Shadowing

Its been some time, but I figured I would post a short reflection I had the other day. I've been in the process of trying to get my yard back to the color it should be this time of year. Its kind of a long story involving painting the exterior of our house and treating the weeds with some weed killer that made our grass glow in the dark for a week and then killed everything!

As I was mowing the other day and finding white paint chips scattered all over the yard, I became obsessed with getting them off of my grass. Initially I thought the lawn mower would pick them up, but it didn't and I began to get frustrated with the look of white paint chips everywhere so I began picking them up by hand as I saw them.

After some time I noticed Hudson (who all the while had his toy lawn mower out and moving in circles behind me) began stooping down and picking white leaves up and putting them in his pocket.

He was watching my every move, he imitated how I pushed the lawn mower, and had picked up my obsessiveness with picking up paint chips and putting them in my pocket and began to do the same.

As I watched his effort at imitating his father, it reminded me just how serious my role with him is to be taken. He is always watching, imitating, and shadowing. He wants to walk like me, talk like me and in essence be like me. Martin Luther said much about the character refinement that takes place as a result of a family. I'd have to agree, nothing in this world convicts more than to see his eyes as they study my face when I lose my temper, or to hear him sweetly talk of, "Dad being angry with Bailey (the dog)." My role as father is not only to be the authority in his life, to love and discipline him, but its also to serve as a testimony to Him of the Great God I serve. Hudson will make reflections on Jesus and the Bible based on my faith in action. That's why each day I must fall before the Lord asking for His grace to transform my life so that what Hudson see's and hears will attract him to shadow Christ.

Until then, I must seek to live in a way that testifies to Christ, loving and directing him in his steps and gladly accepting His efforts at picking up paint chips and mowing the yard for me! I'll try to update next year about some stones in my life as I'll be preaching from Joshua 4 on May 23rd...

Independence & Dependence

Last week we took our annual Youth Ski Trip to Keystone, Colorado.  It was a wonderful trip with no real injuries, and good times with some great students.  

Jen and I had decided before the trip that we would try to let Hudson ski while we were there.  We really didn't know what to expect, Hudson is two and a half and most experts recommend that kids start skiing when they are three.  We decided to rent the ski's and helmet the last day.  The plans was that I would take him up the conveyor belt lift and hold him as we ski down together.  The two days prior to his "big day" skiing he was obsessed with the skis, the boots, and the poles that all the students had.  He even practiced in the condo with one of the student's ski's.  I figured we would go down a couple times and he'd get scared or bored and want nothing more to do with it.  To my surprise, he absolutely loved it!  His favorite part was actually the conveyor belt lift, and in fact very quickly he began getting on it without my assistance.  Soon after he began  pushing my hands off of him while we were skiing because he wanted to do it by himself.  

So often we hear in Christian circles the similarities between the relationship of parents/children to God/believers and we should that comparison is Biblical.  As I reflected on my two year old skiing I thought that this step of independence is just one in a process for him.  He will forever be growing independent from Jen and I.  In contrast, my relationship with the Lord is not one in which I am to become independent from Him.  The opposite is in fact the truth.  My relationship to Him is one in which I  am constantly looking for His hands to guide me, in which I am dependent upon Him, knowing on my own I am hopeless incapable of living for His glory or in the abundant life He desires for me.  

Perhaps, that is one of the challenges the Christian life provides that unlike our relationship to our parents, our relationship to our boss, or our relationship to a teacher/coach where we prove trustworthy and gain independence, growing in our relationship to the Lord is growth towards dependence upon the One able to change and renew us in the likeness of His Son.  

All you need is love...

Years ago, while watching Everybody Loves Raymond regularly, I remember seeing an episode where Debra borrowed a recipe from Marie of one of Raymond's favor dishes. Debra kept getting upset because it didn't taste the same and she couldn't figure out why. Marie's response was that she cooked with love, and that Debra was missing that very key ingredient! (If I remember correctly, Marie had actually switched the labels on one of the seasonings) Certainly I have heard the expression that you must cook with love, but never did I think that it was Scriptural!

Recently, as I read through Proverbs I noticed 15:17 where it says, "Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, Than a fatted ox served with hatred." Now the author's intention seems to go back to v.16 where his point is on contentment. He is trying to show that having a little can be better than having a treasure if trouble comes with the treasure. In the same way in v.17, the author is showing that a small meal of vegetables made and served with love is much better than a home where there is a plethora of food but hatred.

As a former vegetarian my wife probably would have switched the phrases in v.17! In thinking about the verse I am blessed to come home to a place where love is ever present. My wife is the reason for that. I am blessed to say she makes our home one of joy, love, and contentment. She loves Hudson and I as she tirelessly cooks, organizes and spoils us! Thank you Jen for the love in which you live each day, even if you are serving us boys broccoli!

