Does Grandma love me?

Vivian was like most little just-turned-four year olds.   Mom could hardly keep up.   The two of them had just returned from a trip to Grandma's and Vivian couldn't wait to get out of the car, and usually out of her clothes and go to her room and play.   She would dance and talk to herself and her babies.   Vivian loved her babies.  She would take at least one or more if mom let her everywhere she went.   For a four year old, mom recognized Vivian connected people relationally very well.   Whenever she would go to the store she would be quick to point out the babies momma.   It wasn't to long ago she connected the daddy to the momma and momma to the baby.   This always amazed mom.  She marveled at how sharp Vivian's mind connected the dots.   The opposite was true as well.    She always knew when one of the pieces was missing.  She would point out, mom,  that is her momma as she pointed to the mom holding the infant.   Mom would always respond.  That's right Vivian.  Isn't she cute?  Vivian would be quick to ask, where is the momma's daddy?   By "daddy" she meant husband.  But to a four year old every one has a daddy or should have a daddy.

Vivian came running in from her room with everything off but her tighty whities.  She loved to be naked.   When she played and was deep in thought she would twirl her hair and play with her navel.   She was so adorable mom could hardly stand it.   Vivian bounced around with her favorite doll and then mom noticed how she got still.   As she was deep in thought she wondered over to mom with a perplexed look on her face.  Mom knew that look and knew a question was coming soon.   Mom reached out to Vivian and invited her into her lap.  Vivian looking down and then looked up into Mom's eyes and asked,  Why doesn't Grandma live in Grandpa's house?   Mom knew this question was going to come up one day but never did she believe it would happen this soon.   Mom, wanting to buy some time to come up with an answer said,  Well Vivian, I am not real sure.  It is difficult to explain.  Not satisfied at all.  Vivian asked, doesn't Grandpa love Grandma?   Mom felt a little twinge of the almost forgotten pain at the question.  Oh no Vivian, Grandpa loves Grandma very much, mom quickly responded.

Vivian looking down again deep in thought.   Mom knew that this was very confusing for her.   Afterall everyone needs a "daddy" in Vivian's simple little world.  Vivian asked the obvious question, but she said so slowly almost as if afraid to ask the question or afraid of the answer.  Does Grandma love Grandpa?   Now the slight pain in mom's belly was sharp and all too familar.   It had been some time since mom's parents got a divorce and the pain that was there had been suppressed for a while.  It had been so long that mom thought that maybe it had gone away for good but no it was only dormant waiting for this moment.  Mom looked Vivian in those big blue eyes and said, Baby, I believe at one time she did and she still may but it's difficult to explain. 

Being intuitive beyond her years mom could see the wheels turning in Vivian's head.   Maybe Vivian isn't a chess player or a child prodigy but she puts 2 and 2 together very quickly even if she can't quite articulate it It is there.   Vivian looked back at mom and with a hint of tear in her eyes and a quiver in her voice she asked, "Are You Going to Leave Daddy?"   Vivian's neat little innocent world was being rocked right in front of her.  Vivian's 2 and 2 where coming together.  If Grandma left Grandpa then her mom might leave her daddy.  Mom quickly and with as much conviction and sincerity as she could muster looked Vivian in the eyes and with grief and remorse tried to assure her, Oh Vivian, momma is never going to leave daddy.  We will always be together.   Momma held Vivian really tight.   Vivian looked back at momma paused for a moment  and then asked, "Does Grandma Love Me?"   Again this floored mom.  Vivian recognized that if Grandma's idea of love included leaving Grandpa then whose to say Grandma won't leave her too someday.   Momma again quickly responded, Oh Vivian, Grandma loves you more than anything.

As Mom said those words she knew they rang hollow and thin.   If Vivian doesn't know now she will learn love is a verb it is not what someone says but rather it is what someone does that demonstrates their love.   The same pain that mom felt when her parents divorced she knew was now being visited upon her daughter.   As she held Vivian close she silently plead with God.  Oh Lord please please give my husband and I grace to stick together.  Don't let us ever yield to temptation or wander from you.   Please keep us God.  Please, for Vivian's sake and her children.

