"What I tell you in the dark..."

"What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs." - Jesus (Matthew 10:27 NIV)

I read from Matthew 10, verses 16 through 42 this morning, and the above verse caught my attention the most. There were others that pricked my ears and heart this morning, and you'll hear about them a little later, but for some reason, this one really struck a chord. I think, partly, because I can't find any commentary on that verse. It comes in the middle of a paragraph of scripture that has produced more studying than this little verse. But, for whatever reason, God was speaking this to me this morning.

I believe it implies a quiet time. For me, it is early in the morning when it is still dark. I also believe it implies an intimate relationship with the Son (and Father and Spirit), as he will whisper in my ear. I think it can also be indicative of the relationship between Christ and his bride (us - the church).

While this verse speaks of relationship and time together with Christ, it is also obviously a call to action. We are to share what we learn from our saviour. First, we are to spend time, in private (in the dark/whispered in your ear), with him, then we publicly (in daylight/from the roofs) share what he told us. So, today, start to spend time with your Lord, in private, in the dark, and allow him to whisper in your ear, and then share that good news with others. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

One Thing I Was Made For

note: I know that is not proper English, but that is how the questioned was asked: What's one thing God has made you for?

My wife.

My destiny is accomplished in serving her destiny and the destinies of my children.

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body. 31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. - Ephesians 5:25-33 (NLT)

The cleansing of the woman comes from the death of the man. That sentence is in my notes from the men's retreat. What really does that mean? Well, the husband is to love his wife like Christ loves the church. Christ loved the church so much, he gave his life for it. I am to die for my wife as well. Daily. Put aside my own feelings and comfort and serve my wife's purpose and destiny. Christ was (and is) so deeply in love with the church (his people - not any building) that it cost him his life - a great expense. Another note from my um, notes: deeply in love at my expense. My wife needs to know that I love her and that I would do anything for her. I'd fight for her and die for her. I've got to live for her. I think of the Bryan Adams song, "(Every Thing I Do) I Do It For You".

Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church. This is an all out, unselfish, fully committed, undying, unconditional love. He loved the church so much he died for her. He sacrificed for her. So, how do I sacrifice for my wife? The best way to do this is to ask her. "Babe (or Honey, Sweetheart, Pookie, Wife, Woman, Love of my life, Dear, Baby, Sweet potato pie, or any other affectionate name you have for your wife), how can I serve you? How can I help you to be the woman/mother/wife you want to be - that God has designed you to be?" This may take actually talking to your wife. Once she recovers from falling over, you may have to spend some time in prayer with her. Look out, because all this could lead to her fulfilling the scriptures that are written before the above passage:

21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. - Ephesians 5:21-24 (NLT)

It starts with the husband. The church didn't submit to Christ first. Christ loved the church and gave himself for her first, then the church's response to that is to submit to him. It's a whole lot easier for a wife to submit to a husband she knows loves her more than anything and seeks to serve her above himself. Now, our fleshly side says that it would be easier to love a wife that's more willing to submit to her husband, but that's not how it works. We love Christ because because he first loved us. The church isn't easy to love, either, you know. She can be short-memoried, ungrateful, selfish, nagging, whining, disloyal, and down right rejecting at times, but Christ loves her. We must take our cue from him.

Listen, you start talking and praying with your wife, doing the dishes without being asked, giving her time alone away from the kids, taking out the trash without being asked, picking up your dirty clothes, and other non-selfish things, then you will find a woman more than willing to submit to you. Reminds me of an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" when Ray was vacuuming some drapes and Debra walks up behind him and says, "You have never been more attractive to me."

In attempting to do this, I have discovered just how selfish I have been around the house. I have found that I pout a lot if I don't really get what I want. I dare say that you will, too. But, pouting is not the way of a son of God. A son of God is loving, generous, and unselfish. Pouting does not fit that description.

