Testimony to holding the Shield of Faith from Morning Star Church on Vimeo.
Oh, my. So powerful...
on my iPod... All My Days by Alexi Murdoch
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thursday, March 04, 2010
I had a contractor out recently who informed me he usually works in er, um, well, higher-end neighborhoods. This was an outdoor matter so as we walked the perimeter of the house he had occasion to spy my brand new solar oven in the backyard. I'd come to a place of peace over the years at what our energy efficient lightbulbs do for my complexion (Johnny Depp's Alice in Wonderland scenes were shot in my kitchen.) In fact, I quite fancy certain green lifestyle habits. So, the contractor who works in much nicer neighborhoods took one look at my backyard kitchen and said to me: "What's going on back here?" To which I replied "Fixin' dinner!" I let him linger for a moment with the unsettling thought that Granny Clampett here just might have a squirrel in the pot before fessing up to a simple batch of chicken soup gently rolling to a boil under a brilliant Texas sun. All to say... it's a little unconventional... but the solar oven simply rocks. It was some of the best soup we've ever had! I did a bit of research and settled on the Global Sun Oven. In case you're interested, I bought mine here at a nice discount. Bon appetite!
On my nightstand: The Intellectuals by Paul Johnson... a fascinating survey of what motivated and shaped the hearts and minds of some of the world's most influential leaders. Just beware of teeny, tiny print...
On my nightstand: The Intellectuals by Paul Johnson... a fascinating survey of what motivated and shaped the hearts and minds of some of the world's most influential leaders. Just beware of teeny, tiny print...
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Satan's Spin?
Going back to the most primitive renderings, human beings have tried to put a face and a tangibility to the look of evil. Invariably, that face looks, well, evil. Although sometimes today, the face of evil is more of a joke. The $9.99 horn and tail get-up you can buy in the seasonal aisle at WalMart. There would be something organically out of whack, to our thinking, of depicting old Beelzebub with apple cheeks and a filmy set of cherub's wings. Save the pretty imagery for the nice guys, right?
But what does Scripture have to say about the appearance of Lucifer?
You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. Ezekiel 28:12
Even in the garden, we are privy to the workings of some sort of smooth operator. Eve and the serpent conversed. She took him seriously, no doubt entranced by every hook-and-line reeling word. Eve didn't shriek and dispatch Adam for a garden hoe. There was something altogether convicting and charismatic about this guy.
Your heart became proud on account of your beauty. Ezekiel 28:17
So, are we, perhaps, looking for Satan's biggest traps in all the wrong places? Where should we be looking?
Please contact me here to schedule session about "Stars & Scars" for your ladies group. Our Sonrise study group will be meeting this Wednesday at Hebrew's Cafe from 8:15-9:15 to analyze the results of a powerful personal inventory developed by Dallas Theological Seminary Professor Ramesh Richard that's designed to open eyes and change hearts. You're welcome to join us!
…for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
On my iPod... Use Somebody by Kings of Leon
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thanksgiving in Florida
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Ewww...
So, we had just enjoyed the sweet movie "Up" at our rental condo in Florida and I was getting the boys ready for bed. My 13-year-old remembered seeing a promo for the American Music Awards and asked to check it out on ABC. We found the show just in time to catch Ryan Seacrest at the end. We like American Idol, so we stayed put. Then, to my horror, out comes Adam Lambert dragging some scantily clad, leathered-up woman around on stage. I told everyone to look away and fumbled around rather unsuccessfully in the dark for the remote thinking it doesn't get much worse than that. Unfortunately, that was the gentle part. By the time I found an "off" button, I'd witnessed the absolute depths of prime time network programming. The sad debasement of God's beautiful creatures. Lambert is throwing the word "discrimination" around. I'm not anti-gay, friends. When I'm perfect, I can start throwing stones. But I am unapologetically anti-orgy on prime time television.
ABC says it got a modest amount of complaints. I'm thinking that if the calls and letters don't ratchet up, we'll be seeing a Caligula routine next year. If you have kids... if you think you might have kids... hey, if you know a kid... please take a moment to send ABC a note of complaint here.
ABC says it got a modest amount of complaints. I'm thinking that if the calls and letters don't ratchet up, we'll be seeing a Caligula routine next year. If you have kids... if you think you might have kids... hey, if you know a kid... please take a moment to send ABC a note of complaint here.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Manna & Mugs!
Join me on December 5 from 9-12 for "Manna Mug & Muffin" at Scofield Church in Dallas. I'm speaking on the subject of endurance. The event is free but you'll need to make a reservation by calling 214.349.6043. Details are here. It promises to be a fun morning of fellowship and gourmet muffins! Hope to see you there!
On my iPod... I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight by U2
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Great Coffee... Wonderful Value!
