“… have no fear for I am with you…” - Genesis 26:24
For the last week or two of school, Anna was supposed to wear some rubber bands on her braces, to help align her top and bottom jaws. The orthodontist had given her two packets of rubber bands. There were a couple of days when she had forgotten her bands at home and I had to go back and get them. After the second time, I suggested that she bring a packet to school and leave them there so she would have them if she forgot to put them at home. When she forgot the third day in a row, I told her I was not going to go get them again and that she needed to remember them for herself. She got home that afternoon and emptied her pocket… and discovered that she had a pack in her pocket the whole time!
Sometimes we go through struggles and trials as believers in Christ and we attempt to tackle those things in our own strength and with our own understanding. We engage in spiritual warfare without ever asking God for help. We fight defeated… and all the time we have God in our pocket, so to speak.
God, today help me to realize my only source of strength and victory is You. Grant me an awareness of You throughout my day.
Daniel
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
#341.2 – “Bumps”
“And because the revelations were so very great, in order that I might not be overmuch lifted up, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, one sent from Satan to give me pain. And about this thing I made request to the Lord three times that it might be taken away from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is enough for you, for My power is made complete in what is feeble’. Most gladly, then, will I take pride in my feeble body, so that the power of Christ may be on me. So I take pleasure in being feeble, in unkind words, in needs, in cruel attacks, in troubles, on account of Christ: for when I am feeble, then am I strong.” - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
The past few months, Grant has had a rash come up over his torso that causes these little red bumps. We took him to the pediatrician and then later to the dermatologist, and they both said that it was a virus that will eventually work its way out of his system. The treatment they recommended was a cream that you put on the bumps before he goes to bed at night. This is to help dry up the bumps and, in time, cause them to recede. The only problem with it is that if you give him too much medication, it irritates his skin and makes it itch worse than if you do nothing. So there is a constant balancing game that we have to play to keep the bumps in check and not hurt him too much either. Still – despite the discomfort – he doesn’t seem to let it keep him from doing what he wants.
In the context of the Christian life, there are some things and times that are kind of like those bumps – unexpected and sometimes irritating. Sometimes they take a while to work out. Sometimes the more you try to deal with them, the worse it seems to get. Take Paul’s experience. He had something that was just bothering him without end. Three times he pleaded with the Lord to remove it, but instead of removing the ‘thorn’, God used that experience to show His grace is a new and mighty way to Paul. For apart from that bump in Paul’s road, the temptation might have been for him to think a little too highly of himself and not near enough of God. But because God’s grace was a well on which Paul was desperate to draw from, it kept him at a place of acknowledgement that he needed God. And that constant reminder was undoubtedly necessary in God’s understanding, as He left Paul with it.
God uses even the bumps in the road of our Christian life to help us stay focused on Christ and His grace and what He has done for us. Let us then be grateful then, with the understanding that the bumps aren’t just there to aggravate us, but to keep us close to God.
Daniel
The past few months, Grant has had a rash come up over his torso that causes these little red bumps. We took him to the pediatrician and then later to the dermatologist, and they both said that it was a virus that will eventually work its way out of his system. The treatment they recommended was a cream that you put on the bumps before he goes to bed at night. This is to help dry up the bumps and, in time, cause them to recede. The only problem with it is that if you give him too much medication, it irritates his skin and makes it itch worse than if you do nothing. So there is a constant balancing game that we have to play to keep the bumps in check and not hurt him too much either. Still – despite the discomfort – he doesn’t seem to let it keep him from doing what he wants.
In the context of the Christian life, there are some things and times that are kind of like those bumps – unexpected and sometimes irritating. Sometimes they take a while to work out. Sometimes the more you try to deal with them, the worse it seems to get. Take Paul’s experience. He had something that was just bothering him without end. Three times he pleaded with the Lord to remove it, but instead of removing the ‘thorn’, God used that experience to show His grace is a new and mighty way to Paul. For apart from that bump in Paul’s road, the temptation might have been for him to think a little too highly of himself and not near enough of God. But because God’s grace was a well on which Paul was desperate to draw from, it kept him at a place of acknowledgement that he needed God. And that constant reminder was undoubtedly necessary in God’s understanding, as He left Paul with it.