Wow. Well. What was going to be a simple little post has turned into a 30 minute lecture on husbands and wives. I started this thing back on Oct. 31st. Oh, well. Bridget, I love you, and God has made me for you. Husbands, you were made for your wife. Let her know that. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

The Narrow Gate

This morning's reading was in Matthew chapter 7. At first glance, these scriptures seam like two different teachings. God tied them together for me this morning.

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits." - Matthew 7:13-20 NRSV

For the past few days I have been struggling with being a "professional talker." You know, someone who is considered an "expert" in whatever field, because he/she talks a lot about it, writes a lot about it, puts on seminars or conferences a lot about it, sings songs a lot about it, etc. a lot about it. Not that anyone considers me an expert on anything. I was referring to different people I see on TV or hear on the radio or read on the internet.

I can talk about being a believer all I want. I can talk about reaching out to the lost, helping the poor, feeding the hungry. I can say that a believer should do that everyday. I can talk about living a life pleasing to God; I can sing about living a life pleasing to God; I can blog about living a life pleasing to God. But, am I? This passage really convicted me this morning. Where's my fruit? Am I bearing fruit? Can I make jelly from it? (Jesus Jelly?)

Then I realized that to be a true teacher or prophet, and to bear fruit with my life, that it takes actually entering through the narrow gate and traveling down the hard road. I often ask myself, "Why do things have to be so hard?" Well, the answer is because that is the road that leads to life. Oh. The light's a little brighter this morning. I want to be one of the few who find that road. I want to enter the narrow gate. I want others to come with me. Will you?

VOTE!

don't vote party - vote righteousness

don't vote race - vote righteousness

don't vote sex - vote righteousness

don't vote pocketbook - vote righteousness

don't vote age - vote righteousness

don't vote charisma - vote righteousness

don't vote looks - vote righteousness

don't vote fear - vote righteousness

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34

Father, God, You are God and You are in control. I thank you for the opportunity to elect our leaders. Today, I hand this nation's election over to You. Your will be done, Your kingdom come, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Have mercy on us as a nation, O God. I turn to You. Be our rock and our fortress. I ask for peace and joy in the midst of this tumultuous time. Whatever happens today, You are still my God, and You are still my hope. Thank You for the blood of Jesus; thank You for the love of Jesus. In his mighty name I pray.

Soli Deo Gloria

Enter the Fight: Round 2

I know it's been a while. I'm sorry. I've been struggling with a lot of stuff for the past few weeks. Sure, I've been busy, but more than that, I've been trying to get over the fact that I may have really missed something at the men's retreat.

Remember this post? Yeah, well, I thought I had that figured out, too. What I wrote was part of the word the Lord had for me, but it was really more of a personal warning, or a personal call to action: Enter the fight! It was a word for the me entering the men's retreat. And I missed it.

Ron DePriest was great. His messages were stirring, and God was moving, and I really got a lot out of it. Appreciated it. Good stuff. That part was spot on. The rest of the time, well, that's where I feel like I missed it.

Thursday night: I was tired. I'd been up since 4:30, had driven for a little over 2 hours, it was 10 o'clock at night; I was tired. An extremely good friend of mine, Chenson (names have been changed to protect the innocent), and I hadn't eaten, yet. So, we went with Poby to get some dinner. We got back sometime between 11 and 11:30. Quite understandably, I was ready for bed. I had the privilege of rooming with another of my extremely good friends, Poby. However, we had several people come to our room, and after they finally left, Pob and I got our guitars out and actually wrote a song using some words from another song I had and several of our notes from the evening's session. Great stuff! We were up till around 3, I think. Around 6, I get a call from work. I was on the phone twice with them for a total of 45 minutes. Luckily, the first session wasn't until 10, but still, bed late + up early = not a good combo.

