Hymn of the Month of March-How Great Thou Art

It was Jen's pick this month and she decided to go with another all time classic, "How Great Thou Art."

For those of you wondering if Hudson is picking them up, he absolutely loves to sing! We sing on the way home from church, around the house, and before he goes to bed. It took some time for him to get into "It is Well," but literally on one car ride I taught him the words and he grew to really enjoy it. We even heard him singing it while he was laying in bed falling asleep that same evening. Like praying, listening to your child sing these historic and Christ-centered songs can make a parent's heart melt. I pray regularly that the boys would grow to love worship, I'm so thankful for those who work with him at church like Heather Gosz, Abby Cantrell, Lisa Cummings (whom he loves to sing with), and countless others. They are planting seeds in his heart for the Lord and I am indebted to them for their investment.

Brotherly Love

The big change around our house of late is the sleeping arrangements. About 2 weeks ago Jen called upset with Athan's nap and said she was ready to move him into Hudson's room. This has been the plan for awhile and she was ready for the move, believing that since neither was sleeping well there was no harm in moving them now. We expected some rough nights to say the least. Hudson can easily lay in his bed till 10:00 p.m. singing and talking, while Athan is still waking up atleast 2 times in the middle of the night. The expectation was that both of them would wake each other up and we would never sleep. To our surprise they have done absolutely terrific with each other!

Last night, as I was going to bed I snuck in there and took these pictures of the boys.
Through this transition I've had plenty of time to reflect on my own childhood and the great fun I had sharing a room with my brother David. We shared more than a room, we shared a childhood. My memories with him center around GI Joe's, Nintendo, sports, and a whole host of other boyhood experiences. We became close friends and that friendship continues even to this day. Most nights as I pray for the boys I ask the Lord that He would grant them conviction to believe in His Son, but I pray for a host of other things for example that they would be lifelong friends united not by blood alone but also in Spirit.

I've often thought there could be no better life than the one Peter and Andrew, or James and John got to lead. They were each called to follow the Son of God on a life changing mission and they got to do so with their brother! What's amazing is that in John 1 when Andrew finds Jesus the first person he goes to find is his brother. That has to say something about the value he puts in that relationship! That's my prayer as well, that when Hudson learns something exciting about the Word, he would go to Athan to share that truth and visa-versa. Nothing could make their father more pleased!

Unity's Message

A little over a month ago the President presented his State of the Union address. This annual speech was presented to a unique crowd. Unlike most addresses where the members of Congress find their seat next to their buddies of their own political party, the members were intermingled as a display of unity and solidarity over the tragic events in Arizona. It was fun to listen to the experts after the speech who seemed at a loss for words over the display. This speech will standout in history not so much for what was said, or how well they come together to enact what the president presented, but because of the unity that was displayed between the two parties.

Unity stands out in our world. Its different, its unnatural for us as fallen human beings. Why? Because it requires humility. In Mark 10:45 we find Jesus acknowledging that His purpose in coming to Earth was to serve and die. But examine the context and you see His reasoning for making this claim is that among his disciples a disagreement had broken out with James and John making a request for prime seats in the kingdom. His statement not only rebukes them, but it provides the key to restoring unity among the group as a whole. Ironically, the disciples argued about this again at the Last Supper (Luke 22:24), likely before Jesus washed their feet to show them once again the example of humility they were to follow (John 13:1-15).

The state of the union this year was different because they were united. People will likely remember it and talk about it for years because Congress didn't sit by their friends, but were mixed up. We as the church should display unity as people who are one in Christ (Ephesians 4:3-6) so that when people walk in our doors they see people enjoying community and relationships with others despite our differences. The message of unity is that something unique and different is taking place, and certainly the church has a Savior and God that is different and unique, who unites rather than divides, and restores even those who have broken. This is a message that we live out when we humbly serve those within our church as Christ commands.

Rather than looking at this from a large scale view of the church, I prefer to take individual churches and ask are we united? In my case, do I display the humility with my brothers and sisters in Christ at Countryside that is necessary for us to be succeeding in proclaiming the message of unity in Christ?

