How do you pray for your children

I came across this picture and prayer on facebook..... 

and I hated it.  I hated it because in essence what is being prayed for is the American dream which is vastly different than pursuing Jesus.  The sad part is the fact that most of us as parents probably spend significantly more time praying for the safety of our kids, than praying that God would use our kids to bring glory to His name and lead others to salvation. 

       The way we pray for our kids ultimately reveals what we believe to be most important in life.  When we frequently pray for our kids safety, and rarely pray for our kids to live for the glory of God, it reveals that we believe safety is more important than the glory of God.  When we pray more for our kids earthly accomplishments than their kingdom accomplishment, we reveal that we believe earthly success is more important than success in God’s eyes.  

       Of course I want my kids to be safe, and healthy.  Of course I want my kids to be successful.  Of course I want my kids to have their dreams come true.  However, there is something that I desire more than all of that combined.  I desire that someday my kids will stand before God and hear him proclaim, "Well done good and faithful servant."  I desire that my kids will spend their life making much of God, and sharing the Gospel with those around them in word and deed.  If that can best happen through sickness and struggle, than that is what I desire.  If that can best happen through health and "earthly" success, than that is what I desire.  I came across the following prayer and I am beginning to use it when praying for my kids.  May our prayers for our kids change as we realize that God's glory and the salvation of others is WAY more important than health, safety, and earthly success.

     

Do What You Must

Do what You must almighty God
To make me more like Your Son,
Empty me of all envy and pride
And fill me again with love.

Whatever it takes I earnestly pray
To make me a man of Your Word,
Take me to the depths of sufferings deep
Lead me down the Calvary road.

I’ll take up my cross whatever the cost
If You grant the strength and grace,
I’ll follow you Lord, my Savior, my God
To highest of heights or grave.

My dreams and my plans I place on your altar
And to them I raise my knife,
You give and you take, my gracious Provider
You kill and you bring to life.

I ask not for health nor prospering wealth
But one thing I need and trust,
That I might become a man like Your Son
To this end Lord, do what You must.

Faith Like A Child- Getting distracted!

     Most mornings I get to see a picture of what pure joy looks like!  Our youngest two have a tendency (one that I dislike) to get up fairly early in the morning.  It is very common for the two youngest to both be up by 6:30.  I am typically up so I get to have some time to hang out with Anaya and Ty in the mornings.  The experience of pure joy happens when mommy gets up!  As soon as they hear her voice Anaya our two year old goes tearing down the hallway giggling and squealing with shouts of joy and jumps into her moms arms.  Ty, while not quite to the point of running, also heads down the hallway crawling as fast as his body will allow him giggling and squealing with shouts of joy until he gets to mommy's arms!  It is a great experience to witness and it is an appropriate response for the one who loves them, provides for them, gave birth to them, takes care of them, plays with them, and on and on I could go about why it is an appropriate response.
      A couple mornings ago the same scene began to unfold with mommy as Anaya tore down the hallway to jump into her arms.  Ty, as usual, also began the journey with excitement, working on getting those legs and arms moving as fast as possible, but in the journey down the hallway something happened.  Something was on the ground between him and mom, a play cell phone, and it was successful in distracting Ty from getting to mommy even though a play cell phone can't even begin to compare to mommy.  Instead of finishing the journey by falling into mom's arms, he stopped and played with the cell phone instead.  He got distracted, and ultimately settled for something that cannot even begin to compare with mommy.
     As I watched this scene unfold my first thought was we do that all the time with God.  We are going to God the one who created us, sustains us, loves us, provides for us, and we get distracted along the way, and we settle for something that cannot even compare to the greatness of God.  It would be good for all us to spend some time thinking about things that might be distracting us from God, and than begin taking action to remove those things.  After all, how silly would it be if something as simple and pointless as a toy cell phone were keeping us from running into the arms of God!

Football, the Bible, and following Jesus.

