Fellowship ... It's Amazing!!!

Ben wrote a great message on his blogsite yesterday about how beneficial it is to seek counsel from our elders ... I agree ... but it is also nice to be able to seek counsel from our Christian friends that are growing and developing along the path to becoming part of this mature older Christian group. I feel as though God has been disciplining me for trying to deal with things "my way" rather than following "his word and wisdom". It was after some great fellowship with my Christian brothers that I picked up my bible and located the following passage:

Hebrews 12: Verses 5-11
you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Thanks Matt and Ben ... I can see why you guys look so forward to Thursday's Men's Breakfast!!!

and thanks to my beautiful wife ... Love ya Babe!!!

Are you a "Do-er"? or a "Teach-er"?

Have you ever heard the saying:
"Those who can ... Do! and those who can't ... Teach!"

I have heard this many times and have used it a few times myself. I had always thought of this as an insult to those who are in the teaching group. An insult because it meant they cannot do. Again, you will find me reflecting and having a change of heart. I have a change of heart because the more I read my bible the more I see just how important it is to have Do-ers ... but more important is that fact that we need Teach-ers. If you are one that is able to do, you are blessed because people "will see" your faith by your actions. Also, as you are doing, you are building! You are building up your "Personal Textbook" for teaching. For as sure as I know that one day I am going to die ... I also know that one day my body is going to tell me I can no longer do! When that day comes I will not meet it with sadness but rather I will meet it with joy. I will be joyfully because I will know that God no longer needs me to make doing my main focus but rather because of my doing, my faith and spiritual maturity will be at a place were I can comfortably open my "Personal Textbook" and begin focusing more on the teaching of God's Word for all "to hear"!

Now I'm not saying that because you can do you are not expected to teach (or vise versa) ... What I mean is that we are all equipped to do one or the other or both. But whatever it is, we need to make sure that this gift is at the forefront for all to see or hear. At a resent meeting between the elders and deacons the following piece of scripture was read. It's really clear. God has put us on this earth with a purpose and a gift ... The question I have for you is this: Are you a "Do-er" or "Teach-er"?

Romans 12: 1-8
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Who Are We To Judge Our Neighbor?

This has been heavy on my heart lately. I have said it myself and recently I have heard it a lot more often ... but it was not until recently that I realized, in most circumstances, I don't have the right to even say the following phase: "it's too little too late!"

Now if I'm talking about my golf game and I'm 5 shots behind Jim with two holes left to play and I have just made two birdies ... even though I have improved my play, I am not going to be able to catch him ... I don't have enough holes left to play. So yes, in this circumstance it is a case of too little too late. But how can we say this about Our Christian Walk or Our Brother's/Sister's Christian Walk?

How do we really know what we need? How do we really know what is best for us? How do we really know what is best for someone else? Who gave us the power and authority to judge our neighbor?

I am a deacon in my church. I know that I have much to offer and it's because of the grace of God that I can do this. God has given me a gift to be used in away that is pleasing to him. That's the easy part. It's the areas that I am not gifted where it's a struggle. But none the less I need to continually work to improve myself in these areas and to do this I need to be encouraged and supported... OR DO I? ... perhaps some feel any growth I show in my faith from now on is "too little too late" ... I certainly hope not ... I'm going to let God decide that one!

(James Chapter 4: Verses 11-12)
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbor?

(1 Thessalonians Chapter 5: Verses 9-11)
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Parents Just Don't Understand

Now that I am a parent I realize the truth about this statement. However, I think it is more like trying to build a solid foundation for your kids while only having bits and pieces of the building plan.

It's funny, when kids are small they get mad at you, start to cry and then want you to pick'em up to comfort them. I think this is the hardest thing to deal with as they get older. They become teenagers on the verge of becoming adults. They want more independence and want to make decisions for themselves. As a parent you know this and hate it. You hate it because of what you have to give up. Which is being able to protect them. Teenagers think you are trying to control them and they don't always understand why we do what we do. As a parent, it is not always easy to explain why. Leading to the not understanding part.

I am a person who has made many mistakes. I look back and in some cases I see what led me to make these mistakes or stupid decisions. As a parent you want to do all you can to protect your child from making these same mistakes. It can be hard to explain when it hasn't even happened or may never happen to your child. It's not that you don't trust them ... it's that you don't even want them to be put in the situation where they have to make a choice. They don't understand and they feel as though we don't trust them to make the right decision ... We don't understand how they don't see that we are just trying to protect them and have their best interest at heart.