Friday: I was tired. Another great session. Poby, Chenson, and I were going to take the afternoon free time to get me registered to vote, get Chenson a GPS for his wife's car, and come back and hang out with the rest of the fellas. Well, we wound up going with Estevie to Guitar Center in OKC. I did get registered to vote, we did get Chenson's GPS, but we got back just in time for dinner. No time spent with other guys (outside my usual "circle of friends"), the pastor, nor the speaker. Not a problem, we still had Friday night.

Friday night: Over by 9-ish. Another great session. More great stuff. So great, in fact, I found Poby afterward and told him I thought we had more writing to do. We went back to the room, pulled out the guitars, and started writing again. A few guys came through. We talked a lot about different stuff. Good time with Poby and with Chenson. Went to bed around midnight-ish (I think). Again, no time spent with the leadership.

Saturday morning: Skip breakfast and show up for the morning's session; the last one. Suddenly I'm hit with the feeling that I've completely missed out on something I was supposed to get. I didn't know what. I still don't. I just had knots in my stomach all morning long. What did I miss? Then the words came floating back into mind: Enter the fight. Had I entered the fight all weekend? I don't know. Suddenly, what was a fun weekend turned into a stressful, spiritual debate. What had I gotten out of the weekend? A song? More time with great guys I already spend a lot of time with? Had I served anybody throughout the weekend? Therein lied my answer. NO.

Realization: I had taken all weekend. Oh, sure, I ran the words for worship every session but the first, I went with Estevie (also a good friend, btw) to Guitar Center, listened to Poby and Chenson, but I never sacrificed anything all weekend. I never helped in the kitchen. I never took out the trash. I never helped any other guy with any other thing all weekend. I never did anything that I didn't want to do. It was a completely selfish weekend. Not the trait of a servant-leader. If that's the kind of leader I want to be, then I completely blew my chance that weekend. That is what I missed, and that is what felt so horrible.

Clarification: I LOVED hanging out with Pobias and Chenson. Always do. In fact, the song Pob and I wrote, we sang in church that Sunday. Our worship team is going to pick it up. Exciting stuff! I cherish that time we got to spend together. I know that was part of what God wanted me to get out of the weekend. I just wish I had taken extra time to seek out the leadership, to give to other guys, and entered the entire fight. You know, get everything God has for me.

So, my encouragement to you comes from Isaiah 55:6-9

6 Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will
forgive generously.
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your
thoughts.

Just because you think you've got God figured out doesn't mean that you do. Seek Him. Ask Him. Be encouraged. Enter the fight.

Soli Deo Gloria

Enter the Fight

ACF opens its staff prayer time in the morning to the congregation on Tuesdays through Fridays. The theater (which we own and in which we meet) isn't but a couple of blocks from where I work, so I walk to prayer when I can make it. Lately, I've been able to go 3 or 4 times a week.

Yesterday, walking to prayer, these words flashed through my mind:

"Enter the Fight"

I was already a little jazzed from a morning espresso, but I was just overall excited about things. Our men's retreat is coming up this weekend, Bridge and I are doing "the special" on Sunday, and I had just successfully arranged a rehearsal with some of what I'm going to call Kingdom Band to play the song on Sunday, too. So, I had a few things going my way.

"Enter the Fight"

Ok, so a few thoughts: I didn't figure God was wanting me to pick a fight with someone; I knew that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:12), and, at the time, I felt it meant by singing a song I had written. You know, I was entering the fight with a tool or weapon that I had made.

Then, we started to pray. God immediately revealed a whole new world of warfare to me. This was the fight to which He was referring. Believe it or not, prayer is spiritual warfare. God calls us all to enter the fight. We enter the fight by hitting our knees. (How many of you actually hit your knees, or kneel, while praying?)

We also enter the fight in other ways. Singing, writing, painting, building, using your gifts for His glory are all ways to enter the fight. How many of you have been moved by a song, a poem, a good book, a piece of art or photograph, a magnificent structure? Inspiration, conviction, love, mercy - these come from godly things. Condemnation, hatred - these come from ungodly things.