       This post is a result of questions I have had for a couple years now, and have once again been pushed to the forefront of my mind because of the events that have transpired in the past couple weeks involving professional football players.  The question is simply, how should we as Christians engage with football (and other violent sports).  Is it something that we should embrace, enjoy, participate in, support, as God given recreation and enjoyment that has simply been tainted by sinful creatures.  Is it something that we should be careful not to embrace, enjoy, participate in and support too much, but not lay it aside all-together?  Or is it something that we need to move away from, not support, enjoy, participate in or encourage?  Here is what has led to this question.
       First, football in a violent sport and it takes a toll on bodies in dangerous and life altering ways.  I don't need to elaborate on this one as it is common knowledge to all who follow football.  Yes, the NFL has made some great strides in the past couple years about dangerous hits, concussions, etc.  But what about the countless athletes whose bodies never get back to normal because of the violent nature of the game of football.
       Secondly, in most cases football seems to bring out the worst in people.  Fans, coaches, players.  I get that there are exceptions, and the reason we love hearing about those stories is because sadly they are the exception, not the norm.  I can safely say that I would not want any of my kids to be like the vast majority of football players both on and off the field.  I have been to a couple NFL games, and fans are pathetic.  I would not want to bring my son into the environment of a regular season football game simply because of how fans react.  Coaches from 5th grade to the NFL have also demonstrated how football tends to bring out the worst in people.
       Thirdly, somehow so many things that Scripture describes as sin is glorified in football.  Pride being the greatest of many examples.  Watch a football game and watch the pride of the players, fans, and coaches.  Rejoicing in the demoralizing defeat of the opponent.  Pridefully celebrating after making a play.  Rubbing their success in the face of the one that was just defeated, trash talking, and on and on I could go.  Yeah, we say it is a part of the game, but is that ok when what is just a part of the game in the Bible is clearly described as sin.
       Fourthly, is the attitude of ignoring huge character flaws in individuals as long as they perform and help us accomplish our goals.  This is an attitude of succeeding at all costs and that ultimately character doesn't matter as long as we produce results.  As the Bible makes abundantly clear it is the heart that matters, not what an individual is able to accomplish on the football field.
      I could go on but I won't.  As I stated at the beginning this is based on thoughts I have had for a couple years now.  I have not talked much about it with others, because I guess I am afraid of the conclusion that I might come to, because quite frankly I love football (and hockey).  However, I love Jesus and the Word more.  If you love football, and Jesus, I would love to hear your thoughts.  Have you wrestled through these issues?  What have you decided?  What Scripture has informed your decision?  Please respond, here or on Facebook.  I would love to hear your thoughts.

Faith Like a Child: When life doesn't make sense.

       A little over a week ago Ty, our youngest child (10 months old), spent a little bit of time in the hospital because of an infection and an extremely high fever.  We are thankful to God that He is healthy and back to his normal self crawling all over the house getting himself into trouble!  If you have ever experienced being with a little one in the hospital it is hard.  The thing that, at least for me, made it so difficult was that it was impossible to explain to Ty what was going on, what was going to happen, and why they were doing everything they did.  I couldn't explain to him why I had to bear hug him and hold him down while they drew blood, and while they put his IV in.  I couldn't explain to him why he had this cord hooked to his foot that made it so he couldn't go wherever he wanted.  I couldn't explain why he felt so miserable.  I couldn't explain anything.  That is hard on a mommy and daddy and we hated it.  Even though we couldn't explain anything to him, there were things we could do; we could be with him, hold him, love him, sing to him, play with him, and wipe his tears away.  There were many things we couldn't do, but despite all of that what we could do seemed to be enough to get him through a very difficult and painful couple of days.  We didn't like what was happening to our little man, but we knew it needed to be done if he was going to get healthy.  We gave him everything we could, while the only thing he could do was lean into us and trust us, even though nothing made sense to him.
      This carries over to those of us who are children of God.  There are times when life flat out does not make sense.  What is going on seems to be the opposite of what desperately needs to be happening.  The pain seems pointless, confusion seems to dominate, and as much as we ask for an explanation we get nothing.  I believe it is difficult for God to watch His children go through pain, but in the midst of the pain and questions God offers us Himself.  All of Himself.  All of His love, comfort, peace, joy, and on and on I could go. God offers all of Himself, and asks us to lean into and trust.  Lean in and trust Him, trust that He knows what He is doing, and trust that everything will be ok.
       If you are in a place today where life does not make sense, lean in and trust God as He offers all of Himself to you.

Christian, don't forget your mission

       Christian, don’t forget your mission.  This post is less a response to the election results than it is a response to the reactions of some of my brothers and sisters in Christ are having to the election results.  Responses that at times have seemed almost hysterical and responses that have been predicting gloom and doom for the American nation.  Regardless of weather you are rejoicing or fearing gloom and doom this morning, I want to remind all of us about a couple of things.  