I don't know much. But what I do know is this: I love my kids. The decisions that Meredith and I make in regards to them will always be in their best interest whether they agree with these decisions and understand them or not. And I will always love my kids no matter what. And I know that Meredith and I are not alone in this ... God is with us every step of the way.

I also realize that I have to deal with another truth. Charity and Simon are now at an age where the hugs are less and the independence is more. I have to (but not completely) start to loosen the parent grip so that they can begin making their own decisions. I have to believe that the foundation we have been building is strong enough for them to start building their own life on. I also realize that they will not always agree with or understand our decisions or the advice that we offer, but because we have been there and because we only have their best interest at heart, we can only hope they will listen and follow. In the same way I realize that I am God's child and that he has made decisions and has provided advice for me and because everything he says or does is in my best interest, I need to follow it. I know our kids will not always listen. They will fall and they will get hurt. But Meredith and I will always be there to pick'em up and comfort them. Just as God has done for us.

I am not great, or even good at saying it, but I hope my family knows just how much I love them.

What's Sports Have to Do with It?

Isn't the Bible great ... especially for me since I don't have to read it! ... with BibleGateway.com I can choose any section of scripture and it will read it to me. For someone like me who doesn't really enjoy reading it's fantastic.

But as I read the bible (or should I say 'listen and follow along') I see more and more how my life revolves around it. Christ couldn't be everywhere and do everything all the time. He needed the help of God and his Apostles to teach, show and spread the good news. I have played sports all my life and if there is one thing I have learned from playing, it is this: No matter how good or talented you are, you can't do everything by yourself.

For a hockey team to be successfully you need to work as a unit with each and ever player giving their best at all times. If your talent is scoring goals, you will not asked to play nets ... but you will be expected to skate back and help out your defense and goaltender. Same goes for a defenseman. You will not be expected to score goals every night but you will be expected to try to score when given the opportunity. You see where I am going. The whole key to a successful team is to play as a unit. Congratulating your teammates when they do something good while still supporting them when they make mistakes. Each player has a special gift they bring to the team but that doesn't mean they are not expected to work hard to improve themselves in the areas of the game they find more difficult. You can have a team of superstars. But if they can't or wouldn't play with and support each other that team will fail. (I'm seeing this first hand with my Philadelphia Flyers).

To me my position in the Church is the same. I bring a talent to this family of God and I am expected to use this gift to the best of my ability so that it is pleasing to God. But this doesn't mean that because I may struggle or find other areas difficult, that I do not have to serve in those areas.... Not only do I need to serve but I am expected to serve in those areas. However, if I see a fellow member struggling, I need to help and encourage because this may not be his gift. I know that I struggle daily and I am often looking for help. I want to be successful. But more so, I want my church to be a successful. I also know that for this to happen I need to make sure that I am using my gift to it's full potential while also working to improve on the areas I am less gifted in (or not gifted in at all). For at the end of the day, if I have truly done this and all the members of my team have done this ... WE CAN NOT LOSE!!!

My Daily Walk with Christ

We are not trying to please man but God, who tests our hearts.
(1 Thessalonians, Chapter 2, Verse 4)

My actions as a Christian Brother
As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on Love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians, Chapter 3, Verse 3-4)

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.(Galations, Chapter 6, Verse 2-5)

Regard for My Elders
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews, Chapter 13, Verse 17)

Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. (1 Timothy, Chapter 5, Verse 19-20)

When I Pray
When I pray, I need to pray as the Apostles did in Acts when they had to chose a member of their group to replace Judas. They prayed asking the Lord to show them his will not theirs. No matter what I am praying for I need to ask God what's his will and not mine.

Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas has left to go where he belongs." (Acts, Chapter 1, Verse 24-25)

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.(Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 26-27)

My Christian Life (What does God want from me?)
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.(1 Peter, Chapter 4, Verses 7-11)

As I get older and hopefully a little more mature, I become more and more grateful for the Lord's sacrifice on the cross. I know that each day I fall short of these expectations and I am so thankful that God loves me so much that he would sacrifice is own flesh and blood so that my sins can be forgiven. It's because of this love that I find myself falling a little less each day.

Your brother in Christ,

My Beautiful Family

My Beautiful Wife--My Two Fantastic Step Kids--My Little Girl
Meredith, Charity, Simon and Avelyn.

A Huband/Father couldn't ask for a better family!!!!!

LIFE IS GOOD!!!