So, you who are prayer warriors; you who are writers, artists, musicians, craftsmen, enter the fight! Stand up and be counted. Remember, "for though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." (2 Cor. 10:3-4)

Your songs may not be sung nor heard by everybody, but you don't stop writing or singing; your books may not be read by everyone, but you don't stop writing; your hand-made jewelry may not be worn by every person, but you don't stop making it. To someone, somewhere, your gifts make a difference. God gets the glory, and that is always a good thing. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." (Eph. 6:10)

Soli Deo Gloria

"...therefore...hope..."

ACF's men's retreat is this weekend. As of right now, I'm going. However, I'm not sure what my boss was thinking when he said I could go, unless he thought the rest of the employees at the station could handle both him (station manager) and me (program director) being gone. To add to the distress, our AM morning guy informed me that he would not be there Thursday or Friday. I will be gone Friday. Matt is gone all week. Added pressure will be upon the rest of the staff. Can they do it? I think so. They're going to have to handle it. Fun stuff, I'm sure.

I'm currently reading from the gospel of John. This morning was the passage about Jesus turning water into wine. The commentary from my Life Application Bible mentioned how most of Jesus' miracles were the renewing of fallen creation: blind to see, lame to walk, dead to rise, etc.

That is interesting. I guess I never looked that much into it. It makes sense. The Author of Life rewriting a bad story line. Isn't that what he does for you and me? He redeems fallen creation. Thank you, Lord, for being our savior. This from Lamentations 3:21-24:

But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."

I give you the situation at the station and the men's retreat to ask for your prayers. I give you the passages of scripture to encourage you. Therefore hope.

Soli Deo Gloria

Hold Fast

Words of encouragement and a MercyMe song. Really great song. I actually play it quite often on KQ106. I first heard the song a year ago. Then, back in December, I came across this verse:

"The Lord your God you shall follow, him alone you shall fear, his commandments you shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him you shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast." Deut. 13:4

Great verse, isn't it? I have it written down in three or four different places. Then, a little over a month ago, I came across this little gem in Isaiah:

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:3-4

For whatever reason, God wanted me to share these verses with you. Be encouraged. He is with you; He is for you. Hold fast.

My Sacrifice

It's a Creed song. But that's not the point of this post. As I've mentioned before, my alarm goes off at 4am. Notice how I always say that my alarm goes off then, and not that I get up then. A couple, ten presses of the ole snooze button allows me some extra sleep. I'm usually out of bed by 4:30.

My morning routine consists of bathroom time, batcave time, bathroom time and leaving. Sometimes, I sneak a breakfast time in there, but not very often. It's just hard for me to eat at 4:30/5 in the morning. Besides, I'm usually hungry again around 10-ish.

My batcave time consists of Bible time, blog time, between-God-and-me time (you knew I had to keep the whole "b" thing going) and body building time. That sounds grand, but it's usually just some push-ups and sit-ups. The only thing really consistent in the the batcave time is the between-God-and-me time. I hit the rest most of the time, but some mornings I may spend more time in the Bible and not get to blog, or vice versa, or I won't build my body, or whatever.

My morning routine seems to get easier everyday. It's still not easy. But it has come a long way from whence I started. I fought God on it for a long time. It's just very, very early. My turning point came one morning (before I started writing down stuff) as I was doing my sit-ups. I remember laying on the floor and asking God why it has to be so hard. You know? I was tired; I was trying to do sit-ups; I wanted to be back in bed. Why are things so hard, God?

"It wouldn't be a sacrifice if it was easy."

Whoa. You answered me? I'm sacrificing for You right now? Talk about an attitude change. Here I was thinking I was just going through some tough times, and God saw it for what it really is. It's a season. And, during this particular season, some sacrifices have to be made. So, me getting up every morning to have my time alone with God is a sacrifice. You know, Psalms talks about bringing the "sacrifice of praise." And look at Romans 12:1

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is
your spiritual worship."

