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!

And That's a Good Thing!

I'm at the Word of Life Conference Center in Hudson, FL. this week. I'm here to speak at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention. After giving a morning challenge to the students, I had the chance to connect with a pastor who is attending the convention with his students. I was so encouraged by our conversation. He was sharing with me some of the challenges he has faced in recent days, and yet he was encouraged by the opportunities that lie ahead. I was reminded of how seldom I see the problems of ministry as opportunities. Rarely do I welcome those nasty "disruptions" to my agenda. However, those problems usually present an opportunity for me to grow as a pastor, husband, father, or friend. When the dust finally settles, I am usually stronger as a result of the trial. My faith is stronger. I'm more resolved to remain faithful to my calling. I am more dependent on God. And that's a good thing!

A Week in the Sunshine State

I found little time for blogging last week. Most of my time and energy was devoted to preparation for Resurrection Sunday. Not only was I busy with sermon preparation and "normal" pastoral duties, but we were also putting the finishing touches on our Family Life Center. I am so proud of our staff and the multitude of volunteers who have labored tirelessly for the past month to help remodel our FLC. Apart from new carpet - which should arrive in a couple of weeks - it is now a beautiful temporary worship center. We had an awesome Easter service with great attendance in spite of terrible weather. To God be the glory!

I'm in Hudson, Florida this week preaching at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention. We started with a great evening rally last night with the students and their sponsors excited about the week ahead! I hope to post more through the week...

The Resurrection: Fact or Fiction?

Whatever one believes about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, everyone has to acknowledge that something significant happened on that morning. That day changed the course of history, even to the point of changing the calendar from B.C. (before Christ) to A.D. (Latin anno domini - the year of our Lord). So dramatic were the events of that day that it completely changed the lives of eleven men, causing them to endure suffering and even death for the cause of Christ. They would tell us that the tomb of Jesus Christ was empty! Reports of that empty tomb and personal appearances by the resurrected Christ have shaken the foundation of belief and shaped the course of history from that day forward.

If someone wanted to "explain away" the events surrounding Christ's resurrection, they would have to deal with certain FACTS. The fact that something happened in spite of both the Jews' and Romans' security precautions - crucifixion, burial, entombment, sealing and guarding the tomb - makes it very difficult for critics to defend the position that Christ didn't rise from the dead. The remainder of this Holy Week will be dedicated to exploring the facts surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the mean time, contemplate the words of Paul recorded in I Corinthians 15:5-8:

5. and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.
6. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
7. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.
8. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

What The Resurrection Means to Me

Christianity claims that Christ rose from the dead while the unbelieving world thinks, "That's amazing, if true, but ultimately, so what?" "What does the death, burial, and resurrection of a man thousands of years ago have to do with me in the twenty-first century?"

Here's what the resurrection of Christ means to me: What happened to Christ can happen to me! Like him, I will die, but his resurrection is a promise that death is not the end. His resurrection gives me hope for a glorious future - free from pain, sorrow, and death. My most outlandish dreams of peace, love, and harmony can be fulfilled!

I love the words of the Apostle Paul recorded in I Corinthians 15:1-4:

1. Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
2. by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.
3. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4. and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

I Love Surprises!

The truth is, I love to be pleasantly surprised. It is so frustrating to de-plane in an airport far away from home only to be surprised that my connecting flight is delayed or canceled. And who likes to be surprised by a flat tire? Think of the surprise and shock that comes when you learn that a friend has unexpectedly been killed in an accident. Some surprises are just not fun. But, I secretly loved the time that my wife convinced a small army of our friends to show up at our place after midnight to yell, "Surprise!", when I walked in the door. I think it was my 24th birthday. I love the thrill of being pleasantly surprised.

After Roman soldiers determined that Jesus was dead, they removed his body from the cross so that he could be buried in a new tomb. Mary Magdalene was determined to visit his tomb after the burial was completed. Early Sunday morning she made her way to the tomb only to be dreadfully surprised. Not only had Jesus been unjustly killed, but the tomb was open and his body was gone. Fearing that the body had been stolen, she ran to Peter and John to inform them of what she had seen. When they arrived, they saw the grave clothes still intact, but the body was nowhere to be found. They, too, were surprised.

