Enjoying Gifts....

There are a few times throughout the year when I receive gifts from family and friends. I always get excited as those times approach because I like gifts! I could go through the list of favorites but don’t want to bore you with the details. Gifts are usually something that brings value to my life, and by using it I might look better, smell better, or have an easier time with some of life’s tasks. Then there are the gifts that are just for fun. They don’t make me look better, make me smell better, or help me accomplish tasks easier; they are just for my entertainment. I can truly say that I love every type of gift.

God is a God who loves to give gifts. The ultimate gift was allowing His Son to die on the cross so we could have the gift of eternal life. That in and of itself is more than I could ever imagine receiving from God, but he didn’t stop with just that gift. When Jesus returned to heaven after his resurrection, the Holy Spirit was sent to give us power through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2 we see the day of Pentecost, when the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are made available to us, the church. We need to understand that the Gifts of the Spirit are just that—a gift that I don’t have to do anything to receive. The Gifts of the Spirit are given to believers so that they can operate under the anointing and power of God. I believe it is God’s desire for every believer to live daily under the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit, but God will never force us to do it. Just as no one can force me to accept a gift, we need to understand that God will never force us to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. My question is: why would you not want to receive everything God has given for your benefit?

Father's Who Make a Difference

I was blessed to have a dad who displayed his love in many ways. He worked several jobs to provide for our family and allow us as kids growing up to have our mom at home with us every day. In the midst of working all those jobs, he still had time to be home most evenings to sit down with us for family dinner, and he umpired at our little league park where we spent many an evening playing baseball. He taught us the importance of being in church by always making sure his family was at services and Sunday School each week. In fact, there were several years when he was my teacher, and I always enjoyed playing Bible Baseball and other fun games to learn the Bible.

My dad has a way of making us all laugh, even though he’s not as funny as he thinks he is. As kids, we grew up singing a song that he wrote, or tells us he wrote, and we would laugh all the time singing it. And I guess that he must have written it, because I’ve never heard it sung in any church on a Sunday morning. Guess no one ever taught him to copyright and publish his work. My dad taught me the importance of loving God and treating others with love and respect by serving any way necessary to advance the gospel message.

When I think about my life as a dad, I’m baffled by a God who would bless me with two amazingly wonderful children. And now that family has grown to include an unbelievable son-in-law along with a beautiful granddaughter. My desire is to be the same type of leader of my family that my dad was for our family. He did it the same way that his father taught him to lead his family when he was younger. And now I want to teach my son and son-in-law to do it the same way that was passed on to me. What the world needs today is for more men to stand up and be the dad God intends for them to be, leading their families closer to God and being servants showing God’s love to the world around them. Men who can bring joy and laughter to their families as well as create a life-long heritage that will pass from generation to generation. I was blessed to have that in my life and have a great example that I can pass on. If you were not blessed to have the heritage I had, you can create your own heritage. Rise up, dads, and show your family how to serve the Lord.

First Experiences

One of the fun things about life is first time experiences. We’ve all had them, and some bring a big smile to our faces while others make us cringe inside. Well, as new grandparents we are experiencing the joy of watching Brynley experience new things in her young life. This past weekend, when Tami and I got home after attending an open house, we were pleased to see Krystal, Justin, and Brynley enjoying our back yard. They thought it would be a fun day for Brynley to experience our pool for the first time. As they lowered her feet into the pool she began crying because it was a new experience she was not enjoying. I was in total agreement with Brynley because the water was way too cold for swimming. Unless it’s at mild bath tub temperature, it’s just too cold.

I knew what would do the trick and turned on the spa and heated the water to a refreshing 92 degrees. Once the water was at optimal temperature, Krystal took Brynley into the warm water and she had a blast—splashing, smiling, talking, and trying to get her mouth onto the fountain pipe. What a great first time experience. So in the span of an hour, Brynley had one first time experience that brought tears while the other brought a nice big smile.

