Simply Present

 
Count me among the smitten. Our first and so far only grandchild, Conner is going to be a year old in June.
He stays with us during the day when his Mom goes to work so we see him a lot. He is at that wonderful stage where his little face lights up when he sees me.

Who can blame him? He will waddle over to the side of his playpen nearest me, smile and hold his little hands up!

My response?

Pick him up.

Now follows the lesson.

There are times he wants me to get him out of his captivity in the playpen and let him roam free. He wants me for independence only. There are times he wants to be fed or needs to be changed. Sometimes he just wants to be with me. Guess which is my favorite?

Conner is teaching me about the heart of our heavenly Father. How many times do we come to God wanting to get out of our situation or mess? Sometimes we want to be fed or need to get cleaned up for the mess we make of our lives.

But, there are times we just want to know His Presence…Person…Peace.

Take a moment, read a small portion of the Word, quiet your heart and simply enjoy Him. Don’t talk or tell Him what you want or what you are going to do for Him. Just let Him love you. Ps 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Choose Travel Companions Wisely

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.(Proverbs 13:20 )
Charles “Tremendous” Jones was a successful businessman, author and speaker. His signature theme was “the things that most determine the difference in who you are today and who you will become in 5 years are the books you read and the company you keep.”

Others say you become like the 5 people you spend the most time with. I used to tell my youth group, your friends determine your future.

To walk with someone, you must be facing the same direction.

Walk also means being in motion and going somewhere. I love to see elderly couples, anyone older than me, walking together in public and talking with one another. It is really touching when they are holding hands.
What are some ways to walk with the wise? What do you take in through your eyegate? What do you read…see on the internet…or watch on videos? I have long ago quit watching the TV news. It does not help me grow as a person, husband, father or friend.

What do you take in through your ears? Is it lyrics and language that builds you up or is filled with cursing that would make a sailor blush? Want to have some fun? Sit down with your kids or grandkids and go over the lyrics to the songs on their Ipod. Be ready for CPR when you hear what some of them listen to.

Another way to walk with the wise is read books or websites that are affirming or inspiring. I commend www.breakfastwithfred.com to one and all. Get books by some of biblically based ministers. A good way to determine a good, biblical author is when you finish reading a message or article does it make you hunger even more for the Word itself?

Choose wisely.

Know about or know personally

 
Psalms 103:7 said God made His ways known to Moses but his deeds to Israel. What a contrast. Israel was content to base their belief about God on their external senses. They wanted to see God do for them or unto their enemies. When God did not seem to be paying attention, all restrictions on behavior and morality went out the window. Many people live the lives of area code Christians. They believe when they get out of their area code, it’s like God does not care or is not paying attention. Take a Caribbean cruise to see how this works.

Moses however knew more than just the actions of God. He knew the heart and motives of God. Ex 33:11 says ^“Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” WOW! If we really got to know and spend time with God, He would speak to us plainly, intimately, helpfully as friend to friend. A friend does not always demand an explanation, but always supports. Sometimes a friend just sits with you and does not say a word. You are comforted just by their presence. A friend sticks closer than a brother. A friend walks with you through the valley of the shadow of death. A friend might even die for you.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

That little voice you hear in your heart? That’s your Friend saying, “Let’s spend some time together…maybe even talk!”

What if God used Social Media?

Much of communication today comes via social media. Let’s try to imagine if God used social media.

What’s God’s Facebook page look like? Would you Friend Request Him to see if He accepted you? Would you have alerts sent to you by phone, text or email when He had something to say? What do you think would be His interest and hobbies? (Savior & Sovereign of the Universe?) Would you have many friends in common?

What about God’s Twitter? He has an account. It is a collection of short, witty and wise saying that are 140 characters or less. They contain insight on speech, relationships, work, companions, diligence, discernment, protecting marriage, adultery and other areas of personal lives. It’s called the book of Proverbs. There are 31 chapters so read a chapter each day of the month. Set aside 10 minutes to read His twitters daily. Then, put them into practice. Hey, go ahead and retweet them to your followers. (You will appear wise beyond your years.)

How about God on YouTube? There are four channels I like best: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They paint a picture of Jesus Christ from four unique viewpoints. Matthew appeals to the Jewish foundation of the faith. Mark shows a man of action. Many chapters begin with the words, “and then” showing Jesus in continual motion. Luke is the physician’s account. We see that especially at the Cross. John is the enraptured, tongue tied soul caught up in the glory and passion for the Beloved of God.