Even now, what can I say? My early morning hours are an act of spiritual worship to the creator of the universe. I'm sure it's much sweeter to His ears now. I don't gripe and complain nearly as much as I used to.

What is your act of spiritual worship? Is God asking you to sacrifice anything right now? Remember, it's a season; seasons change. God is here, lovingly walking you through this time, and He's already in the next season lovingly waiting for you. Are you kicking and screaming your way through this time? I was. Maybe it would help if you could see it for what it is. A season. A season of sacrifice. Your living sacrifice; your spiritual worship. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

Love Note Day

Today is Love Note Day. So here are a few notes of love:

To my wife:
I love you. I can't describe it any better than that. You are my sunsushine. You make me happy; you can make me mad, but you don't do that very often. You put up with me. God has said that our marriage was a miracle; well, I'm glad it's our miracle. I'm proud of our children. You are a wonderful mother, and you'll only get better. Thank you for 10 1/2 years of marital bliss (most of the time)! I love you.

To my children:
I love you. You guys are the best. From #1 son to baby girl, you are my pride and joy. You are so much fun, and I love coming home to a family excited to see me. Thanks for being so cool! I love you.

To my family ('rents and others):
I love you. Thank you for your love and support throughout my life. Thank you for loving my little family. Thanks for letting us use your pool and cable and internet and sugar and kool aid and Oreos and everything else. You guys are my foundation. I love you.

To my friends:
I love you. Whether you're a new friend or one who's been with me through the permed hair and Speedo stages of life, you are one of my most valued treasures. Thank you for making me laugh, for laughing with me and at me. You are the best. And I'm sure you owe me money. I love you.

To my God:
I love You. You saved my life. You are my rock, my fortress, my provider, my savior, my joy and my strength. You are the Ancient of Days. You are the Alpha and Omega. You are awesome. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for loving me and forgiving me and bringing me this far. I look forward to continuing our journey together. You are life. I love You.

No More Sleepy Prayers

This morning came early. Of course, when bed comes late, morning tends to do that. SLEEEEEPY! I know I have a long day ahead of me. Usually, I have a chance at a nap around lunch time, but today I have a remote from 1 to 4, so no nap today. Early bed is a possibility. We'll see how it goes.

My only option then is to completely rely on God. So, I pray. "God be my strength, and my sustenance. Be my joy, and give me energy for the day." Oh, it is very easy to lay my head down on my desk and snooze for another 30 minutes, or so. But, I know that God wants to meet with me. And I want to meet with Him.

So, I read a little; I pray a little. I read a little, I pray a little. I don't close my eyes - that could be dangerous. I look at things I've written down over the past couple of days (which is quite a bit, actually). I start searching through my notes: several ideas for blogs, or lessons, or sermons, or something. I start looking up different scripture, like a treasure hunt. I start praying in the spirit. I suddenly find myself awake and not near as sleepy. The Lord has given me strength and energy for this morning meeting. Don't get me wrong, I could go back to sleep pretty easily. But the trick now is I don't want to go back to sleep.

The past few times I've had the privilege to pray with a group of people have been interesting. One meeting, I walked in after they had already started praying, and the room was quiet. At first, I was afraid I had missed an ominous announcement or something. The prayers seemed timid; everything lacked punch or enthusiasm, or something. God was stirring in me. I didn't want to come in with some big, boisterous prayer, but I felt God was wanting more out of what was going on. So, I started quietly, but then allowed the Spirit to build up. I kept hearing, "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Be alert! Be alert! Be ready! Be ready!" I could tell as I was praying, that the Spirit started moving among the others. It was as if new life had been breathed into the soul of our prayer time.