Later, Mary Magdalene was asked a question: "Dear woman, why are you crying?" Clueless as to whom she was speaking, she said , "Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him" (John 20:15). She loved Jesus dearly and wanted to pay her respects. But then in a moment of remarkable tenderness Jesus called her by name: "Mary". "Teacher!" she cried as she finally recognized him. She rushed to him, embracing him in ecstatic joy. Jesus was alive, healthy and well because death could not hold the promised Messiah. And don't you know Mary was pleasantly surprised!

Let's Talk About the Resurrection

Like most pastors, I find this time of the year exhilarating. Easter provides a great opportunity to declare real hope in a world filled with doubt, dread, and despair. For example, consider this comment posted by a girl on an Internet atheist website on July 16, 2007:

I'm confused...I always believed science would be the cure-all for my problems, but I don't know if I can keep living without eternal life. I guess I'll just have to find a way myself to make it through this meaningless existence. I just wish I knew of someone who could show me the path to eternal life. If science can't provide the answers, though, then who or what can!? Doesn't it seem like there is a higher power that gives our lives purpose? Well, science says there isn't, so there isn't.

This girl unknowingly articulates the whole issue in a nutshell. If life on this earth is all there is, then existence is meaningless and one is forced to, "find a way myself", as the girl states. She wishes there was some kind of higher power that would assure her of eternal life.

Now, imagine the despair of a small band of followers as they stood watching the Messiah, their deliverer, breathing his last agonizing breath on a Roman cross. They had forsaken everything to follow him. He was the one they believed would reestablish the kingdom of Israel. But now he was dying on a cross. Life must have seemed meaningless! But far more than the fate of the disciples or even the fate of Israel hung on the cross that day. The fate of the entire human race was at stake. Christ was humanity's last hope, and yet the supposed Savior was dead, and any hope of deliverance was buried with him...or was it?

For the next few days, I'll be posting some thoughts about the personal meaning of the resurrection. Additionally, I'll be pointing out some rock-solid evidence for its validity. Hope you'll stay tuned!

The Kindle Has Landed

It was waiting for me when I got home from last week's trip to Wisconsin. Yes, the Kindle has finally landed in my hands. With little effort, I am resisting the temptation to refer to this nifty little gadget as a "he" or "she". That's just weird. I will not be giving it a people name like "Reed" or "Cindy". That, too, is weird. But I must say Kindle is cool. I haven't spent much time exploring all of it's features, but my first impression tells me this thing will be in my hands plenty. It is certainly as sleek as I expected. And I am reasonably sure it is as practical as I had hoped. One of the features that I already like is the ability to download a sample of books that interest me. These samples are more than a couple of paragraphs, too. It's like walking the aisles of Books-a-Million and thumbing through actual books! Just this morning I clicked one button on Amazon.com and downloaded a sample of The Works of Jonathan Edwards. Before I could say, "I love my Kindle", it was wirelessly downloaded! That's pretty cool!

Spiritual Barrenness

Leroy Eims' Daily Discipleship devotional gripped my heart this morning. The thought of being grieved over a lack of spiritual fruit is sobering. Be challenged! Once again, here's the link: http://www.navlists.org/dailydiscipleship/

Nothing Like that New Book Smell

One of the reasons I struggled with the Kindle purchase is I LOVE BOOKS. I love the smell of books. I love to turn pages. I love to dog-ear my place. I love to highlight nuggets of wisdom that challenge my thinking. I love to write little notes in the margin. In short, I use a book.

All of this got me to thinking. What is it that I really love about books and reading? It is really the "feel" of the book in my hands? Is it really the smell of the paper? Is it really the fine art of dog-earing my place? After some serious soul-searching (sounds dramatic, huh?), I came to the conclusion that I love books because they are a conduit for the transfer of knowledge from the author to me. They provide an opportunity for me to drift into the world of fiction, created in the mind of the author. Books are a communication tool; a means for one person to deliver a message to the masses.