That’s what life is for each of us. We all have experiences that bring us great joy, while we wish other experiences would just go away. As a part of our spiritual journey, the Lord will bring experiences into our lives that help us develop our faith. Some of those experiences will bring us to the place of saying, “I don’t like this!” Other experiences will bring a smile to our faces because they are so special. Both are needed in our development as believers, so don’t be fearful of first time experiences but instead be open-minded and ask the Lord: What are you wanting to teach me through this? I know I have so many things to learn, and I’m excited about first time experiences that are coming my way.  

What would you do?

I went to a familiar restaurant the other day which is in a nice location, clean, and the meals are good. As the waiter was taking my drink order, I looked up and saw crawling down the side of the booth a roach….sick! When the waiter returned, I pointed out our little friend. He proceeded to knock it off onto the floor but before he could step on it ...the roach was gone. He asked if I still wanted to eat there or if I was going to leave. I decided to stay.....

First, the restaurant was clean they simply had a problem with roaches. The food and service had always been good so we had not complaints from that side of things. This restaurant was located in a place that was nice and if there were roaches in this place then probably most of the restaurants in the area probably had a problem too. So, I stayed. In the middle of lunch the manager approached me very embarrassed and apologetic. He said they have a company that sprays the restaurant but they are in a constant battle to keep the roach problem under control. He said that my lunch was on the house and appreciated me staying to eat there. So here are the lessons learned that day.

There is no perfect restaurant out there that does not have to face problems of some type. In my life, I live with people and have to understand that there are no perfect people I will ever encounter. When the problem was identified the manager accepted responsibility and assured us of the plan in action to correct the issue. Even though I’m around imperfect people do they understand their shortcomings and do they have a plan to correct them or do they simply bury their heads in the sand just hoping they will go away? The manager gave us our meals as a gesture of good will. We did not ask for it and I truly wasn’t expecting it. I had the free choice of walking out or remaining and eating my lunch. I enjoyed my lunch and expected to pay for the service I had received. When those around me hurt me and fail me but want restoration I understand that I have the power to forgive or walk away from them holding onto that hurt. Through our studies on the Fruit of the Spirit we have learned that the mature believer forgives and forgets. They are patient and show kindness and love even though it may not be what is deserved. As a staff, cheap preachers, we left happy that day because we received a free lunch from a man who was trying to make things right. As a believer in Christ I’m supposed to do everything in my power to keep unity in the church. That means that sometimes I may have to comp a meal but in the long run I’ll win because I’ll have gained a friend who will never forget. Yes, we will go back to this place again and no, I will not tell you where we ate!

I Am A Soldier

“I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus is my Commanding Officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of Warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this Army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. If He needs me in Sunday school, to teach children, work with the youth, help adults, or just sit and learn. He can use me, because I am there!

I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up. I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.

I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my king, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom! I am a soldier. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.

I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even.
I will win. My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. I am a soldier. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me and hell cannot handle me!

I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to a captain and then bring me back to rule this world with Him. I am a soldier, in the army and I’m marching, claiming victory.
I am a soldier, marching heaven bound. Here I stand! Will you stand with me?”

Author Unknown

Remembering Those Who Have Given Their All

Next Monday we will be celebrating Memorial Day as a nation. I was reflecting on that a few days ago and remembered a movie I saw several years ago that truly taught me the importance of taking the time to stop and remember those men and women who have given their lives for us to enjoy the freedoms we experience on a daily basis. Memorial Day is not about an agenda or getting something for myself; it is simply stopping to remember.

The movie I’m referring to is called Taking Chance. PFC Chance Phelps was a 19-year-old Marine who lost his life while serving in Iraq. The movie is based on the events when Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, who was the volunteer military escort, accompanied the return of PFC Chance Phelps to his family in Dubois, Wyoming. I was in awe watching the care that was taken to treat Chance with the utmost respect due any man or woman who has given their all for us. The second thing that moved me was watching the respect shown by the general public toward this fallen veteran during his journey home. And last of all, I was moved by the respect that Lt. Col. Strobl showed by never leaving the body of PFC Phelps alone. Even though it was a journey that took a couple of days, he never left the body by itself. As many of you know, I’m a crier at movies that move me, and I’ll tell you that this movie brought me to tears. I truly learned the meaning of honoring those who have sacrificed their all for us and view Memorial Day in a whole new way.