Coffee lover or, dare I say, coffee snob? You might want to pass on the pricier brands next time you shop and try Eight O'Clock coffee, instead. At $4.98/pound, it's a better value than the other brands... and, surprisingly, it tastes better, too! Rich and velvety with no bitter aftertaste! Kathy P says the grind-your-own whole beans are great. I bought them already ground in regular and decaf and was delighted!
Looking forward to... U2 at Cowboys Stadium... nosebleed section facing stage... happy party of 5!
Looking forward to... U2 at Cowboys Stadium... nosebleed section facing stage... happy party of 5!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
1 Samuel on Fathers
I'm taking an interesting course this semester on Old Testament History. As part of a recent assignment, we were asked to evaluate fathers and sons in 1 Samuel 1-15. I walked away with more questions than answers, but believe in the reflection that there's a lot to learn.
Fathers & Sons in 1 Samuel 1-15: An Evaluation
Deuteronomy 6: 6-7: “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”
In light of God’s command for fathers to teach His word “diligently,” what can we learn from the examples of Eli, Samuel and Saul?
Eli: The Deadbeat Dad?
“Clueless” is the word that might describe Eli as father. Scripture indicates he “honored” (1 Samuel 2:29) his wicked sons more than God. But the honoring appears to be accidental as he becomes aware of their egregious sins (vs. 12) late in life (vs. 22). It was established and known throughout the priesthood (vs. 13) and in fact, all of Israel (vs. 14) that Eli’s sons were bad apples. This type of heart toxicity doesn’t typically happen overnight but is in evidence over a period of years. Eli was either in denial or oblivious to sin that should have been obvious. As we examine the text, one wonders why it takes third-party reporting (vs. 22-23) to see the immorality of his sons! God holds Eli accountable (2:30-36) for his lack of faithfulness in evidence by his blind eye (vs. 22) and impotence as a father (2:23-24). Eli loses his standing with God (vs. 31), the health and security of his family (vs. 32-34) and his very legacy (vs. 35).
Interesting to note that Eli “fell backward” and died upon hearing that the ark of God was in enemy hands (4:18), having first been told that Israel had suffered a great defeat and his two sons were dead. Not to diminish the huge impact of the news of the ark, but most fathers would have already been on the floor with the news that their sons were dead. This strikes me as a telling “delayed reaction.”
Samuel: The Do-Good Dad?
The Bible tells us that Samuel’s sons “… made money dishonestly, accepted bribes, and perverted justice.” (8:3b) While it’s difficult to evaluate his “parenting style” from what’s been revealed, we see his heart for the Lord in his open-minded response to the request from Israel’s elders to find a king other than his sons (8:4). Samuel puts aside concerns over legacy and never attempts to defend his sons or rationalize their sinful behavior. Instead, he goes straight to God for wisdom and is concerned first and foremost with His agenda (8:6). When it is revealed to Samuel that Saul is God’s chosen king (9:17-19), he is cooperative and obedient. Here we have the apparent case of a good and faithful man whose kids have gone afoul.
Saul: The Dangerous Dad!
Scripture reveals in vivid detail the patently bad heart of Saul who is willing to kill his son to save his skin (14:44; 20:33). From God’s perspective, he is unfaithful (15:11) and disobedient (15: 22-23). He lies (18:25), steals (15:19) and has no regard for human life (18:21; 19:10; 20:33; 22:17). He is a textbook sociopath. Yet his son, Jonathan, emerges as a moral hero, pledging at great personal risk to protect his friend, David (18:3).
Question: Why do kids from bad and good homes mess up?
Proverbs 22:6a advises parents to “train up a child in the way he should go.” Studying the father/son dynamics of 1 Samuel, we encounter a conundrum. How do seemingly good people (e.g., Samuel) rear crummy kids while evil people (e.g., Saul) can raise nice ones? I see four possible scenarios:
Scenario 1: Simply, God’s purpose won’t be thwarted.
Perhaps God allowed the children to fail according to his design (much like an evil spirit tormented Saul in 16:14). If the progeny of Eli and Samuel were faithful, the issue of kingship would have been thornier. God had a succession plan it involved neither Eli nor Samuel’s kids. We see some rebellious character traits of the sons as well as intentionality on the part of God in verse 2:25b, as well: “…”But they would not listen to their father, for the Lord had decided to kill them.” (Consider here Proverbs 1: 8-9)
Scenario 2: Boys will be boys.
Or, maybe the children exercised personal prerogatives (i.e., free will) and either chose wisely or poorly, irrespective of their upbringing. Proverbs 1: 8-9 admonishes children to pay attention to parental instruction. This puts the onus on parents to teach and children to listen. Could it be that Samuel’s children simply “checked out” on dad’s counsel?
