The Three Amigos

While reading through the Old Testament book of II Samuel recently, my attention was arrested by the valor of David's mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah. These guys apparently stood head and shoulders above the rest in the bravery department. The headlines of their day may have read like this: "Chief Josheb-basshebeth Spears 800 Philistines", "Eleazar's Battle-Weary Hand Pried from Sword", "Shammah Stands at Lehi When All Others Flee", or "Brave Trio Fetches Bethlehem Water for King David". This is the kind of stuff they make into movies! It's the kind of bravery that young boys dream of having when they "get big".

We desperately need some mighty men of valor in the 21st century! We need some guys who will rise up on the battlefield of life and take a stand; some guys who will be there when everyone else runs and hides. I'm praying for some real men who will make Heavenly headlines: "Band of Brothers Whips Pornography", "A Few Good Men Remain Faithful til 'Death Do Us Part'", or "Three Amigos Conquer Mt. Compromise".

I've Had This Day Circled on My Calendar

I've known this day would eventually get here. I've thought about it many times over the past several years, I just didn't think it would come so quickly! Our daughter - the baby of the family - celebrated her 13th birthday yesterday. That means I woke up this morning the father of three teenagers. Yep, three teenagers in one house. Depending on your perspective, it can strike fear in your heart. I can't begin to tell you the joy that our children have brought to our lives. Kristie and I thank God for Matt, Tim, and Ashley every day. They are truly a gift from God! Sometimes parenting can be quite an adventure, but it is so awesome to see God working in the lives of our kids. It's on the parenting adventure that God has taught me some of life's most important lessons and I suspect I've got a lot more learning to do!

The Circle of Love

Happy Valentines Day! I hope that you will take the time to express your affection to those in your circle of love today. It's really pretty easy to do. Let's face it, there are reasons these folks are in the circle to begin with - your spouse, your boyfriend or girlfriend, your children, your extended family, your bff. You have some sort of established relationship with these individuals. Time and energy have been invested into maintaining the relationship. These people have, or still are, adding value to your life. But what about all those people outside your circle of love? You know, the ones who are difficult to love. The obnoxious co-worker. The neighbor who isn't so neighborly. The small- group member who dominates the conversation with personal issues. Anyone who drives you CRAZY. Do we have any obligation to love the not-so-lovable, or can we just push them outside our circle of love?

I John 4:11 says, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another".

God's Word makes it clear that God loved us before we were lovable or deserving of His love. There was no way that we could earn His love, no way that we could impress God enough to love us. He just loved us! Why not take the opportunity to spread a little love outside your circle today? It has the potential to change your life.

What I'm Reading

I am often asked the question, "What are you reading?". So....here ya go:

Criswell Theological Review - The Fall 2008 Edition cannot be found at a bookstore near you. I picked it up at our Association office. I have found Ronald Sider's article, "Thinking Biblically about Politics", especially helpful.

Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson is an excellent book that I am reading for the second time. I rarely read a book two times within a 3-4 week period, but Mark is on to something about reclaiming the adventure of pursuing God. It has arrested my attention, and will likely lead to a sermon series in the future.

Do the Right Thing by Mike Huckabee is a run-down of Huckabee's political platform. Aside from being a behind-the-scenes look at his recent presidential bid, Mike has me doing some serious thinking about the "Fair Tax", and what it really means.

Cut It Up and Throw It In The Fire?

In our Midweek Bible Study I have been teaching a series titled "Who Are You?" The focus of the series has been getting to know some little-known characters in Scripture. Ahithophel, Hobab, and Hephzibah are some of the folks we've gotten better acquainted with. Last night, we looked at Jehoiakim. Jeremiah 36:23 tells us, "As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot." If we had been there, our first response might have been disbelief and outrage! Someone actually cutting up God's Word and throwing it into the fire is hard to imagine...or is it? Many people mistakenly think of God's Word as a collection of "nice sayings" or "tidbits for successful living". While God's Word certainly contains some nice sayings and is a collection of wisdom for successful living, it is self-described as "powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword". The Apostle Paul describes it as "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction." The message that God had given to the prophet Jeremiah, and was delivered to Jehoiakim, was one of impending judgment. I suspect Jehoiakim didn't especially like what he heard, which led to his chop-and-burn course of action.

Here's my point...Sometimes we find God's Word offensive. It has a way of "calling us out" on our sin. It smashes our pride, laziness, lust, greed, anger, and the list goes on. If we aren't careful, our response can be the same as Jehoiakim. No, we may not physically cut up God's Word and throw it in the fire. But we can choose to ignore its message or scorn its truths. Either way, the result is the same.