Wow, the house is different. Alan left for South Dakota last week with a group from Auburn. Amy left the week before for Ireland and Northern Ireland on a 17 day venture. And for three days last week I was gone to New York City on a video job leaving Carol and the two youngest home. After getting home and working a shift at the station and then preaching this morning, the house is so... different. The girls room is, for the week, a girl room and the boys room has but one camper. It's been a few years since Carol and I have seen such things around the house; however knowing that my older ones are serving others the way Jesus would have them, gives me is consolation.
This short time to have alone with the younger two is special. We went to eat, because we could afford two children's meals and included fried ice cream, then returned home to play. No grown kid issues, no kids leaving going to other places, listening to Carol read stories, relaxing under the ceiling fan and sharing thoughts. Carol and I shared together how fast the years have flown by and are aware of how fast they will continue to pass.
Love your children, teach them by leading them, setting the example, reading scripture, praying with them and for them, and playing knights and princess with them when they want you to be king; someday these things will pass. New things will come about allowing you to serve them even more, but as this day ends, I'll never get it back. I hope God used me today ,in some way, to attract all four of my kids closer to Him; all for His glory.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Inspiration for the future
I'm not old, yet, but I found myself wondering about who is going to be leading the way with the cross in generations to come. Tonight as M-Town met, missing many of the usual faces, and with new ones in their seats I have begun to see that there are young people that are so much more on fire for Jesus than I was. They take doctrine seriously and have a heart to learn. I am encouraged and why should I have ever doubted? God is sovereign over the issue and has His plan. He was God yesterday, and is today and always will be.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Fear of Man vs Fear of God
Solomon wrote in the Book of Proverbs that "fear is the beginning of knowledge." His talk is in reference to knowing God and coming closer to Him. Matthew 10 says we should fear the one who has the power to send us to hell rather than men, that can't do anything with any long term affects; and even then every action is done with God's sovereign will allowing it.
So why fear God? first He created us and He did so with full intent of us being the exact way we are. There were no mistakes or anything in our creation that just occurred by chance. With this, He is our Father, both physically to every man, and spiritually to everyone chosen. His love for us is the perfect image of fatherhood as he loves us, has mercy on us and disciplines us as we need. He also gives to us generously, but He also takes away as He wishes (Job 1:21). The heavenly Father also knows everything there is (omniscient). He knows what we're thinking when we speak to others, He know our heart when we make a choice to perform some act. He sees us when we're home alone sitting behind the computer screen, thinking no one will know or see me. God also is everywhere (omnipresent). He is with you wherever you are; no matter your ground, He is there. God is also all powerful (omnipotent). He's the only One that can do whatever He wills. If this isn't enough to have a respect and awe for the one that loves you more dearly than your own father or mother, then I pray for your heart to be softened to see the love that God has given to each of us.
We tend to allow ourselves to fear the very ones we have no reason to fear. Man can do nothing when compared to what our real Father does for us. Ecclesiastes 3:14 lets us know that everything man tries is small and insignificant. We so often fear man's words of disapproval or his chastisement; however it is God's approval that we should seek after and no one else's. Peter knew this fear more than anyone else. Matthew 26 tells us that Jesus told him that he would deny Jesus three times before morning. Within the same chapter, Peter is confronted by a little servant girl accusing him of being a follower of Jesus. Peter said no. When approached the second time, he maintained his denial, someone noticed that he even spoke like a follower; so Peter cursed and swore that he was not a follower of Jesus. Then the rooster crowed. The guilt that Peter must have bore.
Each time we fear what man can do to us, and we don't trust God for His great love and promises, to give to us what we need, we are denying our relationship with Jesus. If someone accuses us falsely then we respond with truth and love. If someone threatens us we should look for a way to love them and trust that God has a way for this to work out. When trials come, we must look to God for help rather than trying to fix it ourselves.
God works things for His Glory and for His good. That is because He is in control and we are not. If it were not for our Father's love and mercy we would each get what we deserve, hell and no grace at all. Thanks be to God, all glory to Him. May I always know that no matter my job status, social standing, financial level, family reputation or physical abilities, God has me right where He wants me for His good. I like that feeling.
So why fear God? first He created us and He did so with full intent of us being the exact way we are. There were no mistakes or anything in our creation that just occurred by chance. With this, He is our Father, both physically to every man, and spiritually to everyone chosen. His love for us is the perfect image of fatherhood as he loves us, has mercy on us and disciplines us as we need. He also gives to us generously, but He also takes away as He wishes (Job 1:21). The heavenly Father also knows everything there is (omniscient). He knows what we're thinking when we speak to others, He know our heart when we make a choice to perform some act. He sees us when we're home alone sitting behind the computer screen, thinking no one will know or see me. God also is everywhere (omnipresent). He is with you wherever you are; no matter your ground, He is there. God is also all powerful (omnipotent). He's the only One that can do whatever He wills. If this isn't enough to have a respect and awe for the one that loves you more dearly than your own father or mother, then I pray for your heart to be softened to see the love that God has given to each of us.
We tend to allow ourselves to fear the very ones we have no reason to fear. Man can do nothing when compared to what our real Father does for us. Ecclesiastes 3:14 lets us know that everything man tries is small and insignificant. We so often fear man's words of disapproval or his chastisement; however it is God's approval that we should seek after and no one else's. Peter knew this fear more than anyone else. Matthew 26 tells us that Jesus told him that he would deny Jesus three times before morning. Within the same chapter, Peter is confronted by a little servant girl accusing him of being a follower of Jesus. Peter said no. When approached the second time, he maintained his denial, someone noticed that he even spoke like a follower; so Peter cursed and swore that he was not a follower of Jesus. Then the rooster crowed. The guilt that Peter must have bore.
Each time we fear what man can do to us, and we don't trust God for His great love and promises, to give to us what we need, we are denying our relationship with Jesus. If someone accuses us falsely then we respond with truth and love. If someone threatens us we should look for a way to love them and trust that God has a way for this to work out. When trials come, we must look to God for help rather than trying to fix it ourselves.
God works things for His Glory and for His good. That is because He is in control and we are not. If it were not for our Father's love and mercy we would each get what we deserve, hell and no grace at all. Thanks be to God, all glory to Him. May I always know that no matter my job status, social standing, financial level, family reputation or physical abilities, God has me right where He wants me for His good. I like that feeling.
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