Do you serve God for something?

Lately, I’ve been spending a great deal of time studying the book of Job. Its a wonderful literary work that got me to thinking...

In chapter one Job is described as a righteous man who was very wealthy, he had many servants and a large family (v.3). All these things were blessings from God. Satan comes and appears before God. God mentions Job’s righteous living and Satan responds, “Does Job fear God for nothing?(v.9)” The basis of Satan’s accusation is that Job certainly did fear God but he did because of what he could get from God. In v. 11 he makes his accusation against Job, that if God will allow Job to be afflicted and his things taken from him, “he will surely curse You to Your face.” So God allows not only all that Job possesses to be taken, but Satan has his children killed, and Job’s good health fades. From chapter 3-37 Job and friends discuss why God would do this, and in chapter 38 the LORD answers Job’s cry for an answer to his trials. God does not explain why these things have happened, but instead asks Job a series of questions about the Creation and Sustaining of all that exists. God shows Job His sovereign rule over every creature that exists (chapter 41 shows even the mighty crocodile is under His power). He shows His goodness and mercy as He allows rain to fall on the wicked and righteous.

The message of the book of Job is that man should not worship the LORD because we are promised riches, or a large family in this life. The basis of our fear and service of the LORD is that God is our Creator, He rules over all that exists, and in His goodness and sovereign plan, He controls all that takes place.

I've enjoyed digging into this book recently and reflecting upon my own motivations for fearing and serving the Lord. Do I fear Him with my hand out expecting some blessing in exchange? I think we often times reflect more of the retaliation mindset that Job's friends argued for, instead of living a life of faith. A life of faith is not easy, in reading the book of Job it can be downright scary, but we must fear the Lord and serve Him not with an expectation of personal gain, but instead as a response to the revelation that He alone is awesome, worthy of our service because He is our Creator, the One who controls all that exists. In His care of the Universe He rules it with goodness, justice, and mercy. We should trust His plan even when we don't understand it, . Just something to consider...

Patience

Lately Hudson has been needing his Mom. It's possible that he's cutting a molar in the back of his mouth, or maybe its just a new cycle that at this stage in his life he really wants her. At times its been tough because he has wanted his Mom to do everything, and really doesn't want me. He doesn't want me to hold him, play with him, or even read to him before bed (our nightly routine is that I put him to bed). This rejection has not been absolute, I can wear him down to finding me fun or entertaining (I've developed different voices when we read certain books that he finds humorous).

I've wanted to throw my hands up and say forget it from time to time, and patience is not always the easiest thing for me to practice. It's hard to be patient when he doesn't want you, when he cries when you pick him up or begin to read to him.

This situation has made me pause and think of God's patience with us. Certainly there are differences, but I think some similarities as well. God's love was displayed not for children crying out to Him, longing for Him, but to rebels running from Him. Sinners who wanted nothing to do with Him. Despite their rejection God loved them, and is patient with them desiring a relationship forever with them.

Fatherhood, and parenting as a whole should be a challenge in view of the New Testament. When we see God the Father's devotion to rebels and sinners, do we not have the same responsibility to imitate His love, patience, and faithfulness to our children?

Certainly my love for Hudson is rubbish in comparison with the love of our Heavenly Father. Yet it still remains the standard that I should always strive to achieve. In imitating it I pray I am guiding my son Hudson to a recognition of his own fallenness, and point him to the person of Christ, the provision given by our patient Heavenly Father...

2 Peter 3:9

J

My Top 10 of 2009

It may have been last year or the year before, but I began making a top 10 list of things I am thankful for over the past year around Thanksgiving. Last year I encouraged our students to do the same thing at our Sunday night Bible study with the High Schoolers. I think its absolutely essential for us if we'd like to truly celebrate Thanksgiving properly to not only think about what we're thankful for, but also to write it down to look over for years to come. From year to year some will stay the same, but others will be unique to that specific year.

Here is my list for 2009;

Honorable mentions- The Office (I'll admit its my favorite show and I love watching re-runs of the show from previous seasons); Sunday night Bible Studies (We have a terrific group of high school students and love this time with them on Sunday nights); a new car (thanks to Cash for Clunkers!); and OU's football schedule (talking trash to Sooner in-law's:).

#10-Good Books & a blanket. Most nights Hudson goes down about 8:30, from then until 10:30 Jen and I are able to talk, watch television or what not. About 10:30 Jen goes to bed and I have from then until about midnight to get out a book and curl up in a blanket and read. This past year I've read the Works of the Early Church Fathers, portions of Calvin's Institutes, Luther's Bondage of the Will and currently I am reading a biography of D.L. Moody. I love this time to read!

