Legacy

There are all kinds of legacies. There are bad legacies, good legacies and lasting legacies. When we walk through life, blindly unaware of the impact we have on others as we strive for happiness and fulfillment, we are centering on self and leaving a legacy of Narcissism. There are “heroes” who have left a legacy of generosity, genius, compassion and all sorts of good things who did so in a spiritual void. Jesus was not a part of their journey. They were just good people. They left a good legacy.

I want to leave a lasting legacy of eternal significance. The kind of legacy that makes “me” invisible so that others see only the reflection of Christ. That’s a tall order and I know that it is a destination I cannot reach, no matter how hard I paddle. I must instead trim my sails to catch the breath of God speaking to my heart and surrender to the gentle breeze or gusting wind He will send to get me back on the proper course.

If we are to impress upon others the beautiful urgency and exciting adventure of following God, we must realize that we have been set free from the need to follow our own path and have been liberated to walk unashamedly, in complete surrender, with Jesus on a glorious journey toward the purpose He created for us.  Some days I fail. You will, too. But each day is a new opportunity to allow God to chart your course toward the legacy upon which He has already inscribed your name.

“For we are God’s masterpiece.

He created us anew in Christ Jesus

 so that we can do the good things

He planned for us long ago.”

Ephesians 2:10 (nlt)

Back To School

Our church is full of ministers who daily share the love of Jesus in the workplace. We have those in the medical field that save lives and restore health, those in management positions who exhibit integrity in a world where values are often pushed aside; those who extend the hand of kindness and generosity to their fellow workers, who can listen to a client and offer words of encouragement, who dedicate themselves to being the hands and feet of Jesus in the community.

So, you may ask yourself… why is it that every year at this time we make such a big to do about those who work in our school systems? My simple answer to that they are the ones who have the potential to alter the lives of many children by being followers of God who are daily transmitting His love and His light in a society that no longer allows us to openly share His story.

The prayer we say over them is not because they are great, but because they must become great in the eyes and hearts of children if they are to be God’s witness of love and light as they lead. They are not valued more highly than anyone else in this place, but we give them a token to act as a constant reminder that they are God’s Ambassador to the most tender of hearts, the most impressive minds and the most vulnerable lives among us.

Lord, keep our teachers as clay in your hands, shaping them into the leaders you created them to be. Make them a vessel of your love, spilling out to children who so desperately need to be loved and valued. Work through them, in spite of the foolishness of a law that forbids mention of You in the classroom and remind them that their primary task is to be a reflection of the One who knows them best and loves them most."

Things You Won't Overhear In A Coffee Shop

Sometimes we accidentally overhear things that we wish we hadn't about a husband or wife's attitude toward their spouse. Often the words are dripping with pain and a spirit of vengefulness. However, here are some things you are not likely to overhear...

·         “I hope my son grows up and marries someone who can turn a cold shoulder toward him as well as I do to his father.”

·         “I hope my daughter grows up and marries someone  who is as inconsiderate of her feelings as I am of her mother’s feelings.”

·         “I hope our kids find bitterness and anxiety in marriage. It works well for us.”

If we want the best for our kids, we have to model it. Jesus came from heaven to do that for us, so it can’t be that difficult to leave our self-centeredness to model unselfishness for our kids, right?

Actually, it is difficult. Somewhere in the center of the Garden of Eden our DNA changed from a willingness to submit and follow the lead of our Creator to a willfulness that drives us to look for ways to disregard the standard set by him and find our own way. Whenever we are centered on finding what pleases self, we know we – just like Adam and Eve - are headed directly into the path of pain and separation from the One who loves us best. Why not try making your attitude reflect the attitude of Christ, who…even though he was God in the flesh…

“did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself NOTHING, taking the very nature of a servant… he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even the cross!”   from Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)

God isn’t asking you to be nailed to a cross for your spouse. He is simply asking you to love with a love that puts their needs ahead of yours. He implores you to ask the question, “How can I help?” To risk knowing exactly what they need from you to keep their emotional tank full so they can better submit and love selflessly. That's what I want for my kids! How about you?

Creator, open our hearts to see the joy in following Your example and serving one another in love. Help us to learn to love as you have loved us; to be full of mercy and grace; to be willing to honor one another above ourselves."

Dress for Success... In Marriage

     The best way to put a marriage relationship to death is to see it as a means to fulfill your desires. Marriage isn’t about “me.” Marriage is about “us.”  The only way to make an “us” is to realize that our “earthly nature” desires to be right, surrendering to the desire to be vindicated when we have been hurt or wronged. That mentality boils down to putting self ahead of all, which is idolatry, and focusing on how we can get our perceived needs met above all else (Colossians 3:5). This is the way Satan wants our marriages to be, because relational sickness and death brings anguish to the One who loves us so much that He gave it all so we could be transformed and our relationships could be as He desired from the beginning.

     Paul asks us to strip ourselves of that behavior and thought pattern and instead “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may 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 3:12-14)

    So, what is the outcome of changes from the old way of thinking to the new? A love that leads to a longing to submit to one another, a compassion that teaches and guides children with patience and gentleness, and heaps of God’s grace that helps us to become someone that we never dreamed we could be. That grace also picks us up and dusts us off and bids us to try again each time we fall short of God’s standard. Never give up! Your family is worth your effort!

"Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged... 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, 

as working for the Lord, not for men,

 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

 It is the Lord, Christ you are serving."  

Colossians 3:18-21, 23

  God, don’t let us settle for the standard of living, designed to better fit our reality, leaving us trapped in messy and unfulfilled relationships, but open our eyes to see what we could have if we follow Your design for our marriages which brings peace, joy, and an outpouring of Your grace. Remind us that in all our relationships you are there receiving whatever we dish out. Amen!

The Bridge to God

Ok, mom and dad, have you ever thought of yourself as a bridge? That is exactly what you are as you are the means to transport your kids from childhood to adulthood; from immaturity to maturity; from irresponsible to responsible… well, you get it!

The most important journey they will ever travel on the bridge of life is their spiritual journey. Are you equipped to be the bridge to take them to a fuller understanding of the magnitude of God’s mercy and grace? 

 Like any good bridge, the strength and stability comes from the materials and the engineering.  So, take a look inside. What are you made of…religious fluff or a real relationship with Jesus Christ? I hope your kids don’t have to cross Lake Michigan on a puff of cool whip! How are you put together? Have you grown in your faith enough to allow God to engineer you to His specs… or do you just try to get by with the least amount of change? What is supporting your belief system? Some tradition you have held on to or the actual truth found in the Word of God. 

"Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts.

 Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. 

Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; 

talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.

 Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; 

 inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (The Message)

”Lord, make us strong and true so that we can provide the 

means for our children to cross into a 

mature and lasting relationship with you.”