An Appeal to Christians on the Left

"Civility in Public Discourse is at an all time low".   This statement has been repeated every decade I have been following politics.   It is usually sited by a liberal politician or member of the media after some horrific incident implying the rise in the conservative movement is stirring up angst and hatred.    These slurs and false implications are never proven or founded on anything of substance.   

It seems to me however, things actually have declined to a level that is disgraceful, disgusting and shameful.   The left has sunk to a low that is not human.   I don't want to come across condescending or prudish or any of those things.   I honestly and sincerely feel shame for the man carrying this sign.  I want to plead with him to stop his inhumane degrading behavior.  It doesn't help his cause.  It doesn't serve the few good people of his cause and it is offensive to decent people of all political persuasions or at least it should be.   If he were trying to be funny it's not.    

You might have read recently of the CBS reporter, Lara Logan, while covering the protest in Egypt was sexually assaulted by a group of men and repeatedly raped in the street while many looked on.  The accounts differ but the ordeal could have lasted any where from 30 minutes to 3 hours.  She was beaten, bit and raped repeatedly.  She was degraded in unthinkable and unspeakable ways.   For a more graphic and detailed account of the incident read here.  

http://wizbangpop.com/2011/02/18/the-controversial-and-shocking-details-about-the-lara-logan-attack/

In light of Lara Logan's tragedy, this man's sign clearly is making reference to the incident at this Wisconsin protest rally and I guess is looking to commit similar acts of violence against conservative women.   The Left is officially unhinged.  I have little to no respect for the general Left.   Their claim to stand up for the common man, to defend the defenseless, is a sham and disgusting.   For those few on the Left that truly do want to help the less fortunate and give back to mankind, their efforts are totally mocked by the great numbers of people, like this man, who are filled with hate and gross self interest.    

I realize this is little more than a rant but lines are being drawn and they are bold and distinctive.  Freedom loving people stand in great contrast to those on the Left that only want to get theirs now with no regard for future generations.  For my Left leaning Christian brothers and sisters, I pray the Lord continue to lead you to Himself and I truly pray that your efforts to help the poor will be blessed.   I also pray that your eyes will be enlightened to the fact that if you are associated with such abhorrent people in your cause your efforts will be disgraced.  Either find a way to cleanse your movement of such filth and restore integrity to your cause or leave them and join with millions of freedom loving people, who honor life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all, regardless of race, gender or socio-economic background.

I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!!

After dropping the game winning touchdown pass against the Steelers Steve Johnson, the Buffalo Bills wide-out, ranted on Twitter, "I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!!"   Out of his frustration, disappointment and hurt he shouted and blamed God for his misfortune.   Predictably, the world jumped on @StevieJohnson13 for his rant and misplacing the blame.  He received national attention on TV, print, talk radio, blogs, and social networks.  Had he caught the ball I am not sure the world would know Steve Johnson.   Sadly I must admit I have placed blame at God's feet to many times myself.  Maybe I didn't send a tweet to the whole world about it but I am probably guilty of far worse.


It's funny how we believe we are entitled to so much.  "If I do this or that for you God, then don't I "deserve" what I want?"   There are plenty of voices in many pulpits that will reinforce this notion that we are entitled and that we can place God in our debt.  Your Blessed Life Now or The Blessed Life are just a couple of popular titles that will in subtle and not so subtle ways convince you that you deserve better.  The message that God is for you and that God is here for you is deafening and overwhelming.  As if God is not the center of the universe, you are.  But we don't have to go any further than our own wicked deceitful hearts to hear that message.  


Isn't it true, every moment of every day we tell ourselves we should have it better?  We should have more.  We deserve more.  We don't deserve to be treated this way or that someone or something is keeping us from happiness.   If we have any church background at all, at some point, the Steve Johnson thought comes into our heads and we say, "Look at all I have done for You, don't I deserve better?"  


