Last night as I was giving Christopher his bath he started playing with the washcloth. First it was a big fish and later it became a magic curtain for his ducks to disappear behind. In the end, in the hands of his father it became what it was intended to be, a washcloth that cleaned up a creative little boy.
Often we make religion and God like that washcloth. We shape them to be what we want them to be, not what they are intended to be. God is love but he is also the God that destroyed the world in a flood. He is peace but he took his people to battle many times. He is the God of blessings but we are promised that the poor will always be among us. He is righteousness but his Son was called a friend of sinners. He is the protector of the poor, the fatherless and the widows. While he is Abba Father he is STILL the Great I AM! If we are to call him Father and be his children shouldn't we know him and what he is truly like?
Father, remove the blinders that causes me to see you through a lens of religion that is shaped by the world and give me the faith to see you as you truly are and the strength to be the man you call me to be.
In Him,
David
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Did you hear that?
Christopher is 3 1/2 and when he goes to bed at night we play a short audio tape for him with a story on it and then a longer music tape. When the story ended and he was ready for me to change tapes we had the following exchange.
Christopher: "Daddy, daddy, did you hear that?"
Me: "Hear what Christopher?"
Christopher: "Did you hear that noise?"
Me: "No, the only noise I heard was you calling me?"
Christopher: "You didn't hear that noise?"
Me: "No, what did the noise sound like?"
Christopher: "Um, it sounded like a Pooh story."
Me: "No, you're not getting a Pooh story but I will turn on your music for you."
Christopher: "Okay, I will try again later.
The Pooh tape is very long and he will not go to sleep while listening to it. I had to walk away and laugh, after starting his music for him. Where does he get this stuff? Like Mary, I will write them on my heart. I love my kids.
In Him,
David
Christopher: "Daddy, daddy, did you hear that?"
Me: "Hear what Christopher?"
Christopher: "Did you hear that noise?"
Me: "No, the only noise I heard was you calling me?"
Christopher: "You didn't hear that noise?"
Me: "No, what did the noise sound like?"
Christopher: "Um, it sounded like a Pooh story."
Me: "No, you're not getting a Pooh story but I will turn on your music for you."
Christopher: "Okay, I will try again later.
The Pooh tape is very long and he will not go to sleep while listening to it. I had to walk away and laugh, after starting his music for him. Where does he get this stuff? Like Mary, I will write them on my heart. I love my kids.
In Him,
David
Monday, September 29, 2008
Growing
This past Saturday I spent most of the day attending a seminar on The Truth Project sponsored by Focus on the Family. If you have not heard this video series is dedicated to helping believers develop a Biblical world view. I can't wait to go through the video series with Janelle and then we will launch some small group studies. Just the small amount of time that I have spent with the material is helping to reshape my thinking.
Saturday evening I attended a sportman's dinner and Rick Burgess of the Rick and Bubba show was the keynote speaker. He delivered a challenging message that reinforced the changes that the Spirit began with the events earlier in the day.
On Sunday we had a great lesson on Jeremiah that reminded me of the dangers of being lukewarm, thinking that we are religious when we are not. We followed that with worshipping with the Woodbine Family a church that feeds both the physical and spiritual needs of those who attend.
There are times in your life when you can actually see the Spirit moving you and causing you to grow. The scary part of it is waiting to see what the deceiver will do to counter this, but there is hope in knowing that God has provided an escape. What an awesome ride when you see God's hand working in your life.
In Him,
David
Saturday evening I attended a sportman's dinner and Rick Burgess of the Rick and Bubba show was the keynote speaker. He delivered a challenging message that reinforced the changes that the Spirit began with the events earlier in the day.
On Sunday we had a great lesson on Jeremiah that reminded me of the dangers of being lukewarm, thinking that we are religious when we are not. We followed that with worshipping with the Woodbine Family a church that feeds both the physical and spiritual needs of those who attend.
There are times in your life when you can actually see the Spirit moving you and causing you to grow. The scary part of it is waiting to see what the deceiver will do to counter this, but there is hope in knowing that God has provided an escape. What an awesome ride when you see God's hand working in your life.
In Him,
David
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Busy Weekends
Last weekend I helped some friends move on Saturday and trimmed our hedges. Sunday was full with Bible study, Worship, mowing the yard, getting cleaned up again for Sunday evening praise, an ice cream "supper" then home.
Today it was mowing, watching some football, letting the boys play in their pool and playing with them.
Next weekend is home to East Tennessee for UT football, visit with extended family and friends.
The final weekend is The Truth Project seminar and a dinner with Rick Burgess speaking.
All these things are good but the time with my family is the best. And sometimes I need to remind myself to slow down and listen for the quiet whisper.
Right now I am cooking dinner and then the boys and I will wrestle....Let's get ready to rumble!
Enjoy your weekend!
In Him,
David
Today it was mowing, watching some football, letting the boys play in their pool and playing with them.
