This year for Christmas me and my siblings decided to get my mom and dad a wonderful present that would trap a moment in time forever. Pictures are always a wonderful present. Special shout out to Mollie Cochrane who did the shoot at Edwin Warner Park in Nashville, TN. It only took us about 4 years to get around to doing this…life is paved with good intentions, right?
Me, my wife Kristen, and my little girl Josie:
My sister Mary Anne, her husband Kevin, and their kids Faith and John Derrick:
My brother Marty, his wife Penny, and their kids Emilynne, Nathaniel, and Susannah:
Every once in a while, its good to just let your mind wander. I don’t have a vast audience for my blog, but its a respectable group of folks and I’m appreciative for the hits each day. Today, I’m just going to let my mind reflect on a few things I’ve been thinking on lately.
Thanks to some good friends, Grey and Melanie Carter, I have gotten into the “Buy Sell Trade” Facebook pages. These things are pretty cool. I haven’t bought anything off any of them yet, but I have sold a few things – a train table, a pair of shoes, and a couple of movies. If you have some junk around your house, join one of these groups. I’m amazed at what people will sell or buy.
I was disappointed this year that my Crimson Tide went out the way they did for the season, but truth be told, I thought they overachieved this year. If you had told me at the beginning of the year that Ohio State would have won the inaugural playoff run – I would have said you were nuts. Congrats to the Buckeyes.
Josie has been in the process of losing her two front teeth for about a month now. Its almost cartoonish to look at her cute little smile.
My wife and I have been really into the thought process of down-sizing our possessions. The other day, I went through my closet and pulled out about 15 shirts that I haven’t worn in the past year. I haven’t gone through my drawers and storage. When was the last time you did some cleaning like that? I found it rather therapeutic.
I’m not a big fan of the “winter breaks” that a lot of television shows are taking these days. I suppose its nice to have continuity without weeks in between shows all year long – but lots of the best shows seem to take about a 2 month break these days. What show are you looking forward to returning?
I’m trying to get in more reading this year as well. The current book I’m reading is entitled : “Satan and His Kingdom: What the Bible Says and How it Matters to You” written by Dennis McCallum. Its a good read on how to understand the Evil One a bit more, and how he attacks us, how he works, the powers he possesses, and much more.
When you tell someone you’re praying for them – do you? How earnestly do you do so? Is it a fleeting moment? Do you write their name down and pray for them daily? I’m guilty of saying “I’ll pray for you” and casually mentioning a name in a quick prayer. But is that enough?
Tonight’s post is taken from the blog site “My Utmost For His Highest: Daily Devotionals by Oswald Chambers” and this specific post can be accessed here: http://utmost.org/intercessory-prayer/
Intercessory Prayer
…men always ought to pray and not lose heart. —Luke 18:1
You cannot truly intercede through prayer if you do not believe in the reality of redemption. Instead, you will simply be turning intercession into useless sympathy for others, which will serve only to increase the contentment they have for remaining out of touch with God. True intercession involves bringing the person, or the circumstance that seems to be crashing in on you, before God, until you are changed by His attitude toward that person or circumstance. Intercession means to “fill up…[with] what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ” (Colossians 1:24), and this is precisely why there are so few intercessors. People describe intercession by saying, “It is putting yourself in someone else’s place.” That is not true! Intercession is putting yourself in God’s place; it is having His mind and His perspective.
As an intercessor, be careful not to seek too much information from God regarding the situation you are praying about, because you may be overwhelmed. If you know too much, more than God has ordained for you to know, you can’t pray; the circumstances of the people become so overpowering that you are no longer able to get to the underlying truth.
Our work is to be in such close contact with God that we may have His mind about everything, but we shirk that responsibility by substituting doing for interceding. And yet intercession is the only thing that has no drawbacks, because it keeps our relationship completely open with God.
What we must avoid in intercession is praying for someone to be simply “patched up.” We must pray that person completely through into contact with the very life of God. Think of the number of people God has brought across our path, only to see us drop them! When we pray on the basis of redemption, God creates something He can create in no other way than through intercessory prayer.
Mid South Youth Camp was my home away from home for 4 straight summers during college. There were 6 guys and 7 gals serving as counselors at the camp each week. We each had our own cabin we dealt with, and a different group of kids came in each and every week.
The counselors had a special place to “live” which was located on a screened-in porch. Each of these porches was the main entryway into the cabin. The only way into the cabin was a wooden screened door.