God uses even the bumps in the road of our Christian life to help us stay focused on Christ and His grace and what He has done for us. Let us then be grateful then, with the understanding that the bumps aren’t just there to aggravate us, but to keep us close to God.
Daniel
Monday, May 23, 2011
#341.1 – “Pay Attention”
“… there is the more need for us to give attention to the things which have come to our ears, for fear that by chance we might be slipping away.” - Hebrews 2:1
There was a day not long ago when I carried our boys to the elementary school and there picked up two friends, both of whom are in Ruthie’s class, to take them with the girls to the intermediate school. Ruthie was excited about having her friends in the van with her that day; in fact she was so excited that, when it was time for them to get out and go into the intermediate school, she was trying so hard to keep up with her two friends that she had an accident. She was trying to run and catch up with her friends… and close the van door all at the same time… and, not looking where she was going, she ended up running into the one of the awning poles and hurting herself on the head.
Ruthie had so many things going on in her mind that morning that she was not paying attention to what was right in front of her.
That is the case sometimes with me and my relationship with God. There are times when I get caught up in the work I am doing… or the tasks before me in a day… and I miss God being right there in front of me. I pass over Him instead of letting His blood and His grace pass over me. Then oftentimes something comes along and whacks me on the head spiritually and I wake up and realize I have missed Him.
Lord, help me to pay attention to You from the very beginning of my day to its end.
Daniel
There was a day not long ago when I carried our boys to the elementary school and there picked up two friends, both of whom are in Ruthie’s class, to take them with the girls to the intermediate school. Ruthie was excited about having her friends in the van with her that day; in fact she was so excited that, when it was time for them to get out and go into the intermediate school, she was trying so hard to keep up with her two friends that she had an accident. She was trying to run and catch up with her friends… and close the van door all at the same time… and, not looking where she was going, she ended up running into the one of the awning poles and hurting herself on the head.
Ruthie had so many things going on in her mind that morning that she was not paying attention to what was right in front of her.
That is the case sometimes with me and my relationship with God. There are times when I get caught up in the work I am doing… or the tasks before me in a day… and I miss God being right there in front of me. I pass over Him instead of letting His blood and His grace pass over me. Then oftentimes something comes along and whacks me on the head spiritually and I wake up and realize I have missed Him.
Lord, help me to pay attention to You from the very beginning of my day to its end.
Daniel
Friday, May 20, 2011
#340.4 – “Excuses”
“And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate." And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."” - Genesis 3:11-13
Last Tuesday, Anna was sick and missed school. Wednesday morning, I was writing her a note to take to school (just to explain why she had been out)… when she tells me that she had homework from Monday that she did not do. She asked me while I was writing that note (which goes to the principal’s office) if I would write another one (for her teacher) saying that she was sick Tuesday and therefore did not do her homework that was due Wednesday. The only problem I had with that was that she could have done it on Monday night; she was not sick then. Of course, Grant did have a ballgame that night… but there are many times when she brings a book to read during his game… and there have been times when she has done homework during a game. The fact is that she could have easily done it then; she just didn’t want to. And the thing that aggravated me the most about it all was that she did not tell me about this homework until Wednesday morning, when we were on the way out the door to go to school.
So I told her that I could not do that for her. I felt that it was not right for me to alleviate the consequences of her choosing not to do it on Monday by writing a note of excuse for her on Wednesday morning. I felt that this was a lesson she needed to learn – that she is responsible for her actions and she could not reasonably expect me to ‘fix’ things for her that she has caused. And so I didn’t. I explained why I didn’t, but I didn’t. Later she told me that she was able to get it done during lunch period (which was great to me, because it showed me that she knew she had to ‘fix’ this herself, and she did).
Responsibility is sometimes a hard lesson to learn. I think about Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden; when confronted by God with their disobedience, they both blamed someone else. They were not willing to take responsibility for their actions.