Scenario 3: Rebels With and Without a Cause
Someone once said: “Every generation will find something to annoy the parents.” Some rebellion goes hand in hand with growing up. We even see bold independence, albeit for a good cause, on the part of Jesus in Luke 2: 41-52 where we encounter the 12-year-old Jesus on the brink of Jewish adulthood. He’s been separated himself from his parents for several days and is incredulous that His mother is so anxious. As independence beckons the mortal youth, there is some degree of forced separation that may manifest in opposition to authority. So, is it possible that we see in 1 Samuel a bad father (Saul) with a good kid in “rebellion” and a good father (Samuel) with a similar u-turn dynamic?
Scenario 4: What family?
Perhaps the fathers were so wrapped up in self (Eli) or ministry (Samuel) that they put family on the back burner? So, we have on one hand, an effective agent of God (Samuel) who could have been a remote father? Scripture offers an intriguing clue about the relationship of Saul and his son. In 20:2, Jonathan remarks: “…Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me.” (Saul also shows some concern about his son’s future kingship (20:31), though it is no doubt more about self/family pride than love of son.) There is the reality or at least the perception on the part of Jonathan that he and his dad are close or at least in close contact, and what is intimated here is that the father, albeit a bad one, has invested time and attention into his son.
Bottom Line
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
In the book of Proverbs, we’re told about the results of good training. This verse has left many scratching their heads when the product doesn’t seem to always match the investment. It’s important to realize, however, that Proverbs are principles not promises. For reasons we have yet to fully understand, sometimes the real world presents with unexpected hairpin curves and u-turns. Our best defense in an unpredictable and uncertain world:
As always, prayer...
Fathers & Sons in 1 Samuel 1-15: An Evaluation
Deuteronomy 6: 6-7: “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”
In light of God’s command for fathers to teach His word “diligently,” what can we learn from the examples of Eli, Samuel and Saul?
Eli: The Deadbeat Dad?
“Clueless” is the word that might describe Eli as father. Scripture indicates he “honored” (1 Samuel 2:29) his wicked sons more than God. But the honoring appears to be accidental as he becomes aware of their egregious sins (vs. 12) late in life (vs. 22). It was established and known throughout the priesthood (vs. 13) and in fact, all of Israel (vs. 14) that Eli’s sons were bad apples. This type of heart toxicity doesn’t typically happen overnight but is in evidence over a period of years. Eli was either in denial or oblivious to sin that should have been obvious. As we examine the text, one wonders why it takes third-party reporting (vs. 22-23) to see the immorality of his sons! God holds Eli accountable (2:30-36) for his lack of faithfulness in evidence by his blind eye (vs. 22) and impotence as a father (2:23-24). Eli loses his standing with God (vs. 31), the health and security of his family (vs. 32-34) and his very legacy (vs. 35).
Interesting to note that Eli “fell backward” and died upon hearing that the ark of God was in enemy hands (4:18), having first been told that Israel had suffered a great defeat and his two sons were dead. Not to diminish the huge impact of the news of the ark, but most fathers would have already been on the floor with the news that their sons were dead. This strikes me as a telling “delayed reaction.”
Samuel: The Do-Good Dad?
The Bible tells us that Samuel’s sons “… made money dishonestly, accepted bribes, and perverted justice.” (8:3b) While it’s difficult to evaluate his “parenting style” from what’s been revealed, we see his heart for the Lord in his open-minded response to the request from Israel’s elders to find a king other than his sons (8:4). Samuel puts aside concerns over legacy and never attempts to defend his sons or rationalize their sinful behavior. Instead, he goes straight to God for wisdom and is concerned first and foremost with His agenda (8:6). When it is revealed to Samuel that Saul is God’s chosen king (9:17-19), he is cooperative and obedient. Here we have the apparent case of a good and faithful man whose kids have gone afoul.
Saul: The Dangerous Dad!
Scripture reveals in vivid detail the patently bad heart of Saul who is willing to kill his son to save his skin (14:44; 20:33). From God’s perspective, he is unfaithful (15:11) and disobedient (15: 22-23). He lies (18:25), steals (15:19) and has no regard for human life (18:21; 19:10; 20:33; 22:17). He is a textbook sociopath. Yet his son, Jonathan, emerges as a moral hero, pledging at great personal risk to protect his friend, David (18:3).
Question: Why do kids from bad and good homes mess up?
Proverbs 22:6a advises parents to “train up a child in the way he should go.” Studying the father/son dynamics of 1 Samuel, we encounter a conundrum. How do seemingly good people (e.g., Samuel) rear crummy kids while evil people (e.g., Saul) can raise nice ones? I see four possible scenarios:
Scenario 1: Simply, God’s purpose won’t be thwarted.