If you like history, read and use your imagination to see the action in Acts. Finally, forget action movies. They pale in comparison to the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Incredible imagery of purity…power…passion. I admit, I skipped ahead to the end of the story. We win. Jesus is Victor and our victory.

I’ll be praying for you!

“I’ll be praying for you”.


Someone at church shares a need or concern about health, finances, family or any of a thousand subjects that trouble them. We want to do and say the right thing so we say “I’ll pray for you”…then we forget.


The exception to this is my mentor and role model in ministry, Dr. Hoyte Nelson, Pastor Emeritus FBC, Slidell.


He embodies compassion and concern. He walks with God. He talks with God. I think he and God are best friends.


Twenty two years ago, after my first week on staff at FBC, I saw Dr. Nelson in the sanctuary just before the morning service. He came to me and clasped my hand and asked how I was doing. I told him I was excited at the opportunity to here, but missed my family who would not be moving to Slidell for another 3 weeks. I asked him to pray for them. That was Diana, who was 7 ½ pregnant with our 3rd child Hope, our son Billy age 4 and first daughter, Grace 19 months. Dr. Nelson said he would pray and I thought that was the end of that. Wrong.
Dr. Nelson closed his eyes and began to pray aloud…right there…right then. Didn’t he know people were watching, the service was about to begin, that I felt awkward?


He didn’t seem to mind. Why? He was talking to the Father on my behalf. I don’t remember the words of what he prayed but the moment will be forever pressed into my heart. There have been numerous times since then I have sought him out. I always enjoy the simplicity, sweetness and purity of his heart before the throne of God.


Try this next time someone asks you to pray for them. You’ll both be blessed.

Set Sean Free…Indeed

In Louisiana few things that stirs passions like the New Orleans Saints. Who does not remember where they were the moment we beat the Vikings with an overtime field goal? Starting the second half of the Super Bowl with an onside kick? Tracy Porter’s interception and TD? None of the 100 million female viewers will forget when Drew Brees, with tears in his eyes, was holding his little boy saying “I love you!”

Lately, it has been rough times for the Saints as Bountygate has come out. Football fans love the collisions in the sport and huge hits. But, I don’t think any of us really want to see a player’s career ended on the field, especially for a bounty that pays less than 1/10 of a percent of a player’s annual salary.

Yet when the punishments were handed down, we were up in arms.

I have seen posts on Facebook and pictures on Twitter saying Free Sean Payton. I agree. He should be free and I know how.

John 8:32 Jesus said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

It reminds me of why Martha Stewart went to jail. She was not convicted of insider trading but lying to federal investigators and obstruction of justice.

Same for Coach Payton. When you lie to the ultimate boss, Goodell, and then expect others to lie for you, many times you will get caught and punished.

I want to see Coach Payton set free as well…just from a different prison. Like all of us, he needs to be set free from the prison of sinful pride. Let’s pray his year off to spend time with his family will help him gain perspective, passion and rest. Let’s pray he comes back knowing He Who is the truth and sets us free.

Bless you boys!

Watch what you say!

When we go to church on Sundays, we often get caught up in unintentional but habitual lies. What? Lying in church, who would have imagined?


What is the most common lie on Sunday morning? That’s too easy. It’s response you hear when you see someone and ask “How are you?”


Quick, what’s their automatic...thoughtless…insincere response? “I’m fine!” There it is! Right there in God’s house, or at least on His parking lot.


We begin our Lord’s Day expressions by lying to one another.


God has a lot to say about being honest and speaking to one another with integrity. Mean what you say…say what you mean.


Ephesians 4:25 “ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”


Colossians 3:9 “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”


Why do we tell this Sunday morning lie?


Because we have believed a lie.


The enemy lies and tells us things like “no other family has disobedient kids…financial pressure…marital stress.” Let me use a Greek word for that…BALONEY.

John 8:44 “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Any family that pretends they have it together is lying to you and themselves.


The real missed opportunity is that when people become real and vulnerable, God can really work.


Risk the trauma of transparency and tell someone the truth next time they ask how you are doing?


They’ll either not hear you, be speechless or may give you a hug.