We all must learn that our choices have consequences – sometimes for us only... sometimes for others, too… and all the time in relation to God – and that we are solely responsible for our choices.
Daniel
Last Tuesday, Anna was sick and missed school. Wednesday morning, I was writing her a note to take to school (just to explain why she had been out)… when she tells me that she had homework from Monday that she did not do. She asked me while I was writing that note (which goes to the principal’s office) if I would write another one (for her teacher) saying that she was sick Tuesday and therefore did not do her homework that was due Wednesday. The only problem I had with that was that she could have done it on Monday night; she was not sick then. Of course, Grant did have a ballgame that night… but there are many times when she brings a book to read during his game… and there have been times when she has done homework during a game. The fact is that she could have easily done it then; she just didn’t want to. And the thing that aggravated me the most about it all was that she did not tell me about this homework until Wednesday morning, when we were on the way out the door to go to school.
So I told her that I could not do that for her. I felt that it was not right for me to alleviate the consequences of her choosing not to do it on Monday by writing a note of excuse for her on Wednesday morning. I felt that this was a lesson she needed to learn – that she is responsible for her actions and she could not reasonably expect me to ‘fix’ things for her that she has caused. And so I didn’t. I explained why I didn’t, but I didn’t. Later she told me that she was able to get it done during lunch period (which was great to me, because it showed me that she knew she had to ‘fix’ this herself, and she did).
Responsibility is sometimes a hard lesson to learn. I think about Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden; when confronted by God with their disobedience, they both blamed someone else. They were not willing to take responsibility for their actions.
We all must learn that our choices have consequences – sometimes for us only... sometimes for others, too… and all the time in relation to God – and that we are solely responsible for our choices.
Daniel
Thursday, May 19, 2011
#340.3 – “The Morning After”
“So the Lord would have nothing to do with all the offspring of Israel, and sent trouble on them, and gave them up into the hands of their attackers, till he had sent them away from before his face. For Israel was broken off from the family of David, and they made Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, king, who, driving them away from the laws of the Lord, made them do a great sin.” - 2 Kings 17:20-21
A couple of weekends ago, Joshua was so exhausted from all that we had been involved with - culminating in a late Saturday afternoon game - that he fell asleep on the way home from that game, at approximately 6:30. When we got home, we agreed we would just let him sleep the rest of night if he would. ‘IF’ is the key word in that phrase. He got up at some point in the early morning hours and kept Sarah up the rest of the night, causing them both to miss church the next day due to sheer exhaustion.
Our actions have consequences. Sometimes our actions affect others and cause consequences for them too. Sarah would have slept all night were it not for Joshua coming in our room and waking her up. But because he did, she could not get the sleep she needed.
Our sin caused consequences for Jesus. HE had to die a cruel death on the cross to pay for OUR sins. Now, of course, He knew all along that this was going to be the case and, therefore, it is more like a plan from the start than an afterthought consequence, but the truth is still: He died for us. Were it not for my sin and your sin, Jesus’ death would have been unnecessary. My choices produced a reality for Him that would not have been needed otherwise.
Our sins also cause consequences for others. There is more than one recorded act in the Bible where a certain leader’s sin causes a family or a nation to go the wrong direction.
Lord, help me to see that my sin not only helped bring You to Your fate, but that my sin oftentimes has consequences that affect others around me. May my love for You and for them produce better choices in me.
Daniel
A couple of weekends ago, Joshua was so exhausted from all that we had been involved with - culminating in a late Saturday afternoon game - that he fell asleep on the way home from that game, at approximately 6:30. When we got home, we agreed we would just let him sleep the rest of night if he would. ‘IF’ is the key word in that phrase. He got up at some point in the early morning hours and kept Sarah up the rest of the night, causing them both to miss church the next day due to sheer exhaustion.
Our actions have consequences. Sometimes our actions affect others and cause consequences for them too. Sarah would have slept all night were it not for Joshua coming in our room and waking her up. But because he did, she could not get the sleep she needed.