Each and every week, my first rule when I shared the cabin rules on Sunday night was this: DO NOT LET THE DOOR SLAM WHEN YOU ENTER AND EXIT. I know it sounds silly, but spend 9 weeks in a row listening to a door slam next to your face, and you’d make it a rule too!
Its a simple rule, but hard to to follow for 8-18 year old guys. So, needless to say, I would constantly hear the door slam as the guys would come and go. The boys would run out of the cabin in a rush, and about 4 seconds later – WHAM!! Pictures would fall off the wall of the porch, my ears would ring for a few seconds, and this happened countless times each day.
This rule, when broken, had consequences. If you let the door slam, you had to come back, open and shut the door gently and quietly 20 times. It was great fun watching these guys run out, forgetting the rule, hearing it slam, and hanging their head as they had to come back to open and shut the door 20 times quietly.
I hated that sound. I never could understand why they couldn’t grasp the idea of not letting the door slam.
You know what else I don’t understand? Why does it seem like God allows doors to slam in our face as well? Have you ever felt like God opened up a door for you to walk through, only to have it slammed in your face? A wonderful opportunity comes up, everything looks awesome, and WHAM!!! The door is slammed in your face.
Why does this happen? Could it be that maybe we conjure up our own idea of what God’s will should be, and when it doesn’t happen we are disappointed? Maybe upset?
What I’ve learned is that when we feel like God slams a door in our face – He calls us back to assess the situation, and as we look back, we realize that God has put us where we need to be instead of where we want to be. If we let Him, God will lead us where HE wants us to go, and will keep us out of the places we need to pass by.
Today – maybe we should praise God for slamming doors.
(I wrote this “article” for the church bulletin in Ashland City, TN, where I had my first Youth Ministry job. It was printed on April 18, 2004. My mom found a copy of it in a closet at home with some old pictures.)
What did your preacher teach about this morning during his sermon? What did you teacher talk about in class?
Since I started working in ministry 14 years ago, I’ve realized that Sunday morning doesn’t just happen – but rather it takes days of preparation. I have a great respect for those who preach and teach.
Most ministers will spend anywhere from 15-40 hours preparing for the 30 minutes they will preach on Sunday mornings. For those ministers who work for churches who still have a traditional Sunday evening service, you can add even more time to that. On top of that, they have to prepare and study for their Sunday morning class if they teach one. What impresses me even more are those who work a full time job, and still volunteer to teach.
How do you reward your preacher for the time he’s put into the lesson? How do you reward the teacher who takes time above and beyond their regular job and life to prepare to teach? Do you simply sit there and listen? Those who teach and preach spend a lot of time preparing so you can learn. So, let me suggest a few things that will help encourage your preachers and teachers at church, and will in return bless you as well.
Take notes. Find a good note taking app for your phone, bring an old fashioned notebook. Jot things down in your Bible. My wife has been taking notes for as long as we’ve been married, and began long before we got married. It helps her listen and retain things that were taught.
Embrace what was taught. How do you do this? You live it. You show it. You bring it up with the teacher.
Share thoughts on social media – facebook, twitter, instagram. Not many things can encourage a preacher or teacher more than when he’s flipping through Facebook, or sees himself tagged in a tweet – that is someone quoting from his sermon or lesson. Not only are you encouraging them, but you’re also inviting others to share in what was taught that day.
Thank them. Let them know you appreciate their lesson. Even better – send an email the next day, or on a Thursday, to let them know you’re still thinking about what was said on Sunday.
Finally – Remember what was taught. If I were to ask you all what did your preacher speak on his sermon at your last service, could you answer in detail? If I asked you what your Sunday morning class teacher taught about, could you answer in detail? Or is all you remember the fact that you were at church and songs were sung, prayers were prayed, communion was served, and some dude got up to teach?
Sure there are other things that could make a difference, but I believe these 5 things will not only help your preachers and teachers to know you appreciate them, but you will find it enriches your life as well.
So, tonight, take a moment and go on social media and tag your preacher/teacher in a post, sharing how you appreciate them, and the key thoughts from the lesson.
P.S. – this works for all areas in the church – don’t forget about your kids’ teachers, your worship leader, the people leading prayers, and the list goes on and on. Not only do these things boost their self esteem a bit – but it also helps spread the Good News!
Today, I just couldn’t come up with anything better to post than the devotional from my wife’s daily devotional book she’s been reading. I love how when she comes across one she things will impact me in a certain way, she sends it to me to read.
My family needed this today.
From the book “Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence” by Sarah Young
I AM WITH YOU AND FOR YOU . When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you. You may encounter many obstacles as you move toward your goal, but don’t be discouraged— never give up! With My help, you can overcome any obstacle. Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember that I, your very- present Helper , am omnipotent.
