"R" Rated Faith

Last Wednesday I talked about having "R" Rated Faith. I Googled the MPAA movie ratings sytem and reworded the descriptions to describe a person's faith. Here's a brief synopsis:

G = General Audience. Contains nothing in theme, language or lifestyle that would offend the status quo. There may be some snippets of talk about God, but they are common everyday expressions. Depictions of self-sacrifice are minimal.

PG = Partial Guidance. Some talk about Jesus as Savior and some depictions of self-sacrifice, but these are not deemed so intense as to require following the Biblical standard of living out your faith other than when at church or with the "Church Crowd."

R = Resticted. Depictions of activities related to a more mature nature. It is both realistic and extreme realizing there is a war going on in the spiritual realm for the souls of man. Their relationship with Jesus is taken very seriously. There are not the same, but have been transformed. "There's more to them than meets the eye." According to sceptics, this type of faith does not exist, "but when all else fails, they don't." This type of faith accelerates the possessor beyond normal human parameters by the power of the Holy Spirit. Parents and peers are strongly urged to find out more about how this "Restricted" faith can change everything!

Runing The Race

Last Saturday I participated in the race of the century, the Tour de Berryville. It was a gut wrenching race with arduous mountains to climb and unyielding valleys to cross. Never in all my days have I trekked upon such a rigid and perplexing terrain with this one thought in mind, "I must run with perseverance the race marked out for me." This grueling course also known as Berryville's annual Ice Cream Social 5K had met it's match.

Okay, so maybe those arduous mountains were only gradually sloping hills and the unyielding valleys actually slightly downhill breathers, but two things remain true, I did have to run with perseverance and it was a little grueling--for me. Until the first of this year my running consisted of about ten strides at any one time on the racquetball court and maybe the occasional half-court basketball or 50 yard flag football game. I hadn't ran for running's sake since about 2001. Consequently, eight years and about 30 pounds later I found myself out of shape and a little overweight.

I'm not really one of those people who can do something just for doing somethings sake. I have to have a goal that keeps me focused and gives me the conviction to finish well. The motivation I had for this goal was more than getting in shape or losing weight. I had been speaking to our students in High-Way 62 Youth Ministries from Hebrews chapters 11 and 12 for the entire 2008/2009 school year with the theme verses concentrated on Hebrews 12:1-3 which states:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

So, with this in mind, I decided to use the Ice Cream Social as a visual illustration, as well as, in a physical since, putting walk to my talk. I noticed a few things as I participated in this race. First of all, no one showed up in heavy work boots, jeans, or sweatshirts. They only wore enough clothes needed to adequately cover their bodies and shoes made for running. They didn't even run with their cell phones attached at the hip. The second impression I obtained was that the race was marked well. Whenever there was a turn that needed to be made the road was painted with arrows pointing in the direction we needed to go. Not only were there arrows, but there was also a person sitting there to guide us to the right way . The only way I could have gotten off track would have been to consciously choose the wrong direction or to have been deaf and blind. Another observation I took note of was that everyone was intent on accomplishing the same thing--finishing the race. There were no stops along the way or detours to get us off track. There were only two water stations to refresh us as we ran by. Even then, most kept running as they downed a couple of swigs of water. The final discovery I made came to me as I noticed the people along the sides of the road cheering us all on, as well as, the friends and students I had running the race with me. Even though we were not running side by side, just knowing they were there running helped keep me going. My goals were to run the entire race without walking and to finish in under 30 minutes. With God's help, I accomplished both.

(I only stopped once for about two seconds to take a couple swallows of water at the second water station. The only reason I stopped there was because at the first water station I almost drowned myself while trying to run and drink at the same time.)

The spiritual implications and parallels to all that I observed are interchangeable. I guess that's why God's inspired Word makes so many references to running in a race. God knew and knows how to describe the life He wants for us in terms we can comprehend. In fact, I memorized many passages of Scripture dealing with running well to encourage me along the way. Check these out: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Timothy 2:3-5; 4:7,8; Psalm 18:29; 119:32; Isaiah 40:31; Acts 20:24; James 1:2-4,12.

Hopefully this is just the beginning. Anyone want to start training for a half marathon?

Summer Reading

Thought I would pass on to you all what I will be reading this Summer, mostly during the next two weeks of fireworks. I've got a wide variety for all sorts of moods. If you've read any of these, please feel free to comment.

This is Mark Batterson's second book. I've actually already started reading this one and it is proving to be as good as his first. The first was an outstanding work called In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day.
Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington DC. Targeting emerging generations, 73 percent of NCCers are single twenty-somethings that live or work on Capitol Hill. Currently one church with three locations, the vision of NCC is to meet in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the DC area. Mark is also a daily blogger at evotional.com. Mark lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and three children. (copied from website)




These two, Lunatic and Elyon are the 5th and 6th books in a Christian fiction series called The Lost Books by Ted Dekker. They coincide with The Circle Trilogy of Black, Red and White, as well as, Showdown, Saint and Sinner. Anyone who likes suspense thriller fiction with a twist, this is a great set of books to read.



I am unfamiliar with the authors of these two books, but they both looked like insightful reading material and I got them on clearance for $2.97 a piece. You can't beat that. Throw in some daily gleaning from and study of God inspired Word and I should be set for some growing time.