Our sin caused consequences for Jesus. HE had to die a cruel death on the cross to pay for OUR sins. Now, of course, He knew all along that this was going to be the case and, therefore, it is more like a plan from the start than an afterthought consequence, but the truth is still: He died for us. Were it not for my sin and your sin, Jesus’ death would have been unnecessary. My choices produced a reality for Him that would not have been needed otherwise.
Our sins also cause consequences for others. There is more than one recorded act in the Bible where a certain leader’s sin causes a family or a nation to go the wrong direction.
Lord, help me to see that my sin not only helped bring You to Your fate, but that my sin oftentimes has consequences that affect others around me. May my love for You and for them produce better choices in me.
Daniel
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
#340.2 – “Priceless”
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...” - John 1:14
Grant had a ball game a few weeks ago on a Monday night at 7. Sarah and I have community band practice Monday nights at 7. So we agreed that she would take Grant to his game and stay there with him, and I would go to band practice (we would have both gone to the game, except it was nearing our spring concert, and we hated to both not go to band). Well thankfully, it worked out where band let out right on time and Grant’s game had started late… so I got the word from Sarah when I got out of band that the game was still on… and I hurried to make it in time to see the end.
It had been an exciting game (Sarah would update me with texts throughout the night). Our whole team had played well, and Grant had been having an exceptional night. It was one of the close games that had gone back and forth. By the time I drove up, it was the bottom of the last inning. I could see that our team was behind two points, with one out, bases loaded, a batter up, and Grant on deck. The next batter got a hit, sending in one run, but the runner coming from second to third got out. When Grant got up to bat, our team was one point down with two outs and runners on first and second. In the meantime, I had made it from my truck to behind home plate. I yelled to let him know I was there to watch him hit that ball and win the game (a little pep talk, to boost his confidence)… and that is exactly what he did. He hit a solid hit right up the middle that rolled into the outfield. The defense was scampering to get the ball. The two runners ahead of Grant scored by the time he made it around to second base, and we had won the game. Everybody on our side cheered like crazy! Grant was ecstatic, and so were we!
That moment was a priceless one for me, and I am so grateful that I got to witness it. Sarah could have texted me about it… or told me about it after the game… or even sent me a picture or two showing bits and pieces of it… but it would not have been the same as being there. That moment was a shared experience – one that our entire team and their families will remember fondly for a while (and I know it is one Grant will remember for a LONG time)!
Jesus could have just heard about our pains and sufferings; He could have just watched from a distance regarding our trials and tribulations; He could have sent a note of congratulations to us in our moments of victory; but He instead came and lived among us and felt those very same things for Himself. He understood those feelings from a human perspective because He shared those types of experiences… and that makes Him priceless to those who know Him as Savior.
Daniel
Grant had a ball game a few weeks ago on a Monday night at 7. Sarah and I have community band practice Monday nights at 7. So we agreed that she would take Grant to his game and stay there with him, and I would go to band practice (we would have both gone to the game, except it was nearing our spring concert, and we hated to both not go to band). Well thankfully, it worked out where band let out right on time and Grant’s game had started late… so I got the word from Sarah when I got out of band that the game was still on… and I hurried to make it in time to see the end.
It had been an exciting game (Sarah would update me with texts throughout the night). Our whole team had played well, and Grant had been having an exceptional night. It was one of the close games that had gone back and forth. By the time I drove up, it was the bottom of the last inning. I could see that our team was behind two points, with one out, bases loaded, a batter up, and Grant on deck. The next batter got a hit, sending in one run, but the runner coming from second to third got out. When Grant got up to bat, our team was one point down with two outs and runners on first and second. In the meantime, I had made it from my truck to behind home plate. I yelled to let him know I was there to watch him hit that ball and win the game (a little pep talk, to boost his confidence)… and that is exactly what he did. He hit a solid hit right up the middle that rolled into the outfield. The defense was scampering to get the ball. The two runners ahead of Grant scored by the time he made it around to second base, and we had won the game. Everybody on our side cheered like crazy! Grant was ecstatic, and so were we!
