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Isaiah 40:28-31

23 Jun

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Dear God, I read a letter to the editor this morning that bemoaned how our society has gotten away from you. It talked about the immorality that we see around us and the listed the things he feels are immoral. While I agree with some of them and those issues concern me as well, if he was trying to open a door to anyone who might disagree with him and build a bridge for them to see his view he missed the opportunity.

One of my favorite political columnists has said that Christians have this wonderful message of hope, love, freedom, forgiveness, and peace to share, but over the last generation we seem to be more concerned with what people do in their bedrooms than offering them a relationship with you.

I say all of this because the strength mentioned in this passage is available to all of us. The freedom. The joy. Everything that comes from the simple act of submitting to you, repenting, receiving grace, and then pursuing relationship with you offers all of this. So I don’t have to shame someone for this behavior or that behavior. That’s a terrible sales technique.

Father, help me to take advantage of opportunities to do what Chris Pratt did this week. We are not perfect. But you are the being who created us that way and you offer grace that was paid for with someone else’s blood. You want relationship and in exchange you offer love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness and self control.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 23, 2018 in Isaiah

 

2 Corinthians 12:7b-10

22 Jun

So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7b-10

Dear God, what Paul is speaking here is absolute truth, but even he seems to be unwilling to let us in on what the thorn is. He has his weakness. He says he is glad to boast about his weaknesses, but when it comes down to it, I can’t think of any examples where he actually enumerates his weaknesses. In fact, it’s one of the things that has always made Paul an unattractive biblical character to me—he’s too perfect.

The thing that I’ve noticed is that one of the critical things about sharing your life with others is to be explicit and intentional about sharing your weaknesses. For example, I was talking with a friend last Friday at my class reunion who is also a devoted believer in you. What impressed me about our conversation is that we were both willing to share with each other and encourage each other about some of the failings in ourselves as fathers and husbands. We talked about how our families were not perfect. As I think about it now, we weren’t trying to impress each other, but encourage each other instead.

Father, help me to be less impressive and more encouraging. Help me to be a continuous source of encouragement for others through the explicit sharing of my weaknesses, failures, and reception of your grace. Help me to extend your grace to others. Be glorified in me and glorify your name in the eyes of others. In the end it’s about people experiencing your freedom through the releasing of their secrets, shame and failing, and accepting of your grace. Help me to be a model of that.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 22, 2018 in 2 Corinthians

 

Presenting the Gospel to MTV

21 Jun

Excerpts from Chris Pratt’s MTV Generation Award Acceptance Speech

9 Rules from Chris Pratt, Generation Award Winner

2. You have a soul. Be careful with it.

3. Don’t be a turd. If you’re strong be a protector and if you’re smart be a humble influencer. Strength can be weapons. And do not wield them against the weak. That makes you a bully. Be bigger than that.

5. It doesn’t matter what it is, earn it. A good deed. Reach out to someone in pain. Be of service. It feels good, and it’s good for your soul.

6. God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that. I do.

8. Learn to pray. It’s easy. And it’s so good for your soul.

9. Nobody is perfect. People are going to tell you, “You’re perfect just the way you are.” You’re not! You are imperfect. You always will be. But there is a powerful force that designed you that way, and if you’re willing to accept that you will have grace. And that grace is a gift. And like the freedom we enjoy in this country, that grace was paid for with somebody else’s blood. Do not forget it. Don’t take it for granted.

 

Dear God, I am humbled by this speech. It presents your Gospel better than I ever have to anyone. It’s simple, to the point, and, although I didn’t list #s 1, 4, and 7 here, they were just silly things he through in to not lose the audience. But six out of his nine rules were spot on.

Father, help me to learn from this message and help me to be as effective at sharing it. We have souls and we need to be careful with them. What a great way to put it. If we have strength we need to use it well. Everything, even if it is a gift, must be earned–even if it is through taking on the mantle of increased responsibility as a result of the gift. You are real. Praying is important to do. And finally, my grace was bought with your blood. I should experience it and not take it for granted. And I should share all of this wisdom with everyone I can.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 21, 2018 in Miscellaneous, Uncategorized

 

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Mark 8:34-37

20 Jun

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Mark 8:34-37

Dear God, this is my prayer for others like my children when I pray for them—that they would let go of their lives and the things they think they have to protect and hold dear. Whether it’s their selfish desires, their own plans for the future, their secrets, or their sin, what they don’t know is that there is so much freedom and joy waiting for them. It won’t solve all of their problems, but it will change how they see their problems.

