Contrasting Our Culture

Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

We live in a "me" culture. There is a nauseating aroma of success, ambition and self-centeredness that our culture and the enemy have consistently convinced us to breathe in over the last ... oh say, forever. It started in the garden with a snake that convinced Eve he knew better than God and it continues today as that same snake creeps around trying to convince us that he still knows better that God. 

But if you're anything like me, I don't need a great deal of help from the enemy to be selfish, inwardly focused or convinced that I know what's best. It's a daily struggle to be humble and to serve others and to possess and practice the attitude Christ Jesus modeled for us.

I used to think that the humble person was someone who was quiet, with a sort of wallflower personality, someone who didn't like attention. But then I realized that would eliminate much of the population that God created to be speakers, teachers, preachers, missionaries, evangelist, joy filled singers, people persons. That's when I realized, humility is a lot about how you make others feel. It's a lot about focusing on others. And a lot less what kind of personality and gifts you possess. It's more about what you do with those.

When we put our selfish ambitions and desires on the back burner and focus on what is good and right for others, humility shines. When we have the attitude of Jesus Christ towards others, humility shines. When we practice loving and serving the way Jesus did, humility shines. 

Humility doesn't boast. But it's not trying to hide either. It's not some secret that's just between me and you. It's the active pursuit to do what Jesus has done for us...He put us before His own desires and comfort. He served. He led with the motivation that He would glorify God with His years on earth. That's humility. Don't look in the mirror or around you to find a good example, look in God's Word. Jesus perfectly demonstrated humility. He wasn't weak. He wasn't passive. He wasn't depressed. He was a leader who looked after the needs and interests of others before He looked at His own desires. He was a leader who made others think without driving them away and He was a leader who adopted His Father's plans as His own. 

That should be our goal...to walk with others in mind, to put others needs and interests before our own selfishness and to adopt the Father's plan as our own. That's humility. What a stark contrast to the world we live in today! Let's do this. Let's be different. Let's walk like Jesus. In a world that craves the spotlight, let's focus on others so that they can see a clearer picture of Jesus through those who have adopted His agenda and not their own.

Walking in Truth

III John 1:4- I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in truth.

After nearly 25 years in ministry there is nothing that encourages my heart more than hearing how people that we have had the joy of leading and serving are still faithfully and joyfully serving the Lord and walking in the truth of His Word. Enough years have passed that we have had the overwhelming privilege to hear of so many stories of how God has led people we love, how He has carried them, how they have followed Him during times of joy and sorrow and how they have grown to love Him more and more. I can definitely see how John the Beloved could write these words. 

As a parent, I want the same for my kids. I want them to learn to walk in the Truth. This world has some crazy lies and misconstructed ideas that they will try to get them to buy into, and it's my job for now to teach them how to walk in truth so they don't get side swiped into believing the lies. 

Yesterday I was having a conversation with Tucker (12) and we were talking a little about the struggle of moving and leaving his friends. I let the talk go on for a few minutes because I think it's important for him to share his thoughts and also because he is a boy and he was having "feelings" so I wanted to maximize on listening...but after a few minutes I said, "I know this is hard, but can you see any way God has provided or done anything good during this time?" After a moment he said, "He has already found a friend for me there (new home)." You can't imagine how excited I was to hear him say this. This was the truth. God has already provided him a friend there and Tucker was voicing the truth. Satan would like nothing better for Tucker than for him to believe that this was a tragic situation, that he would be lonely and alone for the rest of his life, that no one would reach out and that he would never find a friend. I know this sounds dramatic but isn't that exactly what the enemy does...makes us believe the absolute worst situation or conflict or circumstance is the truth??? When it's all a big fat lie. 

There is joy when we hear our children are walking in truth, but before the joy there has to be guidance. We have to model the process. We have to teach our kids how to navigate through the hurdles of lies and the roadblocks of deceit that Satan orchestrates. We have to teach them what the Bible says, how to apply it to our lives and how to ask the right questions and seek the right answers when they are faced with a tough situation. 

This doesn't happen by chance. We have to get busy.

Love and Hate

Proverbs 8:13- Let those who love the Lord hate evil.

I am quick to tell you I don't have this parenting thing figured out. At the end of most days I feel somewhat overwhelmed by the influence the world has over my kids, society, the church, my home and the lost. I hate the evil in the world. 

I watched yesterday as yet another social media source was exposed for its graphic content. The shootings in our schools are outrageous. The drug and alcohol epidemic is rampant and my list of finger-pointing sins could go on and on and on. Some of these things (and other evils in this world) I don't have any control over and yet some, admittedly, I do. 