That moment was a priceless one for me, and I am so grateful that I got to witness it. Sarah could have texted me about it… or told me about it after the game… or even sent me a picture or two showing bits and pieces of it… but it would not have been the same as being there. That moment was a shared experience – one that our entire team and their families will remember fondly for a while (and I know it is one Grant will remember for a LONG time)!
Jesus could have just heard about our pains and sufferings; He could have just watched from a distance regarding our trials and tribulations; He could have sent a note of congratulations to us in our moments of victory; but He instead came and lived among us and felt those very same things for Himself. He understood those feelings from a human perspective because He shared those types of experiences… and that makes Him priceless to those who know Him as Savior.
Daniel
Monday, May 16, 2011
#340.1 – “Asleep on the… Hey!!!”
“Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness.” - Psalms 119:40
Before Sarah took Ruthie to her guitar lesson a couple of weeks ago, she dropped off Anna, Grant, and Joshua here at the church building. They all had some homework, but Joshua’s only took about five minutes. After he was finished, he played for a while around the church. Since they practically have this as their second home, I was not really worried about watching him and what he was doing… as I was concentrating on my own work.
When Sarah came back with Ruthie, she laughed as she came down the hall to my office. When I asked her what was so funny, she told me to go check in the room across the hall (the one with the couches). Sure enough, there Joshua was - laid out cold! I mean, he was sound asleep. In fact, he was so sound asleep that we were able to have our staff meeting in that room (our usual meeting place) just a few minutes later. All of the guys laughed as they came in and saw my boy crashed on the sofa… and they were all equally tickled when I told them they we could still meet in there and it wouldn’t bother Joshua’s sleep one bit. ‘He’s got three siblings,’ I told them ‘and he’s used to being able to sleep through all kinds of racket!’
Nothing was going to disturb Joshua’s need for rest that day. Oh how I would like to have that same kind of singular focus when it comes to my need for God and His Word! If I would only ‘shut out’ every single thing that would seek to interrupt or sway me from the treasure that is found only in Him.
Lord, help me to learn a lesson about recognizing and surrendering to my need of You.
Daniel
Before Sarah took Ruthie to her guitar lesson a couple of weeks ago, she dropped off Anna, Grant, and Joshua here at the church building. They all had some homework, but Joshua’s only took about five minutes. After he was finished, he played for a while around the church. Since they practically have this as their second home, I was not really worried about watching him and what he was doing… as I was concentrating on my own work.
When Sarah came back with Ruthie, she laughed as she came down the hall to my office. When I asked her what was so funny, she told me to go check in the room across the hall (the one with the couches). Sure enough, there Joshua was - laid out cold! I mean, he was sound asleep. In fact, he was so sound asleep that we were able to have our staff meeting in that room (our usual meeting place) just a few minutes later. All of the guys laughed as they came in and saw my boy crashed on the sofa… and they were all equally tickled when I told them they we could still meet in there and it wouldn’t bother Joshua’s sleep one bit. ‘He’s got three siblings,’ I told them ‘and he’s used to being able to sleep through all kinds of racket!’
Nothing was going to disturb Joshua’s need for rest that day. Oh how I would like to have that same kind of singular focus when it comes to my need for God and His Word! If I would only ‘shut out’ every single thing that would seek to interrupt or sway me from the treasure that is found only in Him.
Lord, help me to learn a lesson about recognizing and surrendering to my need of You.
Daniel
Friday, May 13, 2011
#339.4 – “The Fall”
“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and a delight to the eyes, and to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit, and gave it to her husband.” - Genesis 3:6
Grant and another teammate were at one of their practices a few weeks ago, and they both were chasing after the same ball. Somehow the other little boy tripped Grant, who landed pretty hard on his wrist. We thought it best to get it checked, so the next morning we took him to get an x-ray of it. It turns out that he did not fracture it; it was merely a sprain. The suggested treatment was to keep it wrapped and put ice on it for a few days. We did, and he was feeling much better by that weekend.
That was one of those moments that could have gone either way. We could have been looking at a fracture which, of course, not only would have meant that he couldn’t play for a while, but would have kept him from doing a lot more than that.