By the way, there is a highlight feature on the Kindle. You can make notes and store them forever. You can electronically turn pages and bookmark your place. And whenever I get my car detailed, one of the air freshener options is "new car" scent. Surely they can make "new book" scent. Because there's nothing like that new book smell.

I Made the Jump

Yep. I did it. Finally made the jump. I ordered the Kindle 2 last week. I am currently tracking its progress from Campbellsville, KY to my doorstep. I've never considered myself a "gadget freak", but I'm pretty excited about this thing. The Kindle is an electronic reading device that allows one to store over 1,500 titles. It is offered exclusively by Amazon. The folks at Amazon currently boast 230,000 titles available for wireless download; the average cost for most titles is less than $10. Kindle weighs less than 10.5 ounces and is pencil thin. Being an avid reader and a fairly frequent traveler, there are many Kindle features that have me licking my chops. Just yesterday, I was packing about 35 pounds of books around with me. (OK. That included my laptop.) The total cost of those books: about $120. A little research on Amazon.com Kindle Store told me those same books would have cost me $50 in Kindle format. And...they would have all weighed less than 10.5 ounces.
I'm finding that more and more publishers are considering different forms of getting their stuff in the consumer's hands. Many are already offering books in PDF format. This makes me wonder if the traditional ink-on-paper book will ever be a thing of the past. What do you think? More thoughts tomorrow...

What I'm Reading

I love to read and usually have 2-3 books going at any given time. Sounds like it would be confusing, I know. But it keeps me interested because it adds variety to my reading. I read my Bible the same way. This year I am using the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. Each day the DJ plan takes me to two Old Testament and two New Testament texts. Again, I like the variety and it seems to remove the "I'm just reading to check off my list" mentality.
Here's what I'm currently reading:

1. Lost and Found by Ed Stetzer with Richie Stanley and Jason Hayes
The subtitle is The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach Them. I have grown increasingly burdened for the young adults who seem to be drifting away from the church. Stetzer heads the research division of Lifeway Christian Resources and his team's research and insight in this area are invaluable. So far, a very helpful book.

2. Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones
This is a book that came out about three years ago. It was so helpful to me then, that I am reading it a second time. Andy Stanley is one of the top communicators of our day. Because I am always striving to improve my skills as a communicator, I pay attention to what he has to say on the subject.

3. How Can a Good God Let Bad Things Happen? by Mark Tabb
I recently joined the Blogger Review Program with Navpress. The program requires that I read a selected book, then write a review that will be posted on the Navpress website as well as one retail site such as Amazon.com. This is the first book that I chose to review and just received my copy in the mail this week. I'm looking forward to the adventure.

So what about you? What are you reading? What authors are influencing your life?

On a Personal Note

Since I just finished blogging through a book, I thought this would be a good time to shift gears. For the next couple of weeks Here's My Point... will be a bit more personal. Hope that doesn't cause you to stop reading!

This time of the year is especially busy for me. Along with the "normal" demands of pastoral ministry, I also do some traveling in the spring. For the past 20 years I've had the privilege of preaching at a number of regional student conventions. These conventions are a gathering of Christian school students from all over their respective regions to compete in over 100 different events. The conventions are held at a variety of venues all over the country, although many are held on university campuses. I usually preach anywhere from 4-8 times at each convention. Because I competed at these conventions as a high-schooler, it is both humbling and rewarding to minister to the students each spring. I'm looking forward to being in Oshkosh, WI for the Wisconsin Regional Student Convention next week. Pray for warm weather.

Being away from home serves as a reminder of how important my family is to me. Since Kristie seldom gets to travel with me, I find myself missing her with a vengeance. Another of the drawbacks to traveling is that I often miss my kid's activities. Last week I missed Ashley's induction into the National Junior Honor Society. Both Matt and Tim play baseball; Ashley plays softball. Next week, it looks like I'll miss a couple of games. Before you start feeling sorry for me; however, you must know there are some trade-offs. When I'm home, I miss fewer games than most other dads whose jobs require them to "punch the clock".

