The Dad of the Taggs

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Simple concept that is making an impact

I feel like I should have known this. I mean scripture says that we love Him because He first loved us. But, the scripture seemed to be "simple"...well, sure, God loves me. :-) However, I was listening to a book on my iPod (thanks for the iTunes card kids!!) written by C.S. Lewis called "The problem with pain." and he stated something I knew in a way where I realized that I didn't KNOW it. It's hard to explain...but, that revelation of, "Ohhhh, that's what it meant." came to me.

So many times we overcomplicate things. Even our Christianity gets complicated by our own ignorance. Often I think things like..."hey, that was a work for the Lord. He'll want to high five me when I get to heaven!"...well, maybe. But, in it's most simple and beautiful form the realization of why we exist has been explained even more acutely by CS Lewis. Are you ready for this very profound thought? He states we're here to be loved by Him. A love that surpasses any love we've ever known or could even understand. It's not about what I do or how I worship or how "good" of a person I am. But, to allow your self to be loved by the Creator.

I asked myself a question..."Do I feel loved?"

Emphatic and exuberant, "Yes."

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Monday, June 28, 2010

Understanding...

I think that we take a lot for granted when we speak to our children...or, at least I have been. I have assumed that meanings to words like "humility" and "pride" were known by them. Why in the world would I think that!!!

We had good table talk last night where this was revealed, witnessed and made an example of.

I need to be sure the kids are understanding the words and intentions of my words more clearly. That's going to take work...but, they are worth it. :-)

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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

What is fretworthy?

As I wallow in my self-pity - God is faithful to occasionally open my eyes to the real issues of life. I received an email that contained the following:

"After a yearlong battle with brain cancer, Jennifer's dad passed away this morning around 6:00 a.m. His wife and his children were all able to say goodbye, and we are thankful that he is in Heaven now and experiences no more pain. Thank you for your prayers!"

As my wife and I are driving to vote - we pass an older lady pushing a younger lady in a wheel chair. The young lady in the wheel chair had an apparent ailment that kept her arms in certain positions and it was apparent that the wheelchair was necessary for any mobility....as we passed by, the sun was in the young ladies face...a smile, that was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, flashed across her face. A smile.

Thankful? Smiling? In times of sadness and in a situation that seems hopeless to so many. What do they know? What have they learned?

Matthew 5:2-12

²And^(C) he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

³^(D) "Blessed are^(E) the poor in spirit, for^(F) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴"Blessed are^(G) those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

⁵"Blessed are the^(H) meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶"Blessed are those who hunger and^(I) thirst^(J) for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

⁷"Blessed are^(K) the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

⁸"Blessed are^(L) the pure in heart, for^(M) they shall see God.

⁹"Blessed are^(N) the peacemakers, for^(O) they shall be called^(P) sons^[a] of God.

¹⁰^(Q) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for^(R) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹^(S) "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely^(T) on my account. ¹²^(U) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for^(V) so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

My new definition

What is a "really good" friend? Here's the new current Mike T definition:

Someone that treats you like family - inconveniences themselves, spends a lot of money to get to where you are and participate in what you are doing - someone that will sing with you, laugh and cry with you. Someone that wants to share their time and presence and has no idea of what a gift their presence is!

My daughter graduation ceremony was Saturday - it is a great milestone for us as a homeschooling family to have our first graduate and we are even more excited for our remaining children. During the brief time we lived in Colorado we made some very dear friends...friends as I just defined them! It was a very special time for our entire family. Thank you guys!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Bezeekers is 3

It's a difficult angle..but, there are 3 candles on that cake! Our youngest young man turned three very recently. Happy birthday!!

It's not the Mike show!

Just a little revelation provided by my wife...

I have the fortunate blessing to play guitar for our worship band at church. I play electric guitar while the leader plays an acoustic guitar. I love getting the feedback from my kids after worship..."that was a cool sound" or, "that song was great".. Lately, they now give me a report, "I couldn't hear you". Honestly, at first it kind of bugged me. I mean, if I can't be heard, why even be up there. But, then I would think...that just means I am blending in well...it's fine.

