Guidance, Comfort and Grace

<forgive the delay in most, moving across the country is tough!>

Five challenging wonderful months with Mission of Hope Haiti (MOH)!  Yes, I have been in my position on the MOH staff for almost half a year now.  The time has flown, but it took very little of that time to realize that I can’t do it.  I am simply not qualified to handle the size of the vision that has been set before me.  But I am also thrilled and excited because - believe it or not - I think that's exactly where God wants me to be. It’s a place where I must totally depend on Him for guidance, comfort and grace!  As humble as I thought I was coming into this, I have seen God doing unbelievable things on the island of Haiti; and (I say this reverently) God has knocked me on my rear and shown me how small a part I really play!  And so “He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).”  That is becoming clearer to me everyday.  I need to step out of the way and let God move and act through me. I have to continually seek him in prayer and the Word to receive His guidance.  And I must get away, shut up and listen to Him so I may rest in his comfort.  Lastly, I must learn that as a sinner and a human, I am going to make mistakes, and I must fully recognize his grace in my life. 

            Guidance begins with the willingness to be led.  Pride likes to jump up and tell us how great we are, and how well we are doing even in spiritual matters.  Our prideful nature begins to essentially read our own news clippings and we step out in front of the guidance God has provided. The words of the Psalmist must be in our minds every day, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your Spirit lead me on level ground (Psalm 143:10)!” We may dimly see the end goal in the foggy distance; but the Lord usually leads us clearly a few steps at a time.  He seldom illuminates the entire path, because we most likely could not handle it. I am continually learning to trust his guidance, taking the next step he shows me, even when my nature is screaming contrary.

            Comfort: we all need it, whether we think so or not.  People in leadership, and most people in their Christian walk, don’t like to ask for help.   Our society tells us we need to put on our big-boy pants and go to work, no matter how hard it is.  But that is not what the narrative the Gospel tells us.  We must depend on Him, and allow him to provide the comfort we need. Sometimes we must simply sit down and shut up, and allow him to quench our thirst and heal our wounds. His Word promises, “I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10b).” When we get to a point where we feel rundown, overwhelmed and exhausted, that is exactly when it's time to get alone with our Comforter and allow Him to breathe life into us.

            And then, grace.  We are not perfect beings and never will be (at least not in this life)!! This is a newsflash to many people, especially Christians who have been told for most of our lives that perfection (or maybe near-perfection, at least) is where we need to be.  But the Bible is clear that if it was up to us and our "perfection," we wouldn’t have a chance.  Thankfully, God sent his Son to live that perfect life we cannot, and to pay the price for sin - dying in our place for the imperfect lives He knew we would live.  That’s grace!  Grace is what allows us as followers of Christ to get off the ground, dust off our hind ends and move forward after we make a mistake.  It is also what allows us live for His glory in our Christian lives as well as all of our endeavors.  I heard Craig Groeschel say, “if you blame yourself for the decline, one day you might take credit for the increases.”  That is a clever and creative way of saying that it's already been paid for when we screw up, and it's all to God’s glory and credit when we succeed.  I close these thoughts with the refrain from a wonderful chorus:

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God’s grace,

            grace that is greater than all our sin!          

Lessons from a 4D Ultrasound

Last week, while driving a U-Haul from Oklahoma City to Fort Myers, I had plenty of time to think, probably too much - but sometimes that is good.  I can't say what did it, but something sparked the memory of a painful doctor's visit nearly three years before.  Rach and I went thinking our first baby was on the way.  We left with the doctor's disappointing report in our ears:  our "baby" was a only a mass of cells - a benign growth but no baby.  But the God had different plans; MollyDru arrived about nine months later; and so, as I drove along, I was reminded once again that she was a miracle baby.  (The whole story will be written but not today.)  My wandering mind then skipped to our first 4D ultrasound and a chance to get a really good look at our precious daughter.  The 4D ultrasound was incredible! I don't really know what 4D means, but it's somehow way cooler than 3D and you don't even need goofy glasses.  My mom and Rach's sisters were there to experience it with us, and we got our first glimpse of the little baby that would so radically change our lives.  It was amazing that even months from birth, we were able to see personality traits in that unborn girl that have been consistently carried forward in the nearly two years since her birth.  

