For those who read this blog and know my commitment to posting weekly I want to be faithful to communicate so as to stay in integrity.
I am having a difficult time staying current on this blog and so I am stopping the weekly post for one month. This will give me time to create a reservoir for myself and help me to create better content for this blog.
Thanks for reading this far I look forward to encouraging and challenging you all in a months time.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Thank you.
There are only a few stories my dad told of living in Holland in world war two but one always stands out for me this time of year and on this particular day.
My dad lived in a small village in holland and it wasn't uncommon to have solders in the village what was uncommon was to see allied solders, but there he was a allied air force solder in the village, his story is the one I remember.
This solder was a co-pilot and his plane had been shot down and was headed for the village my dad lived in.
The pilot rather then risk killing any of the villagers, who were to him only nameless people in a foreign county, told his co-pilot to jump out of the plane while he tried to keep it in the air and get it past the village.
The pilot succeeded and saved who knows who and who knows how many people but he died that day in a fiery plane outside of a village in a foreign country far from home.
I always wonder if that pilot had jumped and the plane had crashed into the village would I be here?
To the unnamed pilot who died that day so far from home I thank you.
There are countless stories of countless sacrifices made but this is one I always will remember on this day especially.
To all who died to save those they would never know, thank you your sacrifice was not in vain.
My dad lived in a small village in holland and it wasn't uncommon to have solders in the village what was uncommon was to see allied solders, but there he was a allied air force solder in the village, his story is the one I remember.
This solder was a co-pilot and his plane had been shot down and was headed for the village my dad lived in.
The pilot rather then risk killing any of the villagers, who were to him only nameless people in a foreign county, told his co-pilot to jump out of the plane while he tried to keep it in the air and get it past the village.
The pilot succeeded and saved who knows who and who knows how many people but he died that day in a fiery plane outside of a village in a foreign country far from home.
I always wonder if that pilot had jumped and the plane had crashed into the village would I be here?
To the unnamed pilot who died that day so far from home I thank you.
There are countless stories of countless sacrifices made but this is one I always will remember on this day especially.
To all who died to save those they would never know, thank you your sacrifice was not in vain.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
The Poser and the Fig Leaf of Separation. .
I have a fig leaf and I use it to cover myself to pretend that my sin and shame is not an issue.
The Bible says love covers a multitude of sins.
So why did Adam and why do I use a fig leaf to cover my sins from those whose love would cover and wash our sin away.
By those I mean people around us, ultimately Christ is our redeemer, the Bible says when we confess our sins He (God) is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
When I come to my family, friends and co-workers and say "hey I'm sorry I messed up here" then there is a covering of the sin and a washing that can come but it can only come when we expose it by removing the fig leaf of the poser
Love can't cover our sin if we are with our fig leaf of separation.
It's time to remove your fig leaf and become who God made you to be.
This week what would it look like to make a conscience effort to not cover your mistakes and failings but with a heart of repentance (desire for changing) come to those you have dealt wrongly with and be real about what's going on.
The Bible says love covers a multitude of sins.
So why did Adam and why do I use a fig leaf to cover my sins from those whose love would cover and wash our sin away.
By those I mean people around us, ultimately Christ is our redeemer, the Bible says when we confess our sins He (God) is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
When I come to my family, friends and co-workers and say "hey I'm sorry I messed up here" then there is a covering of the sin and a washing that can come but it can only come when we expose it by removing the fig leaf of the poser
Love can't cover our sin if we are with our fig leaf of separation.
It's time to remove your fig leaf and become who God made you to be.
This week what would it look like to make a conscience effort to not cover your mistakes and failings but with a heart of repentance (desire for changing) come to those you have dealt wrongly with and be real about what's going on.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Swords.
I love a good swashbuckler film knights, pirates. I love the films where a son recovers his fathers sword or uses it to win the day in almost every movie that has swords and fathers and sons there is a passing of a sword from a father to a son in some way.
Robin Hood, Kingdom of Heaven, King Arthur, The Three Musketers it's a right of passage it's a symbol of manhood its a heritage of strength.
I have thought a lot about that passion why do I feel that way about an object and how do I make it come alive for me now. I don't have a sword and if I did I would just hang it on my wall, I dont have enemy hords at my front door, or dragons to slay. So sure if I had a sword I could pass it to my son but what meaning would it have?
In the time of history where a sword was used it meant a lot. It was practical and natural to have a sword and pass it on.
What legacy do I have to offer my son?
As he comes to an age what will be a symbol to him of manhood and a heritage of strength?
