Stinky Feet

"What's that smell," I wondered.  A quick look around my bedroom did not produce any obvious objects of odor.  Then, I realized; it was my shoes.  The stench of my sweaty feet had permeated the inner fabric of my footwear.  "Whew!"  Jesus, as well, had an experience with stinky feet at a dinner with his disciples; "he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:3-4)

Jesus, their Lord and teacher, took time to wash these sandal wearing, dust covered, nasty feet of twelve grown men.  Why?  Jesus explains, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13:15-17)

Jesus demonstrated for us that loving and serving one another is a key to a blessed life.  Jesus seals the deal when he states, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

Lord, help us to show our love for you by loving and serving others -- even if we must take care of someone's stinky feet. 

Extravagant Worship

My kids love to hear, "Great Job" or "I'm proud of you", when they have done something well.  Whether it is an A+ test score, completing a household chore or hitting a shot at the basketball game -- I look for opportunities to encourage and uplift them.  Mary showed great passion when uplifting Jesus in a different way for a different reason, "Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." (John 12:3)

She expressed her love extravagantly and with much personal sacrifice.  The skeptical thoughts of others and ridicule did not deter her.  Jesus was worth her adoration and worship.

Lord, teach us to love you with Mary-like extravagant worship -- you truly deserve it.

Faith Filled

"It might stick a little", the nurse warned as she embedded the needle into my arm.  It was worth the amount of pain and soreness I felt from the injection, because I put my trust and faith in the doctor to know what to prescribe and the nurse to carrying out the order.  Martha demonstrates her trust and faith in Jesus when he arrived after her brother's death in John 11. 

"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." (John 11:21-22)

What is she saying -- does she truly believe that Jesus can do something for her brother now?  Jesus responds. "Your brother will rise again." (John 11:23)  Shortly after their conversation, Jesus goes to the tomb and brings her brother back to life. 

Each day I have a choice to put my full faith in Jesus to guide, provide and do great things for and through me.  Martha seemed to have this full faith in Jesus.  Lord, help us to have the same.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)

Happy All The Time

I'm in right out right up right down right happy all the time. 
I'm in right out right up right down right happy all the time.
Since Jesus Christ came in  -- and washed away my sins.
I'm in right out right up right down right happy all the time.

I love singing this church song with my kids.  These simple lyrics have deep meaning.  It states that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, comes into our lives and transforms us.  When we invite him in he gives us "life, and ... (life) to the full." (John 10:10b)

He loves us so much that he protects us so that we "shall never perish; no one can snatch (us) out of (his) hand.  My Father, who has given (you) to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch (us) out of my Father's hand." (John 10:28b-29)

Thank you father that you are in me, beside me, above me, below me and all around me.  Anoint me to introduce you to others so that Jesus Christ can come in -- and washed away their sins too.

Clean Your Room

"Dad, why do I have to clean my room" is a phrase I will occasionally hear from my kids.  I can easily get frustrated with them for their delayed obedience and complaining.  If they would just listen and obey immediately with the right attitude, it would make things much easier for them.  Luckily, I am blessed with fairly compliant children.

God desires us to listen and obey as well.  It is simple, but sometimes we make it hard.  The blind man was faced with a choice to listen and obey when Jesus told him, "Go, ... wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing." (John 9:7) 

He did not say, "Why can't you heal me here?" or "Can't you see I am blind and your going to make me walk to the pool of Siloam!"  No, he simply listened and obeyed, and then Jesus completed the miracle. When questioned about it he stated the obvious, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." (John 9:11)

Lord, help us to listen and obey, so we can truly see you and tell others.

God is so Cool.

God speaks to us deep, thought provoking truth through the Bible.  The three powerful passages below from John 8 are filled with this life changing truth. 

Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."  (John 8:10-11)

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12b)
 
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.  Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:34-36)
 
We have the privilege of being forgiven of our sin, connected to God (who has a bright future for us) and receiving complete and total freedom from a life of sin.  Wow -- God is so cool!

Homework

"Dad, will you help me with research for my report," Savannah, my 5th grade daughter asked. Over the next hour, we spent time surfing the internet for data.  I eagerly watched as her thirst to learn was evident. School teachers, coaches and fathers (like me); all have one thing in common -- a desire to teach their students, players and children to become the best they can be. 

Jesus teaching profoundly makes us better. When asked about where his powerful, life changing teaching originated, "Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. (John 7:16). He went to the perfect source, God the father, that enabled him to teach with such authority.