Of course, it’s not enough to let go and take up your cross. That’s the critical first step, but there are several more steps. The next big one is to follow you through relationship and spiritual growth. And one of the ways we do that is through embracing community with other believers. If we don’t pursue you and get into fellowship and community with other believers then it will be like the seed that is scattered on the path or the rocky soil. Either the birds will take it away or the seed will shoot up, have no roots and die fast.

Father, I pray over my own life that I would have good roots. And I confess that I cannot do it without community. If it’s just me alone then there are too many dangers. Even if I keep pursuing you, without others to check me Satan can deceive me and lead me down the wrong path. Of course, Satan can deceive groups too, and there are things about which I might be deceived of now, but I have a better shot at figuring them out in community than I do sitting here only by myself. So please help me in my pursuit of you, my giving up my own life and taking up your cross.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 20, 2018 in Mark

 

Ephesians 5:25-26

19 Jun

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.

Ephesians 5:25-26

Dear God, there are so many times when I fail you, my wife, or my children. It usually comes down to selfishness, laziness, or being too impatient. I’m sorry for that. I wish I felt confident that I 100% lived up to this passage.

When I try to think about this whole section of scripture and evaluate myself against it, I guess the thing that jumps out at me is that I don’t so much wash her in the word. Yes, I pray for my wife, but I don’t spend enough time in deep prayer for her. I am confident she prays for me harder than I pray for her.

Father, I offer you my wife today. Will her with a sense of your presence. Holy Spirit, help her to know that You are with her and fill her with the joy and peace that comes from her pursuit of you. Help her to see each situation in front of her clearly. Help her to embrace you and lean into you when she is discouraged or frustrated. Thank you for the success you’ve given her lately. Thank you for answering prayers that seemed foolish and unanswerable. Thank you for your love.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 19, 2018 in Ephesians

 

Ephesians 6:4

18 Jun

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4

Dear God, I got to see an old friend for a few minutes yesterday and part of our conversation was about being a dad. We both expressed our joys and our disappointments. I think both of us had very, very high expectations for how things would work out and what decisions our children would make. It feels like you are shaping us into a greater understanding that we have to trust that there are things going on that we don’t see or understand. We have to pray for what we want, make the best decisions we can out of that communication with you a d then put our faith in you for the outcomes.

Thinking about Joseph and Mary, I wonder how their parents felt about them and how their lives were turning out. What? You’re (She’s) pregnant? You’re staying in Bethlehem? Your going to Egypt? I doubt the “holy family’s” lives were going the way their families had hoped.

Father, help me to truly bless my children. Now that they are out of the house, help me to be what they need, to look to you for their lives and to have faith that my prayers are making a difference regardless of what I see in the physical world. Help them to both be submitted and you and fill them each with the freedom and peace that comes from laying down their lives and following you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 18, 2018 in Ephesians

 

Psalm 68:4-5

17 Jun

4 Sing praises to God and to his name!
Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord—
rejoice in his presence!

5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
this is God, whose dwelling is holy.

 Psalm 68:4-5

Dear God, I know some children who feel fatherless. I know some children for whom Father’s Day is painful (adult children and minor children alike). I know some father’s who ignore Father’s Day altogether. As humans we experience a lot of wounds over the course of our lives. Some of them we cause ourselves, some of them are caused by others, and some of them are just life happening to us.

The reality that can often be hard to see is that you are our father above all other fathers. And what we receive from you is love. Yes, to some extent there can be provision, but that comes as it fits your will. But the real thing we experience from you is that love that is indescribable if we will just stop and receive it through laying down our lives and taking up your yoke and cross.

As I was typing this the children’s song “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in my Heart” came to mind.

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart (where)
Down in my heart (where)
Down in my heart
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart (where)
Down in my heart to stay
 

And I’m so happy, so very happy
I have the love of Jesus in my heart
Down in my heart
And I’m so happy, so very happy
I have the love of Jesus in my heart 

I’ve got the peace that passes understanding
Down in my heart (where)… 

And if the Devil doesn’t like it he can sit on a tack (Ouch!)…

Father, happy Father’s Day. For everyone out there that cannot stand this day for one reason or another, I pray that you will guide them. Love them. Help them to feel your presence and submit to the freedom that is available to them through letting go. Heal the brokenhearted. Tangibly love those who feel unloved. Your involvement in our lives as our father might not always look like we want it to look, but I know you are there. I worship you for that.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 17, 2018 in Psalms

 

John 15:12-13

16 Jun

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:12-13

Dear God, the first step in loving others is to take my eyes off of myself.