What will he look at and see battles fought against enemy's and victories over dragons?
My Bible.
It came to me that a Bible is that sword a Bible that has been used as it should will, like a well used sword, have some notches and look like it has been doubt with.
In this technological age I write this blog on my phone and read a bible off it too. Something can be lost when I loose "touch" with the word of God.
A while back I wrote about the Paige ceremony my friend has implemented for his sons there are two more ceremonies that follow.
The squire ceremony and the knight ceremony.
In preparation for sending our sons out into war I encourage you fathers to send them out armed with a well used sword that they can read notes and prayers and pass down and know where and when God blessed you and where and when you were broken and how you overcame.
In our lives there will be times when we are seeking the face of God our savior and we find him in his word make notes and date them not only will they help you but your sons as well bless them by giving them something more then just a symbol you will give them life and faith.
Robin Hood, Kingdom of Heaven, King Arthur, The Three Musketers it's a right of passage it's a symbol of manhood its a heritage of strength.
I have thought a lot about that passion why do I feel that way about an object and how do I make it come alive for me now. I don't have a sword and if I did I would just hang it on my wall, I dont have enemy hords at my front door, or dragons to slay. So sure if I had a sword I could pass it to my son but what meaning would it have?
In the time of history where a sword was used it meant a lot. It was practical and natural to have a sword and pass it on.
What legacy do I have to offer my son?
As he comes to an age what will be a symbol to him of manhood and a heritage of strength?
What will he look at and see battles fought against enemy's and victories over dragons?
My Bible.
It came to me that a Bible is that sword a Bible that has been used as it should will, like a well used sword, have some notches and look like it has been doubt with.
In this technological age I write this blog on my phone and read a bible off it too. Something can be lost when I loose "touch" with the word of God.
A while back I wrote about the Paige ceremony my friend has implemented for his sons there are two more ceremonies that follow.
The squire ceremony and the knight ceremony.
In preparation for sending our sons out into war I encourage you fathers to send them out armed with a well used sword that they can read notes and prayers and pass down and know where and when God blessed you and where and when you were broken and how you overcame.
In our lives there will be times when we are seeking the face of God our savior and we find him in his word make notes and date them not only will they help you but your sons as well bless them by giving them something more then just a symbol you will give them life and faith.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Passion.
I have thought and prayed about sharing this piece of my heart for a while.
The wellspring of life is your heart proverbs 4:23 so my heart must be seen if what is flowing from it can be seen for what it is.
This is my passion statement and from this I will engage men where they are to take them from a place of apathy to victory.
My Passion Statement.
I have a passion to see every man come into the fullness of what God has for them.
I believe everyman has a unique part to play in his family and only by his presents and participation can his family be released to be who they were made to be.
I believe every man has a unique call in his church and only by his action and devotion can he inspire other men to use there streanghth in service to the king.
I believe every man has a unique place in his community and only by his love and reaching out can he bring the kingdom of God to men who are desperate for fellowship.
The three areas mentioned home, church, community these are, as I see it, the areas where we fail to engage so with that in mind in one of these areas I will engage men once a week through this blog and in my daily walk with Christ.
I look forward to sharing this journey.
Every one has a passion it's a question of what it is not do I have one.
My prayer is that you would understand your part, your call, your place, and that man or woman that you would move toward it.
This week prayerfully seek what your passion is and see where you have been placed where you can be what no one else can be.
You only you can be you where you are right now and you are there for a reason.
The wellspring of life is your heart proverbs 4:23 so my heart must be seen if what is flowing from it can be seen for what it is.
This is my passion statement and from this I will engage men where they are to take them from a place of apathy to victory.
My Passion Statement.
I have a passion to see every man come into the fullness of what God has for them.
I believe everyman has a unique part to play in his family and only by his presents and participation can his family be released to be who they were made to be.
I believe every man has a unique call in his church and only by his action and devotion can he inspire other men to use there streanghth in service to the king.
I believe every man has a unique place in his community and only by his love and reaching out can he bring the kingdom of God to men who are desperate for fellowship.
The three areas mentioned home, church, community these are, as I see it, the areas where we fail to engage so with that in mind in one of these areas I will engage men once a week through this blog and in my daily walk with Christ.
I look forward to sharing this journey.
Every one has a passion it's a question of what it is not do I have one.
My prayer is that you would understand your part, your call, your place, and that man or woman that you would move toward it.
This week prayerfully seek what your passion is and see where you have been placed where you can be what no one else can be.
You only you can be you where you are right now and you are there for a reason.
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