Lord, help not to be a hearer of the Word only, but also a doer of your will as I learn from You.

Working with Dad

I've told this story to several people, but I'm just now getting around to actually writing it down. This might be a little long, but here you go:

The date was March 2, 2009 and Malinda had finally had all she could stand of the kitchen faucet. It had not been working properly for a couple of months, but I was able to fix it enough to make it work. Nevertheless, it finally gave out so, with newly bought faucet and what few tools I have in hand I decided to give the whole plumber thing a shot. Mind you, I have never done any sort of plumbing in my life.

Now, for those of you who don't know me very well, I'm a little bit of a perfectionist. (Malinda would say that's the understatement of the year!) So, while I didn't know what I was doing, I was at least going to act like it. I laid out a towel on the ground, put a couple of tools on one side and a flashlight on the other and I was ready to go to work. I had no sooner got under the sink when along came my two year old son James to "give me a hand." The first thought that came to my mind was, "Malinda, come get your son!", but then I thought, "I really don't know what I'm doing so what can it hurt?" He then proceeded to help me "fiss (fix) it."

As we were "fissing it," I came to the realization that the fittings for the new faucet were not the same as the old one, so I was at an impasse not really knowing what to do next. Luckily my dad just so happened to be coming to visit us that night and he was able to tell me what I would need to make it work properly. The next day, I went out and purchased the parts I needed and, to my delight (as well as surprise), it worked. James was so excited, he kept saying, "I fissed it! I fissed it!"

So what's the significance of this? Well, there's a couple of different thoughts I had about this. First, as I reflected on James' actions in this whole ordeal, I began to wonder what was going through his mind. Was he there to really help me? Did he just want to be where I was, doing what I was doing? I believe it was probably both. What if we desired God in the same way? James wants to be with me all the time and he gets so excited when I ask him to help me with whatever I am doing. What's cool about the relationship we have with our heavenly Dad is that He asks for our help as well. Even though He could accomplish everything He wants to do on His own, He chooses to use us and allow us to get into the action. Do you desire to be where God is, doing what He is doing?

Secondly, I got to thinking about my dad's role in this "great undertaking." Although he was there to tell me what I needed to do, he didn't do it for me. Over the years the role that he has played in my life has changed. He's still my dad, but more than that, he has become my best friend. He has taught me what it is to be a man. When I was young, he did things for me. As I grew older, he showed me how. Now, he's there to guide me, but it's me who is doing the work. One of the most important things he taught me was the importance of God's Word in my life. I remember being not much older than my son is now while my dad would put my sister and I to bed by reading out of The Picture Bible. Now I am carrying on the tradition with my son in hopes that God's Word will sink deep into his heart and establish a firm foundation.

That's it. Hopefully this blog will inspire you to want to be where God is, doing what He's doing, moreover, just to have a longing to be with Him. And for all you young dads, and you old dads as well, it's never too early or too late to lead your children in the ways of the Lord. You are their spiritual leader. They are going to follow your example. Be the man God designed you to be.

All At War

Okay, so my good friend Matt already posted about this band, but I was listening to it today and this reflection came to mind. This is a song from the Downhere album “Ending Is Beginning” by Germain/Martel called All At War. It reminds me a lot of Romans 7,

"The law is good, then. The trouble is not with the law but with me, because I am sold into slavery, with sin as my master. I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it...But I can't help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do evil things...Oh, what a miserable person that I am! Who will save me from this life of that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord."

Here's the lyrics:

I'm learning to stand the more that I fall down
It's the law of inversion, and it's all turned around
And I'm staggered by the clash inside my soul
So purposed for good but inclined for evil

It's justice and mercy, the old dichotomies
All along the front lines of my heart in both doubt and belief
The sinner and saint, the old arch enemies
All at war in me

I was born depraved but created for the divine
With death in my bones, in my heart eternal life
I'd love for Eden, but I'd kill for Rome
I'm native in a land that is not my home

You are the beginning, and You are the end
Into your great reversal, I am born again
A beautiful redemption, You leverage even sin
In me your final victory, I know You'll win

Into light, from the shadows
Into life, from the grave
Into love, into love

Thank God for His power in our lives through Jesus Christ to overcome sin. I am nothing on my own, but, in Christ, I am more than a conqueror.

If you would like more info on this band, check out their website downhere.com.

Be Who You Are

The second chapter of this book is titled, "Who You Are Is More Important Than What You Do." How often we get caught up in this performance driven culture that says you have do this and that in order to be a success. The truth is, God made each and every one of us unique. He gave us each talents and abilities unlike those around us. Still, I find myself comparing what I do with others, as if I'm doing a good job only when my efforts are equitable or eclipse what their doing. What I must never forget is that God has called me to being not doing. The question is not, "What am I doing?, but, "What am I being?". If I am truly being what He has instructed, called, equipped and empowered me to be then the doing will come naturally. Not only will it come naturally, but it will also be unique to who I am.

Don't let what you do define you. Be what God has called you to be. My responsibility as a husband and father, moreover as a Christian in general, is to be an example for everyone I come in contact with, that they may see in me Christ's love and compassion for lost humanity and in turn be inspired to the same.

Lord, help me to be all you want me to be, not just do things because it's what my job demands.