfaction that they desperately want to escape reality. It is amazing how many I interact with look at the future of the United States with such pessimistic views. Some might be well founded but most are rooted in fear. I don't know what God plans to do with the United States, but what I do know is that we cannot loose hope. What I do know is that God provides, and that God is working in a way that is shaking the foundation of many people's poorly built lives. There has not been a better time in my life to evangelize to the lost. One of the many great things about sanctification is that God continues to open my eyes to who he is. Through his grace he continues to widen my worldview. Although, I await the day when I will see perfectly I am finding peace and hope in seeing his sovereignty and grace poured out on a self-seeking world. The God who promised that we would die in our sins (Genesis 2:17) also promised that we would live because of Christ Jesus (Titus 1:2). How beautiful it is to see a more complete picture of God's grace. May we live a life of hope to a world that has none.

You're not going to find life here.... I PROMISE!

Philippians 2

It is amazing how I always think I can find fulfillment if I just had _______(fill in the blank). I think as American's we are the most ungrateful and most discontent people on the planet. I find it absolutely incredible how many people I talk to that are discontent with how much income their job provides, even when the poorest of Americans are ludicrously richer than the average person in this world. In fact I used to be one of them (sadly, I still am one of them), I complained about not having enough to live in a decent part of town, nor the ability to buy health insurance, a decent car, or money to fix all the broken car windows that came with living in a run down part of town. Yet I never worried for a moment about whether I would have clean water to drink or what I would eat that day. It is surprising how often I catch myself wanting and desiring more, usually only looking to those who have more, never glancing or caring about those who have less. I think that some how I might find life and meaning in earthly things, like getting a house, a new car, or enjoying time off. Although, there is pleasure for a moment in this stuff the excitement quickly fades. A new house quickly becomes routine, a new car quickly becomes outdated, and time off is never long enough (if you doubt this fact just ask a dead retiree). Not that it is wrong to have or enjoy stuff, but it is amazing how distracted I am by these things. In fact when life is good I quickly forget that I will die! I am astonished at how I truly believe I will be satisfied if I live the American Dream, yet when I seek after Christ it is surprisingly true that my thirst is quenched and I have peace. It seems like such a paradox, to have everything the world can offer, a good marriage, kids, job, a house and loads of money, yet still have a heart that is discontent. However, when life just really seems to go against me and I am pursuing Christ, the circumstances do not matter. Not to say that every circumstance is fun, or enjoyable but somehow by the grace of God He gives me peace. When relatives die, I don't mourn as one who has no hope, when I think I am struggling financially God provides (even though I have never once in my life had to worry about finding food or shelter for the day), when the world sees no value in who I am or what I do, I find rest as one who can call God my father! In writing this post I just wanted to remind myself and hopefully anyone else who is reading this that life, no matter how good it looks or how good it maybe for a moment, is rubbish when compared to a life that is lived with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Phil. 3:8). May I live this year (2009) with NO regrets!

Psalms 1:3

It is hard to live up to the legacy and impact made by different men and women of the faith. Lately I have been overwhelmed as I wish to follow the examples set by these Godly individuals. As I was reading Psalms 1, God's word opened my eyes to something new that struck me in a different way from all the other times I had read these verses (especially verses 2 & 3).

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

Verse 3 is what really struck me. Sometimes I want to go from being a 1 foot freshly planted tree to being a massive red oak. In other words, I want to go from being someone who is young and has a lot of sanctification left in this life to someone who has lived a life that leaves a legacy. I am sure if you took a picture of a tree everyday it would be hard to tell the difference, but if you took a picture the day you planted it and took another 10, 15, or 20 years later there would be a big difference. This seems to be how sanctification works. It is hard to tell the difference on a day to day basis but over the years you can see God changing your heart to be more like His. I am grateful for what God has already done in my life, yet I find hope and peace in what God will continue to do. However, I must continue (and probably do better at) delighting in the law of the Lord! It is easy to talk Christianity but it is hard to live it. Teaching about sacrifice and love is easy; living a life of sacrifice, obedience and love is quite contrary to my own desires.

Praise be to the God who began through HIS grace a good work in me and will carry it on to completion. (Ben's paraphrase of Phil. 1:6)

Thanks Tricia for pressing me on to write down some more thoughts.