Just a few days later, I had a similar experience. The first couple of people to pray prayed long, relatively boring prayers. Had I kept my eyes closed, I would have fallen asleep. I know this because I suddenly jerked up after a couple of minutes of "meditation." Embarrassed, I opened my eyes and looked around to see if anybody noticed. Satisfied, that I wouldn't undergo any significant ridicule for sleeping through prayer time, I decided I better keep my eyes open. In fact, I got up and started walking around. Again, I could hear the words, "Wake up! Be ready!"

So, I wrote this down: Do I have a blood lust? What is this desire to wage war on the enemy? This passion? This burning, yearning for more - NO MORE SLEEPY PRAYERS! Wake up! Be alert! Jesus is coming!

Oh, I really want to press in to God. Press in to the things He has for us. Jesus is preparing a place for his bride; His bride (us, the church) should be preparing for his return! We don't want to be found asleep and unprepared do we? I sure don't. Wake up, church! No more sleepy prayers!

Father, help us to find the balance between this passion for more and the rest we find in Your tenderness. Your love is amazing, and Your grace is sufficient. Wake us up. No more sleepy prayers.

Sharp Dressed Man

Ahhh, yes. How many of you immediately thought about ZZ Top? Kudos to you. If you don't know who ZZ Top is, well, granola bars to you. For those of you who don't remember that Kudos were actually (if they aren't still now) some type of granola bar, just know that I'm not crazy. Seriously. Back to the song.

On my morning show, there is a segment called "Eddie's Stuff". Our AM morning personality comes over, and for 10 minutes, or so, gives us his unusual "stuff" for the day. Today, he talked about the "Shower Suit". It's a suit made of 100% wool and is supposed to dry very quickly. You can shower in it or hang it up and run water over it. It's designed with the always-on-the-go business exec in mind. So, the song I played following "Eddie's Stuff", and tying in with this last story of the morning was, indeed, "Sharp Dressed Man."

All of that to get here:
I look good today. Seriously. Khaki, flat-front pants, nice, button-down green striped shirt. I look sharp. I am, indeed, a sharp dressed man. However, before you get too jealous of my wife, please know, that when I sit down, my pant legs hike up to about my knee. Well, maybe not that high, but I do, in fact, look like I have "high-waters" on. Yes, a lot of sock is showing. Fortunately, my socks are similar in color to the pants, but still. Yikes! It's like they don't fit right or something.

Lesson: humility
You know, just a bit of humility to keep me from getting "too big for my britches."

Be encouraged.

P.S.
Learning from my "10 Lessons", I wrote this little anecdote down this morning, so I wouldn't forget it. Aren't we all glad I did?

Don't answer that.

A Peculiar People of Power

I preach tomorrow in the church in which I grew up. It's especially exciting since I received my mandate from God. I also feel like events are at work right now for more opportunities to that end. I don't know what they are, but I can just sense God doing somethin'.

Now, I'm breaking out a previous sermon and tweaking it just a little. You'd think since I've given it before, I would do a bang up job this time. We'll see. The sermon is based on a poem written by Andrew Jones. Sorry, not the baseball player (he's not doing very well this season at all), but a pioneer in the missional and emerging church scene, particularly in Europe.

The last line of the poem is the title for my sermon:

We are his wonderful signature
a sign of his favor
his presence
power
to change
the world back
to how it should be
healed and harmonious
a peculiar people of power

A short synopsis of the message:
The Greek word used in the new testament, peripoiesis, (bonus points for correct pronunciation or at least the funniest) means a valued personal possession, which is worth obtaining and worth preserving. The King James Version uses the word "peculiar" to translate it. Why? Because the original meaning of that word was, "private property, special; belonging exclusively to one person or group." That's a far cry from today's odd, strange, or queer.

So, in 1 Peter 2:9, when Peter calls us a peculiar people, he doesn't mean strange or odd (although we seem to take it that way). He's telling us that we are treasured by God, belonging exclusively to him. That's way cooler than God's strange little people!

The power comes from the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:3 says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

So, stand up! Be strengthened! You are not called to be a queer people for some distant deity, you are a treasured possession of the Most High God, full of the power of the Holy Spirit. You are a peculiar people of power!