When I think about the tantrums that I have thrown so many times it makes me sick.   What's worse, I really believed it.  God in His mercy opened my eyes to the obvious truth, we don't deserve anything from God but His wrath.  The reality that Steve Johnson can run and breath and jump is a miracle and only by God's grace do we have any ability at all.

Paul, in Ephesians 2, says it best, "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.  But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."

Clearly, Paul is not speaking to everyone but only to those who have been made alive by God.  And that is Paul's point.  It wasn't anything that we did or could do or bring.  We have nothing and deserve nothing but His wrath and if He doesn't intervene we are lost.  It is only by His grace.  With this correct perspective like Job we should say, "though He slay me yet will I trust Him".  He may crush me in this life and He may choose to bless me.  I may catch the touchdown pass and I may not, but whatever comes my way He knows what is best for me and without Him I would be nothing.  Paul goes on to say why He saved us in the first place.  And it isn't for us or so we could enjoy a "Blessed Life", on this earth, but rather,   "that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace".  That's right, it is for His glory. Period, end of story.  Not my story and glory. Not yours either.  His.  To Him be all glory, honor, dominon, power, and strength, forever and ever Amen.

Should we forgive Michael Vick?

On the way to work this morning I tuned in to a national syndicated morning sports talk show. As I listen to the anchors of this show discuss Michael Vick's return to football stardom, I couldn't help but notice how they so delicately handled his past dog fighting offenses. His dog fighting activity sent him to prison for 2 years. I listened to them go on and on asking, "should we forgive him, have we forgave him? What does it say about us as a society and fans that he has received the most votes for the pro bowl this year?" Listening in, my thoughts weren't really about Michael Vick at all. To be honest, I hope he has turned his life around. I hope that he makes a huge contribution to his community. But he really isn't my point or focus.

I couldn't help but notice how these guys talking about Michael Vick's past didn't even mention his past in any detail. It was obvious they were doing everything they could to avoid mentioning it, describing it, or discussing it. They did mention how disgusted they were with what he did and how they were outraged by his actions back then. They also described how they received enormous outrage and hate mail for even mentioning his come back a year ago.

What struck me by all of this is how they wouldn't say that he "killed" dogs. It was clear they were avoiding it.  I suppose perhaps they didn't want to be offensive. Their handling of the topic really began to bug me. Here is a guy that killed dogs and did prison time for it. But he didn't abort a baby. He didn't take advantage of a woman or women and then discard them. He didn't infect a child with aids.  He didn't buy a little girl for sex.  The effects of these and other offenses to humans are far graver and more devastating than killing some animal.

I guess my problem with that conversation was just how skewed our values are and have become. There is outrage over animal abuse and in contrast there is very little reaction over the abuse to mankind that goes on daily all around us.

Am I alone in this? I wonder what you think?

Rangers fight back demons

Our Texas Rangers have done it! They have defeated a 39 year old demon. This team and these players have a great story. Many of the players on this team have great stories. None better than Josh Hamilton's story of his battle with substance abuse. We too often hear the dark and ugly side of athlete's. You can find as much information and details of the sorted tales of Brett Farve's sexting or Tiger Woods extra marital activities as you have time for. It is everywhere. But where are the stories of men overcoming, beating back life's challenges?

Josh's story highlighted on the I am second video is amazing. What is just as amazing is his continued submission to the Lord. The Lord captured his heart in that moment of desperation and has kept Josh ever since. Recently, Josh went to speak to a youth group at a local church testifying of the Lord's faithfulness and saving power in his life instead of celebrating with champagne with his teammates after the game that clinched the playoffs this season. After the Tamba Bay playoff series his teammates celebrated with Ginger Ale.

When we watch Josh Hamilton take the field tonight against the hated Yankees, like any of us who have been saved and rescued, Josh knows there wouldn't be a game or a life without Christ doing for him what he could not do for himself. Jesus truly is the Demon hunter for all of us. That makes me want to shout hallelujah, Thank you Jesus, Lord your worthy of all the honor and all the praise and Go Rangers!