As incredible an experience as it was, I was (believe it or not) distracted.  If I remember right, I was the only guy in the room on that particular visit and after the initial awe of seeing my daughter for the first time, my testosterone kicked in.  My awe shifted from MollyDru to the machine that was capable of making those pictures appear on the screen.  We returned several times, and I continued to be fascinated by the technology.  But that first visit I can remember being so distracted that Rach asked me if I was "okay."  Of course I played it off - not wanting to admit the truth at the time.  But I was really thinking about all the things I wanted to look at with that amazing machine.  It was like I was nine years old again, and wanting to take apart whatever I could get my hands on to see how it worked. Many different thoughts were going through my head:  What would a stomach look like? What about my kidney? Could I put that thing on my brain without causing damage, or at least too much damage? How did the technician get so good at maneuvering around to see the baby? What would puppies look like inside their momma?  Like I said, I was on the level of a nine year old.  The problem pure and simple: my focus was in the wrong place that day.  Yes, we should be thankful for God's common grace to all men, and the technology that comes from it.  But I should have been focused on the wonderful miracle of life that day - and not on the machinery that allowed me to see it.  The ultrasound tech, the 4D machine, and an insurance deductible were what allowed me to see her, but God had given us the gift of life in that little girl, and she was what I should have been celebrating that day.

For those of us in ministry - whether "official" or "unofficial," paid or unpaid -  we can sometimes be distracted as I was on that day at the doctor's office.  We can get caught up in what we are doing and get so focused on the "machine" - the systems with which we do ministry.  Systems, programs and planning are absolutely needed, but they cannot be the focal point for us.  That must be the lives being changed and affected by God's grace and mercy.  If the "machine" distracts us from that, we are so missing the point. We can never let the things intended to aid us in our goals keep us from achieving our goals.  The writer of Hebrews, in chapter 7, reminds us that "the law made nothing perfect."  If we could build systems and machines for ministry that were failure-proof, we would no longer need Him.  What we have to recognize and be reminded of is that God will so often take our best laid plans, most creative ideas, even our hardest efforts and shove them aside so He can accomplish what He wishes to accomplish.  The Law couldn't do it and never will.  God sent redemption through His Son in His own way.  As we share that gift we shouldn't allow our ways, as great as they may be, to ever become a hindrance to His ways.  I have a picture saved on my phone from those first 4D images of MollyDru, and every time I look at it I am reminded that, as cool as that machine was, the true wonder that day was my precious little girl.  

Don't Forget the Giver

For most kids in America, Christmas time is all about the gift-giving experience - and understandably so.  Even as an adult I greatly enjoy receiving gifts.  There is excitement and anticipation as the paper is torn back and the gift comes into view.  And the joy of parents is many times greater as they watch a child open a gift they know that child will love. 

As Christian parents, we teach our children a couple of lessons to help keep the focus of the season in line.  First, we constantly remind them to say "thank you" to whoever gave the gift.  My wife's family has a wonderful tradition; each person actually gets up after every gift and gives a hug to the giver.  And even though our growing families make the gift exchange time a bit longer each year - it teaches our children to be grateful, and not to focus solely on the gift.  Second, we focus on Christ as the ultimate gift.  Our children must learn that the gift God gave us in Christ -  that brought redeeming grace to us His children - is the greatest gift that has ever, or will ever, be given.

Sadly, even Christians at times do not fully embrace how these two lessons fit together.  We forget to celebrate and give thanks to God the Father, who "so loved the world that he gave his only son..."  In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul penned what is often referred to as the "hymn of Christ."  It is a beautiful description of our salvation through Christ's humility and fits wonderfully with the season of Christmas.

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11 ESV)

The final phrase (which I bolded) tells us that God's ultimate gift to mankind - that of sending His eternal Son to be one of us - was given "to the glory of God the Father." Another passage phrases it "to the praise of his glorious grace" (Ephesians 1:6).  Yes, God the Father gave us Christ that we might enjoy the blessings of His glorious redemption; but even more so that His Name would be glorified. This season, let us enjoy the presents from our loved ones; but let us also look past them to the Ultimate Gift, and to the Giver "from Whom all blessings flow."  As our Lord taught us to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name" (Matthew 6:9), let us hallow His name this season and thank Him for sending to us that Gift of gifts - our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Where's Baby Jesus

Being a Dad at Christmas time is awesome!  As with other special times of year, we can learn much from our children during this most special of seasons.  This year my family is participating in Advent as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.  It has been a wonderful time of anticipation - especially as we have shared it with our daughter, 21-month-old MollyDru.  But what can a child so young learn about God's great gift? (Much less teach us?) As Rachel and I have enjoyed this season with her, we have tried to help her understand, even at the tender age of almost two, that Christmas is about Christ - and not just about us and Santa Claus. 