Next weekend is home to East Tennessee for UT football, visit with extended family and friends.
The final weekend is The Truth Project seminar and a dinner with Rick Burgess speaking.
All these things are good but the time with my family is the best. And sometimes I need to remind myself to slow down and listen for the quiet whisper.
Right now I am cooking dinner and then the boys and I will wrestle....Let's get ready to rumble!
Enjoy your weekend!
In Him,
David
Sunday, September 7, 2008
7 Years Ago
Okay, I get an F for originality as Walt brought us this reminder this morning, but wording is my own.
7 years ago tonight I was watching tv and getting ready for a normal week of work. 7 years ago tomorrow was another normal work day. The following morning though, that Tuesday, the world stood still and nothing will ever be the same. That Tuesday 7 years ago was September 11 and in the morning hours terrorists took over several jet liners and attacked America on her own soil. The skies became silent as all plane travel was ceased in the U.S. That day people started showing up at churches and synagogues to pray because they did not know where else to turn.
7 years ago Friday, all business on Wall Street and on Capital Hill stopped as the President called for a National Day of Prayer. 7 years ago one week from now, church buildings were filled up as in no other time in my memory. People turned to God because they realized they could not depend on themselves or their government to provide everything they need.
We mourned those who died needlessly 7 years ago on Tuesday, but we neglect those who are dying hopelessly around us every day. Yes, I am writing to myself here. How can we mourn the tragedy that occurred 7 years ago and ignore the hope provided 2,000 years ago? 7 years ago that tragedy was like a prophet of Israel calling the people to repent and like Israel, some remained faithful but many forgot the lessons learned 7 years ago. What lessons do you carry with you from 7 years ago?
In Him,
David
7 years ago tonight I was watching tv and getting ready for a normal week of work. 7 years ago tomorrow was another normal work day. The following morning though, that Tuesday, the world stood still and nothing will ever be the same. That Tuesday 7 years ago was September 11 and in the morning hours terrorists took over several jet liners and attacked America on her own soil. The skies became silent as all plane travel was ceased in the U.S. That day people started showing up at churches and synagogues to pray because they did not know where else to turn.
7 years ago Friday, all business on Wall Street and on Capital Hill stopped as the President called for a National Day of Prayer. 7 years ago one week from now, church buildings were filled up as in no other time in my memory. People turned to God because they realized they could not depend on themselves or their government to provide everything they need.
We mourned those who died needlessly 7 years ago on Tuesday, but we neglect those who are dying hopelessly around us every day. Yes, I am writing to myself here. How can we mourn the tragedy that occurred 7 years ago and ignore the hope provided 2,000 years ago? 7 years ago that tragedy was like a prophet of Israel calling the people to repent and like Israel, some remained faithful but many forgot the lessons learned 7 years ago. What lessons do you carry with you from 7 years ago?
In Him,
David
Monday, August 25, 2008
RAIN!
It is finally raining in Middle Tennessee again. The weather reporter (I don't call them forecasters for that is surely an inaccurate description)said that this was the driest August in over 60 years. Tell that to my garden. The squash has pretty much quit producing. We are still getting tomatoes but not at the abundance that we once had them.
I guess there is a spiritual metaphor there in that the seeds were planted in good soil, they produced well for a while but when they failed to receive the proper attention and water...they quit producing. I can have a good heart, be plugged in well at church, be productive...but if I don't stay plugged in, neglect the important things...I too can dry up and die.
Work is keeping me very busy but I find that very rewarding. The change has been good for all of us. We can dare to dream again instead of just survive.
The boys are calling their daddy to come play so we will meet in blog world later.
In Him,
David
I guess there is a spiritual metaphor there in that the seeds were planted in good soil, they produced well for a while but when they failed to receive the proper attention and water...they quit producing. I can have a good heart, be plugged in well at church, be productive...but if I don't stay plugged in, neglect the important things...I too can dry up and die.
Work is keeping me very busy but I find that very rewarding. The change has been good for all of us. We can dare to dream again instead of just survive.
The boys are calling their daddy to come play so we will meet in blog world later.
In Him,
David
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Finally Home
My family is finally home. I flew back on August 3rd and they got back here last night (the 13th) at 11:45 pm. It was a VERY LONG 10 days. If you read my previous blog, I was home less than 24 hours when my car was rear-ended and totalled out. I have spent the majority of the time I wasn't at work looking for a replacement car. I think I found a good one but I am hesitant to "pull the trigger" on the deal. When it was just me I was much more spontaneous with my buying but now that I have a family I want to make sure that I think things all the way through.
The boys are watching Sesame Street while Janelle is out shopping. It is great being able to just be a family again.
Have a great week. In Him,
David
The boys are watching Sesame Street while Janelle is out shopping. It is great being able to just be a family again.
Have a great week. In Him,
David
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