You can learn more about Josh Hamilton at TriplePlayMinistries.com

2010 Republican "Pledge To America"

Link: GOP Pledge To America

Amen! The House GOP nailed this one.  You can't go wrong sticking to the Declaration of Independence and Biblical truth.  Because God is our Creator and we are His cherished creation we have intrinsic value that no government can take away or improve. When our liberties are infringed upon by our government it is our right and duty before God to act in accordance with God's will and power to change that government.

Roger Staubach, still Captain America

Recently Published In a Letter to the Editor Column in the Dallas Morning News.

To Roger Staubach, still Captain America -- Recently, my brother was sitting in first class on a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Colorado Springs when a couple boarded and sat in front of him. He immediately recognized the man as Roger Staubach. They exchanged greetings, and Staubach said he was headed to Colorado Springs for the inaugural Warrior Games.

After 60 or 70 percent of the plane was boarded, a female Army soldier who had lost her leg boarded. Staubach insisted she sit in his seat; she said, "no, thanks," but he insisted. He took her place in a middle seat way in the back. After a few minutes, the young girl got tears in her eyes and said she wanted to go to her seat and have Staubach return to his.

The flight attendant overheard, and, as the female soldier headed to retrieve Staubach, the attendant said she had a no-show and both could sit in first class.

The flight attendant returned with the female soldier, but Staubach sent a double amputee Army soldier to sit in his seat. Staubach remained in coach the entire flight and disembarked last. My brother waited and asked for an autograph for my birthday; Staubach said certainly. It's a great gift, but the greater gift is knowing Roger Staubach is still Captain America.

Drew Werner, Addison http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Addison%2C_Texas>

How "beautiful" He is

A continuation of several posts expounding on each line of the song "How He Loves Us". I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

"And I realize just how beautiful You are, And how great Your affections are for me".
...But he who has been forgiven little loves little. Luke 7:47
.... when he came to his senses Luke 5:17

Kim Walker ~ How He Loves US with lyrics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-rW528qiYw

Love is an amazing emotion that God has given mankind the capacity to enjoy and reciprocate. The trouble is the human heart, on its own, doesn't fully understand love nor do we appreciate love or know how to give or receive love. This is only possible by the work of the Holy Spirit. I sighted these two verses because they are two of my favorite stories told in scripture that gives us insight into an appropriate response to God's kind of love.

The first is the story of a "sinful" woman who anointed Jesus feet while He was "reclining" with a group of men. I envision a group of guys hanging out telling stories and laughing, making lots of noise. And then this woman shows up and the room gets very quiet. As she breaks open the jar of perfume and begins to wash Jesus feet there are hushed whispers all over the room. No one can believe what is happening and that Jesus is allowing this "sinful" woman to continue. Jesus explains to Peter with an analogy of forgiven debt and delivers this powerful line, "he who has been forgiven little loves little". When I read this I think about my life and the rest of us who grew up in church all our lives. We grow up in comparison mode of lying to ourselves we are "good" people. We don't fall into any of the major sins therefore we are better and deserving. This is a dangerous horrible place to be because it limits our capacity to love Him.

Don't get me wrong I don't want my children to ever experience the consequences of dark deep rooted sin. But the reality is all of our hearts are deep and dark and filled with sin, we just don't know it until the Holy Spirit reveals our hearts to us. There is none good no not one. We believe the lie that we ever were. Because of this lie we sit around a room whispering while the "sinner" is absolutely captivated by Him.

Gratefully, but with much pain, I had a "come to my senses" moment back in 2007. I had chosen a path that continually and progressively led me to a dark place. When that moment came, I call it my 2x4 moment because it felt like I had been hit in the head with a 2x4, I came to my senses. In that moment I stood in my filth. I was disgusted by what I had done and who I had become. I was lost and I knew it. I had no hope and like the boy in the story in Luke 5 all I wanted to do was go home. But like him, I didn't know if He would have me. It is then I looked up in the middle of my mess; filthy, dirty, desperately wanting to be clean that I saw the Savior. All I saw was this pure, holy, "beautiful" God that looked at me with love and desire.