Then, the other night, I was playing bass for the kids during a party my daughter was having. My "equipment" is attached to the kitchen and my wife was doing some cleaning up. She was perturbed with the volume of my bass....

In both cases my wife would say, "It's not the Mike show.."

Yep, I totally agree and wouldn't want it to be. However, I do like to hear if what I was doing was pleasing...but, feel if I ask that I am seeking praise. So, there's a fine balance on getting feedback v. seeking praise.

Oh, well..I'll just keep doin' what I'm doin', keep the ol' trap shut and try to make sure it ain't the Mike show!

Rock on!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Recent reminders...

1 John 3:9-10

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

I love these verses. I am going to start referencing them a lot when I am working with my boys. I know that the word "brother" means our brothers in Christ, however, there is a special emphatic "umph" that will work to my advantage when I encourage them that some particular act wasn't very loving.

It's often easy for my sons to see that what they did wasn't loving at all...and repent. Since they are young and there aren't many outside influences, repentance comes quickly to them. It's such an encouragement to see the Lord working in their life that, since they have professed the Lord Jesus as their savior, they are born of God and are practicing this very verse. No Christian will ever be perfect until the Lord makes us that way. But, we, as believers, should not "make a practice of sinning'. The Spirit works within us and leads us to repentance.

I recently read a book called "What he must be if he wants to marry my daughter" by Voddie Bauchum. I learned a lot about what a young man needs to be to even come to call on my daughter...things that 1) I fall way short of 2) want to become myself... But, I think the most important thing in the whole book was helping me understand even more what a Christian actually is. Many people know the sweet little catch phrases that aren't even scripture per se...like, "I invited Jesus in my heart", or "I walked the aisle"... That's not what a Christian is though. Voddie did a great job using the typical pastoral teaching alliteration with the letter "R"...

Regenerate

Repentant

Renewed

Regenerate - born again. The mercy and free gift that no man can acquire on his own - God's grace. It's simply unattainable with out God giving it to us. We must be born again.

Repentant - we are sinners - we know that...but like the passage I lead this email with, "he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God" No bad tree gives off good fruit, no good tree gives bad fruit. What fruit are we bearing? When, not if, we bear the bad fruit, is there repentance...do we even know what that means?

Renewed - We are a new creation - Sometimes we forget that and get caught up in the "stuff" of this world. The distractions...Pastor Dale Thompson refers to it as the devil's World System. We need to do the things to refresh us and reinforce our new creation. We have to "feed" that which we want to be evident to all....stay in your bad habits, etc if you want to feed the old sinful self. Join a bible study, be accountable to someone, etc. if you want to feed your newly created, mercifully given self.

What an encouragement to know that the mighty creator reminds me of my shortcomings in such a loving and caring way. That, through other believers like Voddie Bauchum, He reminds me of His timeless truths and perfect precepts. Just more evidence that He loves me...

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Happenings

As life spins dramatically by, certain things cause you to slam on the brakes and make sure you "try" to get something right. I had taken a day off of work to contemplate some things and keep a commitment I had made.

My daughter walked into my room in the middle of the night one night a couple of weeks ago. She hands me a book and asks me to read it. The name of the book is "What He Must Be...if he wants to marry my daughter" - Voddie Baucham. Already being a fan of VB, I gladly accept.

Bear in mind that I haven't read a book cover to cover in YEARS! Typically, I buy them for my ipod and listen to them. But, I'll get to it. I'll keep my word......eventually.

Fast forward to Sunday afternoon about a week and a half after I've been given the book. By the way, the book is in the exact same place she left it. It's not that I wasn't going to read it..I just needed to prioritize and get to it. I really wanted to, it just seemed so unimportant and unnecessary. "SEEMED"...key word.

I was facebooking on Sunday after a most excellent lunch. I was enjoying that fact that we had company and the weather was perfect and I didn't have a LOT to do. As I am finishing up with catching up on facebook, one of our guests ask if they can talk to me in private. Sure!

He followed me to the semi-private garage (as there is really no private place in my entire house) - as I turned to face him, I could tell he was nervous. He asked with (what appeared to be) all the courage he could muster, "I would like to ask your permission to court your daughter." - <gasp> ....speechless. Not because it was an inappropriate question or anything like that....I was extremely unprepared.