#9-Niece and Nephews. Hudson has four cousins, all on Jen's side. There's Ally (4), Spencer(2), Jackson(nearly 1), and Zachary (newborn). Our get togethers with the cousins are always exciting and fun not only for Hudson, but also for the grown ups as well. The highlighted get together's for me were the Easter Egg hunt at Countryside and the fall carnival held at Pa & Gigi's.

#8-Preaching Opportunities. My primary responsibilities at Countryside are to minister and disciple our students and support the parents of our students as they raise their kids. At the same time I also am responsible to fill the pulpit for JB when he is out of town. I love the opportunity to preach and fill the Lord is leading me into this type of ministry in the future. I've filled in for JB in 2009 five times already and will do so again in December.

#7-Mission Trip to Galveston. 2009 was supposed to be the summer I took our students to Mexico. The trip was planned, with a few months to go for support raising and preparation. Then the Secretary of State urged Americans to stay clear of the border, then swine flue, and we had to cancel our trip. The rest was a God thing where the details all came together so that we were able to take our students to Galveston to rebuild homes destroyed from Hurricane Ike. Our students did such a great job of working hard, having a great attitude, and adapting to the changing plans. It was a great trip that brought unity to our high school group.

#6-Church Family. I have been at Countryside for eight years, I'm very grateful for the time I've been there and the relationships I have built in that time. I think specifically this year I'm so grateful for all those who minister to Jen, Hudson, and I. For the nursery workers, Wednesday night meal team workers, for those families who volunteer to watch Hudson so Jen and I can have a date night. We love our church, the part we play in it, and those who minister for us week in and week out.

#5-Ordination. I was ordained in February and my favorite part of the whole experience had to be the council. It was made up of the staff and elders of Countryside along with a former pastor now retired. It was so much fun sitting around with these men whom I admire and respect and talking about theology, but also about the practical implications of our theology. At the beginning of our morning I remember thinking to myself, "Enjoy this time," and I certainly did.

#4-Vacation in Florida. The last week of June we went to Destin for a week on the beach with my parents, brothers, and grandmother. It was a terrific vacation and a relaxing time for Jen and I to get away with family. We enjoyed the visit with my family and the beach of course. Hudson wasn't sure what to think about it at first, but after a few days we found the perfect spot that he loved.

#3- Grace in Silence. Earlier this year Jen and I found out that we had miscarried. She was 20 weeks and we had to go through labor. The experience was heart-breaking. I'll never understand God's purpose behind us losing Eliot but am thankful that in the midst of it His grace was sufficient. In our weakness, He provided strength. 

#2-Hudson. Watching him grow to become a little boy has been a treat.  He's intelligent, funny, handsome, and growing all too quickly.  He is a blessing that I daily thank God for.

#1- Jen. We celebrated our sixth anniversary this year.  We certainly crossed the newly wed threshold a few years ago.  My love and admiration for Jen has grown as I see her poise and patience with Hudson.  She is such a wonderful mother to him.  She also faithfully serves alongside me, she's my biggest asset and always provides me with feedback when I teach or preach.  The provision and care that she uses with our home and our finances is a blessing to me 

Well that's the list for 2009.  I have so much to be thankful for.  

Happy Thanksgiving,

J 

Knowing God

Life has been too busy! I got into a nice little streak of blogging once a week or so and I am going to try and get back there over the next few months. I wanted to share a passage that I have been chewing on a bit from my own devotional time. Its a passage from Jeremiah 22:15-16 and Jeremiah is pronouncing judgment upon Shallum the king of Judah and in v.16 it says in reference to his father Josiah, "He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy. Then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me?" Declares the LORD.

The OT often emphasizes the LORD's love and provision for the poor, the alien, widow or orphan (e.g. Deut. 10, book of Ruth). Often those passages implore God's people to imitate His love for the downtrodden. This passage in Jeremiah was particularly convicting to me because of the part that I bolded. Knowing the LORD in my mind is often about knowing His Word, about fleeing from sin, about being in fellowship with Him as I worship or pray. I'm ashamed to say that to me, knowing God doesn't often mean actively reaching out to the homeless, to those who are downtrodden, or poor.

That's just it, if I truly know the LORD's character, knowing He loves the unloveable, that He is a refuge for the poor (Is. 25:4), won't I do the same? Won't I go out of my way to show compassion to those that nobody else will love? Knowing God means following His example, and His example was of a Holy God leaving heaven's glories to come to earth, and die on the cross for a bunch of helpless rebels. His love was active, and was felt, and mine should be the same. Just something to think about...

To live is Christ,

J

P.S.-Check back next week for my Top 10 reasons to give thanks in 2009!