Perhaps God allowed the children to fail according to his design (much like an evil spirit tormented Saul in 16:14). If the progeny of Eli and Samuel were faithful, the issue of kingship would have been thornier. God had a succession plan it involved neither Eli nor Samuel’s kids. We see some rebellious character traits of the sons as well as intentionality on the part of God in verse 2:25b, as well: “…”But they would not listen to their father, for the Lord had decided to kill them.” (Consider here Proverbs 1: 8-9)
Scenario 2: Boys will be boys.
Or, maybe the children exercised personal prerogatives (i.e., free will) and either chose wisely or poorly, irrespective of their upbringing. Proverbs 1: 8-9 admonishes children to pay attention to parental instruction. This puts the onus on parents to teach and children to listen. Could it be that Samuel’s children simply “checked out” on dad’s counsel?
Scenario 3: Rebels With and Without a Cause
Someone once said: “Every generation will find something to annoy the parents.” Some rebellion goes hand in hand with growing up. We even see bold independence, albeit for a good cause, on the part of Jesus in Luke 2: 41-52 where we encounter the 12-year-old Jesus on the brink of Jewish adulthood. He’s been separated himself from his parents for several days and is incredulous that His mother is so anxious. As independence beckons the mortal youth, there is some degree of forced separation that may manifest in opposition to authority. So, is it possible that we see in 1 Samuel a bad father (Saul) with a good kid in “rebellion” and a good father (Samuel) with a similar u-turn dynamic?
Scenario 4: What family?
Perhaps the fathers were so wrapped up in self (Eli) or ministry (Samuel) that they put family on the back burner? So, we have on one hand, an effective agent of God (Samuel) who could have been a remote father? Scripture offers an intriguing clue about the relationship of Saul and his son. In 20:2, Jonathan remarks: “…Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me.” (Saul also shows some concern about his son’s future kingship (20:31), though it is no doubt more about self/family pride than love of son.) There is the reality or at least the perception on the part of Jonathan that he and his dad are close or at least in close contact, and what is intimated here is that the father, albeit a bad one, has invested time and attention into his son.
Bottom Line
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
In the book of Proverbs, we’re told about the results of good training. This verse has left many scratching their heads when the product doesn’t seem to always match the investment. It’s important to realize, however, that Proverbs are principles not promises. For reasons we have yet to fully understand, sometimes the real world presents with unexpected hairpin curves and u-turns. Our best defense in an unpredictable and uncertain world:
As always, prayer...
Photo by Sean Dreilenger... see here for restrictions.
On my iPod... Right Here, Right Now by Jesus Jones
Monday, August 31, 2009
Todd and I are prayer coordinators for Faith Christian School's Take a Knee ministry. Our focus is 7th grade football. Below is our devotional for this week.
And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2: 52)
It’s hard to think of Christ on the brink of adolescence, but that’s where we find Him in Luke Chapter 2: 41-52. It was the year before his 13th birthday when Jewish tradition would legally recognize Him as an adult. Jesus had spent several days separated from his parents who had unknowingly left him behind following the Passover feast. When they were reunited, Jesus responded boldly to his mother’s anxious questioning yet remained with his parents in subjection. It is shades of where we many of us find ourselves today… experiencing a growing tug of independence versus dependence on the part of our children.
The first sight of my oldest child in full pads on the football field Thursday night nearly stole my breath. I flashed to a time not so long ago when he was a toddler full of needs and under our ever-watchful control. I have a growing sense this year of the fleeting nature of our time together. My nerves over contact football have softened this week. I find myself very grateful that this rite of passage is occurring under the discipleship of godly coaches who see beyond the boundaries of the field to the larger horizon of our faith and all that we as Christians aim to be.
It’s hard to think of Christ on the brink of adolescence, but that’s where we find Him in Luke Chapter 2: 41-52. It was the year before his 13th birthday when Jewish tradition would legally recognize Him as an adult. Jesus had spent several days separated from his parents who had unknowingly left him behind following the Passover feast. When they were reunited, Jesus responded boldly to his mother’s anxious questioning yet remained with his parents in subjection. It is shades of where we many of us find ourselves today… experiencing a growing tug of independence versus dependence on the part of our children.
The first sight of my oldest child in full pads on the football field Thursday night nearly stole my breath. I flashed to a time not so long ago when he was a toddler full of needs and under our ever-watchful control. I have a growing sense this year of the fleeting nature of our time together. My nerves over contact football have softened this week. I find myself very grateful that this rite of passage is occurring under the discipleship of godly coaches who see beyond the boundaries of the field to the larger horizon of our faith and all that we as Christians aim to be.
Still Thinking About... The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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