Give Your All For God

When I was growing up, I heard that phrase more than a couple of times. It was used to refer to a time when despite advice to the contrary, I went ahead to do something foolish. Now that I am adult, I say it to my kids.

I wonder how many times God has said that to me. How many times he has winced as I take a running start, determined to fly of my own accord. How many times he has forgiven me after I have come back crying.

Visited Gulf Shores Alabama this weekend and had a fantastic time. The kids pushed us to try new things, and for the most part we were pretty busy, which made for great sleep in the evenings. Like most things, the trip was just too short.

My english skills were always weak. Diagramming sentences was about as much fun as visiting the dentist. Adjectives though, were a treat. Super, Fantastic, Strong, Magnificent are just a few adjectives that describe God. Awesome, that one works very well too..

When He rolls up His sleeves
He ain’t just putting on the ritz
(Our God is an awesome God)
There’s thunder in His footsteps
And lightning in His fists
(Our God is an awesome God)
And the Lord wasn’t joking
When He kicked ’em out of Eden
It wasn’t for no reason
That He shed His blood
His return is very close
And so you better be believing that
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

And when the sky was starless
In the void of the night
(Our God is an awesome God)
He spoke into the darkness
And created the light
(Our God is an awesome God)
Judgement and wrath He poured out on Sodom
Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross
I hope that we have not
Too quickly forgotten that
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Fathers day is on Sunday, and no doubt many will treat Dad to ties or goofy cards.

Few jobs carry so great a burden, and grant such fantastic benefits.

Dad, Thank you for being a Godly man, who loves your family, and gives so much of yourself.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The kids have been in VBS this week. Their theme is Arctic Adventure, and the central verse is Joshua 1:9. What a fantastic verse, that is equally applicable to children whatever the age.

There is a church that is in our neighborhood. The church has grown, and it now has adversely affected traffic patterns in the neighborhood. For example, we sometimes sit in traffic for minutes on Sunday morning while worshippers file across from the parking lot into the church.

This morning, a guy pulled out from the church parking lot right in front of me. I had to slam on brakes, and the guy was on his cell phone, oblivious to everything around him. I fussed and fumed, wondering how someone who is a Christian could be so stupid.

The conclusion, is of course that Christians are first and foremost humans, and humans do stupid things like pulling out at the last minute. The episode really highlighted more in my life than in the other drivers.

Would I let someone who was not paying attention mess up my day? Would I expect him as a Christian to use perfect driving skills?

I have always enjoyed the hymn What a Friend we Have in Jesus. In times of trouble the song is comforting. In times of Joy, the song is confirmation of how God holds us in his arms.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

That is a question I like to ask people when I am interviewing them for a job. It is a left field kind of question, but it offers an insight into personal motivations. Often I hear, ‘I want to provide for my family’ which is a good answer. One answer was ‘Because I can’t get paid for staying home’. Check one off for honesty, and 10 off for lack of purpose.

10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, [a] where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. Ecclesiastes 9:10

That is a fine challenge.

I left for lunch yesterday in the heat of a 90 degree Mississippi day. Funny thing was, it just didn’t feel that hot. The first block was mostly shady, and there was a gentle breeze, which made it feel nice. The second block was not shaded, and it was noticeable as the sun bore down.

Life is like that too. Even in the hottest, and toughest of situations, there are shades, where we can refresh before we move back into the heat.

One of the more profound things that I found while running was when I was getting tired, or thinking about packing it up and turning in, there would be a breeze, or a burst of energy which would make the journey more manageable.

So in lifes storms today, look for, and enjoy a rest in the shade.

The national media’s spotlight on the date 6-6-06 brings new opportunities for Christians to talk about the significance of that number, as well as the more important significance of a Savior who has died in our place so that we need not fear anything that the devil will throw at us.

While some will celebrate with parties which poke fun at this unique number, let us join the conversation in sharing the number 333: 3 the number of wise men who were led by God to bring gifts to a baby born in a stable. 3, the number of nails which held our Savior to a cross in our place. 3, the day during which Christ rose from the dead.

The antiChrist is real, and his times will come or may already have started. The Christ has come, has suffered and died, and lives with God forever.

Christ, the son of God, he is the one we should be talking about.

He is risen indeed.

5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Matthew 28:5-7

One of the things about our memories, and about the way we catalog objects, is the context in which we first experienced something. How many times have you looked at someone and thought – “I don’t like him or her”, only to later see this person in a different setting and change your mind. This happens frequently with actors. We see them in a role, and assume that they are that person.

Sunday morning in church we had a soloist sing the wonderful song “Come to Jesus”. He sang well, and the musical accompaniment was fine, but it just didn’t move me. The reason, I guessed was the context.

The first time I heard the song was in a small country church. It was played simply on a piano, and the words just rose to my ears. And like a newborn baby, don’t be afraid to crawl, And remember when you walk, sometimes we fall…so, Fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus,Fall on Jesus and live.

I hope the words rise to your ears, and provide encouragement, joy, and peace going forward to you.

Weak and wounded sinner, lost and left to die
Raise your head for love is passing by
Come to Jesus, come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live

Now your burden’s lifted, and carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain
Sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live

And like a newborn baby, don’t be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk sometimes we fall…so
Fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live

Sometimes the way is lonely, and steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain…then
Cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live

O, and when the love spills over, and music fills the night
And when you can’t contain your joy inside…then
Dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live

And with your final heartbeat, kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace and laugh on glory’s side…and
Fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live (repeat)

Going to the Smokies. It has been so long since I have been in the Smokies, and I cannot wait.

Going out of town tomorrow, and wanted to share a Friday tune. Faithfulness is a topic that I have trouble with from time to time. The music group 4Him had a song several years ago called “Where There is Faith”. This song has brought me encouragement from time to time, and I hope it will do the same for you..

I believe in faithfulness
I believe in giving to myself for someone else
I believe in peace and love
I believe in honesty and trust but it’s not enough
For all that I believe may never change the way it is
Unless I believe Jesus lives

Where there is faith
There is a calling, keep walking
You’re not alone in this world
Where there is faith
There is a peace like a child sleeping
Hope everlasting in He who is able to
Bear every Burden, to heal every hurt in my heart
It is a wonderful, powerful place
Where there is faith

There’s a man across the sea
Never heard the sound of freedom ring
Only in his dreams
There’s a lady dressed in black
In a motorcade of cadillacs
Daddy’s not coming back
Our hearts begin to fall
And our stability grows weak
But Jesus meets our needs if only we believe

Where there is faith
There is a calling, keep walking
You’re not alone in this world
Where there is faith
There is a peace like a child sleeping
Hope everlasting in He who is able to
Bear every Burden, to heal every hurt in my heart
It is a wonderful, powerful place
Where there is faith

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:3-8

I recently read Good to Great by Jim Collins. One of the authors observations, which was supported by case studies, was that great companies were lead by executives who were low key. Collins called these leaders, Level 5 Leaders. Rather than being “Rock Star CEO’s” like GE’s Jack Welch, or Donald Trump, these executives were focused outwardly.

It’s not that Level 5 Leaders have no ego or self-interest. Indeed, they are incredibly ambitious, but their ambition is first and foremost the institution, not themselves. from JimCollins.com

Servant Leadership is 1) finding our place in the maze, as outlined in Romans 12:6-8, and 2) realizing that the other rats in this maze are just as important as described in Romans 12:3.