Much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come. One of the main ways I assert My sovereignty is in the timing of events. If you want to stay close to Me and do things My way, ask Me to show you the path forward moment by moment. Instead of dashing headlong toward your goal, let Me set the pace. Slow down, and enjoy the journey in My Presence.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? –ROMANS 8:31
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. PSALM 46:1–3 NKJV
Life happens, right? People mess up, people get sick, tragedy happens. There’s no stopping it in this fallen world we live in – so the question has to be asked: How do I hold it all together? How do I keep from falling apart? How do I keep on keeping on?
We were sitting in the upper section of Bridgestone Arena. Every time the Casting Crowns are nearby, we try to go hear them in concert. There’s something about this Christian band – its not that their songs are typical “worship” songs like Crowder and Tomlin sing. The songs they sing are lessons. They are stories. And if you have never heard Mark Hall crack jokes and teach – you are missing out.
We had just been through a rotten week. Our lives had been turned upside down in a few different ways. We were hurt, scared, anxious, and my mind was racing 8000 miles a minute.
Until about 5 songs in to their part of the concert – I hadn’t really been there. My mind was elsewhere. Sure, they sang a few of their popular songs to start with, and my heart felt joy listening. But then, off their newest album, they sang this song:
If you don’t want to watch the video, you’re missing out on the beautiful music that accompanies these words. But if you just want to read – read these words carefully:
“Just Be Held”
Hold it all together Everybody needs you strong But life hits you out of nowhere And barely leaves you holding on
And when you’re tired of fighting Chained by your control There’s freedom in surrender Lay it down and let it go
So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held Just be held, just be held
If your eyes are on the storm You’ll wonder if I love you still But if your eyes are on the cross You’ll know I always have and I always will
And not a tear is wasted In time, you’ll understand I’m painting beauty with the ashes Your life is in My hands
Lift your hands, lift your eyes In the storm is where you’ll find Me And where you are, I’ll hold your heart I’ll hold your heart Come to Me, find your rest In the arms of the God who wont let go
There, about 45 rows from the floor of Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN – my heart burst, as well as my eyes. I have a feeling these words may be able to offer you a big helping of relief like it did for me.
Today may God hold you. May God encourage you. May God assure you that He has the answers, He holds the future, and He loves you. May you let go of the pressures, the stress, the problems, and let God take them over. May you let God rule your heart, instead of letting fear do so.
I walked out of the concert, emotionally broken, vulnerable, and fragile – but knowing that God had already started strengthening me. Be broken today, and let God paint beauty with the ashes. In time, we’ll understand.
Today is my dad’s birthday. This man is my rock, my mentor, my encourager, my friend.
Having served as a teacher and principal for the majority of his adult life at Nashville Christian and Friendship Christian, he has shown that he truly cares about God and His Kingdom by turning down higher paying jobs to reach more for Christ.
Recently, the man retired, and his Facebook post said this:
“When I was 12 years old I went into business for myself. I had a push mower and would cut an acre of grass for $5.00. My first job where I punched a time clock was working in the toy department of Cain Sloan in downtown Nashville. On June 6, 1966 I graduated from high school and the next day I headed to Kentucky to work on pipeline with my uncle. I worked at UPS at night to help put myself through college. After graduating from college I found myself going into the profession I loved-teaching. As a teacher I found it necessary to do odd jobs to make ends meet. I have worked as a plumber, custodian, order puller, warehouse supervisor, bus driver and the list goes on and on. After 12 years at Maple Hill church of Christ, I have decided to retire at the age of 66. I will be 67 years young in a couple of weeks. It feels odd / strange to know that today was my last day of being paid to work. Now Elaine and I will look forward to being together each and everyday. I struggle with ending my employment at Maple Hill, but really look forward to being with the love of my life. I am thankful for the ones I have come in contact with through the years. I above all people feel blessed.”
He didn’t come from wealth. He never sought fame. In fact, when Micah 6:8 says “the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” – my Father took that and made it His life. Never have a met a more humble man. Never have I met a man who walked in the right ways more than him. And never have I met a man who has shown more mercy.
I haven’t always been the best son. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes in life. But I’ve tried my best, and the simple fact is this: my two careers in my adult life have been patterned after what my father did – teaching and ministry. Imitation is the best form of flattery, right?
So, happy birthday dad. May your first birthday in the retired years of your life be the first of many. You still have a lot of people to impact.
Being Changed from the Inside Out 