( I could not find who took this photo)

It has been a few weeks since my last post.  I have been very busy with work, ministry,  and family. My beautiful, God-given helpmate is not terribly demanding, so stressing over family time is not an issue. But I make it a point to set aside some time for her, kids, and grandkids.
Took my grandsons fishing a couple of weeks ago for most of the day, we didn’t catch anything, but had a good time getting to know each other better, and enjoying God’s creation.

We live in a Busy society. Nelene works 45 to 60 hrs. a week. I work 40 to 50 hrs. a week, go into prison twice a week to lead worship and Bible study. So every so often it feels like family gets neglected a little bit, especially the things that tell her you love her most, like picking up, running the vacuum, doing dishes etc.

I guess every family is different,  we each have to work out what works best in our situation. The problem we sometime wrestle with is balance. How do we create balance within all that is demanded of us and what we are called to?

One thing is for certain, it will not balance itself out on its own, that requires intent. We have to be intentional about creating balance in our lives. Now that will look different for each of us, because we each have a unique situation, with varying job requirements, and family responsibilities, and different callings to share Christ. But it will always require intent.

David was King of the nation of Israel, He had huge responsibilities and great burdens to carry in leading and defending God’s people. The one thing David did, that He was intentional about, that brought him through the battle with the Giant, his sin with Bathsheba, the loss of his son Absalom, and all the challenges of leadership he faced as King, was that he spent time with God. He took everything to Him, he accepted correction and instruction from Him. David had a close, maybe even intimate relationship with God and that made the difference. Compare all the other Kings to David and you will see.

Matthew 6:33…But Seek you first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

If there is one thing we must make time for in our Busy Busy schedule, We need to intentionally take the time to build that kind of relationship with God. Are you tired of struggling with your time, for balance, for intimacy with God? Are you frustrated because it seems like everything in your life is spinning out of control and you cant stop it? Take charge of this one thing and watch God work.

Be a man after Gods own Heart.

Be a man like David

This week there was a terrible accident involving a church bus returning from summer camp in Michigan. The youth director, his pregnant wife, and  the 51 yr. old mother of a special needs child were killed. The Mother  served as a chaperone that week to spend time with her child there. 12 teens were injured, one critical. My friend and employer’s son was on the bus and suffered a concussion, with neck and back injuries.

WHY?

That is the question that torments me when these things occur. I understand and believe in Gods sovereignty and Omniscience. But I would be lying if I told you I was perfectly alright with this type of thing. I have talked with a couple of friends about this to, first of all, get it out of my heart and into my ears and the ears of a trusted godly friend and mentor. Second to get his input of these events to give me insight, and advise on how to process it. But I still was not at peace. I know because I recognize the sarcasm, and cynicism in my attitude  this week.

Years ago I lost my oldest son to suicide. he was 16 yrs old. I won’t go into all of that, but it shook my faith to its foundation, and damaged my ability to live in Trust of God.

I knew I was a Christian, I knew God loved me, I knew that I would see my son again one day. I kept telling myself I’m fine, I’m ok everything  will be ok. But everything was not ok, and it would take 15 years and a broken marriage before it would be ok. I had trust issues with God, and anger, that I was denying, even to myself. I was in a spiritual tail spin that was destroying me and anyone who dared love me. A few years later, my youngest son died of complications of Kidney failure. Did not help the situation.

About 6 years ago through the loving kindness of a Methodist Church in Florida, I was loved back into relationship with God, and I have grown in that relationship ever since.

I know what the scripture says…Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for good to them that love him, to those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I have redeveloped a confidence and trust in my Abba Father, and I thought all was well, until this happened. I knew I wasn’t right, I have a relationship with the lord now that allows me to see I wasn’t right. I spent time in prayer and fellowship with God and wanted to know I was alright. But this question WHY??? kept coming at me.

After some serious discomfort, and soul-searching, and sharing this with godly friends who have permission to speak truth into my life, I have come to this conclusion…… We may not always know the Why…… The ways that God interfaces with us about that are as different as each individual. The real question is not the Why? but the Who? If We truly believe what we say we believe, and trust that we have the preserved Word of God. If we believe God’s promises, Then it is not about the Why but the Who. God is in control. His ways are above our ways. He does have a plan for each believer, and that plan is for good. I do not need to always know the Why, because I believe and trust in my God. That may sound simplistic and authoritative to some, nevertheless it is true. That is what Faith is all about.
David was always transparent before God. He was open and trusted God enough to be real with him about everything.