Unconditional love is so unlike anything that we could ever imagine or give or even receive on human terms. We don't even expect it from one another. We all believe that we have to perform, or provide, or be something of worth before someone will love us. As I stood there with nothing of worth but who I was; I had nothing to offer but me and who could love that? But He did. There is no explanation for why He chose to love me. Why He would choose me. It truly is of no doing of my own. He just does. There is no other words to describe it but "beautiful". In that line in the song it is so simple but so powerful, "and I realized just how beautiful Y0u are and how great Your affections are for me." This captures that moment. Like when the woman caught in adultery and Jesus lifts her head and ask where are your accusers? This is that beautiful moment.

I so wish I had come to this place without having gone the dark path. I so desire for my children to be spared the pain of sin and pray for mercy over them. But I also feel sad for church goers who aren't moved in worship by a Savior that is so great, and so gracious, loving, so forgiving and oh so beautiful. In that moment when I am so overwhelmed by, captivated by, enraptured by His great love I gladly forsake all my junk, my sin, my filth, for Him. If only for a moment I can possess Him, have Him, obtain Him. If were the whole realm of nature mine that were an offering far too small. Love so amazing so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

How He Loves Us - Part 2

For the next several posts I hope to expound on each line of the song "How He Loves Us". I hope you enjoy this as much as I will.

Love like a Hurricane, I am a tree bent by His waves of mercy.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. II Cor 5:14

Kim Walker ~ How He Loves US with lyrics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-rW528qiYw

I loved the movie "The Notebook". As the love story builds the main character wrote love letters to his lover every day for one year. Later, as the story unfolds and the truth comes out about the un-returned letters, the lover is blown away by Noah's, the main characters, persistence and great faith in her, even though she never once responded or acknowledged the letters and effort. After being told of the letters, years later, she is clearly overwhelmed by his expression of love. The audience is captivated by this demonstration of love as well.

The line in this song so beautifully describes the Fathers violent, persistent, and tenacious pursuit of us. Jesus did not just write us love letters, which He did, but His demonstration of love towards us is so amazing so overwhelming and violent the image of a hurricane is beautiful. I have never personally witnessed a hurricane except on TV. The images are horrific. The wind and rain are relentless. It seems that it never stops. Wave after wave after wave of relentless thrashing. This image of this relentless violent rain is a great visual of His love for us.

No greater love than this than a man lay down His life for His friends. He took our place. Taking for us what we did deserve and giving us what we didn't. Martin Luther wrote of Jesus, "Hanging cursed upon the tree because of our transgressions, Jesus, in the Father's righteous judgment, had become "adulterer" to save sexual sinners. Likewise, He was "murderer" to save the hateful, as well as "oath-breaker," "liar," "sorcerer," and every other type of wicked person, even though He never committed a single one of these sins."

In our place Jesus took all our shame every embarrassing sin, the humiliation, the scorn. He took it all so that we might enjoy, obtain, and possess Him. What a Savior.

How He Loves Us - John Mark Mcmillan

This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God. I John 4:10 The Message

Ever so often there is a song that is the right song with the right words for the right time. This song has been that kind of song for me right now. It is amazing how the Lord does that. This song has been out for over 2 years but it recently has been covered by Kim Walker, Hillsong United and now David Crowder Band has just released it. It is being sung in churches everywhere right now. It has been a huge blessing to me as I have encounter the love of God afresh and anew. These lyrics have so impacted my thinking that I thought it would be a good source of encouragement as I blog each line of each verse. Taking a line at a time. I trust you enjoy this as much as I will. And I pray that the love of our Lord be an ever increasing wave that washes over you day after day.

Kim Walker version with lyrics on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-rW528qiYw&feature=related

John Mark Mcmillan - How He Loves Lyrics

Verse 1:
He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are, And how great Your affections are for me.