Moral of the story - when your daughter hands you a book on how to evaluate potential suitors, either read it or move to a different state! ;-)

To be sure, this young man seems to have the makings of a great son in law and more importantly, a prophet, priest, protector and provider for my precious, sweet daughter. - I am looking forward to know him better.

Friday, April 9, 2010

The things I learn

Things I learn from my kids:

The latest thing is about being tough - My babyest boy was in a phase of his life that required crying about every little thing when something "happened" to him. For example, if he fell on the concrete and got a bleed...there'd be tears and some added vocal activity. That kind of thing...Since he's been a baby we've tried to help him control his emotions. Like when he erupts into tears about something that hasn't gone his way, we are able to tell him to stop doing that, and for the most part, he does. This is another phase of that lesson. When we get hurt, our reaction should be more than just a reaction...it should communicate the severity of the issue to those around so others can respond or help appropriately. So, if he falls and skins his knee, it should not be the same level of angst from him as if his knee were to have fallen off. And, that's exactly the phase he was in. The level of pain or problem was irrelevant, he was victimized and the world was going to know about it.

Well, as we've worked with him, he's learned quite well. Last night, he was standing by our soccer goal...one of the older boys absolutely ripped a shot and hit babyest boy right in the gut. He staggered for a second...all of his peers and I move toward him not knowing how bad he'd react...I asked, "you ok?". He looked at me and his face was looking like he was holding his breath because it had been knocked out of him..That always terrifies me when it happens to me. Yet...he uttered in a fashion where you don't have any air to say a word.."yep"....and finally caught his breath and walked off.

Man, that dude is tuff! A few minutes later I absolutely blasted a shot that caught him on the back of the legs from across the yard...when he got back up, he just continued with what he was doing...

Another lesson about being tough - My middle boy has this new saying. I don't know where he got it...but, I love it. He USED to say..."That's fine." when he was hurt or something happened that he didn't like. But, his new phrase is now a favorite. The other day we were doing something outside and he somehow got "nailed" in a painful way (I think by me.)..the reason I think that is because that's when I first heard him say the phrase. As I apologized he looked right at me and said, "It's ok...it's part of it."

All of the kids have done the same in some way lately that has made me so proud...

Those things have made me reflect on how I respond to adversity and things that go against how I'd expect them to go. Most of the time, I throw a "fit" that would lead someone to believe that the thing happening right then was the absolute most critical thing EVER. But, if I'd just step back and apply the lesson I've learned from my kids I might catch my breath and say..."it's ok...that's just part of life"..

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Shameful.

It's really a shame that the way that the lost see Jesus is through the found. It seems that a lot of the non-believers are so disenchanted by the representative. I know that I fall so short and continually fail to take it as serious as it actually is. I get too busy living life and forget what is important. If it mattered more to me, wouldn't I work harder at it? Hum...work at "it"? Yes, there are works even though there is grace. There are works...but, not the kind that we are judged by...the kind that a new creation wants to "do" to love and serve. Things to do such as treating others with respect. Helping the poor and needy. Explaining the good news to the lost. These are things that I believe wholeheartedly - and the world will hate me because of it. The reason - EXCLUSIVITY...but, that's a topic for another time.

But, I get so discouraged by how I (and others) represent our Creator, our Savior, our Lord. I believe Gandhi once said, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." and "If all Christians acted like Christ, the whole world would be Christian." (Actually, in my opinion, the second quote is wrong. Since, He was alive and acted like Himself and so few believed...) Doesn't this even force the believer to love Him more...that He was so perfect, so unlike us...unblemished in every way, unstained and pure in thought, action and deed. That's what made Him the ultimate and required sacrifice. Yet, I continually forget that. As my pastor would say in his best Arkansan draw, "Hwai?" (That's Arkanese for "why")...Even the co-stars of the Bible struggled with this matter - I think Paul said it best "Why do I do the things I hate"

We can through out philosophical jargon and even scripture to explain it. But it comes down to me and my choices. I choose me. I choose to make myself comfortable. I choose to be self sufficient. I choose to be this way.

So, you may ask, "how's that working out for ya?"

I want to choose someone else........