Last night, I did one of those things some adults do that can be the biggest generator of insecurity we will experience as Americans, I went to my high school class reunion. I went to school with some very nice and good people so the evening was pleasant and I ended up staying at the bar where we met for about four hours—and the time passed quickly. But the emotions I experienced leading up to the evening are striking me now as I sit here.

  1. Will anyone remember me?
  2. Will the people there be anyone I can talk to?
  3. How do I look?
  4. How does my career stack up?
  5. How do my kids compare?

I can see where others might be concerned about things I take for granted like if they are divorced, still a closeted homosexual, have failed careers, gained a lot of weight, etc.

I think there are two things at play. First, for whatever reason, we care about what these people from X-number years ago think about us and how they judge us. Why do we care? Second, we judge ourselves against the best of each person’s life, not taking their struggles into account and we feel like we don’t stack up. I might take this person’s career, add that person’s kids, and throw in this person’s house, and put another person’s appearance on top of that and then see how my life compares with the combined ideal person.

I found myself experiencing a lot of these insecurities as I was driving to my hometown yesterday, but thankfully, I was able to take the last 30 minutes of the drive to pray to you, worship a little, and get out of myself. You were giving me an opportunity to love. You gave me an opportunity to be vulnerable. I could take my life and share the flawed parts with people. There was no reason to put any veneer on anything. In fact, humility would be a way that I could be free from Satan’s desire to make me ashamed of myself and to help others who might be experiencing shame. I purposed to try to be a good listener last night and to share my shortcomings. I don’t know if I made a difference in anyone else’s life, but I can honestly say that I had a good time.

Father, I’m going back to the second evening of events tonight. Help me to live up to this passage and love my former classmates. Help me to be willing to lay down my life for these fellow alums of my high school. Shine through me—not in a holier than thou way, but in a loving way that will draw any of them who are experiencing shame to freedom.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 16, 2018 in John

 

Proverbs 23:24-25

15 Jun

The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.

Proverbs 23:24-25

Dear God, I read verse 24 and instantly felt the pressure of a parent. I immediately asked myself if my children were godly and judged myself accordingly. But then I read verse 25. That verse flipped my perspective and put the pressure on the child. “So give your father and mother joy!”

I feel a great dichotomy within myself when I think about my parenting. On the one hand, I cannot count or enumerate all of the mistakes I have made and continue to make. And on the other hand, I have no regrets when it comes to my effort as a father. I can say with confidence that I gave it and continue to try to give it my best shot, and that includes praying for my children and trying to continue to be appropriately involved in their lives as adults.

Father, help me to move beyond the self-condemnation I experience when it comes to my parenting. At the end of the day, I am fortunate to have two very smart children who have the right to live their lives, make their choices and learn from both their good and bad decisions. I trust in you that the prayers I send up to you for them reach you and you take note of them. I have faith that their lives might not be problem-free (no one’s is), but they will ultimately glorify you. Also help me to surrender any of my personal hopes for them that are built around stoking my own ego. That isn’t fair to them and it isn’t healthy for me. And it is disobedient to you because your plans for them are not mine. The truth is, if Jesus’ earthly father Joseph had been my son I would have been very disappointed in how his life turned out. What a fool I can be.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 15, 2018 in Proverbs

 

Opportunities

14 Jun

No verse.

Dear God, my dad went to the funeral of a friend of his whom you used to, if not change the direction of his life, at least help set the course for a life that you had for him. That was about 30 years ago.

I don’t know which came first, my dad meeting this man or reading his book, but this makes me think about pivotal moments in our lives and how we almost always never see them coming. For example, tonight my wife and I are going to a special event that has to do with the movie we saw on what turned out to be our first date 29 years ago. I say “turned out to be” because that’s how she referred to it this morning. We thought we were just friends. Neither of us thought we would be married to each other 29 years from now.

Things happen to me every day. Some of them stick and some of them don’t. I guess the question I need to ask myself is, am I ready to be part of discerning moment to moment if you have an opportunity for me, or will I just let your presence pass me by and miss you.

Father, I’m grateful I didn’t miss the moment 29 years and seven days ago. I’m grateful for so many things. At the same time, I’m sorry for the opportunities you put in front of me that I failed to do. Help me to be so tuned into you that my life will be exactly what you want it to be.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 14, 2018 in Miscellaneous

 
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