Moments can sometimes be just that… moments. And then again, moments can sometimes have lasting consequences. They can cause effects that hurt for a long time. Such was the case for Adam and Eve in the garden; their moment of disobedience led to a legacy of sin and pain and agony… one that still has effects today.
But praise God: His one-time death on the cross defeated the effects of sin forever for those that believe in Jesus, and that ‘moment’ of His resurrection makes possible a victory we can have over death and hell.
There is a moment for me, at which I decided to trust His sacrifice on my behalf, and accept the gracious effects of it for my very own. That moment forever changed my destiny… and I want to take this moment to encourage any of you who have never had such a moment to consider this as an opportunity to do so. Take this time to talk to God and confess your need of Him. Open your heart and let Him come in and accept His grace-gift to you. And then tell others what you have done and share the good news with them. Experience the greatest moment of all today.
Daniel
Grant and another teammate were at one of their practices a few weeks ago, and they both were chasing after the same ball. Somehow the other little boy tripped Grant, who landed pretty hard on his wrist. We thought it best to get it checked, so the next morning we took him to get an x-ray of it. It turns out that he did not fracture it; it was merely a sprain. The suggested treatment was to keep it wrapped and put ice on it for a few days. We did, and he was feeling much better by that weekend.
That was one of those moments that could have gone either way. We could have been looking at a fracture which, of course, not only would have meant that he couldn’t play for a while, but would have kept him from doing a lot more than that.
Moments can sometimes be just that… moments. And then again, moments can sometimes have lasting consequences. They can cause effects that hurt for a long time. Such was the case for Adam and Eve in the garden; their moment of disobedience led to a legacy of sin and pain and agony… one that still has effects today.
But praise God: His one-time death on the cross defeated the effects of sin forever for those that believe in Jesus, and that ‘moment’ of His resurrection makes possible a victory we can have over death and hell.
There is a moment for me, at which I decided to trust His sacrifice on my behalf, and accept the gracious effects of it for my very own. That moment forever changed my destiny… and I want to take this moment to encourage any of you who have never had such a moment to consider this as an opportunity to do so. Take this time to talk to God and confess your need of Him. Open your heart and let Him come in and accept His grace-gift to you. And then tell others what you have done and share the good news with them. Experience the greatest moment of all today.
Daniel
Thursday, May 12, 2011
#339.3 – “Ruthie and the First Day Back after Spring Break”
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” - John 14:26
During spring break, our kids stayed home and played around the house. We did not take a trip or do anything special and yet, they had a great time just taking it easy for a week. I think everyone enjoyed the rest and relaxation associated with the break.
And then came the time to go back to school… and wouldn’t you know it? Ruthie woke up that Monday with a pretty good headache. I figured that it had to be due to the fact that they were up the night before a little bit later than they normally would have been… you know, stretching out that spring break as long as they could. Ruthie felt bad that morning. But, knowing what it was, I couldn’t just let her skip school because she had too much fun the night before… so I gave her a couple of headache pills and sent her on.
I have done and still do the very same thing sometimes – staying up too late when I know I ought to go to bed. And I have had several ‘next days’ when I had a gentle reminder – whether it was in the form of a headache or grogginess or lack of concentration – that my actions have consequences. And those ‘reminders’ prompt me (sometimes!) to alter my course of action.
The Holy Spirit often serves to gently remind us of God’s character and how we ought to resemble that in our daily lives. He takes our study of God’s Word and reveals to us the truth that God wants to teach us. He lovingly corrects us when we need it, and He points us to the way we ought to go. We should be most grateful for those loving, gentle reminders that help us become more like Christ.
Daniel
p.s. - that afternoon, I asked Ruthie if her headache went away and she said it did.
During spring break, our kids stayed home and played around the house. We did not take a trip or do anything special and yet, they had a great time just taking it easy for a week. I think everyone enjoyed the rest and relaxation associated with the break.