Lord, help us to teach your truth ... in your name ... with great authority. I know it will bring the best results in people's lives.

Bread and Fish

As I watch continual news coverage of the devastation in Haiti, I am reminded of our time in Biloxi, MS after Hurricane Katrina.  The height of effectiveness and the level of God's direction seemed palpable as we handed out much needed food and supplies.  The overwhelming needs of the residents were met by a continual flow of dedicated Christian volunteers who ministered with compassion.  The need should of overwhelmed us in Biloxi, but it did not. 

Jesus also faced a overwhelming tasks of feeding 1000's of people one day.  He took the limited resources available, "five small barley loaves of bread and two small fish" (John 6:9) and began to share with the multitudes.  He and his disciples miraculously feed each person all they wanted.  The need should of overwhelmed him, but it did not.

Lord, help us to step out and offer what we have to others in Jesus name.  We will trust you to do the rest.

Serving Others

My life overflows with people that give, love and selflessly serve others.  Annette, my wife, spends countless hours educating our boys, managing our house and taking care of me (her most challenging task).  Pastor Walt, our pastor, tirelessly ministers through godly counsel, anointed preaching and wise leadership.  The over 100 volunteers at my church passionately give of their time in serving the children in our children's ministry.

Being surrounded by selfless people , reminds me what Jesus said of his mission, "I seek not to please myself but him who sent me" (John 5:30b).  He truly exemplifies the ultimate in selfless dedication to others.  Lord, help me to recognize more of the many opportunities you put before me to serve others and please you.

Living Water for Haiti

The value of something is often dictated by the scarcity of it and the demand for it. In Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area, the simplest of things are quickly becoming of the greatest value. Food, water, medication and clothing are extremely scant in a city that has an overwhelming demand. As I hear of the devastation that the precious people of Haiti are experiencing in the aftermath of this horrible earthquake, I am reminded what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well.

"Everyone who drinks this water (from the well) will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14)

As Christ-centered relief volunteers and resources flow in massive amounts from churches in the coming days, I am confident that lives will be saved -- not only from physical death due to disease and hunger, but eternal death due to the anointed assistance given with love and compassion in Jesus name. I pray that the "spring of water welling up to eternal life" will be in as much demand as any fresh water that can temporary satisfy physical thirst.

Potential

The eager eyes of my 4 and 5 year old swimming students peered out with anticipation as we began our 45 minute session.  Kenny, a quiet boy, had been a student of others before, but this was just our second session together.  As the session progressed, it seemed with every word of instruction and swim stroke practiced, Kenny was making huge improvements.  As I affirmed him, it motivated him even more that by the end of the session I excitedly shared with his mom of his great strides.  My desire is to assist him and the other students to reach their fullest potential as swimmers.

John the Baptist is one who had reached his fullest potential for God and fully understood his purpose.  When John the Baptist was asked why Jesus was beginning to have a bigger following than he, his wise response was,  "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven" (John 3:27).  His desire was to assist others in reaching the fullest potential that had been given to them from heaven and in turn become dedicated Christ followers. 

Lord, help us to understand and fulfill our purpose and help others to do the same.

Home Sweet Home

Children's laughter, unfinished repair projects, milk mustache kisses, dirty dishes, family game times, unfolded laundry and a well used swing set are all things that make my house a home.  I love my calling as a pastor and the privilege I have to work at my church everyday.  I look forward to weekend trips away, dinner at a friends house and regular, (ok, sometimes occasional) trips to the gym.  But, what I enjoy the most is being home ... because home is where I spend time with those I cherish the most in this world.

Jesus enjoyed his home as well.  John 2 tells us he had a "zeal for his house that consume(d) him."  Is his zeal for his house, the temple, so strong because of the ornate instruments of gold or the wise priests who resided there?  No, in part, it was because God, his father, dwelled in that place ... the one Jesus cherished the most.

Lord, dwell in me and my home.  Help me to cherish you the most.

Come and See

"Come and See". A simple statement with a lot of meaning. It is what advertisers desire consumers to do after hearing about a certain product. It is what teachers hope their students will do when asked to dive into their studies. It is what coaches implore their players to do when endeavoring to learn the playbook. And it is this simple statement that Philip makes to Nathanael in John 1 when inviting him to "come and see" Jesus.

As a Christ follower, I desperately want all the people I know to, "come and see" Jesus. I only hope that people can "come and see" the love and character of Jesus demonstrated in me ... and in you.