Thankfully, I believe we have succeeded.  But something we didn't expect has also happened. In her childlike and sincere way, our precious MollyDru has reminded us of wonders that we adults sometimes forget.  Reminder number one: When she had seen a Nativity scene, or when we have read Christmas books and watched Christmas programs with her, she always asks the same question: "Where's Baby Jesus?"  (I capitalize "Baby" because for MollyDru, that is part of His name.)  In her mind, as it should be in ours, the season is all about Baby Jesus.  It's a well-worn Christian cliché that "He is the reason for the season" - and we believe that to be true - but do we live and act like it?  MollyDru keeps asking, "Where's Baby Jesus?"  Is that childlike question just for children, or is it for all of us?

But our daughter has reminded us of much more.  Last week I opened MollyDru's "My First Bible," which has stories from all of scripture.  As we looked at the story of Joseph from the Bible's very first book, MollyDru quickly asked me again, "Where's Baby Jesus?"  I started to explain to her that this story was not about Jesus, but then it hit me.  It really was!  The Old Testament in so many ways points ahead to the One who was to come, to promises about that coming, and to what that coming would fulfill. The New Testament tells of His coming, the fulfillment of those promises, and guides us until He comes again.  MollyDru helped me remember that the entire biblical narrative is about her Baby Jesus.

I learned one more lesson from MollyDru - and this one may have had the most impact.  It came when I opened up a non-Christmas book that had nothing to do with Scripture.  MollyDru's quickly developing mind once again asked, "Where's Baby Jesus?"  But the story was not about Baby Jesus; it wasn't about the Bible; and so that question wasn't even appropriate. Right?  No - I realized that my initial reaction was wrong!  As we live our lives, little MollyDru's Baby Jesus and the Gospel he came to bring should affect every thing we do.  (Even those who reject His message will one day bow before Him.) When we spend time with our family, it should be about Baby Jesus.  When we go to work, it should be about Baby Jesus.  For me in ministry, I can easily begin to focus on what I am doing and not why I am doing it.  As I work each day for Mission of Hope Haiti (www.mohhaiti.org), I need to remember MollyDru's Baby Jesus and the Gospel transformation that is possible only because of God's great gift on that first Christmas long ago.

As you enjoy this Christmas season, I encourage you to keep Baby Jesus in all areas of your life.  More than capitalizing the "Christ" in CHRISTmas. More than boycotting places that sell Holiday trees. And even more than making an effort to be Christ-like this time of year.  Let's allow "Baby Jesus" - now gloriously raised from the dead and at the right hand of the Father - to so transform us that our "Christmas spirit" becomes a Christ-like spirit and a year-round life style!

Thank you, Lord, for Baby Jesus!

Four Words from a Transition

I am writing this as a celebration and proclamation of what God has done in my family's life over the last six months.  During an early morning quiet time last June, the Holy Spirit clearly laid four words on my heart.  In all honesty, I’m normally quite skeptical of "words from the Lord" for fear of acting on something that is not from Him. But this time the “words” were unquestionably clear and they fit perfectly with where I was in the study of the Word.  That morning I wrote in my journal these words: wisdom, discernment, favor, and patience.  Frankly, I had no idea what God was saying to me; but I shared the words with my wife and we began to pray about each one.  We prayed for wisdom, that God would give us clarity of mind and the ability to see the plan He had in store for us.  We prayed for discernment, specifically that God would give direction as things became clearer. We prayed for favor, but this was a tricky one for me personally. I was (and still am) leery of “favor” when it refers to an unbiblical bartering system with God. It eventually became clear that the Holy Spirit was leading in a very different direction.  Finally, we prayed for patience – the easiest to immediately understand, but by far the most difficult to put into practice.  After all, I was in a hurry to find out what God was going to do.

Six months later, our situation has become so much clearer.  First, I have with great sadness stepped down as student pastor at Heartland Community Church.  Rachel and I loved our time there, learned so much, and will miss the students, leaders, and parents incredibly!  And second, after much prayer, fasting, and guidance from wise counsel, I have accepted a position with Mission of Hope as Church Advancement Coordinator – and will be moving to Fort Myers, Florida.  Rachel and I truly believe this is God's call on our lives, even though it will involve the difficult process of uprooting our little family from OKC.  What the job will entail and the opportunities it will provide is an absolute fit with what the Lord has laid on my heart.  We are excited about what God is going to do in our lives personally; but more importantly about how He can be glorified as we join the MOH team and work to advance the Gospel in the country of Haiti.  In no way do I feel that my journey with God and his leading of my family and me is over.  We trust that this is only the beginning.  Even so, with the benefit of hindsight I can now see what the "four words" have meant.  