And then came the time to go back to school… and wouldn’t you know it? Ruthie woke up that Monday with a pretty good headache. I figured that it had to be due to the fact that they were up the night before a little bit later than they normally would have been… you know, stretching out that spring break as long as they could. Ruthie felt bad that morning. But, knowing what it was, I couldn’t just let her skip school because she had too much fun the night before… so I gave her a couple of headache pills and sent her on.
I have done and still do the very same thing sometimes – staying up too late when I know I ought to go to bed. And I have had several ‘next days’ when I had a gentle reminder – whether it was in the form of a headache or grogginess or lack of concentration – that my actions have consequences. And those ‘reminders’ prompt me (sometimes!) to alter my course of action.
The Holy Spirit often serves to gently remind us of God’s character and how we ought to resemble that in our daily lives. He takes our study of God’s Word and reveals to us the truth that God wants to teach us. He lovingly corrects us when we need it, and He points us to the way we ought to go. We should be most grateful for those loving, gentle reminders that help us become more like Christ.
Daniel
p.s. - that afternoon, I asked Ruthie if her headache went away and she said it did.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
#339.2 – “Grant, the Sweaty Boy”
“And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” - 2 Timothy 4:18
As parents, there are a few traits that Sarah and I can see in kids as being ones that definitely came from one or the other of us. Ruthie being able to laugh so freely at herself is a Sarah trait. Anna being an aggravator comes from me. Joshua being a stinker… well, once again, comes from me. And another one that comes from me - a physical trait - is Grant’s sweaty self. I can remember being sweaty as a boy – running and playing and having a good time, and coming home looking like I had dipped my head and shoulders and underarms (not quite sure how you could dip underarms, but anyway) in the river. And bless my dear mother’s heart, she never fussed; she just took and washed my nasty clothes for me. Mine weren’t the only nasty clothes in the machine, though. I remember seeing my dad’s work clothes look a lot like mine, usually worse. That’s because he was a ‘sweater’, too. It is a bond that many of us Metcalfe men share: sweat. When we work or play outside on a day like these days lately have been, we are going to sweat. What am I saying? When we just stand out in the sun for a while on days like these, we sweat!
Well, this little sweat gene has definitely been passed onto Grant, who I remember recently was sweating like he had been out in the Sahara on the night of Patrick’s birthday party, when it was 45 degrees outside. We came to the party (which was held here in the youth room) and, after a while, Grant and several of the kids went and played in the gym (which, admittedly was not 45 degrees, but was not that warm either). Of all the kids playing there, Grant was the only one whose head was soaked afterwards. And it’s not because he plays harder, or does anything differently… he’s just sweaty. Period.
This sweat gene links my son indelibly to me, and me to my father. It is something that will never change. It will not go away. Grant’s sweatiness is here to stay… as is mine and my father’s. And so we have somewhat of a permanent bond. But that bond is nothing compared to the bond that God places with us once we come to accept Jesus as our Savior. At that moment of acceptance, He gives us His Holy Spirit to come and live inside of us… to be our forever Friend and companion… to lead and to guide us in His ways. It is truly a permanent bond, because it lasts for all eternity. And it is a bond which should lead to our becoming more and more like Christ as we live for Him and seek Him, thus resulting in an even greater likeness in us to our Lord.
Daniel
As parents, there are a few traits that Sarah and I can see in kids as being ones that definitely came from one or the other of us. Ruthie being able to laugh so freely at herself is a Sarah trait. Anna being an aggravator comes from me. Joshua being a stinker… well, once again, comes from me. And another one that comes from me - a physical trait - is Grant’s sweaty self. I can remember being sweaty as a boy – running and playing and having a good time, and coming home looking like I had dipped my head and shoulders and underarms (not quite sure how you could dip underarms, but anyway) in the river. And bless my dear mother’s heart, she never fussed; she just took and washed my nasty clothes for me. Mine weren’t the only nasty clothes in the machine, though. I remember seeing my dad’s work clothes look a lot like mine, usually worse. That’s because he was a ‘sweater’, too. It is a bond that many of us Metcalfe men share: sweat. When we work or play outside on a day like these days lately have been, we are going to sweat. What am I saying? When we just stand out in the sun for a while on days like these, we sweat!