Pre-Chorus:
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Verse 2:
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

I know my Redeemer lives

The idea of a Redeemer has fascinated me for a long time. Redemption can mean a lot of things. Like to redeem a coupon. Basically, the value of the coupon is worthless except for it's expressed written intent. When used for other means it really can't buy you much but if it is used for it's purpose then it has value. This is an interesting thought when considering Christ's redemption of us, the redeemed. We truly have no value apart from Him. In John 15 Jesus says apart from me you can do NOTHING. That's a big statement from our perspective. But it is so true. Even those of great accomplishment apart from Christ will be consumed upon our Lord's return.

But the idea of redemption that really fascinates me is the idea of a restored life so full and complete that it is restored to a better condition than it's original form and purpose. I believe we see this throughout scripture and redemptive history. This is not a new idea but it is one that really makes my heart swell with hope and joy. It fills me with praise and adoration for a God that is so awesome, loving, and kind.

We see this redemptive story line play out in so many of the patriachs of the OT. Abraham with his promised son, Moses as leader of his people, Job with his many trials is given double because of his faithfulness, Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers is actually the vessel used to save those same brothers later in life. Only God could do these things in the lives of broken jars of clay.

The story that is most inspiring is the story of Ruth. It speaks directly to this idea of "kinsman-Redeemer. This title of "kinsman-Redeemer" is a title given to Christ. Boaz in Ruth's life is a type of Christ. We all know the story of Ruth but the backdrop really set's the stage. The book of Ruth begins with a famine. A famine is an external trial that is beyond any of our control. Life tends to come at us and we can make a mess of it by ourselves with no help at all but when something external hits us it is just that much more overwhelming. The result of the famine led to death. Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, was widowed as a result. Ten years later so was Ruth. In those days women had no options. They couldn't just pick up there lives, find jobs and move on. Woman were solely dependent upon their husbands for covering, protection, and most importantly provision. Naomi's and Ruth's situation was hopeless. They had nothing but a piece of land and no one to care for them or the land.

Naomi's plan was to return to her homeland sell the property and hope it was enough to outlast the famine. Regardless, the money would run out and she would eventually die. Ruth committed to Naomi and made the decision to follow Naomi and essentially realize the same hopeless demise.

But there was one other possiblity availabe to them and that was the idea of a "kinsman-Redeemer". Boaz was in a line of possible kinsman-Redeemers. The title essentially described a relative that was given the ability to purchase property and take wives who were widowed within the family or kin. This was the people of God's way of taking care of the widowed and poor. The kinsman-Redeemer depending on his place in line had the option but not required to make the transaction and "redeem" the relatives. In other words become the covering, protection, and provider of the relatives in desperate need. It was His prerogative and choice. He was under no obligation to do anything. If he had the means, inclination and benevolent heart to do so then he could act but only if he chose to.

Boaz was a benevolent kinsman-redeemer and in Ruth 4:9 Boaz declares before the elders, "Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. ¹⁰ I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses!"

At this point the transaction is consummated and now Naomi and Ruth are provided for. Boaz takes Ruth as his wife and if the story ended there it would be a beautiful account of how God is faithful to the poor who submit and desire to honor HIM. But the story doesn't end there. And this is why I am fascinated by this idea of Redemption.

God's redemption of our lives is not simple restoration. Restoration is beautiful. We all love to see an old abandoned house restored to it's original form. But this is NOT where God stops. His is a restoration that creates something totally new and better than it's original form and purpose.

Ruth was taken as Boaz's wife. Boaz loved Ruth. God blessed their union and they conceived a child. But not just any child because Obed was the father of Jessie who was the father of David. The greatest King of Israel and ultimately the lineage that led to Jesus, "the son of David".

This is how God so amazes me. Forces beyond our control and in many cases pain that is self inflected failure devastates and creates impossible circumstances that leave us desolate, desperate and dying. We have no where to turn we have no hope. If He doesn't choose to save us we are lost forever. Not only are we lost but our name is wiped out for ever. And in our despair our kinsman-Redeemer comes to our rescue. Jesus purchases us and not only covers us, He not only protects us, and provides for us but He restores what was hopelessly lost forever, our name.