Be a man after Gods own heart….

Be a man like David….

So the Real question is Why Trust God?

Maybe the next blog will discuss that question……Jesus loves you and so do I.

PHOTOGRAPH BY RYAN PRINCE

I have been watching and listening to people this week, reacting, and speaking out about a racially charged case, where a young black man was shot and killed. It should sadden us when we see this kind of thing happen. A man who Jesus shed His blood and gave His life for has taken the life of another, whom Jesus shed His blood and gave His life for. I am sad because the reaction to this is all about one agenda or another, and not about the tragedy of taking a life.

Even we as God’s people can get caught up in the emotion of the moment and find ourselves guilty of overreacting and hurting others by our comments. I am as guilty as the next when it comes to venomous outbursts in reaction to injustice. God has given us all a sense of what is just, and when something offends that we react, usually in anger. That is not always a bad thing, we should actively work to correct injustice, but tempered with God’s love, in order to build that persson up, not tear them down.

Interestingly enough, the very same verse of scripture that says “Seek justice”, also says “Love mercy”, and “Walk humbly with God”.

The real tragedy of an event like this is not only the pain, sorrow, and loss of life, but if we are not careful, the ripple effect of how we react to this as God’s people.

So what do we do when we find we are wrong? How do men of God respond to that?

I have found it difficult to admit I am wrong at times, even when I knew it as soon as it came out of my mouth or when the act was completed. We find ourselves reaching and stretching to justify our actions or positions on a subject, even when we no longer believe what we are saying. I guess that is a pride thing and should probably red flag and move us to repentance and correct us.

In watching all of the reactions this week, I was encouraged by a couple of men I consider good Godly friends and mentors.

One of these men had gotten caught up, I think, in the injustice of the case mentioned above. This friend loves people of all races. He ministers to those in prison without thought of color or age or any other of the things we like to use to separate us. He loves God and is a man of integrity, and I love him like a brother. I read some of the things he posted online in reaction to this case, and by his remarks, I could feel his sense of justice had been offended. I said a little prayer for him, that God would give him peace. Later, I read something he posted, that has come to bless and teach me how to be a better man.

He wrote, “… one of our pastors graciously reminded me….I realized my error and apologized to…”

This is such a great picture of how we should interact as men of God. We may be 100% correct in our belief about something and 100% wrong in how we react to it. It takes real love and courage to go to someone you care about and say to them… “could we talk?” “I have something to share with you”, we risk our friendship. What if we are wrong in our assessment? Will I do damage or hurt my friend by saying something to him? Many things come to mind when we are considering what the Bible calls rebuke or correction.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

I love the way Paul combines those words Correct, Rebuke, and Encourage. the king James says ” with all longsuffering”

We agonize over saying something to a brother in Christ, but if we are moved by God to speak, we should, in all love and humility, speak the truth to encourage our brother. The reaction is not up to us. That is between our brother and the Lord. But if we have prayed over the words God would have us say in love to correct our brother, we have done our part, now it is God’s turn.

So for one of our pastors to come along side my brother and “graciously remind” is an example that should mentor us as men to love each other enough to take the risk and “correct, rebuke and encourage” our brother in Christ.

This leads us to the reaction. This part does not always go well. None of us likes to be corrected, not even by God. It is the age-old battle we fight with pride. So to see my friend and brother in Christ openly and publicly admit to overstepping and being wrong in how he reacted, not only shows integrity and builds his credibility, it is teaching and mentoring all of the men (and everyone) in his circles of influence on how to properly respond to loving correction. By doing this, we have a part in building Christ like character in others.

I could not be more grateful for his example, and I am so proud to call both of these men my brothers in Christ.

In Psalm 51 we read about David’s reaction to Nathaniel’s rebuke and correction of David’s behavior with Bathsheba and Uriah. What a great Bible example for us to examine and incorporate into our lives as men of God. Will you take some time this week and read through Psalm 51 and ask God to teach you how to be gracious and responsive to loving rebuke, after all, what we really want is to become the men God is calling us to be, right?

