Family

My mom, dad and grandmother are visiting and I find myself struggling with something. I really love that we pray at meals, but, my extended family are not believers. They participate but I can tell they are uncomfortable and that makes me nervous...so, I had been praying for us before they joined the table...but, that might give the kids the impression that I am ashamed. It's hard to pray when you know there are those around the table that are staring at the top of your head as they don't participate. They are good sports about it and hold hands with everyone. But, my dad occasionally utters a "geez" when it's time and I really don't like an authority figure doing that...

What to do?

2 Sets of kiddos

I have 2 sets of kids…the first are the pre Vas kids and the others are post Reversal kids. There are about 4 years separating the 2 groups. The first group of kids are amazing young people now. They all appear to love the Lord and love service to Him. They are amazingly well mannered, sweet and pleasant to be around. We all have flaws and they do to..but, for the most part they are perfect.

 

This post is about my 2^nd set of kiddos. They are also extremely wonderful, well-mannered and pleasant. But, they are the unfortunate recipients of older, less aggressive parenting. I often wonder how things will turn out with them. It seems like they get the short end of the stick from me. It's so easy for me to expect the same things from them as I do their older sibs. For the most part, they live up to it. I can't help but think that they are only "responding" and not really understanding. My memory may be way off but with our first group I seem to recall taking the time to explain things, having the energy to respond immediately to situations that need attention. Now, it's more like I just want "it" done – without the work or explanations and I think my littles are the ones that will pay the price for it.

 

I need to focus more energy and patience with them. They are amazingly eager to please and as they get older, I need to spend the time to make sure there's more understanding and less, "Cuz I'm the dad" reasoning. They need to be prepared and not surprised by what the world is like – I need to teach it to them…Teach = work. Like everyone else, I need more energy and hours in the day to accomplish this. However, there will be opportunities for me – now, if I would only take advantage of them.

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Lifting up

When I was reading John 3 I noticed something that didn't stick out before. Jesus was talking with Nicky and talking about being born again and believing on Him. The he stated that, like Moses did to the serpent, believers would need to lift Him up ... Actually, here's the verse from the ESV translation:
Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:11-15 ESV)

I think this is what Jesus is referencing:
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food." Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live." So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. (Numbers 21:4-9 ESV)

Once everyone who is bitten sees it, they shall live. Even though the are repentant, it didn't remove the punishment. But, God provides salvation from His wrath. So, we are bitten, we need to look upon Jesus who was raised up on a cross in order to live...

Looking back

I find myself looking backward a lot. For example, when I see a picture of my family from when we lived in Colorado, I think of how I really liked that place. It makes me long to go back. I really have to purposefully recall reasons why we left. Then, I usually move on just remembering about some of the good times we had or benefits of that place.

When you're thinking of how great something was and constantly looking back it's hard to see what you're walking toward. It's part of the reason we left Colorado. We kept looking back and longing for what was or what we had back here.

The moral of the story is that if you have divided interests, it's impossible to give 100%.

We are considering churches right now. The issue that's becoming painfully obvious in dividing interests between churches is this very matter. We look over our shoulder at each church thinking, if this one had that or that one had this.

Just like being lulled, I think this needs careful examination and a tough decision. I am having a hard time reconciling the spilt interest...

Lulled Part 3

I had a great conversation with one of my good friends about this topic last night. He has struggled with this issue as well and has resolved a few things in his mind and he shared them with me and asked questions and quoted scripture.

One important resolution was a question: what did Zaccheus do after he made all things right? What about all the people that saw Him after He raised from the dead. Scripture said there were 500 that saw Him. Furthermore, he mentioned how Paul was a full time missionary...and had the support from Christians in many of the cities that he visited. The point is that there were people that are the supporters. Those that do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with their God. These folks love the lord and glorify them in their day to day activities and aren't necessarily mission folks or pastors or anyone that had a great calling...

It was a good talk.

Lulled part 2..

I have been listening to a book called "Radical" by David Platt. It's exposed quite a bit about this lulled topic. I have also corresponded with one of my very good friends who has also had excellent information. Let me try to sum them both up.

Radical makes great statements about how we aren't going all out for Jesus. More like, making Him "work" around our lives. Furthermore, it really highlights those that have committed to him and the results in their lives. It's very convicting. Many could consider this book as a saved by works kind of book. That we need to DO things to make God happy. But, I disagree. To me this book assumes you already understand some basic "Christianese". I think this book falls in the category - "Saved by grace alone, by Christ alone...now what" category. Just like Crazy Love is. I don't think it's fair to assume that these books are for those that are seeking how to start a relationship with Jesus...but, how to continue and abide in Him according to scripture and the Holy word.

I think this is a confusing issue to some (like my good friend for instance). And, I am not saying that I have it all figured out or understand the authors motives, etc. I am just listening to it from where I am now. Not as a seeker of salvation - but, one that wants to fully understand what a relationship means beyond salvation. If that makes any sense at all. In addition, I am trying to weigh it all against scripture and (or attempting to) discern truth.

Currently, I think the song by Matthew West sums up where I am in a very basic regard. The song is called "My Own Little World".

My Own Little World
In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world
Population me

I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church
I throw a twenty in the plate, but I never give ’til it hurts
I turn off the news when I don’t like what I see
Yeah,it’s easy to do when it’s
Population: me

What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world oooh

Stopped at a red light, looked out my window
I saw a cardboard sign, said “Help this homeless widow”
Above that sign was the face of a human
I thought to myself, “God, what have I been doing?”
So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye
Oh how many times have I just passed her by?
So I gave her some money then I drove on through
And my own little world reached
Population two

What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world yeah, yeah
My own little world oooh

Father break my heart for what breaks Yours
Give me open hands and open doors
Put Your Light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me

What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
That I could be living right now
I dont want to miss what matters
I wanna be reaching out
Show me the greater purpose
So i can start livin right now
Outside my own little world oooh
Outside My own little world yeah yeah
Outside My own little world oooh

Here's the video for context



To be continued...have any questions so far??

Lulled to sleep?

Have we been lulled to sleep by the American "dream"? House, car, kids, dog, debt and God on his designated day...for our comfort and convenience?

Should we really have Christian books on managing debt? Should a Christian be in debt or, a step further...should a Christian seek the things of the world? I am confused on so many issues with this. Some modern authors talk about how we have created our way of Christian life and molded God around it. Then some would speak if how we God isn't against us having the "stuff" but our love for it.

I am listening to more books and reading more on this subject in scripture and plan on posting my findings.

Do you have any thoughts on the matter?

A lot of times

I think I understand things...a lot if times I learn something new that can either reinforce what I know or open my eyes to my error. How I respond to learning of my errors probably says a lot about me.

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Inconsistent

They don't view God as near because I don't. Therefore, some of our family struggles are founded by the value of the consequence of individuals actions. When they might be able to get away with things because the "authorities" aren't present. They lack the view if whom the authority is...

Will you really

I was giving thought to why certain important people in my life would prefer to not listen to my advice. When I coach soccer, most if not all are paying attention to my words. There's an understanding that I have experience or understanding in an area that they may not. Most of the kids I recently dealt with are far more skilled with the ball than I am but, they seem to trust me that I can see something that they can't. And my words are for their profit...not mine. Even at work, there's some of the same.

However, when I get home there's a certain someone that says they value me more than anything on this planet. Yet, my words are very ineffective.

I suppose it might be the manner in which it's delivered..But, it feels like lack of trust.

We definitely need to work on this.