In the same way, Jesus Christ gave his life for us to purchase our freedom. The good news is that he is not located in a grave but instead rose from the dead three days after dying on the cross. Yet, just as I am reminded of what so many have done to secure my liberties as an American, I am in awe that God loved me and you so much that he allowed his Son to give his all so that we could experience the liberating power of God to free us from sin. Every day we need to remind ourselves of the freedom we have because of Christ and make every effort to be a witness to a lost world looking for freedom. Enjoy your Memorial Day and be sure to stop and say a prayer for those families who have lost a loved one serving us, as well as praying for the safety of those who are currently serving. God Bless America!

Have you ever had one of those days?

On Sunday, May 5th, Tami and I left for a weeklong vacation. This is a trip we've done for the past four years so we know the routine, or so we thought. We were up early and left our house by 7:15 a.m. for a 9:25 flight. We decided to use long-term parking, which is where the fun begins. We've used the long-term lot in the past, and I know right where it's located, but for some reason I missed the turn-off and wasted 10 minutes turning around. No big deal—we had plenty of time. After we parked our car, we headed for the buses, and an employee asked Tami if we were getting on the bus. Duh, that's why we're here. We boarded the bus and were off to the terminals. I found it odd that the bus didn't stop at Terminal A but told Tami that he must have asked people while they were getting on the bus which terminal they were going to. As he pulled up to the first stop I told him that we were going to Terminal C. He gave me a strange look and said, "Not on this bus. I only go to Terminals B and E." He told us we could go upstairs and catch a terminal link bus and it'd take us to Terminal C. So we hurried to get our luggage off the bus and headed to an elevator that would take us to the street level to catch the link bus. While standing there waiting on the elevator, Tami looked at me and asked, "Where's our camera?" In our hurry and the frustration of the moment I had left our expensive camera in the luggage rack on the bus. I hurried back outside, but sure enough the bus was long gone.

I immediately called the Remote Parking office—thank goodness for cell phones with internet access—and explained our situation. They contacted the bus driver and he confirmed the camera was there. “If they wait there, I’ll catch them on my next trip around,” he said. We were relieved and knew it would take about 30 minutes for the bus to return. I told Tami that we should check our luggage in and she could go to the gate while I waited for the bus. We proceeded to the airline check-in and ended up getting the slowest airline worker I’ve ever seen. Inside I was nervous, because I knew the bus would be coming, but I couldn’t leave because they wouldn’t take our luggage unless I showed my photo ID. We finally sent our luggage on its way and I hurried back downstairs. I waited for bus number 60 but was not seeing it, so I called back to the office. They were confused because it had passed just a few minutes prior. I explained our luggage check-in and asked how long before it was going to return. She said 25 minutes. We had 50 minutes until our flight left, so I thought, “I’ll wait.” You know, there are times in life when the clock moves so slow, and then there are times in your life when the clock really moves fast. This was one of those times. I waited and waited and no bus…now we were down to 25 minutes until our flight would leave and I still had to clear security. I finally gave up and called the office one last time to tell them I could not wait any longer. I was told the bus would be there in less than 5 minutes but I just couldn’t risk it.

I hurried up to security and now there was a line. It took me 15 minutes to clear security and I was sweating and sick. Tami was going to be sitting on a beach drinking a refreshing drink while I was trying to find another flight. I cleared security and hurried to the gate, and as I was walking up to the ticket line they looked at me, frustrated, and said, “There you are!” I apologized and said the plane could have left without me because my wife was on board and they told me no, the tickets were in my name and they would have had to pull our luggage before the plane would have been permitted to depart. What a morning.

Now there are those who would try to find every excuse as to why things happened the way they did. I want you to know that what happened was just life. We have those days….when it seems as if everything that happens is just not right. That’s life! The devil wasn’t out to get us, God wasn’t doing something to punish us, it was just our choices and mistakes that led to a crazy day. We made it safely to our destination and had a wonderful time! Thanks for all of your prayers while we were gone.

Oh, one last thing, while checking into the hotel, the travel agent at the resort approached and informed me that our return flight to Dallas did not exist…..LOL! That’s a story for another time!