God bless you in your quest…

Be a man after God’s own heart…

Be a man like David…

This is a picture of my friend Lee and his family while getting ready for family portraits to be taken. Which one of us as fathers has not been here? So I asked Lee if I could use this photo to illustrate some thoughts about family and he graciously agreed.

I can remember when my children were little. Two boys and two girls, beautiful blond hair, captivating eyes, smiles that could melt the hardest heart. We were in ministry full-time, planting a brand new baby Church. It seemed like everything was perfect. People often commented on how beautiful our family was. They used the phrase ” perfect family “, and it was used to communicate a likeness to an image they had in their mind of what the perfect family would look like.

After a while you can begin to appropriate the same perception, and when things seem to be falling apart, kids get sick, get in trouble, life gets hard to handle, fighting between each and all, your perfect perception of family condemns you and beats you down.

Of course we all eventually realize that the enemy is behind all of the chaos and destruction, but often it is too late to repair the damage already done.

I guess what I mean to communicate to you in this is, perfection is an illusion in this life. Our flesh will never walk the streets of heaven. We will be changed, given new bodies like that of Christ. But for now we are housed in this corrupt flesh with all of its cravings and carnality. It is what it is until we go home to be with the Lord.

Until then we ” press toward the mark” like Paul says. We don’t lay down in defeat because we are not perfect, but trust in God to help us through our imperfection. We build relationship with Him and seek the transformation of our minds that starts with the new birth and continues until we reach our eternal home. We do mot condone or enable bad behavior with family but we love one another trough our faults and imperfections, Just as God does with us.

Love and forgiveness are very powerful things, that can transform another’s life.

David consistently sought out God’s unfailing love and forgiveness for his imperfections and short comings, and God called him a man after His own heart. Sin alone is not what destroys us, Jesus took all of that to the cross, but it is our failure to take that sin to God in repentance, seeking forgiveness and restoration that leaves us in our condemnation.

Some may look at the photo above and see imperfection, I look at this photo and see reality, and I praise God He has given us what we need to create something beautiful, like Lee’s family, in spite of our imperfections.

Be a man after God’s own heart.

Be a man like David.

I have noticed over the last several years, an awakening among God’s men in this country. I re-dedicated my life to Christ several years ago and have been on a path of restoration and transformation ever since.  But over the last two or three years I have noticed growing numbers of men seem to be awakening to God’s presence and call on their lives.

God has called me to a ministry of reaching out to men who are now, or have been broken. That is to say they are having a difficult time realizing who they are in Christ.
I firmly believe the key to true humility and service to God and others is understanding who we are in Jesus Christ.

If personal experience is any indication, there are multitudes of men out there living beneath their God-given birth right ( or re-birth right ), because they believe they have failed God or made Him so angry that they have some how been placed outside the reach of His mercy and grace. That is a lie of Satan, who as we all know is a liar and a deceiver. That is his modis-operandi. He has us living in discouragement and defeat, by deception that robs us of who we are in Christ.
Are you walking around with a huge load of guilt on your shoulders? Do you think you are somehow beyond forgiveness and restoration? Please , please, do not go one more moment living in deception and defeat.

The way to break the chains of deception is to understand the Truth, and the Truth is found in the word of God……example….If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and to cleanse us from ALL Unrighteousness…take your burdens, all of them, and any sin that is holding you down or holding you back, and lay them at the feet of Jesus. Forgiveness and freedom are just a prayer away. You will be amazed in hind sight, at how you could have ever believed such an obvious lie of the enemy.

David went often to God, knowing how grievous his sin. He sought and found forgiveness for some things we today would find difficult because though we may allow God to forgive us, we can not seem to forgive ourselves or more correctly stated, we can not seem to allow ourselves to accept God’s forgiveness or walk in forgiveness. David is a great example of how we can take anything and all things to God and have our relationship with Him restored.

Look to the Word for the truth to defeat the lies and deception that hold you down.

Spend time with God every day even if it is only a few minutes, or if you have to carve out some time for Him. ” Seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. ”
Be a man after God’s own heart
Be a man like David.

The Bible principal…you reap what you sow, is clear and repetitive, if you sow apple seeds, you will reap apples, if you sow to the wind, you will reap a whirl wind. Reaping of like kind has been engineered into creation by Godly design.

So what hope is there for we fathers who have the perception that we have failed miserably with our children?

Some teach that you reap what you sow….period. I cannot argue against the justice of that concept. However, along with the principal of reaping what we sew, God gives us example after example of His loving grace and forgiveness.