Here's my point...ministry is often demanding and allows little freedom. Thankfully, there are aspects of ministry that give me more freedom than a lot of other guys. I plan to make the most of those opportunities!

Chapter 7 - Tying it all Together

Blogging through Stephen Altrogge's Game Day for the Glory of God has been a great experience for me. God has used sports in such a profound way in my sanctification that it was a no-brainer for me to blog through this book. Altrogge is a young man (twenty-four when the book was written) who has a handle on the significance of sports in the life of a Christ follower. He certainly makes the point that, if not kept in check, sports can pull us away from God. He also makes the point, however, that sports can serve a higher purpose in our lives than just playing games. In the final chapter, Altrogge reminds us of his two-fold purpose in writing. First, sports are gifts from God for our enjoyment. Second, sports are opportunities. He ties it all together like this:

"Sports provide us with opportunities to grow in godliness. Few things allow us to grow in humility, conquer our anger, discipline our bodies, persevere in the face of adversity, and pursue excellence, all in the span of an hour or two. Sports expose our sinful pride and desire for personal glory. They reveal our sinful self-sufficiency, self-worship, and self-centeredness. They also present unique opportunities to grow in humility, a character trait that deeply pleases God."

Here's my point...the next time you find yourself living a game day, determine to make it a game day for the glory of God.

All These People Going Somewhere

I'm sitting in the Indianapolis International Airport waiting for my flight home. I've been humming Brandon Heath's Give Me Your Eyes. Great song with a great message! As I watch all these people pass by - every size, shape, and color imaginable - I can't help but wonder where they're all going. I'm not wondering where American or Southwest will carry them today, but where they will spend eternity. The family sitting to my left trying to figure out a crossword puzzle from the morning paper -are they going to heaven? The middle-aged man sitting across from me reading Men's Health Magazine - is he going to heaven? The oriental lady who just sat down beside me; she seems frustrated - is she going to heaven? The 20-something Purdue fan that just walked by - is he going to heaven? The song says, "All those people going somewhere, why have I never cared...give me your eyes..." It takes on a different meaning when you're sitting in the middle of a busy airport.

Chapter 6 - Parents, Children, and the Glory of God

Back to Game Day for the Glory of God by Stephen Altrogge. Chapter six is my favorite chapter in the book. It is a clarion call for all parents to use sports as a tool for training their children in godliness. Altrogge makes this observation: "When children play sports, they learn values and priorities that will stay with them throughout their entire lives. In the heat of competition attitudes are forged. But these attitudes aren't formed independently. They are shaped by friends, parents, and coaches. Children are like sponges, soaking up everything that goes on around them. Values and priorities held by parents will be transferred to their children." (pg. 86) With these truths serving as a foundation, Altrogge identifies three specific ways parents can help their children grow in godliness while on the playing field.

1. Help Your Children Savor Christ
"Something small and seemingly insignificant, such as the desire to play sports, can quickly become idolatrous. If it isn't addressed quickly, this desire can become all-consuming, stealing away any love they have for the Lord." (pg. 87)

2. Help Your Children Set Godly Priorities
Altrogge reviews the four priorities outlined in chapter 4: Humility, Passion, Trust, and Dependence upon God. He looks at each of these priorities with a specific emphasis on a parent's relationship with their children.

3. Help Your Children See the Big Picture
"As Christians we must strive to maintain a biblical perspective on sports and to help our children do the same. Without this perspective our children may place too high a priority on sports while neglecting things that are far more important." (pg. 96)
Altrogge then gives us this simple list of biblical priorities: God, Family, and Church.

This is definitely a powerful chapter that carries a timely message. In a day when sports has become an all-consuming passion for many Christians, it is more important than ever for us to keep sports in their place. We can either use sports as a tool for training in godliness or they can quickly become a liability in our walk with God.