I Blinked and He Grew Up!

OK, so life has been happening at break-neck speed. Thus, the lack of blog posts. My oldest son is graduating from high school today, we will celebrate his 18th birthday on Sunday, and I am struggling! Apparently I blinked and he grew up. My wife, Kristie, has put together a collection of letters from friends and family for Matt's graduation. Here are the thoughts of a proud Dad to his son:

Matt,
18 years ago, I saw this day looming on the horizon. I had no idea how fast it would get here! While you’ve looked forward to it with eager anticipation, I’ve looked forward to it with mixed emotions. For you, this day couldn’t get here fast enough because it marks the beginning of adulthood. For me, it has arrived much too quickly because it marks the end of childhood.
I remember the day that Mom and I discovered you were on the way. We were more excited than you can imagine! I remember holding you in my arms for the first time and thinking, “What a miracle!” I remember Father’s Day 1991 – your first Sunday in church, and my first Father’s Day as a DAD. I remember your first day of school, your first steps, playing catch for the first time, and your first official at bat. You have brought us immeasurable joy as we have watched you grow up into the man that you are today. I am so proud of all that you have accomplished as a student, as an athlete, and as a leader. I could not be more proud of you, son!
More than any of your accomplishments in the classroom and on the athletic field, I am proud of who you are becoming. Your spiritual journey started the day that you committed your life to Christ. One of my proudest days as a Dad and as Pastor is the day that I baptized you. It has been so much fun discovering how God has uniquely gifted you to make much of Him. My prayer is that you will live every moment of every day for the glory of God! Make certain that your relationship with God is more important than any earthly relationship. Make certain that your time with Him is more important than anything else on your calendar. Make certain that knowing Him is more important than your batting average.
As you begin the next phase of your life, know that your proud parents will always be in the stands cheering you on. We will be praying for you every day as we look forward to all that God has in store for you. Always remember: God is more concerned about who you’re becoming than where you’re going or what you’re doing.

I love you more than you know!
Your Proud Dad

A Friday Nugget from the NQ&A File

After a long two-week silence, I'm back! The blogging break was intentional. Really. I dedicated a significant amount of time during these two weeks to work on some projects that really needed my attention. I have also been doing a mammoth amount of study and research for upcoming sermon series.

Anyway, here's a Friday nugget from my Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes file...

"God doesn't want a place in your life. He demands and deserves preeminence. God's throne is not a duplex."

Read it again...let it sink in...

Coram Deo

Fridays are for NQ&A!

Early in my ministry I was challenged to maintain a file of Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes. This advice has proven to be invaluable in my sermon preparation. After all, preaching is really gathering all the ingredients to "make your own chili". My NQ&A file has changed through the years. What started out as an actual manila file folder stuffed in an actual metal filing cabinet has become a simple NQ&A file on my computer. (Look for a future post on how Bill Gates and Al Gore have revolutionized my ministry) Anyway, I plan to dedicate my Friday posts to sharing some of my NQ&As. I hope you enjoy!

Today's gem: "Nothing is politically correct that is morally wrong."

Discuss... Talk amongst yourselves...

How 'bout a Heap of Happiness?

A couple of weeks ago I started a Sunday morning series, The Big Ten, covering Exodus 20 and what is commonly known as The Ten Commandments. The feedback that I have received from the church has been both encouraging and enlightening. One of the truths that I have tried to communicate through this series is this: God is not some cosmic kill-joy. Every time He says, "Thou shalt not," He's saying, "Don't hurt yourself." And every time He says, "Thou shalt," He's saying, "Help yourself to happiness." Dr. Adrian Rogers often said, "God only wants for us what we would want for ourselves if we were smart enough to want it."

I'm not certain that most people really know what they want. When you consider the foolish decisions that are made every day, you can't help but wonder, "Is that really what they wanted?" Our local news reported this morning that a 72-year-old man is heading to jail because he shot his wife during a domestic dispute, then turned his gun on sheriff's deputies. Is that really what he wanted? Did he really think shooting the wife and a couple of peace officers would solve his problems? He will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. I doubt that's what he wanted. Do you know what you want? If you're looking for happiness, head straight to God's Word with a heart-attitude that says, "I'll have a heap of happiness, please."

Martin Luther and Psalm 46

If you study church history, you will certainly come across a guy named Martin Luther. A natural-born German and the son of a lawyer, Luther devoted himself to a thorough study of the Scriptures. After graduating from college, he went to an Augustinian monastery and in 1507, was ordained a priest.

On a mission to Rome in 1510, Luther found himself appalled by the corruption of the papacy. He became a professor of theology and began teaching salvation by grace through faith rather than works. On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Cathedral of Whittenburg, Germany, condemning the teaching and practices of the Roman church. It was this event by which the Protestant Reformation was formally born. Luther was excommunicated and was summoned to appear before the Diet of Worms in 1521, in which he was to retract his teachings. Luther refused, and faced the fight of his life.

Birthed from the turmoil, unrest, and persecution that he faced was a hymn that has stood for centuries as the believer's battle cry. The exact date of its writing is unknown; however, it is thought to have been written for the Diet of Spires in 1529 when the term "Protestant" was first used. It is the immortal hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God. Luther wrote the hymn based on Psalm 46, his favorite Psalm.

Tonight at FBC Queen City, I will begin a Midweek series, Great is the Lord. The series will be a verse-by-verse walk through Psalm 46. My hope and prayer is that we will finish the study with a profound appreciation for God's security, stability, safety, sovereignty, simplicity, and sanctity. Great is the Lord!