There in lies our hope.

We do not always reap what we deserve to reap.

” Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy” Psalm 126:5.

That does not offend God’s Holiness or justice, but magnifies His love and grace….For by grace are you saved through faith…” For God so loved…

David was not a perfect father. Some would say he deserved no children. Absalom, David’s son, may have been one of those. I can see him, invisible, next to his mother, walking through the market place, hearing the whispers about David his father and Bathsheba. Or even going to worship and having the other children say things, hurtful things, that built anger and resentment into Absalom’s heart.

Was David reaping what he had sown through the death of his son Absalom? Not for me to say, but what I do know is that the lineage of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior,  is traced through Bathsheba and their Child Solomon. Do not underestimate the power of God’s unconditional, love, and grace.

Perhaps the greatest evidence of God’s willingness and even intent,  to see us spared from reaping what we sow, is our own salvation. If we all were to reap what we sow, we would still be in our sin, enemies of God and bound without hope for eternal destruction.

But Grace intervened.

We have all failed at times with our children, some of us maybe even beyond our ability to repair the damage we have done, But to just accept the law of sowing and reaping, without giving consideration to the grace and loving intervention of God, through repentance and forgiveness, would be a mistake.

David made a terrible mess of his family, and of Uriah’s family as well, beyond his power to repair, but not beyond the power of a loving God and His grace.

Be a man after God’s own heart, be a man like David…

My son’s Michael and David….I love you boys…

1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

I picture David and Solomon, sitting under an olive tree, while David shared truth with his son regarding the need for Godly council and for the daily reading of God’s word.

Solomon Demonstrated in his writing of Psalm 1, that we cannot live for Christ as well on our own,  as we can with the council of Godly men around us. Blessed is the man….the antithesis of walking not in ungodly council, is to walk in Godly council. He finds fellowship not in the way with sinners, that is men still living in their sin, but rather with men who are walking in forgiveness. He is not caught up in sarcastic mockery and ridicule, but reproves, rebukes and encourages. Seeking Justice, loving mercy, and walking in humility with God.

You cannot live and walk in Christ as well without the help and encouragement of Godly men in your life. His father King David had no doubt told Solomon stories of he and Jonathan in their youth.

I SAMUEL 18: 1-4;

1After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.So David had Samuel and Jonathan among other Godly men in his life that he walked and shared with, and from whom he would receive Godly council.

Not long after that David became brother-in-law to Jonathan by marrying his sister Michal.

Not only is it important to have men in your life to speak truth and as a brother love you, correct, rebuke and encourage you, but it is equally important to intentionally allow God to speak into your life daily through the reading and meditation on His word.

The results are fantastic.

Spiritual Growth, Wisdom, Spiritual maturity, strength, leading of God and leadership skills, deep rooted faith, fruit bearing, spiritual health, prosperity in all we do, etc.

A Godly father will impart these truths to his sons and daughters, both by teaching out of the word and by example, modeling these truths in his daily life before his children, So that they too will live Godly before God.

Are you intentionally modeling these truths before your children? Do you communicate these things to your son or son’s, as you mentor them into manhood? How much time do you spend reading  God’s word and then mulling it over in your mind, picking apart every truth, every promise and command of God to mold your character and that of your children? We are imperfect men and will fail at times in these tasks, but we must press toward the mark if we hope to bestow manhood on our sons and train up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord……Be a man after God’s own heart…..Be a man like David…

….

Psalm 1 is believed to have been written by Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba. I can’t even imagine the problems that may have existed between David and Solomon. Talk about a dysfunctional family.  Solomon must have heard the stories and rumors growing up, possibly even getting into fights with the other kids, sticking up for his father.

In Psalm one you can picture David sitting down under an olive tree with Solomon, teaching him about where to find Godly council and why. But knowing  what we do about David, I also imagine him having those hard conversations with Solomon. How sin comes into our lives, the cost and consequences, how it may be avoided and the benefits, the Holiness of God, and the love, grace and forgiveness of God.

David sharing his imperfections with his son, and teaching him lessons from those imperfections, demonstrating honesty and integrity,  establishing trust and mentoring his son, as an imperfect man, that is loved by God…..sounds a lot like you and me…..

Be a man after God’s own heart….Be a man like David.