Sunday, October 7, 2012

Not enough for MTV

So I grew up in a middle class Christian home with parents who actually love Jesus AND love each other. I finished high school on time, was accepted at 5 different colleges and began attending one that wasn't even on that list. I was engaged to be married a week before my 19th birthday, and was married the week before my 20th. I finished college by age 21 and am now in the 5th year of my career of pastoral ministry. I had kids at age 23. I own my home. I own one sweet mini van and one rusty old pickup truck. Last year I was healed of colitis and my wife was healed of unknown bladder pain. My spouse and I both love Jesus very much and we are faithful to each other today after six years of marriage and three kids. We don't smoke, drink, chew tobacco, gamble, use pornography or any illicit substance. We don't use language that would make our home PG-13. We don't abuse each other, ourselves, or any other living creature on this planet. We simply don't live for ourselves. And that's not good enough for MTV.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

I Dreamed of Death

I dreamed last night that I was in prison for being a Christian. My latest appearance before the council had only secured my death sentence. I couldn't believe how real this felt and how fearful and courageous I'd felt all at once. The moments were ticking away and the council ordered that I be prepared for execution. None this seemed to bother me, only strengthen my resolve and encourage my excitement of things yet to come. The cell mate I had, a total stranger who shared my sentence, began to dream with me what our immediate future would be like. He described our short pain, our entering into death, and then the light. He described the confusion and the clarity, the surroundings, the sights. And then he described Jesus. I couldn't contain myself when I realized what a wretch I still am. In all my courage, all my defiance of this world and it's evils, and in all my revelry I surmounted to failure. The guard came to the door just then and called for me. Barely able to still my sobs, I stood, begged a prayer of forgiveness and entered the door into darkness. Today I learned my failures are shadowed by His successes. My fear is driven out by His love. My weakness illuminates the perfection of His strength.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Where's my sword?!

"Where's my sword, daddy, where's my swoooord?!" Such a long conversation as we scoured the house one more time for their latest whatever toy that had become a sword. This time it was the handle to a playschool golf club. "Let's look over here", I'm desperately trying not to lose my patience while hunting for this stupid toy one more time. We do this daily, almost routinely. Misplace the weapon of choice and looking under every nook and cranny to find it. As I thought about this process today I was reminded how grateful I am that God's word is the most printed book in the history of mankind, and it's hidden in my heart. I may not always act or think like it, I still have work to do, but the word of God has engaged my life and changed me into a person who never stops changing. Thank you, God, for today's reminder.