Well, this little sweat gene has definitely been passed onto Grant, who I remember recently was sweating like he had been out in the Sahara on the night of Patrick’s birthday party, when it was 45 degrees outside. We came to the party (which was held here in the youth room) and, after a while, Grant and several of the kids went and played in the gym (which, admittedly was not 45 degrees, but was not that warm either). Of all the kids playing there, Grant was the only one whose head was soaked afterwards. And it’s not because he plays harder, or does anything differently… he’s just sweaty. Period.
This sweat gene links my son indelibly to me, and me to my father. It is something that will never change. It will not go away. Grant’s sweatiness is here to stay… as is mine and my father’s. And so we have somewhat of a permanent bond. But that bond is nothing compared to the bond that God places with us once we come to accept Jesus as our Savior. At that moment of acceptance, He gives us His Holy Spirit to come and live inside of us… to be our forever Friend and companion… to lead and to guide us in His ways. It is truly a permanent bond, because it lasts for all eternity. And it is a bond which should lead to our becoming more and more like Christ as we live for Him and seek Him, thus resulting in an even greater likeness in us to our Lord.
Daniel
Monday, May 9, 2011
#339.1 – “The Fort Builders”
“And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” - Hebrews 9:15
The last time we were at my parent’s house, Grant and Joshua decided to build a fort using two fold-out cots they use to sleep on when there. They turned them on their sides… folded them a bit so they would stand up… brought them somewhat close together, leaving just enough room for a ‘gate’… and immediately established the rules of how to get in or out.
The only way in through the gate was to use a password. They decided what the password was and then told me, so I could get in. They agreed that the password was only needed to get in; you did not have to use it to get back out. After several times of going in and out of the gate – and having to use the password each time to get back in - they decided they would create a ‘secret’ entrance just for those of us who were part of the ‘in’ crowd, and the password no longer was necessary for the three of us.
When the boys set up their ‘rules’ for the fort, they had already decided in their minds that they wanted me to be in there with them. So when the rules would have kept me out, they gave me what I needed to get in. And when the password-system proved exhausting, they established a new system, which made the old one unnecessary.
That is exactly what God has done for you and me. He decided ahead of time that He wanted you and me to have a relationship with Him. But He saw that the rules and works-system would only keep us out… so He created a new system - one based on faith in His Son Jesus, who met the requirements of the law and fulfilled all of its demands. Now we can gain access to God by simply trusting in what Jesus has done in paving the way for us. In fact, He didn’t just pave the way; He IS the way.
Let us celebrate the standing we have because of what Christ has done for us. And if you know of someone who is still on the other side of the gate, show them the Way.
Daniel
The last time we were at my parent’s house, Grant and Joshua decided to build a fort using two fold-out cots they use to sleep on when there. They turned them on their sides… folded them a bit so they would stand up… brought them somewhat close together, leaving just enough room for a ‘gate’… and immediately established the rules of how to get in or out.
The only way in through the gate was to use a password. They decided what the password was and then told me, so I could get in. They agreed that the password was only needed to get in; you did not have to use it to get back out. After several times of going in and out of the gate – and having to use the password each time to get back in - they decided they would create a ‘secret’ entrance just for those of us who were part of the ‘in’ crowd, and the password no longer was necessary for the three of us.
When the boys set up their ‘rules’ for the fort, they had already decided in their minds that they wanted me to be in there with them. So when the rules would have kept me out, they gave me what I needed to get in. And when the password-system proved exhausting, they established a new system, which made the old one unnecessary.
That is exactly what God has done for you and me. He decided ahead of time that He wanted you and me to have a relationship with Him. But He saw that the rules and works-system would only keep us out… so He created a new system - one based on faith in His Son Jesus, who met the requirements of the law and fulfilled all of its demands. Now we can gain access to God by simply trusting in what Jesus has done in paving the way for us. In fact, He didn’t just pave the way; He IS the way.
Let us celebrate the standing we have because of what Christ has done for us. And if you know of someone who is still on the other side of the gate, show them the Way.
Daniel
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