But here's the thing. Christian parents have boxed evil into "really bad things", while ignoring the small, baby steps that led us to the "really bad things". For instance, Savannah was about 3 (now nearly 16) when I noticed how a popular children's TV channel was dumbing down all adults, but especially dads. The casual and humorous disrespect of adults was subtle but it was there. The irreverence towards the home and the rise of childhood, tween and teen "wisdom" began to be more prevalent. And now, it's no wonder that these 15-18 years olds that we allowed to be indoctrinated by culture and TV are the same ones thinking they know best about just about everything. 

Here's what I am saying. It starts small. And somewhere in all this our love for God has to spur us on to hate evil. And if we don't hate the evil that is enticing our children (and us), do we really love God? I know I am asking a hard question...believe me, I am asking myself too. Bruce and I struggle like most parents to find the balance between holy living and being in this world but not of it. But I am asking myself this question today...Do I love the Lord? Because if I do, His word tells me I will hate evil. Hate...a word that is strong and powerful...a word that we've become accustomed to feel ashamed for saying in today's society for fear of being told we are unaccepting, intolerant or uninclusive. But God's Word trumps the world's word...He says...if you love me, hate the evil...hate the things that I hate, hate the things that entice your children to love anyone, anything more than me. 

We've got to wake up. Evil creeps in and wants to steal our kids by the age of 3-4. Right after the lullabies stop, the evil in this world will be enticing our babies. It's happening. Let's love the Lord enough to hate the evil. And although I don't have all the answers, I know we can start by being more aware and not being afraid to be.the.parent. We can also practice loving the Lord together as families by worshipping and talking about the Lord not just at church, but in everyday conversations that keep the doors open to talk about the hard things kids face today.

I don't know about you but I am so tired of hearing of our kids being sucked into the evil of this world. Let's get back to teaching them to love the Lord. Let's get back to hating evil. Let's get back to paying attention.

Sunday Song

Irony

It's a little ironic that I would begin to blog again at one of the busiest times in my life. Yet...there is a little peace that comes from the quiet moments of sitting down and writing my thoughts. Chaos finds its match in the quiet.

Savannah got her learner's permit this week. It's been an adventure, these first few days of driving. She prefers my coaching so we have been going out each afternoon on our country roads and practicing. She gets better each time she practices... funny how that works.

We are in the midst of moving. With that comes the crazy of cleaning and staging and selling a home...which all happened in about 3 days. Then the packing and the packing and the packing. The chaos abounds.

With this move the family is going in all different directions...some weeks the kids are with me, sometimes with Bruce and sometimes we are all together. We are burning the rubber between here and our new hometown. If you want to know what crazy looks like...look at our debit card record. There are charges from every little town between here and there.

But the irony is...in all of this...we are at perfect peace. There are moments of cray-cray and there are moments of feeling overwhelmed...but never unrest or without the assurance of God's peace. Isn't it beautiful how God gives us peace in the middle of our hectic circumstances?  It's a gift to us, from God, to be able to walk through times of stress, trials, temptations and craziness and still have peace.

I've tried it the other way...I've tried operating in my own strength, in my own way, on my time table and it never works. His way is best...and that's not irony...that's God.

Sunday Song

I've Been Robbed

A couple of years ago, I suspected I was being robbed. It started with what I am sure was a well-meaning text from someone asking me to remove something from social media that I had posted. Because of fear of the person's position, I removed my post. I have regretted it ever since.

I noticed from that point on that I was hyper sensitive about what I wrote, posted or shared on all the different platforms that I participated. I was like the over zealous politically correct Christian, who didn't want anyone disagreeing or offended by Biblical views, my personal preferences or opinions, my school choices for my kids, my political views or my marriage. And in some circles....you'll hear this promoted as "love" and "tolerance". But for me...really it was just stupid fear.

But what came of it??? Nearly 2 years of silence. Nearly two years of typing and then deleting. Nearly two years of God whispering in my ear and me being cowardly and disobedient. Nearly two years of funny memories, sad stories, testimonies, Jesus conversations that haven't been recorded.

And isn't that just what the enemy wants....to silence the good, the truth, the brave, the Jesus conversations, the testimonies???

So guess what??? Here I am after six months of the hardest year of my life and I hear God saying..."begin again". And I am going to obey. 

I've been robbed of the joy of writing, the ministry of encouragement, the gift of laughter, the sharing of tiny bits of God's grace.

But it's not over yet. The losses have been great. The pain has been deep. The struggle has been real.

But I am tired of the enemy getting the last word. So, I am going to obey.

Maybe you're like me and you've been robbed of something...maybe you feel cheated by the actions of someone else. Maybe you're health is failing, your kids are rebellious or your marriage is falling apart. Satan wants nothing greater than to rip those things from you. And maybe he has...but we don't have to let him get the last word. Don't let him rob you of your peace, your comfort, your joy, your love for others.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, He has made everything beautiful in His time.

Don't let the enemy rob you of the beautiful thing God wants to do with your pain.