Wisdom: In the beginning it was tough. I was praying for wisdom in a vague sort of way without a clear understanding of what that meant.  Over the last six months it has become very clear that God has granted me wisdom in two specific ways. First, wisdom has come in the form of a more intense love for the Word. The way I study my Bible has become so much more personal and applicable for all that I walk through on a daily basis. I have a new appreciation for the Gospel thread throughout the entirety of scripture and how it affects my life. Second, I learned in a new way about the wisdom that our Lord provides through godly friends and confidants.  There have been two men in particular (you know who you are) who have come alongside me; and I could not have gotten through the last six months without their friendship and wise counsel. I am so thankful for that, for though our relationships will undoubtedly change as I make this physical move, I now see the importance of surrounding myself with godly men and “doing life” with them!

Discernment: I have always felt that discernment was one of my spiritual gifts. But with a decision of this magnitude -- one that would affect my family and so many loved ones in such a significant way -- doubts sometimes creep in.  Thankfully – as we prayed individually and together – God gave Rach and me clarity to know His will, and what our next step should be.  But discernment’s value is only determined by the obedience that accompanies it, and our gracious Lord has also given us the strength to follow through on that clarity.

Favor:  This was by far the most difficult idea for me to get my head around.  It's possible that my view of "favor" has been skewed by too much late night Christian TV.  For many Christians the word seems to imply that "if I give to the Lord, He will in turn provide me with a Mercedes Benz."  Intellectually and biblically I know this not to be the true meaning of favor, but it was a mental obstacle I had to overcome.  Only in the last few weeks have Rachel and I truly begun to understand what we had been praying for those six long months.  As we began to sit down with those closest to us, and to share with them what God was doing and where that would physically lead us, I realized that we had been praying for favor in their hearts.  God is so amazing that He would lead us to begin praying for situations He knew were coming, that we were completely unaware of.  Of course, there have been many tears and more will come, but God has obviously been working and preparing the hearts of our loved ones. Without exception, they have been able to see our diligence in being obedient to our calling, and have been supportive of that endeavor.  

Patience:  In his letter to the Romans (Romans 2:7-8), Paul shows us how patience is tied to God centeredness. Of course, that means that my impatience is tied to my self-centeredness.  And because of my depravity, if things would happen on my timetable, I would be unable to avoid taking more credit than I deserve.  Having patience, and the ability to wait on the Lord, glorifies Him and keeps Him at the center in all that we do.  At the start, "patience" was the word I thought I understood the best. But as God opened my eyes to see all that comes with patience, it has become so clear that I had no clue what my lack of patience was really saying.  I was actually telling God, "I want to follow your will, but I will set the schedule and tell you how it will go down."  God has humbled me, and this word is the one more than the others that I will continue to seek.  Instead of impatience, I want to progressively love and trust Him more, and by His grace to put away the ungodly grousing that comes so naturally.

And so God has used the last six months to equip me physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I can think of no better way to close than with the words of the great hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness.

            Great is Thy faithfulness!

            Great is Thy faithfulness!

            Morning by morning new mercies I see.

            All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

            Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, Unto me!

Thoughts on Freedom

What does it mean to truly be free in Christ? If our identity, after He saves us, is in Him, how can we be bound and tied to things that are in us? Col 2:13-15 "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.  This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.  He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."  

Addiction and bondage is apart of who we are as depraved souls, but after salvation and a regenerated heart that comes with true salvation, our identity is no longer about who we are, but instead about who He is.  If who we were, is still who we are, than we are not in Him, we are not regenerated.  Rom 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"  God does not have addictions and bondages.  The Gospel shows us that we are NOT who we once were, because of what He did, NOT because of what we did and in spite of who we were.  If we are given His identity, his righteousness as a "new creation," how can we be bound by things that cannot bind Him?

Can we be tempted, yes! He was tempted and Hebrews 4:15 tells us "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."  Will we screw up, yes.  We will make mistakes, we are still living in this flesh which is temporary, and have not reached the extent of our sanctification, only begun.  The Gospel is given to us in the very next verse in Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need."  If we could do this thing with out missteps, than Christ wasted his time [Galatians 2:21].  That being understood, we will be tempted and we will fail, but we are not bound, we are not tied, we are not continually in a snare, we have been freed.  Galatians 5:1 says "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."