Honor Your Father

I was thinking about Father's Day (coming up Sunday if you've forgotten!) and I was thinking about my own dad (yes that's he and mom on their wedding day a LONG time ago). I was thinking about what it means to honor mother and father. For me, both are gone now but as I reflect back on what I learned from them, I realize I CAN honor them still not just by a wistful memory but by an active application of the things they taught me. Dad, for example, passed down to me a good, honest work ethic--how that a job worth doing was worth doing well. He instilled in us boys the thought that God made us in His image as unique individuals and that we could do anything we set our minds to (in the will of God, of course). He gave me a love for communication and encouraged us to notice how well Billy Graham spoke (which eventually brought me to Christ). Dad's example and lessons still linger with me to this day and I appreciate them even now. I think Father's Day will be an excellent time for you to tell you dad SPECIFICALLY what you appreciate about him and how his life has made yours a better one. AS you honor your father here on earth, it will please your Father in heaven!

Jesus, Friend of Little Children

Yesterday I spoke out of Matt 19, how Jesus loved children and spoke of them in relationship to the Kingdom of Heaven. We've been doing a series called, "From the Edge of Eternity" and yesterday covered the issue of what happens to babies when they die. It was a day that brought healing to so many who'd lost babies either after birth or during pregnancy. I love how clear and concise the Scriptures are to give us light into all the darkened corners of our lives. The flock at Calvary Albuquerque is so responsive and energetic--they love the Word and thus it's sheer joy to minister to them.

Ouch!

I don't think Joey Belville is normally accident prone but yesterday he was. Riding his bicycle to the church to set up for Jimmy Needham's concert at "Sunday in the Park" he applied his front brake way too much. But Joey didn't seem to flinch; instead, he "took it on the chin."

Boat Race

Finally the boats came--mostly kayaks and a few canoes. Not many rafts were included (unless they're just so slow that they'll follow in an hour or so). Epic weather and everyone in the boats donned a huge smile!

Winston' View

Lenya, Winston and I took a nice little walk in the clear Albuquerque sunlight to the Rio Grande River to scope out the boats that were slated to race from Alameda Bridge south a few miles. Beautiful morning! I was reading earlier of Jesus' conflict with the Pharisees who were always seeing something wrong with His ministry. His bold claim was, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life." (John 8:12). As you follow Jesus, the clearer will b the view!

Another year...a bright future

The 2008 Pastor's Conference for Calvary Chapels ends. One of the greatest things to experience at the conferences is the dynamic of new and exciting growth. All around the world, these pastors are marching forward to change communities and nations. With a simple trust in the veracity of scripture, a strong sense of calling from God and a reliance upon the Holy Spirit churches are being planted, missionaries sent out and the Kingdom of God expanded. One of the most encouraging signs of life are the number of young pastors in their twenties and thirties who are going out. I love sensing the thrill of adventure in so many of these men and these conferences serve to stoke the fires of those whose adventuresome obedience has waned a bit.

Here's a Thought from Andrew Murray

A friend of mine, Mike Finizio pastors in downtown New York City. He gave me a book at the conference by Andrew Murray, Holy in Christ. Here's an excerpt, 

"There is nothing that has such an attraction for God, that has such affinity for holiness, as a contrite and humble spirit. The reason is evident. There is no law in the natural and spiritual world more simple than that two bodies cannot at the same moment occupy the same space. Only so much as the new occupant can expel of what the space was filled with can it really possess.. In man, self has possession, and self-will the mastery, and there is no room for God. It is impossible for God to dwell or rule when self is on the throne. As long as through the blinding influence of sin and self-love,, even the believer is not truly conscious of the extent to which this self-will reigns, there can be no true contrition or humility." 

Great morning thoughts--to last through the day!