Lessons from an Acorn

I watched him as he picked up the shell. He studied it so closely trying to figure out what it was or was supposed to be. He rolled it over and over in his hand, prodding it with his tiny index finger.

"It's an acorn shell, buddy."

Jackson loves to explore the outdoors but what little boy doesn't?

Taking it in my hand I began to explain, "See, this is the house where a seed lives. God takes this little seed, plants it in the ground, and from this little seed that big tree grows."

I can see from his blank stare that he is taking it all in (or wondering why his dad is trying to explain tree taxonomy to a 2 year old).

I can't help but think about how God can take something so seemingly insignificant and nurture and grow it into a towering tree - a tree that can provide shelter for the birds, food for the critters, and food for a host of other creepy crawlies.

But that is how God works. He chooses people who may seem insignificant in the eyes of society and raises them up for something special.

In the Master Craftsman's hands he will nurture, grow, and form us into someone with great possibilities who can provide a blessing to many others. We just have to let Him.

My little acorn is growing way too fast.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Dusty Swords

One of Casting Crowns' best songs (they have so many) is called "What If His People Prayed." A line in the song goes:

What if the armies of the Lord picked up and dusted off their swords.
Vowed to set the captive free and not let Satan have one more?

What if the church of God was active in this world because they truly believed that God was going to hold them accountable for what they did or did not do for others? Would the world look any different?

What if those who claim to be Christian actually lived their lives like Christ lived his? What would our relationships look like?

What if God's people prayed - I mean intentionally and continually prayed for those who are in charge of this country? What would our communities look like?

Have you convinced yourself that you are doing all you can do?

The results of indifference can be seen on every newscast, in every newspaper, and heard on every radio station. The results can also be seen in the implosion of families and communities around the world.

The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

If the Word of God is going to be active in our lives then I just have one question to answer:

Isn't it time we dusted off our swords?

Home Security

Today was a beautiful day! So beautiful that my 2 o'clock professor decided he needed to go home to get ready for a fishing trip so we were the beneficiaries of his excitement. I got home about an hour early. As soon as I walk in the door our 2 year old son is saying, "Daddy, get tree, get tree Daddy." That is his way of saying "let's go outside." What fun we had watching them play! Callie (our 1 year old) is walking now and they are able to interact in a whole new way.

I was pulling Callie around in the wagon when Tressa called me over to the flower bed. Jackson is standing in front of our ADT Security sign----praying: "...momma-daddy-sissy-nana-poppa-Ty-Tanner-Shan-Jeff-mema..." Tressa said he has been going straight to that sign when they go outside. Sometimes he speaks into the black rubber stopper on the top of the signpost. Apparently, that is his podium. Sometimes he will lead a song from there.

• Every day I wonder how much is getting through to him when we battle over taking a bite of corn or chewing up his meat or drinking all of his milk.

• I worry about saying the right thing in correcting him so that I do not come across as tyrannical.
  

• I worry about how much time I am away at school and then having to study. (Not because his mother does not do an outstanding job with our children because she does!).

Then, on his own, he prays out in the front yard, unashamedly, for everyone to see. I am quickly reminded of Proverbs 22:5,6:

In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Then I thought "how ironic" that a home security sign was the spiritual training ground for our child. That is what I call some real "home security."

Let me always remember the most important things, like teaching my children how to talk to their God who made them so special and full of possibilities.

Corn is probably overrated any way...

Fold up or fly?

We spend a lifetime interpreting and adjusting to reality. Some face greater challenges than others. At this time of year we are reminded of the inevitabilities: death and taxes. There are some who will be tempted to 'opt out'...of taxes or of life.

It is tiring and challenging to walk the right path, the straight and narrow way, every day. It takes a constant commitment and that can be burdensome. However, Jesus calls us to embrace our personal responsibilities and those of others. Mark 8:34-35

The compassionate King of the Universe is in command. God wants us to learn to cast our burdens on him. The shoulders that were big enough to bear the sins of the world are the only ones capable to carry ours.

God does not offer exhaustive explanation for every experience. He revealed his love and glorious purpose - to conform us into the image of Christ. Romans 12:2

God brought the universe out of nothing - order out of chaos - life out of death - glory out of humiliation. He wants to bring us to wholeness through brokenness.

In a storm a rooster will fold up its wings to hide itself. An eagle, in contrast, will spread its wings and soar above the storm.

Are you a rooster...or an eagle. Isaiah 40:30-31

What if...

I do not know to whom I may give credit for these questions. I found them in some old files and they still make me say, "hmm."

• What if God decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?

• What if God couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?

• What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when God sent the rain?

• What if God didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?

• What if God took away the Bible tomorrow because we didn't read it today?

• What if God didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin?

• What if God answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?

• What if God met our needs the way we give Him our lives?

I do not like to dwell in the "what if's," but I had to stop and think.


"Thank you, Lord, for forgiving me of my selfish ways."

1 John 1:5-9

Free Blog Seminar

Here is a worthwhile seminar I want to pass on. If you cannot make the seminar use the link at the bottom of the post for more information or click on the Church Blog Theory logo in the right margin of my blog...Sean


Church Blog Theory –
Engaging the Internet for the Glory of God

• How do we share the message of Christ in the 21st century?

• Can we use digital technology to reach millions? Could social media develop relationships that result in sharing our faith with our community?

• Why aren’t we as the church doing more to engage the world via the internet? Have we hidden our light under a basket? (Ref. Matt. 5:15 NASB) It is time for the church to be the “city on the hill.” Inaction is not an option.

• How do we easily, quickly and effectively have a positive influence on the internet and our community for the glory of God?

Faith Based Blogging
- It is the place where millions of seekers “walk” each day.
- It builds relationships and opens doors for personal evangelism.
- It covers the globe in seconds.
- It is free and easy
- It integrates easily with other mediums of communication.

Church Blog Theory Seminar
Please join us for a free seminar discussing how to use faith based blogging, integrated with other social media, as a strategy to deploy the truth online and develop relationships aimed at sharing Jesus with our community.

Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2009
Location: Harding University, McInteer Room 349
Time: 9am-12noon
Speaker: Ryan Parsons

Program:
- 9-9:50 “A Case for Blogging”
- 10-10:50 “Blogging and Evangelism”
- 11-12 “Getting Started” Optional (bring your laptop)

http://churchblogtheory.wordpress.com

Behold!

In the sermon this morning, our preacher said:

"The stone wasn't rolled away to let Him out. It was rolled away to let us in to see the tomb was empty."

Praise God!

Matthew 28:2-8