First, our hope cannot reside in a political party or a certain canidate.  Our hope rests in God.  What the people of this country need more than a balanced budget or a better economy is forgiveness of our sins and redemption of our lives.  That is the greatest need any person has, and the beauty of the Gospel is that it is available through Jesus Christ.  So our hope is not in politics, politicians, or legislation, it is in God and what is offered because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  So Christian, regardless of who you voted for, remind yourself where your hope needs to rest. 

Secondly, if what the people of this country need more than anything is forgiveness and redemption, than what this country needs is you, as a Christian, living out the mission God has given to all of us.  Christian, if the hope of the world rests in Jesus, you have way more to offer than any political party, politician, or legislation.  What people need is for Christians to live out their mission.  Our country needs Jesus followers who will faithfully and daily live out the great commission and the great commandment.  Christian if you truly grasp that the greatest problem humanity faces is sin, than you realize that you hold the ONLY thing that can deal with that problem.  YOU, not the government, not the president, YOU.  So the question is, what are you and I going to do?  

       So today let us focus on the great commission and the great commandment.  Let's make a commitment to live those out today and everyday.  That is after all the mission that God has put us on after he so graciously forgave our sins, and redeemed our lives.  That is what we have been called to do, and that is what a dying world desperately needs from us.  Christian, don't forget your mission.  

Entitlement kills our joy.

       This morning I was reading Mark 15 which gives the account of the trials, crucifixion, and death of Jesus.  Verses 16-20 stuck out to me, "The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (this is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers.  They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.  And they began to call out to him, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him.  Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him.  Then they led him out to crucify him."
        As I was reading those verses, and the verses that followed, I began to wonder what that must have been like for the God of the universe who created everything, and everything was created for, to be mocked.  The one who was perfect, the one who left the throne to come to earth for the very people who were at that moment mocking and ridiculing him.  As I was thinking about that it occurred to me that Jesus at that moment had every right to unleash terror and destruction upon those who were mocking Him.  He was entitled to it, it was his right to unleash terror and destruction.  If anyone ever had a claim to being entitled to something it was Jesus.  He had a right to be worshipped.  He had a right to be magnified.  He had a right to be praised.  He had a right to bring down justice on anyone who failed to live up to the standard of perfection.  It was His right, He was clearly entitled to it.
       However, he didn't demand his rights, instead He took upon Himself everything that I deserved.  The one who was entitled to everything, took the punishment of the one who was entitled and deserving nothing but hell.  Can you say amazing grace?!?!
      After reminding myself again of how amazing God's grace and love is for me, I began to feel convicted about how often I feel that I am entitled to so many things.  According to the Bible the only thing I deserve is hell.  That's it.  The moment I begin to think I am entitled to anything beyond that is the moment that the joy in my life is killed.  The opposite it also true.  The moment I realize that I am only entitled to hell, joy, overwhelming joy, begins to flow out of every fiber of my being.  When  I realize that everything I have from the breath I am taking as I write this, to having my sins forgiven and eternity secured and everything in between is an astounding gift from the God of the universe, is the moment joy overwhelms my life.  Take time today, and everyday, and preach the Gospel to yourself and be prepared to be overwhelmed with joy as you see gifts of grace everywhere and at every moment.  "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."

Something is broken in our churches

       Over the summer I have spent a significant amount of time reading about statistical findings on youth and religion.  In addition to the books that were reporting these statistics, I spent time reading and interacting with books and articles that we attempting to interpret the statistics and offer possible solutions and remedies to the problem.  The "issues" that showed itself time and time again was the incredible rate by which young people leave the church just prior to, or just after high school graduation.  I knew the statistics were accurate as I recalled in my mind all the students that I have worked with over the years, and figuring out who was connected with a local church and who wasn't.  The statistics are depressing.
     One of the books that I read that was working on interpreting the findings suggested that one of the reasons young people are leaving the church as such alarming rates is because they do not feel that they are connected to the church body.  On Sunday morning at sunday school I was talking with a group of about 15 students.  We were talking about the body of Christ, and that we all have a role to play.  I asked the question, "Do you feel that you are a part of the body of Christ at NIBC (the church that I am currently at)?  After a lot of silence, one girl answered the question by saying, "No I don't feel like I am a part of the body of Christ here, because I feel that if I were I would be missed if I left, and I don't think any would miss me or care if I left."  As she answered the question I could see her answers resonating with everyone else in the room.  I asked who else felt the same.  Every single hand in the room went up.  It broke my heart, and opened my eyes wide to a massive problem that we have at NIBC and I would guess the vast majority of churches in America.
      THIS HAS TO CHANGE.