Origin of Green Bay Packer Fandom and Super Bowl Pick

I'm often asked about my love for the Green Bay Packers and I'll admit it is strange that someone whose only once been north of Missouri has such an obsession with a team from Wisconsin. I've done some reflecting and here's the story;

As a kid on the playground I was always a receiver when we played football. I enjoyed catching the ball, particularly after I ran passed someone and was able to score a touchdown. Sterling Sharpe (pictured on the right) was the receiver I loved. He was big, fast, and had terrific hands. It just so happened that he played for the Green Bay Packers. As I watched them I found myself not just cheering for Sharpe, but cheering for the team. Guys like Reggie White, who was an ordained minister and a hall of famer with Green Bay, Robert Brooks, who I met in person at an SEC legends dinner for my Dad, and of course Brett Favre won me over to the "Cheeseheads" permanently. In 6th Grade I got the Green Bay starter jacket which sealed the deal, I was a Packers' fan for life. In my seventeen years of rooting for the Packers I have bought more Packers gear than I'd care to admit, seen them play twice in person, and will now see them play in the Super Bowl for the third time (which seems like a lot when you consider that teams with great history like the Vikings haven't played in one since the seventies or the Lions ever).

The Packers give me no reason not to like them. They have no pre-madonna owner, but instead are publicly owned. They don't spend frivolously, but are good with money almost to the point of being frugal. They are located in a town around the size of Tulsa, rather than a Metropolis like New York or L.A. For all intents and purposes they would make more since in the Arena League than in the NFL. Even the way they handled the Favre situation left me, a boy who idolized Favre, siding with the team rather than the hero.

So much in our lives change. Our taste in music, vehicle we drive, even fashion sense change over the course of time. Its fun to have things that continue from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. That's the thing that makes me even more passionate about my love for the Packers now as an adult, because it reminds me of my childhood. It reminds me of those Junior High mornings waiting outside the school with my jacket and stocking cap, it reminds me of that high school night when they won the Super Bowl. Its also something I have loved sharing with others. That starter jacket wasn't tossed in the dump, but was given to my favorite AWANA kid who was also a Packers fan. He and I bonded over memorizing Scripture and cheering for the Packers. When given two tickets to a Cowboys-Packers game a few years ago I chose to take one of our students, a die hard Packers fan too. Now as a father its fun to watch the Packers with Hudson. I think I could even get Jen to wear Packers gear if I caught her on a good day!

Now for my Super Bowl Pick;

Keep in mind this is obviously biased. I think we are going to see a great game, not just because the teams are evenly matched, played a close game last year, and have solid defenses, but because both have a tendency to play to their competition. Both should have won their Championship games going away but instead made them much closer than they should have been.

As a Packers fan, I have felt that all playoffs long the defense has not gotten the publicity they deserve. Everyone wants to talk about Rogers, but the D has carried the team all year. I can't help but feel positive that their beat up o-line will struggle to run the ball or protect the passer and as a result Big Ben will seek to make too many plays against an experienced and aggressive Packers secondary. That should create turnovers.

On the other side of the ball the Steelers defense is scary good. They rush the passer, stop the run, and create turnovers like crazy. Two things make me feel better about this matchup; first, its in a dome on turf and the Packers offense is very quick. Green Bay will play with 3-4 receivers and pick on that 3rd and 4th corner. Second, the Patriots spread the Steelers out earlier in the year and torched them. Now Rodgers is no Brady, but neither are the Patriots receivers in the same category as the Packers receivers. If the offense can score some points early I'll feel very good.

I'm nervous because of the Steelers experience in big games and ability to create turnovers. But, if the Packers don't turn the ball over and can pressure Big Ben I think they win.

Final Score: 24-13 Go Pack Go

Hymn of the Month of February-It is Well with My Soul

1. Going back to my 26 goals for 2011, Jen and I said we would teach the boys 1 hymn every month with us alternating who got to pick the hymn. I got to choose the hymn for February and I chose...
2. 
   
3. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
4. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
5. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
6. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
7. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
8. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

Considering this will be for a 3 year old, we will probably only teach him the first and last verse. The hymn was written by Horatio Spafford, a close friend of D.L. Moody. The story of the hymn is inspiring and moving. In periods of great loss its incredible to see people whose faith stands firm and whose response echoes that of Job who said, "The Lord giveth and the the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

I'll give my Super Bowl synopsis later in the week!

Do you even care?

For those of you who know me well you must be aware of my desire to read historical works, particularly the Church Fathers (I admit I'm a nerd who named his son after Athanasius). I've spent time on this blog challenging all who read to pick up something ancient rather than Christianbook.com's top seller, as it stands the tests of time. I believe that great men and women of the faith from other time periods in other parts of the world can contribute something to our walk with the Lord that Chuck Swindoll and John MacArthur simply cannot.

I've recently been reading The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind by Mark Noll, a book describing the failure of evangelical churches in the United States from emphasizing the worship of the Lord with one's mind. Noll is a brilliant historian who chronicles the history of the church in America and the foundations that led to this problem. I came across a quote describing two revivalists in the early 19th Century and their response to;

When quotations from Calvin were used to argue against Robert Marshall and J. Thompson, they replied, "We are not personally acquainted with the writings of John Calvin, nor are we certain how nearly we agree with his views of divine truth; neither do we care."

Ouch. They don't even care? Now regardless of your perspective on Calvin I think we can agree that his writings and teachings can provide wonderful defense and explanation for so much of basic Christian beliefs.

The sad truth is that often times we emphasize the individual response of a person so much that they begin to feel that their own competence is all they need. In many ways American individualism contributes to the problem we have with people claiming to be Christians who see no point in attending church or gathering with other believers. Their opinion is that they have Christ and their Bible, what else is necessary?

Despite the fact that salvation is an individual response in faith, and that one is saved individually by Christ, what they are saved into is a corporate body. That's the beauty of the body of Christ, we each are lacking and made with a need for others to be complete (1 Cor. 12). But, we also are made and gifted with something to contribute to the rest of the Body of believers. This contribution can be in the form of encouragement, teaching, service, or a number of other possibilities. Calvin stated that the church was the body of believers from all time and although I may have some hesitancy saying the church includes believers before Christ, it stands to reason that even those who came before us can contribute to our growth in the Lord through their example and writings.

So, in conclusion, do you care what those brothers and sisters in Christ who came before studied, learned, and taught? There's a challenge for the weekend!

Go Pack Go!

J

Warming Up Stillwater

Much of this week has been centered around an event we are calling "Warming Up Stillwater". The event is this Saturday at the Stillwater Community Center from 6-8. Its a chili feed along with coat distribution of nearly 400 coats that our church has collected in the past couple of weeks. The event was a collaboration of a number of different people thinking about ways that our church could become more involved within the community. We won't be promoting our church, handing out information about Countryside, or trying to tell people why they need to be with us instead of with someone else on Sunday mornings. Instead, we'll slip the "Gospel of John" into a pocket of each coat, along with setting up a prayer room down the hall for anyone who may need prayer or would like someone to talk to about spiritual issues. We're doing it this way because its not about us, its not about showing off Countryside, or our ministries, or facilities. This event is centered around helping the helpless and planting seeds not for Countryside, but for Jesus Christ. We are calling it "Warming Up Stillwater" because the goal is to keep them physically warm with coats and hot chili, but the reality is without the light of the world they are in spiritual darkness and in the cold (John 1:4). Jesus is the only one who can truly bring them light and hope and we long to display the love of Christ through our actions and to discuss the person and work of Jesus with many on Saturday evening.

I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the feedback and help I have received from people within the church. I have been impressed with the desire people have to serve others and truly show love and compassion to others as Christ has commanded. People have bought new coats, donated sacks of used coats, volunteered to make chili, brownies, serve, share a testimony, and do anything else to help make the night a success. My prayer is that this is the first in a long line of opportunities that our church takes to be a blessing to the people in the Stillwater community by helping those who are in need. If you know of someone in the community who may need a coat for themselves or their children be sure and tell them about the event.

To live is Christ,

Jay