Psalm 112 says that the offspring of the righteous will be mighty in the land. Where sin and self indulgence has corrupted, where external forces have warred against us and has devastated our hopes, dreams and aspirations He is more than able to take what is broken and seemingly hopeless and create something that is so far beyond our wildest dreams. He is so good. He is so wonderful. Words can't describe how awesome is our Great God and King. He is my kinsman-redeemer and I love Him.

Really? Seriously? Nothing?

Do "nothing" out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Phillipians 2:3

Really Paul? You can't be serious can you? "Nothing"? Really? ....... I am so not there. In fact just about everything I do is out of gross self interest. Surely Paul's words don't apply in the grocery store do they? We have all been there. You spot a lane at the grocery store and you look up and so did a guy on the other side and your in a hurry. My first thought is "speed up". Get there first. Isn't it true we have that thought every day all day? Getting to the isle first would be selfish so on my better days I let the guy go ahead. But where I think it is most difficult and also the greatest test is when we have been wronged by another person.

The greater the offense the harder Paul's words become. "Do "nothing" out of selfish ambition. Consider others better than yourselves." This is impossible when we believe we have "rights". It is so easy to fall into the trap of the world mindset that says we deserve better, we deserve more. We easily say to ourselves "It's my turn" I am doing this for me" All those "me" statements are very real and natural to the carnal flesh. And no doubt Dr. Phil would affirm your right to happiness. But Paul's admonishment is the exact opposite of the "Me First" way. As Christ continues to transform my heart I grow ever increasingly aware of my self centered ways.

In my depraved state I just have one set of lenses. They are the "me" lenses. And those are the only lenses I see everything through. You see it everywhere in advertising. We live in the entitlement age. We have all seen the ads with common themes like "you deserve the best" You deserve the nice car, nice house, nice whatever, and you especially deserve a break. The reality is that we don't "deserve" to be happy. It is NOT our right. What we deserve is death. What we get is life and freedom. Freedom to serve the One who purchased us with His own blood. Paul said, "I am not my own, I have been bought with a price." I Cor 6. We serve at His pleasure. He does what He wants to when He wants to with us.

To make a statement like "I deserve this or that" or "I am not going to put up with it any longer", is a form of rebellion that has no place within the heart of the believer. We serve at His pleasure. He determines what we put up with and for how long.

While Paul was in prison, beaten, starved, cold and wet, chained to the wall, he wrote to the Phillippian believers. He could have wrote of his sufferings, his health, his loneliness, his anger at his tormentors, his mistreatment, the injustice, his wounds, or his hunger. But had he done so he would have not been able to write "do nothing out of selfish ambition" he follows it up with the impossible "consider others better than yourself". If he is going to be true to that statement then he can't dwell on his pain and suffering can he? Rather he has to do what he did and that is focus on the Philippians and their needs and his desire to see God's glory magnified in his trials.

By the end of his letter to the Philippians he writes "Rejoice and again he said to rejoice" Phillipians 4. In his sufferings, while focusing on others, he comes to a place of peace and can say "Rejoice!" Paul puts me to shame. In his suffering he was true to his exhortation. While he could have, like me focused on his pain, he instead focused on the only lasting joy, the edification of the Lord's glory and His great name. Focusing on others provided the strength that he needed to endure but Paul gives another clue to his unbelievable overcoming strategy.

In his letter to the Romans Paul doesn't dwell on the past or his present condition but rather he looks to the hope he has in Christ. In Romans he writes, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:16-18

Do I truly believe that the future glory is worth any pain I might endure here? Do I truly believe that in spite of pain or offenses that I should serve others including those who offend in hope of realizing a greater glory? If given the choice of removing myself from any discomfort and pain or remaining faithful and serving others would I choose to stay and serve? What do I believe? When is faith most evident? Is it most evident in good times or is it's greatest demonstration in times of pain?

I guess I need some more time on the alter putting my flesh to death