Waiting On God

It's not always easy. In fact, it's rarely easy in my experience. But, it is a necessity. At least it is if you want to follow God and His will. There are several great scriptures about waiting on the Lord, but my favorite comes from Isaiah chapter 40.

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
30 Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.

That comes from the NRSV, by the way. It's also the basis of the song "Everlasting God" by Chris Tomlin. He's one of a couple of different guys who sings it anyway. That song was my personal theme song back in the summer of 07. I may pull it back out. Seems fitting for these times, as well.

I bring up waiting on Lord, because when he speaks something, he doesn't always give a sense of timing. He may have said to me, "Preach for me," but he didn't say, "quit your job at the radio station and start preaching anywhere and everywhere you can."

In the meantime, I will be preaching this coming Sunday in the church in which I grew up. I spoke there a month or two ago, but I hope to do a better job of it this time. I think I have a little more "authority" this time around. You know, a command from God and all.

I also found some quotes that are interesting. John Wesley had considered giving up preaching when he spoke with Boehler. Boehler's advice was to, "Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith." And then a quote that I attributed to Wesley, but actually came from St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

So, there you go. I'm getting stronger right now. (from waiting on the Lord, natch) Peace be to you, and check out my wife's pics with her new camera. She's very excited. Until we meet again, I'll be found waiting on God.

A Blessing

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD Make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 (NRSV)

How Much More

Abundantly. That's the best answer I could come up with for Jesus' question. See, my wife and my mother LOOOVE HGTV. When we had cable, at our house, we had 5 channels we switched between: NickJr. and Disney for the kids, TBS for me (when TBS was cool and airing Braves baseball games), and HGTV and TLC for the wife. OK, make it 6. Throw the Food Network in there, too.

One thing bothers me a little about watching so much HGTV. Granted, other channels, including my beloved TBS, has this problem too, but we watch a lot of HGTV, so I shall pick on them. So much programming surrounding homosexual couples. Hear me. It is simply the lifestyle that bothers me. Plus, the gay men HGTV, and others, put on tv seem, well, gay. I'm sure these are fabulous people, but their lifestyle is in direct opposition to God. This is not my point.

This is: "If [we] then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts,... how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:13 NRSV

See, tonight on Deserving Design With Vern Yip, two female roommates received a new home office and guest room. I don't know if they were gay. Unfortunately, anymore, one assumes they are before finding out. Two women, living together, on HGTV... That's not the point.

This is: Their sexual preferences aside, it got me to thinking about how much God loves us. The purpose of these shows is to give someone a blessing. Be it a new kitchen, bathroom, whatever. Houses are remodeled and redesigned, and the recipients are usually ecstatic. So, take a homosexual couple, their lifestyle in direct opposition to God, they still receive a blessing. A new this; a remodeled that. I know the couple doesn't have to be homosexual to be in sin. We don't always know if and when we see the ones who are having an affair on their spouse, or the ones who cheat at work, or the ones who are in to drugs and alcohol, and so and so forth.

As I was watching this show, God just spoke the following verse to me.
Matthew 7:11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (NIV)

Luke 11:13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (NIV)

I really don't think the two women were "a couple". Just roommates. But the point remains the same. If we who are evil, homosexual, alcoholic, abusive, promiscuous, deceiving, etc, can give good gifts to those who are also evil, then how much more will the Father, who is not evil by the way, give to us who ask!

Luke 11:9-10 (Amplified Bible)
9So I say to you, Ask and [a]keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and [b]keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and [c]keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.
10For everyone who asks and [d]keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and [e]keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and [f]keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.

So, if those who are living in sin can be blessed in such a way, how much more does God want to bless those who are actually trying to live for him. How much more will he bless those who chase after him? Why don't we take hold of that more often? Can you imagine how much more? How much more!